CH 152

Chapter 152

Translator: Yonnee

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The twins were very attached to Helios, so he was already expecting that their reaction wouldn’t be very positive. But still, he also wasn’t expecting that they would hate it so much. And they kept bringing up Sera.

There was a strange emotion swirling within him, but to show that he understood his younger siblings’ thoughts, he nodded.

Somehow, Rosé and Ferre were sulking to the fullest as they stared at the ceiling above.

Rosé turned her head suddenly and grabbed his wrist.

“I’m not going anywhere. I can also just not marry.”

Seeing the small hand that was like a maple leaf grabbing onto his wrist, Helios touched his sister’s cheek.

Normally, Rosé would have leaned into his touch, but today’s sulking was lasting for a little while longer.

“It’s not that.”

“Then what’s the matter, Rosé?”

“It’s…”

Rosé stared up at him without a word. Her Oppa was as gentle as ever, and he said that he wouldn’t marry anymore. But still, she had a vague feeling.

‘Oppa wouldn’t just ask me and Ferre something like that suddenly.’

A vague feeling that her Oppa’s question wasn’t just a question.

And that maybe, just maybe, her Oppa was hinting at how the red-haired woman was the one he’s going to marry.

That’s probably why he brought her to the banquet as his partner before.

‘I don’t like it… I’m on Sera’s side! And that woman is kinda scary…!’

If that’s really what her Oppa had in mind, then she wanted to stop him at all costs. And, Rosé wanted to tie her Oppa to Sera somehow.

If it’s not Sera, she would never ever accept her Oppa’s marriage.

“Oppa, before when you said that you’ll give us anything we wish for, is that true?”

“Of course.”

Helios replied, his gaze soft as he gazed upon the serious Rosé.

“Then can’t we go to the villa with Sera?”

“Huh?”

“I wanna go to the villa with Sera.”

The request came out of the blue, but Rosé asked him with an endlessly serious gaze, each word she spoke full of weight.

“Rosé! That’s a great idea! Hyung, you asked us what we want, right? I also want Sera to come with us! Hyung!”

Ferre, who also liked only Sera, was a good younger brother as he helped his older sister.

“Oppa… Please? Can’t she come?”

“Rosé, Ferre. That’s…”

Ah. Sighing, Helios rubbed his forehead with one hand.

It wouldn’t be difficult to invite her to the villa, but the problem was that the trip was after the contract was over.

‘And I’m sure, back then…’

When Helios broached the topic of extending the contract before, Sera’s face came to mind. With the way she reacted, it seemed difficult to expect a positive answer.

He was still thinking about how he should bring up Sera’s class to the twins, but he decided that now wasn’t the right time.

But if he gave the children some time to prepare for their imminent separation from Sera…

“Rosé, Ferre. Actually, there’s also something I have to say about Miss Popo.”

Helios hesitated for a long time before he finally spoke. And this time, there was a much more troubled look on his face.

“Why, what’s wrong?”

“What is it, Hyung?”

They thought that he’d just say no, or that he’d think about it.

Feeling the unusual shift of their older brother’s mood, Rosé and Ferre gulped.

As they sat on the bed, their backs suddenly became rigid.

When Helios said this, he regretted it. He shouldn’t have said anything, but it was already too late.

He gently placed one hand each on his younger siblings’ shoulders.

“Before we leave for the villa, your classes with Miss Popo will have ended. So it would be difficult to invite her to come with us.”

His voice was exceedingly calm. But the children couldn’t quite process what they’ve been told just yet.

“It’s been decided from the very beginning that Miss Popo will be teaching you only from March to August.”

“…What?”

“…Huh?”

Rosé and Ferre were confused.

“Another tutor may come.”

“Huh? Another tutor?”

“Yes. Another tutor who’ll come to replace her by September.”

He paused, then explained slowly. However, after he finished the sentence, tears had already welled up in the children’s eyes.

“H…Hyung? I can’t understand what you’re saying.”

“Oppa, what are you talking about?”

Helios reached towards the children and pulled them into a hug. And when they realized what that hug meant, they cried out.

“Huh? Whyy? Se… Sera… Sera wants to stop?”

“Sh… She’s not gonna miss… us?”

As if a dam had burst, their tears started to fall.

“No, of course not. Miss Popo had children she had been teaching from even before. She started teaching you because I asked her to. You know what happens when someone doesn’t heed the Emperor’s words, right? That’s why she started teaching you.”

“Noooo. I hate that. Hyung, I’ll just live with Sera. I don’t want her to go!”

“Why is it like that suddenly? Oppa! Then just ask Sera to follow the Emperor’s order one more time!”

Rosé and Ferre ended up sobbing. Helios wiped away his younger siblings’ tears with his big hands.

And their tears trickled endlessly down his hands.

“Rosé, Ferre. Do you really want to force Miss Popo to stay in the palace?”

His voice was infinitely gentle.

“You should enjoy the rest of the time you have with Sera.”

Rosé and Ferre shook their heads, their tears continuing downwards without stopping.

“Dun wanna. I said I dun wanna! I’m gonna live with Sera!”

“Yeah! Me too! Hyung is always the one who calls Sera to the palace!”

“Come now. Stop crying. Your eyes will get swollen.”

His gentle voice tried to soothe the children, but Rosé and Ferre could not stop crying.

All the while, Helios regretted it and kept thinking that he shouldn’t have said anything.