Chapter 39

Creak.

The door opened without warning. Rodesha, who was sitting in the study room as usual, previewing the lecture material for the next day, looked up.

To think there was someone else coming to study at this hour besides herself.

Rodesha looked up curiously.

Standing at the door was Rodesha’s brother, Rodein Roziena.

The moment she saw Rodein, a clear wrinkle formed between her brows reflexively.

Soon, her brother walked towards her with a dejected look.

Just as she was about to scold him for coming to find her again, she noticed something strange.

She wondered if she had been staring at the book for too long, making her eyes tired and causing her to see things.

Rodesha stared at Rodein in disbelief, blinking several times and even rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.

Because right now, Rodein was—

“Rodesha, you…”

“……”

“Are you crying?”

He was crying.

His large orange eyes were filled with transparent tears. The sight of tears rolling down his cheeks was all too vivid.

Rodesha was so taken aback that she could barely speak.

She quickly looked around. The study room seemed empty, but just in case, she hurriedly pulled him closer to her.

Her brother obediently sat down next to her. Even then, he was busy shedding tears without saying a word.

“……”

What should I say first?

She was so flustered that her mind wasn’t working well, but she tried to think calmly.

In fact, this wasn’t the first time Rodesha had seen Rodein cry.

Rodein was the type who wouldn’t hesitate to use any means necessary to achieve his goals, and that included shedding tears.

Even their strict father would often give in to his requests when he cried.

But this situation was different. What could Rodein possibly gain by crying in front of her?

Or was he pretending to cry just to enjoy her surprised reaction? She couldn’t tell.

Even though he was her brother by blood, he was hard to figure out, and Rodesha clicked her tongue.

“Why are you crying? Do you think I’ll go soft because of your tears…?”

“I’m not crying! Why would I cry over a mere commoner like that!”

Even as tears streamed down his face, his shout startled Rodesha.

“Are you crying because of Judith!?”

“……”

Rodein clenched his fists and bit his lip as if in frustration. Since he didn’t say anything, it seemed to be true.

Rodein Roziena was crying because of Judith. Rodesha could only gape.

At the same time, she wondered.

What on earth had happened between them for Judith to make Rodein cry?

No, would he even cry because of something like that? This kid?

Not knowing what had happened, Rodesha placed her hands on her hips with an elegant demeanor.

As someone with the Roziena name, she had to maintain reason and dignity in any situation.

But right now, there was no trace of dignity or refinement in Rodein.

Today, she had to show her authority as an older sister.

Resolutely, Rodesha spoke in a dignified tone.

“Stop crying. Do you know how pathetic you look right now? How can a grown child cry like this?”

But even while shedding pitiful tears, Rodein was not one to be underestimated.

Sniffling, he began to retort to his sister’s words.

“I’m not crying, I’m just so angry. I’m so furious that I’m releasing the heat from my body through tears.”

It was a nonsensical statement with no logic.

Normally, she would have teased him mercilessly for his weakened state, but this time, Rodesha decided not to.

She lowered her hand from her hip and rummaged through her bag. Then she took out a clean handkerchief and handed it to Rodein.

“Alright, let’s say that’s what it is.”

Whoosh.

Yet without a word of thanks, Rodein took the handkerchief from Rodesha.

Though exasperated, Rodesha decided to endure his rude behavior.

Rodein’s eyes were so bloodshot from crying that it looked as if he was shedding tears of blood.

“You wouldn’t understand because you haven’t experienced it. You don’t know how I feel right now.”

“……How do you feel?”

“I feel so wronged and resentful. It’s like I’ve swallowed a ball of fire.”

As he said that, Rodein blew his nose into the handkerchief.

Normally, she would have laughed at his appearance, but he looked genuinely sorrowful and sad, so she couldn’t.

For some reason, it seemed Rodein had been deeply hurt by Judith.

Hesitating, Rodesha eventually patted her brother’s trembling shoulders.

But as time passed, her curiosity only grew stronger.

What on earth had happened…?

Rodein had always been a confident person with self-esteem reaching the sky.

Moreover, having been the target of envy and jealousy from others since he was young, he was bold enough not to blink at most insults.

Even Rodesha had often been amazed at how mentally strong he was.

But to see such a proud Rodein looking so weak?

Anyone who knew Rodein’s true nature would be shocked. Their mother would likely be terrified, thinking a monster had taken over Rodein’s shell.

This monumental event should be recorded in a crystal ball, but unfortunately, she didn’t have one. Rodesha clicked her tongue in regret.

Noticing his sister’s curious gaze, Rodein muttered weakly.

“I think she found out I was trying to use her.”

“How did that happen?”

“I don’t know. I was perfect. It’s just that commoner is strange.”

It seemed he hadn’t listened to her advice about Judith not being an easy target and not showing any weakness.

He must have completely ignored her warning that he’d get into trouble.

It was intriguing. 

How did Judith figure out Rodein’s intentions?

Rodein had been cunning since childhood, taking pleasure in deceiving others, and was such a good actor that people would get fooled even if they knew.

Until now, no one had seen through Rodein’s act…

“So, did Judith say anything harsh?”

“No, she said she’d lend me her summary notes.”

“What does that mean? Didn’t she catch you trying to seduce her on purpose?”

Why are summary notes coming up here?

Seeing Rodesha’s confused expression, Rodein added.

“That commoner thinks I approached her to get her summary notes.”

“Really…?”

Rodesha could only give an awkward smile to Rodein, who muttered that he didn’t understand why there was such a misunderstanding.

Perhaps Judith couldn’t easily trust Rodein because she had been approached the same way once before.

She wondered if her influence played a role in Rodein’s plan failing.

Knowing her brother would throw a fit if he found out, Rodesha decided to keep it a secret until her death.

Meanwhile, Rodein continued to speak gloomily.

“She even said I don’t have to feel sorry, that I don’t need to apologize.”

“Judith is really an angel.”

When Rodesha sighed in admiration, Rodein sharply retorted, refusing to agree.

“How is that kind? It’s so heartless. How can a person be so cruel?”

As he got angry, Rodesha’s eyes widened.

What on earth was so cruel about it?

Judith had accepted all of Rodein’s requests to join the supplementary class, help with problem-solving, and have lunch together, even though he was persistently following her.

Even after realizing his impure intentions, she willingly offered to lend him her precious notes and told him he didn’t need to apologize.

Rodesha thought again that her brother’s nature was more twisted than a pretzel and clicked her tongue.

“It feels like my heart is being torn apart. How can it hurt so much? How can just a few words…”

Rodesha’s handkerchief, soaked with tears, hung heavily. Clutching it, Rodein muttered.

“How can words leave someone in shambles?”

Is it really that bad?

Normally, Rodesha had always wanted to see her overly confident brother fail and become discouraged.

But who would have thought it would be today?

Seeing him in such pain, she felt a twinge of sympathy as his sister.

But she couldn’t pity him.

After all, this was a result of Rodein’s arrogance in looking down on the world.

In a way, it was a good thing. Having tasted the bitterness of life through this experience, he wouldn’t be able to act arrogantly towards others anymore.

Thinking she’d have to gently advise him once he stopped crying, Rodesha silently patted her brother’s back.