Side Story 6

“Sorry, I was lost in thought for a moment…”

No matter how tall and handsome Luca had grown into, to me he was no different from a tiger casually prowling around.

‘They say speak of a tiger and it appears…’

I forced myself to calm my pounding heart. I must not have managed my expression well, because Luca’s brow twitched the moment he saw my face.

“Lost in thought? Then why does your expression look suspicious?”

“S suspicious how?”

“Were you badmouthing me?”

How did he know?

I flinched, then quickly shook my head.

No, no. It might’ve started as badmouthing, but it ended as praise, okay?

Whether that praise was sincere or not wasn’t important. As long as I convinced myself, that was enough.

Having finished my self justification, I shamelessly fixed my expression and raised my voice as if offended.

“Why would I badmouth you? Especially when I’m alone. Or is there something you feel guilty about?”

“Hmm…”

Of course, Luca wasn’t the type to fall for such half baked bluffing. He narrowed his eyes, clearly probing my thoughts.

‘He’s scariest when he looks at me like that.’

Trying to suppress the chill running down my spine, I asked as casually as I could.

“S so, why were you looking for me?”

“Laura’s looking for you. It seems like she’s planning to redo all the interior decorations like the curtains and sofa covers while preparing for the guests.”

“Oh, right. We were supposed to discuss the detailed design.”

I suddenly remembered my appointment with Laura.

“I should go right away. It was urgent… Thanks for telling me, Luca!”

It wasn’t actually that urgent.

But wasn’t it the perfect excuse to escape Luca’s sharp gaze? I exaggerated my reaction on purpose and hurried downstairs.

Behind me, I heard Luca snort.

“Hmph.”

That laugh, as if he knew everything but chose to let it slide, made my face flush red even as I pretended to be busy.

Yes. This is exactly the kind of thing Davi shouldn’t learn.

Watching Luca casually dance circles around the adults, I let out a small sigh.

‘Am I really that easy to read?’

Maybe Luca could see right through me because I was terrible at managing my expressions.

As I went down the stairs, I rubbed my cheek. Without a mirror, I had no idea what kind of face I was making.

* * *

We finished completely redecorating the interior and preparing to welcome Isabella.

Laura and I walked around the estate, smiling brightly as we admired everything we had done.

Of course, we hadn’t done the work ourselves. We just gave detailed instructions.

Still, since even the planning process had been an ordeal, the satisfaction of seeing the finished result was indescribable.

“Your fashion sense is questionable, but your interior sense isn’t bad. That’s kind of amazing.”

“Hm? What did you say, Luca?”

“Nothing. I said it turned out pretty.”

It sounded like he definitely said something unpleasant just now.

I shot Luca a look that demanded he confess, but he pretended not to notice and looked away.

A few days later, the day Isabella was set to arrive finally came. From the far end of Lilanibel’s wide plains, a carriage could be seen approaching.

The carriage stopped in front of the estate, and Isabella and Davi stepped down.

“It’s been a while, my lady.”

“Welcome to Lilanibel, Isabella.”

Isabella’s blond hair sparkled brilliantly under the sunlight. Now a noblewoman, she looked completely at home, as if she’d returned to where she belonged.

“My lady, thank you for inviting us.”

“You’ve grown so much, Davi!”

I stared in surprise at how much taller Davi had gotten in just a year. I thought Luca had grown a lot, but Davi even more so.

With his brown curly hair and tall frame, he looked almost like a standard poodle.

Davi smiled shyly.

“I still have a long way to go.”

“Kids these days really shoot up every year. Alright. Make yourself comfortable.”

Unlike Isabella’s strikingly beautiful features, Davi’s softer face curved into a gentle smile.

His hair, once blond in childhood, had darkened to brown with age, making him resemble Franz more and more.

Especially his kind looking face was a perfect copy of Franz.

Of course, unlike Franz, whose goodness stopped at appearances, Davi was genuinely a good kid.

He trusted people far too easily. At first, even Luca, who used to tease him, ended up seriously worrying that Davi might get swindled someday.

