Chapter 25
Adrian’s face flushed red, and he bit his lip hard.
Richard only looked at him with sharp, cold eyes.
Aileen, watching carefully, spoke softly to Richard.
“But Richard, Adrian is still young. It’s too much for him to handle all this…”
“Aileen,” Richard replied calmly, “ten is not that young. To adults, it seems like a child’s age, but from his perspective, it isn’t. At that age, one begins to have opinions and act on them. Yet right now, the young count only hides behind you and acts spoiled.”
Aileen was at a loss for words. She closed her mouth quietly, while Richard turned his attention back to Adrian.
“If you truly want to restore your family and protect them, then you need to step out from your sister’s shadow. You should learn to see the world clearly.”
Adrian’s small fists clenched tightly. Then, without another word, he ran out of the room.
Aileen instinctively started to follow, but stopped halfway. She hesitated, then sighed deeply.
“Haah… how did things end up like this…”
“You did well, Aileen,” Richard said calmly, sipping his tea. “He needs time alone to think.”
Aileen sat down again, watching him with a complicated look.
“You never told me you’d be one of Adrian’s teachers too.”
“As his sponsor, it’s only natural,” Richard replied.
“I appreciate it… but somehow, it makes me a little annoyed.”
Richard chuckled.
“Um… excuse me…”
Hynel, who had been awkwardly standing off to the side, slowly raised his hand.
Aileen blinked as if just realizing he was still there.
“Oh no, I’m sorry you had to see that on your first day.”
“It’s fine,” Hynel said, scratching his cheek. “But… are we still having class today?”
Aileen thought for a moment, then shook her head.
“No, I think Adrian needs some time to cool down. I’ll send you a letter with the new schedule later. You can go home for today.”
“Alright then.”
Hynel shrugged, said his goodbyes, and left the room.
Now, only Aileen and Richard were left.
“I’m worried about Adrian,” Aileen murmured.
“Still, don’t go comfort him right away,” Richard said firmly.
Aileen knew he was right — that Adrian needed discipline — but the memory of her brother’s sad face made her heart ache.
She sighed again, guilt creeping into her voice.
“Maybe I raised him wrong.”
“It’s not your fault,” Richard said gently. “Boys his age are always like that — stubborn and proud.”
“Were you like that too, Richard?”
“I was the exception,” he replied without hesitation.
Aileen let out a small laugh. “You’re impossible.”
But his words, even if teasing, made her feel a bit better.
Seeing her smile, Richard smiled too. He was just about to tell her not to worry—
Bang!
The door burst open.
“Your Grace! I realized the problem isn’t the sponsorship, it’s— oh…”
Claude stopped mid-sentence. He stared at Aileen and Richard sitting close together on the sofa.
“Uh… did I come at a bad time?”
“Bad time?” Aileen asked, tilting her head in confusion.
Richard, however, gave Claude a cold, piercing look.
Feeling that gaze, Claude stiffened.
He had only come to report something, but now it felt like he was the one in trouble.
When Claude didn’t move, Richard sighed and stood up.
“I should get back to work.”
“Oh, right! It’s already late… Please don’t mind me, go ahead,” Aileen said quickly.
Richard turned to her. When she looked up at him curiously, he said,
“I’ll see you at dinner, then.”
“Alright. See you later.”
Aileen smiled warmly as she saw him off. Richard’s expression softened for a moment before he left the room, taking Claude with him.
As they walked down the corridor, Richard spoke without looking at his aide.
“Claude.”
“Yes, Your Grace?”
“The report on the Veniche Territory is late. Submit it by the day after tomorrow.”
“But… Your Grace, you said it was due next week…”
Claude stopped when he saw Richard’s icy gaze.
“By the day after tomorrow.”
“…Yes, Your Grace.”
That day, Claude’s shoulders drooped lower than ever.
❧ ❧ ❧
Dinner that evening was quiet — only Aileen and Richard were at the table.
Adrian hadn’t come out of his room.
Because of that, Aileen could barely eat. Her mind was too full of worry for her brother.
But she remembered Richard’s advice and didn’t go to see him. If she did, everything Richard had said to Adrian would lose its meaning.
Still, as night fell, she had no choice but to go to Adrian’s room — because tonight was supposed to be their night to sleep together.
If she didn’t keep that promise, he would feel even more hurt and distant.
Aileen hesitated for a moment, then quietly opened the door.
Adrian was curled up under his blanket in the middle of the bed, completely covered, even his hair sticking out was hidden.
Aileen tiptoed closer, wondering if he was asleep.
