Side Story –  Chapter 4

It wasn’t my habit to defy Kion’s words.

Even when he was wrong, I would simply lower my head and follow his will.

But now, I had no reason to do so.

If I can’t overcome him this time, I might end up living my entire life obeying their words without question.

So even though I was afraid, I forced myself to steady my heart and look Kion straight in the eye.

When I saw him trembling with rage, I did feel a moment’s regret.

Still, it’s not like he’ll kill me.

This was the Imperial Banquet Hall—causing a commotion here would do Kion no good.

On the contrary, it might even make people question whether he was truly fit to be a lord.

He would have to be careful too.

“Lirie. It was our family who put you in that seat. And now you would betray us, forgetting that favor?”

His words were so absurd I was momentarily speechless.

Forgetting your favor?

Kion knew exactly how much I had suffered in the Duke of Winderton’s household.

How many times I had wanted to die. How utterly hopeless I had been.

You know all that, and you still say this to me?

My face grew hotter, and I felt my eyes prickle with heat.

No matter how much I tried to cut them off, they were still my family.

And perhaps, without realizing it, I still held on to the faintest expectation.

I was starting to wonder how much more disappointment it would take before I could erase every last feeling I had toward them.

“…Was I ever truly family to you? Did you ever once acknowledge me as a member of the House of Scarlett?”

My lips trembled, but I barely managed to keep my composure as I asked.

“You never did—not even once.”

Kion looked at me with an indifferent expression, as if dismissing everything I’d said as nothing more than a petty act of defiance.

It didn’t matter to him how much I meant it.

The same man who once told me to “be grateful” was also the one—along with Father—who had told me I might as well die.

And now, he dares—

“You’re still as foolish as ever, Lirie. Have you been holding on to something from so long ago?”

Kion sighed as if exasperated.

A hollow feeling washed over me.

I had always known it, but being forced to once again confirm that he had never thought of me as family still stung.

“…I’m no longer a Scarlett. I will never again follow Father’s or my brothers’ will.”

I thought it was too late.

The moment I first realized I wasn’t truly family, I should have made it clear.

“I suppose I should have said this sooner. Back when the Young Lord told me to die, I should have said it then.”

I didn’t even call him “brother” this time.

This really was the end.

I hardened my heart with the bitter resolve never to think of them as family again.

“You dare…!”

“Mind your manners, Young Lord Scarlett. I am the Duchess of Winderton. I will no longer tolerate your discourtesy.”

He had never imagined that the woman he’d always looked down on would say such a thing to him.

Kion’s face flushed with humiliation.

Perhaps unable to endure it, he strode toward me and raised his large hand high.

As that hand came closer through the air, I squeezed my eyes shut.

Please, let it only hurt a little.

If it hurt too much, Edward would worry, and I didn’t want that.

But time passed, and there was no pain.

My cheek should have been stinging by now, but it wasn’t.

Slowly, I opened my eyes.

…Huh?

Kion wasn’t looking at me—his gaze was fixed on something behind me.

I instinctively turned my head to follow it.

“…Edward!”

The lounge door, which had been firmly shut, now stood open.

Edward was there, as if he had been waiting.

“I suppose I was a bit late.”

Edward approached leisurely, examining my condition.

His face was set, and I could tell without a doubt that he was angry.

“I thought I’d finished warning you earlier, but it seems the Young Lord didn’t think so?”

At the chill in his voice, Kion hesitated and lowered his hand.

He must have assumed Edward wouldn’t come, and his surprise was plain.

“Your Grace Winderton.”

It was too late for excuses.

Kion knew it, and so he didn’t bother with any pitiful attempt at one.

“I left you alone only because you are my wife’s brother, but it seems you didn’t even realize that.”

Edward stepped closer and brushed at the wrinkles on Kion’s clothes with a casual hand.

“Fortunately, I no longer have to.”

“…”

“My wife is no longer your sister, nor is she of the House of Scarlett.”

