♧ Chapter 10 ♧
Marius and Leopold, both large men, took one side of the dining table.
My sisters sat across from them.
That naturally left me sitting at the head of the table.
Regina, who had run back to her room with a bright red face, finally came out about ten minutes later.
Even though we were indoors, she had pulled a wide-brimmed hat low over her face.
She had put on light makeup and changed into a simple dress.
Aliche raised an eyebrow at the sight.
But I couldn’t help giggling.
Regina was both elegant and innocent-looking.
Even as another girl, I thought her charm was almost hypnotizing.
On top of that, she was cheerful and always smiling.
She was easily the most popular among my sisters.
“You’re smiling because you saw me, aren’t you?”
“No! I’m happy because I saw Uncle Leo!”
“No way. I’m much more handsome than Leo.”
“Nope. Uncle Leo is the best.”
I gave Leopold, who smiled faintly at me, a big thumbs-up.
Aliche gently patted my head, looking obviously awkward.
“We were worried because she was alone, so we only came to bring her home. Please don’t misunderstand. We didn’t come with any other intention.”
“That’s right,” Marius added.
“I’m close with the little one, so I was worried. It just happened that she’s also Miss Aliche’s and Miss Regina’s younger sister.”
“You knew my sisters?”
Regina asked in surprise.
Marius looked back at her as if she should already know.
“You didn’t know? Miss Aliche has been taking care of us.”
“Marius’s family name is Chemelhofen,” Aliche explained.
“And Mr. Leopold’s is Waltrahen.”
Regina quietly gasped.
The color drained from her face.
Seeing that, Leopold immediately became restless.
“I didn’t hide it on purpose. When I met you, our arrival hadn’t been announced yet. I had no choice but to keep my identity secret.”
“No…”
Regina shook her head.
“I was the foolish one. Even after hearing your names, I didn’t realize who you were.”
“No.”
Leopold spoke firmly.
“I was the one who unintentionally deceived you. If you’re upset, then please blame me.”
Huh?
The atmosphere between them felt strange.
Neither of them had been able to look the other in the eye since earlier.
Leopold kept talking while looking at me instead.
Meanwhile, Regina kept lowering her head.
Come to think of it…
It was also suspicious that Regina had changed into a dress just to stay at home.
This was my chance to help.
“Uncle.”
I looked at Leopold.
“Aren’t you hungry? You said you were homeless, had no money, and couldn’t even eat.”
Leopold’s eyes shook violently.
Regina immediately asked in surprise,
“You haven’t eaten?”
“Well… that’s how things turned out.”
Marius glanced at Leopold and Regina before smiling.
“You don’t have to cook for us.”
He stood up.
“Just show us a good restaurant. I’ll pay.”
Everyone got up and prepared to leave.
I quietly walked over to Leopold and motioned for him to bend down.
When he lowered himself to my height, I whispered into his ear.
“Regina likes lilacs.”
Since I’d told him…
He’d probably buy her lilacs next time and win some extra points.
On the way to the restaurant, Regina held my hand tightly.
I deliberately grabbed Leopold’s hand with my other hand so the two of them had to walk close together.
Then I loudly asked, making sure Leopold could hear me too.
“Second Sister, isn’t Uncle Leo really handsome?”
“Do you like Uncle Leo that much?”
Regina secretly glanced at Leopold.
Holding both of their hands, I happily skipped forward.
“I think Uncle Leo is really cool. He’s tall, his hair is black just like mine, and… and…”
I looked up at him.
His face was partly hidden in the shadows.
The dark shade made him look even more like a sculpture.
“He’s handsome!”
Leopold’s neck slowly turned bright red.
Regina laughed shyly.
“Hehe.”
A strange tension lingered between them.
Leopold had become completely stiff because of Regina.
Regina still looked calm as usual…
But she was clearly paying attention to him.
Since Regina often took me along on her dates…
I knew exactly how she acted.
Normally, she never became nervous around men.
She was so popular that she simply smiled and decided whether she’d accept or reject them after seeing how hard they tried.
But now…
The hand holding mine was slightly sweaty.
This is definitely a green light!
I imagined Leopold becoming my second brother-in-law.
The chances of war would become much smaller.
Aliche wouldn’t die on the battlefield either.
Leopold and Regina looked perfect together.
They were truly a beautiful couple.
And since Leopold was famous for being completely devoted to the woman he loved…
Regina would never have to cry because of him.
Our whole family could be happy.
Does that mean I’ll become an aunt someday?
