“Well, I understand he doesn’t pay much attention to you,” Raphel continued, “but he’s a good person. Though sometimes he does things that people don’t really like…”

Raphel didn’t stop; he just kept rambling his nonsense.

“And honestly, being married to someone like him must be hard — always cold, always distant. Some men don’t understand what it means to treasure what they have…”

Evandria wasn’t really listening anymore — she only pretended to.

She was starting to get annoyed by now, but then her eyes suddenly turned toward the stairs. She saw a familiar face — it was Elion. He was looking at her as he came down the stairs. Their eyes met for a brief moment.

Raphel noticed her gaze and turned to follow it. He saw that Elion was coming this way. Instead of waiting, he immediately walked toward him.

“Well, well! Isn’t it Elion? Long time no see,” Raphel said with a smug smile.

“…Raphel?” Elion said.

"Yes~ Elion, how have things been going with your business? I heard you don’t stay at your estate much these days," Raphel asked.

“I have my own priorities,” Elion replied.

"Haha, of course, you have. More importantly, I’ve been worried lately because some ruffians seem to be questioning your reputation," Raphel said, exaggerating his concern.

A few years ago, there was an incident where a merchant house was completely destroyed by fire, and no one inside survived. Though calling it a “house” wouldn’t really be accurate, it was more like a group ruled by a single man — there was no one else in his family. No one ever discovered what really happened, but after that, rumours began circulating that Elion was the one who destroyed them, as they were his rivals and he had suffered some losses because of them.

But Elion didn’t care about such rumors, and no one dared say anything to his face.

“Of course, it doesn’t matter to you, right?” Raphel continued.

“But really~ it would be such a shame if people started whispering behind your back…”

Elion looked at Raphel. His exaggerated expressions and movements were extremely cheesy. If cheese could come to life, it would look like this. Human cheese.

“... Ah~ society is so cruel these days. One tiny rumor and suddenly everyone starts speculating,” Raphel said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"But you should pay attention to your wife, leaving her like that isn't good... Are you listening?"

After rambling on for a while, Raphel finally seemed to tire himself out. He scrunched up his nose and furrowed his brow.

"I wasn't listening," Elion said

"Tsk... You seem busy, so I'll add one last thing," Raphel said.

“No one in the world will appreciate you if you keep acting so superior and arrogant. Do you know that? Falling from grace in noble society is quite common…” Raphel continued.

Heat surged in the back of Elion’s neck.

He didn’t even want to be here — and yet this annoying man wouldn’t stop talking.

“Alright, Elion. Enjoy the good times while they last, because tough times are ahead. Also...”

One word had already stretched into dozens. If Elion stayed silent, he'd probably lecture him until he was old and gray. So Elion took a step closer to him.

“Let me say one thing,” Elion said.

Looking down at Raphel's yellowish-pale face, Elion leaned in closer.

“Stop meddling and get lost, you rotten cheese,” Elion whispered in his ear.

It could have been a fatal mistake on Elion’s part — but it felt amazing.

“W-what did you say? Cheese, rotten cheese? Did you just—”

“I’m leaving.”

Elion left him stammering behind and walked past him briskly.