The Male Lead’s Younger Sister is Still Sad Today

Episode 19

I left the Duke’s room as if I were being chased out, but the feeling was top-notch. For Abel and me, this was like the best possible scenario.

If I had to find something to worry about at this moment, it would be what to tell Abel. But in the Akarut duchy, the Duke’s word was practically law. Considering how far he went to say this, it was strange that Abel wasn’t following his words.

I set off to find Abel, humming to myself.

Finding Abel was easy. To spot a newbie, especially one with such a handsome face, who was idly waiting to see the new face was quite easy.

Ah, there he is.

I spotted Abel in front of the main building, engaged in a conversation with Peter. I was about to call Abel out loudly, but I remembered they were talking and approached quietly.

The first one to notice me was Peter.

As he turned his head in my direction during their conversation, soon Abel also spotted me.

“Chase…?”

During working hours, it seemed strange to him that I would be visiting, and Abel’s expression revealed his confusion.

Then, Peter came up with a somewhat reasonable assumption as he glanced at me.

“Are you playing hooky?”

“Unfortunately, that’s not it… I have a message from His Grace to deliver to my brother.”

Hearing my words, Peter hesitated for a moment, then turned to Abel, and with a puzzled look, he asked,

“His Grace?”

“What’s going on? Did Chase… get into an accident?”

Abel asked with a rather serious expression. It was as if someone might think I was getting into accidents all the time.

I nodded confidently.

“Of course not. It’s about a resignation letter.”

“Who’s resigning?”

Peter asked in a low tone. But with no immediate response from Abel or me, he stared at us alternately, seeming to realize something.

“What?! You guys submitted a resignation letter?”

Leaving Peter, who was astonished, aside, Abel spoke with a rather serious expression.

“The Duke already knows about it?”

I cautiously nodded. Then Peter, with a pale face, exclaimed,

“If you submit a resignation letter, they will take you straight to the Duke’s room!”

“…”

Abel’s forehead creased slightly as he listened to Peter’s words.

I shrugged lightly as if it were no big deal.

“I was indeed taken there, but fortunately, the Duke didn’t say much. He even made a good offer.”

“What offer?”

Abel’s expression turned cold.

“The Duke said I seem to enjoy the role of a novice and suggested that I continue as an apprentice to learn more.”

“…”

“But after hearing the Duke’s words, it sounded like a decent offer to me, so I want to stay here as the Duke suggested. In the meantime, you can pursue the studies you want…”

“So, you’re telling me that I can spend the money you’ve earned however I want to without any restraint?”

Abel firmly interrupted my words and clenched his fists. Looking at the veins popping out on his forearm, I felt a different kind of fear compared to the fear I felt from Raiden.

Abel was subtly stubborn. Well, it’s not really subtle; he’s just strong.

To persuade him, I opened my mouth with a calm tone.

“As I worked, I found that being a novice suits me more than I expected. I like being a novice. But you don’t seem to like it.”

Listening silently to my words, Abel suddenly let out a sarcastic laugh.

“Okay, Chase? But what should I do about this…”

“…”

“I’m fine with you doing whatever you like.”

Peter, who had been listening to our conversation, gently nudged Abel’s shoulder, apparently sensing that the atmosphere was turning uneasy.

“Come on, Chase. You’ve grown up, and you don’t have to cling to him anymore.”

I was fortunate to have Peter there. If he wasn’t with us, the atmosphere would have been even more tense.

“Y-Yeah! I’m all grown up now. I’m a proper adult, and I’ll find my own way. You can live your life the way you want.”

“Oh, so you’re going to cut ties with me and our family now?”

No, why is the conversation taking such a turn!

I opened my mouth in disbelief.

Of course, Abel was well aware that he was saying something absurd.

He let out a small sigh.

“This discussion is over, Chase. If you want to stay here, then stay. But no matter what, you must never go through things alone.”

“Chase says we’re both adults now, so let’s live our lives separately. Why are you being so rigid?”

Peter sided with me, but of course, I quickly closed my mouth when met with Abel’s fierce gaze.

“I’ve already submitted my resignation, and it’s a bit late to treat it as if it never happened.”

It was my last act of rebellion.

“Besides, it doesn’t seem like the Duke is too fond of you…”

My attempt to continue the conversation failed. Abel smirked at my mumbled words.

