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Chapter – 02
“Apologies. I was so startled to meet you in person, I lost my composure. Please, have a seat.”
“Ah, yes.”
At Radius’s words, Wilhelmina and Peto—whose faces had been stiff—finally relaxed a little and sat down.
“Well, since we’re both older and both have grown children, I thought the kids might be curious if their parents started dating someone new, so I asked you all to meet like this. It’s a relief you already know each other, at least.”
Talassa said this in her usual proud tone, glancing between Radius and Wilhelmina.
“I had no idea the two of you were acquainted. Hohoho.”
Peto spoke carefully, smiling warmly at Radius and Wilhelmina.
Radius’s gaze lingered on Wilhelmina after glancing between Talassa and Peto.
To have his favorite actress right before his eyes—it was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking.
Yes.
Radius was a passionate fan of Wilhelmina—nicknamed “Mina.”
He had even decorated a corner of his room with articles and portraits of her.
Of course, Talassa had no idea. She’d been living apart from her son for years, and he wasn’t the type to talk much about himself.
Radius had a beautiful but cold-looking face and an intimidating air that made him hard to approach.
So Talassa never would have imagined her son was an ardent fan of a musical actress—or that a part of his mansion was filled with Wilhelmina memorabilia.
Earlier, she’d found it strange that he carried around a handkerchief with her autograph on it, but since he’d soon gone quiet again, she had dismissed it as nothing.
She’d actually thought it a bit cute that her usually reserved son was behaving so oddly about meeting her new partner.
“I didn’t realize the person dating my mother was you, Ms. Wilhelmina.”
Radius suddenly blurted out something absurd.
“I’m not the one dating your mother—my father is. And from what I know, they’re just getting to know each other.”
Mina gently corrected him. Radius stared at her blankly for a moment, then turned toward Talassa.
“Mother, if it’s Ms. Wilhelmina Martinez, I fully approve of your marriage.”
Is he out of his mind?
Talassa set down her glass, her voice turning icy.
“Radius Lorbaker, get a grip.”
“I’m perfectly sane, Mother.”
There was a familiar gleam in Radius’s eyes that sent chills down Talassa’s spine.
It was the same look her brother Ramus had had when he first met his wife, Sophia—a kind of lovesick madness.
“If I marry at my age, it’ll complicate inheritance matters. I don’t want that. Peto and I have already talked it over. We’re just two old people starting to date—we’re not thinking about marriage.”
“I wouldn’t mind. If Ms. Martinez would allow it, I’d be happy to start dating her today.”
“…No, this dinner was to inform you that we’re seeing each other—not to ask for your opinions. How many times must I say it?”
“Actress—no, should I call you Lady Martinez?”
He’s completely stopped listening to me.
Talassa realized her son was not in his right mind.
“Whichever you prefer, Lord Lorbaker.”
Mina seemed to be trying to draw a polite boundary.
“If it’s whichever’s comfortable, then… may I call you by your name?”
There was a spark in Radius’s eyes.
“Ah—yes, of course.”
Mina glanced nervously at her father and Talassa as she replied.
“Then you can call me Radius as well.”
“Haha, yes.”
“It feels like a dream come true.”
“……”
Neither Talassa’s grim expression nor Peto’s discomfort registered to Radius.
All he saw was his goddess—Wilhelmina Martinez.
Dinner that evening was a disaster.
Radius had lost all composure, speaking only to Mina, while Talassa and Peto might as well have been ghosts at the table.
In that miserable atmosphere, Peto tried to ease the tension by joining the conversation carefully.
“I didn’t realize the young lord was such an ardent fan of my daughter. I’ve never even properly seen one of her performances myself.”
“What? Really? But as family, surely you could’ve gotten a ticket or two?”
Radius looked astonished.
“I didn’t want to trouble the staff or make things awkward, haha. I did hear her sing when she was little, though—at my restaurant.”
“Oh? Mina, you sang at your father’s restaurant when you were young?”
“Ah, yes. I used to sing a few songs in the afternoon. Not anymore, though.”
“You must’ve been amazing even back then! If I’d known about you earlier, I would’ve gone there every single day!”
Radius’s eyes sparkled. Talassa, exasperated, muttered dryly:
“I can tell—you don’t have to say it.”
“But Mother, Mina is special! Her tone, her skill, her acting—everything! She’s perfect, in voice, talent, looks, and character! You just haven’t heard her sing.”
Talassa’s face turned cold.
“Oh, I see. Well, I haven’t, so I wouldn’t know.”
Despite Talassa’s attempts to steer the conversation back toward her relationship with Peto…
“Well then, maybe we should have Mina sing for us right here?”
Peto suddenly said something ridiculous, probably out of nervousness.
“There’s a piano in this restaurant!”
Radius immediately jumped on the idea, clearly serious. Mina looked flustered.
“I can only perform full musical pieces, and there’s no accompanist here.”
She glanced at the lone piano in the center of the room and replied calmly.
In truth, recorded music was already playing softly throughout the restaurant. There was no reason for live accompaniment.
But then Radius raised his hand.
“I know how to play ‘The Empress’s Song’ from Thorn at My Fingertip on the piano.”
Talassa stared at him, eyes wide.
Nobles were expected to learn at least one musical instrument as part of their education, and the Lorbaker family, being an old noble house, took that seriously.
Radius had indeed learned piano, and he could play a few pieces by memory—but he’d never been particularly fond of it.
And now he was claiming he could play a musical number?
Mina and Peto both looked astonished, clearly thinking the same thing as Talassa.
“That’s not exactly a common piece.”
Mina said softly. Radius smiled.
“I was so moved by your performance of ‘The Empress’s Song’ that I found the sheet music and practiced it endlessly. I even thought—just maybe—one day I’d get the chance to accompany you myself!”
What the hell—? There’s madness in his eyes.
A chill ran down Talassa’s spine.
Regardless of her horror, Radius called over a staff member and sat down at the piano.
He pressed a few keys to test the sound, then looked up at Mina.
Other diners began whispering and watching curiously.
“Mina, maybe just a little…?”
Peto’s voice was almost pleading, and Mina hesitantly stood beside Radius.
His introduction was smooth—clearly, he’d practiced more than once.
Oh, for heaven’s sake… is this really happening at a dinner to introduce my new partner?
Talassa could only glare at her son, utterly dumbfounded.
Mina glanced nervously between Peto and Talassa, then began to sing along to Radius’s accompaniment.
The moment her first note filled the room, Talassa felt her strength leave her body.
She had been preparing to scold Radius for forcing Mina into performing, but then—
What… what is this girl?
A completely different kind of chill spread through her.
