Ch.92Epilogue – Struggle, ESTL! (4)

“E-Eshtiel…?”

Tesser’s eyes flew open in shock.

He never imagined that the word “bitch” would come out of Eshtiel’s mouth of all people. Not only was her sudden corruption surprising, but those triangular eyes he’d never seen before were decidedly threatening.

“Who is she, I asked… hm?”

“Who is she…?”

“It doesn’t make sense that I wouldn’t know someone who’s a strong candidate to be the Crown Princess… How could I not know when I’ve been watching you so closely, Tesser oppa? That’s impossible.”

It was truly reasonable and crystal clear. Since it was just a hastily made excuse to begin with, Tesser felt cornered.

Even randomly mentioning any name would cause big problems.

Then that woman would unknowingly become a Crown Princess candidate and would have to endure Eshtiel’s frosty glare for no reason.

‘Why did I tell such an obvious lie…?’

Unlike Serin who showered her parents with tender affection and manic love, Tesser was extremely straightforward in nature.

He could proudly say that he had never particularly been attracted to anyone of the opposite sex.

Therefore, he had no particular aversion to an arranged marriage. He had lived with the thought that as long as they could fulfill their duties to each other, that was enough.

‘I’m sure that was the case… how did it come to this?’

To think that Eshtiel, whom he adored, would see him as a romantic interest.

And to think that this was the result of a mistake from the very beginning!

While Tesser was developing a headache, Eshtiel urged him on with a thoroughly disgruntled face.

“Hm? Who is she? I can’t let this go. I need to see with my own eyes exactly what kind of person could steal your heart, Tesser oppa.”

“D-Do you really need to do that?”

“Why? Don’t want to show me?”

“Well, you see…”

*Sniff*

Eshtiel secretly wiped her nose as she watched Tesser deep in thought.

She was desperately curious about who this woman could be that made Tesser, who had always been honest with her, so cautious. At the same time, she envied this mystery woman. Since Eshtiel had believed until now that their affection was mutual, her emotional confusion only grew stronger.

Perhaps she might end up saying something harsh to Tesser. As this possibility pricked at Eshtiel’s reason, her heated mind slowly began to cool.

“…I’m leaving.”

“Where to…?”

“Home. I’m going back to the mansion.”

“It’s too late at night to go back.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m going back. I’m really going back… Don’t follow me!”

“Eshtiel.”

“Don’t follow me! I’m leaving. I’m really leaving… Don’t follow me or try to stop me.”

*Swoosh!*

Eshtiel gathered her clothes hurriedly and left the room, leaving Tesser behind.

No matter how close they were as brother and sister, it wasn’t proper etiquette to behave this way before the Crown Prince. Nevertheless, Tesser couldn’t reproach Eshtiel. He already knew that he bore considerable responsibility for this situation.

“Haah…”

Tesser sighed bitterly in the room where he was left all alone.

He had no idea where to begin correcting his mismatched excuse. Even if he did correct it, he doubted whether Eshtiel would believe him.

“If I had known this would happen… I should have just answered honestly from the start…”

If he had properly conveyed from the beginning that he thought of her as a cute little sister, the aftermath would have been less severe. He couldn’t even laugh at how he had trapped himself by trying to be clever.

“…”

Outside the room where Tesser was blankly recalling Eshtiel’s image.

Despite the late hour, the brightly lit corridor cast delicate shadows.

The figure who had been spying on Tesser for quite some time left with a complex smile playing on their lips.

◇

As soon as Eshtiel returned to Count Elenot’s Estate, she sought out Tesha, her closest lady-in-waiting.

Guessing from her mistress’s expression that this was no ordinary matter, Tesha prepared a warm cup of cocoa and approached her.

“My lady. Did something happen at the Imperial Palace?”

“Something? Yes. Something extremely upsetting.”

Seeing Eshtiel with her lips pursed like a duck, Tesha instinctively sensed the cause.

‘It must be related to the Crown Prince.’

Since all the adults at the palace adored Eshtiel, it was unlikely that they would upset her.

Therefore, the only suspect who could disturb her mistress’s mood as she matured was none other than Tesser.

Sure enough, Eshtiel began to pour out every detail of the conversation she had with Tesser at the palace. All Tesha could do was provide appropriate responses and express unconditional sympathy.

“Isn’t he just awful? How could he do this? He clearly said he liked me…”

“Yes. He’s truly awful.”

Tesha’s words were half-hearted. In truth, Eshtiel’s unwavering faith in childhood words was far from normal. Tesha began to fear her mistress’s innocence anew.

‘It’s obvious that his claim about having someone he likes is a lie.’

Still, the best way to cheer her up was to join in criticizing him.

“You know, a man should have principles. How can you call someone manly when he’s flirting around with his eyes? He might as well wear a dress and hold a grand debutante ball.”

“…… Tesser oppa isn’t like that. He’s actually quite a solid person.”

‘I don’t know which tune I should dance to…’

Even in this situation, she couldn’t bear to hear criticism of Tesser, which seemed quite serious. The innocent love she had cherished for many years was apparently more significant than Tesha had expected.

