The next morning.

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In the dining room, Jin, Elsa, Reinhard, Fritz, and Elsa's stepmother Marlene meet for breakfast.

In the quiet atmosphere, Fritz speaks up.

"After this, I'd like you and Erza to meet your father.

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"What?"

Erza was the most surprised by that statement.

"Well, that's ......."

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Just before she collapsed, she recalled how her father had been a bitter enemy of Jin's. "Let's go, Elsa.

"Let's go, Erza."

Before Erza could say anything, Jin called out to her.

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"Yeah, but..."

"Don't worry. I'll go with you.

Reinhardt also spoke to Erza in a gentle voice.

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"Erza, since you are all telling me this, you should do as you are told.

"...... yes."

Finally, her stepmother Marlene's words pushed her back and Erza stood up.

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"Come on, let's go."

"...... Jin brother."

Unusually, Jin took Elsa's hand and tried to walk down the hallway ahead of her.

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......But...

"I'm very sorry, Jin-dono, but my father's room is this way," he said.

Fritz pointed in the opposite direction.

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Erza's mind almost went blank at this sudden turn of events, but she calmed down a little when she realized that Jin was also feeling quite anxious inside.

Erza wrapped her arms around Jin and led him to her father's room.

When Jin was about to knock, Marlene stopped him.

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Jin-sama, I will go first.

Marlene knocked on the door and opened it after receiving a reply.

"Excuse me. ......Good morning, my dear."

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"......Oh, good morning......!

Georg's eyes widened as he was being helped to his feet by Lara, the automata.

Of course, it was because he had spotted Erza and Jin behind Marlene.

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"Oh ...... before ......"

Georg's gaze fell on Erza.

The way she was leaning against Jin, her arms crossed, the bashful look on her face.

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"...... I see."

I can understand what Fritz said to me last night.

（I had never seen that look before.)

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Georg was ashamed of himself as a father, though he could not say it out loud.

Since he had been unable to move, he had been looking back over and over again at his life.

It is not a good thing for a sick person. It is not a good thing for a sick person. It is not good for one's mental health, because one often regrets and torments oneself.

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However, Georg, with his military-like persistence, was thinking about his future, even as he repeatedly reflected on his past.

One of them was a blessing for his daughter.

"Elsa, the congratulations. I wish you happiness.

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Before Jin and Elsa could open their mouths, Georg said the words he had always wanted to say to his daughter.

Then, in reverse order, Erza, Jin, and Reinhardt report to Georg.

"...... father, I am going to marry."

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With tears in her eyes, Elsa said.

"Georg, I am pleased to inform you that I and Elsa are now engaged. I'm here today to tell you the news.

"Uncle, this is Reinhard. I've come as an intermediary between Miss Erza and Jin-dono.

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Jin and Reinhardt were firm.

Each of them told Georg.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

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"......Good for you, Elsa."

After leaving Georg's room, Jin smiled and called out to Erza, who was standing next to him.

"......n."

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Erza, who still had tears in her eyes, gave a small nod.

"You've changed a lot, Uncle. The desire for success can change a person, for better or worse.

Reinhard analyzed Georg's desire for success, which was probably formed by a mixture of feelings of inferiority and rivalry with his brother, who was a count, and other emotions, and used it as a binding sentence against himself.

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On the other hand, Jin, who had nothing to do with the desire for success,

"I guess that's how Elsa's father really feels. I guess now that he's retired, he can finally speak his mind.

He told Elsa, "I guess he can finally speak his mind now that he's retired.

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I guess both of them are right. People, human hearts, have a darkness that even they cannot fully grasp.

* * * *

Reinhardt went back to his own house that day, but Jin stayed at Erza's parents' house for the next two days.

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He got along well with the servants, who were originally few in number.

Reiko was especially popular among the female servants. However, as usual, she remained unfriendly to everyone except Jin.

On the afternoon of March 26th, Jin and Elsa decided to leave Elsa's parents' house.

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"Mother, I will come back."

"Mother-in-law, thank you very much for your hospitality.

Mr. Jin, please take care of Elsa.

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After exchanging these words, Jin, Erza, Reiko, Edgar, and the others headed for <> on foot.

The <> had returned to Leuthart and was moored on the roof of the house. Reiko contacted us this morning and sent it to us again.

As expected, it was not advisable for security reasons to leave the boat moored in the meadow for two or three days.

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After returning to Leuthart, Jin did not go back to the house, but went directly to Miyagi.

As usual, he requests an audience with the Empress without any formalities.

After waiting for about 30 minutes, he was shown into her office.

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Jin-kun, welcome. What can I do for you today?

His tone was frank from the start.

Today, instead of Flora, he was accompanied by the prime minister.

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"Yes. The other day I became officially engaged to Elsa and went to her parents' house to greet her.

"I heard. I heard you gave her a beautiful statue as a gift.

Jin was secretly surprised by the information network of the emperor.

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"I have ......, so I'll send Elsa to ......."

The emperor stopped Jin with a hand and turned to the Prime Minister.

"I understand. You want to change the patriarch from Elsa Randall to Moritz Randall, don't you?

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Yes.

The title of sub-baron is hereditary, so Moritz will inherit it. Is that correct?

Yes.

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Erza's goal of reviving the Randall family has now been achieved.

What are you going to do now?　Are you planning a wedding?

"Well, uh..."

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Erza is puzzled by the sudden mention of a wedding.

"We're planning it for the fall."

But Jin declared clearly.

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"Brother Jin?

"Yes, in the fall. It's the season when the weather is nice. I'd love to attend.

"Yes, if I can."

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"Yes, if you can." "I'll take it seriously."

After exchanging such words, Jin and the others left the palace. The emperor was too busy to chat with them.

"Brother Jin ......"

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Erza felt a little reassured by Jin's clear statement that the wedding would be held in the fall.