EWOWMAIBTYPF Chapter 104

Chapter 104

***

 

“Huung……”

Lucio, who was looking out through the carriage window, adjusted Diana’s head as she stirred in her sleep, resting on his knee.

She had been following him around the capital all day, as a result even someone as energetic as Diana seemed exhausted.

It was then that, as he was watching his peacefully sleeping younger sister, Lucio suddenly noticed something in her hand—something she was clutching even in her sleep.

It was a gift Diana had picked out at the clothing store earlier, exclaiming, ‘This is for my sister!’

As he silently looked down at it, his gaze subtly furrowed.

Spending time with his siblings before becoming even busier after graduation had been Lucio’s long-standing plan.

And at some point, Lia had naturally become a part of that plan.

However, after they returned home, Lia, who wouldn’t even meet his eyes properly, had flatly refused to go on outings with him.

Come to think of it, perhaps it was strange that he was even surprised by her avoiding him.

Just a few days ago, she had abruptly returned the library key he had given her.

⟨Young Master, I’ll return this to you.⟩

⟨…Why?⟩

⟨I don’t think I can continue visiting the main library often anymore.⟩

At that time, too, she had lowered her gaze and carefully placed the key on the desk.

Lucio wouldn’t be in the library as much now that a separate office had been set up for him, so he understood.

For a moment, he wondered if she had discovered the secret place and realized everything. But to be honest, Lucio wouldn’t have minded if Lia knew his secret.

What truly bothered him was how blatantly she was avoiding him.

‘Why?’

Why was she avoiding him, and why did that bother him so much?

More than anything, the more he dwelled on these thoughts, the harder it became to suppress the emotions rising within him.

Just like when he had first met Lia, looking at her still made a part of his chest ache, feel painful… and, at times, resentful.

He didn’t understand why he felt this way about himself, but no matter how much he willed it, he couldn’t stop.

And to make matters worse, even his close friend Ascart had begun to irritate him lately.

⟨The Grand Prince is truly a kind and wonderful person.⟩

During breakfast, Lia had casually added this comment while mentioning that she would be visiting Ascart again today, just as she did every day, as if checking in for work at the marquisate.

Lucio ignored his mother’s awkward smile, as if she regretted asking, but he couldn’t suppress the displeasure rising within him.

Perhaps what annoyed him most was that even he had no choice but to agree with Lia’s words.

Ascart Belus was one of the few people Lucio, despite his cynical and skeptical view of humanity, acknowledged as capable and genuinely good.

‘…Though he is a little oblivious.’

According to his father, that was simply an inherited trait from his parents, so it wasn’t really a flaw. In fact, it wasn’t even something that could be considered a fault.

 

***

 

“Brother.”

Lost in his frustrating thoughts, Lucio looked up at the small voice calling him.

“Thank you for taking us out today.”

Allen, his normally lively younger brother, smiled awkwardly.

But the forced smile quickly faded into a somber expression.

Despite seeming to enjoy himself while they were out, now that Diana had quieted down and they were on their way home, Allen had fallen back into gloom.

Lucio, instead of responding, simply stared at him, and Allen, growing self-conscious, fidgeted with his fingers.

Lately, he had been gripping his sword from dawn until late at night, making his hands be in rough shape despite the callouses.

“Allen.”

For once, Lucio hesitated slightly before calling his brother’s name.

Everyone assumed Allen was spending all his time in the training grounds to prepare for his academy entrance.

But Lucio knew that wasn’t the real reason.

“It’s not your fault.”

At the difficult words, Allen’s eyes widened before he let out a weak chuckle, as if drained of energy.

“That’s exactly what Lia said.”

Lucio stiffened at the unexpected mention of her name, but Allen continued speaking, unaware.

“She told me the same thing. That no matter what happened, it wasn’t my fault.”

“…”

“But she’s wrong. No matter how I think about it, it was my fault. I was stupid enough to be fooled by Sid Valerie once, and then I was foolish enough to—by the head maid, too…!”

“Allen.”

Lucio cut him off, as if stopping his rising emotions.

Allen, suddenly drained, muttered in a whisper.

