“Franz!”
“Brother!”
“Franz-onii-sama!”
The entire Bernstein family, as well as Kai, turned pale and sprang to their feet at the outrageous act of the eldest son. But faster than that, the girl took hold of Franz’s arm once more.
“—Franz-san,” she whispered, her amethyst eyes glistening as she gently wrapped her hands around his rough ones. “You truly have a discerning eye.”
“What…?”
Franz, who had instantly regretted his excessive behavior, was taken aback by the girl’s words. She quieted the agitated family with just her gaze and continued.
“You are a very, very kind person. I can tell.”
Franz felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He had been called insecure, unsightly, arrogant, and foolish countless times, but never had anyone seen him and called him kind. The girl was the first.
“Kind…?”
“You are someone who considers what others need. You don’t get caught up in appearances or immediate concerns. You properly discern the essence of things.”
As she spoke, Franz realized something, staring into the rumored truth-seeing eyes of the Hakenberg family.
(Could she possibly know that I became interested in the sigils because of Camilla…?)
Yes. Initially, Franz had delved into the field of sigils—something that could potentially grant magical abilities to commoners—hoping to find a way to save his ailing sister, Camilla.
However, sigil development was not something an amateur could easily engage in, and while he spent time aimlessly, his younger brother, Oscar, swiftly saved their sister with the “Hair of the Saint.”
Franz was happy that his youngest sister, Camilla, was saved. But deep down, he had wanted to be the one who solved the problem and gained recognition from his family.
“…It’s all lies.”
Despite how much he appreciated the girl’s words, his insecurity made him cling to his final shred of resistance.
“Everyone… even my family says my brother is better. He was the one who saved my sister. He’s better-looking, has better grades, better business acumen… and even better popularity.”
Facing a younger, unfamiliar girl and feeling pitiful. Even though he thought that, he couldn’t stop the flood of emotions that had once started.
“Franz-san,” Leo called out, internally sighing at Franz, who had started whining pathetically.
Though Leo didn’t particularly like whiny men, he wanted to comfort his respected friend who had lost his confidence. After all, Franz had generously given him a small silver coin upon their first meeting.
Leo, hoping to restore Franz’s confidence so he could energetically dive into the sigil business and share in the profits, spoke up.
“Don’t say that. Franz-san has strengths that Oscar-senpai can’t match.”
“No way…”
Franz, who replied in a small voice, was indeed an unremarkable young man. His nervous appearance wasn’t appealing to women, and his weak-willed personality was off-putting.
(Besides his exceptional love for making money, his foresight in the sigil business, and his remarkable generosity… he’s actually a pretty great person when you list it all.)
However, Oscar also had a good sense for making money and was generous, making it hard to argue that Franz was superior to his brother. Leo pondered this while still holding Franz’s hands, scanning him from head to toe. Then, Leo’s eyes widened.
“—There is.”
“What?”
“There is a strength that Franz-san has.”
Ignoring Franz’s puzzled look, Leo glanced around. Oscar was watching them intently. Deciding not to speak openly, Leo conveyed his message vaguely.
“There is something that Franz-san has, which Oscar-senpai lacks.”
Looking at Franz’s richly flowing chestnut hair, Leo spoke seriously.
“Franz-san knows, right?”
“Knows what—?”
Franz was confused, but the seriousness in Leo’s gaze made him swallow nervously.
“Franz-san’s strength is genuine. It’s not borrowed magic; it’s something you’re born with. Even if it’s not recognized now, it will be someday. When that time comes, please support Oscar-senpai.”
The girl’s words were abstract, and Franz couldn’t immediately grasp their meaning.
“What do you mean by that…?”
“Sorry, I can’t say more,” the girl said, tightening her lips and shaking her head.
Realizing he was about to rely completely on a younger girl, Franz shook his head vigorously.
“I… I’m sorry. What have I been doing…?”
Before he knew it, even his perfunctory politeness had vanished. He berated himself for being pathetic, but the feeling wasn’t as bitter as usual. Because—
(I have a strength too… A real strength that even Oscar doesn’t have…)
The girl’s words took root in Franz’s heart, providing the vitality to grow a flourishing tree of confidence. It was as if life had returned to a parched land.
“Sorry for talking so much,” the girl said, seemingly only now realizing that she had been holding his hands all along. She started to pull away, looking embarrassed.
Feeling an unexpected loneliness as the warmth receded, Franz hastily grabbed her hand again.
“Uh, Leo… Leonora-san. I’m deeply sorry for my various rudenesses.”
“Oh, no, it’s nothing.”
