# 103
---
Were the words he shouted hurtful, or was he surprised that Askart, who had always been quiet, suddenly made a loud noise?
Clara opened her eyes wide and immediately began to cry bitterly.
The sound grew louder, and as soon as it leaked through the door, Countess Amber, who was walking about the castle as if she owned it, burst in.
Inside the Archduchess's room, which was considered a sanctuary.
Clothes and accessories are scattered around.
And Clara wears it.
cried the Countess, seeming to realize the situation without much explanation.
〈No matter how crazy my sister is, I am your aunt, and Clara is your younger sister, but why do you treat people this way? Is this what you learned from His Highness?〉
The Countess exploded with anger at Ascarte and urged him to apologise.
Ascarte wanted to ask Clara to excuse herf for entering his sister's room alone, but he kept his mouth shut when he saw that all the inhabitants of the castle who had heard the commotion were standing in front of the door.
It was the moment when he, who had been the young archduke of a noble principality since birth, felt ashamed for the first time in his life.
Plus, Clara. …
My spine was already covered in cold sweat when I heard the little girl's breathless cries.
She said she actually heard her sister crying every night, and was afraid her mother would hear that sound when she woke up from a nightmare.
〈Oh my God, I was wrong, so stop crying. ...Please.〉
In the end, Ascart apologized to Clara in humiliation.
But “It's okay, Oppa, I will forgive you.” I thought to myf again as I looked at Clara smiling.
This little girl is not my little sister.
And that evening.
Thanks to the Countess who had put so much effort into this matter, the Archduke, who was stuck in his laboratory, came to visit and askart.
After his father heard the whole situation, he was silent for a few moments and stood up, saying that he understood without scolding him or reassuring him.
Afterwards, an enchantment was engraved in his younger sister's room to prevent anyone except the Archduke, Archduchess, and Askart from entering.
I was worried that the Countess and Clara might escape the chaos, but that didn't happen.
This was thanks to my father who allowed me to freely buy clothes, shoes and accessories from the Duchy's clothing stores and jewelry stores.
“I'm four years younger than him so he wasn't even able to wear clothes, but it was okay. However, I like the headdress better than the one I saw last time, oh, and the crown too!” Ha. …I wish I were the princess.〉
Ascart happened to hear Clara's voice talking to her governess during a walk in the park, and Ascart realized this.
Clara, aiming to take her sister's place, never wants Adriana back.
I was so angry that I wanted to attack him on the spot, but Askart gritted his teeth and barely restrained himf.
This was because he didn't want to cause trouble in the castle again because of Clara.
However, even though I knew that my father had no choice but to act indifferently towards my mother's family, I was very upset with him.
My younger brother, who does not know his life or death, I don't even know where or how he lives now.
How dare a child who covets something that belongs to his younger brother watch him being treated like a princess in a great siege and rejoice?
Moreover, it was very difficult for Ascarte to face the Countess, who always made him look like a narrow-minded and mean person.
Therefore, after entering the academy, I did not return to the emirate even during vacation.
Not only did I have work to do in the Empire, but I also wanted to know if I might meet Clara or the Countess.
'But that too is over now.'
I had been mentally preparing since the end of the semester, but with the news I got from my parents that I was going to attend the final graduation ceremony and my meeting with Leah, I forgot about it for a while.
It was a time when my mood sank severely.
“I've never been on a Grand Duchy ship, it would certainly be infinitely more comfortable than a regular boat, wouldn't it? My uncle must have cast the spell himf.”
Askart raised his head at Clara's innocent voice.
Although I heard it clearly, I did not understand it easily.
Clara smiled brightly as she looked into Askart's trembling eyes.
“After my brother’s graduation ceremony, I plan to go to the Principality of Pylos with you.”
". … What?"
“Winter isn't the social season anyway, so it's a good thing, right?”
At that moment, Askart's face turned pale.
“You...why.”
The words I couldn't get out of my throat were boiling hot.
I didn't like it before, but now I feel a disgust that I can't even describe.
Kwadang –!
Askart stood up from his seat.
He turned around without heeding the chair falling.
In fact, Ascarte is now able to keep a smile on his face even when facing Clara.
