“My younger brother doesn’t know anything.”

He doesn’t know how difficult it was for that child. He doesn’t know the heart that ran like a moth to a strange place, unable to see the possibilities given to her because she didn’t receive love.

Julieta’s memory, which remained in me like fragments, stirred my heart. The traces left by that child pained my heart.

“If you’re not told, you can’t blossom your talent. If you’re not praised, you don’t know if you’re doing well or not. That’s how important the surrounding environment is.”

In my previous life, I had a family who took care of me. They supported what I did and when I struggled, they encouraged me saying it was okay. That’s how I knew. Having someone supportive around you produces completely different results than not having anyone.

Realizing my expression had darkened, Wizlet apologized to me.

“I’m sorry, Julieta. I know what I did was for you, but in the end it was no different from acting on my own. It’s okay if you get angry or curse. Just don’t make such a tearful expression.”

Those words made my heart swell. The comfort from family slowly sank the stirring feelings below the surface. Julieta is no longer here, but the memories and feelings that child cherished remained with me.

Perhaps the reason it subsided so easily was because Wizlet said the words he desperately wanted to hear.

Because Julieta thought no one cared about her. My heart swelled with joy at Wizlet’s kind words saying it’s okay to get angry or curse, just don’t make such a tearful expression.

The child-like heart so desperately craving affection made me feel like my eyes would redden even more.

“……Who’s crying? I won’t cry over something like this.”

“That’s good, but if you really think my actions were selfish, you can hit me once……”

Before Wizlet could finish speaking, I lightly tapped his head with my scabbard.

“I wasn’t finished talking, my lovely little sister?”

“You said I could hit you.”

Little brother, I’ll let this go with just one tap. I’ll resolve my hurt feelings with that one light hit. So I hoped that he would continue to think of me without changing in the future.

Because that was the best thing I could do for that child who had left.

“I think I got a lump on my head.”

He was carefully cradling the spot where I had tapped him with the scabbard. I didn’t even hit him that hard. What an exaggeration.

“Don’t exaggerate.”

“Julieta, you seem to have gotten stronger than before? Are you still practicing swordsmanship?”

“I am. Since coming here, I’ve grown to like swords even more. I train with the Blue Knights, and Yezar teaches me and corrects my form.”

“Seems like he’s been quite helpful……”

The surprise was evident on his face. Well, he probably didn’t know that Yezar was even helping with my swordsmanship.

“I’ve been saying he’s been helpful. Later, apologize to Yezar in front of me. Understood?”

“Alright.”

Now he responds quite well. It was fortunate that his doubts had mostly faded and his attitude had become docile. Wizlet spoke while looking at the scabbard I was holding.

“I’m glad you’re learning swordsmanship here too.”

“Of course. My skills have improved much more than when I was at the Count’s manor.”

With Yezar even sparring with me, it would be stranger if I hadn’t improved.

“It reminds me of when you first said you wanted to learn swordsmanship. You don’t know how shocked the knights of the Orbetian Count’s family were back then.”

“But they ended up helping me well later, didn’t they?”

“Well, that’s because I deliberately pressured them then. I told them to let you do as you please. However, I said if they were curious what would happen if they told Father about this, they could try it.”

“Isn’t that a threat?”

“Maybe it was a threat?”

The way he admitted it might have been a threat was so typical of Wizlet.

‘Wizlet sincerely wanted me to learn swordsmanship. I didn’t know those details back then.’

“Thank you. I didn’t know then so I couldn’t say it. I wanted to say thank you even now.”

“You don’t need to thank me for something that was due to my selfishness. Julieta, don’t let Father find out that you’re learning swordsmanship here.”

“Because he’ll stop me from wielding a sword anymore?”

“That too, but you know. Father even disposed of all her belongings because it was hard for him to see traces of Mother.”

I did know, but saying it like that made me realize how deep Father’s grief must have been after losing his wife. Because even in my memories, he had erased all traces of living together.

“But little brother, what if I want to learn more swordsmanship? If I say I want to become a knight, will you stop me?”

Wizlet chuckled at my cautious question.

“I know it’s not what Father would want. But whatever you do, it’s your choice. I want you to be happy doing what you like, Julieta.”

“Then can I continue to be stubborn?”