Leonora casually responded, her kindness evident. Overwhelmed by the warmth he felt for the first time, Franz spoke rapidly.
“I will… do my best. I will engrave your words in my heart. I will find and nurture my unique strength. And I will further develop the Bernstein Company. So…!”
So—
The words that followed got stuck in his throat, but the pledge to the girl became a firm vow in his heart.
“Leonora, I’m sorry for my brother,” Oscar said, sensing the conversation had reached a natural conclusion. Hager, Fauna, and even Camilla bowed in apology, but Leo waved them off, delightedly preparing to leave when told there was a parting gift.
***
“Thank you again for today. I’m very sorry for my son’s behavior, even after you came all this way.”
“Oh, please, don’t worry about it. I’m the one who should apologize for not finishing the appraisal,” Leo said, feeling concerned that Mr. Hager might worry himself into baldness if he kept apologizing.
“Oh my,” Hager replied, widening his eyes as if surprised.
“What do you mean? It was a complete victory for you, Leonora-san.”
“What?”
Leo tilted her head in confusion, wondering when it had turned into that. Hager smiled, his expression that of a shrewd merchant.
“You saw through Franz’s true nature. Despite his rudeness, you discerned his genuine qualities—something that can’t be trained. In time, society will prove your judgment right.”
With a father’s authority, Hager muttered something under his breath. Leo watched, still puzzled.
(Did we have that conversation?)
But any doubts were quickly dispelled when Hager added, “When that day comes, I’ll send you an exquisite wine. It might take years, but I’ll buy a fine wine now and let it age.”
“The Yuvaik was delicious,” Leo said.
“Oh, you liked the Yuvaik? I’ll get the best quality for you then.”
“Thank you.”
Delicious free food, a glimpse into a senior’s struggles, a silver coin, and the promise of fine wine—it had been a very good day.
“Thank you for everything. I look forward to visiting again.”
“Please do! We will be waiting.”
With a cheerful farewell from the Bernstein family, Leo left their mansion.
***
“What a wonderful person!” Camilla murmured, gazing longingly at the girl walking away with her attendants.
“She saved my life,” Camilla added.
“Yes, live in a way that honors Leonora,” Oscar said, gently patting his sister’s head.
Leo the selfless saint, who had rebuked the arrogance of the nobility, exposed the ambitions of the church, and saved the lives of commoners, continued to work her miracles. They had invited her to repay a favor, yet she ended up solving the worries of their eldest son.
“When will we ever repay our debt to her?” Oscar wondered aloud, recalling her clear, pure eyes. Hager, ever the merchant, overheard and raised an eyebrow.
“A Bernstein should not speak so weakly. Our family motto is to repay kindness twice over and retribution fivefold. If you can’t see how to repay her, ask Leonora-san to extend the repayment period. I’ll help too.”
“I’ll do it too!” Camilla added, eyes shining. “Oscar, you should marry Leonora-sama! That way, our whole family can spend a lifetime repaying her!”
Oscar shrugged at his sister’s naive suggestion. “Nonsense. The first prince is infatuated with her, and she has powerful protectors. A mere commoner like me can’t pursue her.”
“Oh, but the sigil business will change the power dynamics in this country. A good merchant is always prepared to seize opportunities.”
Oscar’s retort was met with a calm but serious reply from Fauna. It seemed she, along with Camilla and Hager, had taken a liking to Leonora. Oscar sighed.
“She’s only twelve, you know.”
“Oh, Oscar! That means she’ll be of marrying age in four years. Nobles get engaged as early as five!”
“Alright, alright. Age is no excuse.”
His persistent sister would always find a thousand arguments to get her way. Oscar waved her off, murmuring seriously.
“She’s our benefactor. I don’t want to taint her pure heart and dedication with base emotions like love.”
“Oscar…” Camilla whispered. She knew her brother, despite his popularity with women, had much experience in love. He likely didn’t want to drag Leonora into that realm.
“But…
I understand. Marrying her is the ultimate form of repayment, the highest respect. If possible, I would like to…”
He didn’t finish. Perhaps because he couldn’t or didn’t want to.
***
After parting from the Bernstein family, Leo asked her escorts, “What are the Bernsteins like?”
The gentle-haired maid with the upturned eyes responded enthusiastically.
“An influential merchant family!”
“And very honorable. They are reputed for their sincere dealings,” added the bodyguard, in his forties, as they walked back to the station.
“They are strong yet flexible,” the maid continued, “highly respected and good at forming connections.”
“An ideal business family,” Leo remarked, looking back at the disappearing mansion.
Yes, it had been a good day. A very good day indeed.