IBYSRHML | Chapter 40

Episode 40

“Lilliana. You know you have to get along with your friends, right?”

“They weren’t my friends. My friend is Edgar.”

“So you think what you did was right? Just look at Edgar’s bruised face because of you.”

When Regina unnie gave me a sharp look, I linked arms with Edgar beside me.

I thought that if I proved how close we were, I could justify using Oliver’s hammer fist.

As if he had read my mind, Edgar stepped up.

“Throwing punches is wrong, but she’s weak. If she doesn’t fight back like this, she’ll just get beaten up.”

As expected of Edgar!

I should officially appoint him as my partner.

Regina unnie let out a deep sigh before ruffling both our heads with her hands.

“Ugh.”

“Just this once. Lilliana, you can’t use your fists just because you’re angry. Promise me.”

“Yees. I promise.”

“Alright, now go change your clothes.”

At Regina’s unnie gesture, the palace maids brought out tailored outfits.

Edgar and I were chosen to be flower children at the upcoming imperial wedding of my eldest sister and Marius.

Originally, other noble children were supposed to take the role, but because of a recent quarrel, only the two of us were selected.

“Lady Liliana, this way, please.”

Following the maids, I entered the dressing room and changed into a dress.

The dress, adorned with puffed sleeves, small frills along the neckline, and a pink ribbon tied at the back, looked like something a princess from a fairy tale would wear.

As I happily changed, I overheard the maids talking outside.

“I heard rumors that Lady Alice’s abilities will be restricted during the imperial wedding. Is it true?”

“Since the council is pushing hard for it, it seems likely.”

“Lady Liliana is inside. Be careful with your words. Do you want to be punished like the gardeners?”

Their conversation was cut short by someone’s warning, but I had already heard everything.

My heart sank, and even as I stood in front of the dressing mirror, I didn’t feel happy anymore.

If my eldest sister had trouble controlling her abilities like Regina unnie, that would be one thing, but she wielded them as effortlessly as breathing.

Restricting her powers was like telling a thirsty person not to use their mouth to drink water.

‘What should I do? This will be tough for her…’

Why was my eldest sister marrying someone like Marius?

Sure, Marius was handsome, rich, and had no obvious flaws, but my eldest sister was the best in the world.

Feeling dejected, I returned to Alice unnie’s side and saw that Edgar had already changed.

“Edgar, is it uncomfortable?”

“It’s fine.”

“Big sister!”

I ran up to her and hugged her tightly around the waist. I didn’t approve of this marriage… But since my disapproval wouldn’t stop it, I couldn’t say anything.

Just then, a maid’s voice came from outside.

“Lady Alice, His Majesty the Emperor has arrived.”

“Let him in.”

I quickly ran to Edgar and linked arms with him again, making sure he knew I was on his side.

I was upset about my eldest sister’s situation, but right now, Edgar was my priority.

‘Just look at that stiff expression.’

How hard must it be for her that just hearing Marius’s name darkened her face?

Evil Marius.

Not only was he marrying my sister against my wishes, but he was also bullying Edgar…!

I wouldn’t let this slide!

“Oh? Our little sister-in-law is here too. And Edgar… How have you been?”

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

“Edgar, you don’t have to be so formal with me.”

“No, Your Majesty. Before you are my brother, you are the Emperor.”

I glanced back and forth between Edgar and Marius.

I wasn’t sure what had happened between them, but the awkwardness was obvious.

Marius seemed to be considering what to say but ultimately kept his mouth shut because Edgar’s discomfort was clear.

Seeing this, my eldest sister intervened.

“What brings you here?”

“Ah, I was wondering how the wedding preparations were going. Seems like I arrived at the right time—I got to see our little sister-in-law and Edgar in their flower child outfits. Edgar, Liliana, you’ll do well at the ceremony, won’t you?”

When Marius bent down to meet our eye level, Edgar subtly averted his gaze.

Looks like it’s time for me to step in again.

“Why are you bothering Edgar?”

“Huh?”

“Don’t pressure him. Edgar is good at everything even without you saying so. He runs faster than me, eats spinach without fuss, and—”

“And?”

“And I’m not your sister-in-law yet. So call me Liliana.”

Hmph.

To drive the point home, I turned my head sharply.

Now he should realize that I was drawing a line.

Marius needed to learn that his future sister-in-law wasn’t easy to handle.

