How long had they cried? The somewhat calmed siblings blankly stared into space. Though their tears had stopped, their mental state remained dazed as before. All of their eyes were red and their faces swollen.

The siblings did not want their parents to divorce.

Even Bernard, the second eldest and oldest among them, was just a young boy. Their parents’ divorce would naturally have a huge impact on their lives, and their father’s absence would leave a great wound.

Even for me who had lived one life already, this situation was painful – how much more heartbreaking must it be for the siblings?

“…We need to pull ourselves together.”

“……”

“……”

I was the only one who reacted to Felicia’s words, meeting her eyes.

“Those idiots are no help. Lize, let’s stop Father and Mother’s divorce on our own.”

“……”

“Lize.”

When I didn’t respond either, Felicia came up to me. With a determined face, she pinched my arm hard.

“I know you’re listening, so say something.”

“At least give me some response. When you don’t answer, it feels like you’re ignoring me.”

“Okay.”

As I nodded, Felicia frowned deeply in dissatisfaction.

“We have to stop our parents’ divorce.”

“Okay.”

“You don’t want our parents to divorce either, right?”

“Okay.”

“Do you know how to say anything besides ‘okay’?”

Felicia raised her voice. Her sensitivity made my mood flare up too. My heart was heavy and my mind troubled, and I couldn’t understand why she was provoking me.

Angered, I glared back at Felicia fiercely. Whether they divorced or not, I was the biggest victim in this situation. Why did no one seem to understand that?

“Just what kind of answer are you looking for from me?”

Even I was surprised by how sharp my voice came out.

“…You’re the wisest and smartest among us, so at least try to think of a solution.”

“A solution?”

“Yes.”

“If this was simply caused by some incident, I wouldn’t be agonizing like this.”

“What?”

“But it’s not. On the surface, there was the conflict over Mother’s research, but Mother no longer trusts Father. You know the reason why too, elder sister.”

“…But if they somehow reconcile and open up about their circumstances…”

“It’s discontent built up over at least ten years, maybe more. Do you think that can be resolved with just one day of conversation? Even if we’re lucky enough to solve this situation well now, Father and Mother will just end up fighting again before long!”

“So we just sit back and watch?”

Felicia’s voice was full of edge too. As she and I glared at each other, the siblings around us reacted.

“There’s nothing we can do.”

“Of course there is!”

“Felicia, Lize. Both of you, calm down.”

Bernard intervened between us. The twins who had been quiet also started trying to stop me and Felicia.

“You only use your head for situations that benefit you! Lize!”

“You can’t use your head in any situation!”

Felicia and I glared at each other, locked in a battle of wills.

I was ready to pick apart every word Felicia threw at me, to speak of all the unfair treatment I’d endured and my position in the Marsen family. I was also prepared to expose in detail that vile heart and personality of hers that only sought me out when needed.

“You two, stop it already! Will anything change if we fight amongst ourselves?”

“……”

“……”

“Please!”

Bernard, in a bitter mood, unleashed anger he rarely showed. They say it’s scary when someone who doesn’t usually get angry gets mad.

That saying proved true. His cheeks were flushed red, and his already bloodshot eyes flashed. His shoulders, which were usually hunched, were now squared, and his gestures to stop me and Felicia were rough.

Bernard looked back and forth between me and Felicia, letting out a deep sigh.

The most pushover among the siblings now seemed the scariest person in the world.

“Felicia!”

Felicia pushed Bernard’s hand away and stormed out of the room. Bernard called out belatedly, but it was no use. I had no reason to stay here either.

As I too tried to leave like Felicia, Bernard urgently grabbed my arm.

“…Lize, let’s talk again in the evening. I’ll call Felicia. So… you’ll come, right?”

“……”

“Lize.”

“…I have violin lessons with Roger today. I’ll probably be late.”

With those final words, I stepped over the threshold.

“Hey, Lize. That’s not the right note.”

“…Okay.”

“Did something happen?”

Roger, who had been applying rosin, stared at my face. The creaky playing stopped. My arm was hurting, so I took the opportunity to put down the violin.

“Roger, does eternal happiness really exist?”

“What’s with the old man talk? Baron Kito didn’t say something harsh to you, did he?”

“Baron Kito is kind though?”

“Then brighten up that expression. Your ugly face looks even uglier.”

“…Yurik said I was pretty though.”

When I mumbled that, Roger’s face suddenly turned fierce.

“What did you say?”

“Never mind. Let’s play again. I really want to perform this piece perfectly.”

“…What performance? How can you practice with that dead look on your face? Hurry back to the mansion and rest.”

Roger, who never skipped lessons even when burning with fever, strangely put down his bow easily today.

