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chapter 33
When spring came, new flowers bloomed; in summer, the scorching sun beat down. In autumn, the grains ripened, and in winter, the pure white snow scattered, freezing everything.
The green eyes of the young lady, who had watched this for an entire year, narrowed in displeasure.
“Miss, is there something you’re dissatisfied with?”
Alice, standing neatly beside her, asked in a cautious voice, as if trying to gauge her mistress’s mood.
“Something I’m dissatisfied with, hmm…”
Esther spoke softly, sighing as she gazed outside.
“Miss, it’s mealtime. Shall I take you to the dining room?”
“No. I’d like to eat here.”
At the delicate voice, Alice immediately went to inform the kitchen. Once the maid left, Esther, finally alone, ran her hands through her red hair and then looked at the calendar.
“I thought he’d call me after about a month…”
Her father cared for her excessively. Even if she caused trouble, she had assumed he would summon her after a short while. Yet a month passed, then two—and still no summons came.
Anxious, Esther temporarily buried her guilt and sent a letter full of tears to the Count’s residence in Pruina, promising never to repeat such a thing. She thought this would be enough to move her father—but the reply contained only a brief line:
“I see you still have no intention of apologizing to Lynette.”
Esther, unconsciously crumpling her father’s letter, bit her lip.
“Why should I apologize to Lynette? Why me?”
She forced a laugh, grinding her teeth before letting go of the tension.
“Back then… maybe I should have apologized, even if insincerely. Did I show too much of my heart to Father?”
It was true she had done cruel things in the name of love. But it was only because her heart moved her to do so.
“It’s always Lynette, Lynette! Even my brother called me secretly to scold me, and at my maternal grandparents’ house, it’s Lynette! And even Fernando, whom I liked first, is for Lynette! Everyone loves only Lynette.”
Even her mother, claiming it was because she was the youngest, frequently doted on and pampered Lynette. In contrast, she was told that since she was the older sister, she should be kinder to her younger sibling. Pretending to be weak, Esther often feigned illness, and the result was astonishing.
Her mother, who always sided with her younger sister in arguments, began sleeping with Esther at night. Yet by day, her gaze toward Esther and Lynette changed. Whenever looking at Lynette, her mother’s eyes were full of love and affection, giving kisses generously.
But when looking at Esther, a mirror image of herself, her mother only let out soft sighs. Even her grandmother pampered only Lynette. The maternal side was entirely biased toward Lynette.
Seeing everyone’s love directed at Lynette, Esther ensured her father was the only one on her side.
Whenever Lynette sneaked into her father’s study under the guise of studying, Esther broke his pen deliberately and pinned the blame on Lynette. She even tore her own clothes, then tearfully reported to her father that Lynette had done it. Her father, softened by her tears, began distancing himself from Lynette.
Her mother ran away, and her maternal grandparents closed their doors. The next year, her paternal grandmother passed away, leaving no family openly caring for Lynette. Only then could Esther smile freely, letting Lynette wander outside.
At eight years old, Lynette suddenly insisted on becoming a knight and went to the academy. She rarely came home, making Esther’s world entirely her own, where she could shower her father with attention.
But when Lynette turned fifteen, a major accident occurred. To protect her childhood friend Fernando from knight-level creditors sent by debtors, Lynette intervened.
Though she protected Fernando, she was injured so severely that her dream of becoming a knight was crushed. Once a rising star at the Knight Academy, Lynette fell into despair. Her right wrist was broken, and even if it healed, it seemed impossible for her to be a knight. She withdrew entirely into her home.
Since then, Fernando frequently visited the Pruina residence, comforting and supporting Lynette. Seeing Fernando stirred emotions in Esther. She had liked him first as a child, but Lynette had always taken what she wanted.
So this time, Esther acted first. As Fernando was about to leave after consoling Lynette, Esther confessed her feelings. She even engaged in a relationship with Fernando, who had promised to marry her sister. At first, the union felt overwhelming, a mix of guilt and triumph.
But as time passed, Esther’s feelings for Fernando waned. She realized it wasn’t genuine love but a temporary act to prevent Lynette from taking him.
Esther hadn’t pursued social circles merely to marry the second son of the Phillis family. Fernando was merely a stepping stone to other men.
Using him as a stepping stone, Esther indulged in intense pleasures with other men, surpassing the thrills she had with Fernando. Just as she was about to end things with him, Lynette discovered everything.
“Ha… impossible. How did Lynette find out what I said?”
Thinking of Lynette reciting Esther and Fernando’s intimate acts, Esther clenched her teeth.
Lynette boldly declared a breakup with Fernando, the one Esther had loved, and discarded him. She had taken everything Esther desired, including her own love, yet acted as if it were natural.
