When The Silver Bell Of Charlotte's Pharmacy Rings (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 28

“Why is that so unfair? You know very well, Older Brother. I have neither mother nor father, and no close relatives to care for me. If it hadn’t been for Duke Elinak and the Duchess—your parents—I would have ended up wandering the streets, dying horribly or sold off somewhere. Since Elder Brother Rayven passed away so suddenly, I’m alone again, yet you tell me it’s wrong for me to care for you?”

Matthiel’s brow furrowed deeply.

Rubbing his temples like someone suffering from a headache, he looked down at Edesa again with a cold expression.

“How old were you, Edesa, when my parents brought you into the ducal household? Four? Five? As you said yourself, a child so young, left utterly alone without parents, would have inevitably been sold off or died. My father fulfilled his duty by taking you in, however distant the kinship. Since my elder brother favored you and you looked up to him, they arranged your engagement. That decision belonged entirely to you and my brother—it had nothing whatsoever to do with me. Now that he’s gone, do you really think it’s not shamelessly presumptuous to try and transfer that obligation onto me?”

“Oh…”

“I’m not finished yet. You’re no longer four or five—you’re twenty-five. His Majesty the King, considering your circumstances and plight, has permitted you to reside in the royal capital, and out of sympathy for your situation, I’ve even handed over more than half of my late brother’s estate to you, despite your status as his fiancée. That should be more than enough for you to manage your own life now.”

Edesa’s plump, red lips pressed tightly shut.

Though her tear-streaked face looked pitiful enough to make anyone want to embrace her, it wasn’t enough to move Matthiel.

“You’re truly being too cruel.”

“How many times must I repeat the same words? I’ve clearly stated it’s you who’s being unfair. Remember this: if you bring this matter up again, I’ll treat you as a complete stranger. Out of the bond we formed growing up together, I’ll continue playing the role of your older brother for now. If you find someone to marry, I’ll even check whether he’s a decent sort—but don’t expect anything more from me. You, of all people, should know that’s utterly out of the question.”

Matthiel strode past the weeping Edesa and left the corridor.

Her maid wrapped her arms around Edesa’s shoulders as she sobbed into her hands, but her crying showed no sign of stopping.

* * *

Charlotte sat behind the counter as usual, trimming dried herbs, but she couldn’t focus at all.

She kept glancing toward the “Open for Business” sign and craned her neck to peer outside whenever a long shadow loitered near the door.

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