TCBUP 36

Chapter 36

 What Family Means

“It’s cold.”

“Miss, are you alright?”

“Uh…”

“You should’ve at least caught yourself.”

Since it was water and the sheet beneath me was soft and soaked, it didn’t hurt.

Other than the embarrassment of being completely drenched, there wasn’t much to worry about.

But Nox, his face scrunched in concern, bent down on one knee and leaned over me.

The pants he had carefully rolled up to avoid getting wet were now soaked and stained.

“You’re soaked, sir.”

“You’re one to talk, miss.”

He scolded me, looking like a drowned rat himself.

“You should’ve caught yourself. What if you’d fallen worse?”

“But what if you got a bad cold from getting wet?”

“…”

“I thought it was pretty quick thinking on my part. Don’t you think it deserves some praise?”

“…”

“You know I like it when you praise me.”

When I smiled playfully, Nox lowered his head deeply.

His gloved hand gripped the edge of the wooden tub tightly. I wondered if he was angry.

Then, just as I was getting worried, he looked up again.

“If we stay like this, you’re the one who’s going to catch a cold. Get up.”

“So, this time, will you be the one to nurse me?”

“Stop joking around.”

Giggling, I grabbed his hand and stood up, but I staggered.

The weight of my soaked skirt was overwhelming.

Though the weather was sunny, drying these wet clothes while wearing them seemed impossible.

“Do you think there’s anything I could borrow to wear?”

Of course not. Who am I kidding thinking I could have a peaceful romantic moment?

I sheepishly asked him to find me anything I could wear.

“Hah. I look ridiculous.”

No matter which angle I checked in the mirror, the outfit looked terrible.

It couldn’t be helped—there weren’t many spare clothes in the orphanage.

I had borrowed a dress from a girl named Emily, one of the older children, but it was awkwardly small on me. I looked like a shriveled mushroom turned upside down.

With no better option, I gave up, towel-dried my soaked hair half-heartedly, and stepped out of the room.

As soon as I did, the headmistress and Nox, who had been lingering in the hallway, approached me.

“I’m so sorry, sister.”

“It was my fault for being careless. Please don’t scold the children. By the way, is Emily the one you mentioned had talent for piano?”

I waved off the headmistress’s apology and pointed to the sign hanging on the door I had just exited—Emily’s Room.

“Yes, that’s her. She’s been so busy preparing for competitions lately that we rarely see her.”

“Is it okay not to dry your hair properly?”

Nox asked as he gently touched my damp hair with a worried look.

Wow, Nox is touching me.

It’s the first time, and it honestly feels kind of moving.

“It’s about time the kids wake up from their nap. I should go.”

“Oh, I’ll help you, Director.”

“That would be lovely.”

The headmistress smiled and gestured past me with her hand.

I turned to follow her, then spun back toward Nox.

“Sir.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“You do remember we left the laundry halfway through, right? Finish it properly.”

“Ugh.”

“Don’t even think about running off. Wash everything thoroughly.”

I gave Nox a teasing look as he awkwardly adjusted his glasses, then turned and followed after the headmistress.

Inside the carriage on the way home.

I rested my chin on my arm, which leaned against the window, and stared blankly outside.

My head felt strangely heavy and unsettled.

Seeing those kids without parents reminded me of my own—Count and Countess Hagrives.

I remember once when I ran into my mother in town.

She was walking into a café with a group of ladies that even Siena would recognize—they met up that often.

It was my first time seeing her since leaving the Hagrives estate. And it hadn’t been an amicable departure either, so I had no idea how to approach her.

Should I greet her? Or should I pretend not to notice her?

My father had made it clear—once I left, I was to be treated like a stranger. That was even a condition of receiving my dowry.

“Oh my, isn’t that Siena?”

It wasn’t my mother who spotted me first but another lady.

My mother looked straight at me, and before I could even dodge, our eyes met.

I thought I’d at least greet her.

I wasn’t expecting a warm conversation.

But as soon as our eyes met, she turned her head away.

“You must be mistaken. She looks similar, but that’s not Siena.”

“Really? She looked like her.”

“No way. My Siena is much prettier. And besides, I wouldn’t let my daughter go out in such shabby clothes.”

“Hmm, maybe.”

My mother pushed her friends into the café, still glancing sideways at me like she couldn’t help herself.

If she was going to pretend not to know me, she could’ve just walked away coldly. Why sneak glances?

The funny thing is, even though I’d just been ignored by my own mother, I wasn’t particularly angry or upset.

Maybe I should be grateful—she spared me from having to decide whether to say hello or pretend not to know her.

After all, since leaving the Hagrives estate, neither of my parents had contacted me, visited, or sent anyone to check on me.

My mother was still out socializing, and my father was no doubt gambling away his fortune in delight.

They probably feel relieved, like having a bad tooth pulled out.

And the family I had in my original world… I don’t even want to think about them.

“Well, it’s better this way. No expectations, no disappointments—so much easier.”

I muttered as I stepped down from the carriage.

I was back to my usual routine, wondering what to make for dinner when I suddenly noticed someone lurking at the gate.

“Who is it this time?”

Already in a bad mood, I was ready to chase off any salesmen.

But when I got closer, the two figures turned around.

They were smiling awkwardly—too much, in fact—and had their arms open wide.

“Oh, Siena. Our daughter. How have you been?”

It was my parents.

“What brings you here? And together, no less.”

“Is that all you have to say to your parents after all this time?”

Count Hagrives grumbled, clearly displeased.

I had hoped for a quick and formal greeting and for them to leave right after, but the moment I opened the gate, they barged in without permission.

And now they were complaining—saying things like, what kind of place is this, and how could you live in such a run-down home.

I was already exhausted from working all morning, and their nagging gave me a headache.

So I subtly urged them to get to the point and leave.

But, of course, they responded with irritation.

“Didn’t we sever ties when you gave me the dowry? You haven’t acknowledged me since—so why now?”

“Look at how you talk to your parents. This is why environment matters. Living in a dump like this has made you rude.”

Unbelievable.

I’m doing much better now than when I lived at the Count’s estate.

When I stayed silent, Count Hagrives awkwardly adjusted himself on a chair too small for his frame.

The Countess had looked uncomfortable from the moment she stepped in. She perched barely on the edge of her seat like she was afraid something dirty might touch her.

“Ahem.”

Clearing his throat, the Count began in a grave and solemn tone.

“I think that’s enough. It’s time for you to come home.”

“…Pardon? Why?”

“What do you mean, why? When your parents say come home, you should say yes and obey without question.”

“Well, I’m not returning the dowry. I don’t have the money anyway.”

“Who said anything about that?”

“Then why this sudden change?”

The Count frowned at my backtalk, groaned softly, and clamped his mouth shut.

In the past, he would’ve raised his voice long ago. The way he was now holding back his anger was highly suspicious.

They want something.

I didn’t bother hiding my suspicious gaze.

He cleared his throat again and forced a smile, trying to appear kind.

“We just couldn’t stop worrying. Leaving a daughter of marrying age out in the world… what if something happened?”

Lies.

He was gambling his life away, and my mother was too embarrassed to even acknowledge me in public.

“I couldn’t even eat properly. I was so worried about you.”

“…”

“Were you eating well? Sleeping okay? I cried and sighed every night, thinking of you…”

“Stop changing the subject. Just tell me. What do you want?”