Episode 88

“E-Edwin…?”

I could only stare at him in bewilderment at his sudden appearance.

‘Didn’t he leave earlier?’

He had stormed off so abruptly before that I assumed he’d gone home first. Or maybe to say his farewells to some friends.

“…”

As Edwin’s intense gaze lingered on me, his eyes suddenly fell, focusing on something.

Our clasped hands—mine and Ismail’s.

The moment his gaze locked onto them, Edwin’s face twisted with a look of utter disdain.

‘…Gasp!’

Though I’d done nothing wrong, the fierce aura radiating from him sent a chill through my heart.

I met his stare with a growing sense of anxiety.

“…Let go.”

He finally broke his silence, grinding out the words as he locked eyes with Ismail.

As Ismail and I exchanged confused looks, Edwin took a step closer, his voice laced with venom.

“Are you going to let go of her hand or not, you bastard…?”

Suddenly, his fists clenched, and he started striding toward us, his entire presence exuding menace. Startled, I instinctively released Ismail’s hand and quickly stepped between them.

“W-What’s wrong, Edwin? He’s my friend!”

“Friend?”

Edwin halted, repeating the word in disbelief.

Seizing the moment, I turned to Ismail and shouted, “B-brother! I’ll contact you later! You should go now!”

“…”

Ismail looked utterly bewildered by the sudden confrontation.

Now that I thought about it, the whole situation did feel rather odd.

It was almost like… the scene of an affair being caught?

A furious husband confronting his unfaithful wife while she desperately explains herself…

‘What am I even thinking?! We’re just kids!’

Shaking my head to clear those ridiculous thoughts, I waved my hands, brushing off the absurd notion.

“Hurry, go already!”

Reluctantly, Ismail, though visibly annoyed, left without further protest.

“Whew…”

“Friend?”

Just as I was sighing in relief, Edwin repeated the word with those same piercing eyes.

“You don’t have friends.”

“N-no!” I stammered, flustered. “I do! He’s a friend I made today!”

“When?”

“Huh…?”

“When did you befriend him? I’ve been watching you the whole time. I didn’t see you talk to anyone like him.”

I gaped at him, speechless.

‘He’s been watching me…? From where…?’

The conversation was spiraling further into confusion, and I could only mumble, unsure of how to respond, under his unrelenting gaze.

“On my way to the bathroom earlier…”

At that, he scoffed, his tone chilly as he muttered, “Good for you. Must be nice to have so many friends.”

Then, just like before, he turned his back on me and started walking off briskly.

‘He’s the one with more friends, anyway…’

I never had anyone seeking me out to hang out. I didn’t understand why he was taking it out on me after having a good time himself.

As I pouted and grumbled under my breath, he suddenly stopped in his tracks. Turning around, he called out irritably,

“Are you coming or not?!”

“I-I’m coming!”

I couldn’t help but break into a slight smile, seeing him waiting for me. Dropping my complaints, I hurried to follow him.

When we stepped outside the temple, I spotted the grand carriage from the Duke’s estate waiting nearby. Trying to break the tense atmosphere, I glanced around and asked,

“…Where’s Grandpa?”

“He left already.”

That was a dead end.

Edwin replied curtly and strode past me to climb into the carriage first.

“Ugh…”

Feeling a bit down, I hesitated before awkwardly following him in.

I still didn’t understand why Edwin was so angry, but I knew somehow that I was the reason.

The moment I sat across from him, I blurted out, “I’m sorry, Edwin.”

Edwin, who had been staring out the window as if I didn’t exist, jerked his head to look at me.

“…What?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

He frowned at my words.

“…What exactly are you apologizing for?”

“Just… everything…”

Honestly, I wasn’t sure what I had done wrong. So, I mumbled vaguely, and he narrowed his eyes at me.

“How many times do I have to tell you to stop apologizing for no reason?”

“Then why are you so mad at me?”

“I’m not mad.”

“Yes, you are.”

“I said I’m not.”

“You are!”

“…Haa.”

After a short back-and-forth, he let out a deep sigh, looking thoroughly annoyed.

“Fine, I am. Happy now?”

“…Edwin.”

“If you get it, just be quiet for the rest of the ride.”

He finally admitted he was mad, but somehow, his attitude hurt even more than the argument itself.

The tears I hadn’t shed even when I’d beaten Diana and become the Saintess welled up suddenly in my eyes.

“Do you… not like me anymore?”

My voice trembled as I asked the question, my thoughts spinning as I searched for answers.

