“You don’t understand anything, little brother.”

He doesn’t know how difficult it was for that child. He doesn’t understand the heart that, starved of love, blindly rushed toward a meaningless path like a moth drawn to flame.

Julietta’s memories, fragmented within me, stirred deeply. The traces she left behind pained my heart.

“Talent can’t bloom if no one tells you about it. You can’t know whether you’re good at something unless someone praises you. That’s how important your surroundings are.”

In my past life, I had a family who cared for me. They supported everything I did, and when I struggled, they encouraged me, telling me it would be alright. Because of that, I came to understand—having someone who supports you nearby leads to a completely different outcome than having no one at all.

Realizing my expression had darkened, Weaslet apologized to me.

“I’m sorry, Julietta. I thought I was protecting you, but I realize now it was no different than acting solely according to my own will. You can be angry, you can curse me—I won’t mind. Just don’t make that face like you’re about to cry.”

His words made my chest tighten. The comfort from family gently settled the turbulence in my heart. Julietta was no longer here, but the memories and feelings she cherished remained within me.

Perhaps the reason my emotions, so easily stirred, had finally calmed was because Weaslet had said exactly what he so desperately wished to say.

Because Julietta was the kind of child who thought no one cared about her. Hearing Weaslet’s gentle words—“You can be angry, you can curse me, just don’t look like you’re about to cry”—filled my heart with overwhelming warmth, as if I were delighted.

The childlike yearning for affection made my eyes burn with unshed tears.

“…Who said I was crying? I don’t cry over something like this.”

“Then I’m glad, but if you really think my actions were selfish, you can hit me once…”

Before Weaslet could finish, I tapped his head lightly with my sword scabbard.

“My words weren’t finished yet, dear little brother?”

“You said I could hit you.”

I’ll let it slide, little brother. One tap on the head is enough to ease any lingering resentment. So I hope you’ll continue to care for me just as you always have.

Because that was the best thing I could do for the child who had left me.

“It feels like a bump is forming on my head.”

He carefully cradled the spot I had tapped. I hadn’t hit him that hard. What a drama queen.

“Stop exaggerating.”

“Julietta, you seem stronger than before? Are you still practicing swordsmanship?”

“I am. My skills have improved even more since coming here. I train with the knights of the Blue Knights, and Yezar corrects my posture and teaches me.”

“He must be doing a good job…”

His surprise was evident. Well, of course—he didn’t know Yezar was personally helping me with swordsmanship.

“I’ve been telling you he’s good. Later, apologize to Yezar in front of me. Got it?”

“Alright.”

Now he answers properly. His doubts have mostly faded, and his attitude has softened, which is a relief. Weaslet looked at the scabbard in my hand and said,

“It’s good you’re still learning swordsmanship here.”

“Of course. My skills are much better than when I was at the Count’s estate.”

With Yezar even sparring with me, it would’ve been strange if I hadn’t improved.

“I remember when you first said you wanted to learn swordsmanship. You wouldn’t believe how shocked the Orbetian knights were back then.”

“But they helped me well later on, didn’t they?”

“That’s because I pressured them on purpose. I told them to let you do as you pleased, but if they wanted to find out what would happen when Father found out, they could go ahead and try.”

“That’s blackmail, isn’t it?”

“Maybe it was?”

Admitting it so frankly was just like Weaslet.

‘So Weaslet truly wanted me to learn swordsmanship. I didn’t know about this side of it.’

“Thank you. Back then, I didn’t understand, so I couldn’t say it. But I want to say it now—I’m grateful.”

“You don’t need to thank me for my own selfishness. Julietta, just make sure Father doesn’t find out you’re learning swordsmanship here.”

“Would he stop me from wielding a sword further?”

“That’s part of it, but you know… Father found even traces of Mother painful to look at. He disposed of all her belongings.”

I knew that already. But hearing it said so plainly made me truly feel the depth of my father’s grief after losing his wife. After all, I remembered how he erased even the traces of their life together.

“But little brother, if I want to learn more swordsmanship, what should I do? If I said I wanted to become a knight, would you stop me?”

To my cautious question, Weaslet chuckled.

“I know it’s a choice Father wouldn’t approve of. But whatever you choose is your decision. I only wish for you to be happy, doing what you love, Julietta.”

“Then I can keep being stubborn?”

I asked if I could pursue my desires freely, not because he had given up, but because he truly understood. Weaslet answered with a bright smile.

