Chapter 12

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 12

Chapter Title: Pinky Promise

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“Eh? A four-leaf clover? Did you find it?”

“No, Herwin gave it to me.”

“Really?”

A brief silence passed before Lucas spoke again.

“...But why did you suddenly say you like Herwin? You never mentioned it before.”

Lucas felt deeply uncomfortable at the thought of his little sister liking someone. Still, since the person in question was someone he knew well, it didn't leave a bad taste in his mouth.

Above all, he was curious about her abrupt change of heart.

“...Herwin saved me.”

“From that dog the other day, right?”

Lucia nodded. By now, her cheeks were flushed bright red. The sight made it seem like she truly adored him, shocking Lucas to his core.

“Wow... well, this is...”

Lucia paid no mind to her brother's odd reaction and simply gazed at the music box Henry was playing with.

Gazing at the four-leaf clover brought the image of Herwin appearing like a hero right before her eyes, vivid as ever.

'Get away from Lucia!'

His sturdy back shielding her, his tense expression, and those red eyes blazing with battle fervor.

These days, just hearing Herwin's name made her heart thump wildly and her face heat up.

Lucia fidgeted restlessly before looking up. Herwin's door remained firmly shut.

“He must be in so much pain...”

She couldn't stop worrying about how Herwin's face had gone pale upon hearing her confession yesterday.

At first, the rejection had hurt so badly she thought her heart would shatter and tears would spill. But more than that, his frightened expression lingered in her mind.

Hoping Herwin wasn't hurting, Lucia stayed put.

Later, even after Lucas and Henry left, Lucia stubbornly held her ground.

“...I see. So that's what happened.”

Herwin's room, now restricted from entry.

Inside were the doctor, the ducal couple, and Herwin.

After much coaxing and persuasion over a long while, they had finally heard directly about the trauma Herwin had been suffering.

Even after spilling it all, Herwin worried he might face reprimands.

He had kept his pain hidden all this time because his tormentors were sons of the household retainers.

Like it or not, he had no choice but to keep encountering them.

Someday he would inherit the dukedom, and those who had bullied him would follow in their parents' footsteps to become retainers of the Peneus House. He couldn't afford to sour relations rashly.

He knew full well that they no longer acted as they once did and now treated him with respect, unlike before.

Yet the memories of the past still tormented him without warning.

Still, Herwin had always put on a show of nonchalance whenever he faced them.

Of course, he sometimes snapped at them reflexively, but that was merely an instinctive defense mechanism.

It was something that could be resolved if he just endured it alone.

Herwin didn't expect to be understood.

He was sure that if they learned he suffered over something like this, his parents and others would criticize him, saying he was too weak to lead the future Peneus House.

As the ducal heir, he could never show frailty. Hadn't Hail and Scarlett drilled that into him time and again?

Bracing for the words that would come, Herwin squeezed his eyes shut. His slender shoulders trembled faintly.

“You've been through so much, all alone.”

Suddenly, he felt warmth. When he opened his eyes, a cascade of black hair swayed right before him.

His usually stoic father, Hail, had pulled him into a hug, leaving Herwin utterly flustered. Then came a heavier weight.

“We're sorry we didn't notice sooner. It must have been so hard on you.”

It was Scarlett. Before he knew it, Herwin was sandwiched between his parents.

A firm hand stroking his hair, a warm pat on his back. No words of comfort were needed; it was more than enough for Herwin.

His face crumpled, and tears began to fall in drops.

“Mom... Dad...”

Tears poured like chick peas. Hail and Scarlett's hearts broke at the realization of how much their son had suffered.

The two held him tight until his sobs subsided.

Once he had calmed somewhat, Herwin accepted the doctor's suggestion.

“This is a trauma that's lingered for quite some time. It won't vanish overnight. We'll overcome it gradually through counseling with me.”

“Okay, got it.”

“How's your body feeling now? Any heart palpitations or nausea like yesterday?”

“I'm fine now.”

“Good. Then, would it be alright to meet the Agnes children?”

“Uh...”

Herwin looked visibly hesitant. He pictured Lucas and Lucia.

Lucas was fine. But thinking of Lucia made his heart start pounding again.

Still, it was hard to outright say it made him uncomfortable.

It felt pleasant in a way, yet oddly disconcerting—he couldn't put it into words.

“I'm not sure...”

“Do you feel uneasy like yesterday?”

Herwin shook his head firmly.

“In that case, is it alright to meet them?”

After a moment's deliberation, he finally managed a nod.

“Understood. Rest well today, and if you suddenly feel anxious, please call for me.”

“Yeah, I will.”

“Then I'll take my leave.”

The doctor rose. Hail followed him into the corridor.

“How is his condition?”

“He's doing well, my lord. The Young Master is strong. With consistent counseling, he'll overcome it in no time.”

“I see. That's a relief.”

“However, it would be best to keep him away from the children he's had friction with for the time being.”

“I'll handle that.”

“And there's one more issue.”

“What is it?”

