Chapter 35
“What else would I do? For now, we should first solve the homework that person gave us. After that, I’ll be entrusted with everything about you—who you meet, what you do, what you learn, things like that.”
“……You don’t need to concern yourself with things like that. We’re not kids.”
“You are. In my eyes.”
At those words, Rohen’s expression changed instantly. I thought he’d snap back right away about being treated like a kid, but instead he just puffed out his lips.
“You’re a kid too.”
“What?”
“Big sister, you’re a kid too. You’re so short. If people saw us, they’d think you were my mom.”
In my heart, you’re already my mother, my sister, my family—everything. Someone who purely wants you to be happy. Someone who wishes that with not a single bad intention.
“Uh-huh. I’ll just think of it as having had a kid early.”
“I don’t like that.”
“What?”
“I don’t like moms. I don’t like family either. No, relationships that feel like family are fine, but I don’t want to be family.”
After rattling on by himself, Rohen fell silent again. Just then, the door opened. As if he had sensed that I’d woken up, the Grand Duke strode in with long legs.
“Looks like you’re feeling a bit better now.”
The Grand Duke looked at me with a slightly softened expression compared to before. Since the first day I saw him like that, he seemed a little different now than he had been back then.
Still, the way he stared at me in silence didn’t carry anything positive. So, still seated, I looked up at him and offered my own excuse.
“Um… so, in this room—”
“…I don’t like you.”
I was about to say that I’d be leaving this room soon, but just as expected, something punch-worthy slipped casually from his mouth.
Same here, old man.
I really wanted to say that. Why should I be nice to someone who picks fights with me every time he sees me?
But I’m someone from the hierarchy of 갑, 을, 병, 정—no… 을… no… 병… no… 정… no… someone outside it altogether.
Someone who wouldn’t find it strange to be kicked out immediately if the Grand Duke so much as lifted a finger.
“I know.”
“…Usually when I say that, kids tear up.”
Ah, was that what he wanted? I just sat there on the bed and looked at him. Even if I wanted to cry, even if I wanted to act hurt, his words didn’t move me in the slightest.
“Unfortunately, it doesn’t really affect me.”
“Every time I hear you, every time I see you, you’re such a curious child.”
“I hear that a lot. Anyway, I’m sorry for being here.”
It’s not like I came here because I wanted to. I collapsed, and it’s not even something I remember—do I really deserve to be scolded like this for that?
“But I am sorry, it’s just that….”
“And then?”
Maybe because my body wasn’t in good condition to begin with, my true nature slipped out without me realizing it. I thought I’d trailed off properly, but as if he wouldn’t miss the chance, the Grand Duke tilted his head slightly.
“No. Well. That’s all.”
“…You really never back down even a word. Interesting.”
That was when the Grand Duke’s stiff expression finally brightened. Contrary to my expectation that he’d get angry at how abruptly I cut off my words, he crossed his arms and shook his head.
“I thought you were someone I had to hate unconditionally, but you’re fairly interesting. Of course, I’m not in a very good mood because you caused an argument with my son….”
“Ah… yes.”
“Is your body alright?”
“He’s trying to pick a fight with her again.”
At that moment, Rohen stepped between me and the Grand Duke. With his arms crossed as well, Rohen looked at him with clear discomfort.
“I’m not picking a fight.”
“Then what are you doing to a sick kid? You’re going to say something like she’s dying or ask if it’s a contagious disease, like last time.”
“Who knows.”
“Don’t. She’s just skinny like someone who couldn’t even get gruel to eat. Looking poor and beggarly isn’t a crime, you know.”
…Rohen. You’re the worst of them all.
I might be a little thin, but saying I look poor? I stared at Rohen with my mouth hanging open in shock. But as if he didn’t realize what he’d done wrong, Rohen was too busy glaring at the Grand Duke.
It was also shocking that Lari, who had been standing since the Grand Duke came in, nodded along with Rohen’s words.
“That’s true. She doesn’t look like she has any dignity at all.”
Ah, seriously. This one and that one—both the same. You’d think they were afraid someone might not know they’re rich, the way they hurt people so casually. Still, I didn’t really have anything to say to that, so I shut my mouth tight.
Honestly, she’d look decent if she gained a little weight.
‘When she grows up, people say she’s still called a beauty…’
For a moment, as I was thinking about my appearance, a thought I never expected crossed my mind. I don’t even know what I look like when I’m grown up—the novel never described it—yet I was thinking about being called a beauty.
‘What am I thinking?’
Startled, I hurriedly calmed myself, but the feeling was strange. I wondered if it was just because of that dream, but suddenly it felt like an image of my fully grown self was forming in my head.
