IPAMB 27

Chapter: 27

After speaking with Wieniel, Cain made his way toward the Duke’s study.

Is this really the right thing to do?

Confusion still lingered in Cain’s mind.

His mother didn’t like him—she likely found him bothersome. Even if he asked, she would probably refuse.

Yet Cain didn’t stop walking.

Still, seeing that girl so dispirited…

He didn’t like it at all. No matter how certain the rejection might be, backing away without even trying felt worse.

Why am I even thinking about this?

It was a thought that had crossed his mind more than once lately.

Wieniel was a girl with whom he had no connection whatsoever. So why was he going out of his way like this?

Besides, Wieniel was clever enough to handle things on her own without his intervention.

The fact that she gained Mother’s recognition alone…

The Duke had granted Wieniel’s request without hesitation—a request Cain had assumed would surely be rejected.

Wieniel had been acknowledged for her abilities and contributions.

Compared to her, I… I was just jealous, so I treated her coldly.

He had pretended not to notice when Wieniel came to watch at the training grounds.

Even though she had done nothing wrong, seeing someone else gain the Duke’s recognition so easily had only made him feel more inadequate.

“Besides, now that we’re living in the same house, I’d like to get along better with the young master. And the Duke too, of course.”

Despite being ignored like that, she still said she wanted to be closer to him.

There’s never been anyone like her before.

It was truly strange. And at the same time, shameful. As if she had seen through the inferiority complex he had tried so hard to hide.

But even so, that complex hadn’t disappeared.

When he found it difficult to refuse Wieniel’s request and agreed to have a meal together, Cain felt it even more keenly when he saw that his mother wouldn’t even speak to him.

To his mother, he was nothing more than the one who brought misfortune to his father, a useless good-for-nothing with no abilities. Nothing more, nothing less.

Yet Wieniel kept trying. She worked hard to talk, attempting to build a bridge between him and his mother.

Even though he didn’t understand what meaning it held, he had thought it was all futile.

At least, until he saw Wieniel sitting curled up on the stairs, looking dejected.

At first, he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him.

That girl never lost her sharpness, no matter what. She always acted decisively with those sparkling eyes.

She never got discouraged no matter what the servants said.

Cain had once overheard the servants speaking ill of Wieniel before they were dismissed.

And without any help from him, Wieniel had put them in their place.

“Why should I be the one fired? It’s all because of the young master! He brought misfortune upon me!”

“Hah, this is so unfair. What did I do wrong? I just kept my distance because I heard misfortune clings to him—what’s so bad about that?”

Hearing such words, yet unable to say anything in response, Cain had simply avoided the servants—unlike Wieniel, who was completely different.

And now, that same Wieniel had looked so dejected.

Cain found himself more shocked than he expected.

Perhaps that was why he couldn’t just walk past her.

“My foolish older brother disappeared and left me behind, so I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do that. Instead, I wanted to see the two of you have a meal together.”

Seeing Wieniel smile with such sad eyes as she said this, he couldn’t just stand by.

“I want to do this now. So I’d like you to join me. Please.”

And so he decided to act.

Though still embarrassed, though he might struggle to do it alone—he would try to move forward.

“In the end, I was the one comforted…”

Cain muttered to himself, feeling a little sheepish.

What a strange girl.

But he didn’t dislike it.

“Young Master? What brings you here?”

Just as Cain reached the Duke’s study, Silven, who happened to be exiting, widened his eyes in surprise and adjusted his monocle.

“I have something to discuss with the Duke. I’d like to meet with him.”

It’s fine if I’m rejected.

Cain repeated this to himself.

The Argent Duke’s Study.

Heavy air settled within the room.

Belatia and Cain gazed at each other indifferently.

Though it was unclear whether this was meant to be a confrontation or a conversation, Silven inwardly felt relieved.

For the young master to come like this… my efforts haven’t been in vain.

