101CF 04

Chapter : 04

“Sorry for calling you pretty. I just meant that Herwin looked like an angel… no, I meant handsome…….”

The words tumbled out, filled with guilt toward Herwin.

Herwin’s stubborn resolve to never forgive her melted away at once.

“……I’m sorry for getting mad too. I knew you didn’t mean it on purpose.”

Deep down, he already knew that Lucia hadn’t called him “pretty” to tease him.

Still, the word had upset him, and he’d dug in his heels.

“Hehe, then we’re friends again, right?”

For the first time, Lucia beamed brightly. Her oval-shaped eyes curved into a smile that was irresistibly lovely.

Herwin, not realizing that his cheeks had gone red, allowed himself to be tugged down beside her.

“Did you come here because of the New Year’s banquet too?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Where do you normally live?”

“Far away—days and days away by carriage. It’s colder there than here.”

“What? Colder than this? I’m freezing already.”

“It is cold, but this is nothing…….”

As if they’d never quarreled at all, their conversation flowed easily.

The two gradually grew closer, learning about one another, and by the time the adults came to find them, they were laughing and running around together as if they’d been friends all along.

“Kids, did you make up?”

“Yes! I decided to be friends with Herwin!”

“Mom, Mom! Lucia gave me this!”

Both children ran to their parents, chattering excitedly about the games they’d played and the stories they’d shared.

Seeing their children’s faces blossom with smiles, the parents too couldn’t help but smile.

“Whoa… a baby.”

“Cute, right? That’s my little brother.”

“Henry, right?”

“Mm-hm. Henry Peneus. He’ll turn two tomorrow.”

There was just one day left before the new year. In no time at all, Herwin and Lucia, who had started out fighting, had become fast friends. Today they had gone together to visit Herwin’s younger brother Henry.

They’d only caught a glimpse of Henry on the first day when everyone had gathered, and this was the first real time they’d spent with him.

Henry, just old enough to start running around, couldn’t stay still, darting all over the room.

Lucia was fascinated by how much Henry resembled Herwin.

As she stared at Henry’s face, she thought of Herwin and their father, Heil. Then Henry’s round, red eyes locked on hers, making her own eyes go wide.

Compared to Herwin’s slightly sharp gaze, Henry’s round eyes regarded her steadily.

“Wh-what’s that about?”

“I think you surprised him.”

“Me? No one’s ever said that before…….”

“You look… unusual.”

The words “like a fairy” or “cute” popped into his head, but Herwin couldn’t bring himself to say them aloud.

Lucia’s lips wobbled into a pout, and Herwin panicked—though before he could say anything, Henry toddled over.

“Ah!”

“Huh?”

Flailing his short little arms, Henry rushed over and stopped right in front of Lucia.

He didn’t do anything—just stood there, staring up at her.

“Henry, what are you doing?”

Finally, unable to watch any longer, Herwin called out. Henry turned his head toward him.

“Hyung!”

“Mm, you have something to say to Lucia?”

“Lucia? Lucia!”

“Yes, that’s Lucia. Try saying it. Lu-ci-a!”

“Lusia!”

“No, not Lusia. Lu-ci-a.”

“Lusia!”

Henry kept repeating after his brother. Lucia, who’d never been around anyone younger than herself, found it fascinating.

“He talks really well.”

“He’s a bit ahead for his age.”

“Abubuu, ahh!”

Suddenly Henry scampered off. He started rummaging through the luggage they’d brought from the North.

His little bottom wiggled as he leaned in, making Lucia giggle.

“You know what? You and Henry look exactly alike.”

“Really? I don’t see it.”

“No, you really do! You even look just like the Duke!”

“Ehem! Well… it’s only natural I’d look like Dad.”

At the mention of Heil, Herwin’s mouth twitched.

Soon Henry returned, lugging a picture book in his tiny arms.

“This!”

“A book?”

Henry held it out to Lucia. She blinked, then looked to Herwin for help.

“Do you want me to read to you, Henry? I can do it.”

“No! Lucia! Lucia!”

When Herwin tried to take the book, Henry shook his head fiercely.

Being rejected by his baby brother for the first time, Herwin froze in shock.

Henry snatched the book from him and handed it back to Lucia.

“Lucia! Lucia!”

“I don’t really know how to read yet……”

She’d only just begun learning letters and couldn’t read fluently. But before she could explain, Henry crawled right into her lap.

She caught the soft baby scent of his dark hair as he snuggled in.

Henry flipped through the pages quickly, then stopped at one.

“Lucia!”

He pointed his tiny finger at the illustration.

It showed a woman with wavy brown hair and blue eyes sitting in a forest, smelling flowers.

“Is… is that supposed to be me?”

“Mm-hm! Lucia!”

Henry beamed, nodding hard. Lucia studied the picture curiously.

It was just an illustration, but being told she looked like such a lovely woman made her happy.

