CH 3

To Cedric, Lily’s words were impeccable. It was so good to hear that he couldn’t help but wonder.

“So suddenly?”

“Just…because I was sick, I regretted and felt sorry for many things.”

“Hmm.”

Cedric was convinced, recalling once again that Lilian nearly lost her life due to a fever.

“The people of Islar and all the people who live in the land of Turin, the privilege I enjoy comes from my oath to protect them.”

His sister was looking at him straight like never before. Those pale blue eyes were familiar to him.

It was the look she inherited from their father.

“Since I enjoyed the privilege, I will take the responsibility as well.”

Conveying only the content without rhetoric, succinctly, sincerely, and without bubbles was Cedric’s preferred way of speaking. Like their father.

He always used to say things like this.

Cedric let out a laugh.

“Is it inherited?”

“Yes?”

“No, never mind.”

The logical Cedric thought that he shouldn’t completely trust Lilian’s words.

‘In any case, she’s still a child.’

Today, she showed a mature side of herself that he hadn’t known before, but there’s a possibility that she would change her attitude again.

‘But really…’

Isn’t it something he wanted to believe?

Their deceased father and Cedric were soldiers. Lilian’s words were words most wanted to be heard by soldiers who risked their lives on the battlefield to defend their country.

Of course, as the feudal lord and head of the family, he was perfectly satisfied.

‘Whether that’s true is something she’ll have to prove through her actions in the future.’

Cedric determined so and was relieved in an instant.

“That is all I have to say to my older brother.”

“Uhm.”

“Is there anything you would like to say?”

Cedric shook his head at Lilian, who quietly looked at him. Lilian made a relieved smile.

‘Phew.’

Lilian didn’t notice that Cedric was staring at her, only thinking that it would be nice if this could help Cedric change his perception of her.

‘It’s a good start. Let’s finish here for today.’

Thinking so, Lilian stood up vigorously. She shouldn’t hold onto a busy person for long.

“Since you’re busy, I’ll let myself out.”

Already?

Cedric, who unconsciously thought that, was startled. ‘Already.’ Could it be that he regretted ending the conversation with this child?

“Brother?”

Cedric was troubled. But what more could he say? What can he say to his sister, whom he deliberately kept away even before she grew up, out of fear of being misunderstood by his stepmother?

After thinking about it, what he came up with was:

“…do you have any questions?”

Lilian didn’t immediately understand Cedric’s words and only blinked.

“Things like who your fiance is.”

“Ah.”

Come to think of it, at this point, Lilian didn’t even know who her fiance was.

‘This.’

Cedric looked at Lilian strangely. She belatedly broke out in a cold sweat that hadn’t come out even in front of his stern gaze.

Lilian tried to smile calmly.

“I didn’t know if I could ask.”

The siblings’ father, the late Marquis of Turin, and his wife lost their lives in a carriage accident. There were many suspicious circumstances to just see it as a simple accident.

The engagement, which was decided as soon as they lost their parents in a suspicious accident, was not just a simple marriage.

It was to form an alliance in preparation for the unprecedented event of the assassination of the head of the house. In utmost secrecy.

So she didn’t bother to ask. Because she already knew and that even if she asked, he wouldn’t answer.

“I thought you wouldn’t tell me much. Since I’m too young to keep a secret.”

“Hoh.”

Ironically, that was the least childlike thing Lilian had ever said.

Cedric was stunned and at the same time admired.

‘Those are words that can only come out if she understood the situation, discerned the confidentiality, and even have the prudence to avoid it.’

Even if this leaked out, he was certain that it would never be through the mouth of this child.

Then…

“…it would be nice to know at least the name. Because you’re also involved.”

This time, it was Lilian’s turn to be surprised.

‘Maybe I…was recognized?’

“If you…don’t want…”

“O-oh no!”

Lilian shook her head quickly.

“I want to listen. Please tell me.”

Pretending not to know what she already knew is harder than she thought. So, when the opportunity arose, she thought it’d be good idea to listen to it.

“The name of your fiance is…”

At that moment, Lilian realized. Her fiance is a man with an honorary title comparable to the Marquis of Turin.

“Imperator Leyengrad, the Knight of Gold, Damian Valmiera Ernst Rupenwein.”

The one who deserves such honor in this Empire…

“He is the younger brother of the former Sun Emperor and the current Emperor, and the only Grand Duke of this Empire.”

There was only the royal family.

“Are you surprised?”

“A little bit.”

Rather than being surprised, she realized it.

It’s said that feudal lords reign like kings in their respective territories but the Imperial family is the Imperial family.

Rupenwein is a family that claimed to be emperor by subduing the turbulent times and subjugating the feudal lords who acted like kings in their territories as their subjects.

Among them, Lily’s fiance, Damian Rupenwein, was regarded as the closest descendant of the First Emperor, who was the most proficient in war, among the current generation of royalty.

‘He was such a great person, my husband…’

In any case, it was fortunate that the future didn’t change arbitrarily and proceeded as planned.

Lilian’s way of controlling her emotional turmoil seemed very peculiar to Cedric.

“If you need anything, just tell me…”

“Yes? No, it’s fine.”

It was an almost straight answer.

Cedric was a little taken aback but understood. Thinking that she wasn’t a very greedy kid even before.

He was secretly saddened by the fact that she didn’t need anything which was strange.

“I can do it so it’s okay.”

The words that came out in an unwilling tone sounded weak, unlike the usual cool-headed Cedric.

‘Why is he like that?’

Lilian’s head tilted. She took a good look at her brother.

Twelve-year-old Lily, who lost her parents in the past, was afraid of her nine years older brother Cedric.

However, for some reason, it now became visible to Lily, who had aged considerably.

Under the tired dark eyes was an expression of prickly irritation. The seat of Lord seems somewhat uncomfortable.

‘Ah.’

It wasn’t just Lily who lost her parents. Cedric also lost his father. He had to hurry up and follow his father’s footsteps before he could get over his shock.

This meant that he had to calculate the cost of the funeral even before he could mourn his father’s death.

Only 21 years old. He was still more like a boy than a young man.

It was also a young age to deal with the enormous pressure and stress.

She could imagine how desperate he must have been.

‘Wouldn’t it have been more painful if he had to hide his weak side from everyone?’

So, it seemed that even though the younger sister, who had been shy, just said something a little unusual, his heart opened up to the extent that even she was surprised.

It was pitiful. However, expressing such thoughts would only hurt his feelings. So Lilian only cautiously asked.

“…brother, how long ago did you last sleep?”

Cedric was troubled. If it was his usual personality, he would have cut it off saying ‘it’s none of your business’.

But why? He’s having a hard time now. And Lilian was not someone he had to hide his weakness.

She was his sister.

She had the same father as him.

Cedric’s lips opened involuntarily.

“…don’t mind it. It’s not something you have to worry about.”

Lilian immediately guessed the meaning behind his words.

“You haven’t slept.”

“I had a nap.”

“How long, three hours?”

“Can’t it be two hours?”

It was actually an hour. Cedric averted his gaze involuntarily.

Lilian, who read the answer without difficulty in the awkward silence, sighed in amazement.

“You can’t do this. You have to think about your health.”

“It’s nothing to worry about.”

Even though he said that, Cedric found himself laughing at himself.

He shouldn’t have said anything at all to not make her worry. Leaving clues to make everyone guess, it was no different than openly begging her to worry.

“Anyway, you shouldn’t mind it.”

“How can I not mind? If my brother continues like this, I will become an orphan.”

His expression didn’t change at all, but from the way he even stopped breathing, it was clear that Cedric hadn’t even thought about it from that point of view.