Chapter 44

The next day, Ryan headed to the Sinclair mansion together with Daphne.  

Daphne wanted to introduce him to her younger sister, and he gladly accepted her request.  

“Lily’s been so curious about you.”  

Daphne said as she drove her carriage.  

“You wouldn’t believe how much she’s begged me to let her meet you.”  

“What did you tell your sister about me?”  

Ryan, sitting close beside her, asked as he steered the horse.  

“Hmm, let me think.”  

Daphne exaggerated, rolling her eyes as if pondering.  

“Did I say you’re a mischievous, rude man with no sense of humor?”  

“…Should I turn back now?”  

“I’m joking, I’m joking!”  

As Ryan looked ready to turn the horse around at once, Daphne hastily changed her words. At that, Ryan stopped his movement, wearing a triumphant expression as if he knew she’d say that. Daphne pouted, clearly displeased with his reaction.  

“You’ve really gotten sly lately. You weren’t like this before.”  

“Well, humans are animals who adapt well to new situations.”  

Ryan shrugged nonchalantly at Daphne’s grumbling.  

“There’s no such thing as a relationship that fits perfectly from the start. It takes understanding and accepting each other’s differences, and gradually changing to fit together.”  

“Changing to fit together?”  

“Yes. So if I seem to have changed from before, it’s all to strengthen my relationship with you, Miss Sinclair.”  

“To strengthen…?”  

“No matter what anyone says, I want to keep my relationship with you for a long time.”  

Ryan gazed softly into Daphne’s eyes and whispered.  

He wanted to keep their relationship for a long time.  

Daphne blinked, mulling over his words. After a moment, understanding his meaning, she blushed.  

“Tch. You really do know how to talk.”  

How embarrassing.  

Daphne shot Ryan a glance, but despite her grumbling, the corners of her mouth curled up in a pleased smile.  

“Don’t worry. I spoke well of you to Lily.”  

Daphne, her ears now red, quietly turned her gaze away and muttered.  

“I told her you’re very warm-hearted and kind.”  

At Daphne’s added words, this time Ryan blinked in surprise. He looked as if he’d heard something completely unexpected. Soon, he burst into hearty laughter.  

“Oh dear. Then I must do my best not to disappoint her.”  

He said.  

“I wouldn’t want to make you a liar in front of your precious sister.”  

“Ah. I’m not worried about that.”  

“Pardon?”  

Ryan looked confused. But Daphne, unconcerned, repeated herself.  

“I said I’m not worried. Because I didn’t lie.”  

“…”  

Ryan stood blankly, staring at Daphne.  

She wasn’t worried. She hadn’t lied.  

Her figure was reflected in his blue eyes. Gradually, he understood the meaning behind her words.  

Warm-hearted and kind person.  

Ryan looked as if he wanted to say something, but soon closed his mouth without uttering a word.  

It felt as if something heavy was caught in his throat. His chest felt tight, yet full.  

He clenched his jaw, trying not to show the surge of emotion.  

“You’re already a good person—more than enough, Ryan Clips. Just for being yourself.”  

Daphne smiled at him.  

Her hair, bathed in sunlight, blazed beautifully like golden flames.

* * *

Lilyana Sinclair. The second daughter of Dublin Sinclair, and Daphne’s younger sister.  

The first time Ryan saw her sitting on the bed, he was inwardly shocked.  

“Lily, say hello. This is Sir Ryan Clips.”  

“…Nice to meet you. I’m glad to see you.”  

Lily greeted him quietly, her lips dry. He already knew she wasn’t healthy by nature, but he’d never imagined she’d be so thin, as if only bones remained.  

“Yes. I’m glad to meet you too, Miss Sinclair.”  

But Ryan was renowned for his poker face. Without changing his expression, he responded calmly and politely to her greeting.  

Maybe it was his composed demeanor that put her at ease. The slightly timid look on her face brightened.  

Lily studied Ryan with curious eyes.  

“Um… Did you just call me Miss Sinclair?”  

“Yes. Is there something wrong?”  

“Not exactly…”  

Lily hesitated at Ryan’s question.  

“It’s just that it’s the first time someone’s called me Miss Sinclair. That’s the title people use for my sister.”  

