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nChapter 69

n“The four-year difference isn’t that big of an age gap. But that’s when you’re an adult. 10 and 14 is like the difference between heaven and earth.”

nThe funny thing is that the person who says that is also 15 years old.

n‘I know what you want to say.’

nAnd it’s a natural thing to say.

n‘Why do I feel so bad?’

nAria looked down at her palms for a moment. It looked a little bigger than when she came to the Grand Duchy, but its was still small.

n‘Yes, how big would a ten year old be?’

nAria was cute enough that it wouldn’t be awkward at all to hear that she is called a baby girl.

n‘When will I grow up?’

nThe faster she ages, the sooner she will die.

n‘It also means that Valentine’s incident is coming.’

nThere are no measures yet, but time is just passing. That’s a terrible hypothesis.

nHowever, she had a contradictory thought that she wanted to grow up and grow old quickly.

n***

nSpring of the age of 11.

nParting through the petals fluttering in the wind, Aria reached out her hand in the air. The wind brushed past her fingers.

nAs Lloyd said, she was able to ride a horse in no time.

n‘Although it’s a pony.’

nIn fact, she used to ride wolves like horses, so it might have been a natural result.

nKurrrr-

nSilver wept lowly as it followed Aria as she rode the horse. It was as if it was saying, ‘A pony who can’t even take a bite took my seat.’

n‘It’s just a short ride.’

nAria patted Silver as if soothing it, and smiled softly.

n“I never thought I would ever ride a horse again.”

nSabina closed her eyes and let out a cool smile, feeling the wind hitting her in the face.

nAria looked around. The place they were currently running on horseback was in the thick forest of the Ingo Mountains.

nAria, who confirmed that no one was there, drove her horse and whispered close to Sabina.

n“I promised. I’ll show you all spring, summer, fall, and winter.”

nUntil the seasons turn around a few times and spring comes again.

nSabina, who remembered the promise, hugged Aria tightly.

n“…!”

nShe’s so strong.

nSabina hugged her tightly and pulled her in a flash, Aria lightly flew through the air, allowing her to sit in front of the horse she was riding.

nHer eye level jumped up in an instant.

n‘Whoa….’

nSabina was really strong.

nAria was amazed. It was such a force that she couldn’t even remember when Sabina was lying down with an illness.

n‘Of course she must be weaker than Valentine’s.’

nShe was born with such strength and physique, but how hard it must have been for her to lie still.

nRiding the horse and enjoying her freedom without hesitation, Sabina shone more vividly than ever.

n“Is that cool?”

n“Yes!”

n“Then learn swordsmanship from me.”

nSabina smiled brightly. Her bright red eyes curved nicely, revealing neat, pure white teeth.

nAria stared at her as if possessed by her powerful words, and then she, too, nodded her head unknowingly.

n‘Sorry, Lloyd.’

nShe seemed to understand why Grand Duke Valentine fell in love with Sabina.

n***

nSummer of the age of 11.

nThat summer was exceptionally hot, so they floated a boat on the lake.

nThere was a lake with a particularly beautiful view in the amusement park that Grand Duke Valentine had built for Aria.

nFishes were swimming leisurely under the surface of the lake with their scales sparkling.

n“Enjoy your meal.”

nAria threw food to the carp.

nLloyd stared at her. He was dragged to ride the boat with her and sat across from her.

n“Is sword training fun?”

nHis speech was a bit crooked. Was it dissatisfaction that he lost his position as a swordsmanship teacher to Sabina?

nAria felt sorry to have monopolized his mother, who had barely woken up from her sick bed.

n“Sorry.”

n“What are you sorry for?”

n“Every day I get embraced in Mother’s arms.”

nIn the everyday embrace part, Lloyd sprained his hand for a moment while rowing.

n“….while receiving swordsmanship training, what is there to embrace for?”

n“In order to get a proper posture, she has to hold me from behind?”

n“That’s b******t…”

nThe boy mumbled hateful words and bit his mouth.

nIt was no use telling Aria about it, who expresses infinite affection for Sabina. Because she was sure to like her more.

n“I don’t know why you’re sorry about that.”

n“Lloyd would have wanted to be hugged by Mother, too. Kissing…”

n“Huh.”

n….. he would have wanted it to.

nShe couldn’t even finish the sentence. It was because Lloyd burst out laughing as if he was stunned.

n“You’re silly. What… at this age…”

nThe answer he gave was to do as much as she wanted.

