LVSMLA 19

Chapter 19

When Ibri was excluded from the joint class, the children who had been close to him also dropped out. My father seemed inclined to take this opportunity to cancel the joint lessons altogether. After all, the class had originally been arranged by Count Camois to foster a friendship between Ibri and me, so there was no real need to continue.

But I thought differently. Callisto was still the illegitimate child of a count, so there was a huge gap in status between him and Lawrence, the son of a duke. They couldn’t meet often. Even in the original story, the joint class had barely created a point of contact between them. Their relationship had already diverged quite a bit from the original plot, and if the lessons stopped as well, it might become impossible for them to ever become lovers.

No matter what, the class had to continue. I was just thinking about how to persuade my father when—

“Young master, you have a visitor. Shall I let him in?”

Elsie, who had come up to the bed and helped me sit up, asked. Since I knew that Etienne didn’t have any close acquaintances at this time, I asked with a puzzled expression,

“A visitor? Who is it?”

“It’s the young master of the Duke of Armagnac. He’s come to visit you while you’re sick.”

“…Lawrence?”

I was inwardly startled. I had only met Lawrence twice. Even those encounters had ended in chaos during class, so this visit was completely unexpected.

Perhaps pleased that I finally seemed to have a friend, Elsie began praising Lawrence.

“Yes. He seemed very worried about you. Even though he’s so young, he’s incredibly kind and composed. Unlike Callisto, who’s still such a baby.”

Lawrence really was mature for his age. Compared to Callisto, who acted like a four-year-old, the difference was obvious. I had even given Callisto his own room right across from mine, but just last night he had crawled into my bed, saying he was scared to sleep alone. Maybe I was the bigger problem for always indulging him.

Still, hearing Callisto compared to Lawrence annoyed me a little. I replied sulkily,

“Callisto is still a baby. It’s natural for a baby to act like one.”

“Oh my. Are you taking his side?”

“Who’s taking sides? Babies are cute when they act like babies.”

“Yes, yes. Anyone would think you’re all grown up.”

“Of course I am. Stop joking and let Lawrence in. And go call Callisto too.”

Elsie chuckled and left to fetch Callisto.

Callisto had been glued to my side all day, insisting on taking care of me, but he had stepped out just before Lawrence arrived. After repeatedly wringing out a towel soaked in warm water and placing it on my forehead all morning, he must have gotten tired. He was probably passed out in his room by now.

I didn’t want to wake him, but it couldn’t be helped. I didn’t know why Lawrence had come to visit, but since he was here, I needed to give him at least one more chance to meet Callisto.

Elsie stepped out and ushered Lawrence in. Neatly dressed, his dark brown hair brushed back to reveal his forehead, Lawrence smiled brightly.

For some reason, his smile looked especially gentle today. As I admired him, thinking, So this is why he’s called a soft, kind male lead, Lawrence approached and greeted me.

“Etienne, are you feeling better?”

“Thanks for coming, Lawrence. I’m much better now.”

I returned the greeting, trying to hide my bewilderment. As I wondered why he had come, it occurred to me that maybe he was here to see Callisto. Their relationship was still awkward, but since they were the main couple in the original story, perhaps there was some kind of fated pull between them.

If so, then they would still end up together…

If Callisto doesn’t change his attitude, this is going to turn into a tragedy.

Thinking of how restless Callisto always acted around Lawrence gave me a headache.

“Etienne, here. Take this. The flowers in the garden were blooming beautifully, so I brought some.”

“…Flowers? Oh, thank you.”

This time, Lawrence held out a bouquet he had been hiding behind his back. It was a striking arrangement of lisianthus, white petals edged in purple. I became even more flustered as I took them and looked up at him.

Did children in this world usually bring bouquets when visiting friends? In my previous life, I had never even had a lover, so I had never received flowers like this.

Lawrence looked between me and the bouquet with a satisfied expression.

“I thought they’d match your eye color.”

“Ah…”

Now that he mentioned it, my eyes were violet. I rarely looked in mirrors, so I had forgotten.

“They go well with your silver hair too. You’re really pretty, Etienne.”

“Uh… thanks.”

They were indeed beautiful. I wasn’t particularly interested in flowers, but Callisto, who liked pretty things, would probably be delighted if I gave them to him.

“By the way, Etienne. Since Ibri and the others have dropped out of class, then from now on, it’ll just be us—”

Just as Lawrence, who had been quietly watching me, began to speak—

The door suddenly burst open. With loud footsteps, Callisto rushed in, jumped onto the bed, and burrowed into my arms.

“Hyung, are you okay? I heard that fox bastard came!”

“….”

Lawrence’s previously gentle expression twisted instantly.

“I’m sorry, Lawrence. Callisto isn’t fully recovered yet, so I think he needs to stay in bed. Please understand.”

In truth, Callisto had already fully recovered—so much so that not even a bruise remained. His healing ability was absurd. Anyone could see he was perfectly fine, so making excuses felt awkward.

“…It’s fine. But won’t it be uncomfortable for you if he stays in bed with you?”

Lawrence replied stiffly, his expression saying it was not fine at all. Even he, who was always kind, seemed to find Callisto’s behavior rude.

Callisto, clinging to me and glaring at Lawrence, spoke shamelessly,

“It’s not uncomfortable at all! Etienne and I always sleep together. You don’t even know anything!”

“…Every day?”

“Well… that is…”

It wasn’t common for noble families to sleep with their younger siblings. I hurriedly explained,

“Callisto sometimes has nightmares, so I stay with him. That’s why.”

“I see. Well, Callisto is still very—young.”

Lawrence shrugged, his expression softening slightly.

But then Callisto, still in my arms, trembled with irritation.

Afraid he might cause another scene, I quickly changed the subject.

“By the way, Lawrence, what were you going to say earlier? About the class?”

“…Yes. Even though the number of students has decreased, I’d like to continue. If you’re okay with it, Etienne, I’ll tell my father.”

“Really?”

I had been worrying about convincing my father, so this was a relief. If the Duke of Armagnac agreed, things would be much easier.

“Of course I’m okay with it. That’s great, Callisto, right?”

But Callisto looked displeased. When I turned to Lawrence, his expression wasn’t great either.

They both spoke at the same time.

“Do we really have to? With that fox?”

“Callisto too?”

I didn’t understand. Callisto had been thrilled to join the class, and Lawrence had even helped him get in.

Then suddenly, an idea struck me.

“Come to think of it, three people might be too few. What if we add about three more? There are some people I’d like to include. Lawrence, could you ask your father?”

“…Three more? Who?”

Lawrence asked in a lower voice.

“I was thinking the twin siblings from the Gilros baron family, and the young lady from the Beringham marquis family. I’ve wanted to get closer to them. Gilros is said to be skilled in martial arts, and Lady Beringham is very intelligent.”

“You want to get closer to them…?”

Lawrence muttered, looking unconvinced.

As our conversation dragged on, Callisto tugged at my clothes. Having grown up alone, he often acted clingy when he didn’t get enough attention.

When I stroked his cheek, he tilted his head and asked,

“Who are they? Do you like them, hyung?”

“Huh?”

For a moment, Callisto’s amber eyes seemed to flash.