Chapter 3 (Part 11)

After their mother passed away, it was always Louis who took care of Yuliana instead of the busy Matthias.

The warm voice that always hugged and comforted her was unbearable to hear today.

For the first time, Yuliana raised her voice and resented Louis. Hearing him badmouth Anthus made her heart pound unpleasantly, her brows furrow, and she felt sad. Tears welled up for some reason.

She tried to understand why Louis was badmouthing him, but she couldn’t hold back her tears from the frustration and sorrow.

“Lady.”

Luda patted Yuliana, who was lying on the bed, sobbing.

“Lady, please calm down.”

Wiping her tears, Yuliana spoke.

“I hated Brother for badmouthing the Duke. It felt like something was boiling inside me. I’ve never felt like this before.”

Luda sat up and wiped Yuliana’s face with a handkerchief.

“Young Master will reflect on why you shouted at him if he thinks about it.”

“Yes.”

“Lady, stop crying now and get ready. The Duke is waiting for you. Oh dear… If you cry more, your eyes will swell up.”

“Okay.”

Knock, knock.

After getting ready, Yuliana walked to the reception room where Anthus was waiting. She felt her left chest tingling and her heart pounding more than usual.

Trying to calm her racing heart, Yuliana opened the reception room door.

“Duke Anthus, have you been waiting long?”

Anthus rushed to Yuliana, wrapped his arms around her thighs, and lifted her up.

“Eek! Duke!”

Smiling brightly, Anthus spun her around once before setting her down.

“Yuli, I missed you so much.”

“You startled me.”

“Didn’t you miss me?”

Anthus’s red eyes sparkled like rubies as he hugged her and smiled brightly. He looked like a puppy welcoming its owner home.

“I missed you too, Duke Anthus.”

At Yuliana’s words, Anthus’s expression softened. As they gazed affectionately into each other’s eyes, they were drawn into their own world…

“What are you doing, Duke? And Lia.”

Louis, who had been behind Anthus, glared sharply. Yuliana recalled the argument she had with Louis. She pulled Anthus’s arm.

“Let’s go quickly, Duke.”

Anthus glanced at Louis and Yuliana, then looked at Louis with a playful expression and nodded.

“Yes. I am a man who listens to you well, Yuli.”

As Yuliana pulled Anthus’s arm and led him out, Louis shouted angrily.

“Lia! Come back early!”

At Louis’s words, Yuliana stopped and turned around.

“Brother Louis, why don’t you propose to Selenia instead of worrying about your sister?”

Louis slumped to the floor again at Yuliana’s sharp retort.

* * *

In the carriage, Yuliana spoke awkwardly.

“I’m sorry, Duke… for showing you such an ugly side.”

Anthus slowly reached out and touched Yuliana’s cheek and eyes, asking worriedly.

“Your expression doesn’t look good. Your eyes are a bit red… Did something upset you?”

She recalled how she had buried her face in the pillow and cried earlier. She thought it wouldn’t be that noticeable, but she guessed not.

“You seemed fine at first… but as soon as you saw Young Lord Louis, your eyes turned red.”

Normally, Anthus would have kissed and hugged Yuliana as soon as they sat down, but the unusual atmosphere between her and Louis at the Earl’s residence made him just hold her hand and pat it.

Yuliana turned her gaze away, feeling ashamed for showing Anthus her vulnerable side.

“I arrived too early at the Earl’s residence and had tea with Young Lord Louis.”

Yuliana’s heart sank.

“Did he say anything to you? Like harsh words or something…”

Yuliana fixed her gaze on Anthus, unable to hide her worried expression.

“I don’t say or do things that would make others speak harshly of me…”

Seeing Anthus’s slightly troubled expression, Yuliana felt very upset.

“That’s right. You’re not someone who should hear harsh words.”

“Did something happen with Young Lord Louis?”

When Anthus asked if something had happened, Yuliana avoided his eyes and kept her mouth shut.

Anthus recalled Louis’s cautious glares and the way he crunched the ice in his lemonade. It seemed cute to Anthus, like a deer trying to mimic a carnivorous animal.

“When people see me, they say certain things.”

Anthus’s eyes softened as he began to speak quietly.

“As the head of a family, I couldn’t be kind to everyone. As a result, I earned a reputation for being cold-blooded and ruthless.”

Anthus smiled bitterly.

“People didn’t understand my feelings, and I desperately hid my painful emotions. The more I did, the more rumors spread that I was a cold-blooded war-crazed devil who killed without blinking an eye… I wanted to tell people it wasn’t true, but I let it be. In truth, I was always hurt by those looks.”

Yuliana looked at Anthus, who seemed about to cry, with pity. She felt increasingly upset. How could people spread such false rumors about such a kind person…

“Given my bad reputation, I understand why Young Lord Louis and Earl Loengrin don’t like me. That’s why they worry and ask if I heard anything harsh… because my reputation isn’t good…”

“The Duke I know is so kind…”

“Can you tell me what happened with Young Lord Louis?”

“I was disappointed in my brother.”

Yuliana pursed her lips. After a small sigh, she began to speak.

“What disappointed you?”

“My brother said that you suggested drinking to Father first when you came to the Earl’s residence, that you torment people, and that you’re rude to women… I was disappointed that he called you a cold-blooded person based on what others said.”

Anthus looked hurt by Yuliana’s words.

“That’s nonsense. I gifted wine to Earl Loengrin because I don’t like alcohol and knew he did. And regarding women… I know there are rumors that I am cold and rude because I reject love letters and gifts. But hearing those rumors from you hurts my heart.”

Yuliana nodded seriously at Anthus’s words.

“Duke, you are so considerate and responsible… It upsets me to hear that you suffer from such rumors spread by people who don’t even know you. I firmly told my brother not to be swayed by those rumors.”

Yuliana clenched her fists and encouraged Anthus, who was misunderstood.

“It’s clear that my brother’s misunderstanding comes from hearing those false rumors.”

Though most of Louis’s misunderstandings were true, Anthus never showed it. He didn’t care whether people had complaints or not. The only person he cared about was Yuliana.

“It’s alright, Yuli.”

Anthus decided to bury the truths people spoke of him, intending to use this situation to delve deeper into Yuliana’s heart.

“I feel comforted enough just knowing that you don’t believe the rumors and trust my words.”

Anthus found Yuliana, who was trying her best to comfort him, so lovable that he wanted to hug her tightly, but he had to hold back in this moment. He needed to appear more pitiful.

“I will do my best to clear up the misunderstandings.”

Anthus’s eyes began to redden.

“Please don’t be too upset!”

“I’m sorry. It’s just the first time someone has comforted me warmly without judging me based on rumors… sniff.”

A tear rolled down Anthus’s cheek.

“How could they spread such malicious rumors about someone so kind!”

“I didn’t want to show such a weak side… I’m sorry for showing you this unsightly side.”

Yuliana took out a handkerchief from her magical space and handed it to him.

“No, it’s not unsightly at all, Duke.”

“I have suffered a lot because of those false rumors… I hated war, but I led the charge to protect the empire… People saw that and called me cold and frightening.”

“I know. I don’t believe those bad rumors about you. Seeing how you treated Lian in the village of Luteons, I know you are a warm person.”

Yuliana moved closer to Anthus, who was in distress, and held his hand tightly, smiling brightly. Anthus turned towards her and hugged her tightly.

“Thank you, Yuli.”