What should I do?
Just thinking about seeing a tiny, adorable baby made my heart race.
“Kyaaa!”
Unable to contain my excitement, I half-screamed as I ran into the restaurant.
When Leopold tried to sit across from Regina…
I grabbed his hand and pulled him into the seat beside her.
Ignoring his surprised expression, I sat next to Aliche.
Aliche looked at me with a strange expression before lightly flicking my forehead.
“Oww.”
“Are you going to keep teasing Regina?”
“I’m not teasing.”
In the end…
Regina and Leopold sat side by side.
Across from them sat Aliche and me.
Marius took the last seat.
Resting his chin on one hand, Marius looked at me with amusement.
“Liliana.”
“Aren’t you going to play Cupid for your Big Sister too?”
“Huh?”
I instinctively looked at Aliche.
She had frozen and was glaring at Marius.
What?
Had something happened between them that I didn’t know about?
Marius smiled and handed me the menu.
“What do you want to eat? Uncle will buy you anything.”
“Anything?”
“Anything.”
“Didn’t you say you didn’t have any money? I eat a lot. Is that okay?”
Marius chuckled before calling over a waiter.
“One of everything on the menu, please.”
“Huh?!”
I quickly covered my mouth in shock.
Marius proudly lifted his chin.
“See? I’m the best, right?”
I had no choice but to nod.
After all…
His order included all twelve desserts my sisters never let me eat.
* * *
The fifty-four dishes Marius ordered were canceled after Aliche firmly objected.
However, Marius insisted that the twelve desserts should at least be packed to take home.
Because of that, Liliana’s gloomy face immediately brightened again.
As soon as the steak arrived, Leopold displayed the skills of a Sword Master.
With a few smooth movements, he neatly cut the meat into bite-sized pieces before quietly exchanging plates with Regina.
“Oh?”
Men trying to impress Regina with little acts of kindness wasn’t unusual.
But…
This was the first time even Regina had ever seen a giant, muscular man trembling nervously while changing her plate.
After that, Leopold cut the meat from the children’s meal for Liliana as well.
Seeing how little she ate…
He couldn’t help sighing to himself.
“Eat plenty.”
Leopold had a six-year-old cousin who was much younger than him.
That child ate twice as much as Liliana and was much taller.
Compared to him…
Liliana was far too small and thin.
Even someone outside her family couldn’t help worrying.
“Thank you for the meal!”
Liliana happily stabbed a piece of meat with her fork and took a huge bite.
Her tiny feet swung excitedly beneath her chair.
When Regina finished her glass of water and set it down…
Leopold immediately refilled it.
“Liliana.”
“You need to eat your vegetables too.”
“Okaaay. I’ll eat them.”
Liliana held her breath while chewing an asparagus spear.
Watching her from the corner of his eye…
Marius silently shook with laughter.
Then…
While Aliche wasn’t looking…
He secretly ate the carrots from Liliana’s plate.
Liliana’s eyes instantly sparkled.
“How about that?”
Marius winked.
“See? I’m the best.”
Liliana slowly shook her head and let out a dramatic sigh.
“Sigh…”
“Big Sister, I’m going to the bathroom.”
“Can you go by yourself?”
“Am I a baby? I’m all grown up.”
As Liliana climbed down from her chair…
Regina immediately stood as well.
“I’ll come with you.”
“Aww. I’m not a baby.”
The two sisters walked away together.
The moment they disappeared…
The warmth vanished from Aliche’s face.
She quietly placed down her fork and knife before staring coldly at Marius.
“You weren’t supposed to approach our youngest.”
“Don’t misunderstand.”
Marius smiled lightly.
“I was genuinely happy to see the little one.”
“Happy?”
Aliche’s sharp eyes turned icy.
“I’m speaking to Marius von Chemelhofen.”
The coldness in her gaze was every bit as overwhelming as the chill hidden behind Marius’s smile.
“You asked me before what I could offer you.”
“Did you bring your answer?”
“Oh, of course.”
Marius smiled confidently.
“Aliche Berkio, I don’t intend to bargain with you.”
“What I’m about to offer is my first and final proposal.”
“What is it?”
Marius answered calmly.
“Your younger sister.”
“Liliana’s health.”
Aliche’s expression instantly hardened.
Very few people knew about Liliana’s condition.
How had this man found out?
Without a trace of joking left in his voice, Marius quietly delivered the final blow.
“At this rate… you already know she won’t live past fifteen.”