Even her father now seemed to distance himself, causing Esther unease. Nervously, she ground her teeth.
“Miss, your meal has arrived.”
Hearing Alice’s voice, Esther looked toward the door. A bowl of soup, salad, and a piece of bread had been brought.
“Why has the cooking become so poor lately?”
From some point, meat disappeared from the table. Esther frowned.
“The master has slightly reduced the funds sent here. Still, it’s made deliciously with available ingredients, so please enjoy it slowly,” said Alice. Esther, unable to argue, took a few spoonfuls of soup.
Having no appetite, Esther summoned merchants who had arrived nearby, buying several trending items from Indigo.
“What’s popular in Indigo these days?”
Without hesitation, the merchant replied:
“The teahouse called Attraction is famous. They serve coffee renowned in Sepia, drawing crowds of all ages.”
“Coffee?”
“Yes, black tea-like coffee. The owner makes it exceptionally well. I tried it once—it was pricey, but worth it.”
The merchant smiled, noting he would visit again if he returned to Indigo.
“I want to get that coffee and try it.”
“Even if you make it from the raw beans, it tastes different. That’s why people go directly to the shop.”
“I see. Perhaps I’ll invite the shop owner to make coffee here. What’s the owner’s name?”
The merchant paused, thinking.
“A name reminiscent of a little bird… Ah! Lynette.”
Esther froze at the name.
“Could she look like…?”
“A young lady with golden brown hair and black eyes. Whoever her parents are, they must be proud even without eating.”
Once the merchant left, Esther clenched her fists, biting her trembling lips. Shaking her head stubbornly, she exclaimed:
“That… can’t be. Lynette is just a child who can’t even hold a sword… This is impossible!”
Consumed by twisted jealousy toward her sister, Esther threw the jewelry she had just bought to the floor.
❅
Over a year had passed since arriving in Pergus, the border between Sepia and Irein. Despite the region being conflict-ridden, Sian had believed his posting would last only a few months—but he had been mistaken.
When he first arrived, the Emperor had said it would be no longer than half a year. Yet that promise was not kept. Occasionally, letters arrived from home.
“Today, Lynette made some delicious coffee. After tasting the special one she made, Ria proposed on the spot.”
Sian read the letter, crumpling it in frustration.
“These days we go there daily. Perhaps you’ve forgotten, but the dumplings and pancakes Lynette made were heavenly. You can’t taste them now, right? Such a shame.”
Clearly, his family was teasing him. Every letter mentioned Lynette and Attraction. Enduring this, Sian felt close to enlightenment.
“Another lottery, huh? If I win the draw, I get angry. Though I warned you not to fall for the coffee… yet there’s a proposal as soon as we arrive. Sister really leaves me speechless.”
Reading the letters he had collected, Sian cursed his fate and prepared to tour the troubled regions again.
“Was the collapsed fortification rebuilt?”
“Yes, this time it’s secure.”
He had come as the Red Knights’ commander, yet he ended up handling all sorts of chores along with training the knights.
“What is Marquis Alexander doing now?”
“Studying military manuals in the barracks.”
Sian ground his teeth at the thought. What exactly was that man doing here? He felt the need to count on his fingers.
“Any news from Sepia?”
“Sources say the Crown Prince is coming here personally.”
“He must be coming to cement his position.”
The Sepia Crown Prince seemed intent on scoring points by visiting directly, while Sian’s own prince remained idle in the palace.
“Still, at least the Sepia Crown Prince comes personally. Ours is lounging in the palace…”
“Cough… m-master, someone might hear you,” Jaden said, glancing around.
“If they want to listen, let them. I’m not lying.”
Jaden hurriedly scanned the area. Thankfully, no one was nearby.
Also a lottery victim, Jaden served Sian closely. The young vice-captain of the Red Knights followed Sian, performing menial tasks.
“Still no word from the palace?”
“No.”
“This diplomacy is hopeless. How long must I rot here?”
Sian, in his idle moments, thought of Lynette, craving the coffee she brewed. While longing for her and Attraction for days, a letter arrived from the other side.
“Finally, they want to discuss something.”
Due to the letter from Sepia, a meeting barracks was prepared for representatives of the two countries. Though reluctant, Sian was dragged there by Jaden.
Upon sitting, Sian saw a person from Sepia’s delegation and frowned. The other tilted their head, clearly unsettled. The lips and jawline looked familiar.
Hearing Sian converse with another, the stranger’s eyes widened slightly, then they smiled.
“I never imagined I’d meet someone I know here. At first, I wasn’t sure, but hearing your voice confirms it.”
