Chapter 31
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Chapter 31
"It is rare to find someone so affectionate, resolute, and wise. Miss Rilprey possesses a truly steadfast and remarkable character."
"...I see."
Claude's firm voice finally brought a nod from the Duke.
As the Duke slowly inclined his head, his expression seemed lost in some other thought.
"I do hope Your Grace understands that what Miss Rilprey accomplished was no easy feat. Lucian also took good care of Amelia."
"Understood. I shall have Lucella summoned separately to commend her on that matter."
Claude's expression brightened only after hearing that the Duke would bestow a reward upon Lucella.
'If I had my way, I'd tell him to at least observe basic courtesy before offering any reward...'
But that would be overstepping. I was merely a guest passing through this household, and I needed to know my place.
"You must be quite exhausted from such a long journey. I hope I haven't kept you too long."
"Not at all. Rather, I should apologize. I've kept someone in poor health sitting here for quite some time."
As the Duke rose from his seat, I naturally stood as well.
I could only hope that from this moment forward, the Duke's treatment of the two of them would change.
* * *
The Duke summoned me the following morning as dawn broke.
Of course, he hadn't called for me alone.
"The Duke of the household has invited you to join him and the Marquis Agris for breakfast."
I had simply been fortunate enough to be included in a gathering with Claude.
'What's this about? Now everyone wants to eat together.'
I surrendered myself to Riley's hands as she tidied my hair, lost in thought.
It was uncommon for the Duke of Bellomen to invite Lucian and me to meals.
Most nobles gather their families to dine together when important guests visit, but...
'If we did that, Lucian might cause a scene.'
We couldn't afford to appear disheveled before an important guest.
Because of this, Lucian was always kept away from such occasions. And naturally, I would absent myself as well, needing to look after him.
Yet now the Duke of Bellomen was calling for us first.
'What could this mean?'
Perhaps he needed to present the image of a harmonious family.
Once I finished preparing, I tilted my head curiously and made my way to Lucian's room.
Contrary to my expectation that he would still be sleeping in, Lucian was already seated before the mirror, nearly finished with his preparations.
"What's this, Lucian? You're all ready so early."
He even had a dainty bow tie around his neck.
"Don't even mention it. He kept grumbling the whole time, but the moment I said that Amelia would also be attending..."
"Nanny!"
The instant Grace whispered to me, Lucian cried out.
The little rascal had sharp ears and an even sharper voice.
I ushered out the giggling Grace and knelt down before Lucian.
"Waking up so early—how impressive."
"Hmph."
Despite the dismissive snort and head turn, Lucian's lips twitched upward ever so slightly. He was clearly pleased by the praise.
I smoothed down Lucian's clothing and spoke again.
"You did well, Lucian. But you mustn't raise your voice like that in front of Father. Do you understand?"
The faint smile that had graced Lucian's face faded away.
"The Duke hates rudeness more than anything. You understand, don't you?"
There was no answer. Lucian merely pouted his plump lips like a duck.
"Hmm? Lucian."
I gently grasped Lucian's hand and swung it back and forth. Reluctantly, he nodded his head.
"Even if you want to play around, just be patient for one hour. Once you finish eating, I'll play with you in a fun way."
"...All right."
With his lips still protruding, Lucian answered and hopped down from his chair.
"Aunt only nags me every single day."
Then he passed by me and headed toward the door. His small hand grasping the doorknob looked particularly tiny today.
"Lucian."
I called out to him carefully. The child's body, which had been turned away from me, slowly pivoted back in my direction.
"I'm sorry, Aunt."
At my sudden apology, the child's pouting lips parted slightly.
Lucian's large eyes rolled, and then he opened his mouth.
"...Sorry for what?"
"For nagging you all the time. And the other day..."
I trailed off and wet my lips with my tongue once.
It felt like I was dredging up the past again, but I had to do this.
"For hurting you by comparing you to Edwin."
I could not forget the sight of Lucian's face that day, crying sorrowfully because Aunt loved Edwin more than him.
It was a tantrum unlike any other. Or rather, it was something that could not even be called a tantrum.
What Lucian felt was an indescribable sense of loss and sorrow.
So I had to apologize. Even if Lucian had forgotten, I needed to remember, apologize, and move forward.
That I loved you more than anyone in the world. That I could never come to love another child more than you.
But the opportunity to say these things rarely came. I had been too busy preparing for the Duke's return, and more than anything, I wondered if there was any need to stir up old wounds when Lucian himself seemed to have already forgotten.
But what Lucian had just said changed my mind.
'Aunt only nags me every single day.'
Lucian must have been anxious enough already because of the Duke's return. Yet the person who claimed to love him most was only nagging without understanding his heart—how heartbreaking that must be for a six-year-old child.
So I had to speak.
Before our relationship could break down.
To prevent the situation where Lucian and I would eventually part ways, just as in the original story.
"But Lucian, Aunt doesn't do this because I hate you."
I love you.
"I do it because I love Lucian so very much."
And I'm always sorry.
"Because I love Lucian, I want the best for you. I'm not sure how to explain Aunt's feelings exactly, but..."
How could I possibly convey feelings I myself struggled to articulate to a six-year-old child? I was in the midst of rambling incoherently, my words tumbling forth in frustration.
"I know."
Lucian's quiet voice cut through my disjointed rambling, bringing my words to an abrupt halt.
"...What?"
"I understand how you feel, Aunt."
Caught off guard by his unexpected response, I blinked and asked him.
"How could you possibly know that?"
"I just... understand."
Lucian covered his mouth briefly, giggling softly, before fixing his gaze upon me.
"Even though you scold me and nag me all the time, I know you actually care about me very much. Just like how I said I hated you, but I don't really hate you at all."
"...You don't hate your Aunt?"
"No. I don't."
Lucian scratched his cheek, seeming embarrassed as he spoke.
"I didn't understand before, but now I'm starting to—just a little bit, a tiny bit—understand."
"..."
"So I'm sorry for saying I hated you. I said those words, but the truth is, I've never actually hated you, not even once."
"...Lucian."
I called his name, but no other words would come. My throat had tightened.
What could I call this feeling—this burning in my eyes, this ache at the tip of my nose?
"Young Master, Miss Lucella. You really must come out now!"
"Oh, we'll be late! I'm going first!"
At the call from beyond the door, Lucian scrambled out of the room in a flurry. As he disappeared swiftly, both his ears were flushed red.
"Lucian..."
I simply sank down where I had been standing.
Someone had once told me that children grow up in the blink of an eye.
I hadn't believed it at first. A year ago, two years ago—Lucian was nothing but a mischievous child to me.
Perhaps because I knew Lucian's future, I had thought that the day he would truly grow up might never come.
But I was wrong.
The Lucian I had worried would never mature had grown beyond recognition in the moment I looked away. Perhaps even more so than I, an adult.
'So I'm sorry for saying I hated you. I said those words, but the truth is, I've never actually hated you, not even once.'
I repeated Lucian's words to myself as I buried my face in my skirts.
I felt grateful that I might finally have some face to show my Sister when we meet in the distant future.
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