Chapter 9

Chapter 9

I wasn’t sure how exactly he did it, but it hadn’t been difficult for Lisandro.

This crazy guy started out by getting rid of everyone beside Frey so that he’d only look at him.

That’s why Frey surrendered to him so easily.

To the point that it’s surprising how he didn’t go insane himself.

No, but… In the end, Frey couldn’t stand Lisandro’s actions and took his own life.

Oh, dear brother. You’re really trash that couldn’t even be recycled.

But why is it that I can’t throw you away?

Why do I love you despite hating you…?

I reincarnated here and even had my memories intact of the novel that detailed Lisandro’s atrocities—that he still might do in the future—but I just couldn’t let him go.

It could be because I only read the text and didn’t experience it firsthand.

Ah, it’s complicated.

Still, because I’d already decided on it, I’ll rehabilitate Lisandro while doing my best to keep Frey out of his reach.

I’ll protect Frey from Lisandro’s crazy obsession.

To do that, I’ll have to fix Lisandro’s mentality somehow.

—Knock, knock.

As I was immersed in my thoughts, I heard a knock. I welcomed the sound with a bright smile on my lips.

“It’s here! I brought over some limited-edition desserts because I want to eat them with you.”

“Noona…”

Moved by my words, Frey looked at me with an almost tearful gaze.

As soon as permission was granted for the maid to come into the room, she came in with the desserts and some warm milk. The table was set up nicely, then she left quietly.

Frey jumped out of bed right away and got to his feet, but he stumbled as he walked towards me—so I reached out to catch him.

Frey, who was suddenly in my arms, blushed slightly.

Startled by this, Lisandro scoffed and soon pushed me away from Frey.

Because of that, I faltered back a little. Frozen for a while because of being pushed, I glared at Lisandro as hard as I could.

How dare he push me?

“You!”

“What!”

“Why are you being so annoying again?!”

“Why did you have to hug Frey huh?!”

A fight broke out at someone else’s home. I raised my voice anyway, not wanting to lose.

“Then what should I do, let him fall right in front of me?!”

“Yeah!”

This punk!

Frey tiptoed away from Lisandro as my patience reached its limit, but Frey tried to smooth over the situation.

“Lisandro, don’t be like that to Noona. Noona just caught me.”

“Why are you—to my Noonim…”

“Lisandro.”

Frey cut off Lisandro mid-sentence and stared at him. Soon after, he slowly lowered his eyes, then spoke.

“I just stumbled because I got dizzy all of a sudden.”

“…Ugh.”

Lisandro couldn’t say anything to that and just made a grumbling sound.

Tsk, tsk.

Doing whatever you want right now just tells me that your future as human trash is still very likely.

“Stop trying to start a fight and just eat the dessert I brought. I stood in line for it.”

I could have ordered a servant to get it for me, but I wanted to do it myself so I could choose which desserts to buy.

It’s a popular bakery, so it was honestly a pain to wait in line because it was so long. Other nobles just sent servants for the task. Of course, this was the usual.

Somehow, as we walked towards the table where the desserts were, there was a cold wind blowing between Lisandro and Frey.

Lisandro was supporting Frey and helping him walk there, but there was an unusual fire behind his eyes.

I felt unfair for a moment.

What did I do wrong though…

Ah, there really is no use in raising a younger brother.

“Lower your gaze.”

After I warned him with a strict tone, he finally became calmer.

I sat on the table first, then Frey and Lisandro sat on both sides of me.

I looked at the empty couch in front.

“Why are you both sitting here? Go there.”

I pointed to the sofa, but then Frey suddenly leaned on me, seemingly dizzy.

“…I don’t think I can stand again, Noona.”

“Hm.”

This time, I looked at Lisandro.

“The seat next to you is mine!”

“Ah, you startled me! Why are you yelling?!”

My voice was even louder than Lisandro’s as he shouted at the top of his lungs. Even as this happened, Lisandro and Frey each handed over a plate of dessert to me simultaneously.

Okay. I’m the adult here. I should be the one taking care of these kids.

There was gold powder sprinkled on top of my favorite strawberry shortcake.

Because it was limited edition, the cake rightfully looked like a work of art more than a dessert.

But it’ll all be the same when it’s in my stomach anyway.

I scooped up a large slice with my fork and took in as much as I could with one bite.

The soft pastry, the fluffy whipped cream, and the delicious strawberry flavor were like a harmony inside my mouth.

The taste was so enchanting that I patted myself on the back for choosing this.

“Is it good?”

“It is. You’re sick, so you have to eat a lot. That’s how you’ll regain your strength.”

I don’t know if he’ll get healthy from eating dessert though, but Frey replied right away.

“Yes, Noona.”

“I’m—!”

Lisandro’s loud voice was cut short by a piece of cake shoved into his mouth.

It should have been enough to shut him up and calm him down, but then Lisandro chewed quickly and opened his mouth again to speak.

“Should I put my fist in there, dear brother?”

“Ugh, Noonim!”

As soon as I was about to shove another piece into his mouth after teasing him, giggling as I held the cake up, Frey’s fork fell to the floor.

“Ah…”

Embarrassed, Frey smiled awkwardly.

“I don’t have any strength in my hands…”

Hiding his trembling fingers, Frey lowered his eyes and his eyelashes fluttered down.

“You don’t have a fever, do you?”

Overcome with worry, I placed a hand over his forehead. Frey nodded helplessly.

“Yes, but I just don’t have any strength in my body…”

“What about your appetite? You should eat even a little.”

