Chapter 34
Riersha was more suspicious by nature than he had thought.
It was probably a trait forged from spending so many years alone.
So, instead of waiting for Riersha, he should have been the one to approach her first.
He needed to reassure her, make her feel that she was loved.
Fernor, too, found it difficult to deal with the child he was meeting after four years and couldn’t easily find a way.
He was just being cautious, afraid that if he acted hastily, he might startle her and she would pull away.
But in the meantime, Riersha was drifting away.
“Riersha, am I difficult?”
Riersha, who had been staring intently at Fernor, shook her head.
“N-No.”
“You’re quite good at telling white lies.”
“It’s really not true…?”
She was sincere.
It had been difficult at first, but not anymore.
Because she had come to know Fernor’s true feelings.
To be honest, it was still a bit difficult even now, but it wasn’t bad.
Because she felt sure.
Sure that even if she approached Fernor, she wouldn’t be rejected.
So it didn’t matter.
“It’s not difficult at all.”
Riersha smiled brightly, her face pale.
“Because I know what Daddy’s heart is like now.”
Riersha explained, diligently moving her mouth.
“I see.”
The two stopped talking but continued to stroll through the garden for a while.
Holding each other’s hands tightly.
Riersha didn’t feel her legs hurting no matter how much they walked.
She just really loved this time.
‘I wish I could be this happy forever.’
Riersha made a small wish.
She woke up early in the morning.
Today was the Crown Prince’s birthday.
There was to be a party at the imperial palace, and the night market in the capital would run past midnight.
Riersha gazed out the dim window.
“Brother Rishedion!”
Then, remembering that Rishedion was entering the palace early this morning, she got out of bed.
She flung open her bedroom door in her pajamas, startling a maid who was passing through the hallway.
It was far too early for the child to be awake.
“You’re already awake, Miss Riersha?”
“Yeth. Where’s Brother Rishedion?”
“Ah, the young master is currently preparing to enter the palace.”
“Can I go in?”
“…Well, it might be alright, but shouldn’t you sleep a bit more?”
“I’m okay.”
Riersha knocked on the next room.
A moment later, Rishedion’s voice was heard.
“Come in, Riersha.”
As soon as permission was given, Riersha opened the door and entered.
Rishedion, who had apparently woken up some time ago, was almost finished getting ready.
Dressed in a neat black uniform with silver embroidery, Rishedion was so strikingly handsome that anyone would turn to look.
He would undoubtedly be the most noticeable person at the party as well.
But Riersha made a sullen face.
“Brother, are you going without eating breakfast?”
“Yes. It seems that way.”
“But you didn’t eat yesterday either!”
Riersha stared stubbornly at Rishedion.
And for good reason; just yesterday, Rishedion hadn’t shown up for dinner.
“Um, shall I help you get ready as well, Miss Riersha?”
The maid, who was finishing up her tasks, asked cautiously.
Rishedion nodded, indicating she should do so.
Since she had woken up so early, Riersha might fall back asleep soon anyway.
“Yes, then I’ll help you get ready. Miss Riersha, this way please.”
“Okay.”
While obediently getting ready, Riersha kept looking at Rishedion beside her.
Rishedion, who understood what she was worried about, smiled faintly.
“There’s still about two hours before I have to go, so relax, Riersha.”
“…Really?”
“Of course.”
She sat down on the sofa behind the mirror, indicating she would watch him get ready.
Relieved, Riersha sat quietly.
A short while later, Riersha was all dressed up.
With her pink hair half-tied up and wearing a full dress that reached her knees, Riersha looked utterly adorable.
With every step, the widely spread hem of her dress fluttered cutely.
The ribbons attached here and there especially added to the charming atmosphere.
Since a young child couldn’t wear heavy accessories on her dress, they had used ribbons as accents.
Riersha twirled in front of the mirror.
“Brother. How do I look?”
“You look pretty, Riersha.”
Riersha quickly climbed onto the sofa and sat down.
Seeing this, Rishedion’s expression darkened slightly.
He realized why the child had woken up so early.
