FWTR Chapter 33

Chapter 33: The Pitiful Child

“Father, really—whiskey so early? That’s bad for your health. You should stop.”

Melody nagged at Duke Winchester as if they were a perfectly close father and daughter.

It felt like an impenetrable wall had been erected between them, leaving no room for Estelle.

‘…If this were the past, I would have envied Melody.’

She would have resented her own inability to reach her father, trapped in the bitterness of knowing she never could.

“I’ll be going now. My train leaves soon.”

She still had time before departure.

But she simply couldn’t stand being in the same space as the two of them any longer.

“The train? Sister, where are you going?”

“I’ll be staying at the Count Madel estate for a few days.”

Duke Winchester didn’t seem particularly interested.

‘The butler must have informed him when he approved Anna’s leave.’

Having nothing else to say, she turned to leave—but Melody suddenly grabbed her wrist, making her stop in place.

“Really? Why didn’t you tell me?”

It was the second time.

Melody demanding to know why Estelle hadn’t told her something.

“Melody. You asked me this exact same question last time, and I didn’t answer then either. Do I have to report my whereabouts to you?”

She had already warned her.

The fact that Melody still didn’t realize this meant she truly looked down on her.

“Sister, are you mad? Don’t be mad. I’m scared.”

Her tone wasn’t flat or accusatory—just an ordinary question laced with curiosity.

Yet Melody was playing the victim, claiming Estelle was angry.

“I’m not angry. Over something this trivial? I was just wondering why you’ve been asking me that so often lately.”

“Mm… I was just worried about where you were going.”

As Estelle calmly responded, Melody’s eyes flickered with uncertainty.

“…First, let go of my hand. You’re holding it too tightly—it hurts.”

“…I wasn’t holding it that tightly.”

Melody’s pink eyes darkened.

“Father, I want to go to the South too. Can I go with Sister? Lucas said the Madel County estate has a beautiful garden.”

Letting go of Estelle’s wrist, Melody turned to Duke Winchester with a bright, eager expression.

‘…She wants to go to the Count Madel estate?’

It irritated her that she was seeking permission from the Duke, as if it were his decision to make.

Bringing her along wasn’t just a hassle—it was impossible.

To Count Madel, Melody was an unwelcome presence.

‘He never interfered in Winchester’s affairs, not even once… except to voice his opposition to Melody’s adoption.’

Even though Melody had the same pink eyes, to Count Madel, she was just a child who had taken Estelle’s place and stolen her birthright.

‘Does she really think Madel is her maternal family?’

Duke Winchester knew this as well—his troubled smile made that clear as he shook his head.

“Melody, that’s a long journey. You’re still too young. Your sister is allowed to go because she’s about to have her coming-of-age ceremony.”

“Ugh, but I’m not that young! I’m grown up now. Besides, I’d be going with Sister.”

Foolish and naïve.

She took the Duke’s excuse at face value, completely unaware of the deeper reasons.

“Melody.”

Estelle chose her words carefully.

“Count Madel is also the Duke of Luenbein. He still upholds old traditions of guarding the border, so he’s wary of outsiders. You wouldn’t be welcomed if you went.”

Outsider.

She used the word Melody hated most—deliberately, yet in a voice laced with kindness and concern.

“…What did you just say? ‘Outsider?’”

She had heard it clearly, yet she still asked.

A sign that Estelle had struck a nerve.

“Yes. And more importantly, you didn’t even give advance notice. Bringing you along would be difficult.”

She had planned to kindly spell it out for her, but it seemed unnecessary.

“…I see. Hmph. Father always treats me like a little kid.”

Melody forced a smile to mask her bruised pride.

“Fine. Sister, have a safe trip. Don’t get hurt.”

The underlying tone in her voice made it sound more like she hoped Estelle would get hurt.

“Estelle. Let’s finish our conversation once you return from the South.”

There was nothing more to say, nor anything to reconsider.

Ignoring Duke’s words, Estelle left the office without a backward glance.

‘My luggage should already be loaded onto the carriage. It’d be a hassle to go back upstairs, so I might as well head straight to the station.’

As Estelle descended the stairs, she found the butler waiting in the center of the hall. Beside him stood a jeweler, burdened with multiple boxes.