“Brother, I don’t know anymore. It’s confusing, and… scary…”

He had thought he would never make such a mistake again.

It was humiliating to even remember how he was tricked, believing Sid’s words and resenting Lia so foolishly.

“If something had happened to Mother, I…”

Unable to finish his sentence, Allen trailed off.

Lucio remained silent for a moment, watching his brother struggle.

His younger brother, who had always viewed the world in simple terms, was experiencing his growing pains in the harshest way possible.

Seeing him suffer like this, Lucio couldn’t feel at ease either.

“You’re not the only one who finds it difficult. Father and I struggle, too. No one is perfect.”

Allen, who had always admired Lucio as an almost flawless person, widened his eyes in surprise.

It was clear from his expression that he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

Lucio smirked to himself. If Allen knew the kind of thoughts he had been having earlier, he wouldn’t be looking at him like that.

“Since you mentioned Sid Valerie, let’s put it this way…if you’re at fault for trusting him, then it’s Father’s fault too. He’s the one who placed that man as deputy commander of the knights and even assigned him as your mentor.”

“Oh… that’s…”

Allen opened his mouth but couldn’t refute it.

“Even adults find these things difficult. Sometimes, we can’t even be sure of our own feelings so how could we possibly understand someone else’s? Of course, we’ll make mistakes and get hurt along the way.”

“Then… what should I do?”

Lucio hesitated for a moment at Allen’s direct gaze.

He couldn’t simply tell him his own personal beliefs.

Allen, his only younger brother, was different from him.

His view of the world and people was always upright, kind, and just.

That was why Lucio didn’t want Allen to live his life constantly wary and distrustful like he did.

After a pause, Lucio finally spoke.

“Just be a little more cautious when dealing with people. Who to trust, and who not to—that’s something you’ll come to learn for yourself as you go through life.”

Allen repeated Lucio’s words in his mind.

Though everything still felt dark and uncertain, he felt like he had gained a bit of direction.

Watching his brother’s slightly eased expression, Lucio suddenly wondered…

He had lived his life doubting everyone except his family, making judgments based on the information he gathered. So, could he truly trust Lia, who remained an enigma to him?

 

***

 

“Brother, look at this! Isn’t it so pretty?”

Diana called out to Allen as he entered the dining room for dinner.

It seemed that she had slept soundly in the carriage after their tour of the capital, as her eyes were wide and alert.

“What is that? Sand? Why are you bringing dirt to the dinner table, Diana?”

Allen responded indifferently, eyeing the glass bottle she was shaking.

Diana’s face quickly turned pouty.

With a small sigh, I stepped in to explain.

“Young Master, this was sent by Lord Aiden. A letter arrived today, and he included a bottle of sand from the Kingdom of Dhamba.”

“Aiden? Is this really desert sand?”

As Allen, who had initially shown little interest, suddenly perked up, Diana lifted her chin proudly.

“It’s real! Isn’t it beautiful?”

“Oh, it sparkles!”

Allen turned the bottle around in his hands, watching the fine sand shift and glisten.

But soon, he put it down and picked up the letter on the table, quickly scanning its contents before furrowing his brows.

“What? My name isn’t mentioned even once!”

At his disgruntled remark, I recalled the letter I had just read to Diana.

Aiden had written about how arduous his journey had been but also how breathtaking the endless dunes and magnificent landscapes were once they appeared. He said that no words in a book could have prepared him for the sight.

He regretted not studying art more seriously, lamenting that he couldn’t share the scene with us through a drawing. Instead, he sent a bottle of sand as a small keepsake.

Indeed, the letter only mentioned me and Diana—Allen’s name was nowhere to be found.

“After all the effort I put into training him, that ungrateful brat! Just wait till he gets back!”

Allen swore that all their past training had been a joke compared to what he would put Aiden through next.

Just then, a familiar and welcome face entered the dining room.

“Madam! You went to your reading club earlier, right? You’re home already?”

I stood up with delight, and the Duchess, smiling, took her seat before replying.

“Yes, it ended early today. More importantly, Lia, I heard you left the Marquis’ estate in a hurry without even staying for lunch. Did something happen?”