“Do whatever you want. After all, the most important person is you.”

The most important person is me. My heart should always come first. Warmth spread through me naturally, as if an overwhelming warmth wrapped around me.

“Thank you, little brother.”

“You only call me brother when it’s convenient.”

“When else am I supposed to call you that?”

Weaslet laughed at my playful remark. Just as our conversation ended, Yezar knocked on the door.

“Did the siblings have a good talk?”

“You took quite a long time with the tea.”

“Yes, I’m not very good at brewing tea.”

He answered naturally, as if he hadn’t intentionally given us space. I pretended not to notice the lie.

***

Weaslet apologized to Yezar for his earlier rudeness. Yezar accepted it graciously, saying he would’ve misunderstood too in the same situation.

Then, in a pleasant atmosphere, we headed off for lunch. But listening to their conversation, I felt like I might choke.

“That’s why I’ve been carefully tending the garden to please the Lady. It’s spring, after all, when the flowers bloom.”

“The garden I saw was beautiful. I didn’t realize it was done for Julietta’s sake. Now that you mention it, I recall a time when Julietta was admiring the flowers in the garden and unknowingly approached a bug?”

“Yes. And?”

“At that moment, the bug stuck right onto her cheek, and she screamed so loudly out of shock. The entire Count’s estate was in an uproar.”

“Really? That must’ve been adorable.”

“Adorable? Back then, wasn’t she about fourteen? Something like that.”

All that suspicion and caution earlier, and now Weaslet was casually revealing my embarrassing past.

“Still, it sounds quite adorable. I can’t even imagine a moment when the Lady isn’t endearing.”

And Yezar, looking even more radiant than usual, began showering me with compliments and calling me adorable over and over, trying to show their friendly rapport.

Thanks to that, my face was one step away from turning bright red.

“S-stop! Stop talking about me!”

“But I’m curious about sides of the Lady I’ve never known.”

“I haven’t even started yet, Julietta.”

Then, ignoring me completely, they began chatting with each other. Only after several more forgotten embarrassing stories and a few more awkwardly embarrassing comments about me did their conversation finally end.

“So, even though our Julietta is usually clumsy and makes mistakes, as long as her husband finds her cute and takes care of her, she’ll be alright.”

“While her brother-in-law is away, I’ll make sure to watch over the Lady carefully. Please don’t worry.”

The title “Duke” had quietly become “brother-in-law,” and Yezar naturally called Weaslet “younger brother-in-law” with a smile. What on earth were they so happy about, talking like this? Meanwhile, they’d left me utterly embarrassed.

“Seriously, none of you care about me at all?”

“That’s not true at all, my Lady.”

“I care, which is why I’m asking you like this.”

I took a deep breath and exhaled, then ordered Weaslet.

“Weaslet, since you’re done eating, let’s go on our date now.”

“Already? I wanted to talk a bit longer.”

When I glared at him in response, he quietly set down the utensils he was holding. Then, he subtly rubbed the spot on his head I had tapped earlier.

I grabbed Weaslet by the back of his neck and dragged him along.

“Weaslet, even if it’s been a while since we last met, isn’t this treatment toward your younger sister a bit harsh?”

“I’ve never had an older brother who sold my embarrassing stories to my husband.”

At my icy reply, Weaslet finally apologized for his mistake. I let go of the collar I had been gripping.

“Anyway, your new sister-in-law is waiting. Are you going to stay here forever?”

“No. I should go now. I’ve already had my meal, and I can’t go on disturbing a newlywed couple’s bliss… Ouch!”

Only after getting hit by me did he finally shut up.

‘Seriously, he’s asking for a beating, getting one.’

Yezar watched our bickering from behind, smiling. Since he had no siblings, this kind of interaction probably seemed endlessly fascinating to him.

Before climbing onto the carriage he arrived in, Weaslet leaned in slightly and whispered softly to me.

“I hope you’re doing well, Julietta. A political marriage doesn’t have to be cold, you know. Duke Yezar seems to care for you.”

Fool. This isn’t a political marriage. But I couldn’t tell him that this happiness was an illusion that would vanish in two years, not while he smiled, wishing me happiness.

‘I’m sorry, little brother. Actually, it was me who couldn’t be honest with you.’

I buried the lie deep within my heart. Because if he knew, Weaslet’s face would only grow sad.

“Yeah. I’ll live happily. Don’t worry.”

Even though I knew I’d regret not telling the truth when this was eventually exposed, I smiled and lied.