Penny was a girl who loved gossip. Although she had matured and no longer talked about her master behind her back, she still enjoyed hearing about other people's business. This little hobby of hers turned out to be an unexpectedly useful talent when it came to gathering information.
Following Wei Wei's instructions, she first went to find Butler Barton for information. At the time, the butler was still in the dining hall, standing by Felix's side as he watched the guests dine. Once the only two ladies present had left, the knights let loose. Each one raised their glasses and began to drink competitively, paying no mind to the fact that it was still afternoon—surely a bit early to get drunk.
Like the other men, Felix enjoyed drinking, but he usually kept himself in check and never overindulged. Today, however, with his close friends visiting, he naturally joined in the revelry, drinking with abandon.
The servants bustled about, pouring wine and serving dishes. Although Butler Barton didn't need to serve personally, he still needed to oversee everything to ensure nothing unpleasant occurred, so he remained on the sidelines throughout.
When he noticed Penny had returned and was discreetly signaling to him from behind the door, Butler Barton glanced at the guests at the table, then quietly stepped outside.
"What is it?"
Penny relayed Wei Wei's message to him.
"Count Aldridge?" Butler Barton instinctively glanced toward the important guests seated at the center. The count was raising his glass with the others, back turned to them, so Barton couldn't see his expression. But the image of the young man's face surfaced in his mind—a face that made women swoon. Just look at the maids assigned to pour wine; each one stole glances at Count Aldridge from time to time. That was how popular he was.
Barton could already predict that, when it came time to assign servants to wait on this young earl, there would be quite the scramble.
If he weren't certain that his mistress hadn't paid particular attention to this guest before, Barton might have suspected that Wei Wei herself had taken an interest in the count.
Shaking off such inappropriate thoughts, he replied, "I'm sorry, I don't know much about this count."
The Aldridge family had always kept a low profile, and at the end of the day, Butler Barton was just a steward of a noble household in a remote region, with limited access to information. He hadn't even known this noble existed until recently.
Penny nodded in disappointment and took her leave, planning to inquire with the attendants who had accompanied the count.
But the butler felt it wasn't quite appropriate for a young, unmarried maid to ask such questions, especially since it might cause misunderstandings—or even reflect poorly on Wei Wei. While it was perfectly normal for a hostess to gather information to treat her guests better, if the guest in question was an exceptionally well-regarded figure, rumors could easily start. So he assigned a male servant to accompany her and simply told them to say it was his request, not Wei Wei's.
Penny, accompanied by the male servant, went to find the attendants who had come with Count Aldridge. The guests' rooms had been prepared in advance, but the attendants did not receive such favorable arrangements. Typically, they would wait until their masters were settled before being assigned resting quarters.
Still, since they had been brought along by honored guests, they were at least permitted to eat first. And until the main banquet was over, they were allowed some rest.
So it wasn't long before Penny found the people she was looking for in the servant dining area near the kitchen.
When these attendants heard they were being asked about their master, they showed no surprise. Ever since Adonis had inherited the title and sent his sister to the capital, many admiring ladies had sought them out to inquire about him. But most of the time, they refrained from saying too much—after all, one former servant had been dismissed precisely for talking too freely. No one wanted to risk their livelihood.
Still, since this inquiry came from a servant of a noble family hosting them, and the questions were relatively harmless, they did share a few bits of information.
Nothing secretive, but rather the kind of harmless trivia about their master's habits and interests—like what hobbies he enjoyed, and what activities he liked.
Penny received the information she needed and returned to report to Wei Wei.
Wei Wei listened as Penny explained that Count Aldridge liked reading and hunting, but avoided attending banquets and social gatherings. One point caught her attention: the young count was unmarried and currently had no romantic interests—he was a completely eligible bachelor.
"For someone like him to still be single, that's quite rare." Adonis was the sole heir to the Aldridge family, whose lineage was even more sparse than Felix's. By rights, the late Count Aldridge should have arranged a marriage for him early on, hoping he would carry on the family line.
