If the eum-Creids took one page from their noble peers in the art of decadence, it was this: the highest ranking members of the family each had their own private parlor.

Ennieux had insisted, and though Sigurd and Renea doubted the necessity, they acquiesced to their aunt. She was already stubborn, and she seemed ready to die on the hill of true nobles needing parlors, eum-Creid pragmatism be damned.

Despite both siblings’ initial resistance, they quickly learned how to enjoy their personal parlors once they had them—each in their own unique way.

Whenever Sigurd was actually in Varant, he usually had someone of importance in tow; entertaining them in a more private setting than the Great Hall was his way of securing bonds, and letting them into his inner circle.

Renea simply liked having a place she could dine in solace, sometimes with only her lady-in-waiting, Sophie, to keep her company. Now knowing they were half-siblings, Kylian understood why the two were so attached at the hip.

Ennieux, ironically, probably got the least usage out of her own parlor. Having no affairs of state to take care of, nor anyone to call ‘her people,’ Ennieux’s only regular guest was Renea. Averse to the niceties of high nobility, her children often found excuses not to join her.

Today, dinner was at Renea’s parlor. Kylian had not exactly been invited.

“S-Sir Kylian? Of course, the more the merrier, as they say!” Renea stammered, eager to accommodate her brother in any way. “Come in!”

But the more was not the merrier. The least merry of all was Sophie, it seemed, who was giving Kylian a rather icy look for reasons he couldn’t even begin to fathom.

And as he entered the parlor, he could feel Sophie’s stare trained on him, even as Renea seemed to be whispering something to her.

It occurred to Kylian that he had no idea how the two of them interacted when out of public view. To what degree was Sophie treated like a true member of the family, when they were only amongst themselves?

Was she perhaps… presently forced to act like a maid in his presence?

As it was now, the table was set for four: Renea, Ennieux, Ailn, and Kylian. But the table already had four sets of dinnerware the moment they arrived, even though Renea hadn’t known Kylian was coming.

Was he eating Sophie’s dinner?

“How nice of you to join us, Sir Kylian. I’m overjoyed to see that my incorrigible nephew has finally found a friend who can reform his errant ways!” The water had not even been poured, and Ennieux was already swooning, while Renea looked a little upset at her aunt’s tactless comment.

“Yes. How kind of you.” Sophie, reduced to cupbearer, filled silver goblets around the table, bringing Kylian’s to only a quarter full.

“...Thank you,” Kylian grimaced. He was rather thirsty, so this rude gesture was achieving its intended effect.

The tablecloth may have been plain white, but here was such a tapestry of emotions. Ennieux with that dreamy look in her eye pressuring Kylian, Renea quietly upset at Ennieux’s thoughtless criticisms of her dear and currently vulnerable brother, and Sophie—hungry enough to be vindictive.

And now Kylian was part of that tapestry, because he felt immensely burdened by all of it.

“Say, this water’s pretty tasty. Is it from a natural spring?” Ailn asked.

“It is!” Renea clapped her hands together. “I thought it would be nice to drink something finer than well water for tonight.”

It was Ailn’s fault he was even here. Why was Ailn allowed a full goblet? Kylian sipped delicately from his own goblet as if it were the most precious of wines—otherwise there was no way it would last him the full meal.

Still, as much as Kylian hated to admit it, finding that pipe was the right call. Ailn seemed much more relaxed in his conversation with Renea.

“Ahem,” Kylian coughed. His throat really was parched. He gave a bowing nod to his lord and ladies. “It’s an honor to dine with Your Graces. His Grace’s survival is a joyous occasion, and I’m thrilled to celebrate it with the esteemed members of the noble household I serve.”

“...Mmhm! Uhuh.” Renea looked at Kylian with a graceful smile that failed to reach her eyes. If she was going to say something, she must have held her tongue.

Kylian held back his sigh and tried very hard not to glare at Ailn, who’d already drank more water than was in Kylian’s entire goblet.

“Of course, Sir Kylian, we’re all family here aren’t we?” Ennieux asked.

“... I wouldn’t dare make such a claim,” Kylian forced an awkward smile.

Over the last couple of days, Kylian’s behavior around Ailn had become quite casual, but that didn’t mean he lacked awareness of the proper way to act around the family he swore fealty to. Being here went against his every instinct as a knight.

Still, a setting this intimate was his best chance to try and understand the dynamics of the eum-Creid family. He wished to be as prepared as he could for the inquest tomorrow.

As such, he glanced as discreetly as he could at Sophie to see how she responded to the word family. Judging by how bored she looked, she hardly seemed to notice it was even said.

Then again, when didn’t she look bored?

