IWBTVCF 10

Chapter 10

The cold of late spring frost moved away, and spring flowers bloomed across the clear blue sky like a canvas.

Warm sunlight poured through the window, but my mood was gloomy.

Before Darius left for the boarding school, I went to the Dierne Duke’s mansion several times, wanting to meet him once more.

I used excuses like bringing Frank Luden’s Butterfly Guide to the duchess, checking the butterfly whose wing I had repaired before, and giving fresh coffee beans and fruit as gifts.

But every time, it was a failure.

It seemed he was busy just before the semester started. When I looked for Darius, I only heard that he was out.

So I just talked about butterflies with the duchess every time I visited.

The person I needed to get close to was someone else, but I became closer to the wrong person. Damn.

In the end, I failed to meet Darius again, and the opening day of the Randest Royal Military Academy arrived.

“Hah. So he’s at school by now, Darius…”

I already miss him. What should I do?

Should I pray with a glass of water placed in front of me that Darius will get a leave pass and come home?

“No. Darius isn’t mine anyway. I should just watch him from afar…”

That would never happen, but to avoid the cliché of “Why is the heroine obsessed with me instead of the female lead?”, I must not get too close to Darius.

I should stay only in the position of a friend’s younger sister or a younger friend.

Yes, since Darius was gone, I should quickly target Kyle.

I was also asked to get along with him.

While wiping the moisture from my eyes while looking at the clear sky, I heard a knock on the door.

“Hmm, come in.”

“Lady Ries, today is…”

Millie entered with a bright face but suddenly stopped talking.

Then she covered her mouth and her eyes became teary.

“Lady! Oh my. You must have felt sad because Young Master Simon left!”

When I was misunderstood again, my tears dried up instantly.

Ah, come to think of it, that brother also went to the dormitory the day before yesterday?

“How about writing letters and asking him to come home on weekends?”

“What terrible idea is that, Millie? You want to ruin my peaceful weekends?”

When I showed clear disgust, Millie laughed, “Ah!”

“I suddenly remembered a sad novel story. It’s nice and quiet since that annoying brother is gone.”

“Ahaha. Is that so?”

“What did you want to say earlier?”

“Oh right. The Count said to take the lady shopping today. Since you will soon turn twelve, he said you need more fashionable clothes and accessories.”

Millie showed me a list of things to buy. The list was filled with various kinds of clothing.

Since I wasn’t very interested in fashion, I wasn’t very attracted.

Though I did want to visit a bakery.

But when I read the last line of the long list, an idea struck me like lightning.

— A hobby besides books.

I went out with Millie to prepare for the outing, along with a porter, a guard housekeeper, and two servants.

Seable Street, lined with luxury shops, was crowded with people.

Many noble young ladies were especially visible, preparing for the debutante ball that would soon be held at the royal palace.

Everyone must be busy preparing for the social season.

“Wow, Lady! There are amazing shops lined up here!”

“Yeah… so many people.”

I sighed as I imagined my future being pushed around at social events.

Millie walking beside me looked excited, like a country mouse impressed after coming to the capital.

“Oh, there it is! Lemelda Boutique, as the Count mentioned!”

Millie pointed at a gorgeous clothing shop.

“Yeah. Let’s quickly buy and come out.”

I said, steeling my resolve while looking at the crowded interior.

The main purpose of today’s shopping was not this.

Two hours ago, seeing the word “hobby” on the list Millie brought gave me an idea.

‘If I guide him to have a hobby, I can divert his attention elsewhere!’

The Dierne Duke family had always produced military officers.

Right now, Kyle was burning with competitiveness toward Darius and was obsessed with swordsmanship.

But if he became deeply interested in art or other areas, it might be different.

If he lost interest in martial arts, the pressure of needing to be acknowledged by his parents would also decrease.

Even if he later learned the truth of his birth, the sense of betrayal would be weaker, and a brotherly conflict might not break out.

A peaceful and happy plan where everyone wins.

I admired my own Plan B for the Darius protection project and first got clothes tailored at the boutique.

After choosing hats, shoes, bags, and accessories two or three each from the list, I was finally liberated.