“Are you worried that I might say I’ll stay at the imperial palace?”
When Rishedion asked, Riersha flinched, as he had hit the mark.
“…Yeth, I’m worried.”
After hesitating for a moment, Riersha answered obediently.
“I want to go home with you.”
Last evening.
Riersha hadn’t been able to focus throughout the entire meal.
“Huh? Rishedion isn’t here yet. Fernor, go call him.”
“No. That’s not necessary.”
To be honest, she had felt very hurt in that moment.
‘Not necessary’?
What on earth was Fernor thinking?
“I see.”
Hearing Riersha’s true feelings, Rishedion couldn’t say anything.
Truth be told, whenever Riersha showed him affection, Rishedion found it hard to bear.
How was this possible?
Even if they were family, they hadn’t known each other for long.
And yet…
Riersha was showing unconditional affection.
She was sadder about his leaving than anyone else.
Enough to make him wish, for a moment, to forget all reality and pretend not to know anything and just stay with the family.
‘No, I can’t do that.’
But Rishedion quickly steeled his resolve.
The disordered state of the Arachne family could finally be set right now.
There, Rishedion would only be a hindrance.
If the day came when Fernor took issue with the collateral branches allied with the imperial family, they would surely use Rishedion as a stumbling block.
“Then, we’ll be taking our leave now.”
The maids, having finished Riersha’s preparations and tidying up, left the room.
Rishedion looked down at Riersha, who was covered in sleepiness.
“Haaam.”
Finally, Riersha let out a small yawn.
Even so, she shook her head vigorously to stay awake.
“It looks like you should go to your room and sleep, Riersha.”
“…I’m not sleepy. I have to see you off properly, Brother.”
Riersha puffed out her chubby cheeks, insisting it wasn’t possible.
‘This is troublesome.’
Children can be surprisingly perceptive about unexpected things.
It seemed Riersha had sensed that she couldn’t go back with him today.
“Ten days.”
The ten days the Empress had permitted.
Today was the last of those days.
Rishedion gazed quietly at Riersha, who was nodding off.
“Riersha, you’ll fall asleep at the banquet like this.”
“I don’t want that to happen…”
“I’ll wake you when it’s time to go, so you should get some sleep.”
“…Really?”
Riersha asked, conflicted.
Rishedion stifled a laugh.
“Yes. I’ll definitely wake you.”
“Promise?”
Riersha asked again, holding out her pinky finger.
“Then promise.”
“……”
“Hurry up.”
Riersha urged him.
Looking at the pinky finger extended before him, Rishedion closed his mouth.
He couldn’t readily say he would promise.
Because…
“No more picky eating, you’re the older brother now.”
“But it tastes so bad…”
“Whose hand was it that just promised Mother, hmm?”
“…It was mine.”
“You have to keep your promises, Rishedion.”
“Hurry up!”
Jolted back to reality by the force pulling on his arm, Rishedion saw that Riersha had somehow entwined her finger with his.
What was the big deal about this?
Yet, Rishedion found himself unable to move.
“…Alright. I promise.”
There was a brief commotion in the Marcel Ducal household when it was discovered the child’s bed was empty.
Belatedly realizing the fuss outside, Rishedion informed them that Riersha was in his room.
Oblivious to the stir she had caused, Riersha was sleeping soundly on the sofa, breathing softly.
“How long has she been sleeping here?”
“A little less than an hour.”
“I see. Is that all?”
Fernor stared at Rishedion as he asked.
“Seeing as she came here to sleep instead of her own room, it doesn’t seem like that’s all.”
“She asked me to wake her.”
“And?”
At the implicit question of why he hadn’t woken her, Rishedion was speechless.
The reason he couldn’t wake Riersha was…
Because he couldn’t keep his promise.
Fernor, who had picked up Riersha to carry her without waking her, clicked his tongue.
“I was mistaken.”
“What do you mean?”
Fernor, who was carrying Riersha out, stopped and looked back.
Rishedion was holding the sword bestowed by the Crown Prince.
Staring at it, Fernor spoke.
“If you can’t discard that sword, I will help you, Rishedion.”
