I Became The Younger Sister Of A Dying Woman - Chapter 21

lurelia11-13 minutes 21.12.2022

Chapter 21: You Should Lay Down Some of Your Burdens

“Linzel, is there anything more you wish to say?”

Hernan looked back at her.

“I thought we were supposed to think together about what His Highness will wear the next time!”

“We did.”

“I want your Highness to wear a Three-Piece Suit!”

“Three-Piece……?”

Hernan gave her a puzzled look.

“Next time we meet, I’ll tell you why.”

“Okay. I’ll listen then.”

Hernan left the room. She watched the door slam shut behind him.

How awesome would that three-piece be on him?

***

Hernan returned to the palace just as the sun was setting.

In fact, he wanted to stay with her through the night and into the next day’s sunrise.

He had enjoyed talking to Linzel.

Anything, any small conversation would be fine. He didn’t mind just listening to her talk, since he wasn’t much of a talker himself.

In other words, anything was fine. As long as it meant he could talk to her.

Still, his reason for returning to the palace was as he had told Linzel. For a family dinner hosted by his father.

Unless he was engaged or married to Linzel. Unless he was officially engaged, he could not spend the night at the ducal residence.

The emperor’s orders were absolute. At least as long as Hernan wanted to be crown prince.

If he had given up the crown earlier, as Illiya had, he would not have followed his father’s orders so closely.

Hernan went to the dining room without changing his clothes. He had barely had time to change before arriving at the palace.

This was also because, as he had told Linzel, his father was very punctual. If you were even a minute late, you would be in for a scolding.

There were three other people at the dinner table.

Delta, Angel, and Izekiel.

As usual, the youngest prince, Illiya, was not present.

Hernan greeted the emperor and queen briefly before taking his seat. Delta’s gaze followed Hernan intently.

In truth, tonight’s dinner had been arranged more out of a desire to hear Hernan’s story than for a meal.

They were curious about Hernan’s late start in life, and they were also interested in Linzel, who had a way with words.

Delta spoke to Hernan before the food was served.

“Have you met with Lady Linzel again today?”

“Yes. Today she said it was like paradise to be with me.”

“Paradise. That’s a good word.”

The empress also joined the conversation.

“I’m so glad that Lady Linzel thinks so fondly of you.”

“With all due respect, she even finds me cute.”

A huge exclamation point appeared on all three of their faces as the word ‘cute’ came out.

“……!”

Izekiel was even so surprised that he dropped the fork he was holding. 

Clang!

Hernan was furious.

“Where am I not cute?” 

Then he realized that this was a terrible thing to say.

“Forget it, I only need one person to find me cute, and that’s Linzel.”

Izekiel thought as he slowly picked up his dropped fork.

‘……Miss Linzel. Don’t you have the strangest taste?’

At that moment, Delta’s booming laughter echoed across the dining room.

“Hahaha. I should live long enough to see a young lady who thinks you’re cute.”

Delta actually liked Linzel now that he had met her.

So much so, that he didn’t mind if Linzel was someone who only liked his looks.

Because he didn’t think there was anyone else who would see Hernan in a positive light. Most people were intimidated by Hernan’s bluntness and intimidating aura, and didn’t see his true colors.

Feeling better, Delta called out to Hernan.

“Hernan.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Look at my face.”

Hernan looked into Delta’s face.

“What do you see on my face today?”

Hernan tried to reply in an inoffensive way with “What are you talking about?” but then he closed his lips.

Suddenly, he remembered what Linzel had said.

‘There is a handsomeness that is the most handsome of all the handsome men.’

Wouldn’t it make his father happy if he repeated what Linzel said? That day, he was so happy to hear what Linzel said.

Hernan said sternly.

“Handsome……?”

His guess was correct.

“Right, just what I was hoping for.”

The corner of Delta’s mouth rose to near his ear and didn’t bother to come down.

Hernan smiled a little.

‘I’ve never seen Father so happy.’

Dinner, which had been more of a formality, seemed to be more convivial today. The people, the tableware, the dining room, the dishes…… Everything was the same.

It’s just that “Linzel” had wormed her way into the conversation.

Was her presence really that big?

Hernan suddenly missed her.

As if he had something left to say, Delta continued.

“Hernan. You should lay down some of your burdens.”

It was an abrupt comment.

“You mean my baggage?”

“Yes.”

Hernan thought about it.

Since the end of the civil war, his responsibilities and burdens had been somewhat lighter.

But what was his father talking about?

