The Male Lead’s Younger Sister is Still Sad Today

Episode 11

The hand holding the cold glass felt cooler than the sofa for some reason. Unconsciously, I brushed my cheek against his hand.

“What’s your name?”

Raiden’s voice resonated loudly in my mind.

“Chase, I’m Chase. I’m not Charles…”

“Alright, Charles.”

For some reason, my voice felt like it was walking through deep waters. My throat was hot, and my head didn’t seem to be functioning properly.

“I really hate lying.”

“Lying?”

Raiden tilted his head, his gaze piercing into me, making me increasingly intoxicated.

For some reason, words that hadn’t crossed my mind began to pop out randomly. I found myself involuntarily lowering my face.

“Do you dislike me… Lord?”

“What?”

“You rejected the chocolates I gave you… and on the first day, I made your noble buttocks bruise. I know you dislike me, but can’t you forgive me just this once…?”

…I really shouldn’t be driven away.

“So, are you sulking at me right now?”

“It’s not that… I mean, even if I were a lord, I’d probably want to throw someone like me out the window because it’s so frustrating. Am I that annoying?”

“You sure know how to flatter.”

Raiden replied casually, downing his drink. Listening to his words, I really felt like I had become the trash of the world.

Unconsciously, I muttered,

“I really wanted to serve the lord well. But I keep making mistakes, and I feel so pathetic… Lord is a good cook, gives me lots of money, and all the servants are kind too.”

Although Raiden didn’t say anything, I kept talking in a frantic manner.

“Lord also seems kinder than I expected, and I’m happy living at Akarut. I have nowhere else to go, and I keep making foolish mistakes…”

“…”

“Lord, I don’t want to leave here…”

Unconsciously, my nose sniffled.

Upon hearing my words, Raiden, who had been quietly listening, suddenly lifted my face that had been hanging down.

“You… Are you crying?”

“No, I’m not crying…”

“…”

I sniffled again.

“Just… This is how I feel.”

Even though I had already spoken the words, hearing his response was still frightening. I looked up at Raiden in fear.

And… when our eyes met, Raiden’s expression was something punched in the face.

I blinked involuntarily while looking at him.

Why is he making such a face?

Without a doubt, this man was an incredibly complicated figure for me. He was the most unique person I had ever seen, and his personality was something I had never encountered in my life.

Furthermore, I knew absolutely nothing about him apart from the rumors. I had no idea what kind of person he was or what he thought.

But one thing was certain: Raiden Akarut and I were completely different. We were entirely different people.

And suddenly, I felt like I would never be able to understand this man.

* * *

That’s how I woke up from a drunken stupor, in Raiden’s room, on the sofa. Raiden seemed to have gone somewhere early in the morning, as his presence was nowhere to be found.

Moreover, all the remnants from yesterday had been cleaned up.

I quickly grabbed my throbbing head and rushed to the dining room.

I couldn’t miss breakfast.

With that determination, as soon as I arrived at the dining room, Peter and Flynn were waiting for me.

“You… didn’t make any mistakes yesterday, did you?”

I nodded vaguely to Peter’s question as I scooped up the strawberry ice cream Flynn had specially made for me.

…Or did I? If it was a mistake.

At that moment, Peter shook his head vigorously and said, “I have to believe your words.”

“I can handle alcohol.”

“That kind of self-confidence is dangerous.”

As if my words were not even reaching his ears, Peter shrugged his shoulders. It was annoying, but Peter wasn’t entirely wrong, so I silently continued eating my ice cream.

“Anyway, Abel came to our room last night because you didn’t come back.”

Peter scooped another spoonful of ice cream and put it in my bowl.

“Even without that, I met Hyung on my way back earlier. He was really worried.”

Then, Flynn, who had been poking his head out from the kitchen, asked me.

“Chase, um, do you want breakfast? I can prepare it right away.”

“Sure, thank you, but are you not busy?”

“Th-that’s fine. Just wait a bit!”

Upon my reply, Flynn’s face immediately brightened, and he disappeared into the kitchen.

“…But Hyung, aren’t you going to work?”

Peter asked in confusion, watching me eat ice cream without going to work. Feeling a bit guilty for detaining Peter in the dining room because of me, I replied.

“I… Abel asked me for a favor.”

“From Brother?”

“Yeah. He said that since I wake up a bit earlier in the morning, it’s annoying for him to have breakfast alone, so he asked me to stay with him.”

