CH 4

Phlox had a long history.

As teachers for the Royal family from generation to generation, they were a famous family that was closer to the Royal family than anyone else. Although Count Phlox was the king’s teacher, he was known for his integrity, and he was also highly trusted among the aristocrats.

The estate was small and on the outskirts because they had not been obsessed with wealth and honor, but the people of the Phlox family were more than happy. There were even rumours circulating that the Count reluctantly accepted the king’s coercion.

The Phlox family, who had always stayed close to the royal family, began to diverge from the king, probably from the time of their predecessors. Due to a feud between Kalmia’s grandfather, the former head of the Phlox family, and the precious king, the Phlox family stopped all political activities and were confined to the outskirts.

The title was passed down to Kalmia’s father, and the family managed a small estate, continuing to live in the outskirts. Even so, the reputation and trust they had built over the years did not disappear and there were often people who came to learn. Count Phlox did not accept them all, only those who met some of the criteria were taken in as his disciples. 

There should be no intention to enter the political world, teach the common people in the countryside for the rest of their lives, don’t expect any type of wealth or glory, etc. Those standards were very difficult for men of ambitious noble families, so they all shook their heads and left.

However, Storoni met Count Phlox’s demanding standards. Born of a fallen nobleman, he was a gentle disciple who followed the Count’s teachings without greed. After Kalmia became a full-fledged heir, Storoni did all sorts of filthy things as if he was a man who had never been taught by Count Phlox, but that was later on. Now, he was just a sweet boy who managed to take Kalmia to her room, although she refused.

“Thank you.”

Kalmia wasn’t in pain, but she needed time to clear her head. It was difficult for her to objectively judge after she realised that Elois might die today. In that situation, it was very nice to meet her close aide again. At least he stood by her side until the moment she won. Kalmia was embarrassed at first, but then she calmed down.

“If you’re grateful, would you mind serving me a cup of tea?”

“Huh?”

“I can’t come in on my own so I’m asking for permission. I heard that wasm chrysanthemum tea is good for fever.”

Kalmia looked at Storoni with embarrassment and nodded slowly. When Kalmia gave her permission, Storoni was pleased and smiled brightly.

“This is the first time I’ve been invited to your room. It’s a glorious day, isn’t it?”

Was it really the first time? When was the first time she invited Storoni in her room in the past?

Kalmia walked in her room, deep in thoughts and then stopped in her tracks. She remembered that today, she and Elois were playing outside the mansion so she never met Storoni. Unlike then, she decided not to go out, so she met Storoni and invited him to her room.

And the reason she didn’t go out… Kalmia bit her lips. Elois. Elois’ death. Those two words that she forgot for a second circulated round and round in her mind.

Was it right for Kalmia to let her brother die like that? No, she already prevented the boy’s death by not going horseback riding together, right? Even though Kalmia acted differently, if Elois would die today, that was his destiny. 

If ‘Elois’ died at the age of ten, and ‘Kalmia’ was destined to take over the Phlox family, it would be futile to change it no matter how hard she tried.

…Can I just move on and say it’ll be okay?

“I need to go get Elois.”

Storoni quickly grabbed her wrist as she was about to run off.

“What are you talking about? Elois should learn how to play alone now.”

“No, no. I want to be with him today. I’ll be back soon!”

Kalmia shook his hand off and rushed to the door. She knew that Storoni was looking at her confused, but all that mattered to her was to have Elois next to her. She was worried.

Even if it’s destiny, we can stay together for a little longer, right?

Running back off to the lobby, she couldn’t find Elois. Kalmia looked around for his silver hair, hair that looked just like hers, hair that stood out everywhere, but she couldn’t see it anywhere.

“Un, Hechi!”

“Lady, if you run around in the mansion like that…”

“What about Elois? Have you seen him?”

“Young Master? Weren’t you with him?”

Kalmia went up to the first floor, looking everywhere. By the time she reached the top floor, Kalmia’s face turned pale. The employees looked at her worriedly and told her to rest, but she ignored them, scouring the surrounding nervously, annoyed at her innocent employees.

Nevertheless, there was constant conflict inside her.

She didn’t kill him, but watching him die felt like indirect murder. Kalmia didn’t know this was going to happen in the past, but now she knew that her twin brother was going to die.

Her uncontrollable greed kept grabbing her ankles, thinking she might not be the successor if she saved the kid.

Frustrated by her own imagination, Kalmia paused. As she was grinding her teeth, she thumped down the stairs. Still, the lobby was empty.

A rumble of thunder echoed in her ears and she frowned, looking around.

Thunder. Rain. Thunder and Lightning. 

Kalmia, who was staring blankly outside from the window, sprinted out the front door in a hurry. She ran up to the stables and slammed the doors open. However, the stable keeper was nowhere to be found.

At Kalmia’s sudden appearance, the horses shuddered. She strode into her stable, in the innermost part of it, she knew Thunder and Lightning had to be together.

“…gone.”

It was empty. Only Thunder, Kalmia’s horse, stood in front of her. Even if Kalmia didn’t tag along, Elois went horseback riding alone. His death was inevitable.

The realization struck her like a lightning bolt. Kalmia swallowed dry and slowly backed away from the stable.

Elois was going to die anyway.