Chapter 7
Eva.
Idette’s face had gone pale. Be childhood friends with the male lead? So that’s why the Duchess had given me that pitying look.
“Aren’t you grateful to the Madam? She’s being so considerate of you, our Idette…”
My father mumbled in a deeply moved voice, as if truly thankful.
But Idette only stared blankly at Brinnen. His face showed that he was here simply because the Duchess had asked him.
“Ahem, what am I doing? Since the young master came all the way here, we should at least treat him. Hmm, what would be good…”
“Let’s eat together.”
It seemed better to eat with everyone than to be left alone with Brinnen, so I quickly suggested it. Father smiled brightly as if it was a great idea and asked,
“Oh, young master, have you eaten?”
“…Yes.”
“Hmm. Then at least we should bring dessert.”
But right then—
Growl.
A loud stomach growl came from Brinnen. Father blinked in surprise, darting his eyes around. But Brinnen himself looked unbothered—so calm that it almost seemed like the sound had come from Father instead.
After a moment of hesitation, Father decided not to suggest a full meal, as that might feel awkward. Instead, he said he would bring dessert.
“…Then, I’ll prepare some dessert for you.”
“…It’s fine.”
“I want to do it. Idette likes it too.”
“As you wish.”
Of course, the “dessert” that was brought out was basically a full meal: a hearty stew, warm bread, salad, and several sweets on the side.
“Our Idette hasn’t eaten yet, so I prepared it together.”
“…I see.”
“If you’re too full, you can leave it.”
After treating Brinnen so politely, Father excused himself, probably feeling awkward because I was there too.
***
Once Father left, only the quiet clinking of utensils filled the silence.
It was already overwhelming when the Duke and Duchess suddenly appeared earlier.
Now Brinnen, the one I was told to be childhood friends with, had come to visit—it was too much.
Brinnen probably felt the same way.
Even as she ate, Idette kept sneaking glances at him.
Calmly lowered eyelids, long lashes, a sharp nose bridge, and lips shaped just right.
Nothing about him looked ordinary. He was the very picture of a male lead. He really was handsome.
So this is my future husband. He already looks like this now, so how much more will he make women swoon when he grows up?
She hadn’t even seen Hanez yet, but Idette was already curious about how beautiful she must be.
“Why are you staring?”
Though she thought she was being careful, Brinnen noticed and asked rather sharply.
“Well…”
“Yes?”
“Do you plan to visit often?”
“…I’ll come when my mother wants me to.”
That sounded like “yes, often.”
“Then… what are we supposed to do when we meet?”
“I don’t know.”
“…Do you want to become close to me?”
“…Does that matter? I’m only here because I was asked to be.”
So he had no desire to be close either—he was just pushed into this by the Duchess.
“If you like, just spend some time here and leave.”
“…Just spend time?”
“Yes. I’m often sick, so I can’t do anything fun. You’ll probably be bored.”
“…”
She meant: let’s just mind our own business.
“Understood.”
“Mm, I usually read books or look out the window.”
And what does that have to do with me?
Brinnen’s face almost seemed to say that.
Like a hedgehog with its quills raised, there was no getting through to him. He’s already this prickly—how much worse will he be as an adult?
Idette shook her head unconsciously.
“So, what I mean is…”
Back then, when she was really sick, even looking out the window was only possible when her fever came down.
Reading books was out of the question.
That’s why she appreciated it so much now—being able to sit, talk, and share space with someone like this.
Even a conversation with such a prickly person felt good. It was ridiculous, but true.
“I just wanted to say, don’t mind me and spend your time however you want.”
“…Alright then.”
And that was the end of their conversation.
***
Though she had worried, Brinnen rarely interacted with her.
He only came once a week. When he did, Idette would be lying on her bed while he greeted her politely and then quietly spent time on his own.
Because of that, Idette didn’t pay much attention to him.
They acted almost like strangers, hardly close enough to be called friends.
Still, that was fine. Idette was busy just managing her own health.
Brinnen came to the mansion only because the Duchess told him to.
He didn’t act like someone eager to be friends, and Idette was cautious too.
So their relationship went nowhere.
They saw each other weekly, but never grew close.
At least, that’s how Idette felt.
And to her, that was a relief.
But today, Brinnen looked unwell from the moment he arrived.
His face was pale, his lips tight, and his eyes dark as if he hadn’t slept well.
Did something happen? She wondered, but didn’t ask. That was the unspoken rule between them.
As always, he came, greeted her, and then sat to read. But he must have been tired—he soon leaned back in the chair and fell asleep.
Idette glanced at him.
“…Wow, he really is ridiculously handsome.”
He was still young, but maybe because he was the male lead, his looks were already extraordinary.
Sharp nose, soft lips, long lashes, and soft-looking brown hair. At this age, his boyish charm stood out.
When his eyes opened, they would reveal green irises—like fresh summer foliage.
He didn’t show much emotion even when awake, but his overall coloring gave him a soft impression.
Though that was only when his eyes were closed. When she looked into his gaze, the chill in them wiped away any sense of warmth.
His green eyes didn’t hold the beauty of a forest—they carried only coldness.
Idette avoided Brinnen for the sake of her own life, but she still felt sorry for him. After all, being the male lead meant he would have to endure countless hardships.
As she kept staring at him, Brinnen suddenly twisted in his sleep with a pained groan.
“Ugh… nnnh…”
His face was tight with pain, breaths heavy.
“Is he… having a nightmare?”
What should she do? Wake him up?
In that short time, he even broke into a cold sweat, his body trembling.
“Brinnen, Brinnen…!”
In the end, Idette shook him awake. She couldn’t just leave him like that. But Brinnen didn’t open his eyes—he only muttered to himself.
“Huh? What are you saying?”
“…No… no… it can’t… no…”
He kept whispering, reaching his hand into the air. Idette grabbed it and pulled him into a hug.
“It’s okay. It’s okay, alright?”
“…Hah!”
He opened his eyes with a sharp gasp, blinking blankly.
“Are you alright?”
Idette looked at him with worried eyes.
“…Ah.”
But his gaze was empty, almost soulless—too eerie for someone who had just woken from a nightmare. Idette’s skin prickled.
“…Brinnen… You are okay, right?”
“….”
And then, warm, clear tears rolled down from Brinnen’s eyes.
Feeling her chest tighten, Idette hugged him tighter, comforting him.
She didn’t know what nightmare he’d had, but she told him it would be alright.
