“How could Emil get hurt? How did this happen?”
As soon as he entered the mansion, Marquis Leroy started to shout at the news that came out of the blue. The Marquis asked what happened, while sat at Emil’s bedside and held his hand.
“He was found lying at the bottom of the stairs. We think he fell down the stairs, but thankfully Diana found him, otherwise it could’ve been much worse for him.”
Fortunately, only his leg was broken, and there didn’t seem to be a problem anywhere else. Still, the doctor advised that they should be careful, and it was best that he rest for a few days.
“You don’t know how long he was looking for you before he fell asleep.”
The Marquess shook her head, and clicked her tongue.
She had to force Emil to take some medicine because he tried to stay awake until he returned. Now he was comfortably asleep, but sometimes called out to the Marquis and talked in his sleep.
“Well…This means you can’t attend the Imperial banquet today.”
“Yes, we can’t both leave, so you can attend.”
The Marquess thought it would be more comfortable for Emil if she stayed to nurse him. Marquis Leroy sighed and nodded reluctantly.
“Don’t push yourself too hard, Madame.”
Marquis Leroy got up from his seat and left Emil’s room to get ready for the banquet. He found Diana snooping just outside the door.
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“Are you worried about Emil?”
“What? Oh, yes…”
Diana faltered in surprise. However, Marquis Leroy failed to notice, and only looked at Diana happily.
“It’s great that you’re worried about your younger brother.”
“Well, he is my brother…”
“I’m glad you found Emil after he fell.”
“Yes…”
“You shouldn’t be standing around, you need to start getting ready for the banquet.”
“Yes, yes!”
As if she’d been waiting for that, Diana quickly left.
Marquis Leroy looked at her strangely, then he gave a shallow sigh, and returned to his room.
***
As soon as he entered the banquet hall, many nobles were already enjoying the party. The walls and floor were glittering with platinum work, and the large statues overwhelmed the eyes.
However, Xavier couldn’t enjoy the banquet alone. No, he couldn’t enjoy it at all.
“Oh my, Miss Leroy. Do you remember me? I said hello at the party held at the Achilles mansion last time.”
As soon as Leticia entered the banquet hall, nobles began to flock to her. There were so many people around his eldest sister, who had never received this much attention before, no matter how many banquets she attended. It was so unusual that he had trouble watching.
“Of course I remember, but I didn’t introduce myself properly. My name is Leticia Aster.”
The most unusual thing was the fact that she introduced herself as ‘Aster’, and not ‘Leroy’.
She said ‘Leticia Aster’ so naturally too, as if she didn’t want to be related to her family anymore.
“Ah… I was rude, I’m sorry.”
The young lady, who was trying to approach Leticia and become acquainted, apologized with an awkward expression.
As Xavier watched Leticia, he hardened at the distance she was putting between them.
‘We’re not even family anymore. Is it something like that?”
No matter how hard it was, it must be something like that. He didn’t think she had to say it like that. He felt betrayed by Leticia, who he always thought of as a kind and gentle person.
Then someone approached Xavier from behind.
“I don’t see Emil, did something happen?”
It was Levion, who was wearing a dazzling white uniform. Levion looked at Xavier curiously because he was alone.
“That…”
Xavier hesitated for a moment, then replied with a shallow sigh.
“He was injured and is resting at the mansion.”
“What do you mean? How?”
“I guess he fell down the stairs.”
“I’m sorry…”
It was surprising that Emil, who was always smart and cautious, would fall down the stairs so carelessly.
Levion clicked his tongue briefly, then looked at Xavier and asked worriedly.
“Is that why you didn’t look too happy?”
“No, there’s that too… Lately, I’m bothered by something my brother mentioned.”
Xavier turned his head slightly and recalled the conversation he’d had with Emil last time.
[If there’s an ability to cause misfortune. On the other hand, there should be an ability to bring good fortune]
Obviously, Emil had asked for a reason. When he’d said that, Xavier had replied ‘I guess so?’
‘Come to think of it, wasn’t my eldest sister kicked out because it was said she had an ability like that?’
For some reason, he felt like Emil was talking about Leticia. However, he didn’t understand why he’d asked such a question.
‘Wait, if what he said was about my eldest sister is true… He was implying she had the ability to bring good luck.’
Was it really about his eldest sister?
Now that he’d thought of the idea, even though he knew it was ridiculous, it was difficult for him to let it go.
‘Maybe my brother asked for no particular reason.’
That was doubtful though because he knew well that Emil was a person who always had a reason for what he did.
Then Xavier suddenly remembered something and carefully asked Levion.
“Do you know what my sister’s ability is?”
“I don’t know either. I’m sure she has an ability, but I don’t know what it is.”
Seeing that Great Sage met with Leticia at Achilles’ mansion, something must have happened.
At that moment, Xavier spoke with a dark expression.
“I know it doesn’t make sense, but do you think my sister’s ability might be good luck?”
“What?”
“Well, Emil seemed to think so.”
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have mentioned an ability to bring good luck that day.
