Chapter 55
Mihail turned back to look at Rixion and shook his head.
“No. Not at all. Back in the Kingdom of Cesar, or even while crossing the desert, I have no memory of meeting such a woman.”
Even when he searched his memories again just in case, there was no recollection of meeting a woman with black hair and black eyes.
Mihail was convinced his younger sister was confusing dream and reality, and his expression tightened with frustration.
“What on earth did she eat wrong to suddenly act like this…?”
Rixion, who had been silently listening to Mihail’s sigh-like muttering, suddenly spoke as though he remembered something.
“Lady Christener seems to be extremely weak to alcohol. Before she lost consciousness, she had a few sips of wine and became very drunk.”
“Liz drank alcohol?”
“Yes.”
Mihail’s eyes widened with surprise.
As far as he remembered, Elizabeth had no particular interest in alcohol. She had an overabundance of interest in food, but alcohol was something she actually disliked.
Even after becoming an adult, he had never once seen her drink, which was why he was so shocked.
“That brat… she doesn’t even like alcohol. I’ve never seen her drink in my life.”
Mihail muttered as if talking to himself, then suddenly furrowed his brows with concern.
“Was she all right? She didn’t cause trouble or anything…?”
“No. She simply fell asleep right away, so there was no issue.”
Rixion chose a safe, reassuring answer to calm Mihail.
To be honest, many things had happened while she was drunk, but just like earlier, there was no need to mention any of that here.
He recalled Elizabeth—drunk on wine, barely recognizing who he was—and unconsciously smiled.
But then he remembered the words and behaviors she had shown afterward, and the power that had instantly unraveled the unstable magic tangled within him. His expression hardened.
“By any chance…”
Rixion opened his mouth reflexively—then quickly closed it.
Mihail stared at him with a look demanding to know what he was about to say, but Rixion hastily shook his head.
“No, it’s nothing.”
He stopped himself because of something Elizabeth had said right before falling asleep, when she had been completely drunk.
“But you know… about that guy… it’s a secret.”
“…That guy?”
“Who else? Obviously…”
Her answer had bothered him ever since, as if she didn’t even recognize his presence beside her.
“Rixion… Luhanes.”
He had never expected to hear his own name come out of her mouth like that.
Rixion stood frozen for a long moment, holding the sleeping Elizabeth in his arms, and repeatedly asking himself inside, Why?
“Well, in any case… she really embarrassed herself this time. I can only sigh.”
Mihail pressed his temples with his fingertips. Rixion’s quiet, steady gaze on him suddenly felt uncomfortable.
He avoided that gaze by pretending to glance back at Elizabeth and said:
“It feels strange to say this after arranging the blind date myself, but perhaps it’s better if we pretend the previous conversation never happened…”
“I.”
Rixion cut him off, his expression stiffening.
“What I said back then has not changed at all.”
At the abrupt chill in Rixion’s demeanor, Mihail raised one eyebrow.
Up until now, Rixion had followed Mihail’s decisions without resistance and had always behaved amiably.
But the moment Elizabeth was mentioned, he immediately showed opposition—making Mihail think, Huh, is that how it is?
“You said you wouldn’t oppose it too strongly, right?”
The docile, gentle look Rixion had shown earlier vanished, and his eyes returned to their natural, cold sharpness.
“Then I hope you will keep your word and continue watching over it.”
His tone was polite, but he couldn’t hide the cold air seeping through.
Mihail’s expression also showed clear displeasure.
The title “hyung-nim” (older brother) that Rixion had so naturally used these days suddenly began to irritate him.
Mihail didn’t avoid Rixion’s unwavering gaze.
Their eyes clashed, as if reading each other’s intentions, until Mihail was the first to look away.
He scratched the back of his head roughly, letting out a long sigh. The lingering discomfort from the desert sand stuck to his hair and clothes came back to him late.
According to the original plan, he should have returned to the marquisate by now—resting after a bath and leisurely celebrating the successful trade negotiations with the Kingdom of Cesar.
If only his troublesome sister hadn’t decided to pass out at someone else’s mansion instead of coming home.
I made a promise, so I can’t just break it now…
There were so many things that bothered him.
Ever since Elizabeth became involved with Rixion Luhanes, she’d been the center of endless rumors, and despite having nothing but good health going for her, she kept fainting with no clear cause.
Thinking all of it happened because she became entangled with that man left a sour feeling in his chest.
He couldn’t accuse him based on suspicion alone, so for now he was just watching silently.
With a tired, irritated expression, Mihail turned away.
He knew Rixion was deliberately using the word “promise” to press him for a clear answer—but he intentionally avoided responding.
“For now… I’ll be heading back.”
Mihail got into the carriage without even looking at Rixion.
If Rixion tried to stop him or demanded an answer again, Mihail had already decided he’d confront him about everything that had been bothering him.
But unexpectedly, Rixion stayed quiet and let Mihail go without resistance.
Even after the carriage departed, Rixion remained standing in the same spot, gaze lowered.
Mihail pulled his eyes away from the window. Then he noticed his sister sleeping soundly, leaning against the carriage wall.
Her face looked peaceful on the surface, but faint tear tracks remained near her eyes.
Good grief… this bothersome, pathetic brat…
Mihail reached out and gently rubbed away the dried tears, letting out a sigh.
“Did I expect too much from you?”
As her older brother, Mihail wanted just one thing.
For his only sister to meet someone good, start a family, and live happily. Most women of the Kaiden Empire found their happiness that way.
But today, for the first time, he realized that might not be happiness for Elizabeth Christener.
Forcing her to meet people, choosing someone for her, expecting her to marry and live peacefully with that person… perhaps that was all his selfishness.
His sister had been struggling, collapsing, sleeping for days without waking, talking nonsense, crying like a child—not because it made her happy, but because it was suffocating her.
Perhaps instead of forcing a marriage partner on her, he should help her learn to stand on her own—so she could live well even without leaning on someone.
Make her study something… but he had already tried that.
No, wait. This girl refused to learn merchant work because she was afraid she’d miswrite a single zero. And when I suggested she pick up a hobby, she said eating delicious food and loafing around was her hobby…
Mihail shook off his moment of weakness and hardened his heart.
He retraced how everything had escalated.
She hated studying. Hated going out. Hated socializing. She was terrified of helping with the trading company. Her only hobby was eating and idling around. She lived like that for 23 years.
Mihail worried for her future.
He was here now—but what if something happened to him later? How would that impulsive, clueless girl survive?
That’s why I thought… at least finding her a decent spouse would be better.
He recalled how he accidentally teamed up with the former Duke Luhanes to arrange the blind date.
Elizabeth had gone unwillingly, practically dragged there—but the fact that Rixion Luhanes even showed up was surprising.
And the blind date he assumed would fail spectacularly had… somehow continued until now.
“I’ve actually wanted to speak with you for a long time, hyung-nim.”
Rixion had approached him proactively, even using the affectionate term “hyung-nim,” making it clear he warm-heartedly welcomed the connection.
Even after a long drinking session, he didn’t lose his composure and maintained perfect manners, which Mihail appreciated.
And most importantly, when Mihail had overstepped and told him, If this is just a passing curiosity, do not approach my sister anymore, Rixion had answered with sincere seriousness.
“To speak honestly, I am fond of Lady Christener.”
He had given a clear, direct answer—fondness.
