Episode 115

 

“…So, that’s how it happened.”

My brother finished his story and gave me a faint smile.

However, I sensed a tinge of sadness in his expression.

As I gazed at him, I vaguely remembered the time when he gave me the hairpin as a gift.

After the festival, he had a dazed expression, unlike his usual self, as if he was lost in thought.

Although he dismissed it as nothing, he sometimes had that look on his face since then.

“The hairpin was chosen by Her Highness the Princess, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, she picked it out.”

“Then you found out she was the princess at the banquet?”

“No, I knew before then.”

If they had met for the first time after that day, my brother would have been shocked, even if the princess wasn’t. But at the banquet, he hadn’t shown any surprise upon seeing her.

So, they must have met once more before the banquet.

Where could that have been?

I looked at my brother, puzzled, and asked.

“Really? When did you find out?”

“A year ago, when I went to the temple to meet Noah, I ran into her.”

“Ah…”

Now it made sense.

Princess Daina had stayed at the temple until she left recently.

So, the temple was the perfect place for Jade to meet the princess and realize her identity.

“I ran into someone familiar while leaving the temple with Noah.”

“And that’s when you realized she was the princess?”

“Yes. I was surprised, but so was she.”

“Of course. She wouldn’t have expected to run into you at the temple. Did you talk to her that day?”

“How could we? We had never met before. I don’t know why Her Highness was outside or why she was hiding her identity, but she must have had her reasons.”

“Brother…”

“That’s all there is to it, Ayla.”

Jade finished with a seemingly relieved smile.

But just like before, I could see other emotions in his expression—regret, longing, and a sense of loss.

This was the first time I had seen him like this.

My brother was always kind and gentle to everyone but not someone who opened up easily.

Luke always said that Jade had an invisible line that no one could cross, no matter how close they seemed.

Among our family, I was almost the only one allowed past that line.

Even Noah, Luke, and our parents weren’t given that access.

Jade had shared his space with me, and it seemed like Princess Daina was the second person to be allowed in.

‘He liked her.’

During their short time together, my brother had developed feelings for the princess.

Even though he talked as if it was all over, it seemed to me that his feelings were still ongoing.

‘If that’s how he feels…’

No, it wasn’t just about my brother’s feelings. There was also the princess’s side.

In the dream, in the future, the princess had referred to someone as “that person” with a wistful and aching tone.

I had to talk to the princess, but it seemed almost certain that “that person” in the dream was my brother.

Despite their brief memories, they still had feelings for each other.

“Brother, it might not be over.”

“What?”

My brother looked at me, bewildered.

“I think the story between you two isn’t finished yet.”

With just a small trigger, it wouldn’t end like this, and I wanted to help make that happen.

“Ayla, that’s…”

“I’ll arrange a meeting between you and Her Highness soon. Whether you end it or start something new, you can decide then.”

“Ayla, you don’t have to go that far.”

“But your expression says otherwise.”

“Ayla…”

“You promised me you’d be happy. Remember?”

I recalled the promise my brothers made when talks of my marriage to Lloydin came up.

To avoid leaving me alone, they all promised not to marry.

And they renewed that promise to me again later, to no longer feel responsible for me and to find their own happiness.

Knowing where my brother’s happiness lay, I couldn’t just stand by.

If there was something I could do for my brothers, I wanted to do it.

“I want you to be truly happy.”

“Ayla.”

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I smiled more brightly to hide them and extended my hand to Jade.

“I want to make you happy. So, take my hand.”

Jade looked at my hand in silence.

“Hm?”

Knowing my brother’s cautious and thoughtful nature, I urged him before he could think too deeply.

Then, he looked at me intently and finally took my hand with a word of thanks.

“Thank you.”

We smiled brightly at each other.

* * *

 

When I arrived at Blighton Manor, Lloydin came out to greet me.

After a brief exchange of greetings with my brother, who had escorted me, he returned to Anaïs Manor.

“My Dear.”

“Duke.”

We held hands and walked into the manor together.

It had been a long day with many events, making it feel unusually long.

Feeling a bit exhausted, Lloydin quickly noticed and asked me,

“My lady, you seem very tired.”

“Do I?”

“Yes. Was there anything troubling at the Anaïs Manor?”

Concern flashed across Lloydin’s face.

“No, nothing of concern.”

“Is that so? That’s a relief. But you should rest after dinner.”

“Yes, I will.”

Following his advice, I had dinner and then went straight to the bedroom to rest.

“Aren’t you going to work anymore today?”

I asked with a puzzled expression when Lloydin followed me into the bedroom instead of heading to his study.

“No. I finished everything before dinner.”

“Then how about we sit on the sofa and have a relaxing conversation for a change?”

“Aren’t you tired?”

“I’m never tired when I’m with you.”

I led him to the sofa, where we sat holding hands.

After settling in, a quiet stillness filled the room.

Leaning against Lloydin’s shoulder, I turned my head to look up at him, and our eyes met.

When I smiled, he gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear.

As we silently gazed at each other, I spoke first.

“Do you remember what I said about something going on between Jade and Her Highness the Princess?”

“I remember.”

“And that my brother doesn’t easily talk once he closes up?”

“Yes, I remember that too.”

“But today, when I asked him to tell me, he did.”

“Did he?”

“Yes, and it was a story I never expected.”

I was about to share Jade’s story with Lloydin when I suddenly realized I shouldn’t and stopped mid-sentence.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

I quickly apologized to him.

“It’s a private matter of my brother’s, and I don’t think I should share it. Though he didn’t say I couldn’t, it just feels right. I’m really sorry.”

I repeatedly apologized to Lloydin.

Starting a conversation and then not being able to share anything felt silly even to me.

“It’s alright.”

Lloydin answered me kindly, looking at me with understanding.

“You said you’d tell me everything. But here I am, unintentionally keeping secrets…”

Thinking back to his promise to tell me everything at the banquet made me feel even guiltier.

“I have something I need to do for Her Highness and Jade. Once everything is resolved, I’ll definitely tell you. I promise.”

I made a resolute promise, my eyes shining with determination.

“It’s not something dangerous, is it?”

“Not at all.”

“Alright. I’ll wait until then, so don’t worry too much.”

“…Thank you.”

I thanked him for his understanding, hugging him tightly with a sense of guilt.

Lloydin softly stroked my back, comforting me, and I felt a deep sense of relief as I nestled further into his embrace.