Even though there had been several eclipse nights since he was 5, he had handled it well without his parents knowing, so there seemed to be no need to worry.

Well, he’ll handle it himself.

However, what I didn’t understand was why Duke Ferdia had suggested a family dinner tonight.

“Grow strong and don’t bow to an eclipse, is that the meaning?”

But does he not care about me, who might be shocked by my sons’ powers?

Anyway, I had to attend the onceamonth family dinner.

“Miss, try on the dress you bought with Master Karl last time.”

“You just bought it off the rack… Does it fit?”

“Hmm… It’s a bit big, but it’ll be okay. You’re still growing!”

“It’s for today, what’s okay about it?”

“Oh, this much is fine.”

By the time the maid and I had prepared for the family dinner, it was time.

Outside, where the moon hadn’t risen, was so dark that I was afraid to step out.

“Let’s go, Miss. The road is invisible, so we have to go slowly.”

“Alright.”

Following the maid holding a lantern, I headed to the main house. Amazingly, I didn’t meet a single servant on the way.

“Looks like everyone doesn’t want to die. Not a nose in sight.”

The memory of the blackout caused by Karl three years ago was still clear in people’s minds.

My muttering made the maid gradually retreat.

“So, I’m going to run away to my quarters.”

“…What about me?”

“Enjoy your meal!”

“Maid!”

Arriving at the dining hall, the maid hastily ran away. There was not a trace of loyalty to me in sight.

I was abandoned by my personal maid and entered the dining hall alone.

It was natural that I, living alone in the annex, would be the last to arrive.

“I’m sorry I’m late.”

“It’s alright, Elodie. It must have been dark on the night of the eclipse. You arrived without falling.”

After greeting the gracious Duchess, I took my seat.

The amusebouche was served.

I observed the atmosphere of the Ferdia people as I ate.

The Duchess, not being one of the four great houses and having no power, was passed.

The Duke had powerful control, so pass.

As for Karl…

“You’ve improved your control quite a bit, Karl.”

“Thank you, Father. I haven’t been playing for the last 3 years.”

This year, unlike three years ago, Karl proudly smiled, saying that he had perfectly controlled his power.

The Duke answered casually, without mockery or ridicule.

“That’s right. Destroying only your bedroom is quite impressive.”

“Cough.”

Karl pretended to enjoy the taste of the food, avoiding the subject.

Showing off, and yet he ended up destroying one bedroom.

And finally, Yansi.

Yansi was eating with a smile on his face, as usual. He was a bit quiet, but kindly responded to the Duchess and Karl.

As the day was the day, I could clearly see Yansi’s effort in my eyes.
And the fact that he looked somewhat troubled.

“He’s sweating.”

The Duchess, who had taken a sip of wine, looked at Yansi cutting the steak with a smiling face.

“Today, the food doesn’t seem to diminish much, Yansi.”

“Ah, actually, I ate a lot of snacks at teatime. I don’t have an appetite.”

“You ate so much even though you don’t like sweets.”

“That’s true.”

Yansi, who was conversing gently with the Duchess, slowly put down the utensils.

“I’ll go wash my hands for a moment.”

“Okay.”

Yansi quickly stepped out of the banquet hall as soon as the Duke gave permission.

It seemed as if he was leaving nonchalantly, but his steps were somehow urgent.

I sipped the water and observed the atmosphere of the family during the meal.

The atmosphere, where they usually don’t talk much, was the same. They all just shoved wellcooked food into their mouths with blank faces.

No one noticed Yansi’s strange behavior.

‘Why do I have to be the only one who knows!’

My conscience pricked my good heart, making it hard to just ignore it.

Yet, I didn’t particularly want to interfere in Yansi’s business, who doesn’t even like me.

While grimacing and pondering, my eyes fell on the utensils that Yansi had held earlier.

How much force he must have endured, the knife was slightly bent.

I can’t do this.

I couldn’t just ignore it since I knew of Yansi’s pain, even if I didn’t know it.

I can’t be certain whether I can help Yansi, but I can’t just stand idly by.

“I’ll also wash my hands for a moment.”

“Go on.”

The Duke, who had looked at me for a moment, nodded.

Leaving the banquet hall, I set out to find Yansi.

‘Yansi Ferdia, gloomy and with a split personality, won’t be in a place where people come and go.’

Then, the place where Yansi would be was already decided.

Six years ago, it would be the garden where I was on the night of the lunar eclipse. It’s near the outbuilding and secluded, so people don’t often pass by.

I took a lantern and headed straight for the garden.

The reason I was seeking Yansi, who pretends outwardly and hates me, was the debt in my heart.

During the previous Angelos military supplies incident, I took the solution that the future Yansi would propose as my credit.

Yansi might not know, but it has been bothering me.

“Ugh…….”

As soon as I entered the garden, I heard a moan.

I knew who it was without looking.

A large shadow crouching between the bushes in the dark garden.

Yansi, who was in agony from an outbreak of power, wouldn’t remember, but this was not my first time seeing Yansi’s hunched back.

Seeing him in pain brought back memories of the past.

Six years ago, I had accidentally seen Yansi crouched in a corner of the garden.

Because it was a garden not far from the outbuilding.

The young me, who had come outside on a moonless night with curious thoughts, was startled to see Yansi in agony.

“Brother……?”

“Kuk…. Huk…….”

“Yansi, are you okay?”

“……Get lost.”

“What?”

“Get lost!”

Yansi’s angry face made me shrink in surprise.

Yansi’s blue eyes shone sharply in the light of the lantern I was holding.

I secretly liked Yansi.

Unlike Carlott, who hated me, Yansi was the only one in the family who treated me like a sibling, calling me by the nickname ‘Lili.’

“Please, get lost. I’m begging you…….”

“I’m, I’m sorry!”

His fading voice made me drop the lantern and run towards the outbuilding.

Yansi’s true face, seen for the first time without pretense.

I realized that was Yansi’s real nature.

What was surprising was that Yansi’s attitude towards me after that day was no different from usual.

As if he didn’t remember what happened on the night of the lunar eclipse.

Now that I even know the original story, I realized why Yansi was like that…….
‘그래도 나를 싫어한다는 사실은 변함없지.’

이제 얀시도 발견했으니 빚을 갚을 차례였다.

나는 원작에서 에스텔이 햇살 파워로 오라버니를 치유하던 장면을 떠올렸다.

‘폭주해서 권능을 제어하지 못하는 얀시를 끌어안고 토닥토닥 위로해 줬었나?’

우웩. 그건 좀.

자신이 권능에 당할지도 모르는데도 얀시를 위해 몸을 내던진 에스텔의 진심에 마음의 문을 열였다는 묘사가 있었다.

“마음의 문까지 열 필욘 없고.”

폭주 직전의 얀시를 진정시키는 게 타인의 토닥임이라면, 내가 에스텔이 아니라 해도 상관없을 것이다.

나는 혹시나 얀시가 폭주해서 내가 위험할지도 모르니 최대한 떨어진 후 팔만 힘껏 뻗어서 얀시의 등을 두드렸다.

“헉, 허억…….”

“괜찮아요.”

“……흐윽.”

“괜찮다.”

“……큭.”

“괜찮소.”

“…….”

“괜찮을지도?”

나는 대충 괜찮다는 느낌의 말을 해 주며 얀시를 열심히 두드려 주었다.

사실 그런 생각도 없지 않았다.

6년 전의 일을 얀시가 까맣게 잊었듯, 어차피 오늘 일도 기억 못 할 테니까.

그러자 발작하던 얀시의 몸이 놀랍게도 잠잠해지기 시작했다.