<Episode 12>
"Huh? A Four-leaf Clover? Did you find it?"
"No, Herwin gave it to me."
"Is that so?"
After a brief silence, Lucas spoke again.
"...But why did you suddenly say you like Herwin? You never said anything like that before."
Lucas was quite uncomfortable with the idea of his younger sister liking someone. Still, he wasn't too upset since it was someone he knew well.
More than anything, he was curious about his sister's sudden change of heart.
"...Herwin saved me."
"You mean he saved you from that dog back then?"
Lucia nodded. Her face was already flushed red. Seeing her like that, as if she genuinely liked Herwin, Lucas was deeply shocked.
"Wow... this is something..."
Lucia, oblivious to her brother's strange reaction beside her, stared at the Music Box Henry was playing with.
Looking at the Four-leaf Clover, she vividly pictured Herwin appearing like a hero.
'Get away from Lucia!'
His reliable back protecting her, his face tense with worry, and his red eyes burning with determination.
Now, just hearing the name Herwin made her heart pound and her face flush.
Lucia fidgeted for no reason before lifting her head. Herwin's door was still firmly closed.
"I hope he's not too sick..."
She was worried about Herwin, whose face had turned pale after hearing her confession yesterday.
At first, she was heartbroken and on the verge of tears from being rejected, but more than that, his terrified expression haunted her.
Lucia didn't move from her spot, hoping that Herwin wouldn't be in pain.
Even after Lucas and Henry left, Lucia steadfastly remained.
* * *
"...So that's what happened."
Inside Herwin's room, where entry was restricted.
The doctor, the Duke and Duchess, and Herwin were in the room.
After a long period of persuasion and coaxing, they were finally able to hear firsthand about the trauma Herwin had been suffering from.
Even after telling them himself, Herwin was worried that he would be blamed.
The reason he had hidden his pain until now was because those who had tormented him were children of Gods.
Whether he liked it or not, he would have to continue to face them.
Someday he would inherit the Dukedom, and those who had tormented him would also become Gods of the Peneus family, following in their parents' footsteps, so he couldn't rashly worsen their relationship.
He knew very well that they no longer acted the same way as before and, unlike before, were now wary of him.
Nevertheless, he was tormented by the memories of the past that popped up from time to time.
However, Herwin had always pretended to be fine even when facing them.
Of course, he would reflexively act prickly towards them, but that was just a defense mechanism that came out instinctively.
Everything would be resolved if only he endured it.
Herwin didn't think he could be understood.
If they knew he was suffering from something like this, others, including his parents, would criticize him for being troubled by such a trivial matter and say that he was not qualified to lead the future Peneus.
As the heir to the Dukedom, he must never be weak. Hadn't Hyle and Scarlet repeatedly said that?
Preparing himself for the words that would come his way, Herwin squeezed his eyes shut. His delicate shoulders trembled.
"You've suffered so much, all alone, all this time."
Suddenly, he felt warmth. When he opened his eyes, he saw shimmering black hair right in front of him.
Herwin was greatly taken aback when Hyle, who was usually a stern father, hugged him. Then, he felt an even heavier weight.
"I'm sorry your mother and I realized so late. It must have been so hard for you?"
It was Scarlet. Before he knew it, Herwin was sandwiched between his parents.
A strong hand stroking his head and a warm hand patting his back. Even without any special words of comfort, it was enough for Herwin.
Herwin's face contorted, and tears streamed down his face.
"Mom... Dad..."
Large tears fell like raindrops. Hyle and Scarlet felt their hearts ache at the fact that their son had been suffering so much all this time.
The two held Herwin tightly until he stopped crying.
After some time, when he had calmed down a bit, Herwin accepted the doctor's suggestion.
"It's a trauma that you've been suffering from for quite some time. It's not something that will disappear overnight. Let's gradually overcome it through counseling with me."
"Okay, I understand."
"How is your body feeling now? Is your heart racing like yesterday, or do you feel nauseous?"
"I'm fine now."
"I see. Then, would you be okay with meeting Agnes' children?"
"Uh..."
Herwin looked flustered. He thought of Lucas and Lucia's faces.
Lucas was fine. But when he thought of Lucia, his heart started pounding again.
But it was difficult to just cut it off and say he was uncomfortable.
He felt good, but also strangely uncomfortable, and he didn't know how to explain it.
"I don't know..."
"Do you feel uncomfortable like you did yesterday?"
Herwin shook his head.
"Then, would you be okay with meeting them?"
He hesitated for a moment before barely nodding.
"I understand. For now, please rest well today, and if you suddenly feel anxious, please call me."
"Okay, I will."
"Then, I will excuse myself now."
The doctor got up from his seat. Hyle followed the doctor out into the hallway.
"How is he doing?"
"Yes, the young master is strong. I'm sure he will overcome it soon if he continues to receive counseling."
"I see, that's a relief."
"However, it would be best to avoid having him encounter the children he had conflicts with for the time being."
"I'll take care of that."
"And there is another problem."
"What is it?"
"As expected, it seems that the young master collapsed because of the confession from the Agnes young lady."
Hyle's eyebrows twitched at the mention of Lucia.
