Chapter 42
Looking at the child behind him who was crying for him, Kyle was quite surprised.
Her crying and sniffling while saying she was annoyed and frustrated felt very confusing.
His mother had scolded him today for being rude, but he didn’t feel very wronged.
It was reasonable discipline, and since they were in front of the people from Count Brante’s family, the scolding was not very harsh.
So while he was crouching on the cliff wall, not a single tear fell.
But why was this child crying so sadly, as if something tragic had happened to her?
Nothing felt wrong until a while ago, but something inside his chest felt like it was overflowing.
Was this sorrow?
When the sadness he had not even realized reached his heart, Kyle talked about the things Riez had wondered about before.
It was about the glass greenhouse and birthdays. He thought she would get angry again, but suddenly Riez became quiet.
It seemed she closed her mouth tightly so she wouldn’t be heard crying.
He could feel her small, rough breathing through his back.
And the hot liquid that soaked the back of his neck—maybe she thought it was rainwater.
He didn’t know why she was trying not to be noticed now after crying like a child before, but somehow… he felt happy.
Having someone cry for him instead was unbearably happy.
Kyle thought quietly about a question that had been in his mind for a long time.
He was curious why this child liked him so much.
It was also the third question that Simon had asked him on the small boat.
“Does a person need a reason to feel good about another person? I just like you! I’ve said it many times.”
It should have been a satisfying answer, but when he thought about it quietly, it somehow felt unpleasant.
She said she liked him, but sometimes her behavior and reactions toward Darius were not normal.
When he asked about her behavior toward Darius, Riez firmly denied it.
For now, he decided to believe her. Instead, they set a wish reward for the 100-win bet.
He didn’t know what exact wish would be used, but it might be useful later.
‘Telling her to cut ties with that bastard Darius forever shouldn’t be too unreasonable.’
He thought like that.
There was no doubt in his mind that he would be the one to reach 100 wins first.
When the rain clouds cleared, cool, clean air circled the path where they were walking.
Soon, a knight searching the forest found them and ran over.
After Returning to the Mountain Lodge
“On the way to the lodge, I saw a deer. It was the first time I saw such a big wild animal, so I unknowingly followed it.”
Kyle confessed in front of his father, brother, Darius, the Duchess, knights, and servants who were all watching.
“When I lost the deer, I realized I was lost in the forest. I am sorry.”
The lie he prepared since sneaking out was very smooth.
Sitting beside him, he dried his face with a towel to hide his awkward expression.
“A deer?”
“…Yes.”
“You weren’t hurt?”
“…No.”
When Darius asked while checking him, Kyle avoided his gaze and answered.
Darius’s hair and clothes were soaked as if he had walked in the rain. His father and brother looked like drowned mice too.
“That’s ridiculous.”
The only person in the lodge who was completely dry was the Duchess, who muttered coldly.
The short sentence carried something closer to disappointment than anger.
Perhaps because I heard many stories about Kyle, the Duchess’s cold expression made me feel more hostile.
‘It’s not like she was really worried anyway.’
But unlike me, Kyle flinched at his mother’s cold tone and hurriedly bowed.
“I am very sorry for causing trouble to the Brante family.”
“It’s fine. It’s good that you are safe.”
My father forced a smile and rubbed Kyle’s wet hair with the towel.
‘Kyle, you’re still not going to tell them about the allergy?’
I frowned and signaled with my eyes.
Kyle shook his head slightly.
It meant he would keep hiding it for his mother who showed no concern even if he disappeared and returned.
Even after he had complained about feeling hurt earlier.
Well, maybe a lifetime of longing wouldn’t disappear in a moment.
I felt frustrated, but there was nothing I could do.
Kyle asked me to keep it secret, so I had no right to reveal it. And he also kept my secret.
“Hey, Riez.”
My brother asked with sharp, intimidating eyes.
“I told you to wait in your room. Why did you go out?”
It was my turn to be questioned.
Unlike Kyle, I didn’t have a well-prepared lie.
I couldn’t say directly that I ran out because I was so worried Kyle might have been caught by bad people.
“…I was worried Kyle might be captured by bad people.”
So this weak excuse was born.
My brother laughed helplessly.
“Do you think that makes sense? Even if it were true, what could you do by yourself? Could you defeat those bad people?”
“Yes, Riez. That was reckless. This is really upsetting.”
My father, with teary eyes, gently touched my injured area and scolded me.
“If you waited in your room, we would have found Kyle eventually. Didn’t you trust us?”
I shook my head at my brother’s question.
Milly and the servants watching from a little distance also sent sorrowful looks.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think it through.”
Since it was my mistake, I apologized politely.
Even if I had reasons, the people who worried must have felt their hearts freeze with anxiety. I knew that feeling.
Kyle and I were scolded for a long time until our ears hurt.
After long reflection, we bathed and treated our wounds.
The palm and knees had abrasions, and the right ankle was sprained.
Originally, we planned to play in the fir forest and return the same day, but because of the disappearance incident of Kyle and me, we had to stay one night at the mountain lodge.
That evening, Darius quietly visited my room.
He suddenly knelt on one knee in front of me while I was leaning on the sofa near the fireplace.
“Darius…!”
Startled, I lifted my upper body, and he grabbed my hand.
“I heard that you also disappeared, Miss Riez. But it seems you were already punished enough and reflected, so we will stop talking about that.”
He paused his gentle voice and looked straight at me.
“Thank you for finding and saving Kyle.”
“…!”
No one had thanked me. Not even Kyle.
I almost cried from sudden emotion.
“It’s nothing. It was just my panic. And Kyle saved me because I hurt my ankle too….”
“Miss Riez was the one who found Kyle first. Before anyone else.”
Darius shook his head firmly and interrupted me.
“So please accept my gratitude. Thank you.”
I finally nodded under his stubborn, serious words.
“You’re welcome.”
Darius smiled brightly like a flame inside a fireplace.
“I always say thank you to Miss Riez. I feel like I must repay this kindness for the rest of my life.”
Saying it was a lifelong debt of gratitude was a little too much.
“…Darius oppa really cares a lot about Kyle.”
Darius’s smile faded after hearing my words.
“I wish this feeling could reach Kyle too, but it seems impossible.”
“Why don’t you just tell him?”
At my suggestion, Darius opened his eyes wide.
“You’re writing letters to Kyle, right?”
Darius sighed, “Ah.”
“Simon told you?”
“Hm. I didn’t hear it from you, but I happened to hear it.”
I quickly added in case my brother got blamed, but Darius didn’t seem to care.
“Yes. I’m writing letters little by little. They are nothing more than poor confession letters.”
“Even such humble letters will convey your sincerity to Kyle.”
I tightened my grip on his hand.
“Don’t put so much strength on your injured hand, Riez. When you feel ready and the time comes, I will send them.”
“Please do.”
“Yes, I will.”
Then Darius let go of my hand and stood up.
“Then rest now, Miss Riez.”
I waved my hand toward him as he closed the door.
As far as I know, those letters were never delivered to Kyle because the original novel never mentioned them.
A bitter feeling rested in one corner of my chest.
Even after Darius left, warmth remained in my hand for a long time.
