episode_0079

On a night where the stars shimmered brightly,

“This incident. It won’t be able to pass quietly like this. You know that well too, Ellie.”

Albrice’s study, dark and tranquil.

The late spring rain continued to drizzle softly, adding to the already somber atmosphere outside the cloud-filled window. Within, Eleanor, the owner of the mansion, and Albrice sat facing each other with white porcelain tea cups blooming in front of them.

“Sigh… That may be true, but…”

Eleanor exhaled softly, displaying her displeasure. Albrice, noticing her discomfort, continued the conversation with a voice filled with concern.

“Ellie, you know very well how this ordeal might affect you.”

Eleanor nodded gently.

“To be honest, I don’t want to send you away to the West. The thought of my beloved little sister disappearing before my eyes… It’s truly dreadful even to imagine.”

The words spoken just now were quite sentimental for siblings. Eleanor looked at her guardian with a slightly disgusted expression. Clearly, the relationship she knew between siblings was not as saccharine as this.

Is this sibling dynamic typical in this world? Or is it this severe case of siscon that has skewed things?

Despite uttering words that could be mistaken for those of lovers, Albrice showed no sign of embarrassment in his eyes.

“But kidnapping… sigh.”

Albrice then let out a deep sigh.

“Ellie, I am genuinely worried about how bravely you are behaving. Are you perhaps enduring and sacrificing for the sake of others?”

“I’m not enduring anything!”

“Look at that wound on your neck. Ellie, if something were to happen to you… it would be truly…”

Albrice couldn’t bring himself to finish that sentence. Instead, he continued the conversation, looking at Eleanor with pitiful eyes.

“So, how about going back to the West this time, taking a break, and rejuvenating your body and mind in your hometown?”

Eleanor glared at Albrice with eyes full of discontent.

In truth, Eleanor had no place she could call her hometown. She might say she was born and raised in the West, but she had no memory of it.

Ironically, one could argue that right here, in the townhouse of the capital, felt just as much like home to her.

Even under the loving gaze of her younger sister, Albrice continued without batting an eye.

“Besides, our parents must be worried. By now, they probably have heard news of your kidnapping. Of course, they also received word that you are safe, which is a relief.”

As his speech lengthened, Albrice moved his hand over the teacup.

“You see, Ellie. If you refuse to go down, Father might break the agreement and come up to meet you immediately.”

Eleanor watched Albrice carefully as he brought the hot teacup to his lips, contemplating.

Even in their brief meeting of a month, she could tell. The men of the Bayern family were deeply invested in her, especially her father.

“Sigh… Alright. I’ll take a short break and come back up.”

“Good, you’ve made the right decision. Your little guardian, Ethelros, must be eager to see you. Take this opportunity to reconcile with him as well.”

‘Ellie, perhaps this might not be the last time you see me in the capital.’

Albrice chose not to voice that thought in front of his nodding younger sister.

#.

Although a major event like kidnapping had occurred, there was little change in Eleonore’s daily life.

From the beginning, or rather since losing her memory, she had been a lady who rarely went out. Eleonore was enjoying the spring leaving the townhouse fence cocooned within it.

What made her happy was that the townhouse in Beaurenka was extremely spacious. Even after living there for over two months, there were still many unfamiliar places. Just exploring the place kept her days flowing swiftly.

However, even though she spent her time confined to the house as before, it couldn’t be considered the same life as before.

“Ellie, did you sleep well? It’s a lovely morning, isn’t it?”

“Good morning, Ellie. It’s a beautiful morning, Lady Roelcelar.”

Two greetings exchanged between Eleonore entering the dining room and Oejenny following her, with one more than usual. In response to the slightly elongated greeting, Eleonore replied with an awkward smile.

“Go-good morning…. Uncle. And… Dmitri.”

“Good morning, Lord Albrice. Your Grace.”

Indeed, a new guest had joined the townhouse of Beaurenka.

Dmitri had agreed to stay at the mansion for a while until Eleonore went down to the west.

Thanks to that, Eleonore’s mornings started earlier than usual.

Even though she would have just lightly brushed her hair and come down in the past, now she was all dolled up, with makeup on her fair skin.

