FWTR Chapter 51

Chapter 51: A Futile Act

Countess Charel shifted her gaze to Liliana.

“Why are you looking at me?”

“You’re Olivia’s cousin, aren’t you?”

“Did I choose to be born as her cousin? Isn’t that my maternal family’s fault for making my mother and aunt sisters?”

“Just endure it. Blood ties are something no one can help with.”

Ah. So this was a kind of warning.

‘Aslan and Charel have always been on good terms. Breaking that bond wouldn’t have been an easy decision…’

At the same time, it was also a declaration that she had chosen to stand by Estelle.

‘Repaying a debt of gratitude? But why go so far as to take a loss? She said she wanted to help me, but… maybe it’s because I’m the Duke of Luenbein.’

Estelle tried to calculate the meaning behind Countess Charel’s goodwill.

From the very beginning, she had approached her with Luenbein in mind. If that were the case…

“Wait a moment. I feel like I know exactly what you’re thinking, Lady Estelle.”

Her train of thought was interrupted when Countess Charel wrinkled her nose.

“…And what might that be?”

“I’m just as calculating as you are. When I see someone similar to me, I can read them naturally. So, I know—you’re assuming I’m doing this with ulterior motives, aren’t you?”

Estelle swallowed hard. She should deny it immediately, but would that even mean anything when she had already been seen through?

“If I offended you, I apologize. But I didn’t think of it as an ulterior motive per se.”

“No need to apologize. After all, I first introduced myself to you with Luenbein in mind, calculating the benefits I could gain.”

Contrary to Estelle’s expectations, Countess Charel didn’t seem the least bit offended.

‘She’s saying that since she did it first, she doesn’t mind if I do the same?’

It was refreshingly straightforward. Her personality, which didn’t burden others with unnecessary guilt, sparked a small sense of admiration in Estelle.

“But I want you to know this, Lady Estelle… When you saved me that day, I realized how foolish my calculations had been.”

“…”

“When I saw you caring for me first despite being injured yourself, all my prior calculations disappeared. Yes, I’m grateful to you. But more than that, I came to you because I genuinely wanted to be friends.”

Her candid confession left Estelle momentarily dazed. She didn’t even have the presence of mind to tell her she wasn’t foolish.

“Estelle, it’s okay. If she’s saying all this, she really does mean it,” Liliana whispered, leaning in close to offer advice.

That she could trust her.

‘…I always thought having Liliana as my only friend was enough.’

Wasn’t it?

There was nothing more painful than being betrayed by someone you trusted.

Liliana would never do that, but even if she did, Estelle had opened her heart to only one person, believing that was enough to withstand the hurt.

‘I told myself I wouldn’t have expectations. That the more you want, the greater the disappointment.’

But… could she handle more than that?

“You don’t have to answer right away. I understand because of the way I first approached you. But please know this—I am Lazvette Charel, and the Charel family never turns their back on a friend.”

Never turning their back.

It meant that even while knowing they might be stabbed in return, they still trusted enough to show their most vulnerable side.

“In that case, I’ll leave the Tarshan Mine investment to you, Lazvette. I’ll have my lawyer contact you regarding the funds.”

“You just called me by my name… So does this mean I have permission to call you ‘Estelle’?”

“That’s right. I don’t let just anyone call me by my name.”

Lazvette grinned like a well-fed cat and repeated ‘Estelle’ under her breath, rolling it around in her mouth as if savoring the sound.

‘This is a little embarrassing… No, but—’

Why did she keep seeing Lazvette as either a dog or a cat? It was oddly disconcerting.

“Oh, and by the way, since Liliana also just calls me by my name, you don’t have to call me ‘sister’ either.”

She had grown sick of the word ‘sister’ because of Melody. Of course, she didn’t intend to explain all that.

‘If she calls me ‘sister,’ I’ll inevitably think of Melody. And since I’ve already decided that Liliana and I are simply friends…’

Lazvette, however, showed no particular curiosity or need to ask why.

“Now that you mention it, I did wonder why Liliana never called you ‘sister’ even though you’re three years apart.”

She simply let the conversation flow naturally toward Liliana.

‘She’s smooth at this… just like earlier.’

