Isaac's worries had been for nothing. Even if meeting Damian might affect the future, it was a minor matter. Compared to his long-standing interactions with Tiffany, Damian's presence barely mattered. Besides, meetings with Damian were rare. Lucia wanted to see Catherine, but her own position didn't allow it.
Outwardly, she was the mother of the future head, Isaac. Busy attending to various Nobles visiting for greetings, the visit to the Royal Capital after five years made her even busier. Personal friendships had to take a back seat. As a woman married into the Wellrod Marquis family, her priority was family duties.
Thanks to this, Damian wasn't brought to play by his parents, and Isaac had no reason to worry about him. Visitors didn't stop coming, and the frequency of encounters remained low. Isaac could finally enjoy slow, untroubled moments.
(Still, I'm bored...)
Petting Patrick, who had returned with a ball in his mouth, Isaac reflected. Playing in the garden was fine, but he could do this on the estate too. Having free time was nice, but it was boring. Since he was in the Royal Capital, he wanted to do something else. However, friends rarely came to play since their arrival; they were likely sightseeing with their families.
(I can't go, though...)
Visits from lower Nobles, like Viscounts or Barons, were relatively easy to handle. One could schedule greetings and have free time afterward. In contrast, Marquis or Count families were busy. Visitors couldn't be dismissed, so one had to deal with a constant stream of greetings. Appointments were always full. Even if Morgan handled important visitors and Randolph less important ones, the schedule would remain tight. Isaac couldn't casually suggest a family outing.
Adela and Lisa also came less often, but that was understandable. Lisa was ten this year, debuting in the Social Season, and busy preparing. Isaac, being low-maintenance, was allowed to focus on his own activities while a servant stayed with him, resting between tasks. He understood the importance of resting both body and mind.
(Nathan is impressive. The difference in connections is clear.)
Nathan's friends also visited less, while Wilmente Marquis, Melinda's family, probably sent boys to him almost daily. Isaac felt the weight of their mobilization.
(That means Wilmente Marquis is supporting Melinda. Nobles must notice that too.)
Isaac cast a bitter glance toward Nathan's room. Everyone wanted to align with the winning side. Those siding with the advantage would attract further support, accelerating Nathan's influence.
Only those who believed "the rightful heir should succeed" or gamblers thinking "the losing side might bring bigger gains" would join Isaac. Yet, people generally preferred stability, so such risk-takers were rare. Without action, Nathan's lead would grow, and Isaac had no clear plan. Anxiety gnawed at him.
Then, small figures approached. The servants bowed to them.
"Isaac, looks like your only friends are dogs. Embarrassing for a younger brother who can't make human friends," Nathan jeered.
He had brought friends to flaunt them. Isaac sensed the servants' hesitation—they didn't know whether to fetch someone or just watch.
"Why now, of all times...?" Isaac thought.
"Come on, brother, want to play too?" Nathan asked.
Isaac held up a leather ball, thinking, "I'll throw the ball, you play fetch like a dog."
Nathan, unaware, snorted and refused.
"We're not playing outside in this cold," he said.
(Then don't come to show off in the cold!)
It was mid-November. Even healthy children felt the chill. That he came just to flaunt friends was unbelievable, yet he had servants and followers. Isaac wanted to demonstrate their difference in class.
"That's unfortunate," Isaac said, showing no disappointment.
Considering guests' complaints, bragging about friends wasn't even a slight insult. He decided to show real courtesy instead.
"Greetings, everyone. I am Isaac. I sincerely thank you for the special consideration shown to my brother, Nathan. I hope you will continue to support him."
He bowed. To be politely greeted by the younger brother of someone deliberately annoying was humiliating. Isaac grinned inwardly, pleased with himself.
"Eh, Mai-Mai?"
"Eh?"
Isaac raised his head. No one, not even Nathan, seemed to understand him. Only the name and "support" were grasped. His subtle sarcasm was lost on children.
"Well, fine. I'm Fred, Nathan's cousin. Pleased to meet you," a red-haired boy said, returning the greeting.
The other children looked to Nathan for cues, but Fred ignored the unspoken rules and introduced himself to Isaac.
"Pleased to meet you. ...So, cousin of Nathan, that makes you Wilmente Marquis's Fred?"
"Yeah, that's right," Fred smiled.
He drew a child-sized wooden sword from his belt and assumed a stance.
"I can tell you're smart. How about a duel then?"
(Ah... a character whose standard is strength, right?)
Isaac had met a troublesome character.
"Stop. You're directly from Wilmente Marquis. I can't beat a child of a warrior family," Isaac said, bowing out and trying to sheathe his sword.
Fred wasn't deterred.
"You won't know unless we try," he grinned.
"You won't know anyway. I haven't even learned sword use yet. If we truly want to compare strength, maybe in ten years? You're my age, right? Better wait until after Royal Academy. Fighting someone untrained goes against chivalry," Isaac replied quickly.
Fred nodded, seeing reason, and sheathed his sword. He seemed a little dull, but not a bad kid at heart.
"Fred, let's leave him be," Nathan said, clearly displeased.
Even though showing off his friends had been Nathan's goal, continuing the conversation like this was not amusing. He worried that if Isaac actually became friends with them, it would cause trouble.
"All right. Isaac, I look forward to our match in ten years," Fred said.
"Only if I get stronger by then," Isaac replied, forcing a tight smile.
Fred's cheerful excitement twisted Isaac's own grin into something strained.
(No, this isn't right—why do I have to meet Damian and then another conquest character in a row?! And what was that? In the game, is this a "rival flag" trigger? Am I seriously setting flags with male characters now?)
Isaac felt a surge of anger toward this world.
He had become friends with many girls, including Tiffany. Deep down, he had hoped that in the Royal Capital he might meet girls who could rival Pamela, only to have that expectation shattered and instead encounter conquest characters.
It didn't help that this was originally an Otome Game. Isaac, reborn with memory of his Previous Life, felt like the protagonist of this world. Now, flags with conquest characters were appearing—he feared he might never trigger romance flags with female characters, only with male ones.
(Childhood friend flags should be for girls only! If anything, let it be with Amanda.)
――Amanda Warwick.
She was the daughter of another Marquis family representing the Royalist faction and engaged to Fred. She came with the full "loli, flat-chested, energetic boyish girl" package. Since the game's theme was romantic conquest, female characters were designed to appeal to male players.
――Stealing the fiancee from a popular male character.
In his Previous Life, Isaac had been wary of that concept. But now, he was a lively boy. Reborn in this world, he hoped that after marrying Pamela and becoming king, he could take cute girls like Amanda or Tiffany as concubines.
(Ah, but... in eroge, the protagonist is endlessly virile—can I really handle multiple girls in real life?)
Watching Nathan and the others leave, Isaac couldn't help worrying. Randolph already had two wives. If he became king, Isaac thought he could build a harem too.
Even though he hadn't even secured control over the Marquis family yet, he found himself grinning at the thought of a harem.
He didn't even notice that the servant assigned to him interpreted it as, "Even as a child, he can calmly handle his brother's teasing and remain composed—a real heavyweight."
Notes:
• Ran - She is a gentle orphan, appeared as Mobu's close friend, surviving the demon attack in their secret hideout.