RBTW 38

Chapter 38

“That’s what you did, scolding her. I don’t know who’s the servant and who’s the young lady. Lari, when that happens, it’s because you all didn’t do your job properly, so tell them sharply who’s at fault. Got it? You can even get mad like the headmistress gets at us.”

“What if they end up hating me for it?”

“It’s fine.”

I really need to correct their behavior. They dare scold precious Lari even though they themselves aren’t taking proper care of her?

Of course, since they didn’t follow us here, Lari could come here more comfortably.

If the maids found out, there would be an uproar. And if the Grand Duke discovered that she was coming here without a maid, they might forbid her from entering.

‘I should say just enough to make the point.’

Meanwhile, Lari nodded.

“Yeah! If Unni says it’s okay, then it’s okay.”

“At times like this, I wish Lohen and Lari’s personalities could be mixed evenly.”

“My personality is good, you know.”

Lohen, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, nodded vigorously.

“That’s not what I meant at all. I just hope Lari could speak her mind like Lohen does.”

“Is that so? Okay! Then I’ll say everything I want!”

“Yes! No one will hate you. You’re such a lovely Lari.”

“Alright. Now that I think about it, it’s fine if others hate me. I only need Unni to like me.”

Lari smiled happily and leaned against me. I stroked her head.

The forest had very little human traffic, so it was unusually quiet. Occasionally, the sound of guards walking around could be heard, but they seemed far away, never approaching.

The only sounds were the rustling of leaves as the wind blew. I closed my eyes quietly in that stillness. Somehow, being here made me feel very peaceful.

“I think it’s time to go.”

How long had it been? I slowly opened my eyes at the sound of someone waking me.

I must have only closed my eyes briefly while sitting, but somehow I was lying in the grass. The sun had already set.

“Ah…”

“You woke up?”

“Mm… has it been long?”

“The sun just set. If we stay too long, you might catch a cold.”

“That’s right. Lari’s body is weak; she could catch a cold.”

I quietly watched Lari lying next to me. Like a baby kitten, she slept peacefully. She was just too adorable.

“Uh… yeah. Lari… right. Lari could catch a cold.”

“Huh?”

“Anyway, let’s go inside. If we stay longer, the maids will definitely nag us.”

“That’s true. Nagging…”

“If it’s just nagging, we could ignore it. But what if they tell someone we came here and forbid us from coming?”

At those words, she stretched and let out a long groan before suddenly sitting up.

“Right. Let’s go. Lari, get up.”

But even after shaking her body, Lari had no intention of getting up.

“She must be really tired.”

I lifted Lari, who clearly had no intention of standing. My body wavered instinctively. Had all her strength drained? Lari’s body felt limp like a cat’s.

“Ugh… heavy. But I’ll carry you, Lari. Don’t worry.”

I forced a smile while looking at Lohen, who was staring at me with a blank expression.

“Don’t worry. And why carry a skinny little thing? I can carry her myself.”

Then, quickly adjusting, Lohen hoisted Lari onto his back. He was only slightly bigger than her, but this seemed routine for him. He bent down, making sure her legs barely touched the ground, and started walking.

“Are you okay? You’re taller than me, though…”

“What’s height got to do with it? She’s like a dried twig. No strength at all. I’ll carry her.”

“Mm…”

“Since she was little, Lari liked being carried like this.”

Lohen walked steadily as if it were nothing. Even though he bent over a lot, his steps were natural, like any other walk.

It was clear he had inherited the physical prowess of the Grand Duke’s family.

“Mm. Then let’s go quickly.”

“Yeah. Unni has to eat too. You need to eat to gain weight. Hurry up and get some weight.”

“Are you worried about me?”

“Worry? Not really.”

“You’re being so sweet.”

Lohen shook his head shyly, walking faster than before. It was cute.

Though he didn’t know how to show it to others, Lohen was a really kind child—albeit only to those he liked and trusted.

‘Maybe it’s better to live like Lohen, as long as I don’t become twisted here.’

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Mm. Because you’re cute.”

“Cute? I’m not cute! Don’t say weird things. And… um… yeah! I have something to say. I… I won’t call that man Dad. I just can’t.”

Trying to escape the awkward mood, Lohen started speaking about things I hadn’t asked.

“I understand. You’ve held resentment since you were very young, so such reactions are natural. There’s no need to call him Dad all of a sudden because of me.”

“But if I don’t say it, Unni will get kicked out. I don’t want that either.”

“Hm… there must be another way. Anyway, we’ve bought some time, right?”

“…What if there’s really no way? Should I just call him…?”

The usually confident Lohen seemed sulky. I stroked his head.

“Trust me. Just like you did in the orphanage, trust me.”

“…You won’t leave?”

“Uh…?”

“Or are you just making an excuse to leave? Maybe it would be better to get money from the Grand Duke or be adopted into a good family than stay with us.”

So he was thinking that too. I watched the seriously-looking Lohen and shrugged.

“That’s not a bad thought.”

“What?”

“But it’s a bad thought for me. I’ve decided to protect you. So that won’t happen. I’ll stay by your side until you’re grown.”

“Can you promise?”

“Yes. No matter what happens, I’ll stick to this family. Until you’re all grown up. So don’t worry.”

After that, Lohen didn’t say a word until we reached the room. Instead, his expression was much brighter than before.

Our daily life continued as usual.

Though we said we’d sleep separately, Lari acted as if she couldn’t sleep without me, so the three of us ended up sharing a bed, sleeping and waking up together.

The Grand Duke came in the mornings and evenings just to watch us, and the maids didn’t touch us at all after that day. They only glared at me every day, as if waiting for the day I’d be expelled in a month so things could return to normal.

About two weeks passed this way.

Lari’s condition worsened. She spent only a few hours awake each day, drowsy most of the time.

Eventually, I had to meet the Grand Duke for a private talk again early in the morning.

“Don’t you notice something strange?”

“Strange?”

“Yes.”

“Well… hmm… you’ve gained some weight?”

“…No, I’ve gained weight, but… you wouldn’t ask that about me. About the other kids.”

I shifted my gaze to Lari, lying asleep, and Lohen standing beside her.

Finally understanding what I meant, the Duke glanced alternately at the two children.

Since I got sick and recovered, the Grand Duke at least treated me like a human. Before that, he treated me like dust.

“Ah.”

After a moment, he let out a small sigh and nodded.

“Do you understand?”

“I don’t.”

“…Then why do you come here every morning and evening?”

“To see the children. Because they are my offspring.”

“Why see them? Because you care? Because they’re adorable? Or just to check that they’re alive?”

I felt irritation rising.

If he just paid a little attention, he’d notice something strange. But I’m still just dust here, so I let it out carefully, keeping watch.

The maids nearby, probably fearing repercussions, moved around as if tidying up the surroundings.

“…Your words are harsh. I didn’t say I’d put up with your arrogance either.”

“…I just blurted it out. But I thought if it’s the Grand Duke, he’d care about his children.”

“I am caring. I’m watching them.”

“You’re only watching… You should check their condition too.”

“Condition? Is there a problem?”

Is he clever or just foolish? Or is he indifferent to the world? He shrugged, as if the only thing he knew how to do was look down on others.

I wanted him to see this himself. I wanted him to learn how to watch over the children even if I weren’t there.

“Haah…”

“What is it?”

“Lari… in the beginning, whenever the Grand Duke came, she would wake up and say ‘Dad.’ But lately, doesn’t she just seem to keep sleeping?”

“I see… why does she keep sleeping?”