Chapter 38
Now I understand why people fall into gambling.
The moment pig number 5, “Hamong,” crossed the finish line first, my dopamine also exploded past its limit.
“Wow, this is so thrilling.”
I submitted my betting ticket and received ten silver coins. I smiled brightly.
“Our good Hamong. The moment I saw the name, I felt drawn to it like fate. Those chubby back legs are so cute.”
“……”
“I think I was born lucky in this life.”
“…I get it, so stop bragging.”
“It’s 27 to 27 now, right?”
When I grinned teasingly, Kyle couldn’t argue back and just made a low sound. But he wasn’t really upset.
After all, he had shouted the name of pig number 8 at the top of his lungs while it fought for second place.
When we left the stadium through the opposite gate, we entered a street filled with tents where you could play all kinds of games.
The play area was twice as noisy as anywhere else. Children gathered like clouds.
There were dart games, slingshots, ring toss, spinning boards, arm wrestling, tug-of-war, speed-eating contests, and many more.
I had skipped this section before, thinking it was for kids. But it was perfect to play with Kyle.
“Kyle, let’s play here a little longer.”
He curled his lips and looked around.
That face meant he was interested but didn’t want to show it.
“…What if Simon hyung starts yelling again?”
“‘Simon hyung’? Since when did you start calling my brother that so friendly?”
You don’t even call Darius hyung. And you don’t call me by my name either!
“When did you two get so close? What? Then call me by my name too.”
“……”
“Just once!”
“Be quiet.”
“You’re not avoiding it because you don’t know my name, right? Quiz time. What’s my name?”
“I said be quiet.”
Tsk. It didn’t work.
Kyle left me whining and went into the ring toss booth.
For the next hour, we went from game to game and competed.
We even bought snacks with the money we won from the pig race.
By the time we returned to the main hall where the Duchess and Darius were, the score was 32 to 34. It was a secret that I had held back a little on purpose for Kyle.
After enjoying the performances, parade, and fireworks, we finally returned to the Count’s mansion late at night.
Seeing Darius and the Duchess happily talking about their shopping and new experiences made me proud.
Kyle was playing with the pig doll he won at the dart booth. It seemed he also made good memories.
It was a fair worth all my effort.
***
After two more days at the fair and the closing ceremony, it was already the morning before the Dieren family was to leave.
To finish things perfectly, we decided to visit Lake Lagria and the fir forest, known as one of the greatest views near the twin mountain range.
Since it was the last day, Father also cleared his schedule. All six of us were together.
The servants loaded folding tables, chairs, tarps, hammocks, and many other things onto a wagon.
We were going to rest all day in a kind of simple camping trip.
The fir forest was at the edge of the Brante territory, so we traveled for about an hour by carriage.
When we arrived, I was once again overwhelmed by nature.
The tall trees stood so straight and thick that I had to bend my neck almost ninety degrees to see the tops. The fresh scent of resin filled my lungs.
“Wow. It feels like fairies would live here,” Darius said.
“It would be beautiful in winter too,” the Duchess added.
I imagined the forest covered in white snow and nodded.
“I haven’t been here in a long time either, but it’s still a forest that calms the mind,” Father said with a faint smile.
Maybe he had come here with Mother before.
The lodge keeper, who had been informed in advance, greeted us and guided us to the flattest field.
Soon, a comfortable camping space was set up.
Kyle and I, and Simon and Darius, walked along the forest path.
Even though the sky was cloudy, the sound of birds and the flowing stream was healing enough.
Small fish swam under the clear water.
“We should have brought fishing rods!”
“Yeah.”
Simon agreed for once.
We couldn’t eat fish, but we had brought plenty of fresh fruit to match the idea of relaxing in paradise.
After playing for a while, we returned to the campsite. The table was full of fresh seasonal fruits.
“Did you have fun?” Father asked.
“Come sit. You must be hungry.”
There were sliced apples and peaches, and baskets of plums and grapes.
There were also biscuits, bread, ham, cheese, jam, tea, and juice.
The four of us sat together.
“Let’s eat!”
After filling our stomachs with other food, I looked at the fruit.
When I saw the peaches, I felt happy.
The Duchess especially loved peaches. At the Dieren duchy, desserts with peach jam were often served.
As expected, the Duchess covered her mouth after taking a bite.
“This is the sweetest and most fragrant peach I’ve ever had. It’s so juicy.”
“Haha, you flatter us,” Father replied proudly.
I remembered bragging to Kyle before about how sweet and soft our orchard peaches were.
I nudged him.
“Try this. It’s totally different from any peach you’ve had. You’ll like it.”
“…No.”
Does he have a grudge against peaches?
“Come on. If you don’t like firm ones, there are soft ones too.”
“I said no. Can’t you understand?”
His voice suddenly rose.
Everyone looked at us.
Embarrassed, I quickly backed off.
“Okay.”
But the Duchess straightened her back and glared at Kyle.
“Kyleus. The Brante family has treated us so kindly. Even if you cannot be grateful, where did you learn such manners?”
“It’s okay! Everyone has different tastes,” I said quickly.
But the Duchess shook her head firmly.
“No, Miss Riez. Kyleus needs to be corrected.”
Her voice was calm, but cold.
“I’ve noticed that throughout this vacation you have spoken rudely to Sir Simon and Miss Riez. When did you learn to treat other noble children so disrespectfully? You are staining the name of Dieren.”
Kyle bit his lower lip until it turned red and bowed deeply.
“I’m sorry, Mother…”
“Behave properly.”
“Yes.”
Oh no. His eyes looked like tears would fall at any moment.
This happened because I forced him to eat peach.
Feeling uneasy, I pushed the peach plate away and moved grapes and apples closer to him, trying to hide his picky eating.
But Kyle suddenly picked up the peach plate.
He stabbed a large slice with his fork, took a deep breath, and put it into his mouth in one bite.
He chewed and swallowed with difficulty, as if he were chewing slime instead of fruit.
He must really hate it.
In his golden eyes, burning like flames, I saw emotions I couldn’t understand.
