Episode 06
A New Breeze in the Ducal Household
“Good day, Your Highness.”
The title “Your Highness” still felt unfamiliar.
So… instead of that, couldn’t you call me “Teacher”? Please?
I wanted to say it out loud, but we weren’t close enough yet. It would be better to wait.
“Good morning, Toma.”
At my greeting, Toma bowed his head politely and extended his hand.
For a moment, I was reminded of Baridas. The resemblance between the two was striking.
When I took his hand, Toma pressed his lips lightly against the back of it.
It was cute—but at the same time, it felt strange, like a child imitating an adult.
His gaze shifted toward the table where we sat, and noticing it, Green quietly stood up.
“Hyung, sit. I’ll go.”
Before anyone could stop him, he darted off like an arrow.
Watching him leave, Lemon suddenly jumped to her feet as well.
“Princess, our dog ran away, so I’ll be going too!”
…Are they still playing princess?
Ren covered her mouth, stifling laughter, while Lemon chased after Green.
And just like that, two seats were left empty at the tea table.
Just as I was about to invite Thomas to sit—
Jasmine tugged hard at his clothes.
“Prince.”
There was no mistaking it—she wanted him to play the role.
When he didn’t move, Jasmine tapped the chair Lemon had been sitting in.
A silent command.
Still, he hesitated.
Then—
She stood up, pulled out the chair herself, and declared loudly,
“Oppa, prince!”
I’d once heard that in families with large age gaps, the youngest held the most power.
It seemed that was true.
Toma, who had looked like an immovable fortress, was now quietly seated beside Jasmine, pouring her tea.
Soon, Jasmine began her tea party with a teddy bear brought by a maid.
Meanwhile, Ren and Thomas fell into conversation.
It was something about history—topics I didn’t recognize—but even so, I found myself listening with interest.
Still… their discussion felt far too mature for children their age.
Are they growing up too fast…?
As Ren and Toma continued their lively debate, Jasmine—who had been dozing off in her chair—suddenly tilted sideways.
Startled, I jumped to my feet.
But I was too far to catch her.
Thankfully, Ren reacted first, pulling Jasmine into her arms.
We both let out a breath of relief.
“I’ll take her back.”
Ren stood, holding Jasmine’s hand as the drowsy girl stumbled along.
Worried, I rose to follow—but a maid arrived and gently picked Jasmine up.
Reassured, I sat back down.
Now, only Toma and I remained at the table.
Perhaps because he was the second child—
Aside from his appearance, he resembled Baridas the most.
“Your Highness.”
His sudden call caught me off guard.
Tilting my head, I looked at him.
He was staring at me with those same crimson eyes.
And in that moment—
I understood.
The emotion in them was unmistakable.
Hostility.
…But why?
As I looked at him, confused, his expression tightened. His fists clenched.
After a brief pause, he bit his lip before speaking.
“Why… are you approaching my siblings?”
His unexpected question left me speechless.
And then—
I realized.
The unease I had been feeling until now—
This child was pretending to be an adult… to protect his siblings from me.
My chest ached.
I wanted to hug him.
“Why would you say that?”
At my question, Toma fell silent.
His small fists trembled.
Then—
“I know… that we are no longer needed in this family.”
It had only been six months since their parents—the former duke and duchess—had passed away.
And now, the one who had inherited the title…
Was not their full brother.
But their half-brother—Baridas.
If the children grew older, they might become a threat to him.
And yet—
He hadn’t cast them out.
He hadn’t harmed them.
He simply… kept them by his side.
The children knew that.
That was why they didn’t hate him.
But me—
I was different.
“If you marry my brother, you know that we will become obstacles to your future children.”
He was right.
To them, I was someone who had come for a political marriage—
Someone who could threaten their place.
That was why he was wary of me.
Realizing that, I felt both sorrow and admiration for him.
“We have no interest in this family. So please… stay away from me and my siblings.”
When I didn’t respond, Toma let out a faint, bitter laugh.
It hurt to hear.
“We’re just… incomplete. Children of common blood. There’s no need for you to approach us.”
At his words, my expression hardened.
I clenched my fists—
Then slowly walked toward him.
His eyes trembled.
As I raised my hands, he shut his eyes tightly—
As if bracing for impact.
But instead—
Squish.
I grabbed both of his cheeks.
His eyes flew open.
His crimson gaze reflected my face.
“I didn’t come near you for that reason.”
My voice trembled.
I didn’t know how to comfort him.
I knew how much these children had suffered.
Tears welled up in my eyes, spilling down my cheeks.
Seeing that, Toma’s eyes widened.
I loosened my grip on his face.
“You don’t have to trust me. But why would you say things that belittle yourselves like that?”
His gaze dropped.
Then—
Tears fell.
“…Because that’s what everyone has always said. To us.”
I knelt down so our eyes met.
“Not me. I don’t think that way. I don’t think you’re incomplete. I don’t think you’re threats. You’re just children. Not illegitimate, not unwanted—children who deserve to be loved.”
Hoping my sincerity would reach him—
I pulled him into a hug.
I felt his small hands grip my clothes.
But after a moment, he pushed me away.
“Then… who is going to love me?”
I hesitated.
We weren’t close enough for “I will” to mean anything.
So instead—
I smiled gently.
“You have your family.”
But Toma let out a hollow laugh.
His red eyes glinted coldly.
“Family? Who’s left? Our dead parents?”
Pain laced his words.
He stepped back completely, glaring at me.
“Or the brother who treats us like we’re invisible?”
As his hand slipped from my shoulder, I grabbed it.
“You have your siblings.”
He scoffed.
Trying to pull away—
But I held on.
Finally, he spoke again.
“They’re still young.”
“Love has nothing to do with age. Don’t you love them?”
He faltered.
Avoided my gaze.
But I didn’t let him look away.
At last, he squeezed his eyes shut.
“…Of course… I do…”
To him, his siblings were something to protect.
But I knew the truth.
They were strong.
They didn’t need to be protected by him alone.
That was an adult’s responsibility.
He, too, was just a child.
One who deserved to be protected.
At that moment, footsteps approached.
Jasmine and Green came running toward us.
“Oppa!!”
Jasmine threw herself into Toma’s arms, glaring at Green.
“Fourth oppa bullied me! Scold him!”
Green approached with a mischievous grin.
“Where are you running?!”
He began tickling her, and Jasmine burst into giggles, pushing him away.
Soon, Lemon and Ren arrived, slightly out of breath.
Lemon exclaimed dramatically—
“The witch of the eastern forest has kidnapped the princess! Prince, please save her!”
…Are they still playing that game?
All eyes turned to Toma.
I quietly let go of his hand.
The children smiled mischievously.
Jasmine hid behind him.
“Save me, Prince!”
But Thomas didn’t move.
Green approached slowly—
Then Ren declared,
“This won’t do. Lemon, the prince is useless. Let’s save Jasmine ourselves.”
And just like that, the girls lunged at Green, tickling him.
Toma burst into laughter.
“Who are you calling useless?”
His tone was playful now.
Soon, he joined them.
They ran around the garden together, laughing freely.
I watched them with a smile.
The game of tag continued—
Until everyone but Toma collapsed in exhaustion.
By then, the sun had begun to set.
As I watched them absentmindedly, Toma approached me.
“I don’t completely trust you. But… my siblings do. So I will, too.”
Even that was enough.
Smiling, I took his hand.
“That’s more than enough. Let’s get along from now on, Toma.”
At my words—
His cheeks flushed slightly.
