Chapter 316: Family Beyond Blood
Chapter 315: Family Beyond Blood
Lyria’s POV
A soft chuckle escaped me.
He became so expressive whenever he spoke of his family.
It was such a contrast to the imposing nobleman most people knew.
Yet somehow, this side of him felt every bit as genuine.
"Olivia, on the other hand," he continued, "is the very embodiment of mischief. In that regard, she resembles Samantha considerably."
He smiled.
"And yet, despite all her complaints, she still sits patiently while Olive dresses her in ribbons and insists upon playing with dolls."
His smile widened.
"And Olive, despite claiming she has no interest whatsoever in mischief, follows Olivia into every one of her adventures."
He folded his arms.
"They are entirely different in temperament, yet they care for one another more deeply than either would ever admit."
"T-that sounds rather l-lovely," I said softly.
"It truly is," he agreed. "Though it is also extraordinarily chaotic."
He continued.
"The fourth is Philippa."
His smile became gentler.
"She is remarkably studious. In fact, she reminds me very much of Julian."
He laughed quietly.
"I do not know whether it is intentional or merely coincidence, but she behaves almost exactly as I imagine Julian must have done as a child."
He looked thoughtful.
"I have actually been considering speaking with him regarding the possibility of allowing her to study within his territory for a time."
He smiled fondly.
"She admires him immensely, you see. Given the choice between spending time with people or spending time with books, she would choose the books every single time."
He paused.
"Though, oddly enough, she is also the most mischievous member of our household."
I raised an eyebrow.
"M-more mischievous t-than Olivia?"
"Considerably," he replied without hesitation. "The difference is that Philippa is subtle. Olivia’s schemes announce themselves long before they unfold."
He smiled knowingly.
"Philippa’s do not."
"No one suspects her until it is already far too late."
I laughed.
"She s-sounds rather c-clever."
"Oh, she is," he agreed. "Entirely too clever for everyone’s peace of mind."
He continued.
"The youngest are twins as well—Judith and Jennifer."
I tilted my head.
"T-those are rather l-lovely names."
He looked genuinely affronted.
"Lovely?" he repeated. "Lovely? And what, pray tell, is wrong with Olive and Olivia?"
I laughed softly.
"Judith and J-Jennifer are a l-little more c-creative than O-Olive and Olivia," I admitted.
He pouted.
It was an utterly ridiculous expression on a man of his size.
His lips pursed ever so slightly, his brow furrowing in mock offence.
For a brief moment, the formidable Earl who had earned renown as a war hero disappeared.
In his place stood a man who looked almost... boyish.
The thought slipped into my mind before I could stop it.
Rather cute.
"Judith and Jennifer," he continued, blissfully unaware of my thoughts, "are the youngest. They shall turn six next year."
"Six?" I repeated. "T-that is q-quite young."
"It is," he agreed warmly. "They are forever bringing me little treasures."
He smiled to himself.
"Pretty stones. Curious leaves. Tiny flowers they have pressed between the pages of books. Drawings they insist are portraits of me, though I confess I struggle to recognise myself in most of them."
A quiet laugh escaped him.
"My office has become rather beautiful because of those two. It is filled with all manner of their little treasures."
He smiled fondly.
"My second-in-command receives them as well."
He shook his head.
"No one is capable of refusing Judith and Jennifer. They possess a remarkable talent for persuading even the sternest of men."
I smiled at the image.
"It s-sounds rather wonderful," I said. "A very f-full house."
"It is," he agreed. "There is always laughter. Someone is forever making a mess, causing trouble, arguing, or chasing someone else through the halls."
He laughed quietly.
"It is absolute chaos, Your Highness."
His expression softened.
"And I must admit... I am grateful that, after everything our family endured, I was still able to keep smiles upon their faces."
I found myself wanting to ask what he meant.
Yet before I could speak, he continued.
"Your Highness," he said thoughtfully, "I have only just realised that I have spent a great deal of time speaking about myself."
He smiled apologetically.
"I have told you of my sisters, my home, and my family, yet I know remarkably little about you."
I blinked.
"Y-you wish t-to know a-about me?" I asked.
"Very much so," he replied without hesitation. "Tell me about yourself, Your Highness."
His smile was gentle.
"I feel as though I have been doing all the talking."
I hesitated.
"M-my life is rather... m-mediocre compared t-to yours," I admitted quietly. "There is n-not very much t-to tell."
"I disagree," he said softly.
His eyes met mine.
"I suspect there is far more to you than you realise, Your Highness."
A warm smile touched his lips.
"And I should very much like to hear it."
I did not know how to respond to that.
Truly, my life seemed rather dull when compared to the Earl’s.
I remained silent for a few moments before finally speaking.
"U-unlike you... I-I do not h-have any siblings. I a-am the only c-child of my m-mother," I told him.
Earl Hawthorne blinked.
Then, quite unexpectedly, he burst into laughter.
I stared at him in bewilderment.
I had only spoken the truth.
I had no idea why he found my words so amusing.
"Your Highness," he said between laughs, lifting a hand to wipe away a tear that had not quite formed, "that is rather funny."
He chuckled again before continuing.
"I am only just discovering that you possess a talent for unintended humour."
"B-but I was not j-joking," I told him earnestly.
He nodded with exaggerated solemnity.
"Oh, I know," he said. "But that does not make it any less amusing."
He smiled kindly.
"To most people, you have a half-sister."
My eyes widened.
I had never truly considered Jacinta a sister.
I referred to her as such only because that was the title the world gave her.
Privately...
She had never been my sister.
My mother had been the only family I had ever truly claimed as my own.
The other...
Patricia was gone.
"Though," he added more quietly, "to anyone with eyes, it is rather apparent that the relationship between the two of you is... strained."
I merely shrugged.