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Entering the mansion, it was surprisingly clean.
At least I've never been here before, but there's not a speck of dust.
"The servants clean it every day,"
Master Cyril said, noticing my questioning expression.
"The letters are probably all gathered in the study, would you like to go take a look?"
"Yes, that's why I came."
Under the escort of Master Cyril, I entered the study and found a large pile of letters on the desk.
"O-oh. They really piled up, huh?"
I approached the chair, intending to read them, and Master Cyril immediately pulled it out for me.
I obediently sat down and began to read the letters.
Honestly, about 70% were from nobles I had never spoken to.
General Baltzar accounted for 10%, Miss Leandra also had 10%, and the rest were direct mail from merchants I had dealings with when I was in the royal palace.
For now, I ignored the letters from the miscellaneous nobles.
First, the letter from General Baltzar.
In summary, it asked how my academy life was, invited me to a tea party, and warned me about certain nobles. Wait, what?
Isn't this more proper information than what Hofre gives me?
And, the further I read, the more it seemed to be a parent's request: "Could you please reply to my daughter?"
Next, I opened the letter from Miss Leandra.
This one also started with asking about my academy life, followed by an invitation to a tea party if I liked the academy.
She lightly complained that I said I was looking forward to seeing her at the party that day.
I felt incredibly apologetic.
And the last letter.
It said that if she was being a nuisance, she wouldn't send any more. She was sorry for continuing to send them without being able to give up.
Ideally, it would be best if she just stayed away from me.
After all, I have an old man inside me.
And there's the conflict between the Maya faction, or rather the "Me" faction these days, and the Karina faction.
But, completely cutting off contact like this is just too regrettable.
After worrying for a while, and worrying some more, I finally picked up a pen.
First, an apology for not replying to her letters.
Then, a thank you for inviting me to the tea party, even though I couldn't go.
I'm currently living in hiding in a house different from this mansion due to certain circumstances.
So, if she wants to send a letter, she should send it through Hofre Cassinelli from General Baltzar.
It will take time, but I will reply to the letters as much as possible.
I wrote all that down and took a breath.
I stretched while still sitting in the chair, and just at that moment, a knock echoed.
"Prince Raimond, wouldn't you like to take a break soon?"
He held a cup of steaming tea.
"Yeah. I've just reached a good stopping point."
If I'm going to write a similar letter to General Baltzar, what should I do about the replies to the other nobles?
If I reply that I'm hiding in the city, they'll definitely do something unnecessary.
Like searching for me, or offering to be my patron.
I guess I'll put those replies on hold.
I tossed the letters from the various nobles I was holding into a box.
"And those?"
"Letters from nobles whose names and faces I don't recognize."
I wonder if that's appropriate for a royal, but the negative effects of being a super recluse are showing here...
"For now, I'll just write replies to Miss Leandra and General Baltzar."
"Oh? I thought you were careful not to get too close to Lord Baltzar until now. Is it alright to only give replies to those two?"
"Yeah. I heard from Hofre that there are nobles in the 'Me' faction recently. I asked Hofre not to let the nobles who call themselves the 'Me' faction have their way. So, I'll be doing some maneuvering with the Karina faction's General Baltzar through letters, I guess."
Honestly, General Baltzar probably won't be caught off guard by my appearance anymore, so I don't really want to do any maneuvering.
If it weren't for this hassle, I'd like to interact with him a bit more.
"Well, then. I think I'll head back soon."
"Oh, is that alright?"
"Yeah. I've finished writing the letters, and I think I'll leave the handling of the letters from the nobles I'm not replying to up to Hofre."
Secret skill: Passing the buck.
Hofre will definitely be delighted to do my bidding.
No, he really seems like he would.
Thinking about it that way, I should meet with him soon.
"Master Cyril. Could you tell Hofre that I'd like to meet with him sometime because there's talk of nobles in the 'Me' faction? Tell him I'll let him know the specific time in a letter."
"Of course. Shall I take the letters to Lord Baltzar and Lady Leandra as well?"
"Then, please do."
I handed the letters for the two of them to Master Cyril and left the mansion.
I don't want to stand out on the way back, so I'll walk again.
Master Cyril smiled helplessly and said it was just like me.
"It's true that I don't want to stand out, but more than that, I'm happy to be able to talk and walk with Master Cyril like this."
"That...part of you hasn't changed, has it?"
As I walked down the road, chatting with Master Cyril, whose expression had softened, a carriage passed us.
I happened to glance over and saw a rich coral-colored hair through the window.
My eyes met a pair of sky-blue eyes I had once seen in the royal palace.
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