Since then, up until the present, the relationship with Claudia has not had any change for the better.
He knew that Claudia was looking for an opportunity to reconcile. However, to prevent that from happening, Isaak avoided being alone with Claudia.
When they conversed, he purposely chose remarks that would make her angry. Interactions with him were so brusque to the point that he became clearly unapproachable.
He was the worst -- is how it would be summed up.
He informed Ralph of the circumstances while hiding the particulars about his own feelings.
Crossing his legs while relaxing on the sofa in the parlour of the Lambertz family, Ralph sent gaze full of pity towards Isaak.
「You are, how to say this…… I already knew about it, but you really are a childish brat.」
「…………」
Isaak, who was sitting in front of Ralph, wasn't able to deny it; so he turned away and clicked his tongue.
「Well, one way or another, I understand that you really love Claudia.」
「How did it come to that? I only said that I was unable to keep my promise.」
「If you still think that you can hide your feelings, in this kind of situation, then I'd seriously be worried about you.」
「…………」
「You like Claudia, that's why you've turned down all marriage proposals until now, right? 」
「Ahー mou, just shut up.」
「Well, it is something Diethard-sama permitted. Even though you were supposed to be heir to the throne.」
「You just ignored me.」
Isaak let out a big breath, as if giving up, and replied with a grumble.
「That person -- he only feels obligation towards me.」
「…… Aa, is it because he had let go of your hand at one point, if only for a moment? So that's why he tolerates your selfishness.」
「Let's say I wanted to succeed the throne. Stepmother would lose her position. 」
With these words, Ralph's expression slackened.
「You're really kind, huh?」
「…… It was simply because it was troublesome.」
「However, that kindness, is useless, if not transmitted. In any case, you should at least start by being honest. I've set the stage; but whether or not Claudia's feelings will change will depend on you.」
Being struck where it hurts, Isaak leaned his back against the sofa in resignation and stared at the ceiling.
He was reaping what he sowed as Claudia had zero good will towards him. No, it wasn't even zero.
「……Even I understand that I'm starting with minus points.」
Isaak let out a haa as he sighed reflexively. He scratched his head as he sat back up. Ralph was staring at him with a broad grin so Isaak struck one of Ralph's elbows.
「…… What? That face -- stop it unless you want to be seriously beaten.」
「No, I just had something in mind. You, if there was no marriage offer from our house, what would you have done? If there was another engagement in place, would you have given up?」
「…………」
（It was Alex, so I thought I had no choice but to give up. But, I wouldn't have handed her over to any other man. …… Sorry.）
「…… That kind of thing won't happen anyways, right?」
Receiving a sullen response, Ralph laughed happily.
「That's right. It seems that I have said something unnecessary. Though, how you would have won the position as Claudia's fiancé, would have been something good to watch thoroughly.」
「…… Just go home already.」
Isaak stood up and indignantly kicked the sofa Ralph was sitting on. Ralph didn't even budge from the spot and continued to look up at Isaak with the same expression.
「You, I heard you're replacing Alex for an entire expedition.」
「It can't be helped, right? You can't change halfway.」
「That's right; so I guess I'll make time for Claudia to come here. What a kind brother-in-law I am, right? It's alright to call me Aniue. 」
「…… I'll go by myself, after all.」
TN:
Childish Brat ⇒ ガキ Gaki Diethard ⇒ ディートハルト Dii-to-haruto. Pronounced something like Deet-Hart Aniue ⇒ Kind of like Onii-sama, but more formal.