He hadn’t expected Cain to approach Belatia first again after the hurtful words last time. Silven’s heart even ached a little.

With a fluttering heart, Silven watched the two, curious about what Cain would say.

“What is it you want to say? Make it quick.”

As always, Belatia’s words were blunt.

But Silven understood. The purification stone was still defective.

Afraid that staying too long might transfer the cause of her illness to Cain, Belatia would naturally want to end the conversation quickly.

Lady Wieniel said it wasn’t contagious, but still…

That’s just how anxiety works.

If not for the large glass panel placed between them, this conversation probably wouldn’t have been permitted at all.

Good thing I prepared in advance.

Silven, the one who had installed the glass panel, felt a quiet sense of pride.

“I heard you won’t be having breakfast together anymore. I came to ask that we continue.”

Cain showed no interest in the glass panel.

Instead, like mother like son, he spoke politely in a dry tone.

As if attempting a business contract.

Was this really a son asking his mother to have a meal together? Silven was momentarily flustered but quickly changed his thinking.

Regardless, he wants to share a meal with her. That’s a good thing!

It was a positive development. The only problem was the Duke’s response.

She’ll probably refuse…

The new purification stone hadn’t arrived yet. There was no telling when it would come.

So for now, keeping distance was correct, just as Zaira had advised. She was the physician who knew this illness best.

“…?”

But unexpectedly, Belatia didn’t answer immediately. She simply gazed at Cain for a while.

“No.”

Yet the expected answer remained unchanged.

As I thought.

Silven sighed inwardly.

What would happen next was obvious. Cain, rejected flatly, would leave the room without further questions.

And Belatia wouldn’t particularly try to stop him.

That’s how it had always been between the indifferent mother and son.

“Why not?”

But this time was different. Cain didn’t rise from his seat. Instead, he continued speaking.

“Is it because you dislike being with me?”

“That’s not it.”

“…”

“There are circumstances.”

A firm, short answer. No detailed explanation.

But Cain blinked his eyes in surprise.

“What… circumstances?”

“You don’t need to know.”

“…”

Just when things seemed to be going well. Silven swallowed a sigh at Belatia’s resurfaced blunt tone.

But Cain didn’t back down.

“No, please tell me. I want to know.”

As if making a great resolution, Cain’s red eyes were resolute and firm.

“If it concerns me, I also have the right to hear it. If not, I should at least hear a reason that matches that decision.”

“…”

Belatia stared intently at Cain.

Cain didn’t avoid her gaze. Rather, he met it boldly.

Belatia furrowed her brow.

And after a long silence, she spoke.

“What!? They’re going to continue having breakfast!?”

I had returned to my room and was lying face down on the bed when suddenly the news came.

“Yes! The Duke and the young master resolved it through conversation!”

Silven said in an excited voice.

Resolved it through conversation…!

Considering those two, it was something I could never have imagined, but reality was reality.

“Waaah!”

I grabbed both of Silven’s hands and danced around merrily.

“I’ll prepare a perfect full-course breakfast for tomorrow morning!”

“Wow, awesome!”

Silven chuckled heartily, said a few more words, and then left the room, saying he would start preparing right away.

I can’t believe it actually worked…!

It was unbelievable. Cain had said he would try talking, but honestly, I never expected him to actually do it, nor did I think it would succeed!

I tried to lie back down on the bed, then got up again. There was no way I could just lie still on the bed.

Maybe I should take a walk to get some fresh air? Or…

I left the room. It seemed that moving around would be better for calming down.

Knock, knock.

“Lain, it’s me, Wieniel.”

After some thought, I decided to visit Lain.

Infusing him with holy power would probably help calm my mind as well.

Smiling brightly, I reached for the doorknob.

Lain hadn’t woken up yet, so there was no answer—that’s why I was opening it.

“Huh?”

The door opened before I even turned the knob.

And from inside, a red-haired woman emerged.

“And who are you?”

Zaira glared at me irritably.