I glanced over to his plate and saw that he’d only taken to bites. I picked up a clean fork and gently fed him.

He ate well without any qualms.

“It’s delicious, Noona.”

“That’s a relief.”

“I’m sorry, but can Noona feed me? My hands are still like this…”

As soon as Frey finished speaking, I heard something like a beast’s snarl behind me.

“Why are you so cranky?”

On our way back home from Frey’s house, Lisandro and I were now in a carriage. I stared at him as his cheeks were puffed up.

“Whose sister are you?”

“Duh. I’m your older sister.”

Lisandro was so cute when he was sulking like this, so I burst into laughter.

Since it’s like this, I decided to ask him straightforwardly. It wasn’t my style to just go around in circles and beat around the bush.

“Do you like Frey?”

“…Huh?”

Lisandro was shocked by the question, not answering as he only blinked his eyes.

I never heard any confession from him that he liked Frey, but his actions in the novel made me think that he did.

I was getting a little confused these days.

I think he gave up on Frey. I asked because I couldn’t stand not knowing for sure, yet Lisandro immediately shook his head vigorously.

“No! No I don’t!”

“Did you like him in the past?”

“Yeah, but not anymore! Frey is my friend!”

Maybe after Lisandro heard my warnings, he considered a lot of things.

Perhaps he contemplated what he felt for Frey, but as he listened to my advice, he realized that his feelings weren’t normal.

It could be because he didn’t want me to hate him, that’s why he quelled those budding emotions and decided to give up on Frey.

“Oh, you’re all grown up, my chil—ah, no. My baby brother.”

Through my guidance, he was a very good brother who could change for the better so easily.

The question that always nagged me before was finally answered—the question about whether Lisandro could change after just a little nudge towards the right path.

Now, I can live. My brother has changed completely.

When I read the novel, I noticed that signs of his obsession started during his childhood. I felt it distinctly while reading that part.

Strangely, however, Lisandro wasn’t showing any of the same signs unlike inside the novel.

“The one I really like is you. Noonim is the only one who I can trust and rely on.”

Saying something embarrassing like that, Lisandro’s cheeks flushed red.

“I’ll never do anything Noonim doesn’t like.”

That was the final blow.

Oh, my heart is melting.

As he said this, I had no choice but to trust Lisandro.

I was no longer confused.

This child would never become the same Lisandro in the novel.

Rather, if I guided him more and paid attention a little to his upbringing, then his twisted heart wouldn’t exist.

I didn’t think that I’d be able to do it, that’s why I kept observing him.

But there’s nothing sweeter than knowing that I could trust him now. I will give you my faith, Lisandro. I’ll love you and give you all my trust as my dear brother.

So there’s nothing more for me to be anxious about.

Because I intervened, the relationship between Lisandro and Frey had already changed.

Unlike in the original novel, Lisandro would be fine as long as I get him to open up to me like this. My gut was telling me that it’ll be alright.

Every day was peaceful from this day onwards, the moment I decided to believe in him.

As I watched them, all my worries were washed away.

In the first place, it didn’t seem like Frey was trying to get along with Lisandro. And it was the same for Lisandro towards Frey as well.

The two didn’t look like close friends, but at the same time, it wasn’t like they were only acquaintances.

And Frey only collapsed sometimes, but it was mostly during swordsmanship training under the sweltering sun.

There was nothing else I had to worry about.

I visited the library and went to the spot I’ve taken as my own where I could read my book. It was a window seat where the sunlight beamed down gently, and at the same time, there was a good view outside. There was no place else as cozy as this spot.

It was a place specially created for me by my parents, and sometimes, I would take naps here.

Especially on rainy days, it was just perfect for a nap.

I leaned back on the soft cushion as I opened the book.

I still had to prepare for my entrance to the temple, so I was only reading books related to that to get some information.

While I was reading, I suddenly heard Lisandro’s voice.

“Noonim, is that another book?”

“What? You have a problem with me reading?”

I responded aggressively and looked up from my book, but there was no one there.

“…Lisandro?”

I carefully called his name, but he still wouldn’t answer.

At that moment, I trembled in fear and shouted for no reason.

“What now?! This isn’t funny!”

My voice echoed loudly throughout the library.

At this, the librarian grandma approached me and gave me a light lecture.

“Princess*, you have to be quiet in the library.”

{ tl/n: a daughter of a duke is also referred to as ‘princess’. }

“Lisandro stopped by, right?”

I didn’t even pretend to listen to her lecture. The grandmother smiled kindly and responded playfully.

“Goodness, I guess the Princess wants to see the Young Master so much. I think you heard a hallucination.”

“…Ah, please don’t even say that. That’s so scary.”

The voice was too clear for it to have been a hallucination. I could feel goosebumps over my arms.

With quivering pupils, I looked around the library, but Lisandro was nowhere in sight.

If the librarian didn’t see him, then it meant that Lisandro really didn’t come.

Then where did that voice come from?

Why did I suddenly hear a hallucination? It was so weird.

“I’ll be quiet.”

“If the Princess misses the Young Master, you should stop reading and go out to play with him.”

“It’s not like that…”

I replied with tears forming in my eyes, but the grandmother just went back to her seat with a smile on her face, not believing anything I said.

As I turned back to my book, I felt uncomfortable.

”Lisandro, let’s read together. It’ll be fun.”

I heard another voice.

And it was even clearer.

But this time it wasn’t Lisandro’s voice.

…It was mine.