Chapter 51

I had never seen Louis get so angry. Louis was always a mature, sharp, and kind younger sibling.

It was shocking to see Louis with such a frightening expression while shouting someone’s name. I stared at him with a stunned look.

“L-Louis…”

Nife glanced at Louis with a tearful face, watching his reaction. The girl who usually acted so confidently before me was now wholly shrinking. She seemed to know she was going to get scolded like this.

In a low voice, Louis asked,

“What did I tell you would happen if you went looking for my sister?”

Nife had almost turned pale. She hesitantly opened her mouth as if reluctant to give the answer she knew well.

“You said you’d never see me again…”

“And yet!”

Louis seemed ready to continue his reprimand, causing the girl to flinch and mumble softly.

“But…”

Her voice was so quiet that neither Louis nor I could hear it properly. Louis asked sharply,

“What?“

“You never meet with me anyway!”

Her shout rang in my ears. I winced and furrowed my brow, the high-pitched voice pounding in my skull.

“No matter how many letters I send asking to meet, you always put it off with a short reply!“

“That’s…”

As Nife, on the verge of tears, started to argue, Louis trailed off. He did not expect her to be so assertive and started sweating nervously.

I looked back and forth between Louis and Nife, trying to understand the situation. I hadn’t realized they were so close.

A savior appeared Just as I pondered how to calm things down. Julian, a man with a commanding presence, descended the stairs alone. I looked at him with a relieved expression.

Julian, with an annoyed look, surveyed the scene in the hall.

“What is all this commotion?”

With those words, he gestured for me to come over. I eagerly moved to his side, feeling a sense of relief just by distancing myself from the tense atmosphere. Julian glanced down at me, then lightly patted my shoulder.

Had he calmed down a bit? I leaned my shoulder against his arm, feeling reassured.

In a calm voice, Julian addressed Louis and Nife.

“This is the grand duke’s residence. It’s not a place for such uproar.”

Upon hearing that, Louis immediately straightened up and offered a respectful apology.

“Your Grace, I apologize for the rudeness regarding a personal matter between Lady Sasha and myself. However, Lady Sasha was upset with me, and I couldn’t contain my anger. I appreciate your forgiveness.”

I held my breath. I had expected Louis to apologize respectfully—that was the Louis I knew.

But I hadn’t expected him to ask for forgiveness on Nife’s behalf, citing his fault.

I cautiously tugged at Julian’s sleeve. Though he didn’t look at me, he let out a small sigh. Knowing this was a sign of his permission, I smiled softly.

“Resolve your issue yourselves. My wife is too busy to mediate every minor dispute.“

“I apologize for causing concern, Your Grace.”

Julian nodded once, then pulled me closer by my shoulder. It seemed he wanted to go back upstairs. I placed my hand on him, indicating I needed a moment.

“Butler, please show Louis to his room.“

“Yes, My Lady. Rest assured.”

The butler handled everything thoroughly, so there was nothing to worry about. I smiled and bid farewell to Louis.

“Louis, see you at dinner. Have a good talk.“

“Yes, see you later. Your Grace, would you care to play chess with me after dinner?“

Louis’s offer was his way of being considerate, knowing Julian didn’t usually dine or have tea with others. Julian didn’t refuse his thoughtful gesture.

“Sure.”

Julian walked faster than usual, and I had to hurry to keep up with him. When we reached the third floor, far enough that Louis and Nife couldn’t hear us, I stopped, grumbling.

“Are you still mad at me?“

“I’m not mad.“

“Yes, you are. You didn’t even match your pace with mine.”

When I bent over as if my feet hurt, Julian followed suit. He reached for my foot, and I quickly backed away, startled.

“I’m just pretending. But why won’t you tell me why you’re upset?”

I stood gripping the railing, looking him straight in the eyes. Julian met my gaze but then very slowly looked away.

“Rather than that…”

I stared at him, wide-eyed in surprise.

“Are you changing the subject?”

I couldn’t hide my shock at seeing Julian like this. He remained silent without confirming or denying anything. Since he had never made excuses in his life, it made sense. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Alright. I’ll pretend I don’t know this time.“

“…Okay.“

“Say thank you.“

“Thank you.”

I found Julian’s simple gratitude endearing. I pouted my lips briefly and then stood straight, away from the railing.

“So, what were you going to say?”

Julian seemed entirely relieved as I changed the subject. His expressions were usually very subtle, but I had started to read his emotions bit by bit. Now, he met my eyes and spoke.

“I’ll go with you to the hunting tournament.“

“Really?“

“Yes.”

This was completely unexpected. I felt like Julian was surprising me multiple times today. I tilted my head in confusion.

“But there will be a lot of people at the hunting competition. You dislike crowded places.”

Julian nodded without hesitation. It was true; he rarely appeared at parties unless absolutely required by imperial decree, and even then, he stayed only briefly.

Even the Emperor knew Julian avoided crowded places. As long as Julian attended and didn’t defy a direct order, the Emperor didn’t mind if he left quickly.

This time, it was just a simple invitation, not an imperial decree, so Julian didn’t have to attend. But his response was different this time.

“You wouldn’t stay still if you went alone.”

Julian sometimes treated me like a child. I found it amusing and nodded quickly with a playful smile.

“Of course not. Just imagining hunting after so long is exciting!“

“That’s why I’ll go with you.“

“To prevent me from causing trouble?“

“Yes.”

I nodded thoughtfully. But keeping things to myself wasn’t my style, so I spoke up.

“Julian, are you overextending yourself? If so, I’ll behave.”

I couldn’t see him enjoying the hunting competition, especially with other nobles present. Instead of denying it, Julian answered as if it was apparent.

“You’re right, it’s too much.“

“I knew it. Then…”

“But I still want to do it.”

I blinked rapidly. I felt slightly uneasy when Julian was absent from the charity event at the grand duchy. Although I didn’t give much importance to the glances at my empty side, it wasn’t entirely insignificant either.

Julian looked at my expectant eyes and smiled.

“I also want to see you shoot.“

“I’m quite good at it. You’ll find it very charming.“

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Although my specialty was swordsmanship, I was decent at archery, too. Good enough to put some of the royal snobs in their place. Feeling confident, I boasted and then asked Julian a question.

“And you?“

“What?“

“Will I get to see your hunting skills?”

Julian only smiled enigmatically in response, offering no answer.

* * *

After parting ways with Julian, I headed straight to Louis’s guest room. I wanted to ask him how he had been, hear about the family, and learn everything that had happened.

I wanted to know if his studies as the heir were difficult, if he was healthy, if he had made good friends, and if he had a girl he liked.

On my way down the stairs, I met a servant who greeted me. Smiling, I asked him,

“Is Louis in? Is my brother in his room?”

The servant smiled warmly, perhaps sensing my excitement, and replied.

“Yes, I just served him tea.“

“Really? Thank you.”

I quickly descended the stairs, holding the railing. Walking down the second-floor corridor, I greeted the staff I met. Standing in front of Louis’s door, my heart pounding, I was about to knock when I heard voices from inside.

“You scared me when you got angry.“

“Sorry for suddenly getting angry.”

I heard a girl’s voice, but it wasn’t the voice of a maid. It was a familiar, lively voice I had grown used to hearing over the past few days.

“Nife?”

I withdrew my hand from the door, frozen in place.

What is happening? Why are an unmarried man and woman in the same room? Alone?

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.