Chapter 11
Kainess knew that he was angry.
But he didn’t know why.
He had assumed that everything Esta said—about no longer liking him—was a lie. Just like always, he thought it was another attempt to get his attention.
He believed that once she realized lies wouldn’t earn his attention, she would return to her usual self.
So he deliberately avoided looking at her. He kept his distance.
‘But…’
An unfamiliar sense of loss, as if something inside him had gone hollow, crept into his chest.
Perhaps it was because Esta—who had always followed closely behind him—had suddenly left without a word.
For some reason, his heart ached. Irritation surged through him, and heat flushed his face.
Emotions he didn’t know how to untangle swirled violently inside him.
“Ha…”
On his way back to the ducal estate as if fleeing, he reached the tree that stood at the boundary between the ducal estate and the count’s estate. The deep sigh he had been suppressing slipped out.
Just a few days ago, Esta had been waiting for him here.
At the time, he had been secretly pleased, thinking things had returned to normal.
But that had been a complete misunderstanding. Esta had not returned. With the same face that once whispered that she loved him, she had asked to break off their engagement.
Usually, he thought he wanted the engagement to end as well.
But not like this.
At the very least, Esta was supposed to like him.
He knew it was a petty thought, but still…
Instead of a book, Kainess pulled out two opera tickets he had tucked inside his coat.
When he had headed to the count’s estate earlier that day, he had even practiced what he would say as he handed them to Esta.
But not anymore.
He tore the tickets—now nothing more than useless scraps of paper—into pieces and threw them away without hesitation.
News of the broken engagement spread quickly. After all, I had already said it out loud to Kainess and to Brother Febuer. There was no taking it back now.
Eventually, Father summoned me.
“You’re here.”
Father was waiting for me in his study, pouring tea into a cup.
“I heard you called for me.”
“Close the door and come sit here.”
His calm voice was slightly lower than usual. I swallowed nervously.
I pulled out a chair and sat carefully, watching him.
Before leaving for the capital, Brother Febuer had told me he had spoken well to Father on my behalf.
Though he supported the annulment, Father—being a count—might feel differently.
In this world, a daughter without particular talent could only elevate her family through marriage. And there was no better match for Esta than Kainess.
“Um, Father… I want to break off the engagement.”
So I spoke first—before he could tell me not to.
“I’ve let go of my feelings for Kainess, and I want to start a new life. We’re both still young. We can each find someone who suits us better.”
Father looked slightly surprised and set down his teacup. He studied me with a thoughtful expression.
“Are you sincere?”
That’s it?
Compared to my long explanation, his short response startled me. But I nodded quickly.
“Yes.”
“I see. That’s enough, then.”
“…Pardon?”
“If you’re happy, that is enough.”
He took a light sip of tea and answered as if it were nothing.
His calmness made me even more flustered.
Wasn’t this the moment he should oppose me and tell me to reconsider?
He was respecting his young daughter’s decision this much?
Confused, I asked,
“Why aren’t you stopping me?”
“Do you want me to?”
Father let out a small laugh, as if amused by the unexpected question.
The hearty sound tickled my ears.
“My duty is to make sure you are happy and to grant what you wish.”
He smiled and gently patted my head.
It was a wonderful smile—but I knew it was a smile meant for a sick child.
My parents only wished that Esta wouldn’t do anything reckless—and above all, that she wouldn’t be ill.
Was it because she had once been given a terminal prognosis?
The only way I could survive was through Kainess. And to stay on good terms with him, I had to break the engagement.
“I’m sorry for worrying you all this time.”
“It’s alright.”
I knew it wasn’t easy to break an engagement promised between families.
This was a class-based society.
Our family was a count’s house. Kainess’s was a ducal house. For our side to request the annulment meant taking on enormous risk.
But Father chose to take that risk to respect his sick daughter’s decision.
Emotion welled up in my chest, and tears threatened to fall again.
“I’ll become a really good daughter.”
With teary eyes, I spoke, and Father gently wiped at my eyes. His fingers weren’t soft, but I didn’t care.
“Even if you’re imperfect, that’s fine.”
What father says something like that?
“Dad!”
I sprang up and threw myself into his arms, sobbing loudly.
As if the adult inside me had disappeared and I had fully become a child.
