The Male Lead’s Younger Sister is Still Sad Today

Episode 14

For a moment, I was taken aback, thinking it was Owen who had arrived. I knew he was shorter and his shadow wouldn’t be this imposing, but I couldn’t help being surprised.

“…”

Staring at Raiden in complete silence for a while, I quickly spoke, my voice trembling.

“Sorry… I got a little startled…”

“It seems so,” Raiden replied with an uneasy tone.

Sensing that the atmosphere was getting awkward because of me, I changed the topic.

“Where are you going?”

“Just have some business to attend to.”

“I see…”

“…”

It was genuinely awkward. I wondered if he had something to say to me, but he just looked down at me silently. I glanced toward the road, thinking maybe he was walking since there was no carriage in sight that appeared to be his.

Seeing the luggage beside me, he asked, “You’re not trying to escape and got caught by me in the process, are you?”

“No way. There’s no better job than this.”

Raiden chuckled at my response. “You thought well. I’m looking for the bastards who left without fulfilling their contracts one by one.”

“…”

I hadn’t even considered running away, but it seemed like an idea I should keep in mind.

I gestured to the bags beside me and said, “I’m not running away. I came to buy gifts.”

Raiden looked puzzled.

“Gifts?”

“Yes. I wanted to thank some people…”

I couldn’t continue my sentence and stopped for a moment.

Should I give a gift to Raiden as well? If I hadn’t said anything, it would be different, but since I brought it up, it seemed like the polite thing to do.

My dilemma didn’t last long.

I took out one of the nutritional supplements I had bought on Abel’s behalf.

“I also have something for you.”

But Raiden’s gaze was fixed on something else, as if there were some kind of concern. It was directed toward the cafe where Abel and Owen were sitting.

Did he spot Abel by any chance?

“If it’s the chocolate from last time, you can keep it.”

It was strange to think that our Velosan chocolate was being treated like this. I felt a little upset that my closest friend was being treated poorly.

“Velosan chocolate is a great gift, but this is something different.”

Only then did Raiden’s gaze shift to me. However, he remained silent, leaving me feeling awkward.

“…Even if you dislike it, I’ve already bought the share for the Duke.”

Raiden responded confidently, “I didn’t say I dislike it.”

“That’s a relief…”

Even though I was the one giving the gift, Raiden appeared more relaxed than I did.

Hoping he would leave soon, I changed the subject.

“You seem busy lately; take care of yourself.”

“Are you telling me not to waste the supplements?”

“Oh, no… it’s not like that!”

In truth, his statement was partially correct.

“When you’re young, health is the most important thing.”

As he listened to my words and gazed somewhere else, Raiden seemed preoccupied, and then he asked me.

“But the guy sitting there, isn’t he your brother?”

He must have seen Owen and Abel sitting in the cafe.

“Well, yes, but…”

In response to my words, Raiden made a strange face and asked, “Do you have a secret hobby of observing your brothers?”

I felt a sense of scorn in Raiden’s gaze. Startled, I replied, “No!”

“Then why are you acting like this here?”

Raiden looked down at me.

“I… suddenly…”

The abrupt question was enough to make me flustered.

Well, the thing is…

I’m dressed as a man, and Owen, who enjoys the color blue, found a liking for me because I resembled his ideal type. He was a newcomer who tried to flirt with me in front of the Duke, and that’s why he kicked us out. So, it’s strange that he’s sitting with Abel now.

But I couldn’t say that!

Raiden, sitting on the bench, silently looked down at me, then suddenly narrowed his eyes.

“Get up for a moment.”

As I did what he said, Raiden grabbed my arm and started heading toward where Abel was.

“Wait, please! Your Grace!”

I tried to keep my back close to the clock tower so as not to leave it. Looking at me, Raiden slightly frowned.

Frightened, I quickly spoke up.

“I’m… I’m fine. It seems that Abel is having an important conversation right now.”

I was pulled back a little as he held onto me.

Owen had a strong character. Even though I was receiving support from the Duke, he behaved arrogantly in front of the nobles. He even mentioned that receiving favor from higher-ups made him more ambitious and even more competitive.

