300 - Beggar Sibling : The Mask
“What—? Marriage?”
Lerialia’s eyes widened in disbelief.
She often took ti out from playing with her peers to visit her older brother, and today, she heard sothing shocking. Her brother nonchalantly shared this surprising news while wringing out a damp cloth.
“Yeah. Soon.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden? Marriage? With whom?”
“There’s soone. She’s not from around here.”
“Where, when did you et her? What does she do?”
“I guess it was two weeks ago... It’s been that long already. I t her by chance. She’s an actress.”
“By chance?”
“Yeah.”
Lerialia put her hands on her hips and scrunched her nose, trying to look firm and resolute.
“You’re going to marry soone you t by chance? And you haven’t even known her for two weeks? Marriage is supposed to be with soone you love and want to spend your whole life with. I think what you’re doing is wrong!”
“Oh, really? And where did you hear such things? Did your teacher tell you that?”
“Not my teacher...”
Now that she thought about it, who did say that? A vague mory of a worn face and a silver ring flashed through her mind.
“Oh! I don’t know! Anyway, I can’t accept it!”
“You haven’t even seen her face. I was planning to tell her about you. She said she’d like to et you. Let’s go together during the week.”
“No! I’m busy. I don’t like you anymore!”
Lerialia huffed and stomped away.
Why am I acting like this?
She didn’t even know why she was so angry, but she wanted to be alone, so she ran off into the storage room.
She slamd the door shut and fud inside...
“Lerialia.”
There was no latch on the storage room door, and if there was, it would be on the outside.
Lean opened the door and stepped in. Lerialia crawled into her blanket, curled up, and sat against the wall.
“Go away!”
Rustle—The blanket shifted.
Her brother’s voice ca from right beside her, muffled through the fabric.
“Why are you acting like this? Do you not want to get married? Should I not get married?”
“......”
“Alright. I won’t get married then. If my little sister doesn’t like it, I won’t do anything.”
His hand gently patted her head through the blanket.
Lerialia didn’t like that either. It made her feel like he was treating her like a child, and it also made her feel like she was throwing a childish tantrum.
She was nothing more than a burden who knew how to do nothing but tag along behind him. He had fed her, clothed her, and given her a place to sleep. Recently, he had even found her a nice room (well, a storage room).
So why was she feeling so upset? Wasn’t she the best at following her brother’s lead?
Lerialia, chin resting on her knees inside the blanket, fell deep into thought.
Suddenly, she rembered a fleeting sensation: the feel of tal between her teeth, the night sky, and a few words exchanged.
- “What’s a ‘nyak-hon’?”
- “It’s a promise to get married.”
- “What’s ‘gyel-hon’?”
- “Oh, um. It’s when you spend your whole life with soone you love. That’s called marriage.”
- “What’s love?”
The tired-looking man’s face blurred in her mory.
Where had she seen this? Was it a dream? The feel of a silver ring on her lips was still so vivid. After so hesitation, the man answered.
- “Ummm... Oh! Princess, you love the prince here, don’t you?”
- “Yeah! I love my brother.”
- “That’s what love is.”
- “So I’ll get married to my brother?”
- “Well, not exactly...”
- “No?”
The man’s flustered face wasn’t a complete answer, but she had understood one thing: marriage wasn’t sothing she could do with her brother. And that explained why she was so upset.
She wanted to live with her brother forever.
It would be even better if they had a warm ho, but she didn’t need anything else.
She was scared of her brother getting married and leaving. When he went out to find food, she would shiver alone and fall asleep scared.
But that was her perspective, and she knew how much her brother had sacrificed for her. He had given up food, water, and even clothes for her. Now, was she really going to demand that he not get married just because of her?
She didn’t want to do that.
She didn’t want to, but...
Suddenly, Lerialia felt a pang of sadness. Was it possible? The thought ca to her, and she pushed the blanket off and spoke up.
Her brother was looking right at her from close by.
“Brother. Um, could it be... Are you getting married because of ?”
“Hm? What are you talking about?”
“You’re handso. If... If you’re getting married quickly just to find us a ho because of ...”
What should she do? Could it be that her brother was marrying soone he didn’t love just because of money?
Lerialia had recently learned that looks could be used for things like that. She also realized that she herself was pretty. Gripping the blanket tightly, she spoke with determination.
“I-I’d rather just get married myself. That would be better...”
- Thwack!
She was imdiately t with a swift flick to the forehead.
“Ow...!” Tears welled up from the sharp pain, and when she looked up, her brother’s face was furious.
“You little brat! There’s nothing you don’t say, huh?”
Lean took a deep breath through his nose and then gently comforted his teary-eyed little sister.
“It’s not like that. Even though we haven’t known each other for long, I love her. Let’s et her together. Once you et her, I’m sure you’ll like her too.”
“...Really?”
“Of course.”
Lean reassured her firmly.
He rubbed her forehead, still red from the flick, and murmured, “It’ll all work out.”
Even so, in the run-down storage room, with his sister whining, “I still don’t want you to get married,” the atmosphere between them grew solemn as the two hugged each other tightly.
---
After that, Lerialia went back to her studies, and Lean continued his cleaning.
Today’s task was mopping.
He was wiping down the tiled floors.
The tiles, made of fired clay, were an expensive finish and, naturally, weren’t placed just anywhere. They were only laid in areas like the common entrance, the dining room where the Rauno family gathered, and so parts of the hallway.
In other words, it was a substitute for marble. Lean was on his knees, scrubbing away.
After finishing the dining room and the entrance, he moved to the second-floor hallway when a shadow lood over him.
Looking up, he saw the towering figure of Ober, staring down at him with a hardened expression.
“......”
“Ober? Do you need sothing from ? If not, could you move out of the way?”
