Chapter 3 – Part 9

“I didn’t expect mother to show up so suddenly,”

Eli couldn’t let go of Ruby’s hand even during their return to their room.

Now that Ruby wanted a divorce, Eli found it irritating that there might be further complications. So, contrary to his usual reserved self, he poured out words to Ruby.

We just need to avoid each other. Eli decided to think quickly about how to send Marie back as soon as possible, seizing the brief moment of his tight grip on Ruby’s hand.

“It’s okay.”

“Don’t worry, it won’t be uncomfortable. We can have our meals separately,”

“I don’t mind having the meal together.”

Eli’s brain, which had been running various plans, came to a halt.

“It’s really okay.”

Ruby smiled as if to assure him that it was indeed okay.

Eli precisely understood the meaning behind her smile. Ruby was trying to use Marie’s visit as an opportunity. She still aimed to divorce him.

Probably, within her, there was a conviction that he was putting his family first, thinking of him as the Eli before Ruby’s death.

To me, you come first. You…

But Eli swallowed the words he wanted to say.

“Alright, then let’s eat together.”

As actions speak louder than words. It would be much better to show her.

That he is different from the Eli she remembered.

***

When morning came, there was an unusual commotion, unlike the usual quietness.

Eli quietly left the room so as not to wake Ruby.

As he stepped into the lobby, he saw a displeased expression on Marie, who was standing there.

“What’s the commotion about?” Eli asked in a low voice.

His expression was asking loudly, “What are you up to?”

“Master.”

Damon greeted Eli with a smile.

“I see you’re awake, and I think you should eat. My daughter-in-law didn’t think to come down when I was here, so I thought I’d go find her.”

Marie said enthusiastically, raising her head stiffly.

“We usually have a late breakfast. Mother, you should eat first.”

Eli told Marie in a suppressed voice.

“That was when I wasn’t around.”

“It doesn’t change even if you’re here. I am the rightful owner of this place. Don’t wait for me and eat first.”

“It doesn’t make sense for a household to have separate meals.”

Marie mumbled with a hint of displeasure, intending for Ruby in the room to hear.

“Damon.”

“Yes.”

“Transfer Mother to the other residence immediately.”

Eli ordered, looking directly into Marie’s eyes.

“Right away.”

“Yes, ……. I will do as you command.”

“Don’t worry and enjoy your meal comfortably. It will be better for my wife to eat in peace.”

Having finished speaking, Eli turned away from Marie and returned to the room without looking at her.

Luckily, Ruby, who was a light sleeper, hadn’t heard Marie’s disturbance.

“I’ll make sure there’s no inconvenience.”

Eli gently kissed Ruby’s forehead, as he always did after returning. He hoped for a peaceful morning with Ruby, as it had always been since his return.

***

“Big brother!”

Emily found her big brother early in the morning.

Eli met Emily in the first-floor parlor, considering Ruby.

“How are you doing? Is there anything uncomfortable?”

Hugging Emily, Eli asked affectionately. Since Marie moved to a separate residence, Emily and Eve moved with her.

“A lot of things there are uncomfortable. Can’t we live in the main residence again?”

Hugging Eli and pouting, Emily pleaded.

“You need to get used to it.”

Eli patted her head as usual, but his affectionate tone was not the same as before.

“You can tell me if there’s anything uncomfortable, and I’ll order it changed right away. Don’t hesitate.”

“But why? You said you were taking a break for a while.”

“That time is reserved for spending with Ruby.”

“Then play with us and Ruby together.”

Eli’s warm smile remained the same, but the words coming from him were unfamiliar.

“Why? Did sister say she doesn’t like it?”

“…What?”

“We’re staying in our cottage because she’s uncomfortable with us. Does she not want to play with Emily?”

Emily pursed her lips, expressing her disappointment.

“Who says that?”

“Everyone does.”

Eli’s smile hardened slightly, then returned just as quickly. It was so fleeting, Emily didn’t even notice.

“How about mother?” The words made Emily’s gaze linger on Eli.

“Yes, she also said that”

“Does Ruby seem like the kind of person who would do that?”

“……I don’t know.”

Her voice was still full of frustration.

“After she got sick, she suddenly changed. She didn’t listen to Mother and left Shuban just like that. So I don’t really understand.”

Emily tapped the floor with her toe.

“Think about it carefully.”

Eli’s calm voice made Emily lost in thought.

For a moment, she rolled her eyes and looked at Eli again. Her expression still conveyed confusion.

“Then how about observing and deciding for yourself? Watch whether Ruby made Emily stay in the separate residence, or if your big brother is following her words.”

“……So does that mean I can play with her?”

That seemed more important to Emily.