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Before Levion could answer, the Emperor entered the hall. He began with a light speech to thank the nobles who attended the Imperial banquet.
The Emperor seemed to be wrapping up his speech, when he suddenly called out to Marquis Leroy and Duke Achilles.
“I heard that something unpleasant happened between the two of you recently.”
“I’m not sure what you mean, your Imperial Majesty.”
The Marquis told the Emperor, while he glanced at Enoch with an uncertain expression.
As much as he disliked Enoch, there wasn’t anything in particular about him that he could say he hated.
“I heard your sons went on a rampage inside the Achilles mansion.”
“What?”
Marquis Leroy hurriedly looked back at Xavier, who looked frightened as his shoulders drooped. He almost shouted out that it was impossible, but he managed to hold it in.
The Emperor looked away from the Marquis and turned his gaze towards Leticia. As soon as their eyes met, he remembered the conversation that had taken place in the audience room.
[I want an official apology.]
[Who are you talking about?]
When he told her that she could receive a reward, the Emperor had expected her to ask for material wealth. However, he was surprised when she asked to receive an apology.
Leticia then explained exactly what she wanted.
The Marquis’ sons, young master Emil Leroy and young master Xavier Leroy, had entered the Achilles mansion and caused a disturbance. She wanted to see Marquis Leroy officially apologize to the Duke of Achilles for not properly educating his sons.
Similar to the rumors the Emperor had heard, Leticia thought of others before her own interests.
“The higher the position, the more important etiquette is, the more respectful the person needs to act.”
He meant that if you are an honorable nobleman, you should properly acknowledge and accept your mistakes.
The nobles began to whisper, and ask each other about what was going on. At their blatant gazes, Marquis Leroy’s face flushed with shame and humiliation. He wanted to retreat, but he knew that if he did so he’d cause unnecessary trouble for himself and could incur the Emperor’s ire.
In the end, he only had one option.
“I’m sorry, Duke Achilles. Because I didn’t educate my children properly, they acted foolishly.”
The Marquis bowed as he apologized politely. He never imagined there would come a day when he’d have to apologize in such a manner in front of a crowd.
“I’ll accept your apology this time.”
Marquis Leroy bristled at the sight of Enoch’s patronizing nod.
Xavier paled as watched the scene, and he decided to leave first.
When the official apology ended, the performers began to play music again, and the nobles began to dance one by one.
Marquis Leroy fiercely gritted his teeth, and left to find Xavier. Enoch sighed when he saw this. Then he felt a presence approach him, and held his hand out with hesitation.
“I’m sure you have a lot to say.”
“That’s why…”
Leticia couldn’t look straight at Enoch, so she looked down at his hand.
He didn’t think they would be able to have a proper conversation where they currently were, so Enoch quietly led Leticia away from the banquet hall.
***
It was already late at night. Unlike Enoch, who was sitting near the garden fountain, Leticia hesitated in front of him and looked down at him.
“Did you feel burdened?”
Her careful tone showed signs of nervousness. When there was no immediate answer, Leticia’s shoulders drooped.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know you’d feel uncomfortable.”
“It was cool.”
“What?”
“It was so cool.”
Enoch knew better than anyone else that people were blaming him for the aristocrats collapsing at the party held at the Achilles mansion. When things were resolved, he was going to demand a formal apology from Emil and Xavier for entering his home without permission.
Before he could do so, Leticia was able to request the apology first, which raised his position and reputation. She also protected his pride and self-esteem.
‘When did you change like this?’
Enoch looked up, while holding Leticia’s hand tightly.
He always thought that he was the one who protected, and that he was the only one who could keep her safe.
He wanted to protect Leticia so that she would never shed tears. She always seemed soft and meek to him and would cry over the smallest thing.
However, it was all an illusion. Leticia had enough power to protect herself and the people around her.
‘When did she grow like this?’
She cared about him, and defended him.
“I fell in love with you all over again.
“What?”
“I’m so proud of you.”
He couldn’t believe that such a wonderful and proud person had become his. He didn’t think he’d lived very well, and he wondered if he deserved to be so lucky.
“That’s a relief.”
At Enoch’s words, Leticia smiled in relief and gently bowed her head.
It was the first time in her life that someone said they were proud of her.
Leticia had grown up in a family who always ignored her and felt ashamed of her. It felt strange and familiar. The way he looked at her, like she was the loveliest person, somehow made her want to cry.
More than the confession of love, she felt her heart fill with joy at his words of approval.
“How?”
Did this person come to me?
Leticia lowered her hand, and touched Enoch’s cheek.
His dark grey eyes, which only looked at her with affection, were clear and unwavering today.
“I thought I was the only one who fell in love.”
“That’s not true.”
“If you keep saying such cute things, I’ll want to adore you more.”
“I wish I could love you more.”
When Leticia lightly stroked his cheek, Enoch placed a kiss on Leticia’s palm, as if he was asking for more of her touch. The feeling was unfamiliar, and it made Leticia shiver, but she didn’t want to avoid it.
“You’re wonderful enough.”
“It’s still not enough.”
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