She smiled shyly, and both Henry and Herwin—still sulking from earlier—found themselves staring at her blankly.

Smooch.

Suddenly, something soft and wet pressed against her cheek. Startled, Lucia turned and saw Henry grinning up at her.

“Lucia! Mine!”

Herwin’s jaw dropped as he watched his baby brother plant a kiss on Lucia’s cheek.

A strange fire sparked in his chest.

“Henry!”

“Kyaah! Mine! Mine!”

“Lucia is not yours! Come here!”

“Nu-uh, don’t wanna!”

“Ugh, you’ll get in trouble with me, Henry!”

Despite his squirming, Herwin pulled Henry away from Lucia.

Lucia touched her cheek, bewildered, as the Peneus brothers tussled.

“I don’t mind though……”

But no one heard her.

“Waaaah, Hyung’s mean!”

“Don’t cry, sweetie. Herwin, what on earth did you do to make Henry cry like this?”

Scarlett looked at her son suspiciously, but Herwin only pouted and turned his head away.

“I dunno.”

“Strange… you’ve always gotten along so well. My poor Henry, there, there.”

She rocked the red-eyed, wailing Henry in her arms.

It had only been minutes earlier that Henry had kissed Lucia, only to be pulled away by Herwin. That was what set off the tears. Scarlett, hearing the crying from the next room, had rushed in.

She couldn’t understand it.

Herwin and Henry had never fought before. Herwin always doted on him, and Henry adored him in return. But here in the capital, suddenly this?

As Scarlett sighed, she noticed Lucia standing awkwardly nearby.

“Lucia, darling, would you tell me what happened?”

Herwin flinched, panic written all over his face.

Not sparing him a glance, Scarlett gave Lucia a warm, expectant smile.

“Uh, well…….”

Lucia fidgeted, torn between Scarlett’s gentle pressure and Herwin’s wide-eyed warning not to tell.

She didn’t know what to do. If she told Scarlett, Herwin would be upset. But if she didn’t answer, it would feel like she was being rude to an adult.

Finally, she squeezed her eyes shut.

“H-Herwin kissed me!”

“Hm?”

“Wh-what?! I—I never did!”

Scarlett blinked, startled, while Herwin turned crimson.

Realizing her mistake, Lucia’s eyes flew open.

“Ah, no, I mean—it wasn’t Herwin. Henry kissed me. And then Herwin pulled him away, and that’s why…….”

“I see, that explains it.”

Scarlett quickly pieced it together. Then, with a sly look, she turned her eyes on her son.

It made sense for little Henry to kiss a girl he liked. But Herwin’s jealous reaction? That was telling.

Hoho, didn’t you say you hated her before?

“Why did you tell her!”

“Well, she’s an adult. I couldn’t just lie.”

Herwin, flustered, stepped closer to Lucia as if to scold her—only to stop short when he saw her eyes drooping sadly.

He’d never seen that look back in the North.

Was it because she was his age? Or because… she was special to him?

Either way… adorable.

Scarlett watched with quiet amusement, then suddenly teased:

“Oh my, looks like Henry really likes you, Lucia. What if he keeps chasing you even after he grows up?”

“Ahh, Lucia! Lucia!”

Right on cue, Henry babbled happily.

“Lucia, how about it? You’d be welcome as my daughter-in-law anytime.”

“M-me? Um… sure, I guess.”

Lucia answered blankly. She didn’t really understand, but it seemed like the right thing to say.

Herwin, however, understood perfectly.

“Mom! Why would Lucia come into our house?!”

“Why not? Henry likes her. And if they both agree when they’re older, what’s wrong with that?”

“No way! Lucia can’t!”

“My, why are you making a fuss? Unless… do you like her too?”

Scarlett’s lips twitched as she tried not to laugh.

Herwin, puffing with indignation, clamped his mouth shut. But when his eyes met Lucia’s, his cheeks flared bright red.

“Wh-who said I like her! I don’t like Lucia!”

Scarlett could tell he was lying through his teeth. Lucia, however, believed him.

“You… you don’t like me, Herwin……?”

“N-no, that’s not what I meant……”

Caught off guard, Herwin froze.

“I-I like you, but… Herwin says he doesn’t like me……!”

“Waaaaaah!”

Lucia burst into tears, and Herwin panicked.

“That’s not true! I do like you! Don’t cry!”

But his own feelings of embarrassment boiled over, and soon he too was sniffling.

And as if on cue, Henry started bawling again.

The three children wailed together in a chorus of tears, leaving Scarlett flustered.

“Kids, kids—it was just a joke! Please stop crying……”

“Herwin doesn’t like meeee!”

“No! I do like you! Mom’s so mean…!”

“Waaaaaaah!”

“Oh dear heavens.”

With sobs echoing in every direction, Scarlett pressed her forehead.

She could only sigh and try to soothe them until Julian arrived—thinking to herself, Serves me right.