n

n

nThat evening, Dalia carefully knocked on the door of Hikan’s office.

nIt was because she wanted to make sure that Hikan really opened up his heart to Dalia enough to be jealous of Adrisha.

nThis is the first time she visited his office for personal reasons.

nHikan opened the door himself.

nIt was clear that he knew that it was Dalia just by hearing the sound of the knocking.

nHikan had a slightly dark circle under his eyes, perhaps because of fatigue.

n“Come in.”

nHe asked Dalia to sit on the sofa and went back to his desk and signed a mountain of papers.

nThe amount was enough to make Dalia’s mouth open wide.

n“So, why did you come?”

n

n

nIn the original story, he became an excellent swordsman at the age of 18 when his magic bloomed, and in recognition of his ability, he became the head of the Imperial Knights.

nHowever, in Dalia’s view, Hikan’s ability now was not that, but the ability to process documents ten times faster than others.

nHikan worked all day while Dalia was playing chess or board games with Adrisha, eating dessert or rolling around.

nShe felt a new sense of guilt because of that.

n‘I didn’t know you were so busy.’

nIt seems the reason why he went back to his room right after meal time every day was not because of he was not interested in Dalia.

n“……”

nShe can’t tell him. She can’t bring herself to tell him.

n‘I can’t ask you to do the tea party here.’

nDalia wiped her tears inside.

nFor the first time, she felt sorry for Hikan.

nIf it’s a Duke’s job to do this for the rest of his life, it’s better to not have such a position.

nAlso, it’s not common for the younger siblings of a Duke to have fun and eat like Dalia.

nShe might be thrown out in front of dozens of people at the ball one day.

nThe poor dessert chef may be knitting in the kitchen because he has nothing to do.

nNow, due to her guilty conscience, she couldn’t bother Hikan any more.

nDalia shook her head.

n“It’s nothing. I just missed you br……”

n“I’ve already taken care of the tea party. You can hear the details from the butler.”

n‘Uh, huh? You already figured it out?’

nDalia opened her mouth at the unexpected remark.

n“Well, uh, how did you know?”

n“Because our employee heard it when you talked about it with Adrisha Beniter. She delivered it to me.”

n‘How……?’

nWas the maid that Adrisha glanced at that time actually listening to the whole conversation?

nDalia looked at Hikan with round eyes. He shrugged his shoulders like it was nothing much then continued to look at the papers.

n“You must be busy because of me……”

n“It’s not. I don’t want someone who has the Pesteros name to act like a fool at the ballroom.”

nNo, that’s a lie.

nDalia seemed to understand why Hikan had to work too hard.

n‘That’s when……I said that.’

n“Adrisha is a good friend. I don’t have many friends…..”

n“……You can make friends quickly. Because you’re a Pesteros.”

nIt was clear that he was paying attention to the conversation at that time.

nShe felt strange. She doesn’t know why, but Hikan has changed. Surely he has now opened up to Dalia.

n‘I didn’t know you’d care so much.’

nShe was sorry that she was doubting the person who took care of her just because of the original story.

nShe approached Hikan unconsciously and hugged him by the arm.

n“Thank you, brother.”

n“……What is this? Never mind. It’s late, so go to sleep.”

nHikan spoke bluntly and pulled out his arms.

nBut Dalia felt too sorry for her to just go like this.

n“Then, I’ll study next to brother.”

n“……Up to you.”

nDalia dragged a tall chair and placed it in the vertical direction of Hikan’s desk.

nThe desk was very spacious, so there was still room left.

nThe office was also a study, so there were many books to read.

nDalia picked out a history book recommended by Madam Mathieu and put it on the desk.

nAnd as she’s trying to climb onto the chair……

nThe chair that was fitted to Hikan’s leg length that was too high for her somehow looked a little short on him.

nDalia barely managed to climb up, with her feet hanging in the air.

n“……”

nHikan was watching the scene with a pathetic expression. Dalia muttered in embarrassment.

n“Well, brother was like this too when you were my age……”

n“Even back then I was taller than you.”

n“……Then when you were nine years old……”

nHikan chuckled as he signed a new document.

nDalia wanted to say something more, but she decided to shut up because she saw Hikan smiling for the first time.

nThe two were now silently focusing on each other’s work. Dalia read the book, and Hikan handled the documents.

nSoon, only the sound of the quill pen and the sound of the pages flipping filled the quiet office.

n* * *

nAfter a while, Hikan stopped working and turned his stiff shoulders back.

nLooking aside, Dalia was already sleeping with one cheek on the desk.

nShe was not used to staying up all night, and it was hard for her to hold back her sleep since it was over an hour past her bedtime.

n‘You didn’t have to do that though.’

nHikan looked at Dalia’s face, who was still sleeping.

nThe cheek that was pressed against the desk looks silly.

nNo, he was not in a position to call anyone a fool.

nThese days, he was surprised to know that he had such a foolish side in him.

nWhen the Duchess Blueport has the mana explosion, Dalia’s image of shaking off his hand and entering the light bothered him for a long time. (*t

/n: after reading some manhwa and saw the term that the translator chose to use for this word,,I decided to change from ‘congestion’ to ‘explosion’. That sound better haha, why I didn’t thought of this before lol)

nIn the end, he had to admit it.

nHis world has been empty for a very long time.

nHowever, a few months ago, a younger sister suddenly appeared and casually pushed her way into his world.

nHe believed without any doubt that her relationship with the Duchess Blueport has led Dalia to work miracles. His younger sister was someone who could do that.

n‘That’s why, it’s unsightly to be jealous of Dalia’s friend.’

nHikan thought to himself.

nThen he heard a knock.

nWhen asked to come in, Dalia’s nanny came in with a tearful face.

n“Your Excellency, Miss Dalia is missing…..oh my god!”

nThe nanny was surprised to see the sleeping Dalia with her face on the desk.

nWell, the nanny’s first impression of him was that he pushed his way in and gave Dalia the news of her father’s death.

nIt is natural to think that Dalia and him cannot be close.

nThat’s the attitude of a common-sense person, but why is his sister…..?

nHe has no idea.

nJust as Dalia gave up understanding him, he also gave up understanding Dalia’s mind.

nHe got up from his seat and held Dalia who was sleeping at his desk, in his arms.

n“I’m sorry. I called for you, but it seems that the message was not delivered.”

n“……It’s, it’s okay.”

nThe truth is Dalia has come in at random, but if he says so, Dalia will be in trouble with the nanny tomorrow.

nHe looked at the nanny.

nAlthough she was quite strong, it wasn’t enough to carry Dalia all the way to her room.

n

n

nAt 13, she was a bit smaller than her peers, but not small enough to be carried by another woman.

n“I’ll take Dalia to her room.”

nThe nanny bowed to him with an expression as if she’s at a loss, and left the room.

nSuddenly he remembered that he once had a nanny too.

nThe nanny didn’t last long and left the mansion before he was three years old.

n“The life of a transcendent is a lonely one.”

nThat was what the Emperor once said to him.

nHe has lived adjusting to loneliness so far, but now he didn’t think that it was strange.

n