NOTE: I will no longer use the excessive babytalk since I’m having the hard time translating it.
“Ah, this is…”
Just as Baron Cosmo was about to explain, Benio cut him off.
“It’s time for you to leave, teacher.”
His voice was sharp, laced with irritation, and the atmosphere immediately tensed.
Even Flora, sensing the change, widened her eyes but Benio’s cold expression didn’t waver.
“Oh, is it that late already? My apologies, young lady. I must return before dinner. I look forward to our next meeting.”
Baron Cosmo gave a polite bow and quickly took his leave. Only then did Benio’s expression relax—even if only slightly. His sharply raised brows lowered by maybe five degrees.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came ‘cause I wanted to have dinner with you, oppa.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t feel like having dinner today.”
Flora’s face fell in shock, and she grabbed onto his sleeve.
“B-but that means I gotta eat alone? I already had lunch alone…”
“What about Father?”
“Daddy said he can’t come until he finishes work. He’s really busy. That’s what Uncle Isaac said.”
Her voice was filled with disappointment. Benio sighed quietly but despite looking conflicted, he didn’t seem willing to change his mind.
“If you’re going to be a Lucifer, you’ll need to handle eating alone without complaint.”
“But still…”
“No whining, either.”
His relentless stream of cold advice made Flora’s cheeks puff out like buns. Still, Benio just gave her a cool glance and walked past her with a dismissive, “You should go back to your room.”
“So mean…”
At her murmur, Dafina hurried to pick her up.
“Don’t cry, my lady.”
“I’m not crying.”
“Oh, you really aren’t? Oh my, how strong you are.”
She must’ve assumed Flora would cry because most children would.
Flora wiped the watery edge from her voice and narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.
So he really doesn’t want anything to do with me, huh?
“So mean…”
“I’ll ask the chef to make you something delicious. Cheer up.”
“Okay…”
Flora buried her head against Dafina’s shoulder, feigning gloom.
What’s so hard about eating together as a family?
Spite started bubbling up.
Fine. If that’s how he wants to be… I’ve got other ways.
***
Meanwhile…
“You’re still training today as well?”
Benio turned to the familiar, gentle voice beside him.
“…Jamilla?”
“Yes, young master. It’s been days since you returned from your mission, yet you haven’t even shown your face to me.”
Though he didn’t show it, Jamilla could see the subtle flicker of warmth in Benio’s gaze as she approached and handed him a towel.
“I’ve just been busy training. Don’t take it personally.”
“You’ve been working harder than usual. Or is this old woman just imagining things?”
“…Even daily training isn’t enough.”
“Does it have anything to do with the little flower who arrived at the manor a few days ago?”
Her words hit the mark, and Benio looked away, pretending to wipe sweat from his face.
Ever since Flora’s sudden arrival, he had deliberately avoided her whenever Jamilla mentioned the child needed attention.
“I was truly shocked. His Grace has gone searching for her so many times before, but he never returned with her. Honestly, I didn’t think this time would be any different.”
Benio couldn’t help but agree.
After being handed Nerisha’s will late, he had scoured the lands, gathering information and chasing every possible lead about the daughter he had never met.
Despite all his efforts over the years, nothing ever came of it. So naturally, he expected this time to be the same.
But this time was different.
Benio recalled the sister he’d seen the night before. He hadn’t noticed it in the dark, but in the light of day, she was a child who smiled so sweetly it was almost disarming.
“…She looks like Mother.”
“She does, doesn’t she?”
A quiet moment passed between them.
Flora reminded him so much of their mother, Nerisha—a warm and cheerful woman who had poured love into him without hesitation.
Her sudden death in a distant land had devastated him but Benio hadn’t been allowed to grieve for long.
As the heir to House Lucifer, he bore the weight of their legacy and the duties that came with it.
The retainers told him he had to become a proper Lucifer to honor her, and through harsh training, Benio gained strength far beyond other boys his age.
In a way, it had been a blessing.
Using House Lucifer’s mission as an excuse, he’d managed to suppress the memories and grief tied to his mother.
That was why someone like Flora—who brought those memories back—was unwelcome.
The fact that someone so much like their mother would have to live the same harsh Lucifer life he did… it unsettled him.
“She grew up in an orphanage, right?”
“Yes. A small village orphanage in the distant Herrmanus territory, I believe.”
“Then she must crave familial affection. As you know, neither Father nor I are particularly warm. She’ll have trouble adjusting. Take care of her, Jamilla.”
The way he distanced himself so deliberately made Jamilla frown.
“Wouldn’t it be better if you were the one to care for her?”
“What little sister would be happy with a scary older brother who pulled a sword on her the first time they met?”
“She understands. She was startled, but she knows you had your reasons.”
Despite her reassurance, Benio only shook his head and said flatly, “More than anything… I’m a Lucifer.”
“So is she.”
“She doesn’t know anything. She grew up outside. Why would she be happy to see me, a Lucifer raised inside these walls?”
He spoke as if Flora was avoiding him but in truth, it was Benio who was keeping his distance.
Even though he knew it, he convinced himself it was the right thing to do.
“It’s better if we don’t see each other. For her, and for me.”
Startled by his own honesty, Benio quickly shoved the damp towel into Jamilla’s hands.
“I need to continue training. You should go back inside, Jamilla. You’ll catch a cold out here.”
Despite the kind words, the way he turned away was cold and final.
Jamilla looked at him with a pained expression.
Already stoic by nature, Benio had grown even more emotionally withdrawn after losing the mother who’d loved him so fiercely at a young age.
I thought having the young lady here might finally soften him a little…
Yet it seemed the grief and longing had a tighter grip on him than any fond memory.
I hope things work out… It’s a joyful, yet difficult reunion.
Watching him swing his sword with all his might again, Jamilla could only hold her cheeks and sigh.
***
Inside a quiet carriage heading to town…
Benio was deeply uncomfortable. Very much so.
I have so much to do. What am I even doing right now?
He glanced across the carriage at Flora—the cause of all this. She, of course, looked perfectly cheerful, completely unaware of his mood. Sitting opposite him, the little girl with her flower-like pink hair beamed every time their eyes met.
Her smile suited her so well, and yet… it made his stomach twist. Not just because she reminded him of their mother, but because her pure, innocent light only emphasized how different he was.
Have I ever smiled like that?
He couldn’t recall a single moment.
Is it because she grew up outside House Lucifer?
Flora, who knew nothing of their legacy or burdens, was completely untainted.
So unlike himself.
What is Father even thinking?
To understand, he had to go back to a week ago.
That morning, Atanas had suddenly come to him and asked that he take Flora into town in his place—he was too busy, he said.
Benio had refused, citing his own full schedule. Yet today, the seventh day, Atanas had looked him straight in the eye and said, “If she’s going to adapt, it would help to have her big brother nearby, don’t you think?”
Benio didn’t like it but how could he argue?
If anything, Flora needed to be taught how to live as a Lucifer, and fast.
Did Jamilla tell him something?
Benio didn’t know Flora had been crying to their father all week, begging to get closer to her brother.
In the end, he couldn’t refuse.
That’s how their outing as siblings was arranged.
