The sun was high in the sky.

Dragging my heavy body out of bed, I slightly parted the curtains and stared blankly out the window.

"I overslept"

At the academy, there was always something happening every day, so I never slept in late.

However, knowing there was nothing scheduled for the next day, I ended up oversleeping.

Of course, it was partly because I had gone to bed late last night.

I stayed up until late at night, studying about spatial magic.

I planned to study in advance before my father returned to teach me spatial magic.

However, I was surprised by the lack of information on spatial magic.

There were historical books and others praising its abilities, but none explaining how this magic works and how to use it.

I thought it was natural for the academy not to have books on spatial magic because it was a secret of the Astria family, but even the Astria family's library didn't have such books.

It's been four days since I came to the capital from the academy.

Despite my search during this time, I found nothing.

"Maybe it's hidden somewhere else"

That seemed like a reasonable assumption.

It made sense to handle spatial magic, arguably the Astria family's greatest weapon, with care.

I sighed, realizing I had gone through unnecessary trouble.

I sighed.

Knock, knock.

There was a knocking at my door.

Are you awake?

I heard the maid's voice from outside the door.

"Yes."

As I responded, several maids entered my room.

They opened the tightly shut curtains and brought me a wet towel and drinking water.

Although I wasn't used to such treatment, it didn't feel uncomfortable, so I naturally accepted it.

As I took a sip from the cup the maids brought, one of the maids spoke up.

"Young master Rudy, Miss Karen Meyer is waiting for you in the reception room."

"What?"

I was surprised by the maid's words.

Karen?

Why would she suddenly come?

It's basic etiquette for nobles to seek permission from each other before meeting.

A young lady from a count's family wouldn't be unaware of this fact.

"Did she come on urgent business?"

"It doesn't seem like that. She has been waiting for over two hours."

"Two hours?"

I made someone wait for two hours because I overslept?

Even though we didn't have an appointment, I felt terribly sorry.

"Why didn't you wake me?"

"I'm sorry. Miss Karen Meyer asked us not to wake you."

"She said not to wake me? Did she say anything else?"

The maid hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"She smiled and said she's used to waiting."

""

She smiled and said she's used to waiting

I looked into Karen while staying at the mansion.

Karen had been Rudy's childhood friend since they were young.

In high-ranking families like the ducal house, it's common for children to spend time with peers from families of similar status.

For Rudy, that friend was Karen.

From what I gathered, Karen and Rudy werent particularly close.

Rudy often bullied Karen, yet she still visited the Astria family to see him.

Still, I couldn't understand why Karen gave me that look.

Shouldn't a childhood friend be happy if the other decides to lead a righteous life?

It didnt feel like she was trying to use me, a delinquent.

Karen's warm gaze during our first meeting seemed genuine.

After much thought, I concluded that Karen's behavior resulted from suddenly seeing a changed childhood friend.

It's awkward when someone you know changes abruptly.

They no longer seem like the person you knew, creating a sense of distance.

So, my approach was clear.

In front of Karen, I needed to appear as if I was gradually changing.

Instead of changing suddenly, showing a slow transformation would let Karen get used to the new me.

"Well, I'll head to the reception room then."

"Understood."

I changed clothes and headed to the reception room where Karen was.

"Young master Rudy."

Karen greeted me.

Last time we met, she was dressed like a knight in armor, but now she wore typical noblewoman's attire.

If it were me in this situation, I would have apologized, seeming remorseful.

"Yeah."

I responded curtly.

My expression showed no sign of regret. I had to act.

"Young master Rudy...!"

As I acted, Karen smiled as if pleased.

I pushed further.

"Coming without an appointment. Have you no manners?"

The real Rudy would have likely criticized the other person's mistake rather than admit his own.

After saying this, I observed Karen's expression.

Ah.

Karen smiled awkwardly.

There was happiness in her expression, but it was subtly uncomfortable.

Had I been too harsh?

"Tha... I..."

"Young master Rudy."

I was about to shift gears and apologize, but Karen interrupted me.

"You can call me 'you' like before."

'You'?

She's suggesting informal speech?

Maybe...

"What right do you have to order me around?"

I spoke to Karen again, behaving like a brat.

"I'm, I'm sorry."

Karen apologized to me, but her expression subtly showed happiness.

So, it wasn't my scolding that upset her, but rather my not using 'you' that made her unhappy.

I may not understand what Karen is thinking, but for now, I have to play along with her.

Maintaining good relations with the Meyer family was crucial, and Karen served as the important link between us.

