Chapter : 13
Lunch With the Ducal Family Brothers
Meeting Lloyd’s worried gaze, I nodded.
“I know. If I ride a horse through the capital’s bustling streets with the Grand Duke…”
“You will become a famous figure in high society. The kingdom’s social circles will be in an uproar.”
“I might even get a bounty on my head. I’d like to live a long, thin life. I don’t want to be hated by every noble lady in the capital.”
As Lloyd and I whispered to each other in low voices, sparks once again flashed in Calix’s eyes.
“Sir Lloyd, please lend me your horse. Consider it a life-saving favor.”
“Can you ride a horse?”
Lloyd looked surprised.
“I am, after all, a viscount’s daughter. I should be able to ride… probably?”
I answered uncertainly.
Erika was a viscount’s daughter, so she must have learned horseback riding as a basic skill.
I had never ridden a horse before, but Erika’s body might remember.
Rather than risk becoming the target of high society rumors while riding with Calix, falling off a horse actually sounded more comforting.
Lloyd quickly ran to the residence stables and brought his horse.
Watching this, Calix frowned as if displeased.
“So you intend to ride Lloyd’s horse instead of mine?”
“I’ll ride my own horse. I thought it would be inconvenient for you to carry me as well, Your Grace. I don’t want to burden you any further.”
With Lloyd’s help, I climbed onto the horse. It was my first time riding, and I was honestly terrified.
The horse’s back was much higher and more unstable than I expected, making me feel like I would fall at any moment.
But strangely, Erika’s body naturally balanced itself in the saddle.
Then Calix came over and took the reins.
“I’ll switch you to mine. Lloyd’s horse is too rough for a beginner.”
“W-What? I’m fine…”
Before I could protest, he grabbed my waist and effortlessly lifted me into his arms.
“Eh—wait!”
In an instant, I was seated on Calix’s white horse.
Lloyd stood frozen, staring as if he couldn’t believe what he had just seen.
“Unbelievable… The Grand Duke is letting her ride his sacred warhorse…”
Lloyd looked as if witnessing a proud father watching his son grow up.
With Lloyd’s emotional send-off behind us, Calix and I rode side by side toward the capital.
—
### * * *
Not long after, I deeply regretted my decision.
I should have just walked.
Riding through the paved stone roads while attracting the stares and whispers of passersby was unbearably uncomfortable.
Just Calix Reinhardt’s presence alone made noble ladies, aristocrats, and young nobles look at him with admiration and awe.
But the gazes directed at me, riding beside him, were sharp and hostile.
It felt like jealousy-filled arrows were piercing my back.
As if I was lucky not to get pelted with stones, I focused only on controlling the horse.
Meanwhile, Calix rode calmly beside me with an expressionless face.
Suddenly, he moved his horse closer and asked in a low voice,
“Is it bothering you, Lady Erika?”
“What are you referring to, Your Grace?”
“The people. It’s noisier than usual today.”
Calix dismissed the admiring gazes as if they were insignificant stones on the roadside, then turned his attention back to me.
That attitude is a bit much…
I looked at the male lead calmly.
“With respect, that may be inappropriate.”
“What do you mean?”
“You are the hero and protector of the Kingdom of Ruberia. Please understand the feelings of those who admire you. People gain courage by looking at heroes.”
Across the road, a young boy stared at Calix with pure admiration.
His innocent eyes reminded me of Michael, and I found myself watching him for a moment.
Calix fell silent briefly, then gave a crooked smile.
“You misunderstand. I have no intention of becoming a hero.”
He paused.
For some reason, that brief silence felt filled with suppressed pain.
“I… am not worthy of such a title.”
His cold gaze turned forward again.
What did he see in front of him?
A capital bathed in spring sunlight, flowers swaying in the breeze.
Noble ladies’ dresses blooming like roses.
People smiling in peaceful ease.
But to him, was it still a battlefield of ashes?
His face remained devoid of emotion.
I sincerely wished the heroine Priscilla would appear soon.
In the original story, she was his only salvation.
If she were by his side now, perhaps this world would look like a beautiful spring day to him.
—
### * * *
We arrived at a three-story building near the library, located in Saint Park.
