"!!!" Flora couldn't help but turn her head around. "Huh? This bell…"
"Ah! Your aunt has finally returned." Rena smiled and stood up happily. "How about following me to the balcony? We can see the ship from there."
Flora and Nathan didn't reject her invitation. As Rena said, they could see over ten ships docking in the harbor.
A lot of soldiers disembarked. They could see several summoners among them, but there was one person who piqued their interest.
Among them, there was a woman with a feature similar to Rena's. She tied her brown hair into a ponytail. Coupled with the slight curve on the tip of the hair, it added to her elegance, even in her military uniform.
A long sword hung around her waist, but the most surprising thing for Nathan was the fact she wore a skirt instead of pants. Considering what she was doing, choosing the more practical option should be prioritized.
However, the people around her looked much more serious about taking their job, reminding Nathan about Sera. The first time he met Sera, he had the opportunity to ask about her attire. And Sera told him it would make the people work harder.
He couldn't deny it though.
He wondered if she had the same reason.
As if noticing their gaze, the woman raised her head. Unlike her twin, Lena Ivorial showed such a strict face. She glared at Rena first before noticing the two people behind her.
Nathan could feel Rena's sharp eyes being directed fully on him.
"She must be coming straight home." Satisfied, Rena turned around. "Let's welcome her."
Since she was Flora's aunt, Nathan had no reason to object to it.
However, he never thought that the moment they greeted her at the gate, Lena actually said in a cold tone.
"You… should go back. I don't plan to meet you."
"…" Nathan raised his eyebrows but didn't appear to be too shocked.
Both Rena and Flora panicked, wondering why Lena said those words. Flora had mentioned in the letter about Nathan, so she thought Lena would have a similar reaction to her mother.
However, Lena simply said, "In that case, tell me something. The reason for you to come here must be because you want to take advantage of her connection to something. If you don't, I'll apologize to you and do whatever you want."
Lena was sharp. While it was true that the kingdom owed Nathan greatly for all his contributions, Lena was talking to him as an aunt, not a duchess.
There was no way an aunt like her would like someone who took advantage of her niece.
Still, both Flora and Lena looked concerned. They were trying to persuade her.
However, Nathan simply stated, "Indeed. I am such a man who can't help but take advantage of your niece's connection to get something I need."
"!!!" Flora panicked. Why would he admit it? Besides, this wasn't a big deal.
Still, Nathan added, "I won't mention anything about moral value. After all, everything I wish comes from my selfish desire.
"However, there's something I'd like to correct one thing. While it's true that I have taken advantage of her connection, that is limited to only this meeting. Meanwhile, my business is different.
"This is a direct proposal to Duchess Ivorial made by me. I wonder if the duchess would be interested?"
Lena harrumphed. "It's not worth considering."
"Do you mean it? Even if it's the request of Vivian Lorelei?" Nathan asked one more time for confirmation.
Lena looked disturbed once Nathan mentioned Vivian's name. Lena snorted. "You can't do anything but flaunt your influence. In the end, that's not your strength. You can only rely on others."
Nathan smiled. "Does that mean Duchess Lena insults herself?"
"!!!" Both Rena and Flora turned pale. Why would Nathan start provoking her?
"What did you say?" Lena's voice became even colder.
Remaining calm, Nathan asked one more time. "Are you going to insult yourself? Is relying on others a bad thing? If it's bad, does that mean the duchess shouldn't rely on those warriors to fight alongside you or get the help of the sailors to row the boat?"
"NO!" Nathan glared at her. "It's the same. If you believe it's different, it's the same as disregarding their right as a human being. If it's different, that means you think they're just tools that you can replace at any time.
"If that's what you believe, there's no way you will be wearing this kind of uniform." Nathan shook her head helplessly.
"…" Lena fell silent.
"What we're doing is basically the same. We're borrowing their help. The only difference is what kind of help we're asking them for. That's all." Nathan shook his head. "If you—"
Before Nathan could continue, Lena interjected, "That's enough."
Nathan abruptly stopped after seeing her expression.
Lena walked toward the door while saying, "Come inside."
Flora and Rena exchanged looks, wondering what had just happened.
"Sister…" Rena observed her twin sister carefully, wondering what she planned to do with Nathan. Flora was also ready to help Nathan.
"That's enough, both of you." Lena sighed. She put down her sword on the table while untying her hair. "This is tiring."
"!!!" Rena looked surprised, as if noticing something.
Without waiting for her, Lena turned to Nathan. "Your name is Nathan, right?"
"Heh. You're good. Since when did you notice?" Lena asked.
"It's nothing. I have seen several twins. All of them looked similar, from their behavior to their taste in the opposite gender." Nathan raised one finger. "On the other hand, you both look different. Even if you're raised in a different environment, you will still share quite a lot of similarities.
"So, you must have put on some air. However, I don't deny any of your words because it's what is happening right now." Nathan explained while adding inwardly, 'Well, that information is quite common on Earth… not that I can say it.'
"Heh?" Lena looked impressed before turning to Flora and patting her shoulder. "Marry him."