Editor Group: Liber Reverie

Somehow, as soon as he got out of the carriage, he stared straight into Arias room, which made her see him unintentionally. He seemed to not expect that Aria was by the window, and he hurried to look away.

Still, he didnt enter the mansion, and he didnt even move with his subtly raised face, so he seemed to keep looking sideways at herself.

If I can just persuade him, Im sure Ill be able to see him push Mielle out of this.

Thinking so, Aria with a smile around her mouth stretched out her arm to close the window. Her indoor overcoat, which was hanging on her shoulders, fluttered in the winter breeze and fell out the window.

It was very unnatural, but Cain was the only one who was looking at Aria, so no one noticed it.

What shall I do?

Aria was in trouble and covered her mouth with her palm. Unless otherwise asked, Cain, who had hurried to the place where her coat had fallen before his servant, slowly picked it up with a little warmth.

Thats lady Arias clothes. Ill wash it and bring it to her.

Cains servant said. Washing it was necessary because it had fallen on the snowfield, but Cain held his coat in his hand and was troubled for a moment. He then said while shaking his head,

No, thanks. Ill get it for her.

Cain, who took off his coat and gave it to his servant, climbed the stairs at a slow pace. Arias coat was in his hand. Now completely cold, it was only warm in the hands of the strangely hot Cain.

A few more steps, its on the third floor.

The fact that he had to go back down after he handed over this coat gradually slowed him down. But it was not so far from Arias room, so he soon came to her door.

Brother.

Did she wait for me? As soon as Cain stopped walking in front of the door, Aria opened the door and welcomed him.

Its very sweet of you to bring my coat.

Growing wonderfully beautiful every time he met her, she now exuded a palpable mood that caught the mans eye with just a light smile. He had tried to shake it off a few times, but sometimes he had to grit his teeth to turn his attention which was charmed, rather than shake it off.

I swore Id never be like my father

He was ashamed of his father, who was so fascinated by a beautiful appearance that he had even given up his mothers seat. But bloodlines couldnt seem to be deceiving, and in the end, he was also a fool who was bewildered by her subtle and beautiful appearance, even though she was his new sister, who was called a wicked woman in public.

Next time youll be the one to fall off, not your clothes if you pull the windows like that.

When he said so under the guise of being blunt, Aria looked very moved.

Are you worried about me now?

She looked as if she had been worried by someone for the first time. He was worried that he might have made a mistake because he was so blunt.

Cain, who recalled the treatment Aria had received at the mansion, answered, softening his stiff face, I dont want to see someone fall.

Thank you, brother.

Cain, who was briefly distracted by Aria, who thanked frankly, soon gave her overcoat with a loud whimper.

Passing the dirty coat, there was a sense of self-deception about what he was doing now, but now there was even greater disappointment that the need and opportunity to talk to Aria had disappeared. He thought so, but

I was just about to be free, but if you have time, why dont you have tea with me?

Unexpectedly, Cain was given another chance. Aria, who had her hand wrapped over his hand holding her coat, smiled shyly.

Reason told him that he shouldnt have to, so he had to turn it down, but there was no way he could refuse to see the warmth that those overlapping hands had, and the pupils of her eyes that seemed to hold the light within them.

He nodded silently, feeling somehow that his face seemed to be getting hot, and Aria closed the door and disappeared into the room, asking for a moment.

* * *

Aria, who came back from the door, was wearing a new coat. Her indoor clothes were also changed into a dress made of a material that was light and clinging to the body. Due to the overcoat, all the lines of her body were not being revealed, but it crept up whenever she moved and that melted Cains heart.

Aria, sitting on a table in the garden on the second floor, took a sip of warm tea. Normally, he would sneak a peek at her, but now he gave a very open glance at Aria. It was a bad look, though it was her own inducement.

Come to think of it

When Aria broke the silence and opened her mouth, Cain, who was looking at her, shuddered with astonishment. This was because it was a shallow act that could be done by a bastard. He had to trim his clothes for fear of shame in his behavior.

Aria pretended not to see it and kept her words. Its no wonder Ive made the house so noisy. Im sorry.

Why do you apologize? You cant say thats because of you.

When she rebuked herself with a pretty sad face, he came back with a calm expression and consoled Aria. Aria, who had managed to put up with it again, had almost laughed at his way of being so different compared to the past or just last year.

Its true because Im bad

Theres something ugly about everyone. That doesnt justify trying to do harm.

Even though that ugly thing was a fatal drawback that could not be fixed or improved for life, Cain said with a pretty plausible elders face even though he also hated Arias origin.

Despite Cains consolation, Aria stuck to her grim look. Then she lowered her eyes with her hands wrapped around the teacup. The sight made her look like a poor herbivore who had lost her mother.

Thank you, brother. But I think its better that I leave the mansion right away once Im an adult. This could happen again. Im sure Ill just cause the family trouble.

What?

Cains voice rose in surprise at the unexpected news of her departure. Although it was common for an adult to get engaged and marry and leave the house, it was usually after marriage.

However, it was very rare for an unmarried aristocrat to gain independence, and most of those cases were because they were evicted from their family. Maybe that was why Cain was surprised.

I repeat, I dont think you have to go so far because youre not guilty.

He vented his tantrums and anger, albeit faintly. The hand that took the cup of tea and carried it to his mouth was quite rough. Sometimes he even muttered to himself, taking a glance at Aria, who was still holding her wretched face. It must have been quite a shock to hear that Aria was planning to leave.

Ive never openly seduced him, but hes caught in a net, and its now easier to use.

How did he hide such character in the past? Even though there had been an easy road, she had not noticed it, and she took a handkerchief out of her arms and wiped her eyes in mourning for the foolish past that she had wandered around the thorny path.

Im glad you thought so.

Im sure everyone thinks so. So dont think about it.

Is that so?

Aria, who asked him back, rose from her seat. As Aria was slowly approaching him, Cains gaze followed her on its own. Cain, who was again distracted by her clothes that clung to her body whenever she moved, swallowed his saliva.

Aria, staring into Cains dark eyes, reached out her hand. Its destination was near Cains neck. Cains eyes, which shrank slightly under the unexpected circumstances, trembled convulsively, and Aria smiled softly and fixed Cains tie.

Its a little crooked.

Ah.

Surprised, Cain didnt give a proper answer. Even though the tie was straight, Arias hand wandered around Cains neck for a while, making him lose his mind. Even though it was a light touch, Cain swallowed his breath.

Aria, who had finished fixing his clothes, finally took the invisible dust off his hair and said to Cain. He looked as if he were in a state of fascination.

Youre sweet, too Theres only one person I can trust at the mansion.