‘It seemed like he clearly had feelings for Lia…’
Although Lucio had an indifferent personality like himself, he had a strong sense of responsibility towards his family and clan. He also knew that he would gladly accept Leah into her family this time too, as he had never opposed his father’s decisions until now.
‘But I never thought you would oppose it like this.’
Since Allen always admired and liked his exemplary older brother, there was a high probability that he would follow his wishes, so I wasn’t too worried. The duke’s predictions about Allen were not wrong, but the results were the exact opposite. Perhaps Lucio’s kindness was simply kindness to the child who took care of Diana. He sighed and said that he must have thought too hastily.
“Then, what about you, Dana?”
Diana, who was watching the situation, cried and asked.
“It is not so. Even if we don’t adopt her, Lia will always be Diana’s older sister.”
As the Duchess urgently tried to comfort her, Diana nodded and cried out, her sorrowful expression on her face as she sobbed.
“That’s right. Lia is a princess, and Dana is a princess!”
* * *
I quietly closed the door and sat down in front of it.
“…”
No words came out as if something was blocking my throat. A teardrop rolled down from my eye without me knowing. My heart, which had been excited just a moment ago at the thought of sending a reply to Bianca, clearly calmed down. It was truly unintentional to hear the conversation between the duke and her family in front of the duchess’s room. After the mana explosion, mana management became much easier than before. Thanks to this, my physical senses seemed to have come back to life, and I was able to hear even small sounds with greater sensitivity, and I was able to move secretly without intentionally killing the presence of others. So, I quietly headed to the duchess’s room, admiring how well Lucio, who was rarely seen, was able to use mana. However…
〈If you all agree, Lia will become your little sister.〉
If I hadn’t heard this, I would have knocked like an idiot and become an uninvited guest in my family’s peaceful conversation.
〈I don’t like it.〉
〈Diana is enough as sister!〉
Lucio and Allen’s voices rang alternately in my ears. An inexplicable feeling washed over me like a wave. As I watched the Duke and Duchess treat me so well, I thought they thought of me as a little special. But I had no idea that he had even considered adoption.
“It was enough for me just not to be abandoned… I’ve never really been that greedy.”
Before I knew it, tears began to fall. Sadness came over me like a flood.
‘You shouldn’t blame me, but why am I…’
Even though it didn’t happen, I know I should be grateful that they even considered adoption.
But I was so upset because I felt like I had been rejected for something I didn’t want.
“No. I’m bad.”
If you really didn’t want it, there’s no reason to be so disappointed and sad. I am a bad child.
“I’m such a bad kid that I’m not welcome anywhere.”
Even though I had already experienced it once, I thought maybe this time would be different. I think there might be a place for me. I ended up repeating it again like a fool.
‘No matter how special they treat me, I can’t become family with someone.’
Even though I didn’t know this, my heart began to tighten. Why on earth was a person like me born into this world? They are just floating beings, unable to settle down anywhere. At that time, the area around my neck suddenly felt hot. I unconsciously held his necklace in his hand and wiped away my tears with my arm. Foolishly, both in the past and now, all I have left is this necklace. Even if this isn’t really something my parents left me or a token of being able to meet my family.
* * *
A few days later.
“It took longer than I thought. Is it okay for me to send it off like this?”
The Duchess asked as she looked at the letter I handed her.
I said, “Yes.” and nodded and smiled as if nothing had happened. It had already been a few days, so it felt really insignificant that I cried alone like that. However, I felt a little sorry to see the Duchess’ face. Knowing that I felt responsible, I was worried that my existence would become a burden as time passed.
‘I can’t make you uncomfortable.’
In fact, sometimes I wondered if something would have been different if I had accepted the Duke’s offer of sponsorship in the first place. But I knew that any relationship that started out as unequal, no matter what form, would only repeat the same things as the past. Just like in my previous life, I was thirsty for the Master’s approval. Once again, I will have high expectations and become dependent on it without even realizing it.
‘So you have to be prepared to stand alone.’
However, I had no intention of just leaving without anyone knowing under the pretense of wanting freedom like before. My idea of living without being in a relationship with anyone has also changed a bit.
‘Even if we can’t be a real family…’
A desire arose within me to think that I could become someone who cares for and protects Diana like I do now. Of course, I might end up regretting my choice later, but I decided to be willing to endure whatever hardships might arise.
