I Became The Younger Sister Of A Dying Woman - Chapter 53

53. You’re so….

That’s all I heard from Izekiel.

Of course, I didn’t fully share Izekiel’s suspicions that Miller was the one who had threatened me.

But he hadn’t been on my list of suspects, and I knew I had to put him on it.

And I had to make sure he was aware that Miller was planning to trouble Hernan.

“When will you be returning, Your Highness.”

I let out a long yawn.

What caught my eye at that moment was the old wallpaper.

“Oh, by the way. I have to go collect the money from those guys……….’

I decided that the money I gave Mini today would be covered by them.

Once I get the money, I can redo the interior.

It’s late today, so maybe I should go see them tomorrow.

I yawned again.

I thought I’d be busy for a few days.

* * *

I tried to take a short nap before Hernan arrived, but when I woke up, it was already the next day.

I struggled to lift my heavy eyelids.

Then, I saw a handsome man who made my mouth water.

The handsome man was sleeping with his arms gently wrapped around me.

I carefully examined every inch of his flawless face.

“Why is he so good-looking? It’s blinding.”

I didn’t expect to get a response, but…

“…It would be problematic if you really went blind.”

A pleasant voice rang out.

“Oops! When did you wake up?”

“I woke up long before you did.”

“Then, why didn’t you wake me up?”

The man’s lowered eyelids lifted.

The man’s half-closed eyelids lifted, revealing his deep crimson irises.

They shone brighter than the summer sun and were more beautiful than any gem.

“To wake you from your sleep is a hardship for me.”

I called his name.

“Your Highness Hernan…….”

“So, are you done admiring my face?”

“Not quite…….”

“I will give you special permission to touch it.”

If he permits it, then there’s no reason for me to hold back.

I gently caressed Hernan’s face with both hands.

This man practices self-discipline like eating, but why does his skin look so flawless?

“You can touch my face as you please.”

“Oh my, what an overwhelming favor.”

“In return.”

Hernan was silent. As if there were words, he couldn’t bring himself to say.

“……I hope you would stop staring at other men’s faces.”

“Oh, Your Highness. I may have a thing for handsome faces, but I like your face the most.”

I´m too busy taking care of my favorite, how can you be expecting that I would have time for a second favorite?

“What does that mean?”

“I’m just saying that I like you.”

“I see. But. You make me…….”

Hernan seemed to subdue his emotions as if he understood my feelings.

Was he saying that he knows I like his face the most?

“By the way, are you feeling well?”

“Yes! I went to bed early, so I’m feeling great.”

But because of that, we didn’t get anything done yesterday…….

I don’t know if I’m fit enough for a marriage.

I even wondered if Hernan would be unhappy about that.

In that moment, his lips gently landed on my cheek.

Kiss.

“Yo-Your Highness!”

Hernan seemed to sense immediately why I became flustered in that instant.

“Lips… when the allergy completely subsides, then…”

“I’m fine… achoo!”

Hernan gently stroked my head. His touch exuded a sense of resignation.

“I know you’re not okay.”

Hah… When will the nightmares of spring days end?

* * *

Hernan’s office, he called for Gatt.

“Gatt.”

Gatt popped up like a bullet and bowed before Hernan.

“At your command, Your Highness.”

Then came the familiar line.

“I have something for you to get.”

They say humans are adaptable creatures.

Gatt responded calmly, without showing surprise.

“Your Highness. What is it that I have to procure for you after so long? A belt? Shoes?”

“This time…….”

“This time……!”

Hernan finally revealed the “item.”

“Glasses.”

“……Pardon?”

Glasses.

Hernan had good eyesight.

So good that there were rumors he could see enemy troops from miles away, as if he had the eyes of a hawk.

To Gatt, it sounded like an absurd request.

But it was his request.

Hernan remained serious.

“The glasses looked good.”

“…….”

“I prefer them without prescription lenses. Understood?”

Hernan remembered how Linzel had stared at Miller’s face.

She pretended not to be interested in him.

But Hernan saw it.

For a moment, he saw Linzel’s unfocused gaze fixed on Miller’s face.

He’ll never be able to smile like him. But maybe he could at least wear non-prescription outer glasses like him?

Since he had never worn them before, he wanted to try, and I wondered what Linzel’s reaction would be if he did.

“……I’ll get some, Your Highness.”

Gatt replied slowly, thinking to himself.

‘I think you’re asking for it to look good for her Highness again…….’

How long will Hernan’s fashion obsession continue?

He was worried that he might neglect other important matters, like state affairs or military affairs, because of it.

‘Seriously, I need to meet Her Highness.’

Gatt’s eyes gleamed coldly.

After Gatt left the office, Hernan was left alone, lost in thought.

His mood now was one of unyielding defiance.

His attempt at wearing non-prescription glasses had completely vanished.

It was Miller, whom he had met the day before, who had upset him.

‘I don’t understand why Marquis Miller is interested in Illiya.’

Miller claimed that as a merchant, he should have an open ear and that he was curious about the hidden information in the palace… Hernan considered those excuses as mere pretenses.

There must be a hidden motive.

