Lily cried in her brother’s arms for a long time.
Watching them, I also felt tears sting my eyes, but…
‘How long is he going to keep wearing that damn mask?’
They’d just cleared up their misunderstandings and reconciled, but that mask still felt like a wall between them.
I waited until their sniffles had settled, then casually spoke to Chade.
“Um… Young Duke, as you can see, Lady Lily’s illness isn’t contagious. So you can take off the mask now. Honestly, it might be emotionally harmful to keep it on.”
Of course, by “emotionally harmful,” I also meant for my mood.
“…”
Chade didn’t answer. He just looked at me.
Lily had also stopped crying and was now glancing between the two of us.
“…Do I really have to take it off?”
“Are you really going to keep wearing that stuffy thing? You know it doesn’t mean anything anymore, right?”
“It’s not that…”
He sighed, clearly unsure.
What was the problem? Wait—maybe he couldn’t take it off by himself?
Noble clothes are sometimes so elaborate that they need help to be removed…
Ugh, nobles. So high-maintenance.
I stepped forward willingly to help and reached toward his head—he was just a little taller than me.
Tap.
He quickly grabbed my wrist with his right hand. I froze, thinking maybe I had gone too far.
‘Did I overstep? Just because he’s young, I shouldn’t have touched him without asking.’
He was still a high-ranking noble, after all. I should’ve asked first.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to overstep.”
I apologized quickly, startled. He shook his head with a sigh.
“It’s alright. I’ll do it.”
Then, turning his back to us, he quietly took off the mask and turned back around.
And…
To my shock, his face looked very familiar.
My jaw dropped.
“…Nice to see you again, my lady. We’ve met before, haven’t we?”
He smiled awkwardly.
His smile was stunning—enough to leave me speechless.
But more than that, I was stunned.
‘No way…’
He had worn a half-mask that showed his chin—how did I not realize until now?
There was no doubt.
He was the man in the black robe—the one I accused of being a thief not long ago.
‘Then that must mean…’
My eyes darted to the knight standing nearby, quietly observing.
He noticed and gave me a sheepish smile—then slowly removed his mask.
It was Pon.
‘Right… they were together that day too…’
Realizing that, a dry laugh escaped my lips.
I’d been so focused on Lily’s treatment that I’d ignored the familiar feeling I’d gotten from the young duke.
And now that I finally recognized him, cold sweat started trickling down my back.
‘Oh no… I called the young duke a thief. I even shouted at him and took his money. Am I going to be okay? No wonder his coin pouch was so full…’
My mind was in complete chaos.
I had never expected to run into the mysterious “dark figure” like this.
“Adelia? Are you okay?”
Lily called out to me, but I couldn’t answer.
I just stood there, biting my lip.
***
“Looks like Lily’s fallen asleep.”
“…Yes, she has.”
After the puppet show, once Lily was sure her brother was on her side, she didn’t want to leave his side.
She also insisted I stay close, which made it all the more exhausting.
Finally, when night came and she started dozing off, she lay down with her head on Chade’s lap and fell asleep.
When Aileen came over to check, Chade just waved her off gently.
Yawn…
The tension left my body, and I let out a tired yawn.
‘I’m really exhausted…’
At least in a hospital, I’d get off work.
But being with a ten-year-old 24/7 was pushing me to my limit.
I wanted nothing more than to flop down and rest.
But with Chade refusing to leave Lily’s side, I had to stay like I was on night duty too.
He gently stroked Lily’s hair and held her hand—as if trying to make up for all the time they’d lost.
To break the silence, I gave a light cough and brought up the topic I’d been avoiding.
“Um… about that time. I’m really sorry. I really thought you were a thief.”
Chade chuckled quietly. For the first time, he actually seemed like a 17-year-old boy.
“It’s alright. I was surprised, but… looking back, I could tell how desperate you were.”
Though he said not to worry, I felt even guiltier. I bit my lip and apologized again.
“I’m really, really sorry.”
No excuse could make it better. Just thinking about it made me want to disappear into a hole.
“Did you ever find your money?”
“No…”
“There are a lot of pickpockets in the capital, especially targeting nobles. Dresses have many layers, so it’s hard to notice if someone sneaks a hand in.”
“…”
He was right.
That had been my first real trip into the capital, and I’d been so busy admiring…
It wouldn’t have been hard for someone to steal my pouch in that moment.
“In any case, I’m glad the money I gave you helped. I feel like I owe you quite a bit now.”
His tone was more polite now, and he gave me a small smile.
Thankfully, instead of being angry that I’d accused him, he seemed more thankful that I’d helped Lily.
I gave him an awkward smile back—then suddenly remembered something.
“But… why did you give me that money back then?”
Honestly, the amount he gave me was way more than I had lost, which made me suspicious.
It made me half-suspect he wasn’t a thief at all.
If he wasn’t, then why give me such a large sum?
Chade blinked in surprise, then answered.
“You treated Pon, didn’t you?”
“Pon?”
“Yes. He’s like a brother to me. We grew up together.”
He smiled gently at the mention.
Still, 3,000 dollars was a lot of money.
My dad worked a whole month for less than that.
But the money was long gone, so I didn’t say more. I did have one more question, though.
“Then… how did you get hurt back then?”
“…It was part of a secret mission for the duke’s household. We were ambushed while sneaking into a location. I think I accidentally pushed you while trying to support Pon.”
“Ah…”
“I was so focused on the situation, I forgot to apologize. I’m truly sorry.”
He bowed his head to me politely. I quickly waved my hands.
“Oh, no, I understand! You were worried about your friend’s condition, after all…”
Chade smiled brightly, clearly relieved.
It was a genuine smile—not as a young duke, but just as Lily’s brother.
He looked much lighter now, but…
‘Can we really leave things like this?’
Lily and Chade may have made peace, but there were still unresolved problems around them.
If they weren’t dealt with, the siblings could be in danger again.
‘Especially Mabel.’
The head maid, who had gone too far with Lily, still made me uneasy.
I looked down at Lily, sleeping peacefully with her head on Chade’s lap, and made up my mind.
“Young Duke.”
“Yes? What is it, my lady?”
“Would you have some time to talk tomorrow?”
Yes.. Mabel still has to be dealt with