Liliana rubbed the back of her neck and spoke slowly.

“It’s not like Estelle told me not to call her that or anything.”

“…Oh my. Liliana. Estelle isn’t the same age as us,” Lazvette gasped, as if appalled by the idea.

Now that she mentioned it, Liliana had always called Estelle by her name without any honorifics.

“Well, I figured if Estelle didn’t like it, I’d change. But I never wanted to call her ‘sister’ and be treated as a younger sibling. I just wanted us to be equals.”

“Equals…”

“Besides, even if that wasn’t the case, she really didn’t like it when people called her ‘sister’…”

Estelle pretended not to hear Liliana’s muttering. She understood that Liliana had lowered her voice on purpose out of consideration.

“Estelle, I really like your name,” Lazvette suddenly said.

“Why?”

Once again, Lazvette smoothly shifted the conversation’s flow, piquing Estelle’s curiosity.

“Because stars can only be seen at night. The day is too noisy, but the night is peaceful. And I like that.”

Was that why?

Because they shone in the silent night?

“I like your name too, Lazvette. It has a soft sound to it.”

“Hehe, Estelle. Do you know what it means?”

Lazvette.

It wasn’t a word from the language spoken in Baldermang…

‘It sounds like something from the Adisca Kingdom in the west.’

Something almost clicked in Estelle’s mind, and after a brief pause, she finally spoke.

“Does it mean ‘to shine’?”

“…I really didn’t expect you to get it right. Estelle, do you know Adiscan? Adisca is such a small kingdom that only my relatives speak that language.”

Lazvette’s eyes widened in surprise.

“I know a little. I learned it when I was younger.”

Back then, she had studied ancient languages and multiple foreign tongues on her own—just to gain the Duke of Winchester’s attention.

“Duke, Lady Estelle is truly brilliant! I haven’t even formally taught her, and she’s already mastered five languages…!”

“Instead of wasting time on useless things, tell her to perfect her etiquette. There’s nothing more pointless than learning a language she’ll never use. Tsk.”

“But, Your Grace, the lady has already mastered etiquette perfectly. If you could just praise her, she would—”

“Perfect? And what if she makes a mistake? Will you take responsibility for that? If I tell her she’s done well, she’ll grow complacent. What if she gets lazy?”

Estelle had secretly overheard this exchange between her tutor and the Duke.

She had covered her mouth to muffle her sobs.

She had only ever wanted him to look at her—just once.

Even if it was only for the first and last time, if he had praised her, she could have carried that memory for a lifetime…

‘Stop. How long are you going to dwell on the past? You already decided not to care.’

She had once pressed herself against the office door, swallowing her sorrow, foolishly believing that if she just tried harder, he would finally acknowledge her.

That child was in the past.

‘Now that I think about it, I’m actually glad I returned to three years ago.’

If she had gone back further, she might have fallen into the same nightmare again—waiting for Melody to grow up, enduring more wounds.

“Estelle, you don’t look well. Should we reschedule our meal?”

“…No, it’s fine.”

Lazvette’s gentle concern made Estelle press down on the skin beneath her fingernail, steadying herself.

Besides, it was nearly time for their meal, and she didn’t want to be left alone with these feelings. She shook her head.

“Anyway, ‘to shine’ can also mean ‘moonlight.’ The moon and the stars—both can only be seen at night.”

Lazvette clasped her hands together, a radiant smile on her face.

Liliana, meanwhile, leaned on her hand with a bored expression.

“Why do I feel so left out? Ugh, my name has a completely different meaning. Stop bonding over your names.”

“Liliana, if you’re upset, you can ask the Marquis and Marchioness of Gannet to rename you. Oh, but I suppose they can’t change the family register now, can they?”

“Then just call me Diana from now on. I’m going to be Diana Gannet!”

Diana—a name that meant “moon.”

‘She wants to be called Diana? Just because our names sound similar…’

Estelle watched Liliana and Lazvette bicker playfully, then slowly closed her eyes.

‘I shouldn’t fall asleep…’

But as a wave of drowsiness crept over her—

“Kyah!”

Liliana suddenly shrieked and shot up from her seat.

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