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chapter 7
Xian’s obnoxious tone brought back old memories—memories of my time living in a strict, Confucian country.
I scrutinized Xian with a strangely meticulous mind. In the light, his youthful face looked even slightly smaller than mine, despite me being on the shorter side for my age.
“Small… and skinny.”
He wore proper clothes, and the corners of his eyes were sharply lifted, yet his expression carried a shadow of unease. Even though he was clearly the son of a duke, there was something about him that oddly reminded me of myself.
Right, this Xian Hilberg wasn’t the cruel, ruthless Xian Hilberg from the book. Technically, he hadn’t personally killed anyone, not yet anyway. A few years from now, who knows, but for now, that was the case. I shook my head slightly, as if brushing off the thought.
For a moment, he looked like just a kid of that age. In comparison, Blair was far scarier.
This was actually a perfect chance to curb the budding obsession of a male lead.
“As a friend—or older sister figure—I’ll make sure to set some discipline while you’re still young.”
I crossed my arms and replied.
“And who are you, then?”
“You? …Your father should probably retire soon. How can someone so unreasonable just stroll through the house like this? I go first. I asked what you’re doing here.”
The long, drawn-out voice triggered a flash of memory. I had definitely heard it before.
“Not too long ago, in fact.”
It seemed that it had been Xian who had told me to move when I was left alone in the hallway. I didn’t know why he disappeared so quickly afterward.
“Good thing this isn’t a haunted mansion.”
Yet, somehow, it felt like I had seen him from even closer before. As I tried to piece together fragmented memories, a sharp intensity radiated from him.
This attitude…
“Right, the one and only young master.”
Even though he was small, the finesse with which he spoke like a true noble was remarkable. I deliberately returned his intensity with a bright smile.
“Ah… so you’re the young master. My apologies for not recognizing you. I’ll call you Young Master. Does it relieve you to be addressed properly? I’d like to introduce myself properly too, but compared to you, I’m too humble, so I hesitate to speak my name aloud.”
“What?”
Xian’s brows furrowed, his eyes narrowing. In an instant, the air grew chilly. But in situations like this, taking control was key. I survived social life in my previous life the same way!
“Were you hoping to be treated as a young master? So I called you that politely. But if it bothers you, what should I do, Young Master?”
Xian, slightly unsettled by my fearless tone, leaned in with narrowed eyes.
“Enough.”
I furrowed my brows and made a face that said I really didn’t understand.
“Why, Young Master?”
“Are you asking because you don’t know? Stop calling me that!”
“Then how should I call you?”
“Just like before.”
“Oh, if it really bothers you… Then I won’t call you that. But calling you ‘you’ seems a bit off, so I’ll call you by your name. How about that?”
As soon as I let go of formalities, Xian’s lips pressed together, looking defeated.
He couldn’t take back what he had just said, and his pride clearly hurt as he realized he had been caught off guard.
“…Do as you wish.”
“…Huh, surprisingly petty… and kind of cute.”
Indeed, no matter how mature I was, the difference in experience and composure couldn’t be ignored.
“All right! I’m Elena. Elena Clinton. Though my surname will change soon.”
“Xian Hilberg.”
Xian replied sullenly, glanced at my hand briefly, and ignored it. I shrugged and pulled my hand back—just a child’s mischief.
Regaining his composure, Xian looked at me with renewed determination.
“If you don’t want to end up a corpse, it’s best you leave now.”
“Hmm, leaving isn’t ideal. As I said, my surname will change soon.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“It does. My surname will become ‘Hill.’”
Though it would require formal paperwork with the duke, it wasn’t a lie. My becoming Elena Hill had already been decided that morning.
This was one of the many titles under Hilberg, a title that the head of the family formally passed to a chosen ward.
It couldn’t be inherited, but everyone in the empire knew the significance of the name.
Yet, as soon as I finished speaking, Xian’s expression froze into an icy stare far colder than before. He murmured almost under his breath:
“…Never heard of it.”
He seemed to feel more dismissed than at any other time. One look in his eyes could almost kill someone. A chill ran down my spine.
“…Did he use his strength?”
When Blair or the duke used their power, the atmosphere shifted noticeably. With Xian, the difference wasn’t as extreme, and it was confusing. He seemed unaware of his effect.
