After class I sat on the bench in an unpopular courtyard thinking about what was to come.
"It's not good to go back to the mansion, is it?"
"I think someone's already reported Alicia to Arnold."
"Yeah, I guess so."
"Why don't you spend some time at Duke's?
"Yes?"
I'm not even engaged, but I can't spend time at Master Duke's.
Jill continued the conversation with a serious face.
"I think Duke knows what's going on... and maybe someday Alicia will have to get engaged to Duke too, right?
I'm not getting engaged.
"... don't think that's impossible"
Jill muttered so in a small voice.
... you can't?
I'm starting to feel like I can't when Jill tells me.
"Alicia!"
This familiar voice...
I was hugged before I saw the face of the person I was turning to.
Normally, this is how an emotional reunion reacts, isn't it?
I saw him once in the dining room. And you're very powerful.
"... you know, it's painful, brother Henri"
When I said that, Brother Henri loosened his arm.
Are you still holding him?
"I was surprised when I saw you in the dining room earlier"
Henri, your brother said that while sticking to me.
Henri, I know how worried your brother was about me.
Slowly, Henri, your brother took his hand off me and looked at my face still.
... Could you be a little taller?
I'm taller, too, but your brother Henri's pretty taller, isn't he?
"You've grown."
That said, Brother Henri stroked my head.
"Were you so worried about me?
"Right. Well, it might be that much compared to how worried Duke is."
"Master Duke? You were so worried about me?
I raised my voice to my surprise.
Master Duke didn't really show such a bare gesture.
Because I didn't even have an inspiring hug...
I think he was worried about Alicia the most.
Speaking of which, when it was in that school forest, I felt flat, but my breathing was rough, and my hair was just a little messy...
I wonder if you rushed to me in a hurry.
At that time, you were also surprised that Master Duke showed up, and most importantly, you didn't really care because you were more aware of Mel.
"There are more rumors about ants than that."
"Yeah, I know."
"So, to get rid of that rumor, Duke did."
"Turn it off!?
"Well, tell him to listen to me till the end. What do you think Duke did to the guy who was saying bad things about Ali to make it go away?
... is that just the form of a question?
It's not like I get it.... but I don't think Mr. Duke has done anything that tough because he's pretty sweet.
"Is it suspension or something?
When I said that, Brother Henri laughed at me with his nose.
"That would have been nice."
"I think it's exclusive to Alicia to be kind. Duke is a cold person, other than someone I trust. I think if someone said something bad about a woman I'm in love with, I'd be expelling her."
Jill pinches her mouth with no expression.
I wonder if Jill knows more about Duke than I do.
"I'm surprised Master Duke's cold."
"Really? I froze my spine the first time I saw Duke."
"Too beautiful?
When I said that, Brother Henri laughed lightly.
"There's that too... he had a grown-up look that surprised me with the kid's cunt. Besides, my eyes were cold enough to freeze someone."
I didn't feel that way when I first met you.
"But Henri, aren't you close to your brothers?
"Sort of. It's been a long time since you talked to us."
"Aren't you and Albert on the upside now?
"I guess so. I try not to put it on my face because Duke is also an adult, but when he was saying bad things about Alicia, he was so killer."
"Was Duke listening to Alicia's bad words in silence?
"No, that's"
"Speaking of which, what happened to the people who spoke ill of me?
That's what I said as I thought.
... you may have missed the right time to ask.
I also wonder why Master Duke kept his brother's bad mouth shut.
"I wonder if two people are dead and then there's hardly anyone left to speak ill in front of Duke"
Brother Henri said so with a slight look on his face.