Hernan’s thoughts wandered.

Even Angel and Izekiel were confused, unable to understand Delta’s words.

“The burden you must lay down is…….”

Delta trailed off, and all three of their eyes focused on his lips.

Then Delta gave them the answer.

“Being cool.”

There was an eerie silence in the dining room. Delta was the only one excited.

“Hahahaha. I don’t know who he looks like to be so cool.”

Delta found Linzel’s way of speaking amusing.

After a moment of surprise at Delta’s pun, Angel replied, “Oh, no. Your Majesty. It’s no secret to everyone in the palace that Hernan and you look alike, isn’t it, Izekiel?”

“…….”

Izekiel didn’t answer, and Angel stared at him.

“Izekiel?”

There was an unnatural smile on Izekiel’s face.

“Yes. You are right, mother.”

“Your Majesty, you should see the look on Izekiel’s face. He doesn’t mind your Majesty’s puns, now.”

“Uh-huh. Izekiel. Do you want to put down your cool too?”

Izekiel smiled his perfect smile.

“Haha. No, father, I want to carry my coolness with me for the rest of my life.”

As their conversation continued, Hernan was deep in thought.

‘How did father come up with that pun? I wish I had done the same for Linzel.’

* * *

As Hernan was leaving the dining room after dinner, someone called out to him.

“Hernan, stop for a second.”

It was Izekiel again. This time, Izekiel was following him.

Hernan stopped walking, and Izekiel stood in front of him.

“Hey, Hernan.”

“I just want you to tell me briefly about your business.”

“Those trousers you’re wearing, they look very familiar.”

“That’s a very strange line,” Hernan snorted. “I’m sure you’re not the only one who frequents the shops in the capital.”

Izekiel lifted one corner of his mouth to express his disbelief.

Hernan’s stoicism left him speechless. He couldn’t understand why his brother, who had never known a lie, had become so brazen.

“So, what are you going to buy next?” Izekiel asked, and Hernan answered without blinking an eye.

“Three-Piece Suit…..?”

The boldness was so absurd. Izekiel let out a frustrated snort.

“I’m warning you, don’t take my reservation first.”

“I’ll keep it in mind.”

Why did he have a feeling he wouldn’t?

Izekiel decided that was enough about clothes. Hernan was right, he wasn’t the only one using Annette’s shop.

Izekiel had stopped Hernan for another reason.

“I didn’t call you back to talk about clothes…… I need to talk to you about Miss Linzel.”

” Linzel……?”

“Because I believe I’m on to something.” 

Izekiel swiped the tip of his tongue across his lips. In his memory, he pictured Linzel, her bruises prominent.

“…….”

Hernan honestly didn’t want to talk to Izekiel. It was because he harbored negative feelings towards him.

It was the first intense emotion he had ever felt in his life.

Hernan had never loved anyone, but he knew the name of the feeling.

Jealousy. He was feeling this jealousy towards Izekiel.

He hated that Izekiel was interested in Linzel, regardless of the fact that she was interested in himself.

He wished he could keep her to himself.

It was a stupid, ugly wish, but there was nothing he could do to stop it.

So, for a while, he avoided Izekiel and only tried to copy his clothes……. And then Linzel’s name came out of Izekiel’s mouth.

He even noticed something about her.

Hernan’s mind raced. His emotions now were jealousy and curiosity. Curiosity was the winning emotion.

Hernan clenched his fists and opened his lips.

“What did you find out about Linzel?”

There was a chill in his voice.

Izekiel answered with a stern face.

“There’s something I need to ask you first.”

“What is it?”

“Hernan, did you know that your bride was originally Miss Letty?”

Hernan nodded.

When he had returned to the palace after the long civil war, his father had suggested an arranged marriage.

At that time, it didn’t matter who the bride was. Younger or older, more or less beautiful.

But if there was one small thing he wished for, it was that she wouldn’t be afraid or hate him. He didn’t want her to be afraid of him or hate him, because he might have to live with her for the rest of his life.

He didn’t expect her to love him.

That’s why there was no particular excitement about the bride changing.

Except that after meeting Linzel, he was glad that his bride was now Linzel.

“And you didn’t find that strange?”

Hernan shook his head.

“Why should I find that strange?”

It was not unusual for the partner of an arranged marriage to change. Hernan hadn’t felt the need to attach any meaning to the fact.

Izekiel’s face grew more serious.

“Let me put it differently, then. Did you know that Lady Linzel has bruises all over her body?”