‘First of all, you have to move up to a position where you won’t be ignored by anyone.’
Since he had to continue his relationship with the duke’s family, laundering his identity, which was his original plan, became difficult. It wasn’t a bad idea to go into the areas of magic or healing where he had already excelled, but the easiest way to avoid suspicion was, of course, money.
‘Of course, you will be ignored at first. Still, if you become a rich person who can almost sweep up the money on the continent…’
“What did you write?”
“For that to happen, I’m really busy now… yes?”
As she was strengthening her will for a while, Allen, who was watching next to her, looked upset, so she asked.
“What did you write in the letter?”
What should we do with this little master who has become a member of the duke’s family and shows interest in the contents of other people’s letters? I looked with sad eyes. Even Diana was quietly playing around with drawing like that, which was such a strange interest.
“Well, I wrote about the Principality of Belus. When I looked into it, I found it to be an incredibly beautiful and wonderful place.”
“Ha! Is it beautiful and cool?”
Allen snorted loudly at my words and frowned.
“Well, how wonderful it is if a small principality with nothing special is wonderful.”
“…”
“There’s nothing to see there.”
“…Master, didn’t you say before that the principality was a wonderful and fascinating place?”
“I don’t know. I do not remember. “Anyway, it’s not good.”
I became a little shaken after hearing Allen’s words. However, I kept my mouth shut because I didn’t want to argue with Allen, who was very upset about where he had gone.
‘What if I fight with a child?’
When I saw Allen grumbling again, I thought it was funny. If I was really adopted, I should have called Allen my brother. Of course, he was actually older than me, but it didn’t feel that way at all, perhaps because I had come back a lifetime.
‘Jack is still so dignified that he often feels like an older brother, but Allen…’
“Why are you smiling so much?”
“Yes?”
I was surprised as I shook my head and suppressed a laugh.
“Laughter feels very impure. What are you thinking?”
“Oh, I didn’t even think about it!”
I jumped up and denied it, but Allen glared at me as if he was very uncomfortable. Sometimes it has such a sharp edge that it startles people, but it’s not good for the heart.
“Guys, it’s time, let’s go out.”
At that time, the Duchess, who had taken the letter I had written separately, said so. Allen, who was looking at me disapprovingly at those words, jumped up from his seat.
“Diana, let’s go see your brother off.”
And she spoke soothingly to Diana, who was busy drawing.
“Huh, I don’t like it.”
Diana, who had been pouting since hearing the news that Lucio was going back to the Academy, stubbornly shook her head. However, when Allen joked that her older brother might cry because he was upset if she didn’t go to see him off, her eyes widened and she looked at me as if I was really wondering if that was true. It was hard to imagine Lucio crying, but I nodded because I thought he might be sad. Then, tears began to well up in Diana’s eyes, probably because she was sad.
“I want to go to my eldest brother.”
Diana seemed to have decided that Allen would be better than me in order to move quickly, so Diana stretched out her arms to Allen. Allen hugged Diana, twitching her lips as if he was dying to find Diana so cute. I smiled happily at the picturesque sight of the siblings and followed them with the Duchess.
* * *
When I came out, Lucio was already standing in front of the carriage, ready to go back.
“Lucio, be careful.”
Instead of the Duke, who entered the palace early in the morning, the Duchess came out first and greeted Lucio. The Duchess, whose eyes were dripping with regret and sadness, no longer felt any distance from Lucio.
“We will meet again soon when the festival opens, so don’t be too disappointed.”
Even though Lucio had a blunt expression, he spoke calmly, and it was clear that the two had become quite close this time. Suddenly, I felt like Lucio’s eyes were on me, but I ignored it and became lost in thought.
‘It’s a festival.’
I recently heard from Allen that when the Academy Festival was held in a few days, she was planning to go see it with everyone except the busy Duke. Then I remembered that the usually quiet Academy was noisy with visitors around this time of year.
‘Stalls were set up outside the street in front of the academy, and the street was crowded with merchants and onlookers.’
The entire street was so crowded that even I, a beggar, felt excited.
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Translator Note:
Hello there! This is RJR. I hope you liked it <3
Next post will be released on December, 9.
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