#Chapter 10

Jerelach asked with elegance, but I couldn’t possibly answer calmly.

What on earth am I supposed to say here?!

But just clamping my mouth shut wasn’t going to get me out of this situation either.

I barely managed to collect myself, as though I stood on a judgment stand.

“Well, saying it was an expression of affection wasn’t exactly rude.”

As I said that, Jerelach’s face went cold.

A more familiar expression.

The one the world knew well—that of a violent and eccentric grand duke.

A chill ran down my spine.

So, I carefully averted my gaze and added,

“Though it didn’t exactly sound affectionate either.”

This time, Adrian’s smile vanished in an instant.

Then his delicate face turned sharp and cold as he asked,

“Didn’t sound affectionate?”

“……”

“Rieve?”

“Ah, I really am sorry to say this, but I honestly don’t remember who you are.”

“Oh, dear heavens.”

“If someone I don’t remember sounded affectionate to me, that’d be odd too, wouldn’t it? Ha… ha ha…”

After sweating buckets, I finally managed to somewhat smooth things over, only to be met with Adrian looking like he might burst into tears.

Wow. Why are you both doing this to me?!

As I tried to avoid Adrian’s gaze and turned away, Jerelach picked up his teacup, seemingly to drink from it.

But it was a deceptive gesture.

He lifted the cup gracefully as if to take a sip, then subtly covered his face and winked at me.

Good grief.

My heart pounded and my throat went dry—I couldn’t sit still.

But there was nowhere to turn my gaze—not that way, not this way.

Father. Right! Father’s here! I turned in desperation, only to find Father simply watching me with a pleased expression.

Father, please say something!

What exactly is so amusing?!

Sweat poured from me as I struggled to find a safe direction to look. Then, hurried footsteps approached.

It was Jerelach’s aide, Millen Aurier.

Perfect timing, sir. You just saved my life!

He entered with firm steps and cautiously addressed Jerelach.

“Your Grace, I apologize, but…”

He leaned in and whispered something to Jerelach.

Something must’ve come up.

Come to think of it, when Mother had invited him for tea, he’d said he might have to leave.

Once the aide stepped back, Jerelach put down his teacup.

“Thank you for the wonderful tea.”

Then he stood up quietly, and we all rose to see him off.

“I apologize for leaving midway.”

The tea time with him had been uncomfortable throughout. Even the soft madeleines felt like chewing stones.

But watching his departing figure stirred mixed emotions.

“What do you mean, Your Grace? We’re grateful you visited despite your busy schedule,” Father said politely.

Mother, not to be outdone, chimed in,

“Please visit again anytime. You’re always welcome.”

Jerelach answered with a light smile.

Then, turning to me,

“Don’t forget the promise we made.”

—and left.

‘Promise we made?’

Even after he was gone, his words lingered at the table.

I pondered over what promise he meant.

<The ball will be held in three days. I hope we meet then with a more comfortable expression.>

It must be that.

Still, if he just wanted to meet at the ball, he could’ve said so normally. Why leave it sounding so wistful?

Messing with people’s hearts like that.

I was planning to return Jerelach to Leoni nicely, but my heart still felt uneasy.

I was scared of him.

After all, Jerelach was the one who sentenced me to death—when I died accused of attempting to assassinate Leoni and even invited all my friends over just to build an alibi, which led to an accidental poisoning.

Back then, I’d never even imagined being tangled with him in any way. I’d only been terrified.

His snow-white skin, those beast-like eyes glaring at me—I couldn’t even lift my head properly.

But now, this kindness he showed me… it was frightening in its own way.

I need to figure out a way to escape during the ball.

I saw the upcoming ball, held in his honor, as my last chance.

Just like in the original story, I had to make sure he encountered Leoni.

Leoni is beautiful and lovable. He’s bound to fall for her at first sight.

While I sipped tea absentmindedly, Mother endlessly praised the Grand Duke Cygnus—his character and his dashing looks.

“Oh, how can someone be so upright and proper? Maybe it’s because I never saw him as a child, but he feels like someone crafted by the heavens.”