“Lady Estelle? Are you leaving already?”

She gave a small nod. The butler, looking slightly troubled, adjusted his glasses.

“This gentleman has just arrived. I was about to seek you out. His Grace has instructed that you may choose anything you desire as a coming-of-age gift. Could you spare a moment?”

Duke Winchester had never called a jeweler for her coming-of-age ceremony before.

Every time he changed like this, every time he tried to close the distance between them, it felt laughable.

“I don’t need anything. It’s a bit early, but I’m heading to the station now.”

She wasn’t lacking jewelry. Besides, she had no desire to replace the sapphire necklace she was currently wearing.

“But His Grace—”

The butler persisted, urging her to accept the Duke’s goodwill.

“Butler.”

“…Yes, Lady Estelle?”

“I said I don’t need anything. Don’t make me say it again. My coming-of-age accessories are already prepared.”

Rejecting him with absolute coldness, she stepped out of the mansion.

The butler, who had hurried after her, hesitated before bowing in resignation.

“…Then I shall select a few pieces myself and present them later. Have a safe journey, my lady.”

“Do as you wish.”

She allowed this small concession, knowing it would put an end to his insistence.

“Oh, by the time I return, all the new furniture should be in place. I’ll be staying in the west wing, correct?”

“Yes, it will be fully prepared to welcome you, my lady.”

As the butler saw her off, Estelle climbed into the carriage—only to find Lucas already seated inside, looking perfectly at ease.

She immediately stepped back, searching for another carriage.

But Lucas extended his hand toward her.

“Just get in. The other carriages all have broken wheels, so this is the only one available. Besides, we’re headed to the same place.”

“…Broken wheels? And what do you mean, ‘same place’? Are you going to the station too?”

“Yep. More precisely, I’m going all the way to the South. It’s been a while since I last visited Grandfather.”

Estelle had deliberately arranged to travel alone, even sending Anna on leave.

She had no intention of dealing with an unexpected companion.

But she had no authority to stop Lucas—unlike Melody, he was Count Madel’s grandson.

In the future, Lucas would inherit the Madel estate. Even now, he was already being treated as the heir.

And with the other carriages conveniently ‘broken’, there was no avoiding this situation.

‘There’s still some time before the train departs, but waiting for the carriages to be repaired would take too long.’

There was no other option.

Suppressing a sigh, Estelle ignored Lucas’s offered hand and stepped into the carriage, seating herself in the farthest corner from him.

“So, what’s gotten into you? Why are you suddenly visiting Grandfather?”

“…”

“And if you’re going, you should be traveling with me. The South may be safe, but it’s still reckless to go alone without even a maid.”

“…”

She continued to ignore his endless chatter. Answering every little thing he said was exhausting.

“Could you at least pretend to listen when someone talks to you?”

Growing irritated by her silence, Lucas stomped his foot in frustration.

“If someone asks you a question this many times and you still don’t answer, maybe you should just keep your mouth shut entirely.”

“…Wow. Is that how you talk to your own brother?”

Lucas clutched his neck as if he were about to faint from shock, playing up the drama.

His casual familiarity annoyed her. It was one thing for him to be persistent, but acting as if they were on friendly terms was shameless.

“…Ahem.” Clearing his throat, Lucas suddenly changed the topic. “Melody said she misses you. She’s been upset that she doesn’t see you often.”

Instead of responding, Estelle countered with a question of her own.

“Why did you tell Melody about Madel’s gardens?”

If he was trying to stir her curiosity about Madel—perhaps even planning to take her there someday—Estelle needed to put a stop to it.

“Huh? Did I say that?”

Lucas shrugged, as if he had no memory of it. It had just been an offhand comment, something he had mentioned without any real thought.

“Be more careful from now on. She almost insisted on coming with me today. Do you think Grandfather would welcome her?”

Lucas blinked in surprise, clearly caught off guard.

“Yeah… I know Grandfather wouldn’t be thrilled, but still. That’s a bit harsh, don’t you think? Maybe she just wanted to see the place.”

“…Just?”

“She’s a pitiful child.”

Lucas sighed, his voice tinged with sympathy.

“She’s lived with us as family all this time. Shouldn’t we at least try to accept her?”

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