As if my answer had come as a shock, his eyes lost its focus.

‘He’s probably just acting.’

If it served his purpose, Jansi could mimic the affectionate older brother as much as he wanted. Being the intelligent person he was, Jansi would have understood.

That I was referring to my past self.

A lonely girl in the annex may have needed pickled cherries, but the current me did not. The night was getting late, and snowflakes were becoming thicker.

I needed to return to my bedroom before a snowstorm hit.

 Holding Greed in my arms, I passed by Jansi, who was still standing there.

 “Lili.”

He called out to me, but I pretended not to hear and continued walking.

“What should I do?”

With that trembling voice, I doubted my ears.

Jansi’s voice, soaked with moisture— it just didn’t fit him.

Startled, I turned my head to find Jansi standing there, gazing at me.

 “What can I do to earn your trust?

It was dark in the corridor, so I couldn’t see his expression.

I felt perplexed.

‘Is this sincere?’

But this was Jansi Perdia.

How could I be sure that even the desire for trust was not an act?

 I couldn’t be fooled by his smiling face any longer.

 “What would my trust mean to you?”

As my sarcastic words came to an end, Jansi responded urgently.

 “It’s precious. Beyond measure.”

“I don’t even believe that.”

 “…….”

As the moonlight cleared, Jansi’s expression vaguely appeared.

To my utter disbelief, he was crying.

Stunned, my thoughts came to a halt.

Jansi was crying. It must be acting, it should be acting, but my heart still surged.

Without wiping away tears, Jansi sadly smiled and recited self-deprecatingly.

“Lili, you’re right. In the past, I never considered you as a sister. From the beginning, I, as a person, had grown so twisted that I never sincerely treated anyone except myself as an enemy. You couldn’t be an exception…”

Ha. Jansi laughed with a sense of emptiness.

“But recently, when dealing with you, I never fake a smile. I consider you as family. Even if I say this, you probably still won’t believe it, right?”

I remained silent, simply staring at him.

Jansi continued his confession.

“Not long ago, Carl envied me, but I envy Carl instead. Lili, you don’t doubt Carl’s affection, do you?”

It was difficult to adapt to the sudden change in attitude, but as Jansi said, I didn´t doubt Carlot’s sincerity.

Because he wasn’t the kind of guy who could deceive someone due to his simplicity and foolishness.

“Now, I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to make you believe in me.”

Jansi buried his face in his hands as he bowed his head deeply.

Watching him crumble without reservation was uncomfortable.

 I wondered if I’d been too narrow-minded in my assumptions about Jansi Perdia.

 ‘After all, that was the information provided from the original story……….’

In a situation where I wasn’t sure how much to trust the memory labeled ‘original story,’ pushing Jansi away continuously would be an unfair act.

I hesitated for a moment, then looked at Jansi, who was still unable to control his emotions. I wondered if I should give him a fair chance, just as I had given the Duke of Perdia a chance and accepted Carlot’s affection for me.

“Brother Jansi.”

 “Yes, Lili.”

 “You said you haven’t smiled falsely recently.”

“That’s right. I swear.”

After a brief hesitation, I made an unreasonable request.

 “Maybe you can tell me everything my brother is hiding from me.”

It was an expectationless question. Who could easily confess everything they were hiding? Even I had things I couldn’t confide in anyone. However, Jansi shattered my expectations.

 “If this is about you, then…… I know that you’re active as an investor named Lili Arcel.”

 “Huh?”

That was an outright confession that he had done some background research on me.

Speculation and hearing it directly from the person involved were two different stories.

 Unfazed, Jansi, without any hesitation, revealed his secret.

 “I actually have a hard time controlling my powers.”

 “What……?”

This time, I was even more surprised than before, knowing full well that it was a secret he didn’t want anybody to know. Controlling his powers was his weakest point, his flaw.

 “The slightest distraction and I lose control and destroy everything I touch. No one knows this, though it’s now a secret between Lili and me.”

I couldn’t understand. Even though he was revealing a weakness, Jansi’s expression seemed strangely at ease.

“By the way, Lili.”

 “Yes?”

 “Only you allow me to be me.”

I blinked my eyes in confusion at the statement that didn’t immediately make sense.

“What does that mean?”

In response, Jansi took a step closer.

Startled, I took a step back, and Jansi’s eyes widened in surprise at my reaction.

“Sorry, Lili. I didn’t mean to startle you. I won’t approach. Don’t be afraid.”

Strangely, Jansi, who seemed to be trying to calm me down, looked like someone being chased by something.

“The meaning of what I said is that when it’s hard to control my power, being in contact with you helps me regain my senses. Remember? On the night of the lunar eclipse when I was about to go berserk, you patted my back. That’s when I first realized it.”

I was just mimicking what Estelle had done, and it hadn’t occurred to me that touching him would help him control his powers.

 “Now that I think about it, Lili, I don’t think it’s unrelated to your powers. After all, your power attribute is Severes’ Purification.”

As I listened to his words, a doubt came to my mind.

“Could it be that I am needed as a means to stop big brother’s rampage?”

“I didn’t want to say it because I was afraid you might think that way.”

Jansi smiled bitterly.

His smile was unfamiliar.

I wondered how Jansi had interpreted my confused expression. He pressed his chest as if he was squeezing his heart.

“If I could prove my heart by splitting my head or my heart, I would gladly do so.”

What a terrifying thing to say.

 “That must have been hard to say, so thank you for telling me.”

Then Jansi’s face lit up.

 “Can I assume you believed me a little bit?”

 “About 50%”

In fact, his usual personality was a barrier to complete trust.

 Even at only 50%, he seemed pleased.