“As expected, the trigger for the Young Master's collapse seems to be the confession from Lady Agnes.”

Hail's brow twitched at the mention of Lucia.

“It's fortunate he doesn't avoid her much, but to prevent repeats, extra caution is advised.”

“Hm, I see...”

“Why me?”

A childish, warbling voice cut into their conversation.

Looking down, they saw Lucia standing there, eyes wide round.

“Is Herwin in a lot of pain?”

“When did you get here?”

Brushing past the startled doctor, the now-composed Hail asked her.

“Just now. I went to the bathroom.”

Lucia innocently pointed to where she'd come from.

“Is Herwin hurting bad? Is that why he can't see me?”

She clutched the music box tight as she asked. Her large blue eyes brimmed with worry beyond her years.

Hail gazed down at her for a moment before bending his knees to meet her eye level.

“You're really worried about Herwin, aren't you?”

“Yes. He looked awful yesterday. Did I... make him that way?”

The corners of her eyes drooped. Instinctively, she knew it was her fault.

“It's nothing like that, so don't worry. He'll be healthy again by tomorrow.”

“Really? That's great...”

Her gloomy face brightened. Her emotions shone so plainly on her face that Hail found her adorable and stroked her small head.

“Lucia, could you make me a promise?”

“A promise?”

“Yes. Yesterday, you confessed to Herwin where everyone could see, right?”

“Yes.”

“I'd appreciate it if you didn't do that again.”

“Why? Does Herwin hate me?”

Her face twisted as if she might burst into tears any second. Flustered, Hail hurriedly added,

“No, it's not that. Hmm, how should I explain this...”

“The Young Master dislikes being the center of attention.”

The doctor stepped in to explain on Hail's behalf.

“Many people saw your confession yesterday. But the Young Master extremely dislikes drawing that kind of attention. Even if he likes you, please refrain from expressing it openly.”

“So... Herwin doesn't hate me?”

“Of course not. Why would he hate you? You're a precious friend.”

“Hmm... so it's okay to confess when no one's around?”

“...Pardon?”

“Got it. Next time, I'll do it where no one can see. Promise.”

Lucia hooked her pinky with Hail's awkwardly dangling one in midair.

“Then I'll come back tomorrow. Please tell Herwin I'm doing well.”

She bowed politely and scampered away.

“...That's not what I meant.”

A hollow mutter escaped Hail's lips, but the one who needed to hear it was already gone.

“Bro! I missed you!”

The children, who had been playing in the playroom for a while, greeted Herwin joyfully upon his appearance.

Henry was the first to throw himself at Herwin. Though initially startled, Herwin soon lifted his little brother with practiced ease.

“Did you have fun without me yesterday?”

“No way! It was super boring without you!”

“What are you talking about? We had fun putting together that puzzle yesterday.”

Lucas teased playfully midway through, earning a glare from Henry.

“How's your body? Feeling better?”

“Yeah, I'm good now.”

Herwin acted as normal as ever until he spotted Lucia peeking from behind Lucas, at which point he froze.

His agitation was so pronounced even Henry noticed.

Lucia hesitated at his unusual behavior before taking a step forward.

“You okay? No more pain?”

“Y-yeah, uh-huh...”

Herwin conspicuously avoided her gaze and acted awkward.

As Lucas and Henry watched puzzled, Lucia suddenly grabbed Herwin's hand.

“Come on! Let's play something fun!”

“W-wait...!”

Herwin was dragged along by Lucia's hand. Left behind, Lucas and Henry blinked dumbly at the pair.

“What's up with them?”

“Bro's acting weird today.”

In the distance, they saw Lucia handing her toy to Herwin.

Lucas and Henry exchanged glances before joining the two.

It was subtly different from before, yet an utterly ordinary day all the same.

“So, this goes like...”

Lucia stuck close to Herwin's side, chattering away with fun stories.

Herwin listened quietly until he suddenly glanced at her profile.

When he faced Lucia again, memories of the day he collapsed flooded back. He felt confused and even fretted over whether she'd confess again.

Yet somehow, she acted as if the confession had never happened, no different from before.

But something felt off.

“And if you do it like this...”

Mid-sentence, Lucia abruptly clamped her mouth shut.

Turning her head, she saw someone passing by.

Only after they were far away did she resume.

If asked what had changed most noticeably, it was this.

Whenever someone was nearby, Lucia would shut her mouth tight or put some distance between her and Herwin.

Herwin had initially been anxious about being seen with her, but seeing her hide even more eased his own nerves.

Five days had passed since then, and Herwin had regained his composure.

“...Herwin, are you even listening?”

“Huh?”

“You weren't, were you?”

Lucia pouted, sticking out her lower lip.

“...Why are you staring like that?”

Herwin just kept looking silently, so she turned away, flustered.

“It feels like you don't like me anymore.”

Herwin chuckled softly in relief.

“Good. As I thought, those words back then were a lie...”

He trailed off. Lucia's face had turned beet red.