Chapter 31
“It’s hard to find someone as kind, strong, and wise as her. Lady Rilfrey is truly remarkable.”
“…I see.”
Claude’s firm voice made the Duke nod in agreement.
The Duke slowly nodded, deep in thought.
“What Lady Rilfrey accomplished wasn’t easy, and I hope Your Grace recognizes that. Lucian also took good care of Amelia.”
“Understood. I will personally call Lucella and commend her for her efforts.”
Claude’s expression finally brightened after hearing that Lucella would receive recognition.
‘Honestly, I want to tell him to at least show some basic courtesy first before giving out rewards…’
But that would be stepping out of line. He was merely a guest in this house and needed to know his place.
“You must be tired from your long journey. I hope I haven’t kept you for too long.”
“Not at all. If anything, I should apologize for making you sit here with an injured body.”
As the Duke stood up, Claude naturally followed suit.
He could only hope that, from now on, the Duke would treat them better.
The Duke called for me early the next morning.
Of course, I wasn’t the only one summoned.
“The Duke has invited you to breakfast with Marquis Agris.”
I was just lucky enough to be included in Claude’s meeting.
‘What’s this? He actually invited us all to eat together?’
I let Riley continue fixing my hair as I thought about it.
The Duke of Bellomon rarely invited Lucian and me to meals.
Most noble families dined together when hosting important guests, but…
‘If Lucian were there, he might cause trouble.’
They couldn’t afford to show a mess in front of an important guest.
That’s why Lucian was usually left out, and since I had to take care of him, I was left out too.
But now, the Duke himself had called for us.
‘Something must have happened.’
Maybe he needed to put on the image of a harmonious family.
Once I was dressed, I tilted my head in curiosity and headed to Lucian’s room.
I expected him to still be sleeping, but to my surprise, he was already dressed, sitting in front of the mirror.
“Lucian? You’re ready this early?”
He even had a cute bowtie around his neck.
“Oh, don’t even ask. He was sluggish the whole time, but the moment I mentioned that Lady Amelia would be there—”
“Nanny!”
Before Grace could finish whispering, Lucian shouted.
Such a tiny thing, yet he had sharp ears and a loud voice.
I chuckled as I sent Grace out of the room, then knelt in front of Lucian.
“Waking up early? That’s impressive.”
“Hmph.”
He snorted and turned his head, but the corners of his mouth twitched slightly. He liked being praised.
I straightened his clothes and spoke again.
“Good job, Lucian. But remember, don’t raise your voice in front of your father, okay?”
The faint smile on Lucian’s face quickly disappeared.
“The Duke hates bad manners the most. You understand, right?”
There was no reply. Lucian simply pouted his lips.
“Lucian?”
I gently held his hands and shook them lightly. Finally, he nodded reluctantly.
“Just hold it in for one hour, okay? After breakfast, I’ll play with you as much as you want.”
“…Fine.”
He puffed out his lips again and hopped off the chair.
“Auntie always nags.”
Then, he walked past me toward the door.
Somehow, his tiny hand on the doorknob looked even smaller today.
“Lucian.”
I called his name softly.
He stopped and slowly turned back toward me.
“I’m sorry.”
His lips, still pouting in frustration, parted slightly in surprise.
Lucian blinked his big eyes and asked,
“…For what?”
“For always nagging. And also… for before.”
I hesitated and licked my lips.
It felt like bringing up the past again, but I needed to say it.
“For comparing you to Edwin and making you feel hurt.”
I still couldn’t forget the day Lucian had cried, saying I loved Edwin more than him.
That wasn’t just a tantrum.
No, it wasn’t something that could be brushed off as simple jealousy.
What Lucian felt back then was deep sorrow and loss.
That’s why I had to apologize.
Even if Lucian had forgotten, I hadn’t.
I had to acknowledge it and make things right.
I needed him to know—
That I loved him the most.
That I would never love anyone more than him.
But I never found the right moment to say it.
Preparing for the Duke’s return had kept me busy, and I hesitated, thinking that if Lucian had moved on, bringing it up might only reopen old wounds.
But then he said it just now—
“Auntie always nags.”
Lucian was already feeling anxious because of the Duke’s return.
And yet, instead of comforting him, I had only nagged at him.
How frustrating must that have been for a six-year-old?
I had to tell him now—
Before our bond broke.
Before things turned out the way they did in the original story, where we eventually drifted apart.
“Lucian, I never scold you because I dislike you.”
“I love you.”
“It’s because I love you so much, Lucian.”
And because I always feel sorry.
“I love you, and I only nag because I want the best for you. I don’t know how to explain it properly…”
How could I put my complicated feelings into words so a six-year-old could understand? My thoughts were all over the place, and I kept rambling.
“I know.”
Lucian’s quiet voice cut through my scattered words.
“…Huh?”
“I already know how you feel.”
I blinked in surprise.
“How do you know that?”
“I just do.”
Lucian covered his mouth and giggled before looking straight at me.
“Even if you always scold me and nag, I know you care about me a lot. Just like how I said I hated you before, but I didn’t really mean it.”
“…You don’t hate me?”
“Nope. Not at all.”
Lucian scratched his cheek, looking a little embarrassed.
“I didn’t understand before, but now I do… just a little bit. A tiny bit.”
“……”
“So I want to say sorry too. I said I hated you, but I never actually did.”
“…Lucian.”
I called his name, but no other words came out. My throat felt tight.
My eyes burned, and my nose stung. What was this feeling?
“Young Master, Lady Lucella! You must come out now!”
“Oh no, we’re going to be late! I’m going first!”
Hearing the voice from outside, Lucian quickly ran out of the room. His ears were bright red as he disappeared.
“Lucian…”
I sank down to the floor.
Someone once told me that children grow up in the blink of an eye.
I didn’t believe it at first.
A year ago, even two years ago, Lucian had always just been a mischievous little boy to me.
Maybe because I knew his future, I thought he would never really grow up.
But I was wrong.
The boy I had once worried would never mature had grown so much while I wasn’t paying attention.
Maybe even more than I had.
“So I want to say sorry too. I said I hated you, but I never actually did.”
I repeated Lucian’s words to myself, burying my face in my skirt.
Now, I might finally have a little less guilt when I see my sister again one day.
Well that’s impressive.