Ah… how embarrassing.
The next morning, I couldn’t properly look Father in the face.
Reality hit.
After crying so loudly and making such a mess, there was no way I could calmly eat breakfast and kiss him on the cheek like usual.
So I used feeling unwell as an excuse and decided to eat in my room for a while.
The problem was that I had claimed to be sick.
“You’re sick? From doing what? You’ve even been skipping training lately. Were you staying up at night doing something secretly?”
Brother Jenuer came to scold me.
“…It’s not good to stay in your room all the time. If you want to take a walk, call me. I’ll go with you.”
Even quiet Brother Mayer came to suggest a stroll.
“You never even say when you’re sick normally… If you’re ill, this mother is sorry…”
No, Mother. I’m the one at fault. I’m faking it.
With everyone visiting one after another, guilt stabbed at my heart.
Ah, I’m hopeless.
After two days of staying locked in my room to maintain the “sick” excuse, I realized if I stayed any longer, the Bailey family would lose their minds from worry.
So I went out.
Everyone! I’m perfectly fine!
I dressed up deliberately and stepped into the front yard. Ellie followed a short distance behind.
I made sure to wander near Father’s study window. He should be able to see me from there, right?
I didn’t want to hear anyone ask if I was alright anymore. This family worried too much.
If I stayed in bed one more day, they might even summon Brother Febuer back. And while I loved seeing his handsome face, that was only when it was for good reasons.
I didn’t want to see him looking distressed.
“What are you doing here?”
While loitering under Father’s study, I ran into Brother Jenuer, who was heading toward the training grounds.
“I’m taking a walk. I’ve been in my room too much lately, so I feel stiff.”
“If you’re stiff, come to the training grounds.”
“…Haha.”
I laughed awkwardly and dodged the suggestion. I liked exercising. I’d even grown to enjoy using my body.
But if I ran straight to the training grounds after claiming to be sick, it would be too obvious I had been faking it.
“Next time.”
“Really?”
Jenuer scratched his cheek sheepishly.
“Are you alright? Still sick?”
“I’m better.”
“Being sick is such a hassle.”
He said it like someone who had never been sick in his life.
Ah… is that it?
The male-lead buff often seen in novels—great stamina, never catching colds, shrugging off broken limbs, landing unharmed even after falling from the third floor.
Even though the Bailey family were only side characters, maybe they had it too. Lucky them.
“Being healthy is good.”
“I’ll make you strong. Come to the training grounds when you’re fully better.”
I took in his grinning face.
He was definitely handsome—but in a different way from classical beauties. His skin was dark from the sun, and he looked robust.
Compared to Brother Febuer, he was still shorter—but he would grow taller. After all, Father was extremely tall.
Having loved swords since childhood, Jenuer already had lean, solid muscles.
“Why do your eyes look like that?”
“…What?”
“They’re unfocused. Are you still sick?”
Ah. He caught me daydreaming.
As I stammered, he stepped closer and placed his palm against my forehead.
“Do you have a fever? You feel about the same as me.”
He pressed his other hand to his own forehead and muttered.
He was just as much of a siscon as Brother Febuer.
Well, I don’t mind. I am his little sister.
When I glanced upward, I saw Father standing at the window, looking down at us with a satisfied smile, pleased to see his son and daughter getting along.
Mission complete. I can go back now.
“Brother, I’ll head back to my room. I’ll exercise starting tomorrow.”
“Alright.”
He answered absentmindedly.
As I turned to leave, he added something that didn’t quite make sense.
“Didn’t Kainess come by?”
“Kainess visits once a month.”
“Didn’t he give you anything?”
“He didn’t give me anything…?”
“Really?”
Jenuer shrugged and waved it off.
What is that supposed to mean…?
As I turned away, he muttered under his breath, barely audible,
“Then why isn’t that brat coming to the training grounds? It’s boring without him.”
I stopped in my tracks.
“He’s not coming? Kainess?”
A boy who loved swords as much as Jenuer did?
“Maybe something happened.”
Jenuer replied casually, said, “I’m off,” and left.
Left alone, my mind filled with worries.
So why isn’t he coming?
Maybe because I brought up the broken engagement… I couldn’t shake the feeling that it might be my fault.