“Oh… is that so?”

“…”

“…”

With that, Abel left the room. I stared blankly at his retreating figure, then turned my head toward Peter. Peter was also looking at me.

“Is… this okay?”

Peter seemed to be asking that. I forced a smile and nodded.

* * *

In the office, a chilling air filled the room, and Raiden’s expression was as cold as ice.

He sat back, examining the man who was making tea.

With a gentle, musical sound, the red tea began to fill the porcelain teacup, decorated with lotus flowers. The man pouring the tea did so with impeccable grace.

The scent of fruit and flowers intertwined, filling the office with a delicate fragrance.

Abel placed the teacup in front of Raiden. There was not a single clinking sound coming from the teacup. The atmosphere was quite different from the commotion Chase had caused when he prepared tea during the day.

Every action was calm, without any annoyance. Abel was a stark contrast to his brother, who always made a fuss.

Physically, he was quite impressive, and his features were refined. Raiden silently gazed at his handsome face.

He had thought they were nothing alike, but upon closer inspection, there were resemblances. From his gentle eyes that looked like they could cry at any moment to his lips that seemed like they could smile easily.

“I have something to say to you.”

The sun outside was beginning to set. His light brown hair and fair skin started to take on the colors of the evening, as if they were scattered with tea.

His intense gaze, focused on me, felt as though it were constricting my throat.

Just by looking at those unnervingly intense eyes, you could get a sense of his personality. He was probably someone who stubbornly stuck to his thoughts. I didn’t even want to imagine how frustrating it must have been to live with him.

Raiden inwardly clicked his tongue.

“Go ahead and say what you need to.”

Abel calmly brought up the main point of the conversation.

“I want to work as a court musician in the Duke’s residence, together with Chase.”

However, Raiden only half-listened to his words, casting a thorough gaze over Abel’s body as if he could easily tear the court musician’s robe to shreds. The more he looked, the more things he didn’t like about Abel’s appearance.

Those fragile bones that would surely break with one good punch. Perhaps that was just the beginning; who knows, a single punch might result in a lifelong injury.

He had heard that they had been together since they were born. Then Chase had already been tormenting this guy for years?

Raiden drew out a cigarette and lit it. Thin wisps of smoke curled up like serpents.

“What’s the reason for your obsession with that child?”

“Did you just call him an obsession?”

Abel’s expression momentarily changed, but he was skilled at managing his emotions.

“…I hope your hearing is still intact.”

Abel’s eyebrows twitched for a moment. But he was adept at keeping his composure.

“…I don’t need money. Just let me be with Chase.”

Abel knew well about Cherish. She was not someone who would ever bend to his will, especially regarding this matter.

If you can’t persuade her, you might as well consider having a glass of wine with her, but there was no room to make more enemies here. Moreover, their opponent was Duke Akarut himself. He was determined to capture the runaway servant…

So, Abel’s chosen method was to be honest with the Duke.

“Ha…”

However, as if Raiden didn’t like Abel’s words, he let out a bitter laugh. His image of combing his hair slowly with a comb seemed oddly menacing.

“I doubt that child wants that.”

At Raiden’s subsequent words, Abel hesitated. Raiden, who had been observing him strangely, laughed knowingly.

He must have suffered so much at the hands of that frustrating guy. The fragile man must have been dragged around in all directions.

How many times must he have felt betrayed to be calling someone like me a good person…?

The face of the man who had been dragging and pleading with him, saying he wanted to stay here at the Duke’s residence no matter what, good or bad, now looked downcast.

How much he must have wanted to break free from that guy…!

As he thought about it, his anger began to boil slowly. Raiden pulled out another cigarette to light up. Thin wisps of smoke rose like serpents.

“Do you really know what that child truly wants?”

Raiden questioned with a threatening tone.

“Do you think he’ll be in your grasp forever?”

…What does Cherish really want?

In truth, Abel didn’t exactly know what she wanted. She had said she wanted to become a teacher. Her main goal was to survive…

Abel bit his lip hard. After spending so long together, he still didn’t know exactly what she wanted.

He just wanted her to be happy. That was all.

“That child wants freedom.”

In that moment, Raiden quietly spoke up.

“And I intend to give him what he wants.”

Abel’s gaze wavered for just a moment.