RLPE Chapter 28

After a long conversation with her lady, Michelle left the room. As she stepped into the hallway, she saw Alessandro Roha, the young master, approaching.

“Michelle, how is Vivi?”

“My lady?”

“She looked pale and rushed to her room. Is she feeling unwell?”

Her lady’s daily routine consisted of playing and eating, unlike the busy young master. If anyone was at risk of falling ill, it would be him. Michelle thought this as she looked at Alessandro.

Ever since the accident in their childhood, the young master had been particularly soft on his younger sister, Miss Vivian. However, when it came to matters of the heart, an overprotective brother could be more of a hindrance than a help.

“Young Master,” Michelle said with a smile. “Could you spare a moment for me?”

* * *

Michelle led Alessandro to a secluded corner of the mansion.

“So, Vivi said that?”

Michelle nodded calmly, even as she saw the shock on Alessandro’s face.

“Yes.”

“Really? Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

Alessandro’s expression was a mix of confusion and concern. He had often urged his sister to meet someone, anyone, and worried about her future. But now, hearing that she might have feelings for someone, he was taken aback.

“So, you’re saying Vivi likes this person?”

“Yes, that’s what it seems like.”

Alessandro ran a hand through his hair, trying to process the information. Michelle stepped closer, her voice serious.

“Young Master, you don’t want to see my lady cooped up in the house all day, do you?”

Michelle spoke frankly. There was no need to hide the truth.

“Think about it. The only people who know my lady’s true nature are you, your friends Lord Lewin, and Lord Abyss. Also, you know that Lord and Lady Roha don’t really consider Master Andre a suitable match for her.”

“That’s true.”

Michelle’s logical argument calmed Alessandro slightly. The threat with Andre had been a bluff, and no one in the household had taken it seriously except for Vivian.

“Besides, Andre’s ideal type is completely different from Vivi. He likes someone more feminine and elegant.”

“Ideal type?”

Michelle’s voice trembled slightly, but Alessandro didn’t notice the change. He nodded, unconcerned.

“He said he likes someone with big eyes and a feminine style. Honestly, someone as lifeless as Vivi being a lady of a prominent family? It doesn’t suit her.”

Alessandro chuckled, remembering Andre’s face when he casually mentioned marrying Vivian as a joke. Andre had always been straightforward, sometimes too straightforward, even with someone of a higher social status.

“Anyway, that’s not the point,” Michelle continued.

“The point?”

“Lord Andre’s ideal type… or whatever. The important thing is that my lady’s life needs a change, and this situation with Young Master Grey is bringing positive changes to her.”

“Hmm.”

Michelle pressed on, seeing Alessandro’s hesitation.

“Idiot. Drunkard. Womanizer.”

Alessandro frowned, not understanding Michelle’s sudden words.

“What are you talking about?”

“Men are only unsuitable if they fall into one of these three categories. Since he’s the heir to a dukedom, he can’t be an idiot. As long as he’s not a drunkard or a womanizer, there’s no one more suitable for our lady than Young Master Grey.”

The Roha family was wealthy, but they couldn’t compare to the Grey dukedom. The heir to such a powerful family couldn’t be incompetent.

“Drunkard, womanizer…”

There was only one concern left.

Armin Grey and more than a few women were involved in some scandals. As a result, Sasha always chose Armin Grey as his first choice when choosing a man who was the least compatible with Vivian.

However, a few days ago, when Vivi returned from the Duke’s residence, she asked with a tearful face, “Brother, judging people solely by their appearance is wrong, isn’t it?” That single question kept nagging at Alessandro.

“Judging people solely by their appearance…” That phrase stuck in his throat like a piece of unripe fruit, causing him discomfort. He was someone who despised judging people by their appearance the most.

He had never thought his abilities were inferior to others. However, in noble society where one’s status was determined by their family, the Roha family struggled to receive good treatment despite their abilities. Although the family’s influence grew through close ties with merchants, the bureaucratic society Alessandro yearned to enter was a different story.

Armin Grey was famous. At least, he was always more so than Alessandro. Alessandro always worked hard to gain people’s favor and make them his allies, unlike Armin Grey, who seemed indifferent to noble society. This instinctive aversion had always bothered Alessandro.

“People need experience to make friends, Young Master. In that sense, the lady is like a newborn baby.”

“Hmm.”

“But if you keep feeling this way about him, what will happen? This small spark will fizzle out before it can light the candle.”

Michelle’s words were persuasive. Alessandro sighed deeply.

“So, what do you want me to do? Are you saying I should get along with Armin Grey?”

“I’m saying you should try.”

Michelle emphasized her point.

“You are twins. If the lady likes him, maybe you will too.”

Alessandro recalled Armin’s expression when he looked at Vivi. He seemed surprised and embarrassed but couldn’t take his eyes off her. This was different from the rumors he had heard.

And indeed, during their recent conversation while waiting for Vivi, Armin Grey showed a side of himself that differed from Alessandro’s preconceptions.

Alessandro’s opinion of Armin Grey had been quite low. He thought of him as arrogant, selfish, and full of himself. But in reality, Armin was different from what he had imagined. He didn’t dismiss or ignore Alessandro’s opinions as the ramblings of a mere viscount’s son.

‘So you’re saying, Roha’s idea is finding an alternate route around the eastern region, which is blocked by landslides, is a better solution.’

‘Yes. The eastern region is known for its rough terrain, but the climate is milder this time of year.’

‘That’s a fresh perspective. It’s worth considering. I’ll mention it to my Father.’

The eastern road, frequently blocked by landslides, was a recurring problem. Major repairs would disrupt the flow of goods, so only temporary fixes were made, causing constant headaches.

Alessandro pondered Michelle’s words. Perhaps it was time to give Armin Grey a chance and see if there is more to him than meets the eye.

The conversation, which had started lightly on a popular topic, grew more specific and serious as the wait for Vivian stretched on.

Surprisingly, the conversation with Armin Grey was enjoyable. His high comprehension made the conversation flow quickly. Armin Grey’s quality information served as a basis for Alessandro’s arguments, which evolved into realistic and concrete plans.

However, the most surprising part was the conclusion of the conversation. Upon seeing Vivian descending from upstairs, Armin Grey quickly summarized his conversation with Alessandro.

‘My father will likely review the proposal within a few days. Prepare your presentation thoroughly. Convincing my father is very difficult.’

‘Me? Oh, you can present it as your opinion, Young Master.’

Alessandro, a newly debuted viscount’s son in his early twenties, had heard praise for his potential to become a good official, but his opinions were rarely taken seriously. Therefore, even if the ideas originated from Alessandro, they were often presented under someone else’s name.

It was frustrating, but there was nothing he could do. Alessandro thought this was a necessary tax to pay until he could rise in the bureaucracy.

However, Armin Grey found this strange.

‘Are you serious? I didn’t think you’d lack the ambition and live in the shadow of someone else.’

Someone who took his opinions seriously without the need for preliminary friendly relations.

Ironically, the first person to do so was Armin Grey, the very person who most strongly triggered Alessandro’s complex.

‘My father does not appreciate excessive humility. So, in front of him, show all your ambition.’

‘…Understood.’

‘It’s a shame we didn’t have more time to talk. I hope we can meet again separately. It was an enjoyable conversation.’

‘Yes, let’s do that.’

Looking at the back of the unfamiliar man who had just complimented his sister’s dress, Alessandro heard his sister’s voice from the previous night echoing in his mind, asking if judging people by their appearance alone was wrong. Adding Michelle’s words to that, his head hurt.

“Haa.”

Alessandro let out a long sigh.