<CHAPTER 15>

Episode 15. I Tried to Live Kindly, But They Think I’m Terminally Ill

“It’s okay, Leila, your father is here with you.”

My father patted my shoulder and gently guided my hesitant steps forward.

Half-pushed like that, I stepped into the Count’s residence and ran into Mrs. Dawson, who was welcoming guests.

“Oh my, Leila, you came.”

“Happy birthday, Mrs. Dawson.”

As I awkwardly handed over the gift, she slightly bent her knees, smiling as she caressed my cheek.

“Thank you so much. Isabella is in the garden with the other children.”

“Ah, I was just—”

Just as I was about to say something to congratulate her, my father cut in.

“Then go ahead to the garden. If anything happens, run to your father.”

“Duke Mayfield, please come this way. The gentlemen are playing cards inside.”

I silently stared at the two parents who worked in perfect sync, then simply headed toward the garden.

It’ll be more tiring to resist.

I let out a resigned sigh.

—

“She’s grown so much.”

Mrs. Dawson, who had been walking ahead of Duke Mayfield, stopped and spoke.

“Leila, I mean. The more she grows, the more she resembles her.”

She was smiling as she turned to the Duke, but her eyes shimmered with a sorrow too deep to measure.

“Children grow day by day. Sometimes even I am surprised when I look at Leila. It feels like I’m seeing Bella as a child again.”

The Duke also gazed into the distance as if reminiscing about the past.

Standing slightly apart with his hands behind his back, he spoke brightly, as if to lighten the mood.

“How is Isabella? She must have been quite hurt by what happened last time.”

“It was the first time I saw Isabella worry so seriously. But I think a period of 고민 about friendships is necessary.”

“I agree. It will be a good experience for both Leila and Isabella.”

Mrs. Dawson smiled, her sorrow slightly eased.

“Hearing you say that puts me at ease. I was worried it might be selfish of me to make the two children be friends.”

She tidied her hair disturbed by a passing breeze and continued.

“Even though I know Leila is not Bella, I can’t help but feel attached to her. Even knowing how uncomfortable that must be for a child who knows nothing…”

“I understand. You were Bella’s closest friend.”

James comforted Florence, who was both Countess Dawson and Bella’s dear friend.

Having lost her frail friend early, and now watching her friend’s daughter fight illness as well—James could fully understand Florence’s heart.

Especially since he had witnessed how precious they were to each other…

“And for Leila as well, having someone to share memories of her mother with is surely a blessing. Even more so if that person is a friend her age.”

Florence accepted the handkerchief James offered and looked at him with concern.

“Leila is really okay, right?”

“…I intend to do everything to make that child happy. And as for her relationship with Isabella, you need not worry.”

James replied with a smooth smile.

“Leila really likes Isabella.”

Even if she’s a bit clumsy at expressing it.

—

Ah… I really shouldn’t have come!

I held my throbbing head and resented my father.

If I had just stayed home, I wouldn’t have had to deal with this…

I want to go back…!

As I squeezed my eyes shut, Cecilia—standing before me with her hands on her hips—raised her voice.

“I said apologize!”

Unfortunately, the moment I entered the garden, I ran into Cecilia and Bliss.

Perhaps they had been thoroughly scolded after the last incident, because both of them glared at me fiercely.

I warned them enough.

Not wanting to clash with the two who were clearly on edge, I naturally ignored them.

Was that the problem?

Cecilia, who had been whispering with Bliss, suddenly approached and bumped into me.

And that led to this situation.

Pointing at her dress stained with fruit juice, Cecilia kept repeating the same words.

“Apologize!”

Yes, just like that.

She was probably trying to restore her wounded pride from last time.

But… why should I?

I could have lied and apologized, but this time I didn’t want to.

No, if anything, I felt like teaching her a lesson.

But I can’t do that, can I?

How should I handle this situation smoothly…

I pressed my temples as I thought.

I was holding back the boiling anger inside me with patience that even surprised myself.

Then suddenly, a sharp voice rang out from afar.

“What are you doing?!”

Not just me, but Cecilia and Bliss also flinched and turned toward the voice.

And then…

No way!

Isabella was approaching quickly, her brows tightly furrowed.

She clutched her dress firmly in both hands.

Like a general marching forward, she strode over and instantly blocked my front, pushing Cecilia’s shoulder.

“Kyaa! What do you think you’re doing?!”

“What are you doing to Leila?! You’re bullying her again, aren’t you!”

At her fierce momentum, Cecilia and Bliss were left gaping in shock.

Bliss, who recovered first, stepped forward protectively.

“Wait, Isabella. You didn’t see anything.”

“Yeah. You don’t know.”

“Then how can you—”

“I don’t need to see it. I know. You must have started it with some ridiculous excuse.”

Isabella scoffed and crossed her arms firmly.

I blinked in confusion as I stared at her back.

Isabella was usually kind and gentle to everyone, even if she had a slightly quirky side.

She couldn’t even properly retaliate against me in dreams when I bullied her.

What am I even seeing right now…!

I would have believed it if someone said she was a fierce guard dog wearing Isabella’s face.

Isabella stepped closer to Cecilia, who had collapsed to the ground, and issued a warning.

“Listen carefully. If you lay a hand on Leila again, I won’t stay quiet.”

“Y-you… I’ll tell my mother everything!”

“Hmph. Go ahead.”

With tears welling in her eyes, Cecilia left with Bliss.

“They’re nothing!”

After shouting at their backs, Isabella slowly steadied her breathing.

Then, hesitantly, she turned to me and spoke.

“…Are you okay?”

She suddenly looked deflated, as if she had a tail drooping behind her.

“I’m fine, but…”

I glanced around.

All the young ladies in the garden were staring at Isabella.

Her reputation is going to suffer because of me.

That would be a problem in its own way.

Because I want Isabella to be happy.

First, I took Isabella’s hand and led her toward the back garden.

Breaking the awkward silence, I spoke.

“Um, Isabella, you don’t have to do this next time—”

“No! I won’t pretend to be nice anymore!”

Isabella shouted, her voice trembling.

“Ever since that day, I’ve been thinking… Maybe they weren’t entirely wrong.”

“What? What kind of nonsense is that?”

“No, actually… I might have liked it a little. Being called a good child when I was beside you.”

Isabella fiddled with the hem of her dress and lowered her head.

“So I think I kept hesitating and ended up putting you in difficult situations. If I had firmly taken your side from the beginning, that wouldn’t have happened…”

I just stood there blankly, listening to her confession.

I couldn’t think of anything to say.

“I’m sorry, Leila. I like you more than being called kind. So… will you keep being friends with me?”

She likes me?

She wants to stay friends with me so much that she’s willing to change…