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Ignoring the envy around them, Aleksei and Ekaterina conversed pleasantly with the Novak family for a while.

The viscount’s eldest son, Andrei, was just over thirty—a handsome man with piercing eyes and dark hair, said to resemble his father in his youth. He now managed most of the viscountcy’s affairs and would likely serve alongside his father as one of Aleksei’s close advisors in time. Possessing magical power sufficient to meet the entrance requirements for the Magic Academy, he spoke fondly of his memories from his time there.
And then there was the wife, the Viscountess. Her name was Adeline. This wasn’t Ekaterina’s first meeting with her. In fact, they had seen each other almost daily since arriving in the duchy.

“My lady, your dancing earlier was truly splendid,”

Lady Adeline said to Ekaterina with a warm smile.

“It’s all thanks to your guidance, Madam. Thank you.”

Indeed, Adeline served as Ekaterina’s dance instructor in the duchy.
In stark contrast to the stern, intimidating Novak, she was a woman whose soft smile left a lasting impression. With pale wisteria-colored hair and wisteria-colored eyes, she wasn’t the conventional type of beauty, but she possessed an endearing, likable aura. She had excelled at dancing since her youth. It was said that she had first taken a liking to Novak—then known as Boris Kurtz—when she was the only daughter of a viscount’s family. The catalyst was his skillful leading during a dance at a ball, where she had been encouraged to dance by Sergei.
Though, according to an old story Adeline herself shared during a break in lessons, back then people apparently said terrible things about her, calling her a foolish girl who’d been charmed by a handsome face.

After all, Boris Novak possessed almost no magical power.
Born the illegitimate son of an aristocrat, he was practically of commoner status and possessed no wealth. Yet Boris had many strengths: a sharp mind, broad self-taught knowledge, and decent martial skills. Indeed, it was precisely his lack of magic that drove him to strive for success through his own efforts. Even in poverty, he devoted himself to study and martial training. Having grown up in the imperial capital, he likely viewed nobles who valued magic—useless in peacetime—as nothing but fools, preferring to avoid any association with them. Thus, even when Adeline showed interest in him, Boris initially dismissed her outright, treating her rather coldly at first.
Yet Adeline locked onto him and pursued him relentlessly—despite her appearances, she might be a much bigger hunter than what she looked.

That said, if Sergei hadn’t held Boris in high regard, and if he hadn’t had that matchmaking hobby of his, Adeline would likely have had to give up. Ekaterina still feels deep gratitude toward her grandfather for that.
And now, Boris Novak is the primary aide to the head of the Duke of Jurnova household. He has become a source of honor for the Novak Viscount family.

“My sister and I are both indebted to you, Madam.”

Aleksei’s tone was deferential because he understood Novak was overwhelmed by his duties as a confidant, leaving all matters of the viscountcy and household entirely to his wife.

“You flatter me. Supporting the main house is the duty of a branch family. If my husband is of service, I am simply delighted.”

In fact, it was Adelaine who would tell her husband that his duty was to support the Main Household and never to worry about their own household, whilst she herself raised a son and a daughter while running the viscountcy, model of a good wife and mother.
Now, where was that predator spirit of hers to keep Boris all for herself? Or perhaps it’s precisely because of that mentality that she was the way she was right now.

Besides, Madam Adelaine was the legitimate heir, while Novak was the one who married into her family. Yet she never let her husband feel any weakness in his position. She instilled in their children the belief that their father did admirable work, raising them to respect him. That was truly remarkable.
As a result, Novak apparently can’t hold a candle to his wife now. It’s not out of deference to his father-in-law, but out of gratitude for his wife and guilt over the hardships he’s caused her. On top of that, even Aleksei shows consideration for the Madam. In a way, you could say it’s the wisest way for a woman to live.

