“Episode 25”
Lucas, that kid, was unnecessarily strong, so sometimes when he couldn’t control his anger, he would grab my wrist, leaving bruises. My skin is fragile, it’s inevitable.
“….”
The atmosphere from my brother was heavy. I gestured to the housekeeper that it was okay for him to leave, and with a determination to end this situation somehow, I started rambling.
“You really don’t need to worry. I’m sorry for showing you such a scene as soon as you arrived, you must be tired from coming all the way to the capital.”
“…. Sorry?”
“Since Lucas is now a prince, Gerald couldn’t easily stop him. He came without warning, so it was a surprise.”
My words seemed to weigh heavily on my brother’s mind.
Is he going to scold me?
My brother was one of those blunt people, with few changes in expression even in the bustling Blanchette Manor, making it even harder to gauge his feelings.
I anxiously fidgeted with my hands, seeking forgiveness once again.
“Rest.”
That was a release.
With a click, after the door closed, I finally could relax my shoulders.
“Really, my brother is too difficult….”
I don’t need to help Lucas, so should I just escape as the Lady of Blanchette?
While applying the medicine left by the doctor to where Lucas had grabbed me, I pondered the matter more seriously.
—
Cesare Blanchette, the heir of the Blanchette Marquis, sighed heavily as he sat in his study.
Despite the knights showing signs of exhaustion from running all the way from the Marquisate, Cesare maintained his usual expression as he addressed his steward, Gerald.
“Has such incidents been frequent?”
“It’s not common.”
“It seems to have happened again.”
“There’s no excuse.”
Gerald replied with a stiff expression and tone, unlike in front of Alicia.
“Does Alicia still like that guy?”
Cesare asked immediately, and Gerald shook his head.
“No. She’s been expressing discomfort frequently lately.”
“I see.”
Cesare briefly lowered his eyes, then looked back at Gerald with a complex expression.
“She doesn’t realize how lovable she is.”
“That seems to be the case.”
The two men conversed in an unusually blunt manner.
If someone had overheard, they would have thought they were discussing very serious matters.
Cesare suppressed the flames that were about to rise again and looked at the newspaper.
In his cold, deep gaze, there was discomfort.
The newspaper was filled with impudent expressions about his precious sister.
Everyone was undoubtedly mistaken.
And finally, Cesare’s flames consumed the most disrespectful article in an instant.
Only black ashes remained.
Gerald briefly swallowed at the sight.
In fact, Cesare Blanchette was also a difficult person for him.
“Gerald.”
“Yes, young master.”
“Does Alicia really like that arrogant brat?”
Gerald hesitated for a moment as he looked at the photo pointed to by Cesare’s fingertip. After pondering for a while, he answered honestly.
“I’m not sure.”
“Hmm.”
Cesare sighed briefly, as if displeased with that answer. Despite being his small and lovely sister, Alicia had a dull side, often failing to notice the antics of this arrogant brat who visited Blanchette Manor every year.
“That cunning brat.”
As expected, Cesare didn’t like the Medelaic lineage. He looked at the faces of Alicia and Joshua side by side with a grim expression.
“I’d burn this all down right now if it weren’t for Alicia’s fondness for him.”
However he tried, he couldn’t bring himself to act against his sister’s wishes.
“Gerald, for now…”
“Yes?”
Cesare closed his eyes for a moment before reopening them. His sister was too kind and innocent.
“They say people in the capital are disrespecting Alicia.”
Now that his sister was in the capital, Cesare couldn’t remain indifferent to the rumors in society like before.
“Summon the tailor and jeweler tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
“And…”
Today, Alicia seemed intimidated by him again. Perhaps he was too imposing.
Cesare, with a stern face, pondered for a moment before giving instructions to Gerald.
“Invite a harpist soon.”
