TYWAUOM 07

Chapter 7

“…It’s not like that.”

Ian, who had been quietly listening to Sophia’s whining, suddenly spoke up. Sophia, not understanding what her brother meant, looked up at him. Seeing the tears still clinging to her lashes, Ian let out a long sigh and reached into his inner pocket.

“I’m not taking her side. Like you said, Sophia, she’s not even family. Why would I take her side?”

But his hand found nothing. Ian paused for a moment as he realized the handkerchief was gone.

‘…I told her to throw it away.’

He didn’t particularly regret it. It was just inconvenient not to have it when he needed it. Annoyed, Ian ran his hand through his golden hair that hung over his furrowed brow. It was just a handkerchief, and yet the irritation bubbled up inside him unexpectedly. He bit his lip.

“Take out your handkerchief and wipe those tears. What are the servants going to think when we arrive?”

Reclining back into the seat, he spoke, and Sophia gave a small nod, pulling a handkerchief from her sleeve. Coincidentally—or maybe not—her handkerchief also had a blue sage embroidered on it. It was different in design from the one he discarded, and looked nearly new, but for some reason it bothered Ian. He closed his eyes.

‘…Don’t bother. She’s just that man’s daughter.’

The carriage moved as smoothly as its price would suggest. Yet Ian’s headache persisted, and he kept his brow furrowed all the way to their destination.

The morning at the Count Pardon’s estate was hectic. In the kitchen, the servants bustled preparing and serving the family’s breakfast, while in the dining hall, they drew back the curtains to let in sunlight and waited on the family.

The members of the Pardon family also woke early and got ready to head to the dining room. The head of the house, Graham, didn’t care about meal times except breakfast—he insisted that the entire family be present, so sleeping in was out of the question.

“Daniel, you’re late. This makes the third time already. Be ready to pay a fine.”

“Father, I stayed out late with my colleagues last night. And it’s just three minutes! Please let it slide.”

With the last to arrive—Daniel—now seated, the small family dining hall was full. The Count and Countess, and their four children, including three grown sons, filled the room with ease.

“A promise is a promise. Tell the butler to deduct this week’s allowance from your pay.”

“Mother! Please stop him. I’m already not getting any pocket money, and now if I lose my wages, how am I supposed to live?”

“Both of you, that’s enough. You, pick up your fork. The children are waiting. Daniel, stop whining and sit properly.”

At Countess Marisa’s quiet scolding, both Graham and Daniel shut their mouths. Graham picked up a piece of bread first, and everyone else, except Arthur, began eating.

Arthur, the third child, was the only one who clasped his hands in prayer before picking up his fork. Daniel, watching this, tore into a piece of bread and muttered sarcastically.

“Who are you praying to every morning? You’re not even a priest drawing the goddess’s symbol…”

“Offering a greeting to the great founding emperor of the Caesar Empire and the nation’s forefathers is not strange.”

Daniel couldn’t stand Arthur’s behavior. The habit of silent prayer before meals was something promoted by the Old Nobility faction—used to mock the upstarts, claiming they had no discipline even at the table. Daniel, having gotten into a fistfight over the issue after being teased by a fellow knight, wanted to slap his younger brother every time he did it.

“You’re not even one of those fancy Levantus Duke followers. If you’re going to act holy, at least pray to the goddess. Every time you do that, I’m reminded of those pompous jerks and it ruins my appetite.”

“Stop mocking me just because I act differently from you. Aren’t you embarrassed at your age?”

“What? You think you’re the only one acting different? Look around. Who here copies those bastards besides you? You know how father feels about them. Why do you keep doing it?”

Arthur set down his fork. He already knew his family didn’t like his behavior. If they didn’t, wouldn’t their parents or eldest brother Edward have stepped in by now? But only Aisha, his twin sister, looked anxious—everyone else simply ate in silence.

“…I’ll excuse myself now.”

“Arthur…”

As Arthur moved to get up, Aisha tugged on his shirt. He brushed off her hand roughly. At that, Graham, who had remained quiet until then, put his fork and knife down with a sharp clang. Arthur clenched his fist tightly as his father immediately reacted—he always had a soft spot for Aisha, the only one of his children to inherit Marisa’s light brown hair.

“Arthur, sit down.”