‘And yet he still bosses him around just fine…’

Davi didn’t seem to dislike Luca for it. As soon as he arrived in Lilanibel today, he asked about Luca first.

“Um… where’s Luca?”

“He’s probably in his room reading the newspaper. He was so focused I couldn’t ask him to come greet you. If I’d known you were waiting like this, I would’ve dragged him out.”

I smiled awkwardly. Of course, that was a lie. I’d asked him long ago to come greet them, but he refused flatly, saying it was a hassle.

‘That personality of his, honestly…’

A normal kid might’ve felt hurt or upset that someone didn’t care enough to greet them. But instead, Davi smiled shyly and tried to reassure me.

“It’s okay. We’ll see each other a lot over the next few days anyway. Meeting a bit later is fine…”

“How understanding.”

I murmured with genuine emotion. This was something I really wished Luca would learn.

Though he never would.

Davi glanced between Isabella and me, then carefully spoke up.

“Then, um, may I go see Luca first?”

“Go ahead. Ask one of the maids and they’ll tell you which room.”

With that, Davi trotted into the estate.

Do you have to be that kind to get along with Luca? Or be like Charlotte and never back down an inch.

Either way, not exactly common types. Thinking about Luca’s inevitably narrow social circle, I sighed softly.

‘He really picks up only Ruediger’s bad traits.’

The moment Ruediger crossed my mind, Isabella, who had been scanning the surroundings, suddenly asked.

“By the way, where’s the Brigadier General?”

“Oh, he had some business with the army and is in the capital. He’ll be back in a few days.”

Maybe because Ruediger was usually glued to my side, Isabella noticed his absence right away.

If Ruediger hadn’t gone to the capital, he definitely would’ve come out to greet her today, making it very obvious how little he welcomed her.

When he’d been summoned suddenly to the capital, he’d even looked at me with watery eyes, clearly wanting me to come along. He didn’t say it outright, but the intention was painfully obvious, and I firmly shook my head.

‘No, no. Isabella’s coming in a few days.’

‘What does that matter? She can just come and rest, can’t she?’

‘No, the host should welcome their guest. It’s not like lending out a vacation house. This is our home. And they’re not coming just to rest. They’re coming to see me.’

Even after that, Ruediger still looked unconvinced.

In the end, he had no choice but to leave alone. Thinking back on that conversation made my head hurt again, and I pressed my temples.

There was no way perceptive Isabella hadn’t noticed all that. She added gently, as if to comfort me.

“It’s impressive you managed to send him off alone.”

“Haha. No matter how stubborn Ruediger is, some things are non negotiable. More importantly… you don’t need to use honorifics with me anymore. We’re family. Be comfortable.”

I tried to stop Isabella, who still spoke formally.

She might’ve once been my maid, but now she was the mother of a count’s heir.

We were similar in age and status, yet I spoke casually while she remained overly polite. It felt strangely uncomfortable.

“No, I can’t do that. Considering the debt I owe you, my lady, this is easier for me.”

“I’m the one who owes you my life…”

Isabella turned her head away, pretending not to hear.

Really, everyone’s so stubborn. I clicked my tongue softly.

Once inside the estate, we had some tea and caught up on how things had been.

Lilanibel was quiet and perfect for resting, but compared to the capital, there was a lack of people to talk to.

Laura was around, of course, but she was extremely busy fulfilling herself as the head maid. It felt wrong to keep her just to chat out of boredom.

That’s why Isabella’s visit was such a delight.

After taking a sip of tea, Isabella tilted her head and looked out at the vineyards stretching endlessly beyond the window. A rare look of fascination crossed her usually stiff face.

“It really is wonderful here, just like you said…”

“Relax as much as you want. Laura was secretly looking forward to your visit too.”

“Laura? That’s strange. Earlier she was complaining, asking when we were leaving.”

“She was still preparing turkey for dinner tonight.”

Isabella and I looked at each other and laughed. Turkey was Isabella’s favorite.