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nNoel shook off the adults who were surprised to see him and ran to his room.

nAfter closing the door with a thud, he collapsed onto the floor.

nHe didn’t know why, but he kept crying.

nHe wept again because the hot, salty tears came into contact with his wound from where he had fallen over. It caused him great pain.

nHe was annoyed, embarrassed, and he hated it all.

nHe picked up the wooden puzzle piece that was doing nothing but sitting around, untouched.

nIt was one of Rieta’s belongings from the kingdom.

n“. . .”

nHe strode toward the window.

nAnd threw the puzzle piece out of the open window with all his might.

n

n

nThe small piece fell somewhere in the garden.

nNow we’ll never see each other again. That’s good.

nHe looked out at the dark and quiet garden. Covering most of his face with a dirt-stained sleeve, he looked out of the corners of his eyes.

nThe wind grazed his tears, causing his face to become cold.

n“. . . !”

nOnly then did he regain a sense of reality.

nHe hurriedly wiped the tears from his eyes.

nThat’s something Rieta lent me.

nIt felt like his heart was sinking.

nWhat should he do? His father had told him to cherish the things he borrowed from others.

nIf he was caught willfully throwing Rieta’s things around, he was sure to be in a lot of trouble.

nBesides, Rieta regarded her things from the kingdom as her treasures.

nShe may come to hate Noel.

nHowever . . .

nSuddenly, Noel made a strange assumption.

nIt was the kind of assumption that the devil whispered into his ear and engrained into his young mind.

n***

nSay . . .

nWhat would happen if Noel were to hide all of Rieta’s treasured possessions in the mansion?

nWould that drive Rieta to leave the mansion? Or not?

nPondering that particular question all the while, Noel gathered the puzzle pieces left in his room and returned to the window.

nHe grabbed the biggest piece and raised his arm, preparing to fling it away.

nThe Duchy’s garden was large enough that no one would find anything abandoned in such a manner.

nShe would never find it. And when that happened . . .

n“. . .”

nKnock, knock.

nAt that moment, knocking was heard.

nNoel turned his head back toward the door, lowering his raised arm and letting go of the puzzle piece.

n“Noel.”

nThe voice belonged to Darrell.

nNoel may hate everyone else at the moment, but never Darrell.

nBecause his gentle older brother had always been by Noel’s side.

n“I’m coming in, alright?”

nIn response to the amiable question, Noel silently nodded his head. He gave no audible answer.

nEven so, his beloved brother had received the soundless message. That was the level of understanding between the two of them. The door opened immediately.

n“ . . . Brotherrrrrrrr.”

nTears once again streamed down Noel’s cheeks. He took a wobbling step toward the doorway.

nDarrel immediately swept his younger brother into his embrace.

nWithout saying anything else, he patted the small back.

nWas he worried that the two brothers were left alone in the dark room?

nFortunately, the moonlight shone vividly that night.

n* * *

nAfter Noel had somewhat calmed down, Darrell thoroughly cleaned Noel’s face with warm water.

nHis small, dirt covered face was quickly wiped clean by his elder brother’s gentle ministrations.

nWith that, the lacerations on his chin and his cheeks become visible with clarity.

nIt must have been quite painful to acquire such deep wounds.

nDarrell gently cleansed his brother’s wounds with a cotton swab dipped in disinfectant.

nIt stung, smarting and burning, causing Noel’s red-rimmed eyes to twitch.

n“It seems like years have passed since mother had boasted that you were all grown up.”

n“. . .”

n“I’m kidding. Are you angry?”

nNoel shook his head.

nHe had no reason to be angry with his brother.

n

n

n“I will only apply medicine for now, so ask the adults to properly treat these injuries tomorrow. Understand?”

n“. . .Yes.”

n“Right, good. I think you need to change your clothes now.”

nNoel gazed down at his clothes.

nApart from the dirt, there were even tears in the cloth.

nHis clothing had probably become like this when he fell.

n“I’ll change . . .”

n“Want me to help you?”

nNoel frowned and shook his head.

nBecause I’m no longer a child.

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