After venting his frustrations, Count Delance suddenly became serious.

"I am the manager of the slave factory. Although this has provided Anna with a good life, giving her everything she wants, I know deep down that Anna is not truly happy. In fact, I feel that my position as the manager has brought more harm than good to her."

"Harm?"

"Yes, Anna has never had many friends, and this is partly due to my position. You should know this, right?"

"Um...somewhat."

Upon hearing this, Count Delance sighed with a sense of helplessness.

"I can't believe Anna has even shared this with you."

"Hmm?"

Ignoring Ryuto's confusion, Count Delance continued from where he left off.

"Because people who get close to Anna are mostly trying to gain favors with me, and Anna isn't the type to easily navigate social intricacies. Therefore, Anna has never had anyone sincere to confide in, except for Delice. Besides those trying to win my favor, there are also my rivals and the slaves."

"Rivals and slaves?"

"Yes, because they all harbor resentment towards me, it's natural for them to direct that hatred towards Anna. So, in the end, due to my actions, those around Anna are either trying to gain something from her or holding a grudge against her. Combined with Anna's personality, having no friends is only logical. She's afraid of retaliation outside, so she ends up staying at home learning to cook. And even though I've always known this, I haven't been able to change the situation."

"So that's the reason why she enjoys cooking so much? No, could it really be that simple?"

"Furthermore, Anna's mother was also brought into this mess because of me, which is another reason for the distance between Anna and me."

"..."

"Oh... Amagi boy doesn't seem too surprised. Have you already heard from Anna?"

"Yes."

"I see...perhaps Amagi boy doesn't know, but Anna has never shared anything about her mother with anyone else. After all, it's not something worth mentioning... but now she's told you. It shows how much she values you."

"Is that so..."

"From what Amagi boy can see, I'm nearly sixty now and have no other children. In other words, when I was almost forty, my wife bore Anna, making her a late-in-life daughter. However, this came at a cost..."

After a moment of pause, Count Delance continued.

"At my age, I chose Anna over her mother, and while this choice may not seem entirely wrong, it's not entirely right either. Perhaps it appears logical to others, but this choice unknowingly hurt Anna. No matter how beautifully worded, I cannot change the fact that I caused her mother's death. So it's not unreasonable for Anna to hold a grudge against me. I have nothing to say or argue back, for I owe Anna too much. Not only did I take her mother's life out of selfish desire, but my position also ruined her life. I know very well that perhaps it's too late for redemption, and I don't expect Anna to forgive me. Even though she may seem fine on the surface or is trying hard to hide it, I know she blames me deep down. That child can't hide her feelings, it's easy to see."