Episode 57
I watched the passersby intermittently through the window.
The carriage had now reached the heart of the bustling downtown area.
Naturally, there was a lot of noise coming from everywhere in the crowded place.
As soon as I heard the noise, I quickly closed the open window.
Soon after, the surroundings became significantly quieter than just a moment ago.
Inside the carriage, there were only Ian and me.
Although I usually always brought Lia with us wherever we went, when Ian and I traveled alone together, I purposely left her at the mansion.
It was to minimize the awkward and uncomfortable atmosphere.
There was still quite some time left before we arrived at the Politz practice field.
Since we had seen enough outside, I decided to start a conversation with Ian.
“Ian, what did you do in the morning?”
“I read a book.”
“Can I ask what book you were reading?”
“Just… I skimmed through the things I need to study at the academy.”
Ian’s words paused briefly when he mentioned the academy before continuing.
“I see. You know, I sent a letter of introduction to the academy today.”
“You did?”
Ian widened his eyes and looked at me in surprise.
Although he knew about it, he seemed genuinely surprised when I told him that I had actually sent it.
“Because I told you I would do it at the bookstore. Remember?”
“…Yes. Thank you.”
“Thank you. But Ian, besides the kid you saw at the bookstore, is there anyone else bothering you?”
“…”
Ian’s eyes shook vigorously in response to my question.
That alone was enough of an answer, but I already knew the answer to this question beforehand.
However, since I couldn’t let on that I knew, I chose to hear the answer through Ian.
“It might be hard to answer, but I wish you would tell me honestly. That way, I can help you in the future.”
There was a moment of hesitation on Ian’s face, but soon he lowered his head and muttered his response.
“…Yes. It’s Blighton. He calls me dirty and points fingers at me…”
“Ian…”
I covered Ian’s hand, which had been restlessly placed on his knee, with my palm.
When Ian lifted his head, our eyes met.
While pointing my head, I looked straight into his eyes and spoke.
“Those who think that way are all wrong. So from now on, no matter what anyone says, don’t listen to them. No, I’ll make sure they never say such absurd things again.”
I also taken aback by the words coming from the child’s mouth.
I firmly held Ian’s hand and spoke firmly once again.
“From now on, many things will change. So trust me and let’s go through this together. Got it?”
Ian nodded slowly.
“Going to the academy must have been tough.”
“…I didn’t want to go.”
Ian blurted out as if throwing a tantrum.
“Of course. But why didn’t you tell me, then?”
“Because you’re busy, hardly ever at the mansion, and already dealing with your own problems… I didn’t want to worry you with something like this.”
“You’re kind.”
I gently stroked Ian’s hair as if to commend him.
When I looked at him with a soft smile, Ian’s expression stiffened strangely.
“Do you dislike it when I touch you?”
“No, no.”
He replied urgently, worried that he might seem uncomfortable with such intimate gestures.
“Good. If there’s anything difficult for you to say to me from now on, just tell me. Taking care of you is the most important thing for me now. Got it?”
“Yes.”
Seeing Ian, who now obediently answered, with a completely changed atmosphere between us, warmed my heart.
As we continued our conversation, the carriage soon left the bustling downtown area again.
Opening the closed window, a cool breeze swept in.
And so, after a long ride, we arrived at a vast space surrounded by a huge wall.
It was the Politz practice field.
Since Politz was a sport performed on horseback, the stadium or practice field had to be large.
And to prevent anyone from going out during the game and for safety, low walls were built around the area.
As we got off the carriage and entered the practice field, lush green grass spread before us.
And there stood someone very dear to us.
“Brother!”
I ran towards my brother with a wide smile and hugged him.
“Ayla !”
Unlike with the other brothers, there wasn’t much of an age difference with Luke, and we hadn’t been separated for long, so we rarely hugged each other.
Still, I had never been happier to see my brother after a long time.
My brother seemed to feel the same way, as he hugged his little brother tightly in return.
“But… isn’t it time to stop clinging to me now?”
But that awkward emotion between us didn’t last long.
As my brother jokingly told me to let go, I immediately stepped back from his embrace.
“I was just about to let go, too.”
I retorted playfully to my brother’s joke, and even let out a small laugh.
“How have you been?”
“Yeah, I’ve been fine. And you, brother?”
“I’ve been alright.”
“Being fine means you’ve been fine. What’s ‘alright’ then?”
“Well, there have been good days and not-so-good days.”
“Hmm, have you been getting into trouble again?”
I teased my brother with a mischievous grin.
“No way! Do you think I’m always causing trouble?”
“The Luke I know always manages to get into trouble every single day, so…”
“What? Is that all you have to say to your long-lost brother?”
Luke grumbled in a mock-hurt tone.
“Alright, alright. I’ll stop.”
Calming down a grumbling person was exactly what a big sister did, and Luke acted just like a little brother.
I stopped teasing my brother and asked about the well-being of our parents and other brothers.
“How are our parents? I saw Father and Mother not too long ago. Is Jade doing well? Has Noah not returned yet?”
“Father and Mother are still doing well as usual, and Jade is fine too. And Noah is still traveling.”
“I see. I miss everyone.”
It felt like longing flooded in as if I hadn’t seen my family in a long time.
“If you miss them, why don’t you come see them?”
“Yeah, that’s true.”
“Yeah. We’ll always be waiting for you in the same place.”
Luke’s words filled my heart with warmth.
Instead of thanking my brother, I sent him a bright smile.
“Oh, right.”
Realizing that Ian was with me while talking to my brother, I turned around and called Ian over.
“Ian, come here.”
Ian timidly approached us.
“Let’s introduce yourselves. This is my third brother, Luke Anaïs, and this is my husband’s younger brother, Ian Blighton.”
I introduced the two of them in a clear voice.
“I’m Luke Anaïs.”
Luke offered his hand to Ian without any hesitation, extending it for a handshake.
Seeing this, Ian, whether surprised or confused, looked at my brother with wide eyes.
“Ian… Blighton.”
But soon, he cautiously shook hands with my brother and exchanged greetings.
“Ian is my brother, so he’s your brother now too, Luke. So you should treat him well. Got it?”
“My brother? Then, can I let go now?”
“Of course…!”
I was about to reflexively say it’s not okay to let go, but I looked at Ian and stopped.
Then Ian slowly nodded his head.
“Alright. Then, from now on, in private settings, I’ll call you Ian.”
“Yes.”
“Then shall we demonstrate our skills after a long time? Let’s go, Ian!”
“Since it’s Ian’s first time, we should teach him carefully!”
“Got it. I got it.”
Luke waved his hand enthusiastically and led the way to the practice field.
Ian glanced between me and my brother alternately before following my brother.
“Ian.”
Stopping after a few steps, Ian turned to look at me.
“Do well and come back.”
“Yes.”
As Ian was about to reply, we heard Luke calling Ian from afar.
Hastily, Ian ran over to his brother.
I sat on a bench outside the practice field, watching the two of them.
From holding the reins to proper riding posture, Luke was teaching Ian everything from the basics.
