If there’s one thing my good-for-nothing brother managed to do right, it was personally demonstrating what an obnoxious drunk looked like.
Watching his ridiculous antics taught me an important lesson: never get wasted in front of others.
Maybe that’s why I’ve never overindulged at any drinking party. As a bonus, I’ve had the chance to witness other people’s hidden personas.
Who would’ve thought that even the fastidious Marquis Listane would have his own drunken quirks?
***
“I’m going crazy.”
I stared blankly at the shattered glass scattered across the floor beneath the wide-open window. The place that had been blocked off was now completely clear, and a few leaves were blown inside by the wind.
“…I can’t remember anything.”
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t remember any murder scene. I had no idea who Attila had sacrificed to gain dark magic.
Could it be that there are still memories I haven’t recovered?
“Your Highness! What happened?”
At that moment, Mary’s anxious voice came from outside the door.
“Oh, nothing…”
And just as I was about to come up with an excuse, the door swung open with a loud bang.
“Are you alright?”
“…”
I stared blankly at Evandel who suddenly appeared.
His breathing was irregular as if he had run over in a hurry.
His clothes were disheveled, as if he had been rushing around frantically.
“I’m fine..,” I replied.
When I took too long to answer, he stepped forward and grabbed my shoulder.
His hands moved down my arm, and he turned my palm upward, thoroughly inspecting it. Only after confirming that my body, including my lower half, which was half-buried in the blanket, were unharmed did he finally glanced toward the broken window.
My heart was pounding.
I didn’t know if it was due to the compulsion of not wanting to be discovered using dark magic, but I did my best not to let my shallow breathing show.
“What happened?” Evandel asked.
“……”
Now that I thought about it, he was in the garden just below. That must have been why he noticed right away when the incident occurred.
The area below the building was covered in evergreen shrubs, so the debris probably didn’t reach him or Luna. It was fortunate that the window I broke was on that side.
“Well…” I trailed off.
The problem was that I hadn’t come up with an excuse yet. It wasn’t like there had been a storm, so why would a perfectly fine window suddenly shatter?
“I threw a flowerpot,” I finally blurted out.
“……”
“Why are you rushing over for something so trivial?”
It’s better to be known for having a rage disorder rather than committing a serious crime, right?
Fortunately or unfortunately, Attila’s history was so notorious that it was a somewhat believable excuse.
Evandel sighed and removed his hands from my body. His eyes, as cold as ever, looked down at me with indifference.
Ignoring the unwarranted throb in my heart, I turned my head away.
“If you’re going to throw something, please throw it on the ground. Glass can cause serious injuries. Until everything is cleaned up, don’t get off the bed.”
His gentle words contrasted sharply with his icy gaze, and I momentarily felt a surge of emotion.
Without making eye contact, I deliberately replied in a curt tone;
“Don’t pretend to care.”
“I’m concerned about innocent people who could be hurt because of you.”
That damn mouth of his…
At his words, the tumultuous feelings in my heart suddenly calmed down.
When I glared at his annoying face, he turned his back to me as if he was about to leave.
“When are you going to file for divorce?!”
“……”
Evandel opened the door without bothering to respond to my sharp shout.
With a loud bang, the door slammed shut, just like when he entered the room. Frustrated, I threw myself onto the bed and buried my face in the pillow.
***
A new guest has arrived.
Though there was no one who wasn’t an unwelcome visitor to me, this guest was different in that he was particularly uncomfortable for me to interact with.
“Sister-in-law, how have you been?” the guest said with a bright smile and a friendly tone.
This young man, dressed neatly with his hair well-kept and a properly tied cravat, gave off the impression of a well-mannered young man. He was none other than my brother-in-law, Iho Listane.
“Mm, well…”
Even the self-centered Attila found Iho difficult to deal with. She had a guilty conscience.
The reason Attila Rojas, the original character, was called trash by readers was closely tied to Iho Listane. This was because she had used him to threaten Evandel into marrying her.
She threatened that if he didn’t marry her, she would accuse Iho of assaulting a member of the royal family.
Truly, in many ways, Attila was a woman with no redeeming qualities.
This incident marked the breaking point in their relationship.
Evandel, who had always turned a blind eye to her obsessive behavior and occasional violence, finally turned away from her, so it was clear just how serious the situation was.
I don’t want to side with the Marquis, but that threat clearly crossed the line.
Honestly, if I were Evandel, I would have despised Attila as well.
“Sister-in-law! I brought pomegranates, your favorite.”
“……Thank you.”
The reason Iho was uncomfortable to interact with was because he was too kind.
He was one of the few people who genuinely cared for and looked after Attila, even though she had been abandoned by her own husband, his brother.
“Is my brother upstairs?”
“Yes. Well, I’ll be going now.”
It went without saying that Evandel absolutely hated the idea of Attila and his brother being alone together. So, whenever Iho was around, he would act particularly mean.
