Ariante asked once again with an anxious voice. After hugging the child tightly, Cedelois stroked Ariante’s cheek and answered.

“If that child becomes your brother, it will happen before you become an adult.”

Ariante’s expression showed a momentary expectation, then disappointment as if a shadow had fallen. One thing she could be sure of was that she had no control over this issue.

Cedelois had only asked, “How would it be if you had a brother?” He hadn’t said a word like, “If you don’t like it, I won’t bring that child.” Ariante realized that the essence of this conversation was an ‘announcement.’

Although she didn’t know the word ‘announcement,’ she sensed that Cedelois wouldn’t allow her to interfere.

Ariante asked, “You won’t abandon me, right, Father?”

Cedelois’s eyes widened, and he unintentionally hugged the child tightly. The small body could be felt trembling.

“Ariante, that will never happen. Father will never abandon you. There will never be a time when I don’t love you. So, don’t say such sad words.”

Her small hand firmly grasped his clothes. It was a desperate and yet fragile force.

With swollen eyes and a remorseful look, Ariante took Maiana’s hand and returned to the eastern part of the mansion, to her own room.
Cedelois immediately rode a carriage and left the Duke’s estate. The carriage, gradually moving away, headed towards the land covered with an ash-colored spiderweb, like the frost of early dawn. It seemed as if it would melt into the darkness and disappear completely.

As soon as Ariante returned to her room, she collapsed onto the bed as if all the strength had drained from her body. Maiana sat under the bed and gently took Ariante’s hand.

“Lady, are you okay?”

Ariante, who had been silent, turned her head slightly.

“Maiana, I smell alcohol.”

Upon hearing this, Maiana jokingly moved her upper body away.

“I’m sorry. Shall I go and get rid of it?”

“Why did you drink?”

Maiana’s eyes shifted with hesitation.

“Lord Jemero gave it to me.”

Ariante let out a deep sigh. Although it was cute how Maiana imitated an adult, showing a somewhat pitiful expression, Maiana did not smile. Instead, she touched Ariante’s hand again and asked.

“Are you okay?”

Ariante’s lips moved slightly upward.

“I don’t need a brother.”

“Did you say that to Lord?”

The fingers of the fidgeting child went limp.

“Father pitied that child. He said there’s no one to take care of the child.”

“I heard that too.”

“I have Father… and also Maiana, and Ventis, but that child has no one.”

“Yes, my lady, I understand.”

When Maiana replied in a low voice, Ariante suddenly sat up. With a stubborn expression, tears gathered again in her swollen eyes.

“Come here, my lady.”

Maiana extended her arms, and Ariante slid into her embrace, bursting into loud sobs. She poured out her tears as if she couldn’t bear the sorrow, without even struggling.

“I don’t want another child to come…,” Ariante sobbed. Maiana, holding the crying child, sighed while patting her back. Ariante probably wouldn’t cry like this in front of Cedelois. The fear that had piled up in Ariante still remained. It was a fear that, even as a child, she couldn’t express in tears.

“I understand, my lady.”

“I don’t need a brother. Huh, ugh… I hate Father bringing another child. I hate it…”

Maiana, holding Ariante, tightened her grip. Ariante cried loudly as if unable to endure the pain.

“If you really hate it, my lady, should I talk to Lord again? I can help a little this time.”

However, with a pouting expression, Ariante lowered her head. Whether it meant ‘I hate it’ or ‘It’s useless,’ her reaction was ambiguous.

“Do you hate it?”

When Maiana asked, Ariante wrinkled her forehead.

“But it’s useless.”

“You won’t know until you try.”

Ariante shook her head. The child, who had been sniffling, wiped the floor with a determined thud.

“If that child bullies me, will Father take my side?”