 “Hurry up and get some sleep before you catch a cold.”

After saying this I turned away, my heart pounding unnecessarily.

****

A few days later, the Duke of Perdia finally summoned me.

 I hurried to his office, eager for the news.

 “I have a business meeting with Duke Kreundel. Will you accompany me?”

 “Yes!”

There was no hesitation in my answer, for I had been waiting for this moment. Duke of Perdia smiled with satisfaction.

“Then you must fulfill the terms of the contract.”

 “What?”

 “You promised me something, Elodie.”

“Ah.”

“Call me ‘father’ as you used to.”

 “…….”

“Also, you will have tea with me after lunch on weekends.”

Yes, the promise.

 In exchange for arranging a meeting with the Duke of Kreundel, I would correct the title and have teatime together on weekends.

It wasn’t that difficult to call the person I always called father, father again.

But I didn’t.

“The fee is too high, Your Grace.”

I couldn’t agree to the request so easily. Despite my deliberately reserved response, Duke Perdia, with no sign of displeasure, laughed as if he enjoyed the banter.

“Indeed, my daughter is not easy.”

His cheerful laughter was so fascinating that I couldn’t help but look at him. In response, the duke extended a robust hand in front of me, as if saying he had taken advantage.

“May I have your permission to escort you?”

Nodding, I raised my hand, and the duke grasped it firmly, as if determined not to let go.

***

I climbed into one of the most splendid carriages in Perdia and rode to the capital mansion of Kreundel.

 The Duke of Perdia explained to me the reason for today’s visit.

 “Perdia provides military supplies to the royal family, but some are also sold to other noble families. Today we’re meeting Duke Kreundel about that matter.”

I didn’t know much about military supply businesses, but I understood it was an important transaction between noble families. Suddenly, my shoulders felt heavy.

 “Are you sure it’s okay to take me to such an important meeting?”

“You don’t have to worry about anything, Elodie. You can simply say that I find it cute to bring my inconvenient daughter along. At most, rumors might spread that Sylvester Perdia is a daughter´s fool.”

Sylvester Perdia, the great Duke of Perdia, is called an idiot due to his daughter.

“Actually, it’s somewhat true.”

Faced with such awkward words, not knowing how to respond, I was fortunate that the carriage came to a halt.

Before Duke Perdia could disembark, I hastily opened the carriage door and jumped out.

In that moment, my eyes met Duke Kreundel, who was waiting to greet us at the main gate.

 “…….”

 “…….”

 “My image, cheaper than a tyre……!”

Without even receiving an escort, leaping out of the carriage like an impudent young lady, it was obvious that I would be seen as uncouth.

However, the dignified Duke Kreundel pretended not to notice my blunder and politely exchanged greetings with Duke Perdia, who was following behind me.

 “Welcome, Duke of Perdia.”

 “It’s been a long time, Duke Kreundel.”

After exchanging brief pleasantries, Duke Kreundel shifted his gaze to me.

“I received a letter stating that you would be visiting together regarding upper-class education. I am Leon Kreundel, milady.”

As we had never personally conversed, formalities became the starting point of our greetings.

“I am Elodie Perdia. It’s my first time offering greetings to you, Your Grace.”

He was a good-looking young man.

Whether it was the buttons fully fastened to his neck or his er*ect posture, he could be described as an aesthetically pleasing individual.

‘He’s handsome, but stoic is not my cup of tea.’

At that moment, Greed suddenly spoke.

[Huh? What’s up with this guy?]

 ‘Mmh? What’s wrong?’

[This guy, already made a contract with Sloth.]

If the moral textbook itself were to become a person, it would be Duke Kreundel.

However, Duke Kreundel, the embodiment of a moral textbook, had made a contract with sin? It was a statement that was hard to believe.

 But there was no reason for Greed to lie. Most likely, it was the truth.

 ‘Isn’t he going to realize that I’m not in a pact with you…… but we’re together anyway?’

 [It’s okay, you’re not under contract with me, he won’t know].

Although the speculative tone was somewhat uneasy, there was no alternative solution. I had no choice but to trust Greed’s words.

‘Why did you suddenly decide to tell me this now, after staying silent about that man for so long? Do you want to die?’

 [So far, there hasn’t been a chance for him to be close to you! You need to be close to sense the energy!]

Greed shouted with frustration in his tone.

‘If Raeyan had tried to steal it, it would have been a big problem.’

Attempting to steal the Sealing Stone of the contract with a sin? That would have been a disaster.

I had to revise my plans completely.

Originally, I planned to create more opportunities to get close to him, but now there was a faster and more reliable way.

‘Of course, there might be some side effects.’

I was squeezed between the two dukes discussing business, eagerly waiting for an opportunity to present itself.

 However, the chance didn’t seem to come.

 Just then, a convenient excuse appeared.

 “Oh my. I’m going to have to communicate with my aide for a moment. I’ll be back in a moment.”

“Take your time.”

For some reason, Duke Perdia graciously vacated his seat.

Although it might have been a coincidence, it worked in my favor. I struggled to create a situation where I could be alone with Duke Kreundel. Since I didn’t know when Duke Perdia would return, I needed to make it short and sweet.

I called Duke Kreundel, who was sipping his tea.

“Duke Kreundel, there’s something I’d like to discuss.”

“Please, go ahead, Lady.”

Not knowing what was about to happen next, the Duke of Kreundel answered calmly.

Drawing on my memories of subtly manipulating people in my past, I smiled.

“What do you think would happen if it were revealed that the head of one of the Four Great Houses, obligated to oversee sins, had made a contract with a sin?”

Leon Kreundel’s flawless face cracked.

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