How should I put it…call it a woman’s path to glory? It must be the fruit of daily patience and effort, and I can only feel respect for that.
It’s a way of life as a woman that my past self could never have managed. But in this life, I might one day learn from it.
After all, in this world, I’m of marriageable age. Right after graduating from the academy, I might be sent off to marry somewhere…
Where I go is for Onii-sama to decide. Now that I told him I don’t want to marry into the Imperial Family, I’ll have to go wherever he says, no matter where it is.
I’d rather not go anywhere, though. I just want to stay by Onii-sama’s side forever.

.

Following the Novaks, other retainers also came to pay their respects.
Among them, the young mine director Aaron Kail, with his scholarly appearance, wore an inexplicably grim expression.

“Your Grace, Young Lady, I apologize for my inadequacy…”

Aaron suddenly bowed his head, leaving Aleksei and Ekaterina looking puzzled.

“What’s the matter, Aaron?”

When Aleksei asked, Aaron turned his face away with a grunt.

“Sir Professor Isaac… Your great-uncle… couldn’t come.”
“…”

Still head over heels for our great-uncle, aren’t you, Aaron…
His passion for minerals led him to become an uninvited assistant to Great-Uncle Isaac, a mineralogist he met during his student days. That connection eventually led to him being scouted by Grandfather Sergei, so perhaps he’s just sticking to his original goal.

“The Professor never means any harm. He holds Your Grace in high regard and was genuinely looking forward to meeting the young lady. It’s just that when something captures his academic interest, he becomes completely absorbed. By no means he’s—”
“Fret not, Aaron. I know exactly what kind of man my great-uncle is.”

To Aaron’s desperate attempts to smooth things over, Aleksei responded with a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. Ekaterina struggled desperately to stifle a giggle.

Aaron’s panic was somewhat understandable. According to the plan, Great-Uncle Isaac was supposed to be waiting at Jurnova Castle for Aleksei and Ekaterina to return to the duchy. But when they entered the castle, not only did they find their great-uncle absent, nobody could find him anywhere, and his whereabouts unknown.
Aaron, his face drained of color, searched everywhere and somehow discovered Great-Uncle Isaac holed up in a mine within the domain. He sent a messenger with the urgent message, ‘Please return at once!’… but it seems it was completely ignored.

“Great-Uncle Isaac truly is a remarkable scholar, isn’t he? He’s someone who delves into the mysteries of the world. It’s only natural his mind wouldn’t be on something as trivial as a banquet schedule. Rather, I believe it’s a joyous thing for humanity that his research is progressing so well.”

From the old stories I heard from Raisa, he seemed like the type who just couldn’t spare attention for everyday matters. It’s a shame, since I was looking forward to meeting him.
Come to think of it, in my past life, I had a chance to hear a lecture by a professor who won the Nobel Prize for iPS cells, and I really wanted to go. Well, it wasn’t so much about wanting to know the content, but more that I had this fangirl mentality—I wanted to see and hear the words of an amazing person who made an incredible invention that might change the world. And of course, that day, the corporate slave couldn’t make it because of work…
In this life, someone amazing enough to change the world is actually a relative. Thinking about how I’ll have countless chances to meet him from now on, I realize what a truly luxurious environment I’m in.

“Thank you. You truly understand, my lady.”

Aaron smiled, looking relieved.

“The professor often says ‘I know nothing,” so much so it’s become his catchphrase. He possesses the greatest intellect, yet he’s truly humble, innocent like a child.”
“Well…”

It’s a bit like that famous quote from Newton, the great man from my past life. He said something along the lines of: *‘I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me…’* Come to think of it, his name was Isaac too.
But Newton apparently had quite the personality, didn’t he?

“You and the Professor would surely get along splendidly. I do hope you meet him soon.”
“I too wish to meet him. If my great-uncle does not return, I might even go to visit him myself.”
“Ah! If you would do that, I shall accompany you to the mine!”

Aaron looked delighted, but when his eyes met Aleksei’s, he flinched and shrank back.