Father cleared his throat a few times at her dramatics, but there was no stopping her.

“Hm-hmm.”

“If only he had stayed for dinner too.”

“Ahem. So Adrian, are you fully back in Mütten now?” Father asked, eager to change the topic.

At his question, Adrian looked momentarily serious.

It was the first time he had shown such an expression since entering the house.

“No, not completely. But I think I’ll stay for a couple of months.”

“That’s good. Let’s see each other often while you’re here.”

“Yes, Marquis.”

Around that time, I wanted to ask who Adrian really was—and how he was connected to our family.

But before I could, the maid brought out new cookies, and Mother spilled her tea, cutting the conversation short.

Some time later, when the tea time was winding down, Adrian said,

“Then, I’ll take a walk with Rieve.”

—And led me outside.

To walk with his long-lost sister through the garden, to share conversations left unsaid.

Once we passed through the mansion doors and into the modestly decorated garden, I bowed my head deeply toward Adrian.

“I’m really sorry.”

Just about the eleventh apology in a row, Adrian suddenly stopped walking.

“Enough, Lady. You don’t have to apologize so much.”

“……”

“It was just a joke. It doesn’t make sense to expect a five-year-old to remember everything.”

Then he rustled through his pocket and pulled something out.

In his palm lay something tiny and adorable.

“I apologize for teasing you out of excitement.”

“What’s this?” I asked, and Adrian smiled softly as he replied.

“I figured this wouldn’t be enough to make up for it, but I brought it anyway.”

Upon closer inspection, it was a candy that gave off a sweet aroma.

“Candy?”

“Too much like a five-year-old’s taste?”

“No, thank you.”

I took a piece from his palm and popped it into my mouth.

As the sweetness spread over my tongue, I was surprised at how much better I felt.

Sweet things are the ultimate remedy.

“It’s good. Thank you.”

“That sounds a lot better than ‘sorry.’”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at his words.

“Alright, then. I’ll stop teasing. Ask me anything you’d like.”

Adrian was as tall as Jerelach—about two heads taller than me, so I had to look up to meet his eyes.

“Were we close when we were young?”

“What? Hahaha!”

You told me to ask—why are you laughing now?

“People say we were close as kids, but I don’t remember.”

I decided to be honest.

Adrian nodded gently with a warm smile.

“Most people don’t remember everything from their childhood. Just one person remembering is enough.”

I almost said sorry again reflexively.

I got as far as “sor—” and shut my mouth. Then he spoke again.

“Let me tell you a story from my memory.”

I nodded quietly and matched his steps.

He looked thoughtful, as though recalling something far away.

What kind of bond did this man share with Rieverata?

Though I hadn’t experienced it myself, I found myself drifting in a haze, waiting for him to speak.

“Rieverata Bernadette, at age five, was…”

I anticipated his next words.

At age five, she was mature beyond her years?

She had such a warm family—why had her heart been filled with so much envy and resentment?

Mother was a bit sensitive and clumsy, but kind. Father wasn’t the most capable, but he was devoted and loved his daughter more than anything.

Rieverata, why did you live such a sorrowful life?

“…was a five-year-old with a voice so loud, she could shake the heavens, reckless and fearless, a complete wild child.”

“……”

Excuse me? Just because I don’t remember—are you just making things up?

“Really?”

“Yeah, not a speck of cuteness. More like a wolf cub raised in the mountains.”

Adrian nodded fiercely and burst out laughing.

Unbelievable, this rascal.

“Sir Watford seems to enjoy teasing people quite a bit.”

If you want kind words, speak kindly yourself. Honestly.

“Sorry, really sorry. It’s just… I was so happy to see Rieve again. Like I’d become a child again, seeing my long-lost sister.”

“……”

“I’m sorry. Can you forgive me? I really am sorry.”

Adrian looked like he might kneel on the ground, his eyebrows drooping in desperate apology.

“You’re that sorry?”

“Of course! Really sorry.”

I smiled brightly and said,

“Then kneel.”