“Isn’t that fine, then?”

“Right, it’s not a big deal.”

I felt a bit sorry for Peter, who was being held in the dining room because of me.

“It’s fine. Anyway, during that time, I’d just be sleeping meaninglessly.”

Peter stretched and said,

“Of course, I’m sorry for Peter, but I didn’t say anything more about going because it’s better to be with someone than to be alone during meals.”

Instead, to avoid taking more of his time, I ate the ice cream diligently. When the bottom of the bowl was visible, Flynn brought out the food.

It was tomato soup, warm bread, and some meat.

“You must be hungry. Go ahead and eat.”

“Thank you.”

As I smelled it, my hunger suddenly surged, and as soon as I took a bite of the soup, my appetite returned instantly.

Flynn, who had been watching me eat, soon wore a proud expression and went back to the kitchen, saying that he had to get back to work.

“You’re going to work right away?”

“Probably? I didn’t see the Duke this morning.”

“…Is it okay?”

“It’s fine. In fact, I got a permission slip from Mr. Henry for that job.”

Peter replied with a hint of envy.

“Use it before you get even busier.”

“I will.”

“Envious.”

“Then, have a pleasant drinking session with the Duke…”

“Tsk, don’t even mention it.”

Peter shook his head and replied. Well, I definitely wouldn’t even receive such an invitation.

Anyway, after finishing my meal quickly in the dining room, I headed to the Duke’s office.

As I went to see Raiden, I had about a thousand thoughts. There probably wasn’t anyone else who would drink with a nobleman and complain without fear.

I swallowed my saliva and knocked on the office door.

It was a re-entry just four hours after I left work.

Thanks to that, my heart was pounding to the point of madness. I stood in front of the door, cautiously opening it at the Duke’s command to come in.

Raiden was sitting, reading the newspaper. I approached him hesitantly and asked,

“Lord, should I bring your meal?”

“Charles.”

“Yes.”

“Do you remember what happened yesterday?”

A newspaper page fluttered as he turned it.

“I do remember…”

“Thank goodness. You suddenly fainted, and I thought you were dead.”

Even without looking in a mirror, I could feel my face burning with embarrassment. I replied with difficulty, my face completely red.

“I-I’m sorry…”

Raiden said while stretching.

“Well, I heard that yesterday quite clearly, so never mind that. Let’s have a meal together.”

Raiden roughly folded the newspaper and tossed it onto his desk. Then, he looked at me.

I had just eaten, but… Even if I had something in my stomach, Raiden wouldn’t care at all.

And at this hour, the servants had already finished their meals and had time to spare. He was sure to ask even though he knew.

Furthermore, if he wanted to face me and have a meal, it seemed like he might want to give me a hard time, like last time, because of my complaints after drinking.

I nodded and replied, “Alright, I’ll prepare the meal right away.”

“Good, let’s head to the dining room right away.”

What’s going on?

I thought it was strange, but I followed Raiden obediently.

Whether Raiden had already given an order to the dining room or not, there was a table filled with delicious-looking dishes.

Ah, that’s why the dining room seemed busy from earlier.

Maybe it was because of what happened last time, but I felt uneasy and my stomach churned.

Flynn approached me cautiously, pulling my sleeve and asked, “Chase… But, Chase… Did you just have your meal?”

“Well, I did…”

“I didn’t know you’d be having a meal with the Duke today. I’m s-sorry…”

Flynn started to look apologetic and didn’t know what to do. But was it Flynn’s fault? Surely, Raiden didn’t mention it…

“Flynn, I’m fine.”

I smiled as if to reassure him, but Flynn just kept stomping his feet.

“What are you doing standing there? Sit down.”

At that moment, I heard Raiden’s voice from the table. I hurriedly ran to his call.

There were all sorts of expensive dishes on the table. Besides me, there were many servants who had their meal like this, but no one looked at me and Raiden strangely.

While I was thinking about it, Raiden picked up his fork first.

I swallowed hard as I watched him.

Of course, it was true that I had a thing for food… but there was much more food on the table this time, so this meal was definitely more challenging for me.

Did he increase the portion because he saw that I ate well last time?

He was truly a man who tormented people in a strange way.

However, I forced a smile and poked the salad with my fork.

Well… it was definitely better than when I was starving with nothing to eat, compared to those times.

I looked at the salad, enjoying its crisp texture, and when I glanced up at the Duke, he was looking at me too.