CHAPTER 16………………………………………….
I frowned slightly at the invitation that vanished from my hand in an instant and stared blankly at Barak, who had snatched it away.
Barak’s expression became increasingly menacing as he read the invitation.
Judging by that, I could already guess the content without reading it myself.
“It seems it’s asking me to visit the royal palace.”
“Why on earth would you go into the royal palace?!”
“Because I’m a court lady. I’m here acting as Miss April’s substitute, and the lady herself is His Highness’s…”
“That’s not what I mean!”
Barak ripped the invitation and threw it toward me, and I took a sharp breath.
“I mean, why did you send a letter to the crown prince first?!”
Barak’s sunset-colored eyes trembled with unease.
I knew exactly where that unease was coming from.
Just as I had taken away his place under the pretext of seeking April’s position, he now seemed afraid that I might take hers.
Even if the dukedom couldn’t take away the court lady’s position, the crown prince Perfone was a different matter.
It was well-known within the dukedom that April liked Perfone.
“Then should I not go to the palace?”
I lightly flicked the torn paper off my plate with a fork and replied.
“If you, brother, wish for me not to go to the palace, then I won’t.”
The dukedom would always prioritize April’s safety and wishes above all else.
And if they had to choose between me and April, of course, they’d side with their blood relative.
But Perfone was not like that.
“Then is that settled?”
Perfone had no reason to choose April.
The person who had bonded with him, the one who had saved his life once, was not the real April, but…
“What should I do?”
It was me, the substitute.
I could already predict what choice Barak would make.
“You calling me that?”
“…”
“Don’t even think about going.”
I smiled faintly and nodded at his words, thrown without the slightest hesitation.
Yes, that’s the way to say it.
Barak Hill Rise had lived his entire life without caring what others thought. He wouldn’t know the whispers of the empire’s people or the nobles.
He was someone who always lived proudly, ignoring anyone else’s gaze.
“Fine. Then let’s do that. I don’t mind either way.”
And Barak would have to deal with any consequences that came from me not going.
Even the rumors that would spread in society.
He wanted to do anything for his younger sister, but he seemed completely unaware of what April actually wanted.
It was almost natural for someone who had never considered others’ feelings.
“There’s no need for that.”
The duke unexpectedly intervened in the conversation, and Barak’s shoulders shook.
He had been eating silently as if he couldn’t hear, but apparently he wasn’t deaf.
Seeing the duke intervene, he seemed to realize he couldn’t just pretend not to know.
“No need?”
Rian asked cautiously, and the duke wiped his mouth and answered.
“Exactly as I said. There’s no reason for you to act according to Barak’s wishes.”
“Father, why do you keep protecting that girl?”
Barak’s voice rose in frustration at the duke, who spoke in complete opposition to his own opinion.
Perhaps thinking Barak would resist anyway, the duke didn’t pay him much attention and turned his gaze to me.
“Do as you wish. Since you’ve received the invitation, it would be odd not to go.”
“Yes, Father.”
“And Barak, you should know that you have no right to interfere with her actions.”
“Why are you doing this!”
Barak’s face looked like a two-eyed man lost in a one-eyed world.
“Father, don’t you care about hurting April?”
Rian paused at that peculiar choice of words, tilting her head slightly to the side.
“I won’t hear any more.”
Duke Alexis rose from his seat, seemingly unwilling to continue this repetitive conversation.
Barak tried to follow him, but Rian stopped him.
“Stop it, Barak.”
“Brother.”
“Do you really think Father will keep indulging your stubbornness?”
“Stubbornness? Brother, April is…!”
Barak’s face looked almost like he wanted to cry.
“She’s your sister!”
His long fingers reached toward me.
“Not that girl.”
Well, true enough.
I shrugged lightly at the finger pointing at me. It was probably a childish notion—how could he side with a stranger over his own sister?
Barak closed his eyes tightly, then tried to stay calm and asked Rian clearly,
“When did you know that this girl would come home?”
“…”
“Father and brother are the same.”
Judging by Barak’s red-veined, glaring eyes, it was already impossible to persuade or reason with him.
And now that April had a carriage to travel in, he probably saw no reason for me to be here.
“How can people deceive like this?”
“This isn’t even a situation that deserves the word ‘deception,’ Barak.”
“How is this not deception! April is staying in the villa, unable to walk properly!”
“…”
“You and Father brought this girl here without April knowing, saying you’d treat her as a court lady!”
He spoke all this, forgetting that the servants were watching, and I stood up.
“Barak, deception is—”
Rian, who usually seemed unsure, spoke in a firm tone.
“Calling Irina back here is what you would call deception.”
It was something I didn’t expect him to say. Her words gripped him firmly, and when I turned, Rian was still looking at Barak.
“My lord.”
Patrick hurriedly held Rian back. His words would only provoke the already excited Barak.
“What do you mean?”
My lips trembled as I forced a smile.
Seeing brothers about to come to blows wasn’t so bad, so I added a word from the side.
“I never thought I’d find myself agreeing with Brother Rian for the first time.”
“Who says you can call me ‘brother’!”
“Didn’t you hear the duke? While in the dukedom, I’ll be treated as a court lady. So…”
Clang!
A small spark brushed my cheek, hitting a framed picture behind me.
I glanced back at the sound of shattering glass.
“Barak! What are you doing?!”
Rian shouted, but Barak didn’t seem to hear.
Still the same temper. No wonder they call him the dukedom’s mad sculpin.
“Call her again.”
“I didn’t know you wanted to hear that so badly, Brother Barak.”
“You…!”
“Whether you like it or not, you must follow what Father and I discussed.”
Mentioning Duke Alexis meant he couldn’t blatantly antagonize me.
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
Here he was, kneeling and begging me to save April before, and now he was acting so arrogantly and boldly—it was laughable.
I was curious to see what face he’d make if he realized I was the one who had helped his sister.
I wanted to tell him, but I had to hold back for what would happen later.
“Judging by how you run the moment someone calls, even a street dog would be better than you.”
Well.
Whether I was a street dog who ran when called, or a wild dog charging to attack, I’d have to wait and see.
Though my words were openly dismissive, I had expected this level of insult, so I remained calm.
“Don’t worry. In a year, even if you try to stop me, I’ll leave anyway.”
I had zero desire to stick around this dog-like dukedom.
Barak, who had been glaring at me, took a step closer.
He looked like he intended to threaten, and Patrick tried to stop him while Rian tried to hide me behind her—but Barak was faster.
As he closed the distance, I looked up at him without stepping back.
A twisted smile appeared on his otherwise threatening face, as if he wanted to tear me apart right then.
He leaned slightly and whispered into my ear,
“You won’t last even a year here.”
His tone was brimming with confidence.
