The Adopted Princess Hopes to Escape the Genre - Chapter 14
Like Kaiden, Lucian had light wheat-colored hair. The differences were his eyes, hazel, just like the Duke’s, and his sharper gaze, which gave him a more sensitive appearance compared to Kaiden.
“I’m so glad to have such a lovely little sister. I hope we get along well.”
“It’s nice to see my children getting along. It makes me happy. Just now, Kaiden left the drawing room without even greeting Lassetia. How rude.”
‘Excuse me, but we’ve known each other for like three seconds. What do you mean, siblings getting along?’
“Father, you’ve spoiled the youngest too much. That’s why he acts that way. I’ll go have a word with him.”
Lucian sounded like the picture of a caring person, but the chill I glimpsed in his eyes, combined with his affectionate tone, gave me goosebumps.
“Well then, I’ll be off. See you later, Tia.”
“Yes, goodbye.”
“There’s no need to be so formal. Feel free to call me brother or just use my name.”
Lucian’s hand reached toward my head—or rather, the air above it. It seemed he didn’t actually want to touch me, as his palm hovered awkwardly in the air. However, from the Duke’s perspective, it must have looked like he was affectionately patting my head, as a pleased smile spread across his face.
‘What’s with this… air-patting thing?’
I stared at Lucian in disbelief, and our eyes naturally met. Lucian’s eyes crinkled slightly as he smiled, but the smile directed at me was so unsettling that I instinctively looked away.
Lucian didn’t seem to be waiting for a response from me and left the office after leaving his parting words. That’s when I saw it—the moment he turned around, his expression turned icy cold.
Reflecting on Lucian’s behavior, I came to a single conclusion.
‘…Is this what they call real siblings? I wouldn’t know… never had an older brother.’
In my original world, I only had two younger siblings, so the sudden existence of an older brother felt incredibly awkward and unfamiliar. With no basis for comparison, I could only feel uncertain about Lucian’s reaction as I shifted my gaze.
Before a proper introduction could even take place, I’d already gained one rude older brother and one inscrutable one. What would the last one be like?
“Everyone seems so unique. It makes me even more curious. I heard there’s a firstborn son too—where is he?”
“Theodore will be here soon. By now, he’s likely heard that you’ve arrived at the estate.”
Knock-, knock-.
Right on cue, there was a knock at the door, and a slightly more mature-looking boy entered. Though he seemed older, it was clear he was still just a child.
The stern-looking boy glanced over me briefly as he stepped into the office and said, “Where did you pick this one up from?”
“Watch your tongue. This child is your sister from today onward.”
“Looks like the child’s appearance screams ‘beggar.’ ”
“…….”
In an instant, I was once again labeled a beggar.
To immediately assess my ‘beggar’ status after just a quick glance—this household’s eldest son must have an exceptional eye for detail.
I lowered my head and inspected my outfit.
They’d cleaned me up and changed my clothes while I slept, so I shouldn’t look blatantly like a beggar anymore. How did he figure it out?
“If you were going to bring a child home, shouldn’t you have at least bought some nice clothes too? Do you not know how sensitive girls of that age are about such things?”
At Theodore’s sharp observation, the Duke looked as though it hadn’t even occurred to him, his expression turning regretful. The stern-faced young man smirked smugly at the Duke’s reaction.
“And jewelry? Did you buy her any?”
“Je-Jewelry!”
“To think the Delphinium family’s adopted daughter has neither proper clothing nor jewelry. Imagine what the Marmelo Ducal Household will say when they hear about this.”
“Those bastards….”
The Duke clenched his fists tightly.
“And isn’t the Bacaris family scheduled to visit the estate soon? With their daughter in tow?”
“That had slipped my mind…. Lady Bacaris is three years older than Lassetia, I believe. Perhaps the two could become friends.”
At Theodore’s final remark, the Duke’s expression grew even more grave. The stern-faced young man shifted his gaze from the Duke to me and addressed me directly.
“I am Theodore Delphinium, your eldest brother.”
“Oh, hello. My name is Lassetia.”
“Brother.”
“Pardon?”
“You can call me brother.”
“Excuse me?”
