FDSML CH 15

Chapter 15

The antidote worked faster than Eden expected.

Feeling a twinge of regret, Alperen spoke to Rodelia.
“How do you feel?”

“Huh? Mm.”

Rodelia awkwardly sat up and put some distance between them. From her face, she looked pretty flustered.

She touched her hair and asked blankly, “Why was I sleeping on your lap? I was sure I was waiting over here.”

It seemed the potion had wiped out her memories while she was under its effects.

If he’d known, he might’ve enjoyed it a bit longer—Alperen scolded himself for the thought and put on his usual “kind friend of your brother” expression.

“Sorry, Rodelia. My aide mistook an experimental potion for tea. You got tipsy from it and blacked out for a bit.”

“Oh, that blue tea.”

Rodelia finally understood, and her brow furrowed. She looked like she was trying to recall what wouldn’t come back.

“It was only temporary. It’s over, so don’t strain to remember.”

“I didn’t… say anything weird, did I?”

“Weird? Are you hiding something from me?”

“No, that’s not it…”

Her eyes rolled around, searching. Worried she’d get embarrassed and avoid him if she did remember, Alperen changed the subject.

“So, what brings you to the Tower?”

“Ah!”

Remembering why she’d come, Rodelia straightened like she was about to make a weighty announcement.

“I have a confession to make to you.”

“…A confession?”

Alperen also sat up straighter. He hadn’t expected that word from her.

Dry-throated with nerves, he listened as she said, “You were right. I did provoke Princess Nanael on purpose. I don’t want you and the princess to get married.”

Her eyes were firm. She’d come prepared. Even Alperen felt tense.

“And I never meant to put myself in danger,” she continued. “I didn’t think she’d really push me down the stairs. If you hadn’t been there, I might have been badly hurt. Thank you… for saving me.”

Rodelia shivered lightly at the memory. It was still a dizzying moment to recall.

Alperen’s face tightened too. As he’d suspected, Nanael had indeed meant to hurt her—and after what happened today, she’d cling to Rodelia even harder. The thought alone was exhausting.

“I’m the one who should apologize,” he said quietly. “I shouldn’t have left your side.”

“Hey, it’s not your fault. Strictly speaking, my partner was Adrian.”

“True.”

“Anyway, the reason I’ve told you to beware ‘red hair’ since we were kids really was Princess Nanael. I once saw her from afar when I was little—she was… a lot.”

Even as a child, Nanael had been a budding tyrant—famous for rotating through her attendants and bullying them. Rodelia had once been on the short list to serve her, but thankfully wasn’t chosen. Nanael preferred girls from easy-to-push-around families with no consequences.

“I think of you like family, so I wanted you to meet someone good,” Rodelia said. “If it came off childish, I’m sorry. In my eyes, you’re too good to waste.”

“You… think of me like family?” Alperen asked, stopping mid-listen.

Her answer left his chest oddly tight.
“Of course. I told you I’d be your little sister.”

Little sister.

If he’d known how much that word would grate, he never would’ve let her call him “oppa.”

His mouth tasted bitter. A bond set in childhood had refused to change even after they’d grown up. He’d thought being by her side like this was enough—but maybe he was greedier than he realized.

“So it was all for me,” he said. “Because you were afraid I’d suffer if I met the wrong woman.”

“Exactly. That’s it!” Rodelia lifted a thumb, pleased.

Something stubborn rose up in Alperen as he leaned toward her—

“Deeelliiiii!”

With a loud yell, Adrian burst into the study; he’d been calling her name even before the door opened. He rushed straight to Rodelia, cupped her face, and fussed,

“I heard you drank the wrong potion! Are you okay? Your stomach? Your head?”

“Mmpf, I’b okeh.”

Her cheeks squished, Rodelia answered through a lisp.

After checking her over from head to toe, Adrian shot Alperen a glare.
“How do you manage your subordinates? What if something had happened to our Deli?”

As expected of a brother obsessed with his sister.

Unruffled, Alperen replied, “Then I’d take responsibility.”

“Over my dead body!”

Adrian snapped. “You’re compensating properly—for Rodelia, especially!”

“Alright.”

“Oppa, I’m fine. I showed up without an appointment and made things hard for everyone.”

“Our Deli’s heart is so soft—how will you survive this cruel world?” he cooed, then sharpened his eyes at Alperen again. “Ten healing potions.”

“That’s odd. Isn’t that what you want?”

“Ahem. Rodelia and I are of one heart. She’ll agree, won’t you, Deli?”

Brimming with confidence, he looked to her.

“I don’t need healing potions,” she said.

“Deli, you too…?”

Looking betrayed, Adrian wilted. Rodelia ignored him cleanly and turned to Alperen.

“I’ve only ever wanted one thing from you. Just that one, and I’m satisfied!”

Her eyes sparkled. Alperen let out a soft laugh—he knew she meant breaking off with Princess Nanael, even if her reasons weren’t exactly what he’d hoped.

“Alright.”

Since it was her wish, he’d grant it.

“I knew you’d refu—wait, really?!” Rodelia’s eyes went round.

“I’ll have news for you soon.”

“Mmm-hmm-hmm~”

A clear little hum drifted through the Ferris estate from morning on. Rodelia was strolling the garden, humming.

“My, my lady, you must be in a very good mood today.”

“It’s just—the weather is faabulous.”

“It is a lovely day.”

At Mei’s guileless reply, Rodelia flicked a leaf with her finger, then even did a few dance steps. Mei burst into laughter.

Today, the whole world looked bright. In a mood like this, she felt she could even laugh if a bird pooped on her.

I’ll have news for you soon.

At last, Alperen had decided to end the engagement. He wasn’t the type to say one thing and do another. For eight years of her “break-up propaganda,” he hadn’t once humored her with an empty “okay.”

Maybe she really could dodge that bad ending.

“Hehe.”

A sly little chuckle slipped out, making Mei blanch.

“That face is worrying. Feels like you’re about to start something—my heart’s already pounding.”

“Do you think I’m some walking disaster?”

“You’re… delightfully unpredictable. You’ve caused two incidents just this month, remember?”

“Hey.”

Rodelia pouted and side-eyed her. After a moment, Mei said,

“My lady, just to check—remember there’s a regular gathering today for the ladies who had their debuts?”

“Oh, right. There is, isn’t there?”