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Chapter – 15
“I told you I have good intuition, didn’t I? The Ventura family’s fine looks—Ramus couldn’t even pass them down properly after marrying Sophia, but I created a masterpiece in one go.”
Talasa gently stroked Radius’s cheek as she said this.
“Just look at you. Your golden hair is far more refined than Kevin’s silver hair. And those eyes—those mysterious irises mixing green and blue—those are yours alone.”
“You only say that because you love me too much, Mother.”
“And you’ve got looks that make people come to you even when you never approach anyone first.”
“Haha.”
“You tend to be too aware of others to make the first move, but it’s a blessing you were born this handsome.”
Her eyes shone with pride.
“Your intelligence, our family name, and wealth probably helped draw people to you as well.”
“I guarantee, even if you had no money and weren’t a Lorbaker, you’d still be popular.”
“Ah, Mother, you really do love me.”
“They say every mother’s ideal type is her son—but in your case, you’re objectively perfect.”
“…So, what kind of person is this new lover of yours?”
Radius, feeling a bit embarrassed, changed the subject.
For a mother as wonderful as his, this new man had better be a decent one. If not, Radius planned to take care of it personally.
“Oh, I met him at a restaurant…”
“A restaurant?”
“Yes. The food there was good.”
That wasn’t strange—she often went to fine restaurants.
“This time, I didn’t choose by looks.”
Her emphasis made Radius smile.
“He used to be in the navy, but he was injured and now walks with a limp. Every time my shoelaces came undone, he’d politely ask and tie them for me.”
“…Isn’t it strange that he’d approach you every single time? Doesn’t that mean he deliberately came there just to see you?”
It was obvious he’d approached her on purpose.
“No, he’s the manager there. He works at the restaurant full-time.”
Radius couldn’t believe what he heard.
“Is he the owner of the building, then? Maybe he runs the restaurant himself while managing it?”
Sure, that would make some sense.
“No, not the owner—just the long-time manager.”
“…The manager?”
The daughter of House Lorbaker and the famed admiral of the Idalia Navy—her new lover wasn’t a businessman or noble, but a salaried restaurant manager?
Oh no, another doomed romance begins…
He was already tense and on edge when he met his mother’s new lover—but then he saw the daughter the man had brought with him.
Because—
That beautiful girl was none other than the actress Radius adored so deeply!
* * *
Thinking back on everything, Radius couldn’t help but smile.
Now there was a legitimate way for him to see Mina.
Mina’s father, Feto, had to be a good man—after all, he was the father of the finest actress Radius supported.
He was polite, good-looking in a modest way, frugal yet sincere.
Yes. That’s exactly the kind of man Mother should marry.
If Talasa married Mina’s father, then Mina and he would become siblings.
My goodness.
I’ll be the best older brother ever—to Mina of all people! Such a lovely, adorable little sister!
Radius began looking for a suitable venue for his mother’s wedding.
She could use her townhouse in the capital as a marital home, but perhaps it needed redecorating—new curtains, new wallpaper.
Would Mina and I stand as attendants at the wedding? She could sing the wedding song, of course. I can’t wait for them to marry. Once they do, I’ll escort my dear little sister to and from the theatre every day.
He thought of Mina hailing a hired carriage last time and felt his heart ache.
He’d set up a room for her in the townhouse, assign her a few maids—
“Why are you being so nice to me?” she would ask.
“Because I’m your brother. We’re family.”
Perfect answer.
A brother is someone who can take responsibility for his little sister’s life. And at her next fan meeting, I’ll book the venue myself, accompany her on piano, and when they ask who the accompanist is, I’ll say—her brother.
Perfect. Absolutely perfect.
Just imagining it made him so happy he could burst.
Radius finally managed to find out where Feto’s restaurant was—through his mother, of course.
Late in the evening, a little past dinner hour, Radius visited the restaurant where Feto worked as manager.
Glory.
Even the name of the place pleased him—perhaps because it was where Mina’s father worked.
The moment he stepped inside, Feto recognized him immediately and hurried over, startled.
“Ah, Mina isn’t here right now…”
“I didn’t come to see Mina. I came to see Mr. Martínez.”
“Oh, me?”
“I figured it would be best for us to talk first—so that future meetings will go smoothly.”
“What…?”
Radius looked him over from head to toe before speaking.
“When’s your next day off?”
“Pardon?”
“When you’re free, let’s go shopping together.”
Feto blinked in confusion.
Radius had already decided—Feto looked fine as he was, but not nearly good enough to be Talasa’s partner. He planned to take him to a tailor, get him a full set of new clothes, the latest accessories and shoes.
He’s going to marry Mother anyway—maybe I should throw in a carriage or one of those new motor cars. Wait, maybe I’m getting ahead of myself? No, that’s a perfect wedding gift—transportation!
Such was Radius’s wild idea of filial piety.
“Uh, young master… You and I, shopping?”
“You’re my mother’s sweetheart. I thought we should get to know each other better.”
“Ah, I see…”
Feto hesitated, flustered, then told him his day off. He figured he’d just play along until he could politely send him away.
But Radius left with a satisfied smile, having set the time and place.
A few days later, on Feto’s day off, Radius dragged him all over town and transformed him from head to toe.
“Young master, this really doesn’t feel right…”
“Nonsense. You have to look your best for a date with my mother.”
“But I haven’t even arranged to see Lady Talasa today—it might be rude to just show up unannounced.”
“I already told her I’d take her to dinner and a musical tonight. It’s just that you’ll be going instead of me.”
“She might be expecting to meet her son, though?”
“She can see me any time. But a date with her man? That’s special. Mother likes it when the man takes the initiative. You’ve never done that, have you?”
Radius grinned.
One of Talasa’s exes had once surprised her with flowers, and she’d mentioned how much she liked it several times afterward.
Usually, Talasa’s romances began because she approached the man first. Her lovers rarely took the lead; they only came when summoned—or when they wanted something.
That particular man, though, had shown up simply to give her flowers with no ulterior motive.
He’d seemed like a charming romantic… until later, when he asked her to give him her townhouse in the capital. The bastard.
“Already paid?”
Feto, trying to pay for the things Radius bought, looked startled when the clerk told him everything had already been settled.
