Published: January 17, 2026
After exchanging greetings with Rosso, Panamera then walked over here.
“Long time no see, boy.”
“Mr. Panamera, you’re as usual as ever.”
“…I sense there’s some implication in that. You mean as beautiful as ever, right?”
“O-of course!”
I replied nervously, sweating under Panamera’s sharp gaze. I mustn’t show any weakness to Panamera.
“Miss Arte, it’s been a while. How have you been?”
“I’m well, thanks to Lord Van. Every day is enjoyable.”
“Oh? Is that so? Looks like marriage is just around the corner, boy?”
After hearing Arte’s reply, for some reason Panamera suddenly turned his attention to me. It was a loaded remark. Flustered by it, I made a critical mistake.
“So, Mr. Panamera, aren’t you getting married soon? It’s about time… ha!”
That was an unnecessary comment. No, it was a complete slip of the tongue. You could even call it rude.
“…Boy. You’ve certainly learned to speak boldly. Well, since you’ve become a viscount, I suppose that gives you some confidence…”
“N-no, no, no! That’s not it at all! I’m not acting arrogantly…!”
When Panamera slightly opened his eyes and smiled, it felt like being stared down by a predator. I tried to justify myself, but there was no escaping.
“I’ll have to teach you a lesson!”
“Ugh!”
He swiftly moved behind me and wrapped his arm around my neck. Damn it—why is Mr. Panamera wearing armor? If I was going to say something foolish, I should have done it after the meal.
Though not applied with much force, Panamera held my neck firmly, and Arte and the others grew worried at the sight.
“Mr. Panamera…”
“Lord Van will die!”
Seeing Arte, Til, and Kamushin panic seemed to satisfy Panamera, who then loosened his grip and released me.
Rosso, watching this, smiled showing his teeth.
“Wahaha! You two really get along well!”
“Thank you. I have a feeling Viscount Van might surpass me soon, so I thought I’d try to gain a psychological edge.”
“I see. That makes sense. Alright, I shall also try to gain a psychological advantage over Sir Van.”
“Please spare me!”
I felt like a young comedian caught up in the nonsense of two senior nobles. No matter how successful I become, I suppose it’s like never defying a respected teacher or a fearsome senior. Still, I hope I never become more powerful than Rosso.
After that, I enjoyed Rosso’s luxurious dinner with Gian, and it was then that Panamera finally noticed someone’s presence.
“Oh? Who’s this? Isn’t he the son of Marquis Feltio?”
Panamera asked with a smile, and Sesto, who had been sitting at the edge of the table trying to remain unnoticed, twitched his shoulders nervously.
“Y-yes. I am Sesto Ere Feltio…”
Sesto replied timidly, shrugging his shoulders, and Panamera nodded.
“Hmm. I am Panamera Carrera Cayenne. Your father has been quite helpful to me.”
“I-is that so…”
Panamera pressed on with conversation, but Sesto seemed to shrink back the more he spoke. Just like with Rosso, Sesto appears intimidated when talking to powerful people. Then again, during the meeting with Mondeo, Rosso and I handled most of it, so it makes sense Sesto wasn’t very visible. But even during the shipbuilding and meals with Rosso, where was he?
Could it be that he was holed up in a room in the mansion?
Worried a little about my brother’s future, I took a bite of my food just as Panamera furrowed his brows and turned to me.
“Sesto is a man of few words, isn’t he?”
“…Yes. Probably a man of few words.”
Not sure how else to answer, I gave a vague reply. Then Panamera’s curiosity shifted from Sesto to me.
“So, boy? How was the ship? I set out immediately after receiving the report, but barely missed arriving in time.”
Panamera said with a hint of frustration. Indeed, as soon as Sesto arrived at Seato village, a fast rider must have left for Fortress City Cayenne, but the distance was considerable. Calculating the travel times, I realized we had marched to Tribute with excellent speed. Panamera must have wanted to talk with the messenger from the Fiesta Kingdom.