“You didn’t tell Sophia that a painter was coming to paint her portrait, did you? I heard you left Sophia to do the work while you had Emily sit for a portrait.”

“What a scoundrel… To have his mistress’s portrait painted… I can’t believe Sophia supported a man like you. She would still be alive if she had left you sooner…”

“…”

Emily’s father listened to the male relative’s words in silence.

“Hey, her father is right here…”

“My apologies. I was simply appalled by what I’ve heard.”

“Sophia loved Alec… That’s why she couldn’t leave him… That’s what I want to believe…”

The male relative, who had been expressing his disgust, fell silent after hearing Alec’s aunt’s words.

“I… apologized to my wife… I begged her… to sit for a portrait with me… but… she refused…”

“It’s no wonder Sophia was angry… You’ve disgraced the Parlis family portraits, which have been passed down through generations… You can no longer paint a portrait to leave behind, after your parents…”

Alec’s aunt watched him weep silently.

“But what about the portraits of Alec and Emily? What will happen to those?”

“They’ll be disposed of, of course. We can’t keep portraits of a couple who aren’t married.”

“Alec, you’ll dispose of them, won’t you?”

The male relative asked Alec sternly.

“I… have disposed of the portraits of Emily…”

“Is that so?! I’m relieved. I was about to offer to do it myself if you couldn’t.”

“…”

The relatives smiled and expressed relief after hearing that the portraits of Emily were gone.

“Are we still discussing Alec and his mistress? I’d like to hear about what happens next.”

One of the relatives, tired of the same topic, asked Alec’s aunt what would happen next.

“Indeed… Let’s discuss Alec’s future.”

Alec closed his eyes, bracing himself for what was to come.

“Alec will remain at the Parlis estate.”

!?

“What…?”

The relatives gasped in surprise. Alec was the most surprised of all. He had been prepared to leave the estate.

(…I… I don’t have to leave…? I can stay… in the house my parents lived in…?)

Alec offered a small smile towards his aunt.

“Alec is staying at the estate?! You’re forgiving him for what he’s done?!”

“Adelaide, you were angry too. Why?”

“Hmm, of course I care about my nephew. I knew this would happen.”

Some of the relatives cried out in disbelief, while others looked at his aunt with cold, disapproving stares.

“Marquis… I’m glad you’re allowed to stay at the estate.”

“Thank you… but I will atone for what I did to Sophia.”

“And that atonement… Can it be monetary?”

“Yes… if it would be of assistance…”

(It’s for Emily’s expenses, isn’t it?)

“I appreciate it…”

Emily’s father looked at Alec with relief, and the two men exchanged smiles.

“Lady Adelaide…”

The doctor, sensing that the discussion about Alec wasn’t over, stood up as the relatives began to clamor, some leaving their seats.

“This is pointless. I’m leaving.”

“Then, I’ll…”

“Did I give anyone permission to leave? We’re not finished.”

“But…”

“While Alec will remain at the estate, he will no longer be the head of the family.”

!?

“What do you mean?”

“Aunt…”

Alec was bewildered by his aunt’s declaration that he would no longer be the head of the family.

“Aunt… You’re saying I can no longer be the head of the family… but I can still live at the estate…?”

Alec was bewildered, understanding he could live at the estate but not as its head.

“Explain yourself clearly.”

The relatives who had been about to leave returned to their seats, waiting for his aunt’s explanation.

“Richard.”

“Yes.”

“I want you to be the next head of the Parlis family.”

“What?!… M-me? Sister…”

A murmur of surprise rippled through the relatives, though some smiled.

“Richard as the successor… Isn’t that a good choice?”

“He’s more accustomed to social gatherings than Alec. And his wife, Carolina, runs a jewelry store.”

The relatives smiled at Alec’s uncle, Richard, their conversation growing lively.

“…”

Alec trembled, his face pale, unsure of what to do.

“Master Alec…”

The doctor, unsure of what to say to Alec, remained silent, observing him.

“Richard, I understand this is sudden, but would you accept the position?”

“W-well, this is quite unexpected… I need to discuss it with my wife… I can’t give you an answer right away…”

His aunt smiled at her hesitant brother.

“You don’t have to decide now. There’s the matter of the handover with Alec… Please discuss it with Carolina and let me know.”

“Understood… But… Sister, what will happen to Alec?”

Richard, looking at his downcast nephew, asked his sister, Adelaide.

His aunt looked at Alec and spoke quietly.

“Alec, you will work as a servant under your uncle, Richard.”

“A-a servant?!”

The relatives gasped, staring at Alec and his aunt in shock.

“Alec, a servant? But what about his title as marquis…?”

“His title will be revoked… Alec will become a commoner and work as a servant for the Parlis family.”

“A servant…”

Alec’s shoulders slumped as if all strength had left him. The doctor and Emily’s father were also stunned.

(Lady Adelaide is making Master Alec a servant of the Parlis family… It would be better for him to leave the estate… No one would have imagined that the son of the Parlis family would become a servant… This must be humiliating for Master Alec…)

“This concludes today’s meeting… I’ll inform you of the next meeting at a later date.”

“Haha, I look forward to the next meeting.”

“Richard, we eagerly await your decision.”

“Hmm…”

Richard sighed wryly as the relatives patted him on the shoulder, smiling as they left the room.

━━━━━━ ◦ ❖ ◦ ━━━━━━

Alec, the doctor, Emily’s father, Richard, and his brother, Matt, remained in the room.

“I never thought I’d become the head of the family…”

“Of course you’ll accept, won’t you? If you refuse, they might ask me, and I’m terrible at business.”

His aunt approached Richard, who frowned at his smiling brother.

“I apologize… for burdening you with this…”

“You thought this through carefully, didn’t you? This puts Alec in a difficult position… Are you sure about this? About revoking his title?”

“Yes… He’s… not suited to be the head of the family… After seeing how diligently he worked, as my brother’s son, I believed Alec could lead the Parlis family… But… I realized Alec is also a man… I feel sorry for Sophia…”

Alec’s aunt wiped her tears and walked towards him.