To break the tense mood, I uncrossed my arms and deliberately coughed lightly. Xian’s eyes sharpened immediately.
“Of course. It was decided just this morning.”
His gaze softened slightly.
‘As expected.’
For some reason, he seemed angrier about not being informed rather than my mere presence.
Xian returned to his sulky demeanor and said:
“I don’t believe you.”
Frustrated, I clenched my fists and protested:
“I’m telling the truth…”
Then Xian, staring at my hand, suddenly closed the distance and grabbed my wrist. I stopped speaking, but he didn’t care and pressed his nose against the back of my hand.
Flustered, I tried to pull away, but he didn’t budge.
‘He doesn’t seem to be gripping that hard… but why is he so strong?’
Even as a small child, Xian seemed destined to be the strongest male lead in this world. His strength was no joke. The sensation of his nose sniffing over the bandaged hand made me flinch.
Finally, still in that posture, he rolled his cold eyes toward me and spoke:
“Smells like medicine.”
“…Huh?”
“There’s a smell of medicine here. Helen’s disinfectant.”
Momentarily stunned, I nodded firmly.
“Right. Helen treated it.”
“…I see.”
He nodded, his demeanor completely different from before.
“Then it seems true that your father acknowledged it. Helen wouldn’t have treated it without his orders.”
‘Oh, really? I didn’t know that.’
I was glad Helen had treated my hand—it seemed to have eased Xian’s wariness.
Taking advantage of his weakened grip, I quickly pulled my wrist free. Xian frowned slightly at my retreating hand but soon returned to an indifferent expression.
With one brow raised, he said:
“I don’t know your purpose… but stay out of my sight as much as possible.”
‘That’s a problem.’
My purpose, after all, was you.
But today was enough, so I nodded obediently. The encounter had been surprisingly successful—I had learned his name and was allowed to speak casually.
Xian, still looking slightly uncomfortable, turned toward the door.
‘Wait, what was I going to do?’
I had stood near the door for a reason, but chatting with Xian made me forget.
Time had passed, nearing lunch. Glancing at the large clock, I remembered what I had intended to do.
I hurriedly grabbed Xian’s shoulder as he tried to leave.
He turned with a displeased expression, glaring sharply.
“What is it? Let go.”
I raised my hands in a gesture of peace and gave an apologetic expression.
“Sorry. But since you solved one of my curiosities, can I ask you just one thing?”
Xian sighed, as if exasperated, and replied softly:
“…What is it?”
Embarrassed, I asked, though there was no one else I could turn to.
“Where should I go to eat? I haven’t had a single meal since yesterday.”
Xian’s expression now openly conveyed disbelief. But my stomach grumbled in perfect timing, so he didn’t just leave me.
He lowered his head deeply, exhaled, and gestured toward the door.
“Follow me.”
His rigid side told me there’d be no more words, so I silently followed.
“Thanks.”
I whispered a quiet thanks near his ear. Xian jumped slightly, rubbed his ear roughly as if shaking it off, and glared at me.
…So sensitive. To avoid embarrassment, I walked three steps back. We continued descending the stairs.
Thanks to Helen’s treatment, my ankle now felt completely fine. Amazed at the newfound lightness, I reached the first floor and sensed the air was chaotic.
‘What’s going on?’
Looking up, I encountered a scene I never expected here.
I hid my trembling hands under my skirt, letting out a nervous laugh.
In the unfamiliar ducal house, my father stood arrogantly as if it were completely natural, confronting the staff loudly.
Of course, he must have arrived without prior notice or permission.
I had no idea how he had gotten inside the mansion. My ankle tingled as if in disbelief.
Though I had been hungry moments ago, the rush of physical memory made me feel nauseous. Still, it wasn’t too bad.
‘It’s not exactly unexpected.’
I rubbed my cold hands vigorously. My father, spotting me, pushed through the surrounding people and strode toward me.
“You can’t just come in however you like!”
“Young Master, you need to wait for formal permission—”
“Do I need permission to see my daughter? That’s my daughter over there! Can’t you see?”
The staff, mostly expressionless like their master, were clearly flustered. Even as nobles themselves, they couldn’t push out another nobleman without permission.
As my father brushed past the staff, one maid fell to the ground.
‘Ah, damn.’
She reminded me of myself last night.
I quickly walked up to my father. I had to redirect attention before more damage was done.