I glanced at the maid.

"I'm hungry. Prepare a meal."

Such an imperious demeanor, disregarding the guest.

It was clear that Karen had already eaten.

I paid her no mind.

"Oh, um..."

The maid looked flustered, glancing at Karen for a cue.

I quickly weighed my options.

Would it be ruder to invite her to dine with me, or better to leave her be?

"Oh, I've already eaten, so..."

Before I could decide, Karen, noticing the maids hesitation, responded with a smile.

I made a snap decision.

"Are you refusing to join me for a meal?"

"No? No, I'll join you for the meal..."

"So, you mean to let me eat alone?"

It's a kind of torture, forcing a full person to eat.

Pleased with my rascally decision, I grinned.

Hearing my words, Karen quickly responded.

"I'll join you! Please prepare a serving for me!"

"Yes... Alright..."

The maid replied reluctantly, clearly puzzled by my sudden change in behavior.

Since this was not the main house but a mansion in the capital, these maids were new to me.

I had been kind to them since my arrival, so their confusion was understandable.

Still, I needed to act this way.

I resolved to treat the maids even better in the future to manage my reputation.

After a while, the meal was served in the reception room.

"Let's eat."

I started eating the food laid out before me.

The Astria family's cuisine was exceptionally high-quality, incomparable to what I had at the academy.

Eating this meal, which I couldn't appreciate when dining with Ian, was now an immensely satisfying experience.

I looked at Karen while eating.

Karen held her utensils and just toyed with her food.

As I suspected, she had already eaten.

Observing her, I spoke up.

"Don't you like the food?"

Karen shook her head vigorously.

"No, not at all! It's delicious!"

"Then why aren't you eating much?"

I pretended to be oblivious.

"Should I call the chef...?"

As I glanced towards the maid, Karen exclaimed loudly.

"It's so delicious I wanted to savor it! It's, it's really good!"

Karen grabbed her utensils and started piling food into her mouth.

She stuffed the food in, her expression betraying the discomfort of eating when already full.

Seeing Karen's reaction, a sense of guilt began to creep up on me.

Had I gone too far?

On second thought, there was no need to behave to such an extent.

It would have sufficed to just verbally act like a ruffian.

Yet, retracting my words now wouldn't be something a ruffian would do.

I had to keep her from eating comfortably without making it too awkward.

I looked at Karen.

"Your food looks tastier than mine."

A ruffian always covets what others have, even if it's something trivial.

It was somewhat a textbook move.

Which noble would envy another's meal?

I was about to smile smugly, satisfied with my performance, when...

"......What?"

Karen's eyes frosted over.

It was the same look she had given me before, questioning my behavior.

I was taken aback.

I thought I had acted correctly.

I didn't expect such a reaction.

Where had I gone wrong?

I swallowed my confusion and thought calmly.

My actions were surely ruffian-like.

It didn't seem like I was at fault.

So, the problem was with doing this to Karen.

Taking her food.

Why should she be upset when I'm offering to rid her of the food that was troubling her?

Then it hit me.

The 'troubling' food.

Could it be...

I turned away from Karen's icy gaze and looked at the maid.

"Prepare double the portion of what Karen is eating. I'll take her food."

"Double, sir?"

"Ahh...!"

The maid was flustered, and Karen's eyes widened in surprise.

A mix of shock and joy was evident in her expression.

Why?

Was this the right move?

I looked at Karen, bewildered.

"Double... double the portion..."

Karen murmured to herself, seemingly in awe.

I was increasingly perplexed by what Karen was thinking.

As I sighed, exasperated.

"Young master Rudy!"

Bang!

A maid burst into the reception room in a hurry.

I frowned at her sudden intrusion.

"What impudence. Can't you see we're having a meal?"

Yes, this situation was better.

In such a scenario, whether a ruffian or a normal person, one could react similarly...

"A guest... has just arrived!"

"...A guest?"

I looked puzzled.

Karen observed me.

"Did you have an appointment today?"

This was a problem.

Especially while I was with Karen.

I had to act like a ruffian in front of Karen and show a normal demeanor to the other guest.

It was impossible to exhibit such contrasting behaviors in front of two different people.

"......Who has come?"

"Th-That's..."

The maid, before she could finish her sentence, looked to the side and gasped in surprise.

She then turned and politely greeted the newcomer.

I was wondering what was going on.

My question was quickly answered.

I saw the person walking towards the reception room.

"Senior, I've arrived."

Yuni walked into the room where we were.