Chapter 33
Celia, almost chased out of the Grand Duke Cassius’ mansion, returned to the Marquisate of Aster with her strength completely drained.
She hadn’t really expected Lysithea to come back willingly.
She simply couldn’t stand by and do nothing.
“Celia, was it? Regret always comes too late.”
When Grand Duke Cassius spat out those words, Celia felt as though a massive door had slammed shut before her.
And she felt certain that door would never open again.
Unable to suppress the restlessness gnawing inside her, she had barged into the Grand Duke’s residence recklessly.
“Celia, I just don’t want you in the rest of my life.”
She hadn’t expected him to welcome her, but she hadn’t thought he’d say something that cruel.
It would’ve been better not to have gone at all.
Dragging her feet, Celia lifted her head.
Even though it was night, the Marquisate of Aster was bright as day.
Because a monster harpy had crashed through the roof, construction was being carried out night and day.
The cozy nest that had once been Celia’s home had turned into a noisy, dusty construction site.
Watching the workers busily coming and going, Celia turned toward the back garden.
Crossing the rear grounds, she arrived at the annex where Lysithea had once stayed.
Though fire had destroyed the interior, fortunately the structure itself was intact.
If it’s just repaired, it’ll soon be just as before…
But Celia suddenly froze in her tracks.
She stared blankly at the annex, her face full of disbelief.
That very morning, the frame had been sound—but now it was a wreck, badly demolished.
“What do you think you’re doing!”
She shouted furiously, pushing her way through the laborers who had begun dismantling the building.
“Who gave you permission to tear this place down? Do you know whose property this is? This belongs to the Asters! Do you think you can do this and get away with it?”
“W-we’re just doing what we were paid to do, miss.”
“Paid? Who told you to do this?”
“The young lord ordered us to clear everything away without leaving a trace.”
“Eddie did?”
At that moment, Celia heard the sound of footsteps crunching the grass behind her.
She turned her head.
“Celi, you’re home—why aren’t you resting inside instead of standing here…?”
It was Edward, her twin brother, her other half since the moment they were born.
His face full of concern, he strode toward her, glancing awkwardly between the half-ruined annex and the workers.
That expression alone was as good as an answer.
But Celia refused to believe it.
“Eddie, it’s not true, right? I told you—brick by brick, tile by tile, it all had to be restored exactly as it was before.”
Edward couldn’t possibly have forgotten her words. There had to be some misunderstanding somewhere.
Edward dragged a hand down his face and sighed.
“Celi, you know as well as I do—she’s not coming back.”
After all, once Lysithea married, the building would stand empty.
And now that a fire had gutted it, it was only natural to clear away the unsightly remains as quickly as possible.
Hearing his reply, Celia’s eyes flashed as she grabbed his arm roughly.
“So you’ll erase every trace of her? As if she never existed in this house?”
“Don’t exaggerate. Clearing away burned debris isn’t the same thing.”
The disappearance of the building she’d lived in wouldn’t erase her name, nor change the family she belonged to.
Edward thought his twin was just being unreasonable.
Celia bit down hard on her lip.
The annoyance, weariness, and faint contempt on Edward’s face struck something deep within her.
“No, that’s not it. Eddie, did you think I wouldn’t notice? You’re afraid of her.”
That was why. What she normally would’ve let slide, she had to press on this time.
“Do you even realize how you look right now? Like a colt with its tail on fire, jittering in fear of being found out.”
To Edward, Celia herself looked more like an injured cat with its fur bristling.
Arguing further in this state would only waste their emotions.
“…You must be tired from going out. Go and rest. Someone, escort the young lady to her room.”
“Let me go! Don’t you dare lay a hand on me!”
Startled by her sharp tone, the servants hesitated and stepped back.
“Celi, I don’t need this from you too. I’m already exhausted.”
In just a few days, his clothes had begun hanging loose on him.
Worse, he hadn’t been able to spare even a moment to keep his body in shape.
“That’s exactly it! If you’re so worn down, why would you go to such lengths to erase every trace of her?”
“I’m just doing what has to be done.”
“You expect me to believe it’s a coincidence you started this while I was away? You’re lying to me.”