It was a townhouse converted into a restaurant, decorated with elegant white marble.
A manager already waiting in the entrance hall guided us inside.
When we entered a private room on the second floor, Michael, seated at a six-person table, stood up happily.
“Big sister! You’re here! I missed you so much!”
Michael ran toward me with a bright angelic smile, his golden hair shimmering.
Ah… I understand now.
I was possessed just to see that innocent smile.
“Why are you making such a disturbing expression?”
Calix frowned at my satisfied smile.
“Are you well, Young Lord? You look more mature already.”
“I’m fine. I wasn’t affected by the carriage accident at all. Thanks to you protecting me, big sister. I’m truly grateful.”
Michael held my hands tightly, his eyes sparkling.
“It was the magic fountain pen, but I’m glad you’re safe.”
“Please sit next to me, big sister. Let’s eat together.”
He guided me to the table, even pulling out my chair like a proper gentleman.
“Oh my, you’ve become quite the gentleman already.”
At my praise, he smiled shyly.
“My great-aunt Emma always says gentlemen must respect ladies.”
Hmm… even though they are brothers, they are so different.
Compared to a certain someone who has zero manners toward ladies…
The table was soon filled with dishes brought by maids: perfectly grilled beef steak, sweet apple pie, comforting chicken vegetable stew, fruits, and salads.
“Enjoy your meal, big sister.”
At Michael’s cheerful invitation, I immediately grabbed my fork and knife and entered battle mode.
Pretending to maintain etiquette, I efficiently attacked the food.
Michael watched me eat with wide eyes.
“You really enjoy your food, big sister. Watching you makes me want to eat more too. Most adults barely eat anything.”
Adults eat less because of dignity.
I cannot do that.
Sacrificing food enjoyment for dignity? Too great a loss.
“My mother taught me that food should be enjoyed properly. The meat melts in my mouth… even better than premium beef…”
“What is ‘beef’?”
Oops. That slipped out.
“It means good meat. It’s from another language.”
“Oh, so you know foreign languages? You must read a lot.”
Michael admired me sincerely.
“I suppose… because of my job.”
He then enthusiastically began talking about books.
Literature, history, geography, politics, economics—despite his age, he was incredibly knowledgeable. A true genius.
I listened while eating, responding occasionally.
“Really? Amazing. I see.”
Throughout the meal, Michael never stopped smiling.
“You’re really fun to talk to, big sister.”
The one leading the conversation was you, though.
Still, I was grateful for the information.
After finishing, I sipped warm tea.
“I also enjoy talking with you, Michael.”
After some time, Michael left briefly with his escort knight.
The food on the table had already disappeared.
Only then did I realize Calix was still sitting across from me.
He had said nothing the entire time, like a decorative statue.
He had simply watched Michael the whole time.
There was warmth in his eyes as he looked at his younger brother.
I sighed internally.
This is a problem.
A male lead prioritizing his brother over the heroine? That’s a major obstacle.
Wait… why is the story going off-track?
In *Secret Love in the Royal Library*, Calix only had a mention of a younger brother—he never appeared.
And there was no incident involving him chasing magical grimoires either.
Something feels wrong.
Since I was possessed, the original story was slowly changing.
Will I even be able to avoid the execution route and return home safely?
“Michael seems to be enjoying conversation more than usual.”
While I was worrying, Calix suddenly spoke.
I smiled casually.
“He is very intelligent and witty. He seems popular with friends and noble ladies.”
“He rarely leaves the ducal residence, so he doesn’t have many social connections. He is at an age where he needs friends.”
He spoke like a concerned parent.
So this is a brother-complex male lead…
Just imagining Calix secretly following Michael around every social event was almost funny.
Then Calix cleared his throat.
“Lady Erika. I have a request.”
“A request?”
He looked me directly in the eyes for the first time.
“Please… spend time with my younger brother occasionally.”
“…Are you asking me?”
For the first time, the arrogant Grand Duke of the North was not mocking or cold.
He was serious.
Just as I was about to agree—
The door opened.
A familiar man entered.
Viscount Melter from the Hamilton estate.
And beside him stood another man.
At that moment, fragments of the original story came rushing back like a storm.