Another maidservant came in with a basket of bread. It looked quite soft compared to the dark rye bread he typically had a chance to eat. He wished he would have had the chance to enjoy it under less stomach churning circumstances.

“Do you fancy this parlor, Kylian?” Ennieux asked. “If you do, it would not be out of the question for you to become a more regular guest at mine…”

“That sort of intimacy should be reserved for family, but I’m honored to be invited.” Kylian rebuffed her as politely as he could.

“Then it wouldn’t be a problem if you became part of the family… would it?” Ennieux looked shyly away.

“That would… be quite something, wouldn’t it?” Kylian’s forced smile faltered.

He genuinely could not think of a response to a comment that forward. Thus, he grabbed a piece of bread, strategically occupying himself with chewing if he couldn’t rely on his savoir-faire.

And now salads were being served. Kylian’s did not come with a fork.

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“Sophie,” Ennieux scowled. “That’s incredibly rude. Go fetch him a proper salad fork.”

“This will be fine,” Kylian said, holding a hand up to let Sophie know he was fine with his cutlery. “What a wonderful exercise for developing my dexterity.”

Kylian pretended to be intensely interested in his salad, and the difficult task of eating lettuce with a spoon.

“O-oh, is it really?” Ennieux put her salad fork down to mimic Kylian. She too would develop her dexterity.

Ailn hoped that for Sophie’s next act, she’d bring Kylian’s soup with another fork. But he kept most of his attention on Renea.

“Have you been alright with your amnesia?” Renea fidgeted, looking like she wanted to hug her brother. She was clearly restraining herself. “It must be awful for you.”

“I’ve managed well thanks to everyone’s kindness,” Ailn said. “Sir Kylian’s been taking care of me, actually.”

“Hm?” Kylian looked up from his salad. “Right. I’ve been assisting His Grace.”

“Always so dedicated, Sir Kylian. It’s a wonder you’re not yet high marshal yourself. I do believe Aldous has become a bit doddering at his age, don’t you?” Ennieux asked, her spoon dangling coyly from her hand.

Despite it simply being Kylian’s ridiculous attempt to deflect attention, Ennieux had managed to turn her spooning of the salad into a dainty-looking activity. It was even a little charming.

Renea glanced at Kylian and Ennieux’s odd activity, and though she tilted her head a bit quizzically, kept her smile and said nothing. Then she turned back to Ailn.

“Ailn, before we came back to the castle, we stopped by the merchant quarter so we could celebrate with a feast,” Renea said, with a hopeful and excited smile. “An exotic game dealer was selling verdant culaïs.”

“Culaïs?” Ailn asked. “Is that perhaps similar to venison?”

“Oh! Oh, I’ve been insensitive, I’m sorry,” Renea’s smile took on an embarrassed note. “It’s poultry that’s like—er, what birds do you remember?”

“...Chicken, definitely,” Ailn said.

“Do you remember what pigeons are?”

“I do.”

“It’s akin to a fatty pigeon, with lush green plumage,” Renea said. “It… was your favorite meal.”

“Then, I’m sure I’ll remember just how much I loved it the moment I taste it,” Ailn said, reassuring her.

There was a small glimmer in her eyes.

“We can take our time to help you recover the memories you’ve lost,” Renea said gently. “Perhaps items of sentimental value might… oh! The pendant you gave me before.”

Renea lightly touched her collar, before turning a bit pale. She clearly wasn’t wearing any sort of necklace.

“I must have misplaced it somewhere,” she said, sounding defeated. “It usually turns up at some point…”

From behind her, Sophie gave Renea a chiding look. “Lady Renea, if you truly cherish it, you need to overcome your absentmindedness.”

“Look at me, talking about helping you with your memory when I’m so forgetful myself,” Renea sighed.

“We’ll take it one step at a time,” Ailn smiled brightly, turning to Sophie. “I want to remember my relationship with each and every one of you.”

Sophie peered back at Ailn with narrowed eyes, while Renea seemed to pale a bit. Ennieux, in particular, stiffened at the sight.

“Must you always speak so glibly, Ailn eum-Creid?” Ennieux scowled. “You’re making Sophie uncomfortable.”

“Uncomfortable?” Ailn frowned. “I’m sorry. I just… since I lost all my memories, it’s almost like meeting my family again for the first time. And I…”

Ailn simply trailed off, giving Sophie a curious gaze, and enough space at the end of his sentence for everyone at the table to finish it themselves.

‘...was happy to meet both my sisters.’

‘...heard Sophie and I were quite close.’

‘...got so excited, I was going to ask Sophie to bring me more water.’

