Chapter 29: 28

28.

He figured that their meeting might be longer than he thought. Eventually, he ran out of tea. Vicente looked around the interior with disinterest. He realized that the servant who guided Ercella to the Marquis’ office looked quite young.

Vicente recalled Ercella’s lady-in-waiting. She’s about six years younger than Ercella. Then she’d be about ten years old when she came to the Duchy… Are they usually employed at such a young age?

It wasn’t unheard of but he somehow felt strange. I’ve felt this for a long time, but this family feels different. Should I ask Mother? But how much will she tell me…

It occurred to him that maybe she doesn’t know much either. Vicente was meaninglessly scanning the teacup with his index finger when…

Creak-

He heard the door open. He quickly turned to it, but then paused. A girl was sticking out her head through the gap in the door.

The girl’s green eyes blinked incessantly and gazed at him. Soon the little girl muttered with her tiny lips. “Are you brother Vicente?”

“…….”

Vicente was not used to dealing with the opposite sex.

“Why won’t you answer? Are you not brother Vicente?” [T/N: She’s calling him ‘Oppa’ instead of the formal title ‘Orabeoni’]

Vicente was at a loss for words by this unexpected character. Even more, he was embarrassed by the informal title he had never heard of before. The child tilted her head and asked if the silent Vicente was strange. “Can’t you speak?”

The child asking that seemed so innocent that Vicente didn’t find it rude in the slightest. I just feel unfamiliar with this little thing in front of me. He slowly broke the silence that he had maintained with a grim look on his face. “Who…”

“…….”

“Who are you?” A low voice was heard in the silence. The child hurried towards Vicente. He wondered if she was happy that the person in front of her could speak. “I’m Rowena. Are you Aunt Ercella’s son?”

“Yes…”

Rowena’s expression brightened at his affirmation. A twig-like hand shook Vicente’s leg while holding it. There was no way Vicente would budge from that weak force.

Vicente, meanwhile, noticed the smiling child calling his mother “Aunt.” In addition, he remembered Ercella saying that he would be able to see his “cousins” if he went outside. Then it means that this girl is the Marquis’ daughter.

Vicente was lost in thought when his face quickly hardened. The Marquis’ daughter? No way. But considering her looks…

Much to his surprise, she really was his cousin. Rowena stretched out her arms at him without realizing Vicente’s confusion. Vicente frowned at her odd action.

“Hold me! I’ve been wanting to see Brother for so long! You don’t know how much I begged my teacher to finish early today.”

“Say what-” Vicente doubted his ears. Is she begging me to hold her? We barely met each other. She tried to remain still, but the girl didn’t lower her arms. He was wondering what to do.

“Rowena! I told you not to go into Father’s office!”

The slightly opened door, widened with a loud thud. In between, a boy strode in. Rowena clung further to Vicente and snapped at the boy. “Why do you care?”

“This brat!” The boy clenched Rowena’s hair lightly with his fist. Rowena cried out in response. “Why are you my brother? I really hate you…”

“Don’t tell me… You! You’re running off to Mother again, aren’t you? You cunning little thing…”

“Uwaaah!” Rowena burst into tears, so the boy began to fidget and panic. Vicente was stuck in such a situation for the first time ever.

“Hey, now… don’t cry.”

Rowena clung to Vicente, avoiding the hand of the boy who was trying to soothe her. “Owee! Brother!”

Brother? Since when am I her brother?

He found this situation completely ridiculous. Vicente looked at the boy with a troubled face, having no idea what to do with Rowena, who was grabbing him by his pants. The boy wiping the sweat off his forehead looked surprised when he realized Vicente’s presence. “Perhaps, are you Aunt Ercella’s son?”

Relieved by his polite greeting unlike his younger sister’s, Vicente felt he could respond more calmly to him. “That’s right.”

The boy’s eyes glowed and put his hand on his chest.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Racellion, the eldest son of Visaride. We meet at last-”

“Whaa!”