But for now, regardless of why he hadn't married, the fact that he was single made Wei Wei breathe a little easier.
Maybe she was overthinking things, but if Dolores had taken a liking to him—regardless of whether anything could come of it—it was at least a small comfort to know he wasn't already taken.
Wei Wei hesitated about calling Dolores over to talk but ultimately decided against it.
Better to wait and see.
The meal dragged on for hours. Because so many guests ended up drunk, dinner was canceled altogether. The banquet lasted right up to dinner time, and after being stuffed with food and alcohol, no one had room for more. So dinner was deemed unnecessary.
When Wei Wei received her dinner in her room from the kitchen staff, she merely told them to prepare more late-night snacks and have them sent to the guest rooms later—just in case anyone got hungry but felt embarrassed to ask and ended up nibbling on dry rations.
The others went to rest, and Felix naturally returned as well. He held his liquor well and remained sober even after drinking all afternoon. He had taken a bath and rinsed his mouth before coming upstairs, so he barely smelled of alcohol. Out of courtesy, he sat a bit farther away from Wei Wei, so neither she nor the baby would be bothered by the scent of wine.
"The butler said you wanted to know more about Count Aldridge?"
Felix's hair was still dripping from his bath, and he dried it himself with a towel. The servants had been dismissed, so he and Wei Wei sat across from each other, he drying his hair and she holding the baby. The scene was cozy and harmonious.
But from the tone of his question, Wei Wei thought she detected a hint of jealousy. Maybe the wine was fermenting in his system.
"Mm." Wei Wei nodded, though most of her attention was on the baby in her arms. The little one was quite energetic, having slept well during the day. He wasn't crying or fussing, just smiling up at her with his little mouth wide open. Black hair, blue eyes—this little angel was irresistibly adorable. Wei Wei couldn't help smiling back, fully immersed in playing with him.
Before Felix could sulk like a jealous husband, Wei Wei continued, "He's the type who draws attention. I noticed Lola seemed to take an interest, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to learn more about him first."
Though she didn't say it directly, the mention of his sister made Felix understand her meaning.
Ever since the king expressed interest in marrying into the Williams family, the couple had grown increasingly concerned about Dolores's future. They preferred for the young girl to live freely and marry when she wanted—but times had changed. Others found it hard to understand why she remained unmarried for so long. If it continued, rumors might start spreading—like "Miss Williams can't find a husband"—and that would be detrimental to Dolores's reputation.
So they kept an eye out for potential suitors. Even if they didn't find one, people needed to see them as attentive, just discerning. That way, the impression would be: "Her family treasures her, they're just picky," instead of "She must have issues."
The former implied high standards, which were acceptable for someone from a noble background. The latter, however, hinted at physical or other flaws that even a prestigious background couldn't cover up.
"I don't know much about the Aldridge family either. I'll ask Allen about it tomorrow," Felix offered.
Felix had only recently learned that the Aldridge family's young lady was to be married to Prince Andrew. The royal family hadn't made the engagement public yet, so most nobles were still in a wait-and-see mode. While some had caught wind of it, the news hadn't spread far beyond the capital—especially not to Sardinson, which was too remote and always a step behind in capital affairs.
"But why would the king choose the Aldridge family? Their old count only just passed away, and although the new count has taken over, he probably hasn't fully established control over his lands yet. If the king wanted to strengthen Prince Andrew's position, surely there are better choices?" Felix frowned.
Everyone knew the king had only two sons. The Crown Prince Edward was in poor health and childless. Most assumed he wouldn't outlive the king. The second prince, Andrew, lacked intelligence—not quite a fool, but not someone with great potential. As a result, he was generally not seen as a strong contender.
This was why Duke Romanov, third in line to the throne, was so widely favored. But clearly, that wasn't what the king wanted. Lately, the fourth and fifth heirs had started gaining visibility as the king subtly promoted them to counterbalance Romanov.
Still, even with that, Prince Andrew remained the king's favorite. Regardless of his flaws, he was the king's son and thus the rightful heir. And since the king didn't dislike him, it was unthinkable that he'd simply bypass Andrew in favor of someone else.