"It's fortunate that the young master doesn't dislike the Agnes young lady too much, but it would be best to be careful as something like this could happen again."
"Hmm, I see..."
"Why me?"
A youthful, warbling voice interrupted their conversation.
Looking down, Lucia was standing there with wide eyes.
"Is Herwin very sick?"
"How long have you been here?"
Hyle, who had been startled by the doctor, quickly regained his composure and asked Lucia.
"A little while ago. I went to the bathroom and came back."
Lucia innocently pointed to where she had come from.
"Is Herwin very sick? Is that why I can't see him?"
Lucia hugged the Music Box tightly and asked. Her large blue eyes were filled with worry that didn't suit her age.
Hyle looked down at Lucia for a moment before bending down to meet her eye level.
"Are you very worried about Herwin?"
"Yes, his face didn't look good yesterday. Is it... because of me?"
Lucia's eyes drooped. She instinctively realized that this had happened because of her.
"It's not like that, so you don't have to worry too much. He'll be healthy again tomorrow."
"Really? That's a relief..."
Her dark face brightened. Hyle stroked the little head of the child, whose emotions were so clearly displayed on her face, finding her adorable.
"Lucia, can you make a promise with me?"
"A promise?"
"Yes, you confessed to Herwin in front of everyone yesterday, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"I hope you won't do that again in the future."
"Why? Does Herwin not like me?"
Lucia's face contorted, and she looked like she was about to burst into tears. Hyle, flustered, quickly added.
"No, it's not like that. Um, I don't know how to explain this..."
"The young master doesn't like being the center of attention."
The doctor explained in Hyle's place.
"Many people saw the young lady confessing yesterday. But the young master extremely dislikes being the center of attention. So, even if you like the young master, please don't show it."
"So... it's not that Herwin doesn't like me?"
"Of course not, why would Herwin dislike you? You're a precious friend."
"Um... then it's okay to confess when there's no one else around, right?"
"...Huh?"
"Okay, from now on, I'll do it where no one can see. Promise."
Lucia hooked her little finger with Hyle's little finger, which was awkwardly floating in the air, and made a promise.
"Then, I'll come again tomorrow. Please tell Herwin I said hello."
Lucia bowed politely and scurried away.
"...That's not what I meant."
Hyle's lips uttered a hollow word, but the person who should have heard it was not there.
* * *
"I missed you, Hyung!"
The children, who had been playing in the playroom for a while, greeted Herwin, who had finally appeared, with joy.
Henry, in particular, was the first to hug Herwin. Herwin was surprised at first, but soon skillfully picked up his younger brother.
"Did you have fun playing without me yesterday?"
"No! It was so boring without Hyung!"
"What are you talking about? We had fun doing puzzles together yesterday."
Lucas playfully retorted in the middle, and Henry glared at him.
"How's your body? Are you feeling better?"
"Yeah, I'm fine now."
Herwin, who was acting as usual, paused for a moment when he saw Lucia appear behind Lucas.
He was greatly shaken, to the point where Henry noticed.
Lucia also paused for a moment at his unusual behavior, but soon took a step forward.
"Are you okay? Does anything still hurt?"
"Huh? Uh, uh..."
Herwin was noticeably awkward, avoiding Lucia's eyes.
As Lucas and Henry looked puzzled, Lucia grabbed Herwin's hand.
"Come on! Let's play a fun game!"
"Huh? Wait a minute...!"
Herwin was dragged away by Lucia's hand. Lucas and Henry, who were left behind, stared blankly at the two of them.
"What's wrong with them?"
"Hyung is weird today."
In the distance, Lucia could be seen handing her toys to Herwin.
Lucas and Henry looked at each other before joining the two of them.
It was a slightly different, but otherwise ordinary, everyday life.
* * *
"So, this is..."
Lucia stayed close to Herwin, chattering and telling him fun stories.
Herwin, who had been quietly listening to her, suddenly looked at Lucia's profile.
When he faced Lucia again, Herwin was reminded of the day he had collapsed. To be honest, he was confused and worried that she might confess again.
But for some reason, she acted as if she had never confessed, behaving no differently than before.
But something felt off.
"And, if you do this to it..."
Lucia, who had been talking non-stop, suddenly shut her mouth.
When he turned his head, he saw someone passing by.
Only after that person had moved far away did Lucia continue what she had been saying.
If he had to say what had changed the most, it was this.
Whenever someone was nearby, Lucia would invariably shut her mouth or temporarily distance herself from Herwin, showing a peculiar behavior.
At first, Herwin was anxious that someone might see him with Lucia, but rather than that, Lucia's more secretive behavior made his anxiety subside.
It had been five days since that incident. Herwin had regained his stability.
"...Herwin, are you listening to me?"
"Huh?"
"You weren't listening, were you?"
Lucia pouted with a sulky expression.
"...Why are you looking at me like that?"
Lucia turned her head, feeling awkward as Herwin stared at her silently.
"Because it seems like you don't like me anymore."
Herwin chuckled and felt relieved.
"That's a relief. I guess what you said back then was a lie..."
Herwin couldn't finish his sentence. Lucia's face had turned bright red.
