By Zephyria 
Carlisle Graham. The Young Duke of the Graham Dukedom was the only younger male lead among the target characters, and in terms of his importance in the story, he was second only to the Crown Prince.
So naturally, if I could seduce him, that would be good, and if I were to prioritize the romance characters, he would rightfully be in the upper ranks.
The reason I had decided to find Lennox first before pursuing the Young Duke was partly because Carlisle’s identity and location were more clearly defined compared to Lennox, and partly because the time was approaching when Lennox would be sold to the dark mage. It was certainly not because I didn’t want to meet him or considered him an unimportant character.
In fact, my initial reason for deciding to befriend Beatrice was to be introduced to the Young Duke through her, which speaks for itself.
In the original game, Allen also became acquainted with the Young Duke who had come to the capital through Beatrice. My original intention was to build a close relationship with Beatrice before Allen appeared, so that I could be introduced to the Young Duke before Allen.
But for the Young Duke to be in the capital at this time…
The northern region, which had been an independent kingdom until a few generations ago, had not been absorbed into the empire as a grand duchy for very long. The Graham Dukedom was also operated as an autonomous territory, so the general nobles and the Graham family were quite different in character.
For a direct descendant of the ducal family to cross the gates of the capital without the Emperor’s prior permission was a serious matter that could easily be inflated into treason, implicating everyone involved.
If this was true for a mere direct descendant, what more could be said about the Young Duke who would inherit the next Grand Duke title?
“Young Master? You seem to be paying particular attention to your attire today.”
“Why? Is it bad? Does it look strange?”
“Oh no, with your face, Young Master, nothing could possibly look strange. But recently when going to the Duke’s mansion, you said getting there quickly was most important and just wore whatever. So it’s surprising to see you caring about cologne and even the color of your handkerchief.”
“Ah, is the handkerchief too much?”
“Hmm… unless you’re going to a ball, perhaps?”
“Right. Let’s leave this out then.”
This was killing two birds with one stone. When visiting a friend, it would be impolite to pretend not to notice a gold nugget sitting right beside them that I’d been eyeing.
Things were really falling into place perfectly. The Young Duke had a clear approach direction and moderate difficulty level, so once I met him, progress would be swift. This was truly a jackpot. I had thought it would be fine to meet him just a month before Allen, but at this rate, I was meeting him almost a year and a half earlier.
How about that? Isn’t it amazing?
…Communication protocol blocked…
“Ah…”
I had unconsciously boasted to the system out of habit. There was no response to my showing off. For a moment, my heart stung as if cut by a sudden gust of wind.
Seeing me suddenly deflate while excitedly choosing clothes must have seemed strange to Nicole, who began praising me even more exaggeratedly than usual, declaring loudly that I was the best. I smiled as if nothing was wrong and replied, “That’s right, isn’t it?” but inside I still felt empty.
I had so much I wanted to boast about. I wanted to brag about how well I was doing without you, how strong I was, but I had nowhere to show off.
…
I really hate to admit it, but a little, really just a tiny bit. Maybe I’m feeling a bit, b-bit, bit lonely…?
“Ugh, no. Forget it.”
“Pardon?”
“Let’s get going quickly!”
“Ah, yes!”
I squared my shoulders more vigorously than usual. I planned to ‘accidentally’ encounter the Young Duke while meeting Beatrice. If I stayed much longer than usual, I could somehow create an opportunity to meet him. I could even stay for dinner at their house.
With such a determined mindset, I entered the Duke’s mansion.
“Noah, I’m sorry to say this, but…”
I had to hear something I never imagined.
“From now on, for a while, I’d like you to stop visiting the Duke’s mansion.”
It was like a bolt from the blue.
“…What?”
With me standing there wide eyed in surprise, Beatrice clearly stated with an apologetic tone that I should not visit until she contacted me separately.
My heart sank. I couldn’t even manage my expression for a moment. It wasn’t just because I was about to lose a chance to possibly meet the Young Duke.
It was simply that being ‘rejected’ at an unexpected timing by someone I had considered my own person was something I could never get used to, no matter how many times it happened.
Seeing that I was too shocked to respond and just stood there with my mouth open, Beatrice hurriedly grasped both my hands.
“Ah, if you make such a face like you’re about to cry, how can I bear it?”
“W-why so suddenly… Did I make some mistake, Beatrice?”
“No! How could that be!”
Beatrice looked at Nicole standing behind me and subtly gestured for him to step back. Nicole slipped out of the reception room without making a sound. The other servants did the same.
“Don’t misunderstand. Of course I’d be happy if Noah continued to visit. I’ve regained this much strength thanks to you.”
“Then why…”
Though only the two of us remained in the reception room, Beatrice looked around and lowered her voice considerably.
“You mustn’t tell anyone about what I’m about to say.”
“…I understand.”
“Actually… someone from my mother’s side of the family has come to visit because of Mother’s poor condition.”
Ah. So that’s what this was about. Since the Duchess and the Grand Duchess were cousins, Beatrice and the Young Duke were second cousins. I became even more certain that the person I saw yesterday was indeed Young Duke Carlisle.
“And that visitor is…”
“…”
“TheYoung Duke of Graham.”
“Beatrice!”
I clutched her hands tightly in shock. I was so surprised. While I’d already guessed the Young Duke was here so that itself wasn’t shocking, what was truly astonishing was that she would freely disclose to me that the visitor to the ducal house was the Young Duke himself.
I had expected Beatrice to merely hint that a relative from the north had come up, and since a northern noble coming to the capital without notification was a matter to be kept quiet, she would ask me to stay away for a while. I had planned to search the mansion on my own and pretend to accidentally run into the Young Duke, feigning ignorance of his identity.
But to this extent? This was something that could bring trouble even to the Grachio family if word got out!
“Mother wasn’t originally a sickly person. After marrying Father and moving to the capital, she developed a mental illness…”
Beatrice explained that the feverish Duchess had been frequently talking about her childhood and calling for her mother who had passed away long ago, so they had secretly sent the Young Duke from the north. Apparently, among the family, the Young Duke most resembled their grandmother.
“So we decided not to let anyone into the mansion for a while. We’ve also sent away all servants except those who have served the ducal house for at least two generations while the Young Duke is here.”
“No, that’s not the important thing. Beatrice! How could you reveal all this to me!”
“But I didn’t want Noah to misunderstand and get hurt…”
“No. This lady really…”
I instinctively grabbed the back of my neck. While I was touched that she trusted me this much, I was separately concerned about her inherent innocence. Are naturally born nobles always this carefree? And she’s good at politics too!
“What if I had bad intentions? Hmm? What if I suddenly decided to abandon the ducal house and set my sights on becoming the Crown Prince’s consort?”
“Would you do that, Noah? Would you send my father and me to the guillotine for treason?”
“Of course not!”
“See?”
“That’s not the point!”
Sigh. There’s no use in arguing further; it would only frustrate me. I gulped down the now lukewarm tea without any dignity. Beatrice covered her mouth and laughed elegantly, teasingly whispering that someone with bad intentions wouldn’t say such things but would act directly.
Ah. Was she always like this? Somehow, neither in the game nor in my past cycles had Beatrice ever shown such a playful side. She had always been just a well bred, haughty noble lady. Though I certainly prefer this version.