But Ober’s legs remained firmly planted.
His face was serious.
After a long mont of glaring down at Lean, Ober let out a sigh, almost as if in defeat.
“It’s my fault for bringing you two here. Leave imdiately. Take your sister and go. I’ll pretend I never found you.”
Lean calmly dipped the mop into the bucket and asked, “Why?”
“Just go while you can. Honestly, this is a big deal for too. The boss wants to see you. What did you do? You rode off in a carriage and ca back all dressed up... If you don’t want to die, run. And make sure to keep your sister hidden.”
So, that’s the misunderstanding.
Lean had a good idea of why Joseph Rauno was calling for him.
Joseph must have seen him last week, out on a date with Jenia at Ellen’s exhibition.
He likely knew about his relationship with Jenia and might even have heard about his visit to Count Peter’s estate. Ober, however, seed to have misunderstood, thinking the boss wanted them dead.
Lean chuckled softly.
“You’re laughing? You—”
But Lean wasn’t mocking Ober. It was touching to see the big man, afraid the kids he’d brought in would be hard, advising them to flee against the boss’s orders. He really had a kind heart.
Lean, savoring Ober’s well-aning concern, saw the man’s face turning red with frustration. Despite his irritation, Lean replied with a shaless smile.
“Sorry, but I can’t go right now. I still need to eat dinner... It’s not the right ti. I’ll think about it tomorrow. For now, let’s go et the boss.”
Lean could hear Ober gritting his teeth.
Ober, looking like he was about to snap and shout, raised his index finger as if to scold him, but then, for whatever reason, he turned around without saying a word. Joseph Rauno was waiting for them in his office.
“I’ve brought him.”
“Co in, take a seat.”
“Uh... boss, there’s sothing I’d like to say first.”
“What is it?”
Ober steeled himself and spoke.
“Our family has never hard a civilian without good reason. I’ve always taken great pride in that.”
“Indeed.”
“I’ve also never forgotten the grace you showed when you took in a beggar like . To , you’re like a father.”
Joseph, with his graying hair, raised an eyebrow. Stroking his chin with thick fingers, he asked,
“...I’m glad you think so, but what exactly are you trying to say?”
“I’m not the best with words. Whatever this kid did wrong, please forgive him. He may be a bit cheeky, but he’s hardworking.”
“Oh, my.”
Joseph, taken aback, waved his hands dismissively. He quickly added, worried that Lean might misunderstand.
“Forgiveness isn’t the issue here. I called him in because I have so questions. Lean, I think this fellow has misunderstood.”
“Haha, it seems that way.”
“Ober, step out for a mont.”
Ober’s expression went blank.
He looked between Lean and the boss with wide eyes before awkwardly excusing himself from the room. Joseph, standing in front of a large fireplace, gestured for Lean to sit.
It was a surprisingly respectful gesture.
Lean sank into the soft sofa, briefly recalling the past.
He had smoked here before. Back then, just smoking alongside the family boss had been a mont to rember.
Lean wasn’t planning to smoke now, and Joseph, with his unusually polite deanor, prompted Lean to speak.
“It seems I didn’t disappoint your expectations.”
“...That’s correct. Please, feel free to speak comfortably.”
“Shall I? But I don’t know how much you already know.”
“You’re dating Count Peter’s only daughter, aren’t you? I also know you’ve visited the Count’s estate. This is... quite awkward.”
A commoner dating a noble’s daughter—what a situation.
Joseph was at a loss for how to deal with this young man, who still looked like a boy. He hesitated for a mont, then stood up and bowed.
“I failed to recognize who you really were. That was my mistake. If there’s anything you were offended by, and I’m sure there was, please forgive .”
When it ca to matters involving nobility, even the slightest pride could lead to total ruin. Joseph carefully offered his apology while trying to gauge Lean’s reaction, but to his relief, the young man laughed and waved it off.
“No need to worry. In fact, I’m grateful for all the help you’ve provided, so don’t trouble yourself. However.”
“...However?”
“I’d like to stop cleaning now. Would it be possible for to work off my als in so other way?”
Lean rubbed his damp knees.
Joseph was about to quickly agree, “Of course, no problem,” but hesitated. He completed the thought and then asked,
“Of course. I’ll do whatever you wish. Shall I also arrange for a new room for you?”
It was a polite way of asking if Lean intended to stay here.
To be honest, Joseph was hoping he would leave, as dealing with nobles was always a headache. However, Lean nodded.
“Yes. Please prepare a room for my sister. As for , a guest room will suffice... no, if possible, I’d appreciate it if my room were near my sister’s. It doesn’t need to be large or fancy, as I won’t be using it often.”
That ans, I’ll be wandering around, but my sister will stay here. Joseph didn’t argue.
“Understood. I’ll arrange for the change right away. Is there anything else you need?”
“Nothing else for now.”
“...Alright. If you need anything, feel free to let know.”
Joseph thought to himself that he’d suddenly gained a lord to serve.
Count Peter’s house, huh... Joseph began to think about how he could extricate himself from the situation, but then Lean spoke.
“So, is that all you wanted to discuss? You ntioned you had sothing to ask .”
“Yes, I did, but it’s already been resolved.”
I know now that you’re planning to stay. Lean, reading Joseph’s thoughts, smiled knowingly.
“My sister and I won’t be staying here for too long. Please keep my relationship with Jenia a secret for the ti being... Ah, actually, there’s sothing I’d like to ask.”
“What is it?”
Joseph responded casually, but the question that followed caught him off guard.
“Why is your family nad ‘Rauno’? Does it have anything to do with ‘Laono’?”
The friendly expression on Joseph Rauno’s face instantly stiffened, like a mask being lowered. Though it was only a subtle deepening of the wrinkles on his face, Lean didn’t miss it.
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