I Regressed and the Genre Changed

Chapter 6 – Breakfast

“Breaking of the engagement…”

Valzer Winfred, the head of the Winfred family, murmured, recalling his recent conversation with Kyle.

— I want to break off the engagement with Isabel.

Isabel Yustia.

He wanted to break up with the woman he had been obsessed with for years.

That’s what he clearly said.

“Hmm.”

He was the illegitimate child who dared to request a marriage consultation with the daughter of a prestigious Count.

The image of him, unable to meet eyes properly, cowering like a bug on the ground out of fear, still lingered vividly.

Yes, that’s the one.

A person whose abilities and character are as insignificant as a worm… A troublemaker who boasted high self-esteem without even knowing the subject.

A thorough weakling, trash, and a bastard.

That was Kyle Winfred, as known by the Duke.

That same person, at some point, completely changed.

— Do you want to perish?

Kyle’s face, with fierce blue eyes flashing in front of him, still wouldn’t leave his mind.

Even in a situation where his throat could be slit at any moment, he didn’t lose his composure.

“It’s impressive.”

Various emotions rose and sank on the Duke’s face.

The butler who had been observing the Duke cautiously parted his lips.

“What do you think?”

“About what?”

“About Young Master Kyle’s words.”

He had already received a report from the butler about the recent disturbance a few days ago.

The current situation was completely reversed, and Isabel was now the one desperately clinging to Kyle.

The Duke felt no particular interest.

Affairs of the illegitimate child’s love life were of no concern to him, and besides, according to the contract he had made with Kyle, he was obligated to assist in breaking off the engagement.

“…”

Kyle’s reputation was deliberately manipulated.

The covert and persistent harassment directed towards Kyle within the mansion.

The lost anger and hatred eating away at Kyle was something the Duke had been aware of for some time.

Yet, he neglected it.

The reason being that a half-breed like Kyle, unable to overcome even such trials on his own, didn’t deserve to bear the Winfred name.

The Duke clicked his tongue under his breath.

“Tsk, well, let’s just watch for now.”

For now, he would observe.

That was the Duke’s decision.

At first glance, it might seem like an empty decision with no content, but in reality, it was not the case.

Valzer Winfred was a cold-blooded man who thoroughly prioritized his own and his family’s safety.

For him to watch over Kyle meant that Kyle had sparked enough interest from the Duke.

The butler, reading his thoughts, bowed his head and responded cautiously.

A moment later, the Duke issued a seemingly casual but significant instruction.

“Tomorrow’s breakfast, let Kyle join as well.”

****

A day passed since the Duke returned to the mansion.

There were no particular events.

Isabel remained quiet since that day, and the Duke faithfully fulfilled all the conditions promised in exchange for the Holy Blood.

The breakup of the engagement with Isabel was a done deal.

And with the promissory note backed by the Winfreds, the funds needed for my future activities had also been secured.

Everything was going smoothly as planned.

Except for one thing.

[Scenario Progress: 5%]

“What’s going on? Why does it keep increasing?”

It rose again.

The original progress rate of 3% had increased by 2%, reaching 5%.

When I first mentioned the breakup to Isabel, the progress rate increased by 3%, and after indiscriminately throwing facts at Isabel who came to the mansion without notice, it increased by another 2%.

The common denominator is Isabel.

As the relationship with Isabel deteriorates, the progress rate is proportionally increasing.

That was the conclusion I came to after pondering all day.

“…But still, 5% is good for now.”

The engagement annulment with Isabel has been confirmed, and the day I will leave the Duke’s estate was not far off.

Of course, it cannot be said that all obstacles have been overcome yet.

The road ahead is still long and arduous.

The ultimate goal is to find the Holy Relic and open the Dimensional Gate.

And naturally, the process will not be easy.

“The absence of information, above all else…”

Strength.

At this point, the power this body possess is pitiful, if not dismal.

Of course, it’s not entirely hopeless.

As befitting a major antagonist in the game, Kyle’s potential is said to be superior to anyone else’s.

However, I need means to protect myself immediately.

Not in the distant future, but right now.

It didn’t take long to find a solution.

“…Diana.”

Diana.

There’s no surname attached to her name.

Because she’s not a noble, but a commoner.

She is a female Knight from a commoner background.

At first glance, it may seem like an insignificant title, but in reality, it’s not.

Because Diana is one of the main characters in the game.

Among the people who were designated as main characters, there were none whose abilities are meager.

