MLIIWTFL Chapter 189

 189

[Now you can check TOC page of this novel to read chapter 00-181]

“You two seem to get along really well.”

“…Ah, I’m sorry. I was lost in thought in the middle of our conversation.”

As he apologized reflexively, Ariette quickly waved her hand in dismissal.

“No need to apologize. This must be a really stressful time for you. I hope everything gets resolved smoothly. Oh, and if there’s anything I can do to help, please don’t hesitate to tell me. I know full well that Lady Sharon would never do something so terrible.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate you saying that. I’ll be sure to let Lady Sharon know as well.”

Ezkhiel felt quietly reassured upon realizing how much trust Letticia had earned from those around her. Shaping public opinion and having genuine support from one’s peers were two very different matters, after all.

“I’m sure Lady Sharon would be glad to know how much you care, Lady Averil.”

“I just hope my concern helps even a little. I’ve been telling the people I know that she’d never do such a thing, but I’m not sure how much that really helps.”

“It’s always better to do something than nothing at all. More importantly, the sincerity of your intent matters most. After all, outcomes that happen without intent are nothing more than coincidences.”

“Oh, come to think of it, that’s something His Highness the Crown Prince also said.”

At those words, Ezkhiel turned to look at her in surprise. To his knowledge, the only time Matthias had met Ariette was at the concert, and they hadn’t had that kind of conversation then.

“Lady Averil, have you met His Highness personally?”

“Ah… yes. We happened to run into each other outside.”

“Could you tell me exactly where you met?”

“It was the path between the Crown Prince’s palace and the Ministry of Culture building. The one that leads to the central garden.”

The central garden was where Matthias took his daily walks, so it was plausible they had met while he was out walking.

Still, the fact that Ezkhiel was only hearing about this now was troubling.

> ‘Even if she’s a lower-ranked official, she’s still the daughter of the Duke of Averil. Why wouldn’t His Highness tell me he met with someone like that?’

For the Crown Prince, any interaction with a powerful noble family like the Averils was something that required the utmost care.

That’s why Ezkhiel, as the aide, made sure to stay fully informed about everything happening between Matthias and the high-ranking noble families—those of marquess status and above—so he wouldn’t make any mistakes out of ignorance. This included not only official schedules but also private meetings.

But until the end of his workday today, he hadn’t heard a single word about Ariette.

“I’m sorry to ask, but was that the only time you met with His Highness?”

“Do… I have to answer that?”

“I realize it may be an uncomfortable question, but please understand—this is a matter involving His Highness and a noble family of high standing.”

Ariette hesitated before replying.

“Really, we only ran into each other a few times. It was maybe two weeks ago? I happened to be in that area around lunchtime a few times.”

Hearing 'two weeks ago,' Ezkhiel began retracing Matthias’s actions during that period.

Come to think of it, that’s exactly when Matthias had suddenly started going out for daily walks.

A sudden increase in Matthias’s walks. Ariette’s casual remark. And the fact that Matthias never mentioned seeing Ariette to Ezkhiel—something that was highly out of character.

‘…Could all of this really be just coincidence?’

Before Ezkhiel could even properly process the discomfort he felt, an unwelcome voice called out from behind Ariette.

“Ari, what are you still doing here? Didn’t you finish work?”

“Brother!”

Ezkhiel had to try hard not to let his displeasure show on his face as Alexander approached, smiling in an overly warm and familiar manner.

Unlike Matthias, who had a bit more free time now thanks to the emperor reducing his workload, Count Freke—the Chancellor—was still buried in endless duties. And yet, he’d apparently made time to come pick up his sister after work.

“Sir Bright, you're here too. Are you heading home?”

“Yes, I was on my way when I happened to run into Lady Ariette and we stopped to chat for a moment.”

“For just a greeting, it seemed like quite a long conversation. I hope I didn’t interrupt anything pleasant.”

Despite the smile on his face, there was clear wariness in his tone. It reminded Ezkhiel of that time in the park when he wasn’t even allowed to call out Ariette’s name—and made him feel uneasy. He responded stiffly.

“We were just talking about Lady Sharon. Things aren't looking too good right now.”

“I read about that in the papers too. I sincerely hope she doesn’t suffer too much because of all this.”

Although his words echoed Ariette’s earlier concern, something about Alexander’s tone felt insincere. Ezkhiel merely nodded in acknowledgment.

Sensing the tension, Ariette tugged at Alexander’s sleeve, pulling his attention back toward her.

“But brother, is it really okay for you to be out here like this? Weren’t you super busy?”

“I just stepped out for a quick break. Still, thank you for worrying about me, Arie.”