But I couldn't bear this feeling of frustration that suddenly filled my chest.
At the same time, I thought of the face of a smiling little girl holding the bouquet of flowers I had given her.
“Let's say we'll go together.”
From the moment he met Leia, Ascart wanted to go with her to the principality.
But I couldn't ask.
Even after looking at each other's faces for days, I couldn't even come up with similar words.
It was because I didn't want to burden the child who was doing well in Elad Palace because of my fishness.
But at this moment, Ascart was confident that he would be able to survive even in the seemingly stifling Grand Duchy if Leia was with him.
'Let's be fish just once, at least you can ask, even if it's just to convince you that you don't have to do anything like being a maid, and that you can do whatever you want…'
Even though it may not be as much as a princess, I know the baby likes me.
With this faint hope in mind, Ascart hurriedly left the greenhouse, and chased after Leia, who had just left.
". … impossible ."
The moment Clara, who was left alone, closed the greenhouse door, the smile on her face disappeared.
It was a frighteningly cold expression for a thirteen-year-old girl.
〈When I look at you, I think of my lost sister.〉
〈I wonder if I would feel this way if I had a younger sister.〉
There wasn't even laughter.
At first, I thought I heard wrong, but when I saw him running after him with such a white face, I wasn't really wrong.
“Aren't you crazy?”
I know very well that Askart doesn't consider me a little sister.
On the contrary, he hates me.
That was good.
The moment he admitted that his only sister was the missing princess, the young Clara, who had fully wanted to follow Ascarte as her brother, disappeared.
However, Clara tried to understand.
You must be worried about your younger sister.
Furthermore, she does not resemble Askart in terms of hair color, eye color, or even facial features.
but … .
“Why would you do that to this child?”
The maid also did not resemble Askart in the same way.
Especially with the Archduchess who had light pink hair and dark pink eyes.
Rather, there were many things that were more similar to me to find common ground.
At least it's the same as brown hair.
At least my turquoise eyes look like my grandfather's eyes...
“I will never leave you alone.”
Clara, with a jealous look in her eyes, reached out and crushed the beautiful pink rose that had bloomed out of season.
* * *
“Did you two fight?”
I hurriedly walked out of the greenhouse, looked behind me, and tilted my head.
When I last saw Clara introducing herf as Ascart's younger sister in the Imperial Palace, I vaguely expected the two to get along well.
However, when I saw the harsh tone of voice in contrast to the bright, smiling face, I felt like I had been misunderstood somehow.
On the other hand, I was confused.
Why did Askart, who was so kind to me, the maid, show such an attitude towards his cousin?
“I thought he was a naturally nice and friendly person.”
Honestly, I was surprised.
And I felt strange.
As I continued walking, I raised my hand and placed it close to my chest.
My heart felt strangely soft and heavy.
“Is this because of what Askart said?”
I was so shocked that I couldn't say anything, but even thinking about it now, I still felt embarrassed.
In addition...
“Why am I like this?”
I felt like I was going to burst into tears at any moment, so I quickly covered my mouth with the back of my hand.
It was like that last time, and it's like that again this time.
When Askart smiled brightly, I started laughing without realizing it, and when he showed a sad expression, I became extremely gloomy.
And when he is sad...
“I feel like crying.”
I don't know why I feel this way.
I felt something similar when I looked at Diana sometimes, but it wasn't that intense.
Then I decided to quickly go back to my room and think about it carefully.
Jingle –
While I was proceeding blindly, I ended up making a mistake that I would not have made under normal circumstances.
Suddenly, he hit something that looked like a solid rock and fell backwards.
“Could I have hit the wall?”
I thought I had made an incredibly stupid mistake, and at the same time, I quickly moved my head left and right, wondering if others would see this funny sight.
And I was shocked.
This was because the employees of the Marquis' residence, who were lined up as if to welcome their owner, were looking at me with white faces.
gulp.
Only then did she slowly look forward and froze.
In contrast to my memories of gray hair, I saw light blue hair that was just clear gray and turquoise eyes.
"Yes . … ".
Only then did I realize that what I had struck was not a solid stone, but the leg of the Marquis de Diabelle, and I cried out in surprise.
"Grandpa! Are you okay?"