TCBCVF 96

~Chapter 96~

‘Is the Duke really smiling at me like that without any hidden intention?’

The Duke was certainly a very polite man, but he wasn’t exactly the type to be openly kind to everyone.

More precisely, he was the kind of person who built walls using polite manners…

“…”

Meanwhile, Lady Evangeline was looking at the Duke with an expression of complete distaste, though she didn’t actually scold him.

Instead, she hugged my arm tightly and made a suggestion.

“Lari, they say there’s still some time before dinner will be ready. Do you want to go see the lake with me?”

“Alright.”

I nodded without hesitation.

After getting my agreement, she glanced at the Duke with displeasure.

Then, in a voice dripping with how much she absolutely hated the idea, she asked,

“So… brother… want to come with us…?”

…Somehow, watching her look so repulsed really made me realize again that they were siblings.

“Hmm.”

The Duke gave an awkward smile.

“I’d like to, but I still have work to finish.”

Right.

He wasn’t alone earlier—

I had seen it with my own eyes.

The administrators carrying a mountain of documents into the Duke’s bedroom!

“How long are you planning to live just working?!”

Lady Evangeline stomped her foot in frustration.

Just a moment ago, she clearly didn’t want him to join us.

But now that he declined, why was she suddenly upset?

When it came to her brother, her feelings swayed like reeds in the wind.

She really was a true little sister of this era…

“I can’t just make the administrators do all the work.”

“Well… that’s true, but…!”

Looking like she might burst from frustration, Lady Evangeline suddenly gave a sly smile and clung even closer to me.

“Well, if that’s the case, then it can’t be helped.”

Her arms around my own tightened slightly.

“Today, it’ll just be me and Lari spending some cozy time alone together.”

…Was it just me, or did it feel like she was teasing the Duke?

“…”

The Duke’s face took on a strangely displeased look as he glared at her—

Like a loser looking at the victor, full of resentment.

‘I really have no idea anymore.’

The sibling world was too complicated and mysterious.

I decided to raise both hands in surrender and just go along with reality.

A little later.

Lady Evangeline and I sat down by the large lake.

The red and yellow autumn leaves cast vivid shadows on the water’s surface.

Clear, transparent ripples lapped gently at the shore.

As I watched quietly, I asked,

“Is the Duke always that busy?”

“Well, he’s never exactly free. Even in the capital, he keeps an eye on the duchy’s affairs as much as he can…”

She shrugged.

“But there’s only so much you can do from the capital.”

“I see.”

I nodded.

Of course, that made sense.

Even if the duchy sent reports constantly, it wasn’t the same as handling matters directly on-site.

Lady Evangeline sighed softly.

“That’s why I tried to help whenever I could, but my brother refused.”

“Why?”

Without thinking, I blurted the question out in a sharp tone.

It was strange—she was already familiar enough with documents and administration.

If he was always looking so tired, wouldn’t it be better for him to get some help?

Lady Evangeline stared at me as if wondering why I was even asking such an obvious question.

“Because you came to visit, Lari.”

“…Huh?”

I blinked in surprise at the unexpected answer.

She continued matter-of-factly,

“My brother cares about you more than you think.”

“About me?”

“Of course. Honestly, you haven’t noticed?”

“…”

She hit the mark.

Even I, as oblivious as I could be, couldn’t miss the fact that the Duke treated me with unusual warmth.

I just didn’t know whether it was romantic interest or simply the fondness one had for a close friend’s best friend.

As I stayed silent, Lady Evangeline gave me a bright, sly smile.

“Just remember one thing.”

“Yes?”

“I’m rooting for you and my brother.”

In that instant, my face heated up completely.

The time at the villa passed peacefully.

The meals prepared by the chef brought from the duchy were so delicious they could make one cry.

Evangeline and I soaked in hot water, played cards and chess to pass the time.

But despite the calm atmosphere—

Evangeline’s frustration was piling up inside.

And the reason was simple—

‘Just how long is this useless brother going to sit still?!’

Even on the first day we arrived at the villa, she had felt this way.

Honestly, she had wanted to spend time with Lari alone too.

But she had still invited Dietrich to join them for a walk—because she had a grand plan to make Lari her sister-in-law.

And what happened?

After she’d forced herself to give up her pride and create an opportunity for them to walk together…

He said he couldn’t because he had to work?!

Was he insane?!

Of course, she wasn’t saying his sense of responsibility as head of the family was bad.

But still!

Sometimes!

He could at least pay attention to his own love life!

What if they couldn’t make Lari her sister-in-law like this?!

And so, late at night—

Evangeline slipped away from Lari’s eyes and stormed into her brother’s office.

“Brother!”

Bang!

The door burst open.

Dietrich didn’t so much as twitch an eyebrow at his fuming little sister.

“What is it?”

“Are you messing with me?!”

Unable to contain her frustration, Evangeline pointed an accusing finger at him.

“If you stay holed up in here working all the time, when are you ever going to make progress with Lari?!”

“Progress? Eva.”

Dietrich frowned slightly at her blunt words.

But that only made Evangeline even more exasperated.

“Did I tell you to drag her straight into the bedroom? Just have tea together, share a meal, take a walk or something!”

She all but roared,

“That’s how you grow closer!”

“…”

At her outburst, a deep look of conflict appeared on Dietrich’s handsome face.

“…Honestly, I’m not sure how to approach Lady Ansie.”

“Huh?”

Evangeline forgot her anger for a moment and blinked.

Her brother—

The same brother who was so composed it was irritating, the one who sometimes made her want to punch him—

…was saying he didn’t know what to do?

“If I approach carelessly and end up ruining our current relationship, that would be terrible, wouldn’t it?”

“Are you really my brother?”

Evangeline narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“Are you sure you’re not some imposter pretending to be my brother?”

“Watch your mouth.”

“Yep, you’re my brother.”

She nodded.

“Anyway.”

Dietrich sighed and continued,

“Lady Ansie is also your closest friend. If things became awkward because of me…”

“Is that really the reason?”

Evangeline cut him off firmly.

“Or are you just too scared to get closer to Lari?”

“…”

He didn’t answer—because she had hit the bullseye.

Evangeline’s mouth dropped open again.

Wow.

This was the first time she’d seen her brother so restless and unsure.

“It’s just…”

After a long pause, Dietrich finally spoke in a heavy tone.

Even then, it took him a while to continue.

“…I don’t know how my feelings for Lady Ansie would be received.”

Mumbling with his gaze lowered, he bit his lip.