‘He’s the earl’s child, so the earl must raise him.’

A faint voice of a woman echoed in my ear. It was familiar. A little more, and I would know the owner of that voice.

Just a little more, just a little more.

The sound of stepping on fallen leaves swallowed the woman’s voice. Noise and vibration clashed around me. Soon, darkness spread, and everything stopped.

“……”

When I came to my senses, I was sitting up in bed.

Outside, the sound of birds was sharply heard. The maids were already up, hanging the laundry, and the butlers were checking the stable and carriage.

From the kitchen, there was a faint aroma of bread baking.

Outside the window, dawn was breaking.

When I went out to drink water, I saw the twins up early. They were energetically running around the mansion from morning.

“Huh? Lise! Great. Do you want to play hide and seek? I’ll make you the seeker!”

“No. I just woke up.”

Swel spotted me first and spoke. When I declined to play, Swel chose a hiding place without much fuss.

As I went straight to the dining room, I saw Bernard and Felicia sitting down for breakfast. They seemed to have finished getting ready for school.

“Hello, Lise.”

“Hello.”

Felicia glanced at me and greeted me casually. Bernard did the same. I sat on the opposite side of them, drinking water and stretching my tired shoulders and waist.

“Going to school?”

“What are you talking about? We don’t have school today. It’s ‘Noble’s Day.'”

Felicia spoke. Ah, it’s already Noble’s Day.

It’s the day when nobles can take a break from all their work for three days out of the year. Ironically, the ones who actually toiled and sweated were the common people.

“But why are you up so early?”

“What? Why are you pretending not to know? We’re going to grandfather’s house today.”

“Felicia, she’s not going. Mother said she won’t take her.”

At Bernard’s words, Felicia closed her mouth, looking at my reaction. I quickly grasped the situation and didn’t say a word. I had expected it, but hearing it directly was still a shock.

‘I mustn’t let my heart weaken.’

To the north of the capital, a little farther away, lived my stern and picky grandfather. But despite his outward appearance, he was a person who loved his grandchildren very much.

Every birthday, he would send a large bundle of gifts. I was no exception.

But that didn’t mean my relationship with my grandfather was all good.

According to Rodney, when I was a newborn, my grandfather quite liked me. He was surprised by the sudden birth of a child but still always took care of me.

The problem began when it was discovered that I was a bastard.

As my hair color became more apparent as I grew, my grandfather’s suspicions began. The color of my eyes was one thing, but the hair color was something that could not have come from Isobel and father, so he found it suspicious, and soon realized I was a bastard.

From then on, my grandfather and I had a strange relationship where he couldn’t quite like me.

Both my grandfather and I were uncomfortable.

From the age of eight, our relationship grew more awkward, and while everyone played hand in hand with grandfather, I roamed alone. My grandfather also didn’t speak to me, standing alone, or pay any attention.

Then, when I was nine, I was sick with a cold and couldn’t go to my maternal home when the others went to grandfather’s house. They returned to the mansion with even bigger bundles of gifts. They all said that playing with grandfather was more fun than ever.
So, at the beginning of this year, through Isabel, I said I wouldn’t go to my grandfather’s mansion that day. I clearly said so…,

“Lise, you’re going too?”

As Bernard casually spoke, Felicia, who was beside him, poked his side. Bernard inhaled, realizing he had misspoken.

“I’m not going.”

“…Lise, if you want to go, you can. You can play with me there.”

Felicia carefully said. I felt that she wanted to comfort me.

“I’m fine. Just you and the others have a good time.”

I put down my glass with an indifferent expression. There was no reason to linger at the table after drinking water. Ignoring Felicia’s calling voice, I returned to my room.

My chest felt slightly heavy, as if my heart was being clenched.

As soon as I entered the room, I threw myself onto the bed. Since morning, I had been gloomy and uncomfortable.

I know. Last year, when I fell ill and didn’t visit the mansion, my grandfather was relieved. I understand. I understand… I tried to understand.

“Lise! Lise!”

I was hiding under the blanket, and the door flung open. It was Swell.

“You’re it! I keep getting caught. Huh? Huh?”

He didn’t know how I felt…!

As I remained still, Swell finally snatched my blanket and shook my shoulder. Somewhat angry, I threw a pillow at his face.

“Haha! What are you doing?”

“Get out!”

“…What?”

“Get out! Get out!”

Swell raised his voice, but no one could beat my mood now. As I pointed my finger towards the door, the surprised Swell quietly left the room.

“Alright, alright. I’m leaving!”