Given what had happened, I understood, but I didn’t want to relive those terrible memories, so I intended to part ways as soon as possible.
However, Iho grabbed my arm.
“Let’s spend some time together, Sister-in-law. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.”
“……I don’t think Van would like that very much.”
“Haha, is my brother still being childish?”
When I honestly mentioned Evandel, Iho gave an awkward smile. His eyelids drooped halfway, and his platinum eyelashes cast a long shadow on his cheek.
No wonder he was the younger brother of the male lead—he’s really handsome.
Maybe because I knew he had been bedridden before, but staring at his delicate features made me understand what a sickly beauty truly was.
“Please be a little forgiving with my brother. I had an older brother, but he never had anyone.”
“……”
Would he say the same thing though if he knew that I used him to threaten Evandel?
“He just doesn’t know how to express it. But deep down, he really cares about you, Sister-in-law.”
“That’s a bit…”
That was a naïve statement that even a passing dog wouldn’t believe.
Hope torture had its limits. It might have been believable if they were newlyweds, but wasn’t it a bit embarrassing to say something like that after three years?
“Please stay a little longer, for my sake. I’ve really missed you, Sister-in-law.”
Perhaps it was because I was gradually being influenced by Atilla’s memories, but even though I would no longer see him once the divorce happened, it was hard to refuse him.
More than anything, it was because I knew his affection was true.
Ironically, Iho, whom the princess had used as a tool for blackmail, genuinely liked Attila.
He had regained his health thanks to Attila paying for his treatments with her jewelries when he had suffered from a serious illness in his childhood.
For him, who didn’t know about the blackmail, Attila was simply a benefactor he was extremely grateful to.
“Iho!”
Like they say, speak of the devil…..
Evandel had arrived.
And as expected, his brows were arched deeper than usual. Like he was separating a naïve child from a delinquent, he pulled Iho away from me before shooting a cold glare in my direction.
“You should leave now, Your Highness.”
“…Don’t worry, I was just about to do that.”
As I turned away under the sharp reproach, Iho’s unexpectedly firm voice rang out.
“Brother! What kind of tone is that toward Sister-in-law! Sister-in-law, please don’t go. You promised you’d stay with me.”
“…”
Unable to break his younger brother’s stubbornness, Evandel finally gave in.
And so, an incredibly awkward situation was created, with the three of us sitting together, having tea.
“Cheers! Sister-in-law, could you give me some praise? I ranked first again, you know,” Iho, grinning mischievously, presented his impressive report card.
Adept in his studies, he had maintained the top spot at the academy ever since his entrance and continued to do so as a senior.
With the older brother excelling in martial arts and the younger brother outstanding in academics, the genes of the Listane family must surely be national treasures by now.
“Mm, well done.”
Even with my lackluster applause, Iho beamed with joy. Evandel, who had appeared displeased at first, seemed to soften as he looked at his younger brother, his expression clearly proud.
“So, do you have any young ladies you’re seeing these days?”
And just like a typical older brother with a significant age difference, he threw out that old-fashioned question.
Well, since the academy had recently become a thriving hub for romance, I supposed it’s quite likely that Iho was involved with someone, but….
“Sadly, no. Sister-in-law set my standards too high, so I can’t seem to find anyone I like. What are you going to do about that hmm, sister-in-law?”
“Haha…”
Not knowing how to respond, I just laughed.
Ahhhh, don’t do this to me. I’m weak to things like this.
I don’t know how to handle someone so full of love and brightness, radiating light in all directions like that.
“I went on a short training trip to Lucan, and even there, no one could compare to you, sister-in-law. I really think you’re the most beautiful woman in the whole continent. Brother, you’re truly blessed.”
Despite knowing the rumors about them as a couple, Iho had always been like this. He constantly tried to bring them closer and always praised Atilla.
It finally hit me why Attila, who never cared about anyone other than her husband, felt guilt only toward him.
Oh, Attila, you garbage. How could you mess with a kid like this?
“Let’s stop talking about the princess and talk about you. How’s everything? Is your health alright?” Evandel said. Trying to change the topic.
“Of course, it’s fine! Actually, I was a bit tired last month, but after drinking the tea you sent, I felt better almost immediately. Sister-in-law, where did you get such wonderful tea?”
But Iho brought it right back to me.
It wasn’t even tea that Attila had chosen. If I remember correctly, the butler was the one who suggested it.
Moreover, it wasn’t even a type known for its fatigue recovery effects, but still, he never ceased to praise me.
This kid, really……
Looking at Iho, who was so eager to praise me at any chance, Evandel shook his head in resignation. He couldn’t exactly snitch on his wife so I could only imagine how frustrating this situation must be for him.
Meanwhile, after setting down his teacup, Iho wiped the smile off his face and began with a somewhat serious expression.
“Actually, the academy is in disarray these days because of black magic.”
“Hah-choo!”
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