Today Celia was unusually relentless. Half-hearted evasions wouldn’t work.
“…Didn’t you say you already knew? That I’m afraid of her. What other reason do you need?”
“Why? Why would you be afraid? Aster will be yours anyway—what is there to fear?”
Edward gazed at her silently.
Sometimes her innocence was unbearably heavy.
Why was the burden always his alone to bear? It felt unfair.
“Celi, do you really think the Aster I’ll inherit will be the same? Without the Cullinan mine, do you think Aster can keep its glory?”
The moment the heir to the Cullinan mine and the successor to Aster split apart, the problem had been inevitable.
And that was only part of what frightened Edward.
“Eddie… was that really all?”
“All? …Haa. Let’s just stop. Talking more won’t change anything.”
“What did you just say? Say it again.”
He realized too late that Celia’s eyes were brimming with tears.
He wavered—part of him wanting to turn away, part of him feeling the duty to comfort her. In the end, duty won.
Forcing a smile, Edward took her sleeve and tugged gently.
“Celi, I’m just exhausted, I misspoke. Let’s stop for today, okay? I only got two hours of sleep last night.”
He even remembered to droop his eyes, making himself look pitiful.
“…You’re heavy, get off.”
Though she pushed him away irritably, her voice had softened.
Looking down at the top of her head, Edward swallowed a sigh.
Celia was the most precious, beloved sister—but there were days like today, when his love felt like nothing more than a duty he had to put on.
“Where’s Father?”
“Waiting for you, of course. Come on.”
Celia wiped her eyes with her sleeve as she followed behind Edward.
She didn’t want him to notice she hadn’t finished crying.
He had already bent first; if she didn’t bend at all, she feared she’d earn his resentment.
The broad, unyielding backs of her father and brother sometimes felt suffocating.
At times like that, she’d imagine that impregnable fortress crumbling down into rubble.
“Celi, what are you doing?”
Edward was already holding the door open, waiting for her.
“Nothing.”
Celia smiled brightly and leapt into the warm, cozy nest lit up inside.
Into the place where no one could harm her, surrounded by high walls on every side.
Hmm, hmm—humming happily, Marie combed through Lysithea’s hair.
“My lady, how shall I do your hair today? What if I braid it round like this?”
Clutching a handful of long hair, Marie’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she twisted it into shapes.
Lysithea gave a faint smile and answered casually.
“Do whatever. I’m not going out anywhere.”
“…Okaaay.”
Marie’s voice drooped as she slowed down, her earlier excitement extinguished.
Lysithea felt as if she’d poured cold water over the girl who had been humming with joy only moments ago.
“Make it one loose braid. The same as last week.”
“Yes!”
Marie’s spirits lifted instantly. Humming once again, she braided Lysithea’s hair with a blue satin ribbon.
Her handiwork was clumsy, leaving the braid looking a bit loose and unfinished.
But seeing Marie nod in satisfaction, Lysithea felt it didn’t matter.
Just then, the door opened and a woman sauntered in casually.
“Oh, as beautiful as ever today, my lady.”
“Wilhelmina, could you drop that ruffian’s tongue of yours?”
It was Wilhelmina Richter, fire-element mage, and her partner, Ryan Dilton.
Ryan frowned, rebuking her choice of words, but Wilhelmina only shrugged.
“Don’t bother. My mother gave up on me long ago.”
“How could someone as respectable as Baron Richter have a daughter like you…”
“Why, don’t like how I talk? I got it from my father, you know. I grew up under his care.”
Caught off guard, Ryan stiffened—then forced a twitching smile.
“L-Lord Richter must be a man of admirable candor and spirit.”
“Pfft, you actually fell for that? Of course that was a lie.”
Ryan’s face reddened, his nostrils flaring.
Unable to hold it in, Marie burst out laughing.
She tried to cover her mouth quickly, but everyone had already heard.
“Hello, Marie.”
Wilhelmina waved nonchalantly.
“Welcome. Are you two on duty today?”
“Yep. Please take care of us again.”
Grinning broadly, Wilhelmina flopped down, while Ryan sighed and shook his head before finding a seat.
