OIAR - Chapter 17

 Shioana had already fallen asleep by Etienne's side many times.

He didn't know where he could trust.

Just because his life was hard did not change the fact that Etiennewas at a very vigorous age.

'Who did I pour cold water for? If you know that, you won't dare to sleep next to me.'

The shadow on his face as he roughly scraped his wet hair deepened.

"...Hah."

With a short sigh, Etienne stood up and left the shelter.

If he continues to be with her, he may do something.

"Martha, ugh..."

As he grabbed the doorknob, Shioana grabbed him by the sleeve. As he turned his head, he saw a soaked blanket.

If he left as it was, she was sure to catch a cold no matter how much she was in front of the stove. He didn't even think that firewood would burn overnight.

'...Damn it.'

He went back to the stove, removed the wet blanket, and replaced it with a dry cloth. Perhaps because she had fallen asleep, Shioana just dozed off at his touch.

'What should I do now?'

It was right to take her to the bedroom after she fell asleep, but he couldn't do that today. The main house was still noisy.

However, he didn't feel comfortable leaving her alone.

Drunk guests may come here.

Right now. Shioana was in a deep sleep, and no one knew who was going to carry her. When he imagined a situation where a man found her asleep, his fist became extremely strong.

'You're crazy.'

After thinking for a moment, Etienne sat down beside Shioana.

At that moment, Etienne'z gazed reached her feet as she stepped out of her dress. The blood flowing from her heels was dyeing her silk stockings red.

'You're not a child. really.'

Etienne jumped up and went to a small bucket he had been looking for earlier. He took out the bandage and powder medicine and let out a long sigh.

'In this state, it seems difficult to walk properly, let alone dance.'

Nevertheless, she jumped into the lake without hesitation.

She thought he was going to die, and she tried to stop him.

The desperate expression on Shioana's face at that time was clear.

"Stupid..."

He had never heard of a noble lady who was looking for slaves.

Etienne, frowning, carefully touched Shioana's ankle. Her thin ankle and entire foot, which were less than a handful of wounds, were messed up. After wiping off the wound, he gently sprinkled it with an analgesic powder.

"...Ugh."

Shioana flinched and stretched out her arms to grab his side. He looked away from her purging lips and bandaged the wound to fix it.

When he finished his work and tidied up the small barrel, Shioana, who had fallen asleep while sitting, collapsed on his shoulder.

Her characteristic scent stimulated Etienne's sense of smell, and her soft hair tickled the nape of his neck.

'...Even if it's hard! Why do you die!'

He remembered the moment when she screamed and hit him angrily.

'Did you catch me so I wouldn't die?'

He thought there was no hand left in the world to hold him back.

'Without you, I...'

Why, if you don't have me?

He asked silently, looking down at the top of her head as she breathed heavily. But then Etienne, who looked bitter, turned his head.

'There is no reason to wonder.'

All of this is just a whim of a precious young lady. 

The red stigma on his right wrist explained his current situation well. People don't feel the same just because they're in the same space.

At that time, yawns poured out of nowhere.

'Can I fall asleep...'

Etienne's expression was disturbed by the unfamiliar sensation.

Due to severe insomnia that began after his brother's death, Etienne could not sleep for less than an hour or two. He tried to force his eyes to open, but there was the delicate body that burrowed in his arms.

'I have to shake it off...'

However, Etienne could not resist it. After a while, the shadows of the two people hugging each other filled the shelter.

***

After the ball, Eli stopped by the high bell significantly less. Showing enthusiasm for the Lord's work belatedly, he rummaged through the file that Shioana had organized.

"Shioana, come here and explain this part."

He was always in the gambling hall, so there was no way he could properly recognize the documents. Shioana explained it in a nutshell, but Eli only gave an impression and didn't understand it properly.

"I think I'll do some makeup in the time I have to spend on something like this. Isn't it rather a flaw that you are good at this?"

It was because neither her father nor her brother did it. There is no butler to take care of the housework, so was it right to say that she didn't know?

