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Once the pending issue was resolved, the atmosphere in the office grew noticeably brighter.

“How delicious,” said Forli at last, tasting the food. He narrowed his eyes in satisfaction, then glanced between Aleksei and Ekaterina.

“To think that the young lady herself would cook for her brother—quite a surprise indeed. But it warms my heart to see such affection between siblings.”

Forli, dignified as an old samurai, looked at us with deep, gentle eyes.

“Lord Forli, I notice you address my brother as Young Lord.”
“Yes. A stubborn whim of an old man, I’m afraid. Until he graduates from this academy, I intend to keep calling him so.”

Aleksei smiled wryly.

“There’s no winning against Old Forli. Ekaterina, he was classmates with Grandfather back in the day.”
“Indeed. Looking back, it seems presumptuous now, but I used to call Sergei by name and we often got into mischief together. Ah, those were good times… I only wish the Young Lord had a bit more time for such things.”

So they got into mischief together… sounds like a charming story of friendship between old men.

But I see now—he’s not treating my brother like a child.
It’s because Aleksei was forced to mature too quickly that Forli just wants to let him be a child, even for a moment.
He’s our grandfather’s dear friend, and is looking out for Aleksei as a friend’s grandchild.

“But the friendship of ladies is a graceful thing indeed. Was this a cooking companion of yours?”

Grateful for the chance to shift the topic by Forli, Ekaterina nodded.

“Allow me to introduce her properly. This is Lady Flora Czerny, my classmate—and my cooking teacher.”

Under the attention of the older gentlemen, Flora bowed politely, her cherry-colored hair swaying as she shook her head.
“I can’t possibly call myself a teacher… Lady Jurnova is already so skilled it was as though she’d known everything from the start. I had nothing to teach.”
“You’re too modest. You’re a wonderful cook and a wonderful teacher. Even His Highness said today’s meal was delicious.”
“His Highness?”

Aleksei caught that immediately.

“His Highness stopped us in the corridor earlier. He seemed curious, so I offered him one. He told us it was delicious, didn’t he, Flora?”

Ekaterina was subtly trying to hint at a “heroine × prince” flag—but among the members of the duke’s household, quick glances were exchanged.

“I had no idea you knew him personally, Onii-sama. He knew my name.”
“You’re the same age as His Highness, after all. It’s no surprise he’d take notice.”
“Speaking of which, Onii-sama, do you know someone named Vladimir? He’s apparently an acquaintance of His Highness—a second-year with pale bluish-purple hair.”

At once, Aleksei’s expression turned grim.

“Vladimir Jurmagna. Heir to the Jurmagna family—one of the other Three Great Ducal Houses, like ours. …Did he speak to you?”
“Eh? No, not exactly…”

Yeah, not exactly *spoke* to me. More like *lightly terrorized me*, that’s what it felt like.

So he’s from the House of Jurmagna, huh?
If the Three Great Houses are rivals, that explains the snide attitude. How petty.

“So that man is the heir, then. He’s only a year younger than you, yet he struck me as someone who still has much to work on.”

…Oops. That came out sounding like a glittering, perfect insult.
Still, his manners toward the prince were lacking, and he’s no contest compared to my brother.
And to think he shares the same first name as that dog-loving muscleman who dominated old Russia… What a letdown. Well, do your best, kid.

Aleksei smiled faintly.

“Vladimir is a capable man, but he has a few bad habits—including some involving women. Best not to get involved with him.”
“Yes, Onii-sama. I’ll do as you say.”

A skirt-chaser, huh? So he’s *that* type, Onii-sama?
The kind who thinks every woman will fall for him if he so much as says hello?
Honestly, I had my share of trouble with that sort back in my past life as a student.
Even if someone told me to get involved with him, I’d refuse with every fiber of my being—so rest assured, Onii-sama.

.

“By the way, Lady Czerny, are you perhaps the daughter of Baron Czerny? If I recall correctly, your family’s lands are in the eastern Angarsk region, yes?”

Forli asked, and Flora blinked in surprise before smiling.

“We no longer have a domain. I was told it was sold long ago. The baron and his wife now live in a small rented house in the capital. It’s a lovely home, with a garden full of flowers.”
“…I see.”

Forli merely nodded, but an awkward air spread among the others.

“They still have some of the money from the sale, but the baroness works from home doing embroidery—partly as a hobby. My mother was a seamstress, and they became close through that work. Both of them loved cooking, so they often exchanged recipes… and when my mother passed away, the baron and his wife told me they thought of me like a granddaughter and invited me to live with them. That’s how I became their adopted daughter. So even though I’m called a baron’s daughter, I was born a commoner.”

With her back straight and voice calm, Flora spoke with quiet grace and dignity. Then she gave a small, soft laugh.

“I’m sorry for telling such an unpleasant story. It’s just that Lady Jurnova’s world is so different from mine. You’ve been so kind to me—cooking together was truly fun. But when I saw you, at the same age as me, speaking so confidently about serious matters of your family’s domain… I realized just how different our worlds are. If I stay by your side, Lady Jurnova, people from your world might laugh at you for keeping company with someone like me.”

“Eh?” Ekaterina’s eyes widened. Wait—what is she saying?
And then it hit her. That word “shameless” Vladimir had thrown earlier—Flora had heard it too.
Oh, come on. Don’t take that seriously.

“Lady Jurnova is kind enough to say she doesn’t mind, but still, I’d like the duke…Your Grace to decide. If you think I’m unfit for her, please do say so.”

At those words, Aleksei raised his brows—then nodded.

“I appreciate that you brought this up yourself. My sister, having been apart from society, lacks some understanding of the ways of the world… Forgive me, but I believe it’s important that she learn the proper conduct expected of her station.”
“Onii-sama!”

Ekaterina stood up as if jolted, but Flora gently tugged at her sleeve and whispered:

“Lady Jurnova, you might trouble His Grace if you press the matter.”
“—!”

Ekaterina swallowed back the words that almost burst out, and instead said quietly,

“Onii-sama… If you would, let’s have a talk, just the two of us ”
“Very well.”

Aleksei nodded, and Ekaterina sank back into her seat.

.

After an awkwardly quiet meal, Flora departed. In the now-quiet office, Ekaterina faced her brother.

“Ekaterina…”

Aleksei looked troubled, his voice gentle.

“I’m sorry if it seemed I rejected your kindness. But when social ranks differ, so too do the worlds people live in. And even within the same rank, there are constant rivalries. Learning how to behave and think in accordance with your station is something you need to protect yourself. Can you understand that?”

How could she even begin to answer? There were too many feelings tangled inside her, and no words came out.

“Ekaterina…!”

Suddenly, Aleksei drew in a sharp breath.

“Forgive me, I was… Please—please don’t cry, Ekaterina…”

I’m *not* crying—she thought—but then realized her vision was already blurring.
Tears were falling, one by one.

Aleksei reached out to her, yet she shook her head. Since regaining the memories of her past life, this was the first time she refused his touch.

“Onii-sama… looking down on someone just because of their birth… That’s the same as what Grandmother did—the torment she inflicted on Mother, just because she was born the Imperial Princess…”

Aleksei froze.

Ah, no. That was too much. How could I compare him to that old bat?
What am I even doing? Everything’s falling apart.

Then, the bell rang.

“I’m sorry, Onii-sama”

I need to retreat—regroup.
And thus, Ekaterina turned on her heel and hurried out of the room.