episode_0041

Cecilia looked forward to this day.

When preparing a gift, research the child’s tastes and level, and think about what he or she would like to give. I tried and thought about it from that child’s perspective.

I heard that Esteban was already here, but I felt like my stomach was boiling as I tried to grab the kid’s wrist.

However, when the child reacted as if surprised to see him, when the emotion felt in his eyes was different from when he looked at Esteban, and when he felt a definite goodwill, the emotions he had felt a moment ago disappeared as if they had been washed away.

‘It’s that kid.’

I knew it the moment I saw it.

‘That girl was that older sister at that time.’

Is it because I kept thinking about it?

Or is it because she picked on her brother, who is now living next to her?

I don’t know the exact reason, but I couldn’t take my eyes off that little girl with silver hair.

I look to the side and see Esteban frowning.

It was a familiar life, but it was annoying.

“Why did you come here?”

“Well. My brother hates it, so that alone makes it worth it.”

“…this bitch.”

Esteban huffed and approached her. He seemed ready to grab people’s collars without paying attention to what they thought.

“…Brother, where does the smell of horse manure come from? Don’t you think I’m flying?”

Esteban’s face turns red at her words and he takes a step back. I belatedly distorted my expression and gritted my teeth as I acted unconsciously.

“You, you… ! How dare you… !”

“It’s a joke. I’ll go back soon.”

It’s funny to see him throw a fit at the slightest scratch, but today is his birthday party. There’s no need to dilute the mood.

As I stepped back, I saw Esteban approaching the duke as if he had seized the opportunity.

‘It won’t work.’

I silently laughed at him and went into the terrace.

When I saw the round back of his head thinking about something, I felt playful and approached him, carefully hiding his presence.

‘You’re so defenseless.’

I think he’s good at magic, but he’s not very good at martial arts.

‘Well, he’s still a small child.’

It’s pretty, really pretty.

It was pretty even in front of the bright lights, but when reflected in the moonlight, it was also mysterious and fairy-like.

‘hmm. Next time, I shouldn’t surprise you. You’re swearing with your eyes… .’

Still, even that appearance…

Well, even back then, when I ran into him in the back alley, he shined.

Cecilia, who grew up early and had never even played with dolls, felt unfamiliar.

‘Really… if it was a doll, I would have taken it with me…’

When I saw the surprised expression on my face after receiving the gift I had prepared, I felt proud that I had succeeded, but I was embarrassed when I suddenly burst into tears.

I’ve never thought of anyone as pretty.

No matter how well-dressed the young lady was at the party, my reflection in the mirror was the prettiest. Every time I heard that she was pretty, I got annoyed.

When she came to her senses, she was comforting the child by saying she was pretty.

“Crying is pretty, but smiling is even prettier.”

She must have been crying so hard that she poked her head out from inside my arms and looked up at me, and her sparkling pink eyes were really pretty.

‘Are you trying to be embarrassed?’

The child’s words were different from what I expected.

“Yes. I know.”

I laughed inadvertently.

Rather than being unpleasant despite the damp clothes, I felt like I could somehow smell the sweet scent of flowers as the wind blew.

“Can I call you Marian?”

Only 5 years old. Nevertheless, the serious look in his eyes that did not make you think he was a child made me feel like he was my equal.

“Yes.”

Just that short answer somehow made my heart beat faster.

That’s how I became friends with Marian.

* * *

“There is no one who doesn’t know that you have a mother from a commoner, isn’t that really too arrogant?”

“Sure. It’s a little cute, Prince Esteban. Have you all seen that embarrassed expression?”

“My brother and father tell me to be friendly with a kid like that, but hey, he’s still a kid.”

“It’s arrogant of you to praise me like that. Don’t you think you really think you can be the princess? Even Prince Esteban wonders what he likes about a kid like that… . I’m just a kid.”

As I left the terrace, I heard a group of girls talking disparagingly about me in the corner.

‘Childish, childish.’

It’s so nice to see them gathering in a blind spot where other nobles can’t hear.

‘It’s half a prince’s story.’

I don’t hate looking at pretty and handsome men.

But I realized it as I grew up.

The love they talk about and the love I want are different.

One thing comes to mind.

‘Serin, I like you, I love you. ‘Go out with me!’

‘Sorry… . I just thought of you as a friend.’