All of these were reasonable ways to finish his statement, and Kylian realized none of the family members in the parlor could be sure what Ailn did or did not know.

“It’s rude to stare, Ailn,” Ennieux said coldly. “If you have something to say, then speak forthright.”

Of course, Ennieux would be the type to assume the worst. The spoon was doing angry twirls in her hand now.

“Sorry, I just wanted to ask for more water,” Ailn was as amiable as ever, and Ennieux could only simmer in response.

“Yes, Sophie, why don’t you get him some more water?” Renea asked.

Sophie seemed slightly displeased as she retreated into the parlor’s prep room. Kylian wasn’t sure if Sophie was suspicious of Ailn’s intentions or if she simply didn’t wish to act as a serving maid.

She returned with the pitcher, having walked a decent distance to retrieve it; then she made a point of pouring a mere thimbleful of water into Ailn’s goblet. Kylian couldn’t help but feel satisfied seeing Ailn’s genial facade momentarily falter.

“I must say, the sung praises have understated it.” Kylian took the lull as a chance to direct the conversation. He spoke into the room rather than at any specific person. “Lady Renea truly cherishes her brother.”

“To a fault, really,” Ennieux said. Her face was sour, but her voice was quiet enough that Renea simply ignored her.

“W-well yes,” Renea seemed a bit bashful to have it brought up so openly. She glanced at Ailn. “Ailn took care of me. It’s only right that I do the same.”

“It’s a shame you don’t have more time to spend with His Grace,” Kylian said. “Your duties keep you busier than Aldous. And Sigurd seems to discourage interaction.”

Renea flinched, then sighed.

“Sigurd can be quite the tyrant of an older brother,” Renea said, surprisingly open with her bitterness. “Insecure about being a mere regent, he never misses an opportunity to flex his authority.”

She chewed what must have been an exceptionally crunchy piece of cabbage quite loudly, and her face was now as sour as Ennieux’s. Then her expression turned regretful.

“He’s otherwise exceptional and acts the way a proper duke should,” Renea said. “I’d even consider ceding my future family headship to him. Except.”

“Except?” Ailn asked.

“Except he’s a jerk,” she replied flatly.

“Sigurd is a pompous brute,” Ennieux said. Then her voice turned sweet. “He knows not of chivalry like yourself, Sir Kylian.”

“The castle’s nicer when he’s not around,” Sophie said nonchalantly.

By the look on his face, Kylian could tell Ailn found this contempt for his older brother quite funny. But rather than wanting to hear about Sigurd’s dubious reputation with his own family, Kylian’s true intention was to prod indirectly at Renea’s relationship to Ailn. Oftentimes, the masks people prepared cracked more from glancing blows than direct attacks.

“With no rudeness meant toward our regent Sigurd, the duchy waits in great expectation for Lady Renea to officially take the headship of the family,” Kylian said, diplomatically. “Many yearn once again to be led by the Saintess.”

“You’re too kind, Sir Kylian,” Renea said. She smiled and looked away, her eyes training in on her salad.

If Kylian wasn’t watching closely, he might’ve interpreted it as her being bashful. But her fork moved rather languidly as it poked at leafy greens.

“The knights are nothing without the bestowal, Lady Renea,” Kylian continued. “And I can only imagine how it taxes you, physically and mentally. Being alone in the chamber, lacking even your lady-in-waiting, and listening to knights confess for hours.”

Kylian wasn’t one for loquaciousness, but hiding probing remarks in-between fully innocuous ones was a tactic he’d found effective as a peacekeeper.

Renea gave a dry chuckle and her gaze turned somewhat distant. Meanwhile, Sophie looked as if she desperately wished to say something but was forced to hold it in. It was the most eager she’d looked all night.

“Yes, it can certainly… challenge the emotions to hear of the knights’ curious misdeeds,” Renea said.

Kylian had hoped she’d comment on hers and Sophie’s separation during the ceremony, so he missed his mark. And now he couldn’t stop his mind from pondering what manner of ‘misdeeds’ his fellow knights were performing.

He didn’t believe it relevant to the case. He mostly just wished it hadn’t been brought to his attention.

At any rate, Kylian realized—with a little bit of a start—that their multi-course meal had barely progressed past serving salads. They had plenty of time to tactfully draw out honest reactions, and perhaps even glean some unwitting information.

“That reminds me,” Ailn sounded as if he genuinely just remembered something. “I heard something from the knights of the castle that I was curious about.”

“Yes?” Renea asked with a smile. She took a polite sip from her goblet.

“The knights told me that Sophie and I were meeting quite frequently,” Ailn said. “What were we meeting about?”

Renea choked on her water.