Episode 17

Translator: missme

Lady, did you deliver the honey water properly?

When I left the room, I found Sir Davery faithfully waiting in the hallway.

I glanced up at his fine face, but quickly lowered my gaze with a subtle sigh.

Heres one life on my hands

Yes?

No, its nothing.

shook my head and dragged my legs

Everyone but you.

That voice still seemed to be ringing near my ears.

After saying that, Ash had casually changed our talk to the next topic.

The following topic was my birthday present.

The other day, before my birthday, Ash had asked me if I needed anything, and I only answered that I didnt.

Referring to that, Ash said, Its okay. Whenever you have anything you want, tell me.

When I heard that, I maintained silence for a while and then pointed to the bed.

Then, I said what I wanted was for him to take a nap right now, I put Ash on the bed, made sure to see that he closed his eyes and only then had I left the room.

.

Im a little slow in my step, as I was lost in thought.

Ive thought about it.

What if I were Ashs real sister?

If I wasnt adopted, but born in the family?

If I had, could I have been purely pleased with this moment?

With Ashs excessive special treatment, could I have just smiled and said, My brother is a bit extreme and brag about it?

My heart was feeling heavy.

Whenever Ash distinguishes me from others and treats me differently, I had no choice but to indulge myself into this fantasy.

Well, thats actually my situation.

Although Im still prevailing in the fake family tree, Ill soon be thrown out.

Its also a crime of contempt for pretending to be a family member without sharing a single drop of blood.

And it came with death as the price.

Lady?

I stopped walking unknowingly, and Sir Davery, who was following me, called me worriedly.

I came to my senses by the voice and began walking again.

Huuuu.

I understood this in my head.

It wouldnt help my situation if Im immersed in this dark sentiment.

At this time, it would be much more efficient to find a way to survive somehow, rather than calmly accepting the inevitable fact that will not change regardless.

But even though I knew it, I fiddled with reason and emotion separately.

I couldnt shake off my pent-up feeling and suddenly opened my mouth as I walked.

Sir Davery.

Yes?

What is a family?

The answer to the abrupt question was not immediately available. I didnt even wait to hear the answer, as if it wasnt my purpose.

How precious is your family for you?

I wanted to relieve my frustration. I was afraid that Id feel better if I said something, so I was fidgeting as I said this.

Then the answer came from the back.

Well, its

In a slightly embarrassing direction.

I dont have a family, so.

Heok.

I almost missed my step. I forgot.

Sir Davery was an orphan who had never been associated with a family. So Ash found his talent early when he was yet not able to settle down somewhere and moving around in the back alleys.

Thats what he meant.

I was looking for a way to patch up the slip of the tongue when Sir Davery continued.

Ill answer assuming that I have

No, not necessarily.

Its question you asked.

Sir Davery, who made me feel uncomfortable, went on, looking troubled for a moment and then he said,

Maybeif I had a younger sister, I would have cherished her a lot.

Younger sister?

Yes, I would have done anything I could to the extent of my ability. Except for me to die.

then why younger sister?

I dont think the younger brother would be that cute.

Huh?

And it. Would be the same for an older Brother, and, uh, I think I need to think about it if its an older sister.

Hold on, I think Ive heard some very explicit prejudice and discriminatory remarks.

So? Whats wrong with it? Its not even real.

Sir Davery deftly added, Lets be generous with hypothetical discrimination.

It was a natural and brazen tone. I laughed in vain and asked something else that was concluded from his reply.

Then why is your sister cute?

Hmm

Just because shes your younger sister?

First of all, my sister would look pretty like me.

..?

She would be talented, intelligent, smart, unassuming, humble, kind and righteous, compassionate to the weak, strict to the strong, and basically cautious in everything, but sometimes clumsy in terms of surprise, and being wary of strangers, she would always be cute to her brother.

Just a moment.

I looked back, slowing down the dryness.

Sir Davery, who had been attending to the impassioned speech, tilted his head with a proud sickle.

Whats wrong?

Is that your fantasy?

Fantasy?

Yes, of course, its a fantasy no matter who hears it. Youve been waiting for someone to ask you about it, havent you? How could you hold it in without telling anyone yet?

Its, its a misunderstanding.

He made an appeal.

I only described my sister most realistically, based on real factors.

Sir.

Yes.