nWhat does he mean by this age, still a child?

nIt was Aria who was actually older, so she was embarrassed for no reason. She thought she was being too childish in front of a young boy.

n‘Of course I’m a kid now.’

nThen Lloyd spoke.

n“I don’t know what you’re mistaken for, but it has nothing to do with Mother’s affectionate behavior.”

n“Then?”

n“I wanted to make your dreams come true.”

nIt was a bland answer.

nHe wanted to teach Aria swordsmanship and watch her move closer to her dreams.

n“Because I only learned the sword.”

n“…”

nShe was speechless for a moment.

nLloyd acted like a grown-up who had gone through most of the hardships, but in this regard, he was a surprisingly likable boy.

n‘It’s stupid. My real dream was with Lloyd.’

nHorseback riding and swordsmanship were dreams of the past that she had forgotten.

nIt’s good if she can do it, but it’s okay if she can’t. Aria’s current dream is for Lloyd to free himself from the malice, find his happiness, and spread his wings freely.

n“Then tell me what other things Lloyd is good at. There are many things I want to learn.”

nNot philosophy. Aria added.

nLloyd’s eyes widened, perhaps astonished at her words, and then sluggishly lowered it. He thought for a moment, figuring out what he should teach Aria.

n“So, she kissed you too?”

nHe seems to be misunderstanding something.

nAria responded quickly.

n“Kiss on the cheek.”

n“That’s a habit.”

nLloyd asked suspiciously.

nHe must have recalled the sharp memories of the first kiss.

nAria stared at him and she said.

n“The first was Lloyd.”

n“….”

n“Lloyd was the first.”

n“Don’t stress it twice.”

nLloyd was silent for a moment, and then he responded bluntly, as he unconsciously rowed.

nAria made a flower base with her hands* and glanced at him.

n“What. Why?”

nThe blue lake on a summer day began to be colored with gold, and the light of the setting sun was shining on his face.

n“Your hair has grown a lot.”

nAria said as she tucked his hair flowing down in front of his eyes and behind his ears.

n***

nAutumn at the age of 11.

nAria started learning to draw.

n“Ummm… you’re creative.”

nThe painting teacher tried to praise her for her hard work.

nOutside the window, the reddish leaves and the clear autumn sky were vast.

nBut on the canvas, where Aria teased the brush, there was only a blackish-red mass that looked like it had burst and was crushed.

n‘What the hell did you draw?’

nThe painting teacher Draw showed his imagination to the fullest.

n“You’re describing a fruit tree and ripe fruit falling on the floor.”

nIt’s my face.

n“It’s, it’s a self-portrait.”

nHe’s screwed. He was sweating profusely and desperately making excuses.

n“You are very bold in expressing pink as a dark red color. I didn’t know that you used the intense colors and wild style that are popular in the capital these days.”

nDraw added desperately, “Haha, I’m so straightforward and out of fashion.”.

n“…..”

nAria realized that she had no talent for painting at all.

nSince she is a Siren who is said to be gifted with an artistic sense, she expected that she would be good at drawing as well.

n“Is this bizarre?”

nThen Vincent approached and spoke to him. Draw signaled to the Second Prince not to do so.

nBut there was no way Vincent could tell a lie.

n“You really don’t have any talent.”

n“…..”

n“Don’t be too disappointed. You can’t be good at everything.”

nAria wanted to know why Vincent said all these things.

nIt’s only been a year, but shouldn’t he grow older and more mature?

n“Well, I’m good at everything.”

n“……”

nIn the words that followed, Aria thought so.

nShe looked at Cloud without saying a word and picked up the newly written card.

nSir, Vincent looks bored, how about going to the festival together?

nSoon it was the Harvest Festival.

nAs if announcing this year’s bountiful harvest, the light shining through the window was as soft as the melody of a violin.

nCloud looked out the window for a moment, then nodded his head.

n“If it’s an order.”

nCloud was a knight who obeyed everything that he was ordered to.

nThen Vincent shook his head desperately with a pale, tired face.

n“Sir Cloud should escort Sister-in-law.”

n“Hmm, never mind. If the Young Madam promises not to leave the castle alone while I go to the festival, there’s nothing I can’t do.”

n“That is negligence, sir!”

n“What is negligence?”

n“Aack!”

nVincent grabbed the back of his head and staggered.

n—-

n*) 손으로 꽃받침: apparently a pose where you open your palms on your chin that makes your face like a flower?

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