As she reached the bed, he yanked the blanket higher, covering himself completely.
He was clearly upset.
Aileen sat quietly at the edge of the bed. She reached out a hand — then stopped.
She didn’t say anything. She just stayed there, silently by his side, waiting for his heart to calm down.
“…Why aren’t you saying anything?”
Adrian’s voice finally came, quiet and small — so unlike his usual self.
Aileen glanced at the lump under the blanket and answered softly,
“Just because.”
Silence returned.
After a long pause, Adrian’s muffled voice came again.
“Do you… also want me to do what His Grace said?”
There was hesitation in his tone — he already knew what he feared hearing.
But Aileen answered calmly and honestly,
“No.”
“…No?”
“Right. I don’t want you to do what Richard says.”
“But then…”
“I want you to do what you want, Adrian.”
Adrian stayed quiet. Aileen smiled gently, though her eyes looked a little sad.
“I only ever wanted you to be happy. That’s why I worked so hard — to pay off the debt, to restore our family, to give you everything. But maybe… that was just my selfish wish.”
“…”
“Do what you truly want. You don’t have to follow Richard’s plans… or even mine.”
If Richard had been there, he probably would’ve questioned why she said such a thing.
But Aileen needed to say it.
Adrian said nothing for a while. Then, slowly, he pushed the blanket down and sat up.
Aileen turned to face him. His hair was messy, his eyes swollen from crying — but those green eyes now shone with determination.
“I want you to be happy too, Sister.”
“Adrian…”
“I’ll do what His Grace said.”
Aileen’s eyes widened slightly.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I want to rebuild our family too.”
He nodded firmly, smiling brightly.
“I’ll restore the Walker family… and then I’ll take you back from him. I’ll make you happy myself.”
He hugged her tightly. His familiar warmth and scent surrounded her, and Adrian smiled softly.
“So I’m going to learn everything I can here — that way, I can protect you.”
“…Thank you,” Aileen whispered sincerely.
Adrian laughed quietly.
Holding him close, Aileen brushed away the small tear forming at the corner of her eye.
And in that moment, she made up her mind again —
She would find happiness, together with Adrian.
❧ ❧ ❧
“I’ll follow Your Grace’s instructions,” Adrian declared firmly the next morning.
Richard, unsurprised, nodded calmly — as if he’d been expecting this.
“You’ve made up your mind?”
“Yes.”
Adrian’s emerald eyes gleamed with determination as he looked straight at Richard.
Aileen watched proudly, though there was a trace of sadness in her smile — her little brother suddenly seemed so grown-up.
Richard, on the other hand, looked pleased and nodded approvingly.
“Good. Then we’ll start lessons next week.”
“No, I want to start right away.”
“Hm?”
Richard raised an eyebrow, surprised.
He hadn’t expected Adrian to be this eager.
Adrian’s eyes blazed with conviction.
“I’ll learn everything I can from you. Within one year, I’ll take my sister and leave here.”
So it’s for Aileen, Richard realized.
He glanced at her — she was looking at Adrian fondly, her face full of pride.
It was an impossible goal, but Richard didn’t laugh. Instead, he smiled slightly, his tone encouraging.
“It won’t be easy.”
“I won’t know until I try,” Adrian replied confidently.
Richard found himself intrigued by the boy’s determination.
Still, he couldn’t begin lessons right away — nothing was ready yet.
“I’m afraid we can’t start today. I need time to prepare first.”
Adrian’s face fell, his lips puffing into a pout.
Aileen stepped in quickly.
“Then how about we take a little break before lessons officially start? Let’s do something fun today, Adrian.”
“Really?”
His face lit up instantly — the serious young lord was gone, replaced by the cheerful boy again.
Richard couldn’t help but shake his head, half amused.
“The young count really does adore you, Aileen.”
“Of course! She’s my only family!” Adrian said proudly, giving Richard a slightly sulky glance before grabbing his sister’s hand.
“Come on, Sis! There’s so much I want to do with you!”
“Alright, alright,” Aileen said, laughing.
She looked back at Richard. He noticed and gave her a small nod — go ahead, he meant.
Aileen smiled gratefully and followed Adrian out.
As they walked down the hallway, Adrian chattered nonstop.
“Sis, what should we do first?”
“Anything you want, Adrian.”
“Really? Then maybe…”
He was listing possibilities excitedly when suddenly, he froze mid-step.
Aileen looked at him curiously — then turned at the sound of a voice.
“Duchess.”
“…Marquis Frederick.”
Leaning casually against the corridor wall stood Harry, watching her intently.
