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Kaidel, who was staring at his younger brother, opened his mouth.
“After your ninth birthday, you’re eligible to take the Academy Entrance Exam. You might know, but still.”
Demian flinched at Kaidel’s words.
“There are a lot of subjects that you need to prepare for, I will have someone to help you…”
A wrinkle crept between Kaidel’s forehead, who was about to continue his speech. Demian kept his head down, looking down only at the hands on his lap.
“Demian, raise your head and look at me. Look into my eyes.”
At Kaidel’s hard voice, Demian’s shoulders shrugged again. After a moment’s hesitation, the large purple eyes slowly turned towards Kaidel.
“What matters the most is your decision. I’ll just follow your choices. If you say you want to go to the Academy, I will do my best to have you apply there, but if you don’t want to, I will accept that as well.”
“…”
“Demian, please say something.”
Kaidel ran his hands over his hair and said in a voice deeply soaked with his fatigue. He waited for a long time since then, yet there was no answer from Demian.
The Valentine brothers’ conversations were always like this. Demian kept his mouth shut at some point and said nothing.
Kaidel tried his best to open his mouth, but the more he did, the more Demian locked himself in his room and isolated himself.
He considered seeking treatment no matter how the surrounding eyes viewed them, but he couldn’t even try, as he was extremely refusing to see a doctor.
‘What the hell was the problem?’
Every time Kaidel looked at Demian, he felt a sense of frustration as if a rock had been placed on his chest.
As soon as Demian was born, their mother died, they also lost their father to war, and Kaidel suddenly took over the parenting of his younger brother. That role was more difficult and demanding than any role he had played.
Kaidel, who looked into the eyes of Demian for a moment, who resembled his mother in his blurred memories, then spoke.
“I have a place to go with you tomorrow. There is someone I want you to meet.”
“…!”
There was a little fear in Demian’s eyes. Kaidel shook his head briefly and added.
“It’s not a doctor, so there is nothing to be afraid of. She’s the daughter of a count… Maybe she will help you make up your mind. We’ll just meet, talk for a while, and then come back.”
At that moment, Demian’s face, who had grown tired of pale, slowly turned better.
“…I called you to say that. You may go back.”
Demian, who looked at his eyes and bowed his head, immediately left the office. A dark shadow fell on Kaidel’s face as he looked at the small figure that was moving away.
***
‘It’s finally today.’
The face of Eleanor, whose hair was tied, was quite determined. She repeatedly checked herself and the condition of the drawing room several times.
Not only Eleanor, but all the servants of the Count’s house were on high alert. It made sense because the Crown Prince, the Prince, the siblings of the Duke of Valentine, Young Marquis Blake and his nephew, were all due to visit.
The intention was to ‘just talk comfortably’, but Eleanor wasn’t comfortable at all. Such words were always said by high-ranking people who were easily comfortable.
Is there anything more meaningless than saying, “You don’t need to prepare anything”? Eleanor murmured again, stroking the new coveted flowers in the vase.
“Miss, Valentine’s and Blake’s carriage just passed through the gate.”
“Already? Alright. Everyone, please check it out one last time.”
Albert informed her that the Duke and Marquis’ carriages had arrived. A little earlier than the promised time. Eleanor shook off the wrinkles of her skirt and headed to the front door.
“Ellen.”
“Rian, come on in. Sienna, you too. I saw you as a baby, and you have become a pretty lady.”
“I really wanted to meet you! Thank you for inviting me.”
Sienna greeted her politely by holding the hem of her skirt with her fern-like hands. In accordance with the etiquette, her polite greetings were quite good.
Sienna was a lovely girl with cotton candy pink hair and rosy cheeks. She seemed to have taken her sparkling golden eyes from her uncle, Adrian.
“By the way, what is in your hand?”
“Dessert. I picked the ones you like.”
“Thank you. I will eat well.”
A small smile spread across Eleanor’s lips.
“I can bring it to the drawing room, right?”
“Yeah, will you?”
“Let’s go, Enna.”
Adrian strode into the house, accustomed to it.
Shortly thereafter, the carriage engraved with the Duke’s pattern came to a halt, then the Duke and his brother were seen getting off. The two looked so similar that anyone could tell they were brothers.
Eleanor stood at the doorway and greeted them with a smile.
“I’m greeting the Duke of Valentine.”
“Lady Everett.”
A stern greeting like that of Kaidel has returned. Eleanor bowed slightly, greeted the boy at eye level.
“Hello, Young Lord.”
“It’s okay to just call him Demian. Take it easy.”
Kaidel said.
Well, it was convenient for Eleanor as well. But what was important was Demian’s decision.
Eleanor asked Demian kindly, making eye contact with him once more.
“Can I treat you as the Duke said?”
The boy, who had stood stiff with his long, rich eyelashes down, slowly lifted his gaze and looked at Eleanor. Eleanor was startled by the purple eyes that sparkled like jewels.
Demian, who had been examining Eleanor’s face carefully as if he had been vigilant without saying a word for a long time, nodded slowly. Eleanor grinned and held out her hand.
“Alright, Demian. Let’s go in. I have prepared a lot of delicious things.”
Demian took Eleanor’s hand, which was suddenly extended in front of him. Eleanor, gently clasping his slender fingers wrapped in gloves, led the two into the drawing room.
The Duke’s gaze followed her cheeks. Eleanor hurried her steps, pretending to be ignorant of his gaze.
“Your Grace the Duke of Valentine.”
“Young Marquis Blake.”
