Chapter: 23
After his two carefully laid plans had both fallen apart.
Brandon hurried back home and immediately began re-evaluating everything.
Since his opponent was who she was, relentless self-reflection and constant adjustments were essential.
The conclusion was…
Dorothy Bain was a good friend.
She had the gift of conversation, able to carry on discussions comfortably with Brandon.
She didn’t ask unnecessary questions.
She maintained appropriate manners, and above all, she never repeated their private conversations to others.
If this were the Brandon of the past, he would have been quite satisfied with a friend like Dorothy.
The problem was that the Brandon of the present and future did not want Dorothy as just a friend.
‘She doesn’t leave any opening at all.’
When he deliberately sat beside her, Dorothy subtly created some distance.
And when they reached the residential area, where no one was paying them any more attention—
“Looks like there’s no one around now. You don’t need to escort me any further!”
She even made a pitiful expression, saying he must be exhausted, especially since his body was weak.
To top it off—
When they passed through the market, Brandon tried to pay for her purchases instead.
But Dorothy, wearing a puzzled expression, said:
“This is something I’m going to eat. Why would the Duke pay for it?”
Looking at her pure, innocent face as she asked without a trace of malice, he couldn’t even take out his wallet.
It was just because he wanted to treat her!
At first, he wondered if she was doing it on purpose.
But she was genuinely treating him with pure goodwill.
As a flawless friend.
And that was precisely the problem.
“Wow, this is seriously bad…”
Caught in an unexpected dilemma, Brandon desperately racked his brain.
He needed a different approach.
Rather than simply leaving openings, he needed an opportunity that would gradually narrow the distance between them.
Conventional methods would likely not work.
Dorothy was unbelievably oblivious, yet she was also very realistic.
She must have clearly noticed the line he had drawn with the word “friend.”
In the past, her realistic side had intrigued him.
Now, it felt like a wall so high his jaw could drop.
‘Whew. Calm down. Stay calm.’
No shared interests.
She treats me like a sick patient.
Zero room to improve our relationship.
The more he thought about it, the more absurd it felt.
What kind of healthy patient behaves like this?
“Well, sure, I guess part of it is my own fault.”
Anyway, even if it took time, he could slowly erase the image of being just a friend.
To become more than friends, he needed something closer and stronger.
For example, a shared goal.
“Maybe I really should find her father as soon as possible.”
It was a good idea.
It would be the perfect chance to show off his abilities, while also creating a secret shared only between the two of them.
“Hey! I’ve been knocking for a while! Why aren’t you answering?”
The bedroom door flew open as Rose shouted.
“Oh, were you? I had something to think about. But why are you barging into my bedroom without permission? How rude.”
“Well, look at this impudent little brother…”
Should I kill him or not?
Rose viciously scratched the letter she was holding with her fingernails.
“Hey! Why did you put the carrier pigeon coop on my balcony?”
“Pigeon droppings smell bad and are dirty. And they’re noisy in the morning.”
“Hey, you lunatic. So you’re saying your sister should just put up with the stench?”
“That’s not what I said. If you interpret it that way, I’m deeply hurt.”
“Get rid of the pigeons. Before I fry them.”
“Oh come on, why can’t you understand my heart? Hill is way too busy. You, dear sister, are the most optimal person to receive important letters. It’s an important duty that not just anyone can handle.”
“This slick-mouthed brat! You’re just wrapping up the fact that you’re using me because I’m always home!”
“Haha, I’m sorry if that’s how it sounded.”
Brandon grinned brightly.
“So? You should hand the letter to the recipient, Sister.”
“If there’s a god, I hope he grants me the chance to punch you right in the solar plexus.”
Leaving the heated Rose behind, Brandon took the letter and opened it.
Carrier pigeons were normally used only for urgent and important matters.
…Or when the sender was someone important.
Brandon paused as he read.
Noticing his expression wasn’t good, Rose asked cautiously.
“What is it? Something wrong?”
“The Chairman says he’ll be away for a bit.”
It wasn’t a topic Rose welcomed.
Still, she had decided not to get worked up or argue over the Chairman anymore.
At the very least, she didn’t want her brother handling the Chairman’s problems alone.
Even though she herself couldn’t leave the house…
“So? Is he never coming back?”
“Unfortunately for you, only about a month.”
Brandon neatly folded the letter and tossed it into the fireplace.
With a soft whoosh, the paper burned away.
“He probably won’t be able to stay in Sailbrams as long as before. There are matters in the capital that need to be handled.”
“Better if he doesn’t come at all.”
“I said he can’t stay long. I didn’t say he wouldn’t visit often.”
Even though her brother smiled carelessly, Rose felt uneasy.
She knew very well that assassination attempts against the Chairman happened frequently.
And Brandon was the one who handled the aftermath.
A role that inevitably stained one’s hands with blood and bred resentment.
She worried about her brother becoming numb to that hatred.
Most painful of all was the fact that she couldn’t be a source of strength for him.
“Go and come back safely. Don’t worry about Dorothy. At least until you get rejected, I’ll keep other guys from approaching her.”
“Wow, that’s reassuring.”
“Stop giving soulless replies.”
Brandon let out a soft chuckle.
“I’m counting on you.”
“…Yeah.”
“Don’t worry about your cute little brother.”
“I’m not! You take care of yourself!”
Flustered, Rose raised her voice more than usual.
“And don’t go piling up karma with Dorothy.”
“As if.”
Brandon shrugged.
“I’m not an idiot. Why would I stack up even more karma?”
“Have a safe trip.”
“Yes! I’ll wait for your letters.”
A carriage stood in front of the house.
Dorothy had come out to see Brandon off.
Watching the two of them through the window, Rose suddenly thought:
‘I’m lonely.’
She wanted to step into their space.
She wanted to laugh together with them.
In truth, Rose already knew.
The two of them had to make the effort to come home solely for her sake.
They couldn’t go to the capital together, nor travel.
She could only hear stories of the outside world through their mouths.
‘Should I force myself to go out?’
In reality, she was still afraid of leaving the house.
The stares of those who had pointed fingers at her.
Those memories were still vivid and terrifying.
But as much as she feared the past, Brandon and Dorothy were precious to her.
Because they were precious, she wanted to be with them even more.
‘I have to go out.’
She had to protect the brother she couldn’t protect when she was thirteen.
She was tired of being the one who was only protected.
Tired of shouting loudly despite being able to do nothing.
Tired of scrambling just to preserve her pitiful pride.
But the moment she resolved to step outside, her past flashed before her eyes like a revolving lantern.
She thought those memories had dulled over time, but—
“Lady Kaishner. Have you finally realized it? You were fooled from the very beginning.”
They pierced into her tender flesh, tormenting her.
“Did you really think we were your friends? Who would be friends with someone like you?”
Even now, when she closed her eyes, those memories resurfaced.
“Who would ever like someone as hot-tempered as you?”
No. I have to change.
Even if I hate it, I have to change.
Somehow, I have to go out.
I have to force myself outside.
I can’t stay trapped inside this house forever.
“His Grace just left. He says he’ll only take care of urgent matters in the capital and return soon.”
At that moment, Dorothy, who had gone to see him off, returned.
“Dorothy.”
“Yes?”
“I… I want to go outside.”