That meant no more teasing me by calling me “shorty” and no more trying to restrict my sister’s abilities.

But contrary to my expectations, Marius didn’t seem intimidated. Instead, he chuckled and ruffled my hair.

“Lilliana, you really like Edgar, don’t you?”

“Of course! Edgar is my friend and my subordinate. That means I’m on Edgar’s side!”

I tightened my grip on Edgar’s arm, making him flinch. With a slightly reddened face, Edgar spoke.

“Lady Alice, I’ll go change and head out.”

“You could stay a little longer.”

“I’m tired. See you later.”

See?

Because of Marius, Edgar was running away.

Marius’s score dropped even further in my mind. At this rate, he’d soon be on the same level as spinach.

After Edgar left, Marius massaged his left arm and asked me,

“How has Edgar been lately? You probably know, but I made him angry.” l

“I don’t know. Don’t ask me.”

“Lily, you shouldn’t be rude to adults.”

“…Tch.”

As I pouted at my older sister’s nagging and was about to go to the dressing room to change, Marius stopped me.

“Hey, kid. Want to play with me?”

“Right now?”

“Anytime is fine. I just want to get closer to you and Edgar while we play together.”

“Hmm… I don’t know. I don’t really feel like playing with you.”

Seeing my lukewarm reaction, Marius quickly added,

“If you win the game, I’ll give you a present.”

“A… A present? What kind of present?”

“It wouldn’t be fun if you knew in advance. But it’ll be something big, fun, and amazing. You can look forward to it.”

Oh… What do I do? I’m too curious!

But playing with Marius would be like betraying Edgar…

As I hesitated, my older sister chimed in from the side.

“Lily, think about it carefully. If His Majesty says it’s big, fun, and amazing, then it must be really special. Aren’t you curious?”

“Umm… Well… No! Not that much! I mean, maybe just a little, just a tiny bit… But I’d rather have a wish voucher than a present.”

“You can get both the present and the wish voucher. I’ll grant you whatever you want.”

“Ugh… If you want to play with me that badly, I guess I have no choice. But just so you know, it’s not because I’m curious about the present! It’s only because you asked me to play.”

“Of course. That’s obvious.”

“I’ll go ask Edgar first.”

“Oh, it’s a really amazing present. Got it? It’s going to be so much fun.”

Marius kept emphasizing how great the present would be until the very moment we parted.

Ugh… How uncool, acting like that as a grown-up.

I quickly changed my clothes and ran after Edgar.

He was in the palace hallway with Leopold.

I was about to call out to him happily, but the atmosphere between them seemed tense.

Without realizing it, I hid behind a pillar.

“I think it would be better for you to stay at the ducal residence in many ways.”

“I don’t want to go to the duchy. I want to stay here.”

“Do you really like living in the Imperial Palace?”

Instead of answering, Edgar lowered his head.

“Aren’t you lonely here?”

“I am lonely.”

“Then let’s go home together.”

“……”

“I’ll have someone pack your things tomorrow.”

“Brother… No matter where I go, I’ll always be lonely.”

I gasped and quickly covered my mouth.

It felt like I was hearing something I shouldn’t have.

My heart pounded wildly.

“Wherever I am, our parents aren’t there, and to my brothers, I’m just a bothersome burden.”

“Edgar! How could you think that—”

“You’re always busy, and Marius doesn’t like me! If it weren’t for the promise you made to Mother, you wouldn’t have taken me in. Honestly, Leo, I know I’m a nuisance to you.”

“That’s not true. Edgar, I’ve never thought of you as a burden. You’re my little brother. What kind of brother would find his own sibling bothersome?”

If I had been alone, I would have burst into tears right then and there.

After all, I also worried that my sisters might find me a burden, just like Edgar did.

“At least here, I have Liliana. And Lady Alice too… That makes me feel less lonely.”

“Edgar…”

“If there ever comes a time when being alone is better… then I’ll go back to the duchy. I’m sorry, Brother.”

Edgar hurriedly ran past Leopold as if escaping.

I crouched behind the wall, wiping my nose as it started to run.

I couldn’t bring myself to tell Edgar about Marius’s proposal when he was already feeling hurt.

But at the same time, I had already promised to play with Marius, so I couldn’t break my word.

I should have been more careful before making a promise.

I was only now realizing that.