8 - I Healed the Male Lead's Trauma
Chapter 8
2. Obsession is Not Necessary for Extras (3)
Regardless of my feelings, the dinner that felt like it would choke me continued.
The Duke vaguely explained the members of the family to me and Hiakin. Meanwhile, the Duchess was engrossed in cutting and mashing her steak without uttering a single word.
“Your rooms will be prepared slowly, so in the meantime, you will use the guest room guided by Blair.”
“Thank you for your consideration. However, I think it would be sufficient for only Hiakin to move.”
I was careful to maintain an appropriate distance, as the Duke desired.
Each word from the Duke felt like a test for me.
He insisted on providing separate rooms again, but…
‘After all, I’ll be leaving in six months, so why bother?’
When I politely declined, the head of the family nodded with a thoughtful expression.
It seemed my response had passed his test.
“Right, you said you would return to Estra in six months.”
“Yes, so I hope you won’t worry about me. I’m more than fine with you taking care of Hiakin.”
It had been a while since I had put on such a pleasant smile for others to see.
In the past, I would often use it while begging to survive.
The head of the family seemed quite satisfied with my demeanor and wiped his mouth with a napkin before responding.
“If that’s what you prefer, I can’t force you. I hope you can rest comfortably until you return.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Finally, this suffocating dinner came to an end.
The head of the family extended his hand to the Duchess, who still hadn’t put a single piece of meat in her mouth and was busy cutting her steak into pieces.
“Let’s go.”
“……”
“……”
A bleak silence hung in the air due to the Duchess glaring silently at the head of the family.
After a moment, she reluctantly took his outstretched hand.
I turned my head, almost unconsciously trying to watch their retreating figures.
‘What good would it do to know more about someone else’s family matters? Our situation is more urgent.’
As the two left first, the tense atmosphere seemed to loosen a bit.
But this time, a new opponent broke the silence.
“Such pretense.”
It was directed at me.
I pretended not to hear and calmly poked a roasted mushroom into my mouth.
“I’ve never even heard your name before, yet you’ve been quietly catering to others’ whims like this. If that’s a talent, then it’s a talent.”
Of course. I was right to think he wouldn’t know me.
“I don’t particularly like to stand out.”
“Is it that you can’t, rather than you don’t want to?”
How childish. It was exhausting to engage, so I chose to say nothing further.
However, Kashiel’s provocation didn’t end there.
He muttered something else that was hard to hear, but I let it go in one ear and out the other.
Kashiel was also a student on leave like me.
However, he had submitted his leave of absence abruptly shortly after the semester began, causing quite a stir for a while.
Of course, I knew why.
I knew exactly why he had suddenly run away from school.
I swallowed the food in my mouth nonchalantly. It seemed it was time to wrap up the meal.
‘It was because of Claire.’
At the time, I didn’t know why Kashiel had suddenly taken a leave of absence, but now it was easy to connect the dots.
The timing of Kashiel’s leave coincided with the death of Claire Brondeahrn, an S-rank Transcendent Being and his twin.
It must have been unbearably difficult for him to lose a family member who had been born alongside him.
Moreover, the incident had been quietly covered up by the royal family to conceal the risks of an S-rank going berserk.
Officially, Claire Brondeahrn was reported to have died in battle.
‘He must be disillusioned. They sent a newly adult child to the front lines as a high-ranking Transcendent Being, and he ended up dead.’
I couldn’t be completely sure, but there might be resentment toward this country lurking beneath Kashiel’s demeanor.
I soon realized that a cold silence had settled over the entire space.
‘Ah.’
Perhaps because I had been ignoring him, when I lifted my head, Kashiel’s face was twisted like a demon.
“Hey.”
But it was strange.
He looked so fierce toward me, yet he seemed to be trying hard to appear strong while hiding something.
Perhaps it was because I had come to understand the nature of this world and had gradually distanced myself from the people here.
That’s why I could remain calm in the face of Kashiel’s blatant hostility.
“Sorry, I was lost in thought for a moment.”
I simply replied honestly, but Kashiel, unable to hide his reddening face, issued a short command.
“…Leave.”
…Oh dear.
With that temperament, he’s only now issuing a dismissal order; he must have been holding back a lot.
I didn’t know why he disliked me so much, but at least this meant I could escape from dinner.
I subtly gestured to Hiakin that I would get up first.
‘You stay a little longer.’
However, unexpectedly, Hiakin stood up alongside me.
“…Your Highness.”
Hiakin tightly grasped the hem of my clothing to prevent me from leaving first.
The touch traveling along my clothing was trembling.
“The Count Lorraine family is not a vulgar noble family but a true noble family, so don’t worry. But I don’t see what the difference is between there and here.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m sorry. I’ll get up first.”
Hiakin nodded without sincerity, but instead of letting go of my hem, he firmly grabbed my wrist and pulled me out.
As soon as we stepped outside, I flinched at the torrent of Hiakin’s scolding.
“Are you an idiot?”
“No, why….”
“Liliop Ortiz.”
It had been so long since he had called my name like that while getting angry.
I was momentarily taken aback.
“Was this to make Reedman Lorraine look like that? To drop me off here?”
“Well, I can’t say that’s not true….”
“Were you trying to show me getting ignored in front of you?”
I clamped my mouth shut.
‘This wasn’t intentional, but he’s really angry.’
As I rolled my eyes, unsure of how to soothe him, Hiakin poured out his pent-up feelings.
