The Kind Older Sister Is No More

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While Irene and Noel were out in the garden, Riel entered her parent’s room. Her face was pale, and a feeling reminiscent of jealousy and spite enveloped her. The event before when Noel had suddenly appeared, and the Count who had been infuriated by Boris’ askew behaviour, had shaken her.

With a face of surprise, the Count asked his beloved daughter,

  “Riel! Why have you not yet returned to your room? Especially when you are not feeling well?”

  At the Count’s indignant concern, Riel slightly bowed and shook her head. The pale lotus figure had been perfected, and she delicately placated the riled Count of his anxiety with a soft but tough smile.

  “Father, I was afraid you would be upset because of…sister… It would pain me to see you in such a mood. I felt it would be appropriate for me to be here for you….”

  “Oh, my dearest kind daughter. Come here, dear.”

  The Count stretched out his arm at Riel’s words, then hugged Riel with a gentleness that Irene had never experienced and never would. The Countess, who had appeared upset before, relaxed upon seeing Riel and the Count.

  “But, to tell the truth, I have something to say…” said Riel, who was enveloped in her father’s warm embrace. She hesitantly raised her head, peeking slightly embarrassed through his arms. The corners of her eyes started to heat.

  The Count, upon seeing his beautiful daughter’s amethyst eyes well up with tears, became flustered. He quickly directed Riel to the bed and asked what the matter was.

  “What are you going to say that makes your face like that? You need to know that my heart also feels broken every time you’re in pain.”

  “I’m sorry...To be honest, I tried not to believe it, but today I found out the truth.

  “Riel, what do you mean by that?”

  The Countess questioned Riel’s ambiguous words. Riel looked around as if she hesitated to tell her secret, and then she cautiously said.

  “To tell the truth, I’ve been telling my sister for a long time that I admired Duke Kristen.”

  “What.”

  The Count’s eyes grew wide. Riel had already told him before that she was fond of Duke Kristen, but he didn’t know that Riel actually liked the man. The Countess also had an unexpected look on her face.

  Then, Riel burst into tears and cried.

  “But then suddenly my sister approached the Duke, and then Boris took her fortune and deceived me with his affection. I tried not to believe it, but Boris’ affection deceived me. I just found out today that my sister is….”

  Riel raised her head, and tears dropped from her eyes. She could see anger brew in her father’s face then her mother embraced her. While being embraced in her mother’s arms, Riel spoke with difficulty.

  “She was taking revenge on me by trying to take the Duke away from me.” Riel cried hysterically.

  “Riel, don’t worry. It will never happen.”

  With a burst of anger, the Count jumped from his seat after shouting that.

  “You must have had a hard time.” The Countess whispered that while sweeping down Riel’s hair.

  Riel buried her face in her mother’s arms. She could feel her mother’s hands stroking her hair. Riel opened her eyes and smiled.

  Sister, if I cannot have something, neither will you.

♔♔♔