‘...But the Chancellor’s office is all the way across the palace grounds. He would’ve needed to take a carriage to get here.’

There’s no way he came just 'during a quick break,' but Ezkhiel kept that thought to himself.

He was about to wrap up the conversation and excuse himself since they’d already discussed Letticia’s situation—but before he could say goodbye, someone else suddenly appeared.

“Arie! There you—why is he here?”

Achilles came bounding over, waving like a happy puppy reunited with its owner—but the moment he spotted Alexander, his cheerful tone shifted into something more hostile.

“Where else would the Chancellor’s aide be if not in the palace?”

“Who asked that? I was asking why you’re here goofing off instead of working!”

“I couldn’t just let Arie go to the carriage by herself, could I?”

What nonsense was that about not letting a grown woman go to her carriage alone?

Sure, in high society it was customary not to leave a debutante alone, but this was the royal palace—and Ariette was a civil servant. Going by herself would’ve been perfectly normal.

‘He just wanted to see his sister and used that as an excuse…’

While Ezkhiel coldly assessed the situation, Alexander and Achilles were now locked in a silent standoff, staring daggers at one another.

“Then I’ll escort her instead. You should hurry back to work. I’m heading out on official business anyway, so I’ll have dinner with Ariette on the way.”

“Oh? With all the chaos surrounding Lady Eskis lately, you still have time to leisurely dine with Arie?”

“And what about you? Isn’t the Chancellor incredibly busy? How does his mere aide have the time to loiter around here?”

“I’ve already finished all my work, so you don’t need to worry. Maybe you should focus on your own duties. I’ll have dinner with Arie and send her home myself.”

Their bickering seemed normal between siblings, but to Ezkhiel, it felt more like two romantic rivals fighting over one woman—and the feeling unsettled him.

‘Seriously, why are these brothers so obsessed with spending time with their sister? The Duke too… Is this some kind of Averil family custom?’

He remembered that time on the boat when the three of them—yes, even the Duke—were fighting over who got to sit next to Ariette. That was absurd enough, but now this open rivalry made it even more confusing. Was this a sibling spat or a suitor showdown?

‘Professionally, both are incredibly competent. But when it comes to their sister… it’s like they turn into completely different people.’

Alexander had a sterling reputation as a top aide—so efficient and skilled that even the strict Chancellor acknowledged it. And while Achilles’s reputation in social circles was atrocious, no one questioned his leadership as Deputy Commander of the knight order.

And yet, as older brothers… they behaved as if they didn’t understand the concept of sibling boundaries at all.

“Both of you—Brother Alexander, Brother Achilles—I’ve told you again and again not to leave work just because of me! And you both promised you wouldn’t! You’re both so mean!”

Having reached her limit, Ariette finally stepped in. The moment she did, Ezkhiel had to question his senses all over again.

It wasn’t just what she said, but how she said it—with puffed-up cheeks and a childish tone, as if she were a pouting little girl.

Thankfully, both brothers’ attention was entirely on her, otherwise they might’ve seen the stunned, almost horrified expression on Ezkhiel’s face.

“Arie, it’s not like that. I wasn’t saying anything serious! I didn’t come out here just because of you—I was heading out on business anyway. I swear! Want me to call my subordinates to confirm?”

“Don’t believe this fool, Arie. Do you really think I’d ditch my responsibilities to come here? You know how serious I am about my work!”

“I don’t care anymore. I told you both not to fight because of me, but you never listen! I’m mad at both of you!”

“Arie!”

“Arie, I was wrong, okay? Please take that back!”

Ezkhiel felt like he was watching a bad play. He was so overwhelmed by the bizarre scene that he swayed on his feet.

A grown woman behaving like a child in public was already jarring enough—but her two brothers flailing in response? It was completely beyond his understanding.

It was like being forced to accept this irrational behavior as a 'wholesome, loving family moment.'

And then—his eyes met Ariette’s as she turned toward him.

In that instant, her puffed-up cheeks deflated, her eyes widened, and her face flushed bright red.

“……”

Flustered and mortified, Ariette quickly lowered her head. And Ezkhiel, being a gentleman, decided to pretend he hadn’t seen anything.

But her brothers, either too shameless or too oblivious, continued making a fuss over their grown sister.

“Arie, are you okay? Are you feeling sick? See, I told you not to stay out too long!”

“Arie, are you tired? Want me to give you a piggyback ride?”

Ezkhiel knew that if he stayed any longer, it would only prolong Ariette’s embarrassment.

So he quietly took his leave.

It might’ve been a little rude—but in this case, it seemed like the kinder choice, for Ariette’s sake.

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