Black hair flowing in soft waves down to my waist, sparkling pink eyes. A sharply defined jawline and a high, straight nose. A face that gave the impression of being beautiful at first glance. That was the image of my future self that I remembered.
A future appearance I could never imagine from how I look now. A body so skinny it looked like I couldn’t even get gruel to eat, hollowed cheeks, dark circles reaching down to them—that was my present self.
“Are you shocked?”
As I hesitated over my own absurd thoughts, the Grand Duke spoke again.
“N-no, not shocked….”
“So you’re aware of it yourself?”
“Anyway… I’ll be leaving this room soon.”
“…….”
For a moment, he looked at Rohen. His gaze clearly changed, as if asking what he wanted to do. I don’t know what happened while I was asleep, but it strongly felt like he was watching Rohen’s reaction.
“You don’t need to leave. From now on, the three of us will stay in this room. The bed’s big enough for ten people to sleep in—why bother leaving?”
“So he says.”
“…That’s it…?”
“What more needs to be said? My son says that’s how it’ll be.”
What is this? Is it really changing just like that? What on earth happened while I wasn’t here?
“That’s what he said. So stop talking nonsense and stay here. Don’t even get up.”
“Uh… I really can stay…?”
“Do whatever’s comfortable. I still don’t like you, but it can’t be helped.”
Is it that a parent can’t beat their child? Has he finally realized the instinctive feelings he has toward his children?
“Is that so?”
“It was extremely irritating. The way he nagged and nagged until he got what he wanted.”
Though he said that, a smile had already spread across the Grand Duke’s face. He probably didn’t realize it himself, but it looked like a very satisfied smile.
“I see. I guess he takes after his father.”
“…….”
“Children usually take after their father, don’t they? Anyway, is that what you came to say?”
“Partly. I came to make sure no illness was discovered in the meantime.”
He spoke like the worst person in the world, but there was no way I couldn’t tell he’d come out of concern.
‘Why?’
That question alone surfaced. Until the end, the Grand Duke wasn’t supposed to be this kind of person. He was someone who simply gave his children whatever they wanted, a man without emotional exchanges.
Cold-blooded. Ice. Those words suited him—but now, it doesn’t quite seem so.
‘Or did he change?’
“Why are you staring like that?”
“Oh, nothing… I just found it interesting.”
“Interesting?”
“N-no. Anyway, thank you for letting me stay here.”
Still seated, I bowed my head slightly. Clearing his throat, the Grand Duke gave a small nod in return and then turned sharply.
“That’s enough. And once your body improves, you’ll be going to the temple, so prepare for that as well.”
“Ah.”
“There’s something we need to check at the temple. And don’t forget what we promised then. Even if you’re sick, even if your body hasn’t fully recovered, you’ll still have to do it.”
“Don’t worry. I haven’t forgotten.”
I’ve actually been thinking quite a bit about how to do it myself.
“Then rest.”
With those words, the Grand Duke turned and left. Contrary to my expectation that he’d say something important, he exited with surprisingly few words. I was staring blankly after him when Lari suddenly hugged me tightly.
“Since everything’s over now, let’s sleep some more. I’ll hug big sister and sleep like a baby!”
“Ah. I was thinking maybe we could go out today.”
“I don’t want to. I want to roll around like this with you!”
“But still. I kind of want to get some fresh air for once.”
As I slowly got down from the bed, Rohen stepped in front of me as if he’d been waiting.
“Even if you try to stop me, I’m going. It’s suffocating.”
“…So stubborn.”
“Even if you call it stubborn, I’m going. Wouldn’t it be fine if Rohen comes with me?”
I should’ve already grasped the situation of this household by now, but instead I was late. I never expected I’d be lying down for days.
“Huh? Me?”
“Yeah. If Rohen supports me and stays by my side, nothing should happen.”
“…Ah. Right. Ahem. I am pretty reliable. Alright. Since you want it that badly, I guess I’ll go with you.”
Seemingly pleased by my words, Rohen suddenly straightened his shoulders and held out his hand to me.
“Then let’s go.”
“Okay.”
Maybe because I’d been lying down for days, my legs didn’t have much strength. Seeing me wobble, as if he’d expected it, Rohen let out a deep sigh and grabbed my arm with his solid one.
“I knew this would happen.”
“Knew it would happen, my foot. I’m fine. More importantly, did you or Lari look around the Grand Duke’s estate?”
“What is there to look around?”
“Still, things like what the family’s like, the layout, that sort of stuff?”
“Of course.”
“Oh. Then show me around.”
Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Lari got up and snuggled right next to me, holding a sheep plushie in her arms.
“Mm-hmm. But big sister, I keep feeling sleepy. No matter how much I sleep these days, I’m still sleepy.”
