Mina placed her right hand on Colt's chest and rested her head on his arms.

"Mina, do you wish to meet her?"

"Who?"

"My daughter."

"Silly you, she's no longer just your daughter for she is now also, my, Mina's daughter."

Colt smiled at her words and gave her a kiss on her forehead. He was currently content, happy that he told her the truth, and as he snuggled up to her, Colt felt an indescribable warmth.

Their time on bed lasted for quite some time, they got up when noon finally hit. The two stood up, and with a quick realization, Colt remembered something.

'It is still daylight.'

Everyone in the house is present, his parents, and Mina's too. Not that he was ashamed of what he had done; rather he was proud of it. But he feared that the Marquis will come and kill him for making a move to his daughter when they are yet to get married.

Also, he did not know how to help Mina get dress and at the moment she was incapable of movement; or so he thought as Mina stood up after her body glowed green.

"Wha?"

"It is magic, my darling."

A simple explanation was enough to make Colt shut his mouth. Getting clothed took them quite some time because none hurried or panicked.

Colt was a man, he would not chicken out and accept anything that will get thrown to him by the Marquis.

'I won't die at his hands at the very least.' was the solace that kept him from chickening out at the very least.

Mina had no make-up on at the moment, and yet she was stunning as the light from outside the window illuminated the room.

They head out and headed over to the dining area, where they found no one. Not even the maids preparing for lunch.

"Hmm? Did they leave?"

Colt asked after seeing no one was present. Well, it seems like no one got to know at the very least. Being a loner, he does not want to parade his s.e.xual life so much.

He heaved a sigh of relief while Mina offered to fix themselves lunch and head to the kitchen. As he saw her leave, Colt did a much-needed stretch and then he heard it...steps.

The steps were calm, and even, as he turned to the origin of the steps, which is at the door where he entered through, he found Risa looking at him with a fan hiding her mouth from showing the wide grin she had on her face.

But, Colt could see it through her eyes. Those slanted eyes of hers from smiling too much spoke endless things. And as she casually approached him, Risa whispered so that only the two of them could hear.

"Did you enjoy yourselves, Older brother? Mother and I worked hard to ensure no one will be able to bother the two of you, like Marquis Liron Vera. Did we do a good job?"

Colt looked at Risa, he was taken aback. He pieced together everything, the reason why no one knocked, the reason why no one was present, it was all Risa's and Countess Faerith's doing.

The secret alliance had made their move and at this moment, Colt could feel. He was trapped; backed to a corner with no way out.

"What do you want?"

He sounded firm, but his emotion showed through his eyes, he was worried, he was thinking a lot of what-ifs. But he was sure, that he will not suffer no matter what these guys want. Countess Faerith spoils Colt and Risa has whatever she wants.

They have nothing against Colt. But one thing does come to mind...

'What if they send to some faraway land as to not interfere with Risa's ascension to power? What if? Such a good thing could occur? Mina will come, even if that happens. What a peaceful life that would be.'

Colt was daydreaming that he'll get banished and live a peaceful life. But then, Risa's silent chortle awakened him from this daydream.

"You're becoming sharper Older Brother, you can see that I want something from you. Hehehe, this is not going to be hard, after all. The service of mother and mine is not going to be free, you have to do something for us. Worry not, I already have mother's request so you won't have to bother meeting her later.

"Be warned, if you refuse, we'll tell on you to the Marquis, hehehehe."

Colt swallowed the saliva forming on his throat. He said nothing and only waited for Risa to speak.

In the novel, Risa was depicted as a valiant warrior that is worthy of the t.i.tle of Count. She even became the first General; at least that's what Leo found after being spoiled in the reviews.

So, Colt was pretty sure she won't ask anything that is out of her bounds.

But he's not going to lie, at this moment Risa looked more sinister than what Mina had ever shown him. It was creepy and he felt like if he declines their requests, the story will get twisted. And she's kind of annoying.

Finally, the nerve-wracking wait ended as Risa finally spoke of her demands!

"First, would be the request of Mother..."

Risa paused, she seemed to be contemplating if what she's about to say is appropriate or not! But she made up her mind in a few seconds as she spoke...

"She said she wants you to train in the sword for at least 4 hours every day..."

Colt tilted his head, and simply shrugged his shoulders saying, "Sure why not, Butler Neun said I need to train for at least 6 hours a day so 4 hours is no problem."

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

Risa paused once again. She shook her head in disappointment. But she quickly recovered.

"Moving on, Older Brother, this one is my request...you may not agree to it but, listen to me, represent the family at the Academy."

A serious request, a request Risa doubt Colt would even accept it...

"Yeah sure, why not." Colt accepted without putting much thought into it. He already got the gist of what the academy is thanks to the novel, most n.o.ble go there until they are 21 years old. Colt still has ten months before reaching that age and being the eldest, he was destined to go there anyway.

'The original didn't get to go because he died, right?'

He was put into a deep contemplation; Colt looked at Risa who had already dropped her fan. She looked at Colt with thankful eyes, and as she gave him a hug, she thanked him from the depths of her heart.

"Thank you, brother."

Then, Risa left the dining area, to report to her mother who was watching the Count and Marquis empty another jar of Count s.h.i.+ckly's secret stash.

Mina came back and set up the table. She was not a.s.sisted by any maid because she didn't need them.

That day, the Edgeworths was in a festive mood.

"You smell like Risa, Darling."

"Y-yes, she was just here."

Well someone was still not used to sudden s.h.i.+fts of temperament.