I asked if I could do as I wanted, as selfishly as I wished, rather than understanding and giving up. Wizlet answered me with a bright smile.

“Do as you want. You’re the most important, after all.”

I’m the most important. What should always take priority is my heart. My heart naturally warmed. It felt like a thrilling warmth was enveloping me.

“Thank you, elder brother.”

“You only call me elder brother at times like this.”

“When else would I call you that?”

Wizlet laughed at my playful words. And just as our conversation was ending, Yezar knocked on the door.

“Did the siblings have a good talk?”

“The tea took too long.”

“Yes. I’m not very good at brewing tea.”

He answered nonchalantly, as if he hadn’t deliberately given us space. I pretended not to notice that lie.

***

Wizlet apologized to Yezar for the rudeness he had committed. Yezar said it was fine and that he would have misunderstood too if he were in Wizlet’s position.

Afterwards, we went to eat lunch in a cordial atmosphere. But I thought I might get indigestion from their conversation.

“So I took care to cultivate the garden for my wife to enjoy. It’s spring now, so the flowers are blooming.”

“The garden I saw was pretty, but I didn’t know you put in effort for Julieta. Come to think of it, I remember Julieta once approached flowers blooming in the garden without realizing there were bugs on them?”

“Yes. And then?”

“An insect suddenly stuck to her cheek and she screamed in shock. The whole Count’s manor was in an uproar.”

“Is that so? It must have been very cute.”

“Cute? She was about fourteen years old at the time.”

When did he stop being wary and suspicious? Wizlet was now casually spilling my embarrassing past.

“Still, I think it must have been cute. I doubt there’s ever a time when my wife isn’t cute.”

And Yezar, with a brighter face than usual, was showering me with various praises and calling me cute, as if to show how close they were getting.

Thanks to them, my face was on the verge of turning bright red.

“S-Stop! Stop talking about me.”

“But I’m curious about aspects of my wife that I don’t know.”

“I haven’t even started yet, Julieta.”

Then they started conversing amongst themselves, ignoring me. It was only after a few more embarrassing stories I couldn’t even remember and a few more cringeworthy comments about me that their conversation finally ended.

“So even though our Julieta can be clumsy and make mistakes usually, it’ll be fine if you look after her cutely and take care of her, brother-in-law.”

“I’ll take good care of your sister while you’re away, so don’t worry.”

The title of Duke had somehow become brother-in-law, and Yezar was naturally calling him brother-in-law while smiling. What was so good that they were talking like that amongst themselves? Making others feel so embarrassed.

“Really, do neither of you care about me at all?”

“How could that be, my wife?”

“We care, that’s why we’re making these requests.”

I took a deep breath and exhaled, then ordered Wizlet.

“Wizlet, if you’re done eating, go on a date already.”

“Already? But I wanted to talk more.”

When I glared at him in response, he quietly put down the utensils he was holding. Then he subtly cradled the head I had tapped with the scabbard.

I grabbed Wizlet by the scruff of his neck and dragged him out.

“Julieta, isn’t this treatment a bit much for a brother who came to visit after a long time?”

“I never had a brother who would sell his little sister’s embarrassing stories to her husband.”

At my cold reply, Wizlet finally apologized for his mistake. I let go of the collar I had been gripping.

“So, your new sister-in-law is waiting. Are you going to keep staying here?”

“No. I should go now. I’ve had a meal, and I can’t interfere with the hot newlyweds… Ow!”

Only after taking one more hit from me did he finally quiet that mouth of his.

‘He really asks for it.’

Yezar was watching our bickering from behind with a smile. Since he doesn’t have siblings, this must all seem very novel to him.

Just before boarding the carriage he had arrived in, Wizlet whispered to me in a small voice.

“I hope you’re doing well, Julieta. Even political marriages don’t have to be cold. It seems Duke Perhaem has feelings for you too.”

Fool. This isn’t a political marriage. But I couldn’t tell Wizlet, who was smiling and wishing for my happiness, that this time would disappear like a mirage in two years.

‘I’m sorry, little brother. Actually, I’m the one who hasn’t been honest with you.’

I buried the lie I couldn’t tell him deep inside. Because if he found out, Wizlet’s face would become sad.

“Yes. I’ll live happily, so don’t worry.”

Even knowing I would regret not telling the truth now if it was ever discovered, I smiled and lied.