‘Maybe he’s tired of me now.’

Maybe seeing his noble friends again made him realize he’d lost his affection for a common orphan like me.

Or maybe he’d finally come to understand the vast difference between my healing ability and Diana’s…

Or perhaps he was starting to see me as strange and unsettling, just like the orphanage headmistress and kids had.

Self-deprecating thoughts gnawed at me, taking root in my mind.

“Would you rather I disappear from the Duke’s household altogether?”

At my question, Edwin’s eyes widened in shock.

“What… why would you say something like that…?”

“Then just say so!”

I burst out, my voice trembling.

“If you don’t want me around, just tell me… I… I won’t cling to you.”

I refused to become that pathetic, vulgar commoner who clung to her betters.

The parasite on Kallios.

The jealous witch who, unable to bear the Saintess’s presence, dragged the Duke’s household through the mud.

I never wanted to become that person again.

Before that could happen, I had already resolved to leave or even die if necessary.

‘So just say it. If I’m such a nuisance, tell me to leave.’

If he said the word, I’d go.

Covering my face with my hands to hide my twisted expression, I burst into tears.

“…Ha…”

I heard Edwin sigh, and it only made my heart ache more. It felt like he was looking at me as if I were some troublesome burden.

Then suddenly—

There was the rustle of fabric, the cushion next to me sank, and I felt myself pulled into someone’s embrace.

‘What…?’

My sobbing stopped in surprise, and I felt myself stiffen.

“…I’m sorry, Belze.”

“….”

“It’s my fault. Don’t cry.”

“….”

“I won’t do it again, okay?”

His voice was gentle as he spoke above my head, warm like a spring breeze, and I felt a strange tickling sensation somewhere deep inside.

Even though I’d been so upset, Edwin’s simple apology melted all the tension away like it was nothing.

Embarrassed and flustered, I tried to bury my face deeper into my palms.

“I was… jealous.”

He said it calmly, still holding me.

‘Jealous…?’

My tears dried up in an instant, and I looked up in surprise.

“When you called him brother.”

“….”

“You called him brother and held his hand. I specifically told you not to call just anyone that.”

“What’s wrong with brother?”

I snapped, lifting my head instinctively.

Our eyes met, his golden ones only inches away.

Edwin, who had been looking at me with his usual indifference, suddenly frowned.

“…You have snot.”

“Uh! Ngh…”

“Here, blow into this.”

He swiftly pulled out a handkerchief and held it to my nose before I could sniffle.

“Snrk!”

Obediently, I blew into it, glancing at him out of the corner of my eye.

And just like that, I’d claimed a second handkerchief of his for my own.

After blowing my nose, I looked down, pouting slightly.

“What’s wrong with calling someone brother…”

“Some idiots might think you like them if you say that.”

Edwin’s expression turned irritated, his brows knitting together.

I couldn’t quite grasp what that had to do with his anger.

“Well, they might, but so what?”

When I snapped back, he nodded as if in agreement.

“Yes. You’re right. They might.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“And some idiots might get the wrong idea and end up dead. That’s how it goes.”

“Yes, exac—wait, what?”

I froze, staring up at him.

“What?”

Edwin looked at me, calm as ever, meeting my gaze without a hint of remorse.

‘Did I… did I hear that right?’

As I tried to wrap my mind around it, he let go of me and gently wiped my tear-streaked face.

“Your eyes are all red.”

“Hmph.”

His kindness made me feel a fresh wave of sadness for some reason, and I pouted, sniffling.

“So… how do you know the Crown Prince?”

As I sulked, Edwin threw another question at me.

“The Cr-Crown Prince? I don’t know him…”

“Then why did he buy a hundred of your cure-alls? And what did he whisper to you when you were receiving your trophy?”

“…”

“And.”

“…”

“If he’s just some stranger, why did you thank him during your acceptance speech?”

The rapid-fire questions left me speechless, my mouth falling open.

‘Did… did he see all of that?’

And then it hit me—why Edwin was actually upset.

During the award speech…

“…And to the top patrons of Belze’s Trading Company! Duke Kallios, Madam Cloud, and… the Cr-Crown Prince, Your Highness! I dedicate this honor to you! That’s all, thank you!”

‘Could it be… because I didn’t mention him in my acceptance speech?!’
TL/N: Well… She uses Oppaa and oppa is older male/ brother. It can be used for love interests too… well its their culture and dialogue… Tell me in the comments what you guys prefer, i will change it