So choosing a bride for Andrew from a family like the Aldridges—wealthy and noble, yes, but quiet and uninvolved in politics, and newly transitioned between generations—seemed an odd move.
Felix couldn't make sense of it. So the next day, he went to ask Allen.
After all, Allen knew these things better than anyone.
Unfortunately, Allen could only give a helpless shrug. "Why would you think I'd know something like that? The king doesn't confide in me."
"But he might talk to your father."
"Maybe. But my father wouldn't tell me anything about royal matters. So, no—I honestly don't know why the king chose the Aldridges for a marriage alliance." Allen scratched his chin, then added his guess. "Maybe it has to do with those rumors going around the capital lately—you know, the one about how marriages between close relatives can lead to unhealthy children."
Felix knew the rumor well. He was the one who started it.
"I heard that ever since the Crown Princess and Duke Romanov's sister's... situation, the king has become very cautious about that topic. Supposedly, he even said privately that he wanted to find a wife for Prince Andrew who had no familial ties to the royal family. But you know how it is—almost all nobles in the capital are related in some way. Especially the major houses—their bloodlines are particularly close to the royal line. Andrew can't exactly marry a distant branch's daughter, so maybe the Aldridges were the cleanest option."
"And the Aldridge family isn't weak either," Allen continued. "The new count may be young, but he's not one to be underestimated. I doubt he'll achieve any less than his father."
Though young, the new Count Aldridge had effectively managed the family estate for years due to his father's long illness. His territory was a crucial transportation hub, containing several major cities with complex power dynamics. And yet, there had been no disorder under his rule—that alone was a testament to his capabilities.
Furthermore, the fact that he dared send his sister to the capital shortly after inheriting the title, and even left his territory to travel with the Williams family to Sardinson, showed his confidence. Either his hold on power was ironclad, or his presence didn't matter much to the stability of the territory. From Allen's perspective, it was the former.
Still, all of this was just speculation. Allen made no promises.
Who could say what a man like the king was thinking?
Lacking any definite answers, Felix could only set aside this mystery—which, in the end, had little to do with him—and turned to ask about Adonis Aldridge himself: his character, personality, and love life.
"Why the sudden interest?" Allen raised an eyebrow at his friend.
Felix kept it vague. "I heard he's not married."
Allen wasn't stupid. He quickly put the pieces together and chuckled. "Trying to make him your brother-in-law, huh?"
Felix didn't deny it outright—but truthfully, he wasn't thrilled at the idea. After all, the young earl had a sister who was about to become a royal princess. If a match were made, the Williams family would grow even closer to the royal family. In these turbulent times, that kind of proximity might just invite hostility—especially from Duke Romanov.
But the Williams family had always stood on the king's side. And because of the refugee crisis, Felix and Duke Romanov were already on bad terms. Not to mention the bandit attacks—recent clues suggested Romanov might be involved in those too. At this point, Felix figured open hostility was inevitable.
In that light, drawing closer to the king wasn't such a bad move.
And if Prince Andrew did become the next king, having a connection through the Aldridges could only benefit their family.
Most importantly, it was rare for Dolores to show interest in a man. And this man had excellent qualifications. If they missed this opportunity and Dolores never married, what then?
Even though he'd promised Wei Wei that Dolores would have the final say in her marriage, Felix still hoped she'd find someone truly worthy. She was his sister, after all—fit to be a queen!
Allen thought back. "I don't know much about his past, but when we were in the capital, lots of noble girls were interested in him. I never heard of him accepting any of them, though. When I asked him what he planned to do after attending your banquet, he said he was going straight back to his territory. So I doubt he's got any romantic entanglements in the capital."
Allen, known as one of the capital's most infamous playboys, always had the latest gossip. Adonis's looks made him extremely popular—even the most experienced socialites said they'd date him without expecting gifts. But Allen had never heard anyone bragging about having won the count's favor. On the contrary, people often complained that he was completely oblivious to flirtation. That alone suggested he was either utterly clueless or genuinely disinterested.