“You know, Tesha.”

“Yes?”

“Am I really that unattractive?”

“Of course not.”

Tesha denied it flatly. This wasn’t just flattery to please her mistress.

It was the literal truth.

The Eshtiel she had known was certainly not someone who should put herself down like this.

“Haven’t you noticed the glances from the young lords whenever you attend banquets?”

“I have.”

“Then why do you say such things?”

“Because I’m not Lady Elenot, but Count Elenot. It’s natural that I stand out since there aren’t many women who hold titles. Moreover…”

Eshtiel grumbled in a rapidly shrinking voice.

“When we talk, the conversation eventually flows to the topic of Rahilt oppa…”

“Ah…”

Tesha suddenly realized her mistake. This was something even she found awkward to comment on.

‘That’s right… our lady’s brother is the Grand Duke of Elhader.’

The man who transformed the north in just a few years and took Serin, the Imperial Princess, as his Grand Duchess.

From a child of abdication to a mysterious mercenary king. And from mercenary king to the hero elevated as Grand Duke of Elhader.

As long as Rahilt was Eshtiel’s brother, she could not be free from his shadow.

Having Rahilt as family was clearly a privilege, but it also served to undermine Eshtiel’s self-esteem.

‘Even if someone approached with pure affection, they would ultimately desire at least a small part of that halo. And even if that weren’t the case, all praise would eventually go to her brother…’

Indeed, you are the Grand Duke’s sister.

You are a sister worthy of the Grand Duke’s glory.

Even if I were in the Grand Duke’s position, I would have cherished you greatly.

Grand Duke. Grand Duke. Grand Duke.

It was enough to make one sick of the constant mentions of her brother. Perhaps she had even declared that there might not be anyone who truly saw her for who she was.

It might be an exaggeration, but Eshtiel was clearly a sixteen-year-old girl. She was going through the sensitive period at the end of puberty. Therefore, it was only natural that she thirsted for her own identity.

“My lady.”

“Yes?”

“I truly like you.”

“What are you suddenly saying…”

“It’s not sudden at all. I still vividly remember when Rodrick and the Grand Duke brought you to the Windmill Mercenary Group when I had just joined.”

“Why?”

“I thought you were an angel descended from heaven. The moment our eyes met, I said to myself: Even though my sword is broken and I’ve been expelled, if I could serve a young lady like her, I would gladly abandon my sword and wear an apron instead.”

“W-Why are you flattering me…”

“I’m sincere! That’s why I’m so happy with my life now, having fulfilled my wish. It’s all thanks to you… I mean, the life you’ve provided, my lady.”

“Ugh…”

Eshtiel lowered her flushed face. Like an ostrich that thinks it’s invisible if it buries its head.

Tesha couldn’t help but smile at the impossibly cute sight.

“So don’t compare yourself to others. Like me, there are definitely people who love you for who you are.”

“I…”

I wish it was Tesser oppa.

Eshtiel swallowed these words.

“What? You wish it was the Crown Prince?”

“T-Tesha…!”

Eshtiel almost asked if she was reading her mind. She felt proud of herself for barely managing to restrain her loose tongue.

“Haah, really. Actually, since I rarely encounter him, I don’t know much… but what exactly do you like about him, my lady?”

There was no shortage of young ladies showing favor to Tesser.

Not only had his appearance matured and blossomed with age, but the position of Crown Princess was truly alluring. It was a position worth fighting for even at the risk of a family’s fate.

This was because since Serin, who had been an Imperial Princess, became a Grand Duchess, anyone who ascended to become Empress could expect help from the north.

In that sense, Tesser was also the best marriage prospect for similar reasons as Eshtiel.

‘Surely our lady wouldn’t like a man for such reasons…’

But she was curious.

What aspect of Tesser made her hold onto her childhood affection for so long?

Before answering this question, Eshtiel’s lips quivered.

“Tesser oppa…”

Now that she tried to put it into words, she couldn’t form a clear logic. So Eshtiel spoke randomly, as if rambling.

“He sees me, not as someone’s little sister… Around this time, Tesser oppa also struggled because Serin unni was so amazing, so I think that’s something we have in common. And when Rahilt oppa, Serin unni, Luca oppa, and Kanarin unni all quit the Academy, he stayed with me… He worried with me whenever I had troubles. And sometimes he would secretly solve them for me…”

Even as she continued her disorganized story, Eshtiel seemed genuinely happy. Just by looking at her curved lips, one could easily guess her feelings.

“…… Also, he’s quiet and calm. But when he gets flustered, his composure crumbles so easily. That aspect… even though Tesser oppa is an adult, I think he’s a bit cute. And also, also… he was the first one to tell me he liked me.”

“Didn’t the Grand Duke tell you he liked you?”

“That ‘like’ and this ‘like’ are different… That’s why…”

Eshtiel smiled shyly.

“As the sun rises, the hour hand turns, the moon sets, and each day passes, I found myself liking him more and more.”