Daphne, four years older than Lily, had returned from her debutante season in Roxanne last year. It was natural for people to use the title ‘Miss Sinclair’ and treat her with respect.  

But.  

Lily fidgeted with the sheet in her hands.  

She had always envied Daphne. Unlike herself, who was always confined indoors due to health reasons, Daphne was born healthy and bright. Lily envied her for being able to live as a proper person, unlike herself, who couldn’t even fulfill basic expectations.  

A life she could never catch up to, no matter how hard she tried.  

Though they were sisters born from the same womb, they were as different as night and day.  

Fifteen this year. In two years, she’d be an adult. But even then, no one would call Lily ‘Miss Sinclair’ and treat her with the same respect as Daphne.  

Lily knew people referred to her behind her back as ‘that family’s younger sister’ or ‘the sick patient of that house.’ She kept silent only because she knew it would sadden Daphne to find out.  

In truth, she wasn’t even sure she’d safely reach seventeen.  

“Is that so? But you are also a member of the Sinclair family, Miss Lilyana.”  

Yet the man before her shattered her expectations without hesitation.  

“Is there any reason both of you can’t be called Miss Sinclair?”  

“There’s no reason we can’t, but…”  

Lily glanced at Daphne, who was crouched beside the bed. Daphne shrugged as if to say, ‘What’s the problem?’  

Right. There was no real reason against it.  

Little by little, Lily’s eyes softened and the corners of her mouth lifted. The anxious look on her face relaxed. She covered her smile with her hand.  

“Sis. I really like him.”  

“I told you, he’s a good person.”  

Daphne gently held Lily’s hand and whispered in a soft, kind voice. Lily nodded, her face brightening.  

“Come sit here. Don’t just stand over there.”  

Lily offered the chair next to the bed to Ryan, who was standing by the door. Ryan gladly accepted her invitation.  

With long strides, he approached the bed and sat where she’d indicated. Even as he leaned against the back of the chair, he sat upright with his head held high and his posture straight. A subtle, pleasant scent wafted from him.  

“You must have been surprised by my appearance.”  

Lily watched Ryan’s expression and asked carefully.  

“You probably imagined me looking somewhat like Daphne, since I’m her sister.”  

“Well, you do look thinner than expected, but there’s nothing else particularly surprising.”  

Ryan candidly shared his thoughts.  

“Except for your unusually pale skin and delicate features, I think your overall image and facial features are quite similar.”  

Lily’s cheeks flushed at Ryan’s words of praise. He had the tact to describe her pale complexion as ‘fair’ and her frail frame as ‘delicate features.’  

For once, her face was lively and full of energy.  

“Sir Clips, you are just as my sister described.”  

Lily giggled.  

“It’s the first time I’ve met you, but it feels as if I’ve known you for a long time. I’ve heard so much about you from my sister—my ears have practically worn out.”  

“Hey, hey! When did I ever talk that much about Ryan?”  

Daphne, listening contentedly, suddenly panicked and hurried to correct Lily’s words.  

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I was just being polite.”  

“What did she say about me?”  

Seeing Daphne’s obvious embarrassment, Ryan grinned mischievously and asked Lily.  

“I always said you’re kind and gentle, and only spoke well of you.”  

“Yes, she said you’re kind and gentle—a very good person.”  

Lily nodded, recalling the conversation.  

“And she said you’re the most handsome man she’s ever seen.”  

“…!”  

Daphne’s eyes nearly popped out at Lily’s bombshell.  

“When did I ever say that…!”  

“She said I’m handsome?”  

“Yes. I watched her talk about you that day, Sir Clips, and I knew right away.”  

“No, that’s not true…!”  

“What did you know?”  

Daphne, her face beet red, tried to cover Lily’s mouth. But Ryan and Lily continued their conversation as if Daphne weren’t even there.  

“Lily…!”  

At Daphne’s desperate call, Lily glanced at her.  

‘Absolutely not.’

Daphne glared fiercely at Lily, sending a silent message. Had her usually mature and reliable sister ever reacted so strongly and innocently before?  

‘No way.’

Lily’s eyes widened.  

“It’s about how much my sister likes you, Sir Clips.”