“Listen carefully. Whether I evolve or not, regardless of what grade I get, if that’s the reason you have to be treated like this, then I don’t need this family at all.”
“No, it has to be this way. I plan to enroll you within six months.”
“Enrollment? You came here because of my evolution? Then why don’t you act all high and mighty using my name? Why are you quietly letting yourself be ignored when you made a fuss in Lorraine?”
That’s because I was confident I could handle things in Lorraine, but not in Brondeahrn.
In any case, it was obvious that whatever I did here would be suppressed within a minute.
Knowing this, I simply remained silent, looking dumbfounded.
Even though I was trying to appear apologetic, Hiakin’s anger showed no signs of subsiding.
“Anyway, I’ll let this slide today.”
Saying that, Hiakin pulled on my wrist, not the one he had originally grabbed, but the other one. The one with the Control Stone Bracelet.
The area burned due to the unauthorized magical manipulation of the bracelet.
It seemed the management office had provided first aid while I was unconscious, but that was about it.
As Hiakin’s hand touched the bandage, pain surged again.
“If I see you in the same situation again, I’ll take you out of here that day.”
“His.”
“Let’s go treat this first. We’re a prestigious family, so there should be some healing supplies lying around.”
His words stirred a bit of emotion in me.
No matter what, family is everything.
When I was very young, I had fought hard to protect Hiakin, believing I was the only one who could do so, and now he was trying to protect me a little.
That feeling was touching.
As Hiakin led me into the inner corridor, he asked, “But why enrollment? Didn’t you say you hoped I wouldn’t evolve if possible?”
“Actually, I have a feeling you will evolve…. I sensed it at the Count’s house. Your magic was reacting and moving.”
“You were so worried about my evolution, yet you suddenly show up without a letter?”
“That was because I thought giving you attention would only make it harder for you….”
“Stop making excuses.”
Contrary to his blunt words, Hiakin’s expression darkened in an instant. He had understood why I had said that.
Naturally, students are sent to the battlefield as soldiers upon graduation.
For me, living as a guide was my only means of survival.
But I didn’t want my younger brother to be thrown into an uncertain life and death situation.
‘I also hoped he wouldn’t take an interest in the military academy for no reason….’
That’s why I had cut off all communication.
Feeling awkward, I brushed my hair back and tried to cover it up.
“I came because it’s hard to keep ignoring your situation. Since it has come to this, it’s better to be together.”
Given that abnormal reactions had already appeared, and recalling that the Transcendent Beings in the original story had all evolved when such reactions occurred…
Hiakin would soon awaken as a Transcendent Being.
I felt a bit bitter as I spoke.
“If you evolve within this year’s registration period, you’ll be a military academy student. Although there are only three months left.”
If he doesn’t receive recognition as an Evolved Being within three months, he will have to stay alone in the capital again. Hiakin’s face turned pale.
But it seemed his anger had subsided a bit compared to before.
I spoke seriously to the now calmer Hiakin.
“Hiakin, I don’t care if I’m ostracized here, but you need to be careful too.”
“Careful about what?”
“You must have figured out what kind of person the Duke is. He’s someone who cares a lot about grades and achievements. Such people tend to pursue visible results and end up ruining those around them.”
That’s why I emphasized the importance of maintaining distance repeatedly.
If Hiakin were to live as an ordinary person, it would be one thing, but given that he was showing abnormal reactions, if he stood out significantly in the supporting family, he would continue to attract the royal family’s attention.
Then it would be better for him to go to school with me so that I could help him.
To do this, it would be necessary to quickly evolve with the help of this family.
“Receive help for your evolution as a supporter and supported, but there’s no need to dig into unnecessary secrets or hidden agendas. After all, it’s part of a policy implemented by the state. Don’t think of it as being indebted to Brondeahrn.”
Could Prince Isidor really have connected Brondeahrn and us with pure goodwill?
‘No way.’
There must be some ulterior motive behind it all.
This was both advice and a warning.
“I don’t want you to end up like someone who gets caught up in the Duke’s greed and dies.”
There was no mention of Kashiel’s twin, as if such a person had never existed from the start.
The authoritative head of the family and the silent Duchess.
Kashiel, who sharply guarded against outsiders.
Akteon, who observed us without revealing his emotions.
Especially in the case of Akteon…
It was then that I was about to subtly convey the information I knew to Hiakin.
“Speaking of which, it seems you casually mention others’ family matters for the sake of your peculiar sibling love.”
It was a cold voice.
The voice I had heard earlier from the corridor we had passed through was approaching.
‘Oh, no.’
Why is he already out?
The sound of footsteps, reminiscent of a well-trained soldier, was drawing closer with precision.
“Someone like you, huh? It seems you know this place well.”
He had been watching us since we first arrived.
It was probably because I couldn’t hide my discomfort.
However, what was more important now was that he had overheard what I said.
Akteon couldn’t possibly be unaware of whom I was referring to.
I gently nudged Hiakin’s back to avoid dragging him into this.
“Hiakin, go ahead first.”
“What?”
“I’ll talk for a bit. Don’t worry.”
Hiakin hesitated, trying to resist, but reluctantly nodded at my firm gaze.
He lingered for a moment before disappearing up the stairs.
Once we were alone, I faced Akteon.
“Isn’t it possible to be cautious when my family could end up in the same situation?”
I turned my back to Akteon.
At the same time, an overwhelming pressure emanated from him.
