The Male Lead’s Younger Sister is Still Sad Today

Episode 9

As I began to adapt to the task, I quickly caught up with Roel’s pace in writing the invitations. Thanks to that, the work was finished in no time. Sitting idly with nothing to do was starting to feel awkward.

At that moment, a butler rushed into the study. Grandfather Ben, who had been on the phone with Raiden, turned pale upon hearing the news from the butler.

Feeling awkward and having nothing better to do, I decided to inspect the perfectly sealed invitations one more time. Grandfather Ben noticed me and cautiously called me.

“Chase.”

Having something to do was much better than sitting in confusion. I carefully made my way over to Grandfather Ben, trying not to disturb Roel, who was busy writing letters.

“They say you can do calculations based on the recommendation letter you received from Seville, is that correct?”

“Well… I can.”

I hesitated slightly as I answered. I could do it, but I wasn’t particularly good at math.

“That’s a relief. Due to some unexpected expenses at the annex, I need to check the budget I had prepared for this event.”

Luckily, Grandfather Ben was only dealing with a simple calculation. I just needed to review the budget statement for the upcoming event to see if there were any errors.

“Please double-check the calculations for any mistakes, and I’ll show it to the Duke after he finishes his call.”

“Sure.”

I had no idea what had happened at the annex, but judging by Grandfather Ben’s extremely pale face, it seemed to be a significant issue.

Before I could finish my answer, Grandfather Ben hurriedly left the study.

I quietly took a seat in the chair where Grandfather Ben had been sitting and began reviewing the calculations.

To be honest, I couldn’t concentrate well, partly due to Raiden’s loud arguments during his phone call.

Whenever I tried to focus on my calculations, I found myself forgetting the numbers because of Raiden’s shouts.

It definitely wasn’t because I was bad with numbers.

As I struggled through the review, Raiden finally finished his call, slamming the receiver down roughly.

He seemed to be in a terrible mood.

I couldn’t help but wonder when would be a suitable time to show him the budget statement.

I cautiously looked at him and then spoke up.

“Um… Duke.”

Raiden, who had been staring at the telephone, suddenly turned his gaze toward me.

“I have something that butler asked me to do…”

I handed the budget statement, which had been reviewed, to Raiden. His eyebrows raised slightly as he received the budget statement I handed over.

I hadn’t done anything wrong, so why did I tremble for no reason when I stood in front of Raiden?

The only sounds in the study right now were the rustling of paper as Raiden checked the budget statement and the distant noise of Roel typing on the typewriter.

If I accidentally swallowed my saliva, it felt like Raiden’s gaze would immediately lock onto me. So, I just fidgeted with my hands without even daring to swallow my saliva.

Raiden tapped his finger on the table. Then, he paused briefly as if he had some concerns. He slightly furrowed his normally smooth forehead before speaking.

“Why are you changing the old windows?”

“I’m not sure about that part either, as I haven’t heard anything from butler.”

“And I distinctly remember instructing him to make flowers the main theme.”

Raiden, who seemed tired, opened his mouth.

“I need you to call butler immediately.”

Roel and I exchanged quick glances.

With that, I quickly left the study and hurriedly walked to the annex to find Grandfather Ben.

But then, I stopped in my tracks without realizing it, hearing the chattering of the maids cleaning the Duke’s room.

Of course, I knew it wasn’t right to eavesdrop on others’ conversations…

“Is it a gift from a lady?”

“Probably, since it was chocolate.”

“Sigh… Even so, they should at least respect the giver’s intentions… There’s no need to burn it, is there?”

Through a crack in the door, I saw my chocolate box, which I had given to Raiden, lying partially burnt on the fireplace.

* * *

Even if Raiden Akaruth had burned the chocolate I gifted him, I didn’t feel any disappointment. My only regret was that the expensive chocolate had gone to waste without anyone enjoying it.

If they weren’t going to eat it, they shouldn’t have accepted it in the first place! It’s ridiculous to accept something with a smile and then burn it.

‘What’s the problem then?’

No matter how much I thought about it, apart from the initial mistake on the first day, I hadn’t done anything that would earn his hatred. Of course, it’s possible that my mere presence was irritating, but if that were the reason, it would be a huge issue. So, I decided to completely dismiss that possibility.

Perhaps Peter was right, and time was the only remedy.

“Is… something wrong?”

I was lost in thought when Flynn’s voice made me look up. I cautiously nodded in response to his question.

Flynn placed a lobster dish in front of me. It looked incredibly appetizing, even though I wasn’t in the best mood. Despite my mood, my mouth watered.