Of all days, when I didn’t want to go back to the mansion! As I dawdled, Roger watched my actions with a suspicious look.

Though I don’t want to return to the mansion, I can’t focus on practice with this gloomy mood, as Roger said. It would be more efficient to meet Baron Kito and play chess late into the night.

I put the bow and violin I was holding into the case.

“Hey, Lize. You’re going straight back to the mansion, right?”

“……”

I couldn’t answer easily. If I said I was going to play chess after stopping violin lessons, Roger would surely be upset. As I hesitated, Roger seemed to grasp the meaning of my silence and put his hands on his hips with a displeased face.

“You’re going to Baron Kito.”

“…Opportunities to see the Baron often are rare. Besides, today was originally the day for chess.”

“Is Yurik Penton going with you?”

“It’s not so much going together as… I’m going to where Yurik is staying. Usually at this time, Baron Kito is at Duke Penton’s house.”

Hearing my words, Roger was silent for a while before he started packing up his violin case. Like me, he put the violin inside, then took out one of the brooches from the closet and carelessly pinned it to his shirt.

Finally, standing in front of the mirror, Roger straightened his slightly bent waist, seemingly satisfied after fixing his curly hair.

“Then I’ll go with you too.”

“You too?”

“Yes. Duke and Duchess Penton wanted me to come to the Duke’s house again. Baron Kito liked me too, so there shouldn’t be any problem if I come.”

He spoke with confidence. I didn’t mind Roger’s company either. Rather, I welcomed having a conversation partner on the lonely road.

“I’ll tell them to prepare the carriage. Before that, I should write a note to Mother.”

Roger started moving busily even though I hadn’t agreed yet. He took out a small piece of paper and dipped it in ink. I glanced at it, and it was terrible handwriting. I couldn’t make out the letters, so my gaze was caught there for a long time.

Finally, I was able to read the sentence ‘Went to Duke Penton’s house, so don’t worry too much.’

“Come to think of it, where did the lady go?”

“Mother has been doing charity work again lately. She comes home late at night, probably working somewhere far.”

Roger proudly listed his mother’s achievements for several minutes, as if boasting about her.

Who would doubt he was a son who dearly loved his mother? In the end, time was wasted, and I had to interrupt Roger’s words.

However, Roger seemed to have more to boast about, as he opened his mouth as soon as we got in the carriage. Watching Roger’s lips move incessantly, I turned my gaze to the window. The sky looked lonely.

“You’re lucky.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“…Just that you look happy.”

If only the Marsen family resembled the Bakus family even half as much, we wouldn’t be this unhappy.

As expected, Roger and Yurik started growling at each other as soon as they met.

Yune watched Roger from afar with passive behavior. Meanwhile, Baron Kito and I moved the pieces on the chessboard placed between us.

“You seem to have gotten used to this opening.”

Baron Kito examined the opening I had made one by one, then pointed to the pieces with his finger.

“Of course it can be a strength, but it’s too defensive. So it’s good to learn various openings. You should have multiple approaches that suit you.”

“What kind of opening would be good?”

“How about giving a little opening? Charging in isn’t always bad, Lize. I understand your cautious approach of trying to make the best move, but playing well from the opening can actually be a waste of strength. The important thing in chess is not the opening but the endgame, you see.”

“……”

“Don’t dwell on the results from the opening, as long as it’s not the worst move. Always remember that you can turn things around.”

I fell into deep thought at Baron Kito’s advice.

“The conclusion is, don’t be afraid from the opening.”

“Hello.

You’re probably wondering if it’s really Lize Marsen writing after such a long time.

To explain, I’ve been busy and met many new people lately. You must be curious about this, but given the urgent situation, I’ll explain in detail later.

The reason I’m writing is that unfortunately, there’s a big problem in our family. It’s about Mother and Father.

What’s even more unfortunate is that the only person who can solve this problem is you, elder brother.

I know you’re very busy. I know you’re studying day and night for the upcoming tests, but right now the Marsen family desperately needs you.

So I hope you can come to the mansion.

As soon as you read this letter. I’ll be waiting for you.

−From Lize Marsen, who loves her elder brother−”

The young man carefully folded the letter twice and put it in his pocket.

He got up and took out a bag from on top of the wardrobe, stuffing clothes and items into it indiscriminately. At his busy actions, his freckled roommate looked at the handsome blonde.

“What are you doing?”

“I need to go back to the mansion.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? There’s an important club meeting in a week.”

The blonde closed his bag and shrugged.

“Can’t be helped. Something important came up.”

“Did something happen with your family, Rodney?”

At the boy’s question, Rodney dramatically clutched his chest, pretending to be distraught.

“That may be part of it, but my lovely little sister is desperately looking for me. I have no choice but to go see her right away.”