A truly filial son (Having an illegitimate child inherit a noble title was difficult, but not impossible.)

Eros raised an eyebrow without saying a word. He wanted to hear what else this blue-haired fellow had to say!

Seeing that Eros had not immediately walked away, Saliba brightened and promptly said:

"Don't forget that you have other brothers. Although the Empire has no precedent for an illegitimate child inheriting a noble title, with my help, it might not be impossible for them!"

Eros looked taken aback, then rather speechless. "You mean, if I give Wendy to you, you'll help me become the next duke?"

"And if I refuse, you'll use your influence to stop me from inheriting the title, then help my other brothers inherit it instead?"

"Exactly! Give Wendy to me, and not only will you have one less rival, you'll also gain my friendship-the friendship of the Augustine Family." Saliba looked at Eros with utter sincerity.

But the more Eros heard, the stranger his expression became. I thought he had something up his sleeve. This is it? Seriously? Tch. Nothing special.

Seeing that Eros remained unmoved, Saliba seemed to make up his mind about something.

"I have a younger sister. She is the most radiant jewel of our entire Augustine Family."

"If you're willing, I can beg my father to marry her to you. She carries the bloodline of our Augustine Family. You should know how precious that is."

Eros rolled his eyes. "Well, I carry the bloodline of the legendary Elf Race. Doesn't that mean I'd be getting the worse end of the deal?"

Saliba's expression froze. Only then did he remember that the man before him had awakened the bloodline of the Elf Race. At a loss for words, he could only grit his teeth and say:

"What do you want? As long as it's within my power, I can do it."

"I want your mom!"

Eros was utterly speechless. He no longer wanted to waste words on this genius and immediately turned to leave.

But before he had taken more than a few steps, Saliba's voice came from behind him. "Three times!"

Eros froze in surprise. What? He turned to look at Saliba.

Saliba's expression shifted uncertainly. "I can help you get my mother, but only three times. And I'll still have my father marry my sister to you."

By the end, Saliba's expression had become almost ferocious.

Now Eros was the one who had no idea how to respond. Wait, did this blue-haired idiot really not hear the sarcasm in what I said?

Still, Saliba's behavior made him suspicious.

Could that bratty sister of mine have something I don't know about?

Why else would this blue-haired fellow be so willing to give away even his own mother and sister?

Hmm! I'll have to give that bratty sister's body a thorough inspection tonight.

Having spotted something amiss, Eros lost interest in talking nonsense with this "filial son." He waved a hand.

"No thanks. Oh, and if you want to help those brothers of mine inherit the title, go right ahead. Good luck! I believe in you."

With that, Eros left without looking back at Saliba, whose face alternated between pale and flushed.

After returning to Wendy's side, Eros circled her, looking her up and down until she felt rather unnerved, but he found nothing unusual.

Wendy, meanwhile, was puzzled. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Eros pursed his lips and immediately told Wendy about his conversation with the blue-haired fellow.

When she heard that Saliba was even willing to give Eros his mother and sister for her sake, goosebumps rose all over her body, and she let out a disgusted "Eww."

"So let me examine you carefully tonight. I do believe you're the prettiest girl in the world, Wendy, but surely that wouldn't make that blue-haired fellow willing to pay such a steep price?"

Hearing Eros say he believed she was the prettiest girl in the world, Wendy gave a little huff, her face flushing pink. She did not refuse, though.

After a few more classes, lunchtime finally arrived. As soon as class ended, Eros walked over to the red-haired girl's desk and said enthusiastically:

"Come on, come on! Your big brother's taking you to lunch!"

Without waiting to see whether she agreed, he grabbed the red-haired girl's arm and forcibly dragged her toward the academy cafeteria.

The red-haired girl nearly ground her teeth to pieces, but she had to maintain her persona, so she could only let this "pervert" drag her along.

They met up with Wendy and Joni on the way. Wendy showed no particular reaction.

Joni, however, curiously studied the "Thomas" being dragged along by Eros and asked, "Who is he?"

Joni was not in the same class as Wendy, so it was perfectly normal for her not to know him. After all, why would noble young ladies like them lower themselves to get to know a commoner's son?

Eros grinned, showing a mouthful of white teeth. "The little brother I took under my wing this morning."

At Eros's explanation, Joni burst out laughing, her eyes dancing with a captivating charm.

And so Wendy casually squeezed herself between Joni and Eros, just as casually separating the two.

Once they reached the cafeteria, Wendy led them straight up to the third floor and into a private dining room...

After a short wait, all the food had arrived. The red-haired girl stared blankly at the three portions set before her.

Eros cheerfully patted her shoulder. "Don't be shy. Eat up, and have plenty! Look at you, so skinny you could be a woman!"

The red-haired girl looked down at her slender waist, then at the three portions in front of her. When she raised her head and saw Eros's eager, encouraging gaze, her lips trembled.

It's all for the sake of my persona. Here goes.

With that thought, the red-haired girl stopped hesitating and dug in.

She had finally managed to force down all three portions when she heard Eros's devilish whisper:

"Are you full? If that wasn't enough, I'll have the servants bring you some more."

The red-haired girl forced a smile. "N-no need. Thank you!"

Eros nearly burst out laughing at the sight, but managed to hold it back at the last moment. He put on a disappointed expression.

"All right, then. Since we're done eating, we should get going."

As soon as they stepped out of the cafeteria, the red-haired girl hastily found an excuse to flee. Once she had escaped Eros, she let out a long breath. Finally, I'm away from that "pervert." Ugh! I'm so stuffed.

The red-haired girl had thought that would be the end of it. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined it was only the beginning.

After classes ended that evening, Eros cornered her again, then dragged her off to eat another full three portions for dinner.

Throughout the meal, he kept asking whether she wanted a little more. The red-haired girl truly felt like crying, but had no tears left.

I've been quietly keeping a low profile as an undercover agent all this time. I haven't bothered anyone! Why did this "pervert" have to set his sights on me?