“Can’t you be quiet?!”

“Eeek!”

Racellion glared at his younger sister and sighed as he offered Vicente. “First of all, we should leave here. Brother, please follow us.”

“…….”

“Oh, by the way, I’m 14 years old. Make yourself comfortable.”

He said that but why does he look more comfortable? Vicente looked alternately at the two people in front of him. A girl who barely stopped crying, a boy who calls him ‘Brother’ with a serious face.

For Vicente, who lived a quiet life, this sudden noise felt like a challenge. The image of his “cousins” had long been shattered.

***

After talking to Caron, Ercella returned to the reception room, but Vicente was nowhere to be seen. The servant guarding the reception approached her and reported. “The Young Master and Lady stopped by the reception room and took the Young Lord.”

Ercella felt goosebumps on her arms. What do you mean by Young Master and Lady? “Do you mean, Racellion and… Rowena?”

“Yes, Madam, the Young Master told me they were headed to the outdoor terrace where the tea time was held.”

“… Okay.”

I didn’t expect him to run into Racellion and Rowena already. This happened because I wasn’t present. Those kids and Vicente were not compatible, so Ercella began to worry. All she could think was hurry towards them. “Bring me there.”

“Yes, Madam.”

She saw a silver tea table set in the middle of the garden where the servant brought her. Marquess, Racellion, Rowena and Vicente were already present at the tea table. A middle-aged woman spotted Ercela from her seat and waved happily. “Hello there, Ercella!”

It was the Marquess. Just like her brother, his wife was also full of vigor. Her hospitality made Ercella giggle. She hurried and took a seat. “Long time no see, Sister.”

“Mother, you’re here.” Seated next to her, Vicente greeted. She was surprised because his voice was oddly welcoming. Ercella saw the silver dish in front of him and realized why. Oh, my God! Who put this crumbling pile of snacks before him?!

“We’ve been waiting for you.”

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As Ercella had guessed, Rowena was adding fresh cookies to Vicente’s plate. Because of that, the desserts piled up like a tower shook a little. Vicente’s facial muscles have stiffened even further. Paying him no mind, Rowena beamed and approached Ercella. “Aunt!”

Ercella gently patted Rowena’s head. A thin curl was gently swept by her hand. It’s been a long time since I felt this touch. “Long time no see, Rowena. Racellion, you too.”

“I wished to meet you, so I’m glad you visited us.” Racellion put his hand on his chest as he had learned, lowered his eyes, and greeted her like a gentleman. Ercella chuckled thinking he’s imitating a gentleman.

Meanwhile, the Marquess smiled gracefully and talked to Vicente. Apparently, they’ve been talking since before. “I really wanted to meet the Young Lord. I’m honored to have you like this.”

“You can speak comfortably with me.”

“Oh, may I?” The Marquess got comfortable without hesitation. Vicente was a bit flustered but didn’t really show it. He glanced at Ercella but awkwardly avoided eye contact. Soon she realized why.

He’s reaching his limit.

“Brother, eat this, eat this, drink this.”

Watching Rowena’s actions, the Marquess finally said. “Rowena, why don’t you give me that pastry over there. That’s the pride of our house.”

“But I can’t reach it.”

“It’s okay.”

“I’ll give it to you, brother.”

“It’s o-“

-kay.

The sentence disappeared in his throat and did not end.

He never had a taste for sweets so he just stared indifferently at that collapsing sweets tower.

It doesn’t decrease in size even if I eat it again and again. Because she builds it up again and again. So he decided to give up eating at all.

He had long stopped eating. Ercella, who could no longer see the scene, decided to reject Rowena’s one-sided kindness instead. “Rowena, stop. You’re bothering Brother.”

“How am I bothering him? I’m doing this because I love him.” Rowena had a really innocent look in her eyes, meanwhile, Vicente unconsciously gasped.

“Well, why don’t you give it to Racellion?”

“But it’s a waste to give him.”