It was unfair that she would help him and be pointed out for her appearance, but she couldn't get angry, and Shioana only crumpled her dress with her fingers.

"That's because the ball is over..."

"Shioana, I really like you. Don't you see guests coming in and out of  Regbel?"

Shioana hesitated to speak in the face of the continued questioning.

"...But."

Although not as much as a ball, she was dressed neatly.

"Do you want me to embarrass you?"

Eli, who was sweeping up his well-groomed blonde hair, laughed bitterly. Shioana's cheek quickly heated up at her brother's accusatory gaze.

'...Oh.'

Eli got up with the file folder covered and leaned against the window.

The snug navy blue suit that fit the body clearly revealed his long legs and toned body. It was a perfect look that was no different from prom clothes.

'You're prefect today.'

Shioana looked at her outfit again.

The dress she thought was okay had faded, and she could see that the nose of the shoe was very worn. Compared to Eli, she became ugly in an instant.

She pushed her foot into her dress to hide her shoes, and Eli made an impression when he saw the bandage on her ankle.

"Besides, what is all that on your ankle? It's messy..."

His insensitive words made Shioana cry.

It's not messy, it's painful. But as always, those words could not be conveyed.

"You have to receive guests in the afternoon, so go and change into rag-like clothes."

"Yes, I understand."

Shioana's hand trembled slightly as she grabbed the dress called rag.

As her brother said, a guest came to Regbel in the afternoon.

Count Noah, whom she had seen at the ball, had brought a rich gift package for Shiaona.

The box was filled with feathered hats, which are said to be popular in Highbell, and sweet candies and cookies.

"Miss Evgenia, I hope you like it."

"Thank you, Count."

Shioana's face turned red as she bowed her head.

'Can I accept it?'

It was good that it was the first time she received such a gift, but she was worried. Even though they were not close, it was somehow uncomfortable to receive such an expensive gift.

However, it was against etiquette to refuse as soon as she received it, so she didn't know what to do.

"Shioana, why don't you show the Count wearing that hat? It would be nice to take a spin around."

Embarassed, Shioana didn't care, and Eli grabbed her shoulder.

Despite her brother's unreasonable demands, Shioana still didn't know what to do.

She wasn't good enough to try on the hat given to her in front of a stranger.

'And even spinning around?'

This was impossible, no matter how much her brother said.

At that moment, Count Noah stepped forward in the middle and smiled.

"Viscount Evgenia, don't make the Young Lady uncomfortable for some reason. If this happens, I'll feel sorry for giving her the gift."

Eli, who was angry and surprised at Count Noah's words, bowed his head.

"Oh! I did not understand the Count's deep meaning. I apologize."

"I'm not going to get an apology."

"By the way, Count, you can treat my sister and me comfortably. Call her Shioana."

Standing next to the Count, Eli farted all sorts of things. Because she was unfamiliar with such a figure, Shioana's eyes were wide open.

"Can I do that?"

Count Noah, with a friendly smile, politely asked for permission from Shioana.

In fact, she didn't want to be called so friendly by someone she had only seen twice. However, it was an atmosphere where she couldn't dare to say no.

"Of course."

Both of them looked satisfied with Shioana's answer.

"Thank you, Miss Shioana."

Count Noah thanked her.

After a while, the Count, who was scratching his chin, ordered his servant to bring a basket of desserts and tea from the famous bakery in Heibel.

"Viscount, if it's not rude, I'd like to go for a walk with your sister. I saw a place with quite a good view on the way here."

As Count Noah's suggestion, Elii, whose face turned red, made an exaggerated gesture.

"I don't know what to do with you to show such favors. Martha! Get ready for the young lady to get out right away!"

Shioana just stood far away at her sudden outing. It was definitely her business, but it didn't seem to be hers.

Eli approached and spoke to her kindly, and she barely came to her senses.

"Thank you so much for being so considerate."

"You're welcome."

Count Noah looked very satisfied at the greeting she fluttered.

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