Kaidel and Adrian, who met in the drawing room, exchanged greetings awkwardly. Standing vaguely between the two, Eleanor had the illusion that a cold wind was blowing from somewhere.
Eleanor, who had been wandering her eyes awkwardly, burst into admiration as she looked at the table in the drawing room that was already full.
“Wow, Rian. Why did you buy so much? I can’t eat it all.”
“It’s like this because I put everything I thought you would like. Shall we put the tart in the middle?”
“Yeah, give it to me. I’ll put it.”
“It’s closer from my side, so I’ll just do it.”
Adrian smiled and skillfully arranged the plates on the table.
Kaidel’s eyes were closely attached to the two who were naturally arguing. For some reason, Eleanor felt goosebumps on her neck.
“Demian, this is Sienna. Sienna, this is Demian.”
To make up for the awkward atmosphere, Eleanor had Sienna and Demian greeting each other.
“Hello, Demian.”
“…”
Unlike Sienna, who greeted him naturally, Demian showed no reaction.
“Will you wait a bit more? All the guests haven’t arrived yet. If you’re hungry or thirsty, you can tell anyone.”
Eleanor saw this as an opportunity, as the princes hadn’t yet arrived. After Eleanor asked the maids to watch over the children, she strode towards the two men, who were still standing awkwardly and conscious of each other.
“Duke, can we talk for a moment? Rian, you too.”
“Alright, Ellen.”
“Of course.”
As soon as Eleanor opened her mouth, the replies burst out as if they had waited. While she walked into a corner of the hallway, the two followed her.
“I think you’ve all seen it. Those… ridiculous articles.”
Eleanor spoke her words carefully.
“Ah.”
“Hm.”
But somehow, the responses were lukewarm. Eleanor, feeling a little giddy, squinted her eyes and continued.
“I know that everyone must have been very troubled and embarrassed because of those articles. So did I. If you haven’t been able to respond because you’re afraid to embarrass my position, I just wanted to tell you that you don’t have to.”
“Mmm…”
“The Duke and Marquis are sitting still, isn’t it a little bit weird if the daughter of a count like me steps out?”
Silence.
It was literally static. There was no reply from Kaidel and Adrian.
Eleanor lifted her head and looked straight into their faces. First Adrian, then Kaidel.
Adrian smiled awkwardly and scratched the back of his head, while Kaidel turned his head away from Eleanor’s gaze with a slightly bewildered look on his face.
“Why don’t you say anything? It’s okay if you respond harshly, though?”
When Eleanor was bewildered by the unexpected reactions, the butler approached with a cough.
“Lady, the Imperial carriage has arrived.”
“Alright. I’ll be going.”
Eleanor nodded and turned. At first glance, relief appeared on Kaidel and Adrian’s faces, but now there was no time to discuss.
“…We will discuss this matter again later.”
As soon as Eleanor arrived at the drawing room, just in time, the large Imperial carriage stopped. It was her first time meeting the princes, thus she was nervous.
The carriage opened, and the platinum hair symbolizing the Imperial Family shone brilliantly in the light. Eleanor immediately bowed her back slightly and greeted them according to the etiquette.
“May the light of Bellium reach you. It’s a great honor to meet you. Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness the Prince. This is Eleanor Everett.”
“You don’t have to be so polite. You can take it easy.”
Contrary to expectations, a playful and cheerful voice returned. Eleanor opened her eyes involuntarily and looked at the Crown Prince.
“I really wanted to meet you. Nice to meet you, Lady Everett.”
His shiny platinum hair and ruby-red eyes were alluring. Eleanor put on a blank expression for a moment at his beautiful face, which looked like it came from the stars.
The Crown Prince smiled leisurely, as if he was used to such a reaction.
“Sniff, it smells delicious.”
At that moment, a round head protruded from the Crown Prince’s side. It was the prince, Lucas, who had the same platinum blonde hair as the Crown Prince, and purple eyes.
“Hello, Prince. Wasn’t it inconvenient for you to come?”
“Yeah, it was fun. Just call me Lucas. You can also call me Luke.”
Eleanor lowered her body slightly so she was at eye level with Lucas. Lucas nodded his head and replied politely.
It was so cute that Eleanor let out a small laugh.
“Alright, Lucas. Shall we go in then?”
“Is there anything to eat when I go inside?”
“Yes, there are many delicious desserts.”
“Can I eat whatever I want?”
“Of course.”
Lucas followed Eleanor with a satisfied face.
“Hmm. You should be polite to your teacher, Lucas.”
“Ughh.”
Izmel lightly hit Lucas’ head and gave a small smirk.
The Crown Prince seemed to be a surprisingly informal and easy-going person. Eleanor entered the drawing room with the two of them, surprised at the inside.
“I’m greeting Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Kaidel and Adrian stood up and greeted Izmel. Izmel nodded his head with his characteristic gentle smile and responded lightly.
“Yeah, long time no see. Aren’t these three people responsible for the romance of the Bellium Empire? I’m reading the articles well.”
Eleanor’s face flushed at Izmel’s joke. In fact, Kaidel and Adrian were just standing there with calm faces.
Eleanor, who had struggled to regain her composure, suggested in a bright voice.
“Ah, do you want me to give you a separate room while I’m talking to the children? To make it easier for you to talk…”
Before Eleanor could even finish her words, answers jumped out in unison.
“No, it’s okay.”
“No, Ellen.”
“It’s fine.”
Izmel shrugged his shoulders.
“What are you going to talk about with these brats? I’ll stay calm in the corner without disturbing you.”
“It would be uncomfortable.”
“It won’t, just take it easy.”
No, I’m the one who’s uncomfortable.