| Chapter 35

“Now tell me. What’s going on? Is it something bad?”

Kirhin, who had been staring down at me with thoughtful eyes, soon let out a long groan and covered his face with both hands.

“I don’t know either.”

“What did you say?”

For a moment, I raised my voice without realizing it, then stopped. It was because Kirhin’s expression, as he rubbed his face, carried a weight I had never seen before. He really looked like he didn’t know the answer and was anxious.

Sensing my gaze, he turned to me and raised the corners of his mouth weakly. A low, sunken voice flowed from his finely shaped lips.

“He kicked me out, saying I needed to safely complete the succession ceremony. Told me to focus only on that. Well, I suppose he thought I’d only get in the way if I stayed.”

So, does that mean a dangerous situation arose and Damian only sent Kirhin away?

What could it mean to Damian for Kirhin to officially become a baron? It didn’t seem like a relationship of loyalty to Kirhin.

“Is there no way to contact him?”

“No. We can only wait.”

My head feels dizzy. Remembering the beautiful man who had smiled with his eyes so casually and leisurely, I felt a part of my chest tighten painfully. Seeing my face harden, Kirhin placed his hand on my shoulder and smiled.

“It’ll be alright. He’s incredibly strong, more than you can imagine. He’s someone who returned alive from the battlefield with Askun.”

Askun.

I looked up at Kirhin’s profile as he seemed lost in thought, his gaze distant.

Although the effects didn’t reach the area where I was, Edmus had been at war for years to protect the country’s borders. The Askun tribe, living in barren lands, had been constantly invading, coveting the fertile soil.

They were said to be barbarians, as large as beasts and covered in hair all over their bodies. Known for their cruel and violent temperament, the lands they swept through were said to reek of blood.

Suddenly, a flash of insight crossed my mind.

He’s not Damian Winton.

They wouldn’t have sent the sickly youngest son of a noble family to war. He’s using a fake name. For the same reason he didn’t deny it when I mistook him for a priest, to hide his true identity.

“Um.”

Kirhin, who had been wearing a dark, sunken expression, forced a smile and looked at me. I gazed at him steadily and said,

“I want to learn how to ride a horse.”

“What?”

“I want to be helpful. In case of any situation.”

Kirhin blinked blankly at my words. He soon let out a snicker, as if finding it absurd, and replied,

“There won’t be any ‘in case’ situations, Lucy. You’ll live the life of an elegant noble lady here.”

“Then I’ll live as an elegant noble lady who knows how to ride a horse.”

“You.”

At my flawless response, Kirhin let out a hollow laugh and crossed his arms.

“Well, horseback riding is one of the virtues a noble should possess. Though no one learns it for that reason. My sister really is fearless.”

“I think there must be a reason why you made me your sister.”

Speaking softly, I stared at him. Kirhin’s blue eyes wavered, following the flicker of the fireplace. I could feel the air around us growing denser. I quietly added,

“I want to become a useful person so that I can repay you somehow, someday.”

Silence settled gently. Kirhin’s excited eyes wandered as if at a loss. After staring at me in surprise for a while, he finally let out a chuckle and touched his forehead.

“You really do make me feel ashamed.”

“…Pardon?”

“I should go wash up now. You should go rest too. Let’s start horseback riding tomorrow.”

Smiling brightly, Kirhin stood up and strode away. I also stood up and quietly watched his retreating figure, clutching the hem of my dress.

I don’t want to be crushed by anxiety. He, who is said to be terrifyingly strong, will surely return safely, but until then, I needed something else to focus on. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to sleep a wink.

Taking a deep breath, I gripped the hem of my dress once more with trembling hands and walked with my back straight. I planned to start by having tea, as I did every day.

* * *

Time passed quickly. The day after the first snow fell with the cold, Baron Bickman’s succession ceremony was held. Although snow that had not yet melted was piled up, the sunlight was shining warmly.

Christopher Bickman met a tragic death, but that was already a thing of the past. People were interested in the succession ceremony of the new baron, who was known for his good character.

“Still, the young baron is generous. He even provided us with such festive food. It’s been so long since we’ve eaten and drunk like this.”

“I wonder if Kirhin has any thoughts of marriage? These days, even the news of his ever-changing lovers has become scarce.”

“I heard he gets along well with his sister. You know, the one he brought from outside.”

“Ah, Lady Lucienne!”

“My cousin who works in the stable saw her, and she’s a great beauty that can’t hide her bloodline. She comes to ride horses with Kirhin every day, and when the two of them ride together, it’s a feast for the eyes.”

“How strange. Why would he be so close to a half-sister?”

“Isn’t he the man from the Bickman family who’s said to be kind even to three-year-old children if they’re female? Just eat up.”

Lucienne often went out well-dressed, mostly with Kirhin. As there were already many people who were curious about her origins, rumors about her were spreading quickly.

Her shining silver hair that seemed to drape like ice, white skin, and ash-gray eyes held a cool beauty like a snow fairy, and her beauty created a strange harmony in contrast with Kirhin’s bright and splendid appearance.

Moreover, her attitude towards subordinates was flawlessly elegant, as if she had been born and raised as a nobility. Many servants were captivated by the girl’s composed demeanor, which remained unruffled even after riding horses for several hours a day.

“I’m jealous. These days, you’re more popular than me.”

Kirhin grumbled with his head held high. A faint smile crossed Lucienne’s eyes as she adjusted his collar.

“Is that important?”

“When you make your official debut in society at today’s party, it’s going to be quite a scene. Lucy, you absolutely must not dance with just anyone. If someone asks you to dance…”

“I should bring them to my brother first for permission? I remember well.”

Kirhin quietly looked at Lucienne, who answered smoothly.

It had only been about a month since she entered this mansion, but she had changed so much that it was unimaginable that she was the same girl he had encountered in prison. Although he knew well that women tend to change moment by moment, Lucienne’s transformation exceeded his expectations.

Her cheeks, which had been thin and gaunt, had filled out and now had a soft glow. Her posture was always straight, reminiscent of Nina, and dignity exuded from her speech and actions. The etiquette teacher had praised her as the best result among all the people he had taught so far.

…When I first saw her, she really looked just like a child.

Kirhin let out a chuckle. Born a beauty, now that she had donned elegance like wings, she stood out in any setting. His eye had been accurate.

“Well then, shall we go?”

When he extended his arm, Lucienne gently took it with a smile. The green dress with a subtle sheen suited her very well.

The succession ceremony was actually just an official announcement by the administrative official who brought the king’s permission, but the real event was the party held after the ceremony. As the party began, people raised their glasses to celebrate the birth of the young Baron Bickman.

The gazes of young people who had not yet received their titles were all focused on Lucienne. While the men sent admiring glances, the women were different.

Knowing Lucienne’s background, they did not want to associate with a fake. They thought it would damage their own dignity.

“Kirhin. No, I should call you Baron now, shouldn’t I? Congratulations.”

“Why haven’t you shown your face lately? I sent an invitation last week too.”

“Haha, I’m sorry, ladies. There were many things to take care of. Ah, have you greeted my sister? This is Lucienne. The youngest of our proud Bickman family.”

However, because Kirhin kept deliberately including Lucienne in the greetings, they eventually had to engage in conversation reluctantly. The fact that Lucienne stood there with a light smile, looking very natural, rather irritated them.

Finally, when Kirhin disappeared into the crowd of people offering congratulations, they blatantly surrounded Lucienne.

“You must be tired, Miss Lucienne. There’s so much you don’t know. Oh, do you know how to eat this dessert?”