Chapter 17: 17

Lloyd, the eldest son and the next Duke of Reuning, was special. Not only because he was the heir. It was because of everything he had.

He wasn’t on bad terms with Patricia and Louis, nor did he have a tense relationship with Rosalie or Bright.

Rosalie could sense that Lloyd tried to be close to his younger siblings in his own way. However, compared to the other two, she felt that they were as different as little birds and a hawk.

——Or, far from a hawk, something more different.

Next to Rosalie, Bright asked Louis a question.

“What do you mean he’s working on something? Something to do with magic again?”

“Mmm, he didn’t give any details, but I think so. But he mentioned something about a sword, so it might be something else.”

“A sword?”

Bright said, his brow slightly furrowed. Then he seemed to be pondering something.

“Ugh, let’s go look for Brother now!”

“I would like you to give you permission, but unfortunately, that would take up too much of your father’s time, Patricia. I must return as soon as possible.”

“Ugh…I understand. I’ll question Brother when he gets back later!”

By all means, do so, Bright laughed. 

For all of her determined spirit, Patricia was weak against her father. She had adored her father ever since she was a little girl.

(I wonder if she resembles me even in that way.)

Suddenly thinking that, Rosalie felt embarrassed.

Despite missing their eldest son, they spent time together as a family so loving and harmonious that it would be the envy of the world. Afterwards, Patricia and Louis went back to their rooms.

Only the Duke and Duchess remained behind. After a peaceful silence, Bright suddenly spoke up.

“It isn’t settled yet, but it seems that the engagement between Lloyd and Princess Aileen will be finalized.”

Rosalie’s eyes widened, and she couldn’t find the words.

“By Princess Aileen…you mean…”

“Her Royal Highness, the ‘White Rose.’”

Bright confirmed it shortly.

The words “White Rose” brought back a memory for Rosalie. She recalled a scene at a garden party hosted by the royal court where she and Bright were invited as the Duke and Duchess of Reuning.

Among the noble and beautiful princes and princesses, there was one beautiful princess in particular who stood out.

She had glossy, neat flaxen hair and snow-white skin. She had large eyes that shone fresh green beneath long eyelashes, a small but well-shaped nose, peach-like cheeks, and lips reminiscent of flower petals. It was as if an ideal beautiful girl, who only existed in famous paintings, had slipped out into reality.

With her beauty that could be called lovely coupled together with her confident expression and prideful personality, she made one think of a large flower.

She was the third princess Aileen, known as Her Highness the “White Rose.”

Now eighteen years of age, the White Rose was at her most fresh and beautiful, and the mere sight of her was said to cause the young noblemen to sigh with yearning.

On the other hand, that prideful White Rose who was never swayed by any young lord and Lloyd were…

“There are still many uncertainties, but His Majesty and the princess are considering it positively. It is an honor.”

“Yes…yes it is. That child is twenty-two now…”

Though shocked, Rosalie nodded and persuaded herself.

Even putting aside a parent’s favoritism or his pedigree, Lloyd had no trouble finding a partner. Because of that, he didn’t take a spouse until this year for the reason of lacking enthusiasm, and his younger sister ended up overtaking him.

The third princess wasn’t lacking in any way to be Lloyd’s partner, and Lloyd wasn’t deficient as a spouse of a princess either.

Lloyd was getting married–that made Rosalie suddenly feel happy as his mother.

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“Fufu. Of course it would be a great honor to welcome the princess into our family, but even if that’s not the case, it would be wonderful if he could get married and have a wife. I was afraid h was going to be a bachelor for a while.”

“Oi oi, Lloyd’s still twenty-two. There’s no need for him to be in such a hurry.”

“Oh my. He’ll be too late getting married before you knew it if he acts too at ease. You were aimless like that too.”

Rosalie gave him a teasing glare.

Bright laughed, and then his expression clouded over. It was as if a bright sun had suddenly been overshadowed by a cloud.

“…I see. So Lloyd’s already twenty-two.”

Rosalie caught her breath at his sentimental murmur.

——That could be perceived as the face of a good father who was deeply moved by his son’s growth.

But Rosalie had come to intuit that that was not the case.

Twenty-two. That made her aware of the time that had passed since her first child was born and grew up, the months that had passed since she and Bright married–and also the months that had passed since her adoptive sister had disappeared.

(…Since that day.)

Since the disappearance of that person who she thought of as her true sister even though they were unrelated by blood.

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A shadow sometimes crossed over Bright’s face. The “living jewel” that was always shining began to take on a slightly different hue.

She didn’t know when she first noticed it, but other than that, he was the same as always. Most people wouldn’t have noticed it.

But every now and then, his golden eyes would take on a somber, dark aspect, as if he was looking at something that wasn’t here, like he was in pain. Just like right now, when he was made aware of the passage of time.

Even now, more than twenty years later.

(Did something happen with Big Sister?)

Rosalie held that question within her, as if it was partly a divine revelation. She wondered if her sister was involved in the reason he got that look in his eyes.

But when she actually asked him, she was only told that nothing had happened.

——He was mourning the sudden death of a close friend. It might be too wretched to think that he would easily come to terms with it.

She also knew that Bright’s love for her was unquestionable. He had never once been unfaithful to her, either before or after they married. It was also Bright’s personality, but the Reuning lineage was filled with devoted people.

Rosalie didn’t remember much before and after her sister’s disappearance. A doctor once told her that her mind was at its limit after the series of events and she was probably subconsciously trying to forget.

However, her sister left. And never came back.

All she remembered was that Bright had saved her.

She had cried and cried and fallen into despair–it was Bright’s passion, kisses, and embraces that had held her together.

As though all of her repulsion towards him up until then had been a lie, Rosalie fell in love with Bright in the blink of an eye. No, she later realized that the reason she had been so repelled by him was because her heart was becoming drawn to him. It was truly a miracle that he had chosen her.

“I wish Lloyd could also know the happiness of being with the one you love.”

Rosalie murmured, half in earnest, but also half hoping that Bright would tease her like he usually did.

But contrary to her expectations, Bright smiled gently and said, I hope so too. There was still a trace of shadow in that smile.

(…I have to be happy.)

Rosalie told herself again.

Her parents wanted her to be happy. They also wanted her adoptive sister to be happy.

Therefore, Rosalie had to be happy on her sister’s behalf as well.

For her sister, Wisteria Irene Lafferty, who lost her life at a young age.

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