I just picked something up in the mansion.

I pretended to take something out of my empty arms.

Maybe its your conscience that you dropped..

No way.

or perhaps its your disgrace?

Well, whoever misplaced it, its not me. Im running around with everything with me.

I looked into his brazen face and rapidly shook my head. Yeah, he had that kind of personality since the beginning. I just forgot for a while without seeing it for nearly a year.

I turned my eyes back and began to walk diligently again, and Sir Davery followed me at his pace and talked to me.

Lady.

Why?

How precious is your family to you?

I was at a loss for words.

Family

Considering the facts, I was also an orphan.

There was no such thing as a blood-related family here.

There is no way for me to know even if Im alive somewhere.

My family went to America as yours did.

Of course, I couldnt answer like this.

Roughly somewhat like this.

As much as wide as the sky, as big as the earth.

Wow.

Whats with that exclamation?

Was that the answer?

Do you have a problem?

No, then Ill correct it. For me, a family is as deep as the sea, as high as mountains.

Its late.

Sir Davery burst out laughing in the background.

While thinking about where the laughter element was, words continued.

You know what?

..?

I dont have a sister, but I do feel like I have one.

Really?

Although I am the only one who thinks so.

Sir Davery confessed that he had a sister, not a crush. No, you have to answer this.

I declared it after thinking about it.

Someday she will recognize Sir Daverys heart, so cheer up.

Thank you.

What kind of person is she?

Suddenly I asked, and after a brief silence came the answer.

Its the same as I said before.

Huh? Dont tell me that fantasy sister?

Yes.

Suddenly it became suspicious. Are you sure its real?

Shes a real person.

I didnt say anything.

I must have misheard.

I glanced back. Sir Davery had a bright smile on his face.

Well, I shrugged. In the meantime, I could see that my destination, my room, was getting closer.

I stopped walking after a while. Sir Davery accompanied me just to the door.

Before entering the room, I looked up at him and asked.

Youve been told not to slip away from me even for a moment..

Theres an exception when safety is guaranteed or extremely personal.

Thats a good thing then.

So do you rest while Im in the room?

When I asked, Sir Davery looked serious as if he hadnt thought about it.

take a rest. Ill call you back when I want to go out.

Okay.

Soon I entered the room. After I came in and closed the door, I felt somewhat relieved.

I approached the bed slowly and sat down.

Still, I felt a little better than before because I conversed with Sir Davery on the way here. I sat down and looked at the closet.

The luggage, I need to get it out and sort it.

I came back to my room, but first of all, I hid my stuff in the closet.

Now I have to take it out in the room and clean it up.

Originally, my plan was to carry the luggage from the mansion, but the situation has changed anyway and I cant do that right now. It would be better to clean it up in advance than to keep it in there and get caught.

But I dont want to move.

I felt exhausted. I didnt even know who or what I was because I used up all my intellect right after I woke up.

I sat back and lay down on the bed.

I can take a rest and then clean it up.

I stared at the ceiling and closed my eyes.

It was not bad. I just wanted to do nothing and only wanted to rest, so I was simply doing it.

How much time has passed?

A knocking sound marked the end of the break before the clock.

My Lady, Grace Lady.

Agrita has come to meet me.

***

After separating at the dining room with Agrita, I had one of the worst situations. While I was leaving her alone to give her time to think, this damned world will be trying to kill her.

Fortunately, that didnt happen.

..

With the reception table in the middle of the room, Agrita sat opposite me.

Steam rose above the teacup that Bessie had brought for me.

While the steam rose into the air and continued to dissipate, I gently waited for Agritas mouth to open.

I felt my joints stiffened because of the tension.

maybe she had decided.

I stared at Agritas face.

Dead or alive.

I gave Agrita the choice of preference and separated. Technically, I did not give her a choice, but the fact.

She had made a decision, so she came to see me.

Which one did she choose?

Agritas lips were squashed several times. Its as if she had something to say but its not as easy as she thought.

It was only a little longer before Agrita finally hurled her words.

Sister, you know I.

You know what?

The voice emanated hard and thin.

Am I dead?

What?

I asked back without realizing it, wondering what it meant.

Words followed.

Not Agrita Grace, but for me. Well, I slipped on the stairs and..

She bit her lips and gulped audibly.

Am I dead?