“If Ruby allows it.”

“Will Big Brother ask her?”

“You should ask directly. You want to play with her, right?”

“But…”

“Make sure to ask her.”

Eli smiled affectionately as he patted her head, but the warmth was different from before.

“Now, it’s time for a meal. Emily, you should go back.”

Eli stood up with a gentle pat on Emily’s head. He gave instructions to Leton to guide Emily to the separate residence, then left the parlor first.

Emily was left behind, looking at the unfamiliar figure of the kind brother she once knew.

***

“Big brother has changed.”

Emily pouted with a mischievous expression. Walking alongside her, Leton chuckled, asking if that was so.

Emily had grown up relying on Eli as a father figure. So, she probably felt Eli’s changes more profoundly.

“Is this also something sister ordered?”

Even Leton, who had been with Grit as an assistant for quite a while, now seemed disgruntled.

“Why would you think that way?”

“It’s strange, isn’t it? Suddenly telling us to stay in the different mansion and not play with us.”

“Perhaps he has really changed,”

“Big brother?”

Leton seems to need time to accept Eli’s changes as well.

‘Did my brother really listen to sister that well?’

A thought crossed Emily’s mind as they approached the mansion.

“I’ll only guide you until here.”

Leton bowed politely, leaving Emily, who seemed lost in her thoughts.

“Leton!”

Emily urgently grabbed him.

“Do I also have to ask permission to dine with my brother and sister?”

“I will inquire about that to His Lordship”

“If they say it’s okay, tell them I’d love to join them for dinner.”

“Yes, My Lady”

Having decided to judge for herself, Emily nodded as Leton responded and entered the mansion.

***

“I’ve guided her well.”

Eli nodded slightly as Leton reported.

“The young miss also asked if she needs to request separately to have a meal with you and Lady Ruby.”

“Emily?”

“Yes.”

“Tell her she can join us if she want, but only for Eve and Emily.”

“Understood. Also, Viscount Vance, he’s staying in the capital as of today.”

As Leton finished his brief report, maid reported that Ruby had finished dressing.

“I’ll have to send him a letter sooner or later.”

Eli muttered and turned to Ruby..

When she came out, he placed his hand on her waist and kissed her lightly on the forehead, as he always did.

“The tea is outside. I’ve prepared it.”

He led Ruby to the garden.

“Already?”

“I was waiting for you, and the weather is nice.”

At his honesty, Ruby looked away.

In return, she blushed at his answer.

This usually happened when he asked her out on a date or said something he hadn’t said before.

“You don’t have to push yourself.”

She’d say it out of habit.

He didn’t even realize it was a habit.

“This feels more like a vacation.”

Her intent in those words seemed to be to say that there was no point in trying when her mind wasn’t going to change anyway, so Eli tried to play it off, gripping Ruby’s hand tighter each time.

“I wish you would ask me a selfish favor for once.”

Ruby looked at him as if she didn’t know what he meant, and he shook his head.

“I’ll even give you a star if you want it.”

Eli said, deliberately playful.

“No thanks.”

Unlike him, it was a serious refusal. No promises.

The corners of Eli’s mouth turned up playfully, then down.

He wondered how many times he’d rejected her before he’d become this way. When he thought about it, he was at a loss for words.

***

“Traitor.”

It was Eve’s voice.

“Do you know why we’re here?”

A little while ago, she had blamed Emily for spending time with Eli, Ruby, and Leton.

“Are you talking about sister Ruby?”

“Then who else could it be?”

Hmm.

Emily frowned slightly. She couldn’t agree with what Eve was saying.

Emily spent a lot of time with Ruby, and Eli, more than usual. Normally, she would have nitpicked about her own affairs, but this time, she found herself often observing Eli and Ruby having meals together.

“I don’t think it’s because of sister Ruby”

After observing for a few days, Emily came to a conclusion.

Interestingly, Ruby seemed indifferent to whether Emily joined for meals or not. She didn’t seem to care about sharing tea either.

Instead, Eli, her own brother, seemed to be constantly checking if everything was okay between Ruby and her.

Even during meals, he tirelessly served food in front of Ruby, and when her favorite dish or wine ran out, he immediately called a servant to refill it.

The same went for tea time. Ruby’s favorite dessert and the right temperature for the tea were a given.

“Then who is it?”

“If I had to guess, ……I think it’s brother?”

“Does that make sense?”

Eve asked, seemingly reluctant to believe.

“Anyway, I don’t dislike sister Ruby now.”

Her reaction was similar to what Eve’s had been until recently. Emily understood that feeling, as she had experienced it herself.

Emily lightly patted Eve’s shoulder and headed to her own room.