“……Jack Ponton. I hate people without manners the most. And your mouth has long lost their manners. Since it didn’t seem to have any thought of shutting up, I had merely helped you shut it.”

I approached Jack, who had collapsed on the spot with his breathing rough, and with a sickening smile, slightly bent my back and met his eyes.

“Grr…….”

Even though he had long since been beaten up, Jack continued to stare at me with eyes that burned wildly. The gaze sent chills down my spine for a split second, but I refused to let him and merely snorted as though he was laughable.

“To undergo a fight that you would never win is also naivete. Why don’t you know this? I had been expectant because you said you’d come formally last time, but nothing has changed.”

I spoke with compassion, but Jack no longer barked while meeting my gaze or growled while showing off his canines. It seemed he had finally realized that I was still stronger than he was.

I curved the ends of my lips upward and elegantly straightened my back.

“Alright.”

With a single gesture, I called upon Hayley. Hayley and the other maids hurriedly put back the table and chair they had removed earlier. I sat down on the chair, crossed my legs, and looked down at Jack who sat collapsed on the ground. Then, I spoke in a very bright tone.

“Right, so Sir Jack Ponton, shall we ‘now’ start our conversation?”

Absurdity disappeared from Jack’s face.

“So in conclusion, hand Nine over?”

“…..Fu, right. That guy has to die! …….Milady.”

As I raised my eyebrows at Jack’s tone of voice that still seemed so angry that he couldn’t handle it, he hurriedly added a title at the end of his sentence.

Well, it is true that his nature isn’t one to politely call on another. How awkward.

“Where is the definite evidence that I’ve hidden Nine or that Nine is here in this place?”

I asked calmly as I sipped my tea.

“Hm……. Um……. It’s natural! After I heard rumors that the bastard, Nine, had run off to the Capital City, I’ve searched the entire city since spring, but I haven’t seen even a hair of him! …… milady! With the exception of that fucking Spring Ball, I haven’t seen him even once. Not to mention, I wouldn’t have known he had coincidentally participated at the ball if not for my subordinate!”

So, the reason Nine had suddenly disappeared during the ball last time was due to this. He had realized that Jack’s subordinate had recognized him and understood he was in a chase of life and death. I decided to forgive Nine’s rudeness of that night just a little bit.

“That’s why……. I tried to kill him then. But that fucking bastard attacked my eyes cowardly! This is the first time he’s been at the Capital City too. As such, he would have definitely gone to the house of the bitch who he held hands with and danced with…….”

Clack.

Jack fell quiet and shut his mouth as I put in force as I replaced my tea cup on the table such that it made a noise.

“Your trap.”

I let fly a chilly warning.

“N, no……. That……. Sorry…….”

“So? Continue.”

If he had a tail, he definitely had it tucked between his legs and whimpering like crazy. Jack continued in poor spirits.

“……So…… The last time I came here and met that white dude…… and got chased out……. I said I would arrive next time with a formal notice and sent the letter and came here today…… milady.”

I let out a sigh emphatically and purposely showed how disappointed I was.

“Just because of that? You seriously run to the extreme ends of simplicity, Jack Ponton. To cause chaos at the Household of a Duke twice out of such frail lines of logic.”

“You, today you’ll take the first hit……!”

“Your trap.”

“…….”

I shrugged my shoulders and slowly stood up from my seat.

At my attitude that suggested there was no more to say and no more to hear, Jack became flustered and awkwardly stood up.

“Truly……. I knew you were rather stupid, but still. Who would listen to your request if you come barging in like this? It would have been entirely foolish if Nine wasn’t here.”