“This litt-” Ercella to soothe Racellion’s anger.

“Now, look here. His plate is already piled up, right? Be a sweetheart and let him eat at ease.”

“…….”

“Um… Okay.” Rowena brought the madeleine which was to be placed on Vicente’s plate back to her plate. Vicente quietly let out a breath at the sight. Thank God! Then, Rowena asked Ercella. “Aunt, can’t I live in your house, too? Brother and Father both won’t be there. My father told me to study to meet him. But I don’t want to study.”

At Rowena’s grumbling, Racellion spoke in the brightest voice ever. “That’s the most commendable thing you’ve said this year. Aunt, please take her with you.”

Ercella chuckled. Rowena’s reaction will be obvious when she comes to Bernhardt. Yes, there was no Caron there, but there’s Harsen.

Rowena was sure to run away in less than a day. The Marquess grinned, apparently thinking the same. She shut Rowena’s mouth. “Rowena, Stop being rude. You’re bothering your Aunt.”

“Yes, Mother.” Luckily, Rowena didn’t resist; she smiled and put the cookies in her mouth, munching them. The Marquess, who stopped Rowena, immediately talked about the absent member. “I wish the Duke had come with you.”

Flinch–

Immediately, Ercella stopped drinking her tea. She lifted her head stiffly and looked at the Marquess who was watching her with sincerity.

My God! Harsen and a tea party? I can’t imagine that. Ercella tried to appear cool, casually uttering the next words. “He’s busy.”

“I see. Caron’s also been locked up in his office all day long. What’s keeping them so busy these days?”

“Brother’s responsibilities have increased because of his new post. He’ll be busy for a while.”

“Still, I guess it can’t be helped. If they both were here, it’d be picture-perfect, wouldn’t it?

“… Indeed.” Oh, I forgot. The Marquess in front of her is a woman who fell in love with Caron’s face and begged her father, Count Gladiam, to get her engaged to him and eventually succeeded in marrying him. Since she’s five years older than Caron, she even waited for him to come of age. This sister likes handsome people.

“What a shame. Will you bring the Duke on your next visit? It’s better if you let me know in advance, so I can call an artist…”

“…….” Did I perhaps hear something dangerous? I just felt a chill run through my spine. Ercella looked at the Marquess, subtly hardening her facial muscles.

The Marquess didn’t pay attention to Ercella’s shaking pupils, but laughed like a girl and casually said things that would harden Harsen’s expressions if he ever heard them. “Don’t you think it’s fair to leave a national treasure-like face like that?”

She could picture Harsen crumpling his face. Vicente, too, looked at Ercella with cold eyes.

Clearly, his image of his aunt had been shattered. For the following two reasons: first, tea parties are generally not like this, and secondly, what she just said.

I told you, there’s no one who hates handsome faces.

Please, son, do not abandon your noble virtues and fulfill the Marquess’ expectations. Ercella sincerely prayed.

“We have his portrait at home. Don’t worry, that’ll do.” Of course, she knew she meant displaying it in the Marquis’ manor, not the Duke’s, but she pretended not to know. Fortunately, the Marquess replied with only a smile, knowing it would be rude to go further. She sipped from her tea and spoke in a playful tone. “Your son grew up well, really.”

… What? Do you mean his face?

She would’ve responded naturally just as she does in front of her friends, but since Vicente was here with her, Ercella was sweating choosing her words. The Marquess invited them with a vigor she had not lost even with advancing age. “Would you like to join us for dinner later? We’ll be having a meal together after forever. You won’t reject my sincerity, would you?

“… It would be an honor.”

“That’s great. I just happened to buy some nice liquor from Conrad.”

“From Conrad?” She wasn’t a drinker but she was tempted to try a good liquor. You can drink here and take some home too if you want to. The Marquess whispered secretly.

“The alcohol content isn’t high, so your son can also drink it.” When the Marquess winked, Ercella now had no choice but to smile in resignation.

* * *

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