Hestia licked her dry lips.
She never imagined someone would see through her like this, especially now.
In the beginning, after she got back, Jerome had noticed that she was acting all differently for her age. But now it had been ten years since her return. She had gotten used to this life, and she thought others had adjusted to her odd behavior too.
‘But I was wrong.’
Of all people, it was Elvin, the sibling she clashed with the most, who had figured out her anxiety.
Elvin was 13 years old now.
In the original future, by this upcoming winter, they would have lost everything and been forced to leave this place.
Just as Hestia had suffered, Elvin had gone through countless hardships.
While she was out earning money, he had to take care of their younger siblings.
‘And by the time he turned 15, he was working as a stable boy.’
There was a reason why she tolerated her younger brother’s teasing and mischievous antics, despite their five-year age gap.
Because in her previous life, she hadn’t lived that way.
Before their parents passed away, she hadn’t been as close to Elvin or her younger siblings as she was now.
Her inability to accept Derrick as her father naturally created distance between her and his children.
It wasn’t that she disliked them; it was more that she couldn’t accept them as her family.
She never hated or resented her siblings. If she had, she would have abandoned them and run away.
But she remembered something Elvin once told her:
‘Do you know? After we escaped from Byron, I spent a whole year unable to sleep at night, afraid that you’d leave us behind.’
He said that when she was 26 and he was 21, the day before his wedding.
Until then, life had been so hectic that they had never really sat down for a drink together, but that night they did. That’s when Elvin brought it up.
‘Me? Why would I leave you behind?’
At the time, she had laughed, finding his words absurd.
‘…It’s just, you didn’t really seem to like us. So I thought, maybe you’d leave, and it wouldn’t be surprising.’
But after hearing what he said next, she couldn’t laugh anymore.
It was then she realized why Elvin had grown up so quickly.
Back then, she thought he was just trying to help with the workload. But after hearing his story, she understood that wasn’t the case.
Elvin had been scared.
Scared that if Hestia really left them, someone would have to earn the money.
That had always weighed on his heart.
Thirteen was still young.
It was a time when you could still lean on your parents for comfort, hang out with friends, and crave some alone time when you hit your teenage years.
But in her previous life, Elvin had never had the chance to experience any of that.
Although Hestia cherished all three of her younger siblings, if she had to name the one who pained her the most, it would be Elvin.
In the present Elvin, she could clearly see the image of the adult Elvin from her previous life.
His mature worry for her was so vivid.
Her throat tightened for no reason.
But Hestia clenched her fist, placed her hand on Elvin’s head, and ruffled his hair.
The seriousness on his face quickly disappeared into a frown.
“Ugh, seriously…!”
“Aww, you were that worried about me?”
“So annoying. I shouldn’t have bothered.”
As she chuckled, Elvin glared at her more fiercely. Hestia thought that was enough, so she placed her hand on his shoulder.
“You’re right. I don’t like Winston very much.”
Elvin, who had been about to complain, glanced sideways at her.
“Then why did you become the guardian?”
“Because it’s the best option.”
“Father could’ve done it instead.”
“He could have, but then he’d collapse from exhaustion.”
“Hmm…”
Elvin thought of their father’s usual schedule and couldn’t argue with that.
“Besides, I just felt more at ease doing it myself.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s hard to explain. You’ll get hurt if you try to understand.”
“Tch. Do you still see me as a kid? You always have secrets. Would it kill you to tell me?”
It wasn’t just that he wanted to know her secrets—he wanted to share her burden, too.
“Still… if you ever need someone to talk to, tell me. I won’t tell anyone.”
Elvin pouted, and his still-chubby cheeks flushed, making Hestia laugh even harder.
As she laughed louder, clutching her belly, Elvin yelled at her to go away, clearly irritated.
“Hahaha! Alright, I’ll be sure to do that.”
“Forget it, I don’t need it.”
“Why? I’ll really tell you! Are you sulking?”
“I’m not sulking! Go away!”
“Ah, you’re still such a child.”
“Ugh!”
In frustration Elvin runoff which made Hestia run after him.
It was a scene that played out often in the Frost household.
***
“So, you’ll be staying here until dinner tonight?”
“Yes. It’d be too sad to part ways like this, don’t you think?”
Hestia’s eyes fell on Leonhard’s hand. He was holding one of Elvin’s favorite toys.
Leonhard, who had looked disappointed at the thought of parting, suddenly beamed and started jumping around with Eric.
“I’ll tell the head butler that we’ll stay for dinner. Please keep an eye on the young lord.”