“Blood ties aren’t so easily severed, Your Grace. No matter what you say, the fact remains—she is family by blood.”

Kion spoke in a slow, almost instructive tone.

“And what does that matter?”

Edward didn’t care in the slightest.

Instead, he tilted his head, a faint sneer playing at his lips.

“Blood doesn’t matter. The Young Lord won’t be seeing my wife anyway.”

“Your Grace Winderton.”

“This is the Imperial Banquet Hall, so I’ll leave it at a warning. But unless you wish to be completely at odds with the House of Winderton, I suggest you tread carefully.”

The House of Scarlett could not afford to become the complete enemy of Winderton.

The latter had recently achieved almost terrifying success in business, securing both wealth and influence.

“I trust you’ll convey my words clearly to the Duke as well, Young Lord.”

Kion understood the gravity of the situation, and after that, no further reply came.

“Lirie, are you all right?”

“Yes, of course.”

Edward’s voice was completely different from when he’d spoken to Kion—gentle, as he took my hand and led me out of the lounge.

When I glanced back, I saw Kion trembling, but I felt nothing.

There was no fear that he might later take it out on me.

Was he always this weak?

The Kion I had once feared so much was nothing more than someone who bullied the weak.

In front of someone stronger, he couldn’t say a word.

“I’m sorry, Lirie…”

“For what?”

Once we stepped out of the banquet hall, Edward apologized.

“I should have come sooner. If I had, you wouldn’t have had to be alone with that man.”

It wasn’t Edward’s fault.

“I’m fine, Edward.”

“But…”

“If anything, I’m glad. I’ve been wanting to say those words to him myself for a long time.”

I truly was fine.

Edward had arrived at just the right moment, and I had said everything I’d wanted to say.

“Let’s go back quickly. I don’t want to stay in the palace any longer.”

“I feel the same.”

We looked at each other and chuckled, then climbed into the carriage together.

The banquet was still in full swing, but neither of us had any desire to remain.

The carriage ride back to the Winderton estate was quiet with fatigue.

While I dozed, Edward quietly sat beside me and offered his shoulder.

I fell into such a deep sleep that I didn’t know when I’d drifted off, and when I opened my eyes, the Winderton manor was just ahead.

“We’ve arrived, Lirie.”

“Mmm… yes…”

Once inside, the tension eased from my body, and it felt as though I could finally breathe freely.

“Ha…”

“My lady, welcome home.”

“Mm. Please draw me a bath first. I’m tired and want to wash and rest quickly.”

“At once.”

Edward kissed my cheek lightly and murmured softly.

“I’ll take care of the work I’ve delayed and come to you soon. You must be tired after today. Well done, Lirie.”

“You’ve worked hard too. Just don’t come in too late.”

There was still unfinished business from the banquet, so Edward couldn’t stay with me.

Lately, we had been going to bed together most nights, so falling asleep without him felt unusual.

After washing quickly with the maids’ help, I lay down on the bed, my body going limp and heavy.

The soft purring of the little fox resting beneath the bed was comforting.

“Sorry, I’m too tired today…”

It was a plaintive cry for play, but with my current energy, it was impossible.

The little fox, always clever as if it understood everything, quieted down obediently.

When I closed my eyes, memories of my dreadful childhood resurfaced—times when I couldn’t do what I wanted, when even going out freely was forbidden.

I wanted to praise myself simply for escaping those days when I was raised solely for marriage—for a “successful” marriage.

You did well. You really did well, Lirie.

It was something I told my younger self, the one who had endured those years.

If I hadn’t, these happy times with Edward would never have come.

Even as sleep claimed me, the smile never left my face.

I had a feeling that tonight, I would dream something good.

***

Late into the early morning, Edward returned and gazed at the sleeping Lirie.

With her peaceful expression, his wife lay in slumber, and Edward pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“May you have sweet dreams, Lirie.”