Flynn nervously asked if I liked it as he looked at me with an anxious expression.

“It’s… delicious.”

It truly was delicious. It was a taste that made all my worries from earlier vanish.

I eagerly dug in with my fork, and Flynn, who watched me with a pleased expression, took a seat in the chair next to me.

“I’m… glad you’re enjoying it.”

“I’m the one who should be thankful.”

Upon hearing my words, Flynn let out a bashful smile. Then, he carefully opened his mouth as he fidgeted with the hand resting on the table.

“Actually, Mr. Henry asked me to present my dish at this year’s event.”

“This is the dish?”

“Yes.”

Flynn blushed as if he were shy.

“But, I still feel like it’s… lacking.”

As Flynn spoke, a hint of concern briefly crossed his face.

Flynn was not only a skilled chef but also quite good-looking, with an exceptionally pleasant personality. Among all the people I had met, he was one of the most well-rounded individuals, second only to Abel and Isis in terms of being a perfect human being.

However, there was just one problem with this seemingly perfect person, and that was his incredibly low self-esteem. Of course, Flynn’s low self-esteem wasn’t his fault.

I cleared my throat for a moment.

“Even though I may not know much about the tastes of higher-ranking individuals, I’ve still tasted a lot of food, you know?”

I had dined with Isis and the Marquis family quite frequently, so it wasn’t an inaccurate statement.

I raised my thumb as I continued.

“I’m not lying, and among all those meals, the ones you’ve prepared are the most delicious.”

“Th-thank you, but you don’t have to say it like that…”

“I can’t lie about taste. Moreover, you don’t just assist in the kitchen; you also prepare the Duke’s meals, right?”

Because Olive often assigned him menial tasks, I had assumed that Flynn was just a kitchen assistant. However, Flynn was a professional chef.

We were the same age.

It was later revealed that even the food we had in Lord Raiden’s room had been prepared by Flynn. Naturally, I thought it was Olive who had made the food.

Of course, as the Marquis of Akaruth’s chef, Flynn should have had an impressive career, but it seemed like he wasn’t aware of this fact yet.

“You’ve gained recognition from the Duke. You should have a bit of pride.”

“Is it really okay?”

“Of course.”

I picked up a piece of lobster meat from the plate and fed it to Flynn.

“It’s delicious, right?”

In response to my question, Flynn nodded cautiously. If Flynn were to give up on his dream of opening a restaurant, it would surely be a national loss.

As I savored the dish that Flynn had prepared, the momentarily forgotten thoughts of guilt began to resurface.

Without realizing it, my expression must have darkened a bit because Flynn cautiously spoke up.

“Hey, Chase…”

“Yes?”

“You’re a remarkable person too.”

Flynn smiled faintly as he spoke.

“And the Duke will soon realize that too. Just hold on a little longer.”

“Yeah, I’ll do my best to hold on.”

“Would you like some dessert? Oh, never mind. I think it’s good just as it is.”

With that, Flynn hurriedly returned to the kitchen.

* * *

“Your Lordship, I have indeed investigated as per your instructions, but I could not find any suspicious behavior in the two of them. To my old eyes, there was… nothing to be suspicious of.”

Raiden’s hand, which had been sweeping through his hair, momentarily froze.

“As far as I’ve observed, those two are just… close brothers.”

The Chase and Abel that Ben had seen so far were siblings who despised each other. Having such a family was a rare stroke of luck for both of them.

Listening to Ben’s words with his eyes half-closed, Raiden finally spoke.

“Butler, do you happen to know that rats can transmit diseases?”

Raiden ignited a cigarette between his lips.

“Yes. The cause of a major epidemic that occurred in the past was also due to rats living in the sewers.”

Humans who received love and care without any resentment clearly stood out. Those were things that couldn’t be faked. Even if he were to die and be reborn, he could never become someone like that, nor could he ever touch such a person.

Such people radiated light. It was natural for those who had adapted to that light to be drawn to it. However, for those accustomed to darkness, it was blinding.

And unintentionally, one got hurt when they were around such people. The pain wasn’t enough to kill, but it was a discomfort that lingered.

But even if one got hurt by such a person, they would never admit it even if they died. They pushed that person away because they had no justification to keep them close.

Then, that simple discomfort slowly festered and became a disease that gnawed at them from within.

“Prepare the table for drinks.”

“Your Grace…”

“Don’t worry. I already know that cunning fox wouldn’t have sent such inept people.”