“Sure, go ahead.”
Hestia left Leonhard with the family and went off to find Albert.
“…The castle is so big, it’ll take some time to memorize.”
Given the size of the castle, she thought she might get lost if she didn’t ask the servants for directions.
“Sir Albert should be in the butler’s office at this time.”
“Thank you.”
After getting directions to the butler’s office from a maid, Hestia headed that way.
Just as she was about to descend the stairs and head toward another wing of the castle—
“I thought you’d already left, but it seems you’re still here.”
“…Count Humphrey.”
She crossed paths with Malrus.
Suppressing the urge to frown, Hestia straightened her back.
‘Why is this man still here?’
It was already 5 p.m.
A good amount of time had passed since the guardian was announced, and most people had already left.
There was no reason for anyone to remain here any longer.
Yet Count Humphrey seemed more puzzled by her continued presence than his own.
“Have you discussed future matters with the young lord?”
“Yes, I have. Coincidentally, my youngest sibling is the same age as the young lord. Since he’s never had a friend his age, I thought it would be nice for them to play together for a while.”
“What an extraordinary coincidence. First, his eldest, now his youngest—both becoming close to the young lord. Baron Frost must be pleased.”
“Indeed. It’s wonderful for my dear younger sibling to make a new friend.”
There was a clear undertone to his words.
It seemed he wasn’t too happy about Eric becoming friends with Leonhard.
From his perspective, it might look like the Frost family was using all its members to wrap Leonhard around their fingers.
People tend to see only what they want to see.
“My grandson is about the same age. It would be nice if he became close to the young lord someday.”
“I’ll make sure to arrange that. It’s always good for the young lord to make more friends.”
Malrus’s eyebrow twitched, not having expected her to agree so easily.
“Ahem. You seem quite different from your father. Is it because you’re his stepdaughter?”
“Not everything is the same within a family. I respect and love my father, but he and I are different people.”
Subtly hinting that Derrick wasn’t behind her decisions, Hestia noticed a smirk forming on Malrus’s face.
“Is that so? Well, a true adult should have their own principles. But at 18, you’re still young. There will come a day when you’ll need advice from someone more experienced. If there’s ever a situation where you can’t go to your father, feel free to come to me.”
Malrus placed a hand on Hestia’s shoulder. Feeling a surge of discomfort, she clenched her fists out of sight.
“I’m the eldest in the family, after all. Even those in collateral branches are family. Don’t you agree?”
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
As much as she wanted to tell him she didn’t need his help, now was not the time.
It had only been a few hours since she was appointed as guardian, and if she earned his disfavor now, he could stir up and make trouble in her position.
‘It’s better to act like I’m on his side for now, so he’ll let his guard down.’
There was no need to make an enemy just yet.
She could use him when needed and discard him later.
For now, it was more important to secure her position.
“Do you still have business here, Count? It seems everyone else has already left.”
“I had a few things to take care of. I was just about to leave when I saw you.”
“Then, allow me to see you off.”
Her courteous response seemed to please Malrus.
It wasn’t a lie—his carriage had already been prepared in advance.
Just as Count Humphrey was about to get into the carriage and close the door, he paused.
“Oh, Lady Frost.”
“Yes, Count?”
“Why did you write a memorandum?”
Hestia’s eyebrow twitched. But she quickly composed herself.
“Although I’ve been chosen as the guardian, I thought it would be beneficial to put it in writing.”
“Hmm. There’s no real need for that, as long as it’s reported to His Majesty. With His Majesty’s seal of approval, no one would dare to object.”
“I simply prefer to handle matters in writing rather than verbally. Please don’t think too much of it.”
“There’s no harm in being thorough, I suppose. But you shouldn’t have written that part about stepping down as guardian when Sir Luciard returns. It seems you’re still too young to grasp the true danger.”
“I don’t plan to step down immediately just because Sir Luciard returns. I intend to observe how he interacts with the young lord first.”
“When a man wants something, he’ll act like he’d give you the stars. But we’ll see when the time comes. In any case, if Sir Luciard does return, be sure to let me know.”
“Yes, Count. Please have a safe journey.”
Finally, the carriage left.
Watching it disappear into the distance, Hestia wiped the smile from her face and hardened her expression.
“…There’s already a rat in the house.”
Her cold gaze settled on the vast ducal estate.
[Translator Note: Hope you guys like it, if you guys like this chapter, please feedback this novel on “Novelupdates”.]
O mordomo, com certeza