Chapter 25
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The Male and Female Leads Broke Up - Episode 25
I hadn't mentioned in any letter that I would be returning, wanting to surprise my parents with my arrival.
So when they heard the news of my return, they were startled and came rushing toward the carriage.
I quickly opened the door and stepped out of the carriage.
Then I ran to embrace my parents, who looked slightly older than they had two years ago.
"Mother! Father!"
"Belita!"
My parents, as if unable to believe I had truly returned, embraced me, then looked at my face, then embraced me again—repeating this cycle over and over.
I let myself be held, then gently lifted my head from their embrace and opened my mouth to speak.
"Have you both been well?"
"We've been fine. So, did you enjoy your travels?"
"Yes, it was wonderful."
"Dear, let's not do this here. Let's go inside and talk."
Unlike her usual composed self, my mother held me tightly with a flushed face, refusing to let go.
Then my father led us inside, suggesting we go in.
We entered my father's study and sat on the sofa.
Normally, my mother would sit beside my father across from me, but today she sat right beside me, unwilling to be apart.
She continued to stroke me gently, checking again and again to see if I had any injuries.
"Mother, I'm in good health."
I answered with a bright smile so she wouldn't worry any further.
"I missed you so much, Belita."
"I missed you and Father terribly as well."
"Then how could you... no, it's enough that you've returned."
With those words, my mother pulled me into another tight embrace.
"So, have you made peace with your heart now?"
My father asked me directly.
"Yes, I've let him go from my heart now. I'm at a point where seeing the Duke wouldn't affect me at all."
Since I had never felt any emotion toward Cain Maxius from the beginning, I was confident I could act unaffected even if I saw him again.
"That's a relief. So, where all did you travel? Tell us about it."
At my father's request to share my travel stories, I vividly described to my parents all the places I had visited.
I told them in detail everything I had experienced—what I had seen, what I had eaten, and so much more.
And at the end, I also spoke about Aiden, and fortunately my parents readily agreed to have him join the Knight Order.
My first day back home was spent entirely with my parents.
* * *
From the next day onward, I tackled my responsibilities one by one.
I was busier than expected and had little time to check on Lian, but I had made a promise with him.
So a few days later, I summoned Lian through a servant who had taken over Mary's duties while she was on an extended leave.
Knock, knock.
"Miss, I've brought the knight."
It was word that Lian had arrived.
"Come in."
As the door opened, Lian stepped into the room—someone I hadn't seen in days.
I paused to look at him.
Seeing Lian now, dressed in knight's armor and carrying himself with such dignified composure, stirred something within me.
After spending every day together for two years, missing him for merely a few days felt like reuniting with someone I hadn't seen in years.
"Lian."
"Miss, you called for me?"
"Welcome. Come here and sit."
I quickly moved to his side, took his hand, and led him to the sofa.
I felt Lian flinch momentarily.
"Have you been well? Is everything comfortable? Is anyone troubling you or making things difficult? Do you need anything?"
After settling Lian on the sofa, I moved to the seat across from him.
But before I could even sit, I bombarded him with all my questions.
At my eagerness, Lian's initially rigid expression softened slightly.
"I've been well. The people of the Duke's House have treated me kindly."
"That's a relief. And the food—does it suit your palate?"
"Yes, and how have you been, Miss?"
"Hmm?"
"How have you been faring, Miss?"
"I've been fine. It's my home, after all."
I smiled brightly as I said this, then gradually broached the main subject.
"Do you remember when I said we should visit the Orphanage?"
"Yes, I remember."
"Now that things are somewhat settled, I was thinking we could go tomorrow."
Lian's face brightened instantly.
"Thank you, Miss. But I would prefer to simply observe my younger siblings from a distance."
"Why? Wouldn't it be better to greet them? Your siblings must be curious about how you've been."
"By now, they've likely forgotten me and are living well."
I understood what Lian meant.
Since we couldn't remain together anyway, he didn't want to disturb the children's hearts unnecessarily.
"It's enough for me to know that my younger siblings are doing well."
"Alright then, let's do it that way. But if you change your mind, tell me. Understood?"
"Yes, I understand."
* * *
The next day, we departed from the Manor to visit the Orphanage.
I told my parents we were stepping out briefly, and I brought Lian along under the pretense of an escort.
The village of Hemoa was exactly as the man named Aiden had described—a tiny settlement nestled in the northeast of the Capital.
It took about three hours from our departure to arrive, and it was a charming, quaint place with flowers and trees blooming throughout.
The Orphanage was situated in the sunniest spot of the village, and an even greater variety of flowers flourished around its grounds.
I could glimpse the affection and care this man named Aiden held for the Orphanage.
Lian and I stood side by side outside the Orphanage entrance, peering inside.
Several children were playing and running about in the courtyard.
"Huh?!"
And among them, I spotted familiar faces.
"It's them, isn't it?"
I looked up at Lian and asked with a bright smile.
"Yes, it is."
There was not a shadow of darkness on the children's faces.
They darted about with the clear, innocent expressions of youth.
"They seem to be doing well. Don't they?"
"Yes."
The worry that had clouded Lian's face whenever his younger siblings were mentioned finally lifted.
"You're really not going to see them?"
"No. Seeing that they're doing well is enough for me."
Lian was resolute.
So I said nothing more and simply watched the children.
Then suddenly, the children pointed at us.
They began running, and in an instant, they had surrounded us.
As the children approached within arm's reach, Lian turned his body to the side so they couldn't see him.
"Oh? Aren't you that older sister from before?"
The Red-haired Girl, the only girl among the children we'd seen then, recognized me.
"Hello."
"It is you!"
"How have you been?"
"Great! This place is really nice! They give us delicious food every day and we each have our own bed. And the teachers are kind and wonderful!"
"Big sister! Big sister!"
Thinking back to how they looked when we first met, seeing them smile so brightly now felt both miraculous and dizzying.
It was the thought that if we hadn't rescued them then, we would never have witnessed this radiant sight.
That was when—
"Huh?"
"Huh?"
The Blue-haired Child tilted his head toward Lian, who stood beside me.
"Could it be... big brother?"
"Number Five... big brother?"
"What are you talking about? How could Number Five... wait?"
The children spoke in hushed tones, their bodies moving swiftly to get a better look at Lian's face.
Before Lian could even dodge, the children saw his face head-on, and their expressions shifted from doubt to absolute certainty.
"It really is Number Five, isn't it?"
"It's definitely Number Five, right?"
So the perceptive children had finally discovered the truth.
I offered Lian an awkward smile and nodded toward him.
It was a signal for him to greet them.
"I... yes, it's me."
"You're really Number Five?"
"Big brother!"
"Brother?"
"Sob... brother!"
The moment the children realized this was the brother they'd been waiting for all along, they rushed toward Lian in unison.
Some of them even had tears streaming down their faces.
Watching them, I could sense just how close these children had grown to Lian in such a short time.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org