I passed by the crowded pastry shop Rotian, planning to visit later.

My mouth watered, but I must not forget my main purpose.

Going deeper into the inner street, I found various shops selling daily necessities and miscellaneous goods.

I discovered a suitable hobby goods shop and carefully selected items.

Chess set, Othello, playing cards including puzzles, knitting tools, art supplies, and a classic guitar.

There were already many books in the study, so I would bring them from home.

I also bought a small ball, insect collecting tools, and a fishing rod in case Kyle couldn’t stand staying indoors.

“Lady, I’ll play with you whenever I have time.”

Millie looked at the items I bought and patted me pityingly.

“Uh… thanks. But it’s okay. I’m going to play with Kyle.”

To make it look like I was clinging to my neighbor friend Kyle, I didn’t correct the misunderstanding that I was lonely.

When I returned to the count’s manor and spread all the spoils of today on the large desk, the empty table was completely filled.

It would be an overkill to take all of this at once.

If I beg Kyle to play with me, I’ll probably get cursed at.

Let’s start with the most harmless and familiar things.

I picked mystery novel series that make you keep reading without stopping, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and quiz magazines.

Then I packed insect collecting tools and art supplies for landscape painting into the trunk.

This would also be good camouflage as a butterfly lover.

I added board games that were relatively easy to approach and closed the trunk.

Wait for me, Kyle.

I will open a new world for you trapped in training hell!

“Not doing it.”

The next day, I visited the Dierne Duke mansion and boldly spread out the play items, but the answer was a single rejection.

“Why! These are all super fun things that will make your eyes sparkle!”

Kyle, immersed in sword training, didn’t even look this way.

“No time.”

“Hey, you can rest for a moment.”

I smiled softly beside Kyle swinging his wooden sword, and only then did he glare at me.

“You really seem to have nothing to do.”

“I finished home education this morning. Homework can be done in the evening, and I’m free in the afternoon.”

“……”

“Even if so, it’s not good to study and train all day. Playing happily is also something children should do.”

The word “child” seemed to irritate him, because a vein bulged on his forehead.

“Who are you calling a child! Want to die?”

“We’re still children at our age…”

Well, I also once mistakenly thought I was already grown up when I was ten.

“Anyway, what I mean is that changing your mood is essential!”

“Forget it.”

“I bought these specially because I wanted to play with you.”

“I never asked you to.”

So stubborn.

I’m stubborn too, but you’re even worse.

Well, maybe because he trained so fiercely, he becomes so strong later.

“Okay…”

I gave up and sat down beside the trunk.

Since he keeps saying no, I can’t force him.

I slowly put the things back into the trunk.

I felt my energy drain thinking I bought all these things unnecessarily.

Should I go back now?

When I slowly stood up, I sighed.

I left only a few books and dragged the trunk toward the outdoor training ground exit.

“I’ll leave a few books here. If you get curious, just take a look. Then I’ll go…”

“Hey.”

“Yeah?”

“Are you trying to use me to get closer to Darius? Stop it. It’s useless.”

Kyle said in a low warning voice.

“I saw you eating the food you brought that day with Darius. You were acting weak in front of him. You like that guy, right?”

You were watching that day? Where were you hiding!

“…It’s not like that.”

It was true that I approached you with intention, but I had no romantic intention toward Darius.

I just want to watch Darius’s life from afar as an extra 7.

It would be even better if I could see his children and grandchildren.

…but I couldn’t say that, so I gave a suitable excuse.

“Brother Darius is very handsome, so I got nervous and acted clumsy. As I said before, the person I want to be friends with is you.”

“……”

“If I lie, I’ll shave my head. I swear.”

Putting my hand on my left chest and solemnly swore, Kyle’s eyes narrowed as if judging the truth.

I didn’t avoid his eyes and stared passionately, and soon he looked away first.

He dropped the wooden sword and sat down on the wisteria bench prepared on one side of the training ground.

“Exactly 30 minutes. After that, disappear quickly.”

“…! Okay! What do you want to do first?”

I asked with a victorious smile.