Moreover, my current status is the Duke’s pet.

I didn’t know how I would appear to Owen when I was with the Duke. Raiden had no authority to protect me.

Raiden paused after hearing my words.

Of course, there was no reason for the Duke to listen to me, but you never know.

I looked up at him, begging with my eyes. Then, when Owen and Abel exited the cafe and walked past the clock tower, I panicked and turned my face toward the Duke in a hurry.

Then, I started walking quietly behind the clock tower. Strangely, Raiden, who I thought would firmly hold his ground, followed me without saying a word.

Then, he looked at me with a strange expression and took off his jacket, throwing it over my head.

What’s this all about?

What are you trying to find fault with this?

I lifted my head to gauge his intention. Raiden’s face, which stared at me intensely, had a mysterious quality. One thing for sure, he didn’t seem to be here to pick a fight with me.

“Your Grace…?”

However, he remained silent. He merely covered me with his jacket and helped me leave the square.

* * *

I arrived at the mansion in Raiden’s car.

“What about the jacket?”

In a daze, I asked about the jacket that I continued to wear. Raiden finally spoke.

“Put it on display in the room.”

“Thank you for today.”

I was truly thankful. Thanks to him, I hadn’t run into Owen.

“Yeah.”

I was slightly taken aback. I hadn’t asked for his response or expressed gratitude. I laughed awkwardly after rolling my eyes for a moment.

After stepping out of the car that had already stopped, I walked.

I had solved one problem just like that. I wasn’t sure why Raiden had changed, but this was a good sign, right?

My steps toward Abel felt a bit lighter.

If Abel had gone out and returned, he would definitely be in his room. I hurried to meet Abel.

To reach the building used by the footmen, you had to pass through the dining room.

As I approached the dining room, a familiar voice began to drift in on the breeze.

Upon listening more closely, I realized that Olive was angrily scolding someone.

“Do you think you’ll do well if you leave here? Hey, it’s me who’s responsible for you, teaching you how to cook, not those guys outside who’ll treat you as an equal chef.”

Even though the back door was wide open, there was no one trying to stop Olive.

“What’s the use of saying you’re sorry? It doesn’t change a thing when you say you’ve been wrong every day like a parrot.”

“Sorry…”

“Did Henry say he’ll present your dish at the banquet? What nonsense is this? Really, try the dish you make, and everyone will curse you. Just bear it and eat because it’s me.”

The words were harsh enough to make me feel emotional even though I heard them. I unknowingly picked up my pace and walked quickly in the direction of Olive and Flynn.

“What are you suddenly—”

“Sorry. But it’s really tough for me to see you, Olive. Forgive my intrusion. I’ll just say what I want to say. Thank you for the delicious meals you always make.”

Because I suddenly cut off our conversation, Olive’s face twisted in confusion.

“Who are you to suddenly—”

“Sorry. But it’s so hard for me to meet you, Olive. Excuse my rudeness. Thank you for the delicious food.”

I stopped speaking, fearing Olive might explode, and hurriedly handed him an energy supplement. Olive’s face started to soften a bit when he saw the supplement.

“I went out to the busy district today and thought of Olive. While I was out, I bought an energy supplement.”

“Well… I’m not sure if I should accept something like this.”

Contrary to his words, he held onto the energy supplement tightly.

“It’s okay to accept it. By the way, Flynn, take one too.”

And I quickly handed an energy supplement to Flynn as well.

“Come to think of it, Flynn sometimes gives me food he makes for practice, and it’s incredibly delicious. The servants at the duke’s estate who work in the kitchen must really respect Olive.”

“It’s nothing special.”

“It’s not nothing, really. The staff at the Duke’s estate probably respect Olive and the kitchen workers. I do too.”

Olive’s mouth twitched when he heard my words. However, he kept his mustache still, trying not to show his emotions.

“Especially, Flynn doesn’t sleep these days, only practices, and I’m worried. Olive, don’t you think so too?”

“Well… I do.”

“So please be a little more forgiving. I know that Olive is going through a tough time lately too.”

As I spoke with a smile, Olive made an uncomfortable expression but reluctantly nodded.