On the way back from the salon, Elysia consoled Evelia.

The Artina family should be pleased. Running at the forefront for the empire was an honor.

If we don’t bear arms, the farmers behind us will have to carry farming tools, and the children will have to hold stones.

After hearing the history of her parents, Evelia could not refute these words. Because if someone did not take the lead to protect, a second, a third Berthashen could appear anytime.

But understanding and accepting were two separate issues.

Evelia charged straight towards Arkan who had come out to meet her in front of the duke’s house.

Her strutting and stomping approach. She might think she’s as threatening as an elephant, but to Arkan and the knights, she seemed as insignificant as a puffedup sparrow.

“Big brother!!”

“My baby, did you have a good time?”

As she flicked away the outstretched hand, Arkan asked in a soft tone.

“Why is our baby so grumpy? Did someone bother you at the salon?”

Arkan, just being glared at despite his tender tone, knelt down and hugged his little sister.

“What’s the matter, baby? Did I do something wrong? Huh?”

In his firm embrace and warm comfort, her intention to sternly confront him melted, and sorrow seeped in.

Why am I not worried? What if something happens to my big brother in that dangerous place? What if I can’t see him ever again? My abilities are not outstanding at all.

“Big brother I, I… hiccup… I…”

As Evelia could not continue speaking due to her sobbing, those listening by her side speculated the rest of her words with the confidence that no one in the world could read our baby’s mind.

“I…? Oh, our baby must be crying because she wants to eat pancakes.”

Cedric casually gestured to the surrounding servants to bring pancakes.

“I…? Oh, our young lady must be crying because she wants to see a legendary animal.”

The knights of Artina, hearing the phrase ‘legendary animal’, yelled ‘Let’s go catch it!’.

Evelia’s small lips jutted out. These fools! She wanted to shed tears like droplets after such a long time, but even that wasn’t helping.

“No! Big brother is going to war!”

Evelia cried out, sobbing. Only then did the mouths that had been busy seeking pancakes and legendary animals suddenly fall silent.

After a moment of silence. The tones of the voices that resumed were much more calm than before, as if they were simply going to a nearby village to drink.

“Oh, what was I thinking. I was worrying about how to catch a legendary animal for our young lady.”

“Ah. So it was about the war. I was nervous thinking that the pancake I just ate might have been my last.”

“You surprised us by crying all of a sudden, our baby.”

Why is everyone so nonchalant? Why am I the only one taking this seriously? Our big brother is going to war, you know? Did everyone understand that? Tears filled Evelia’s eyes again.

“Shush. Our baby, stop. The battlefield is quite familiar to Artina. Our family is one that bloomed in the battlefield.”

Arkan stroked his younger sister’s back and smiled warmly. It was truly an unaffected, calm smile.

“Thanks for worrying, but I’ve been holding a sword since the moment you were born. I’ve been preparing for this day for a long time.”

Even the one involved, her brother, along with everyone else, spoke as if it were nothing, which she didn’t like at all.

And it was very wrong to leave her out when everyone else knew. Actually, that was what upset her the most. Her gentle eyes turned fierce. Evelia twisted her body and slipped out of Arkan’s embrace.

“Why didn’t anyone tell me? Knowing all along? Why did I have to hear it from someone from another family?”

‘…Oh dear, our baby is really angry.’

Arkan, who had shown no change of expression at the news of being chosen as the spearhead, began to break a cold sweat on his forehead. What to do.

“Of course, I was going to tell you. I was waiting for a moment when there would be delicious food and dessert and pretty candles lit, so I could tell you calmly.”

“What celebration! Is it a birthday! What’s with the candles!”

“No, we just didn’t want our baby to be too upset……”

It was true. They were just worried about how to deliver the news. The young and tenderhearted sister would certainly be tearful, as if she had taken on all the worries of the world alone.

But for Evelia, who was full of temper, her older brother’s explanation was no different than an excuse. Evelia, who had been simmering, twisted her body, escaped from Arkhan’s arms, and abruptly turned her back on him. Hmph!

“Ev….”

“There, dear. Actually, I’m also going….”

As Cedric hesitantly added, Evelia’s eyes and mouth opened wide in betrayal.

“Wh, where? You’re not saying you’re following our older brother…?”

“Well, yes. I suppose it’s about time I went to observe….”

Evelia kicked Cedric’s shin with her small foot. It was a mild kick, like sand being thrown, but judging by her sister’s expression, if he didn’t pretend to be hurt, she seemed to get even more upset.

“Ouch, that hurts.”