The servant waiting at the table pulled out a chair opposite Dmitri for Eleonore and Oejenny.

With a rosy face next to Oejenny, Eleonore sat in the chair the servant had pulled out.

A lavish breakfast spread before them.

Albrice and Dmitri continued their conversation.

“So, are you starting to prepare for winter in the north?”

“The urgent items like swords and medicines have already been sent by train. We plan to use the upper route for heavier items.”

“That’s a good idea. Oh, I’ve already sent people to the west for wheat and barley, so you don’t need to prepare separately.”

Albrice continued speaking as he cut into the yolk of a round muffin topped with caviar.

“By the way, Princess Hwangnyo will be visiting the mansion soon.”

“Well… Dominic may seem tough on the outside, but he’s quite a soft-hearted boy.”

“He’s not visiting secretly this time; it’s an official visit. I never knew the princess thought so highly of Ellie.”

“She’s Dominic’s first friend. Dominic must have been quite worried about Ellie.”

Dmitri said, taking a sip from a glass of water, his hand touching the cold, dewy glass.

“Albrice, I know how the westerners view the royal family, but Dominic is a bit different from those you know.”

“I don’t really think-”

“His actions, although mischievous, don’t go beyond a certain limit unlike others. Moreover, he takes care of his own terribly, so even if he associates with Ellie, nothing bad will happen.”

At Dmitri’s words, Albrice stiffened his expression. After taking a refreshing sip of water, Dmitri continued, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

“After all, the west is now neutral, isn’t it ambiguous?”

And even though her name had been mentioned, Eleonore still bowed her head, only looking at the splendid plate in front of her.

It was strange.

Certainly, her body had been indifferent when facing Yulian compared to before.

In the dream, after meeting Eleanor herself, it seemed clear that the emotions she had were gone.

So even when facing Julian’s red eyes, it was clearly nothing…

However…

What is this fluttering feeling now?

“What will Edmund do?”

“Sigh… I don’t even want to bring up those guys since morning.”

Thump

The heart that started racing at the deep, unfamiliar yet sweet voice of that man showed no sign of calming down.

The knife and fork in hand were gently shaking with the trembling of the chest. Since facing Dmitri, the pounding of the heart did not improve over time.

Eleanor!

Why do you leave this feeling behind without taking it away!

Contained in a transparent glass.

Eleanor stared at the platinum-haired lady whose face was turning red for a long time, but there seemed to be no answer coming back.

“Moreover, the Empress also wants to meet Eli. She wants to see Eli under the pretext of Eli not feeling well…”

“Just a moment, Albreis. Eli, where does it hurt?”

Dmitri, sitting across from her, was the first to notice the change among the three.

Interrupting Albreis, Dmitri looked at Eleanor sitting opposite him with eyes full of worry.

“Oh? Me? Um, me?”

“Your face has been very red since earlier. And seeing you fidget like that worries me.”

Only after Dmitri’s words did Albreis and Ogeni also look at Eleanor.

“Eli? Where does it hurt?”

“Aga… Eli, you were fine until just now, right?”

With all eyes gathered on her, Eleanor was taken aback and suddenly stood up from her seat.

“Oh, no. I’m fine, my stomach… my stomach hurts a little. I’ll get up first.”

As Eleanor tried to leave in a hurry, Albreis blocked her way.

“Your stomach hurts, Eli. Where and how does it hurt?”

“Should we call a physician? Where is Eilie, where is Eilie?”

“It’s, it’s okay. Really. So please don’t worry…”

Responding that she was fine to Dmitri and Albreis, Eleanor tried to leave the restaurant. Ogeni also tidied his lips with a napkin, quickly stood up following Eleanor.

But Albreis was not going to let it go that easily.

“Eli. I’m really worried. Where and how does it hurt?”

Albreis grabbed Eleanor’s hand as she tried to leave the restaurant. Startled by the touch that stopped her, Eleanor blurted out abruptly.

“I-I-It’s nothing! You don’t have to worry!”

At those words, everyone in the restaurant turned pale. Albreis could do nothing but reluctantly let go of her sister’s hand.