The problem was that Hernan had no idea what Miller’s real motive could be.

Miller hadn’t shown any discontent with the royal authority like Lenox, and he hadn’t actively involved himself in politics either.

And the facts Hernan had discovered about Miller didn’t align with Illiya.

That Miller was close to Scott, and that he hung out at a shady astrology shop.

What connection could those two facts have with Ilyah?

“Haa…..”

Hernan let out a sigh.

He might not know about strategy, but he excelled at tactics.

Even if he could put off finding out what Miller was up to, he had no idea how to talk to Illiya.

It had been ten years since they last saw each other.

Hernan didn’t even know how the boy turned out.

‘Maybe it’s my own karma.’

Karma for not looking out for his family, for using the excuse that he was busy with his work.

Still, she couldn’t give up, not when Linzel’s life depended on it.

“I must find a solution somehow.”

He uttered words close to determination.

“…… Your Highness, you have a visitor.”

A servant outside his office announced a visitor.

“Who is it?”

“It’s His Highness, Izekiel.”

……. Izekiel?

Without hesitation, Hernan responded.

“Tell him to go away.”

He had no business with Izekiel…..

‘…No, if it’s Izekiel, then…’

A glint of light appeared in Hernan’s deep eyes, locked in contemplation.

“No, tell him to come in.”

The door opened and Izekiel stepped in.

“Hernan! Rejecting your own brother at the doorstep! You’re just like a bad guy…”

Izekiel’s grumbling was expected.

Hernan looked at him without taking any hits.

Izekiel…… was a man of great resourcefulness.

He might have the solution to this predicament.

“Izekiel, stop fussing and take a seat.”

“You’re so… I’m your brother, remember that.”

That’s what they call a big brother. Tsk.

While grumbling, Izekiel sat down on the couch in his office.

Hernan also took a seat across from him.

“Izekiel. There’s something you need to help with.”

“…If it’s fashion-related advice, I’ll pass.”

“It’s not that.”

“Then what is it?”

Hernan sighed and spoke in a heavy voice.

“Marquis of Miller…… No, it’s about Linzel.”

Izekiel’s atmosphere suddenly shifted when Linzel’s name came out of Hernan’s lips. He erased the image of a sulking child and straightened up. He stared at Hernan with an unwavering gaze.

“Tell me more.”

Hernan hesitated for a moment, but eventually revealed Linzel’s situation.

The fact that Linzel needed to go to in the royal archiv to find a way to recover her health.

That he had obtained the seals of both dukes.

The fact that Miller, the owner of the last seal, had made a ridiculous proposal.

Even after disclosing all these facts, it didn’t seem like Izekiel would meddle with his business.

No, Hernan had a subtle conviction that Izekiel could be of help. After all, Isar had shown kindness to Linzel.

“…… I see, that’s what happened.”

In Izekiel’s response, all traces of playfulness had vanished from his voice. Hernan thought that he hadn’t seen Izekiel this serious in a long time.

“Haa. Viscount Miller, nothing about him pleases me.”

“Izekiel, what happened between you and him?”

Izekiel’s silver eyes sunk heavily.

“The Marquis of Miller said he wanted to mess with you, to make me a crown prince.”

“Trouble me, how ridiculous. A man who wouldn’t be worth a fist…….”

“Yeah. Since he can’t harm you directly, he wants to torment what you hold dear and ruin you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Izekiel looked straight at Hernan.

“It means he wants to break you, by tormenting something you hold dear.”

“What?”

“I came to you, Hernan, to warn you to watch out for Marquis Miller.”

Hernan pondered over what “I hold dear” meant.

The person who came to mind was Linzel.

There was nothing more precious to him now than her. Although he felt sorry for his parents.

“Could it be… Miller is the one who threatened Linzel in the hunting competition?”

“I’m glad you’re not a complete idiot.”

Hernan’s pupils glinted like a venomous snake.

He stood up from his seat and drew his sword from the scabbard at his waist.

Shlink.

“I will cut him down.”

The intimidating aura emanating from Hernan was more chilling than the gleaming sword.

Izekiel tried to calm Hernan down.

“C-Calm down! If you recklessly kill the Marquis without justification, it will only play into his hands.”

Izekiel let out a shallow sigh.

‘That’s why I hesitated to tell you the truth. I was afraid that if I revealed it, you would go and kill Miller… Phew.’

However, it didn’t mean that Izekiel would hide the truth from Hernan for the rest of his life.

He had already mentioned it to Linzel.

“Linzel was threatened, so what’s more important than that?”

“There’s no evidence! Even father won’t be able to do anything. Just sit down.”

“…….”

Hernan sat down, seemingly unable to find a rebuttal to Izekiel’s words.

“Take a deep breath.”

“…….Phew”

“Now, sheath your sword.”

Hernan attempted to sheathe the sword as Izekiel instructed.

It seemed like the matter was coming to a close.

But…

“I’ll kill him.”

Hernan stood up again and stormed out of the room.

“H-Hernan!”

Izekiel hurried after him.

He turned to the servant standing outside and ordered.

“Hey! Immediately call the Olive Knights to restrain Hernan!”