It Seems Like The Infamous Trash Can is Right Here! - Chapter 24

Normally, it was rare for guests to run into maids.

During cleaning hours, both residents and guests typically avoided the reception rooms or gardens to give space, and maids were only summoned when needed.

By keeping her out of sight, it likely meant assigning her to laundry or some other backbreaking task. Perhaps even worse duties.

For the maid, being dismissed might have been the kinder option.

A small pang of sympathy flickered, but really, what could I do?

Soon, all the male protagonists from A Night of Entwined Serpents would inevitably gather at this estate. I had to work hard to not be swept away by their chaos.

This was the first time I had stepped out into the garden since arriving at the estate.

While roaming freely within the buildings was acceptable, the moment I stepped outside, I’d feel the eyes of unseen watchers.

It was one of the reasons I was uncomfortable going outside. I didn’t want to invite suspicion that I might attempt to escape.

But with Lionel accompanying me, those gazes seemed to vanish like a lie.

Escaping Lionel Luanax was far harder than slipping past dozens of knights. No sane person would even think to attempt it.

“Do you enjoy walking?”

“Hmm… no, I don’t think I particularly enjoy it.”
“I see. Somehow, I thought that might be the case.”
“Do you enjoy it, Your Grace?”
“Whether I like it or not, I make it a point to complete my daily quota. I tend to prefer running over walking.”

I used to be the same before leaving Solen.
Claiming it was for the sake of my health, I had to dutifully fulfill mandatory physical training sessions alongside my father or brother, which might be why I no longer find walking enjoyable.

“How many hours a day do you usually train?”
“On average, about three hours.”

As the head of a ducal house, he must have plenty to do, yet his training time exceeded even that of my brother’s.

“There are some basic training facilities in the mansion’s basement. Feel free to drop by whenever you like.”
“Suure….”

With a determination never to do so, I replied, and a low chuckle reached my ears.

Lionel laughing out loud?

This rare sight couldn’t be missed, and I quickly lifted my head to look at him.
And just then, there were others who seemed to share my curiosity about Lionel.

When had they returned? Standing at the garden entrance was Vivian, her eyes wide with surprise, accompanied by her maid Ilina.

“Brother.”

Since I had been staring at Lionel, I witnessed firsthand the way his softly curved eyes reverted to their original cold sharpness, and the faint smile on his lips disappeared as if it had never been there.

“I heard you were invited to a tea party, but you’ve returned early.”
“Yes, I was feeling a little tired.”
“Two days of outings in a row—makes sense.”

I quietly observed the conversation between Lionel and Vivian.
The content of their exchange, the way they looked at each other, and even their expressions were more reminiscent of an employer and employee than siblings.

Unlike my own brother, who, even when I was old enough to debut, would lift me up like a child and shower me with kisses, there was an icy distance between them.

Perhaps it was natural, given their different mothers. The late duchess must have endured a great deal of turmoil when legitimizing an illegitimate child into the family.

“Were you out for a walk?”
“No, I heard Sasha was here, so I came to check.”

Vivian, hesitantly approaching me, spoke while looking in my direction.

“Sasha, would you come to my room now? I’d like to request some healing.”
“Of course.”
“No.”

Both Lionel and I answered at the same time.

“…?”

Startled, I looked at Lionel, who subtly adjusted his arm, as if he’d noticed me trying to pull away from where I had been holding onto it.

“I didn’t bring the priestess here so she could run around tending to every little thing, Vivian. Relying on divine power for such trivial matters won’t help improve your stamina.”

But wasn’t it you, Lionel, who brought me out of the monastery despite knowing all this…?