IRTRHP 11

Episode 11. Ethan

Ethan seemed just as uneasy as his parents, though he tried to appear composed. Thankfully, his effort wasn’t in vain — his expression gradually relaxed.
In contrast, Aileen’s heart tightened. She couldn’t take her eyes off Ethan, even as she grew increasingly nervous, waiting for the moment their gazes would meet.

“Hello.”

“So it’s you.”

At Ethan’s polite greeting, Lloyd reacted differently than he had with the count and countess.
Though they had seen each other in passing before, Lloyd narrowed his eyes and looked Ethan up and down, from head to toe. Ethan waited for him to say something, but Lloyd stayed silent, and their exchange ended awkwardly.

Ethan smiled faintly, glancing around the room — and then he spotted Aileen.
The instant their eyes met, Aileen’s shoulders visibly stiffened.

It was a gaze she’d seen countless times before, yet now, the longer he looked at her, the heavier the weight on her chest grew. Eventually, she was the first to look away. Pretending nothing was wrong didn’t work; her composure cracked.
Aileen clasped and unclasped her hands, staring at some random point in the room.

“Aileen.”

At the low rumble of Ethan’s voice, she bit her lip.
Afraid of what she might see in his eyes, she slowly turned her head toward him.

“Come here.”

His tone carried quiet insistence. Aileen hesitated but stepped toward him. Lloyd frowned slightly — for reasons known only to himself — then lost interest and turned his attention elsewhere.

“Brother…”

Her voice was small and timid. She couldn’t even meet his gaze properly, glancing sideways instead. Ethan seemed to see right through her thoughts, yet his firm expression didn’t soften.

Then—

“This young girl is getting married already?”

The gentle, melting tone startled Aileen. She looked up in surprise.

“I can’t help but worry.”

All the fear she’d carried — the dread that her brother might disapprove — melted at the sound of his warm voice. Her eyes welled up before she could stop them.

“I’m sorry, brother…”

Aileen tugged at the fabric of his sleeve, her voice trembling. At that moment, age and dignity meant nothing — she was just a little sister seeking comfort.

“We’ll talk alone later.”

Aileen nodded quietly.

“The Count and Countess of Claudia have arrived.”

In the Senate’s meeting chamber, someone reported the news. Seated at the head, Allan tapped the armrest with his fingers, much like Lloyd often did. He tilted his head, thinking, then straightened again. One of the elders, reading his mood, cautiously spoke.

“I can’t understand it.”

It was Robert, the same elder who had shown irritation when he’d heard that Aileen had walked out during the previous retainers’ meeting.

“What could possibly be gained from marrying the Beta of House Claudia — a house with no value unless it produces an Alpha Omega?”

He looked at Allan as if seeking agreement. Allan pondered for a moment before replying,

“When has the Grand Duke ever heeded our words?”

“Well, that’s true. Even our constant urging for him to marry didn’t move him this easily.”

Another elder chimed in.

“And he made sure no other house could be brought in, either.”

They had prepared alternatives, believing the Grand Duke could easily switch fiancées since nothing was official yet. None of them had expected Lloyd to make his move first.

He had cleverly turned a political marriage into a shield.
By choosing the Claudia family, he ensured that he wouldn’t be forced into alliance with any family connected to the Senate — and by marrying a Beta, he added a twist of deliberate defiance.

Calix, who knew Lloyd’s temperament best, kept his mouth shut. He had predicted this from the start. If Lloyd were the type to obey quietly, he would have been married long ago.

When will this power struggle ever end?

Calix sighed inwardly. Pretending to listen to the meaningless discussion, his thoughts drifted toward the Grand Duke.

If Lloyd had already met with the Claudias, they must be dining together by now.

And indeed, they were.

They headed straight for the dining room — partly to make conversation more natural, but also because Aileen hoped it might ease the tension.

Her parents were sure to feel uncomfortable, she thought, and she was right. The Count and Countess of Claudia barely touched their food, overwhelmed by the grandeur of the setting. Despite the exquisite spread laid out before them, they only picked at what was directly in front of them.

Even with maids attending each guest, they were stiff and distracted. The Grand Duke, on the other hand, ate leisurely. He neither hesitated nor waited for anyone else — his commands sent three maids moving at once. Aileen could only sit there, torn between laughter and tears.

Titles mean nothing here…

In this place, her father’s rank as a count meant absolutely nothing. Seeing her parents so subdued pained Aileen, but there was little she could do. Instead, she turned to her brother.

“You look thinner.”

Her voice was soft with concern.

“You haven’t been skipping meals for your books again, have you?”

“Aileen, what kind of man do you take your brother for?”

“A bookworm.”

“Hah! I haven’t heard that nickname in ages.”

Ethan laughed out loud, and soon they were chatting like old times.

“I’ve been eating well. When I said I’d be visiting you today, Lady Sarah even asked if she should bake her apple pie.”

“Sarah’s apple pie is delicious.”

Aileen nodded in agreement, and Ethan smiled. Lloyd’s eyes shifted to the apple pie before Aileen — it was as though she didn’t even notice it.

Whoever this Sarah was, could her pie possibly surpass his chef’s creations?

“Eat plenty,” Aileen said, placing a slice of meat on Ethan’s plate.

He took a bite.

“Aileen, I’m sure your brother’s mother takes good care of him,” the Countess said with a fond smile.

“I know, but… it feels strange not eating together after so long.”

Aileen laughed bashfully. She’d shared meals with her brother for years — old habits of looking after each other weren’t easily broken.

“You should eat too, Mother.”

She served her mother some meat, then glanced toward her father’s plate — and Lloyd quietly watched every motion.

“It’s a nice sight.”

Aileen wasn’t sure if he was mocking her or simply commenting, but she decided not to overthink it. This moment — having her family together again — felt like a rare gift.

“Thank you.”

Her genuine gratitude caught Lloyd off guard. He hadn’t expected such warmth from her — she’d always been defensive and distant.

“You should eat too, Your Grace,” Aileen added softly. “You haven’t eaten much since we sat down.”

He blinked. She had been watching him? He looked down and saw barely a dent in his meal. Before he could reply, Aileen gestured toward the dishes before them.

“This is really tender and delicious. And this stew — the aroma is so unique.”

“That’s because of the herbs,” Lloyd said smoothly. “My chef uses a variety of rare ones. You won’t find this flavor anywhere else.”

“It’s my first time tasting anything like it.”

“Of course. Try this one too.”

He pointed toward another dish, and a maid promptly placed it in front of her. Aileen didn’t refuse; she took a small bite — her eyes widening in surprise. Lloyd’s tone was calm, almost smug.

“Anything I recommend is guaranteed to be good.”

“You’re right. Brother, try this — it’s amazing.”

Aileen offered some to Ethan, and the atmosphere softened. What had started stiff and awkward now felt almost pleasant. Even Lloyd, sensing the change, turned to the Count.

“You should try this too, Count Claudia.”

“Thank you. And… may I ask, what is that dish?”

The Count politely pointed to a bird-shaped roast at the center of the table.

“That is roasted herringbone — the nutty flavor is exquisite.”

“I see.”

The warmth in the room deepened. The moment felt calm, almost harmonious. Then Lloyd spoke, his tone measured.

“The wedding will be held on the upcoming Day of Henas.”

“Yes,” said the Count immediately, without hesitation. The Countess merely counted the days on her fingers, showing no sign of protest.

But the surprise came from someone else entirely.