She possesses at least one talent, and that talent tends to blossom when needed.

The talent Diana possesses is none other than that of a Knight.

It specializes in protecting others, a talent I need right now.

“Her Knighting Ceremony should be coming up soon.”

To recruit Diana, I need to attend her Knighting Ceremony.

Attending itself shouldn’t be difficult.

But the problem is…

“…Isabel.”

The Knighting Ceremony takes place at the Grand Cathedral.

And that cathedral is just a few steps away from the Count Yustia estate.

“Ha.”

It’s daunting, but what choice do I have?

If it’s to recruit Diana, I must bear that level of risk.

That’s when it happened.

Knock, knock—

Someone knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Clack—

The butler entered through the slightly opened door.

“What’s the matter?”

“The Duke has invited the Young Master for breakfast soon.”

“…Breakfast?”

Breakfast, really?

Is he suggesting we eat together out of the blue?

“Why?”

“That… I’m not sure…”

“So, is he calling me just to sit face to face and eat together out of nowhere? Did I understand that correctly?”

The butler quickly nodded his head.

Clearly, the Duke has gone mad.

“I prefer to dine alone in my room.”

“But since it was a direct order from the Duke…”

I barely managed to keep my frowning eyebrows in check.

“How many people are attending the breakfast?”

“Just the Duke and the Young Master, only two.”

“What? What about the others?”

“The Little Duke and Young Lady are still staying at the palace, and the Duchess went to the palace a few days ago to attend to them personally.”

I inwardly sighed deeply.

Just the Duke and me having a meal together is already making me nervous.

But there’s no reasonable excuse to decline.

I can’t possibly say I feel like throwing up just from seeing the Duke’s face.

‘…Maybe this is actually a good thing?’

To attend the Knighting Ceremony, I need the Duke’s permission.

In other words, regardless of the timing, I eventually have to request another audience with the Duke.

In that case, it might not be a bad idea to subtly bring up the topic of attending the Knighting Ceremony during the meal.

After trying to rationalize my thoughts, I slowly nodded.

“Lead the way.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Squeak—

I followed the butler out of the room.

****

When we arrived at the dining hall, breakfast preparations were already complete.

Therefore, without further delay, the formal meal began.

“…”

“…”

Awkward.

It’s no joke; it’s painfully awkward.

I’m confused whether I’m chewing food or swallowing sand.

I never thought having a meal with an unsavory person would be such torture.

A firm resolution never to attend breakfast again lingered in my mind.

A heavy tension filled the space.

Eager to finish the meal and return to my room as soon as possible, I kept silent and pushed food into my mouth. Throughout, the Duke, who had maintained silence, finally opened his heavy mouth.

“Have you received special training in dining etiquette? Quite impressive.”

Table manners, the order of utensil use, holding the fork and knife — the Duke solemnly admired my flawless dining etiquette.

I glanced at the Duke’s expression out of the corner of my eye.

There was no trace of suspicion, just pure admiration.

It’s a revealing moment that shows how little interest he had in Kyle.

‘Well, that’s a relief.’

I’m not Kyle Winfred.

Be it any minor habit, speech pattern, or preference.

Not a single thing matches, indicating that I’m entirely different from Kyle.

If he had any interest in Kyle, he wouldn’t be able to miss it.

That I’m not Kyle, but something wearing Kyle’s shell.

Surprisingly, I haven’t met a single person in this world who doubted me.

It was shocking.

All of that was.

“Ha…”

An uncontrollable, chilly laugh burst out.

I momentarily set down the utensils in my hand and turned my head to look at the Duke.

“I’m planning to attend the Knighting Ceremony.”

The Duke, who had been busy moving his hands, paused.

After a moment, he asked me in a subdued voice.

“Why do you want to attend the Knighting Ceremony?”

“What reason could there be for hiring a Knight? It’s to protect myself.”

I retorted bluntly.

However, the Duke still wore a puzzled expression.

“Do you not think a family Knight would suffice?”

A rueful laugh escaped me.

There was an obvious flaw in his question.

“Why would I trust a family Knight with my life?”

“…”

“I need a Knight to protect me, not one devoted to the family.”

“What?”

“Even the mere servants hesitate to obey me. How could I trust a Knight loyal to the family?”

I shot back sharply.

But the Duke remained silent, his face alternating between shades of dark.

With a raised eyebrow, I continued.

“I’ll attend the Knighting Ceremony.”