Just as the Count was about to say more, Countess Marisa cut in first. Her face was as gentle as always, but her tone was firm, making Arthur flinch slightly.

“Alright. Finish your meal and then go upstairs.”

Even Edward joined in to support Marisa. Arthur had no choice but to sit down again. As he did, Aisha let out a quiet sigh beside him.

The rest of the meal passed in silence. Occasionally, the Count and Countess exchanged quiet conversation, and Edward sought advice from Graham about family business. Other than that, no one spoke. Toward the end of the meal, when the servants began clearing the table and brought out tea, another stir arose.

“I’d like to visit the Marquess Lloyd’s estate today.”

Aisha, who had been hesitant the whole time, bowed her head slightly and spoke to the family. Daniel, who hadn’t said a word since his spat with Arthur, suddenly jumped up from his seat. She was going there after what happened?

“What?! Don’t you remember the party? He should be the one apologizing—why are you going to him?”

“Like I said then, Ian has nothing to apologize for.”

Aisha answered firmly, though quietly. Daniel groaned and flopped loudly back into his seat, grabbing the back of his neck. Edward, who had already heard the story from Daniel, finally spoke up.

“Why not wait a little, just like Daniel said?”

Unlike how quickly she responded to Daniel, Aisha didn’t answer Edward right away. There was something about her eldest brother’s gentle dissuasion that made it hard to refuse. As she hesitated, Graham exchanged a glance with Marisa and spoke.

“Let her go. Irma, prepare the carriage.”

“Father!”

“I heard she hasn’t even had a proper conversation with Ian since he returned. I’m sure there’s much to say. Let her go.”

Daniel looked like he wanted to protest again, but Marisa stopped him with a glance. Scowling, Daniel glared at his sister. Aisha mouthed just this once, pleading silently. In the end, Daniel gulped down his water to express his frustration.

“Looks like everyone’s done. Let’s finish up.”

As Daniel set down his glass, Graham wiped his mouth and stood. At his words, everyone rose from the table.

“Edward and I will be late today. Be sure to give your best today, everyone.”

With that, the Pardon family dispersed. Graham and Marisa went upstairs, talking along the way. Daniel checked the time, called a servant, and hurried out. Arthur left through another door. Aisha remained seated until everyone else had gone.

“Aisha. You’re really going?”

As soon as she stepped through the archway, Edward appeared out of nowhere. Surprised by his sudden appearance, Aisha was about to get annoyed but simply nodded. His concern was written all over his face.

“Alright. Go ahead. But if anything happens, you must tell someone. Even if it’s not me… tell Daniel.”

Edward placed a hand on her head and gently tousled her light brown hair. When she tilted her head back to avoid his hand, he gave a soft smile and held out his arm kindly.

“Come on. I’ll walk you to your room.”

The hour hand had moved twice. Aisha had arrived at the Lloyd estate around 10 a.m., and by the time the clock pointed to noon, she was staring nervously at the teacup in front of her.

It was her third cup of tea—this time a strong black variety. She had already grown tired of the taste by the second, but still lifted the cup. No matter how much she drank, her lips felt parched.

The maid attending her looked just as uncomfortable. Spending two hours with a guest was unusual, and the maid’s awkwardness only deepened as time passed.

Should I come back another time? It’s almost lunch… I might be overstaying.

The minute hand had moved to ‘3’ now. Aisha decided to leave and try again tomorrow. Of course he was busy—he had been away for six months, so surely he had a lot to catch up on. Just as she stood to excuse herself, the maid approached.

“Um… would you like me to change the tea? It seems to have cooled.”

“I’m fine. Could you call someone instead? I should set an appointment and leave now.”

“O-of course! I’ll go get the steward. Please wait just a moment.”

Relief washed over the maid’s face as she exited the drawing room. Aisha watched her go with a bitter expression, then lifted the remaining teacup.

The once-warm tea was now completely cold. She sipped it anyway, more to moisten her throat than to enjoy the taste, and looked out the parlor window.

Unlike the Pardon estate garden, which was full of natural harmony with Marisa’s favorite plants, the Lloyd estate garden was trimmed and structured with military precision. A distant gardener snipped at round shrubs with scissors, cutting off even slightly protruding branches. Ian’s taste hadn’t changed one bit.