The Male Lead’s Younger Sister is Still Sad Today

Episode 23

Abel’s hands, packing my belongings, paused at my words. However, he soon responded quietly.

“There are many strange people in this world. You could be misunderstood for no reason.”

“Perhaps…?”

Now that even Abel was gone.

Eventually, having put down the hairpin, I picked up other belongings. Carrying the packed items, I went and sat next to Abel.

Abel neatly organized the items I brought into the bag and said, “No matter what happens, be sure to lock the door at night.”

“Got it.”

“Even if someone asks you to open the door, don’t open it.”

“Of course.”

“And I’ll tell Peter… So if anything happens, make sure to tell Peter.”

Even though I wasn’t going to a battlefield, Abel was overly concerned. I confidently smiled as if to reassure him, but Abel’s face, looking at me, showed no sign of easing.

Silently, Abel looked at me for a while and then pulled something out hesitantly. I wondered what it was, but what Abel offered me was none other than a gun.

The smooth surface of the gun felt somewhat threatening.

“If it’s dangerous, just shoot.”

Saying that, Abel handed me the gun. I accepted it in haste.

Glancing at the gun, I looked at Abel, but if I didn’t take this, Abel seemed unable to relax.

“I won’t need this. But thanks.”

With that, Abel seemed relieved and gently smiled before hugging me.

* * *

“Hah, things turned out like this.”

“…So it seems.”

Fate played its tricks, and my room ended up between Peter and Flynn’s rooms. Flynn seemed delighted that we were now neighbors, and he smiled widely at me.

“Chase, ah, please take good care of me!”

“I’m counting on you.”

Being close to both Peter and Flynn’s rooms was a stroke of luck. It seemed that Peter was quite pleased to have rooms next to both Flynn and me, as he roughly ruffled our hair.

“Really… I’m glad you guys are here.”

“Oh, what’s the occasion for you to say that?”

It was somewhat unexpected for Peter, who was known to have a wide network in the mansion, to make such a statement. It meant that even in a place where no one knew anyone, he felt he would be fine living alone.

“Well… it’s because there are quite a few guys here who create a gloomy atmosphere.”

Peter whispered with a lowered voice. Flynn could guess who those guys were. His face, which was bright just moments ago, had darkened a bit.

“Are you talking about those guys?”

“Yeah. Those guys who have been talkative from the past.”

It was the first time Flynn had seen Peter, who was usually friendly with people, disgusted to this extent. I was curious about who could make his face so tense, but I thought I would find out later when the time was right.

If not, I could ask Flynn later.

“Hey, want to go see Abel tonight?”

“To Abel?”

“Yeah, you might feel lonely being separated from him. Let’s have a drink at the festival tonight.”

Peter opened his mouth, pretending to drink alcohol.

Come to think of it, today was the day of the autumn festival. I had forgotten because my mind was too preoccupied.

While we were looking forward to the festival at night, Flynn opened his mouth with a sad expression.

“I have a lot of work at the restaurant, so I don’t think I can go. I’m sorry.”

“Oh, I heard Olivia got punished. She must be busy.”

“Olivia received punishment?”

It was the first time I heard that. Peter chuckled softly as if finding Olivia being punished amusing.

“Why bother? The day you had dinner with the Duke, it seems Olivia didn’t convey the Duke’s instructions to the restaurant.”

Well, considering Olivia’s working style, it wasn’t surprising that she received a punishment now. She only excelled in serving and had a good eye for people.

“It would be better if she doesn’t come back like this.”

Peter murmured. I agreed with his words. Even if only that person was removed, the atmosphere in the restaurant would surely improve. He was quite talkative among the servants.

“Anyway, after dinner, come to Abel’s room. I’ll go first.”

“Okay, see you in a bit!”

* * *

From today, the size of the room I started using was a bit larger than the one I used before. If not, it might feel larger because I used to share a room with Abel, and now I was alone.

I took out items from my bag and started organizing them. I had more things than I thought. And there were quite a few items I had left behind.

‘The items I left behind… just an alarm clock and some bandages?’

Since I had to go to Abel’s room after dinner anyway, I thought I could bring those items then.

However, at the same time, I questioned whether I really needed to eat dinner. After all, there would be plenty of delicious food at the festival.