I didn’t know what kind of expression to make at the sudden confession. He was probably making a very awkward expression.

‘I’m sorry to burden you, but I’ll wait for you anytime and forever. ‘If you change your mind, tell me.’

Still, he smiled sweetly.

Honestly, I was happy.

But I was scared.

Still, I thought of him as a friend who treated me comfortably just like before.

Until then, I probably believed in love between a man and a woman.

Isn’t there someone who will cherish me and not betray me, just like in the novel?

I thought that too.

Then one day, when I went to pick up something I had left in the classroom.

I could hear men talking.

‘Why are you putting so much effort into it? There was a rumor that Serin was her bubble. And just by looking at it, it can be seen that you are not interested in men.’

‘Does it look like that to you?’

‘Well, you know?’

‘Pretty girls have strong pride. It’s true that a face like that is arrogant. In the first place, he was more wary than proud.’

With that voice that whispered kindly to me… . about me. I was laughing and talking ‘hahahoho’ to other people.

I was used to gossiping behind my back.

but.

‘You don’t let your guard down.’

‘that’s right!’

He took a drag on his cigarette and opened his mouth.

‘You idiots, are you just going to open it up?’

‘Didn’t you usually do that?’

‘That’s just a rag.’

There was no prejudice against smokers. However, he didn’t even smoke in front of me, and I was grateful that he was even considerate.

‘Just taking him around makes you feel proud, and even if he is an illegitimate child, he belongs to a wealthy family. Even if I can’t do it, I should at least get a building, right?’

‘and. This guy. ‘You were drawing the big picture, weren’t you?’

‘Are you sure Serin is perfect except for the cold wind blowing?’

‘Isn’t that the biggest problem? ‘A woman must be charming!’

‘That’s why you are Ada. ‘I heard Serin acts like a shy cat when she’s with me.’

‘all…’

‘Do you think it’s possible?’

He’s a shy cat… . I used to feel awkward about how to treat someone who showed interest in me.

‘For these kids, once they hold hands and even kiss, the game is over. The next time will just follow.’

He boasted about what he was so proud of.

When I looked at it, it smelled like cigarettes even though it was quite far away and it was disgusting.

‘He doesn’t even drink.’

‘In the first place, does it make sense for college students to have a 7 o’clock curfew? ‘What do you do with a kid like that?’

‘It’s not long. Even now, every time I offer him a drink, he refuses with an apologetic look. If he gets in a bad mood, it’s a curfew and that’s it.’

”As expected, Casanova!”

‘I’ll kiss you and fall asleep within a month!’

‘what? But how do you offer alcohol to a child who has a 7 o’clock curfew?’

‘They sell alcohol at convenience stores too, you guys.’

I felt nauseous, I just took a step back after hearing that, so I don’t know any more than that.

There wasn’t anything special. Every time I see him, he smiles at me, catches me when I stumble, and we go to the cafeteria together a few times… .

still… .

Even though it’s just that.

I felt betrayed.

I expected it.

‘Someone who will not betray me and only love me… . There’s no way something like that exists.’

Since then, I have not been able to give up the tendency to look at people who approach me through colored glasses.

Needlessly good memory.

‘There was a time when I thought that way.’

Cecilia touched my hand carefully. He says he heard it too and is smiling, but his smile is stiff.

Thinking about it now… You were truly starved for affection.

I squeezed her hand once to show that it was okay and then let go and walked away.

“Hello, ladies, thank you for coming to celebrate my birthday today.”

I saw his eyes wide open, as if he didn’t know I was coming.

“Ah, hello, Lady Marian.”

Among them, a girl who looked about 15 years old came to the front.

It’s like… . What would you do if you heard it?

It was just that kind of expression.

surely. A 5 year old. If you heard 10-16 year old girls talking behind your back… .

He was probably shocked, or at least different from me now.

Maybe it was because they were kids, but they were really excited. The sound of whispering is heard again.

“Wow. Didn’t you hear everything? But is it so shameless?”

“So shameless… .”

You look so confident even with padded lips.

“You were the daughter of Viscount Petra, right?”

I called out to the young lady who seemed to be the leader of the group.

“Ah, yes… . You knew it.”

‘Then you thought I wouldn’t know?’

In modern times, he would be around middle school.

“Of course. How often has the Viscount visited recently?”

“…Your father?”

She trembled as if she had been caught stealing.