To be that good-looking and not flirtatious—unheard of among nobles.
"In that regard, he's kind of like you."
Felix, equally oblivious to romantic cues, didn't take offense. What was so bad about being picky? His standards were why he ended up with Wei Wei. If he'd had a romantic history like Allen's, she probably would've run the moment they met.
Not to mention Allen had lost his fiancée because of his playboy ways.
"You don't seem too bothered about that," Felix said casually.
Knowing he meant the broken engagement, Allen just shrugged. "Why would I be? I never had feelings for her. If my family hadn't pushed me, I would've stayed single even longer. Honestly, she dumped me, and I feel like a weight's been lifted."
Sure, it was a bit embarrassing—but to Allen, freedom mattered more than pride.
Felix could only shake his head, unsure what to do with this friend of his.
A few days later, the baby's baptism day finally arrived.
That day, Wei Wei held the baby while the rest of the family and friends headed to the chapel.
Inside, Father Matthew had everything prepared. The altar was set, the holy water ready, just awaiting their arrival.
There weren't many guests at the ceremony—just the Williams family and Felix's close friends. The only unrelated person present was Count Aldridge, attending as a royal representative.
Due to his unusual status—and the couple's hidden intentions—he was placed in the front row, standing alongside Dolores to observe the baptism.
Wei Wei, carrying the baby, stood with Felix before Father Matthew, listening to his prayers. She nodded along while discreetly glancing toward Dolores.
Dolores looked tense beside Adonis. But her etiquette lessons hadn't been wasted. In the past two years, she had grown far more composed. Though nervous, she maintained a perfect posture and kept her gaze respectfully on the altar. Unless one knew her well, it would be impossible to tell she was nervous at all.
And standing next to Adonis, Dolores didn't look outshone in the slightest. She was still growing, but with her beauty and poise, she would someday be a match for even Queen Mirabelle.
As for the young Earl Aldridge, his face wore a gentle and polite smile. Wei Wei couldn't tell what he was thinking.
This man is deep, Wei Wei thought again.
But being deep wasn't necessarily a bad thing—as long as he wasn't cruel. Still, if Dolores truly had feelings for him, Wei Wei feared she might get hurt.
Since he would leave after the full-month banquet, Wei Wei felt it was time to have a proper talk with Dolores.
She turned her attention back to the ceremony.
Father Matthew finished the prayer, and it was time for the next step.
Felix carefully took the baby from Wei Wei and gently laid the child's head over the container of holy water.
The vessel resembled a massive goblet—a half-man-high silver baptismal font, adorned with golden patterns painted with real gold. Such a valuable item was typically reserved for noble families.
Baptism rituals varied across regions. Some immersed the baby's whole body, while others simply poured water over the head. In Pradi, the latter was more common.
Father Matthew scooped a ladle of warm water and gently poured it over the baby's head. The warmth didn't stop the infant from wailing loudly.
His cries were clear and strong, bringing smiles to everyone's faces. Though unkind, the louder the cries, the healthier the child was believed to be.
Wei Wei stepped forward and slipped a finger into the baby's palm. He gripped her hand tightly, and the crying lessened—until the next ladle of water was poured when he wailed again.
After three rounds, the baptism was complete.
Wei Wei quickly wrapped his head with a prepared towel and gently dried his hair. Even in good weather, a damp head could lead to a cold.
With the baptism done, everyone received a candle. Under the priest's guidance, they lit them and sang hymns while circling the chapel twice. Felix carried the baby in his arms, holding the candle at a safe distance so no wax or flame would harm the child.
Then came the most important part: naming.
In deeply religious countries, names were often bestowed by priests—especially among commoners. But noble families in Pradi preferred to choose names themselves, disliking the risk of a name with bad implications.
Felix raised his son for all to see and solemnly announced the name he had long prepared:
"Antonio Wei Williams."
Antonio—his father's name, now passed down to his son.