‘Let’s go to the festival right away.’

With that thought, I abruptly stood up. The steps leading to Abel’s room felt remarkably light.

As I arrived in front of the door, I hesitated for a moment when I heard a soft voice through the gap.

“Abel, I’ve been curious about something for a while.”

It was Peter’s voice.

“Why do you need to stick with Chase like that? Well, I understand you’re worried because he looks delicate, but come on. He’s an adult.”

Hearing my name, I paused and listened carefully to the hushed conversation.

“At most, he was 6 years old.”

Abel’s voice continued, and I froze completely. Six years old…

“What?”

“Our parents passed away.”

“…”

“He had to witness our parents’ death alone in the closet.”

Even as Abel brought up the story of his parents, he did not shed a tear. He remained indifferent.

Unless you listened closely to the details, others would think that they were having an ordinary conversation.

But for some reason, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that Abel might burst into tears any moment.

“He was my only support. But back then, I… I couldn’t think about taking care of him.”

“…”

Peter swallowed a heavy breath. He struggled to speak, licking his lips with his tongue. After hesitating for a while, Peter finally spoke with great effort.

“…Abel, if Chase was young, so were you.”

“If it weren’t for him, a younger kid than me, I wouldn’t have endured.”

“Abel.”

“Compared to him sacrificing himself, I haven’t sacrificed anything.”

But contrary to what Abel was saying, I had sacrificed nothing. Cross-dressing was merely for my safety.

“To me, he is the most precious. That fact will never change.”

And with those whispered words from Abel, I felt an inexplicable urge to escape, leaving that place without understanding why.

* * *

“Chase?”

“…”

“Chase!”

Roel’s shout snapped me back to reality.

“Oh, senior…”

“Are you completely out of it? What’s going on?”

“Nothing, really.”

But he didn’t seem to believe me. Roel just shook his head with a disapproving look.

“Chase, did you know you spilled stew on your pants?”

“What?”

Glancing down at my pants in response to his words, I discovered that the stew that had been quietly resting on the spoon had somehow started flowing down onto my pants.

“Oh, hot!”

Feeling the heat only now, I hurriedly wiped off the stew with the napkin on the table. Roel lightly scolded me, asking where I had lost my senses.

“Where on earth are you losing your mind?”

“Haha… Maybe I’m a bit tired today. I just want to rest.”

I looked out at the gradually setting sun and opened my mouth. However, Roel’s expression subtly changed as my words ended. He scratched his cheek awkwardly.

“Are you feeling hot about the hunting ground marked for today?”

Roel sighed softly.

“The hunting competition got pushed up a bit due to the banquet. So, we need to mark the area today to match the schedule.”

“Just a little task, I can finish it quickly.”

“Fortunately, the marked area is smaller than last year. So, it shouldn’t be too hard. We’ll divide the areas with other hunters.”

“Good news.”

Roel nodded slightly.

“The rope should be hanging where you need to tie it. Climb up the mountain, light the torch on your back, and tie the rope to the tree with the torch.”

It sounded easy in words…

“Keep going straight until the rope falls.”

“Right. And when you come back, follow the torches. If you can’t find the way, set off a firework. Then, I’ll come find you with the others.”

“Okay.”

Roel looked at me with a slightly apologetic expression.

“However, by the time you finish marking the area… the festival might already be over.”

Roel’s following words were somewhat shocking. I had planned to finish the work quickly and head to the festival.

It seemed like I might have to give up going to the festival with Abel at night. It was a bit disappointing, but the hunting duty came first, so there was no help for it.

In the Rossche Kingdom, there were festivals celebrating each season. One year celebrated spring and autumn, and the next celebrated summer and winter.

The way each region celebrated the festival was different. When I lived in the south, we had a lantern festival in the fall. We wrote our wishes on lanterns and released them into the sky, filling the sky with lanterns.

The sight was truly indescribably beautiful.

“It’s okay. I’ll enjoy the summer festival next year.”

“I feel sorry for no reason…”

“People are busy during this time. You don’t need to apologize at all.”

Roel’s eyes shook vaguely as he heard my words.

“Well, the thing is… Your group has the longest rope.”

“Ah…”

I was at a loss for words at Roel’s next statement.