chapter 3

“Sister.”

The one corner of Deheen’s lips curled up. That alone made the air around him cool.

“What do you mean?”

“Sister, literally. Hans and Sebastian all have sisters, but we do not.”

Judy kept grumbling and sulking.

“Is that the reason?”

Deheen sighed deeply as he gripped his forehead. Although it was not just a couple of days that Judy played too much, this kind of joke was too far.

“It’s pathetic. When on earth are you going to have something to lose sight of? Are you playing this trick on your father who’s away from home for work?”

The angry voice of Deheen rose at once. His green eyes turned darker than before; anyone who received such a gaze could have flinched.

Judy pouted and looked away.

“That’s fine. I knew you wouldn’t listen to me anyway. You only like Dennis.”

“What? What’s that…?”

“Have a good trip.”

Deheen, who was embarrassed by Judy’s words, took a breath. Judy’s acknowledgement was usually quick even though he was mischievous.

Knowing that, Deheen thought an apology for that mistake would come after. However, Judy’s remarks were unfamiliar.

‘You weren’t kidding?’

Deheen’s heart weakened by Judy’s drooping look. He coughed and soothed his voice, making it soft.

“Judy, if you need a servant, I’ll get you one. But not a sister.”

“Why?”

“You don’t have a mother.”

Deheen’s wife, who was the mother of twins, died shortly from a serious illness after the birth of the twins. Deheen loved her with all his heart, so he stayed away from women since her death.

“So why?”

Judy shrugged as if he couldn’t understand.

‘What a headache.’

Deheen fell into trouble as he touched his chin. He didn’t have a good position or situation to explain in detail how a child was born.

Troubled, Deheen turned to Dennis.

“Dennis, you understand, don’t you? Why can’t you have a younger sister?”

Dennis, who was always close to books, was familiar with the world. Thus, Deheen thought Dennis would know what needed to be done to have a child.

Dennis lifted his glasses and blinked as his father’s gaze landed on him. After a while, he said his opinion in a calm tone as if the calculation had been completed.

“It’s not that there’s no way out. We can adopt.”

“What?”

Deheen’s eyebrows raised at the unexpected answer.

“Even without a mother, if you adopt, you can make a sister.”

Dennis’ voice was also mixed with subtle expectations.

“Dennis… Do you also want to have a sister?”

Deheen asked with an incredulous look.

“Well, actually, I’m curious too.”

‘Oh my god.’

That answer made deep lines on Deheen’s forehead. The shocked green eyes deepened endlessly.

“Tell me why all of a sudden you feel like having a sister. What happened to you?”

Judy came back to life when Deheen seemed to listen seriously. At this point, he raised his voice where he even tiptoed.

“You know Sebastian, right? He has a sister. But because of his sister, he doesn’t come even when I call him.”

Actually, Judy didn’t think he needed a sister until recently.

The world was full of amusement. Sometimes, when he was bored alone, he enjoyed playing with his twin brother, Dennis. Then, when he wanted to bully someone, he called Sebastian.

The stupid but powerful Sebastian was a better opponent to play with, He was a living toy who would do everything as he was told so. But since his sister was born, Sebastian had changed.

When Judy called, Sebastian, who usually ran excitedly whenever he called him, started to pull out excuses. Then he finally declared that he would no longer play with the twins.

“Are you really going to be like this? What’s good about blood?”

“It’s not blood. You don’t know what a sister is, do you?”

“I don’t care if I don’t know. Sebastian, if you keep acting like this, I won’t call you again.”

“I don’t care. I have a younger sister. You don’t have it.”

The experience of being rejected by Sebastian was a tremendous shock to Judy.

‘What’s so good about having a younger sister?’

Judy poked his lips. He still hasn’t forgotten Sebastian’s flushed face. He wanted to crush Sebastian, who boasted that he has a sister that Judy doesn’t have.

“Father! I’ll listen to you very will from now on. I’m not going to joke around, so can you make me a younger sister?”

In addition, Dennis joined in and added a few words.

“I’ll give up my earlier request too. Can’t you?”

It was very meaningful for Dennis to give up a new book that was limited edition. When not only Judy but also Dennis came out like this, Deheen could no longer ignore it.

‘I was too indifferent.’

The anticipating eyes of the twins spread confusion in Deheen’s mind. It seemed like that they were envious of another child’s younger sister because he was lacking as a father.

“…I’ll take some time to think about it.”

“You have to think about it. It’s my sister!”

“Take care, Father.”

Deheen left the mansion after receiving a strong farewell from the twins.

“Hmmm.”

He sighed and pressed his head.

“You don’t have to think too deeply. It’s just one of the whims of the young masters.”

“It didn’t look that light.”

“Even so, where did it come from all of a sudden… No, no way. Are you really thinking of adopting?”

“I don’t think it’s bad.”

After leaving the mansion, Deheen looked back on the conversation. In conclusion, he thought it would be emotionally okay to get a younger sister for twins.

Deheen had allowed the twins to have anything they want. He tried to make sure that they didn’t feel empty without a mother.

Maybe that’s why twins were easily fed up with anything. Even though they sang a song saying they wanted to get a new toy, the interest didn’t last long.

In particular, he was worried because they couldn’t get along with people. Children who lack feelings of liking or affection.

But then, he couldn’t believe they wanted a younger sister…

Although he didn’t know what kind of results it would bring, if it worked out well, it would help foster social skills.

“Ben, find a place to adopt a good child.”

“Well, do you really intend to adopt a younger sister for the masters?”

“If it’s a good child.”

Deheen always made quick decisions. His intuitive judgment had never failed. His intuition saw children’s suggestion positively.

“Let’s go to the temple and think about it slowly.”

The story of adoption was positively settled.

Soon after, Deheen’s carriage departed for the temple. Before long, Ben thought of something when he saw Deheen’s face looking out the window. He was surprised by the adoption story, and almost forgot it.

“My lord, I think you should practice smiling.”

“It’s not like I’m not trying to practice.”

Deheen replied without even turning his head.

The line from the long eyelashes to the high nose and jawline was perfect, but it was like a statue that shone well because it did not contain emotions.

“Don’t you remember what happened last time?”

At the last temple event, Deheen laughed and stunned the saint candidate who was delivering her message.

“…I know.”

He couldn’t make the same mistake. Deheen tried to practice smiling with a mirror. However, there was no sign of improvement no matter how much he raised the corners of his mouth.

“What do you think?”

“I’m scared.”

“Why? I’m smiling.”

“I think it’s because of the eyes. Close your eyes for a moment…”

“That’s enough. If she falls down again, I’ll tell her not to come back.”

Deheen’s eyes trembled at Ben’s honest words.

In the end, he threw a mirror, saying, “It’s useless.”

He leaned his back against the carriage and closed his eyes. Peace seemed to come at last.

‘I’m confident that you can kill a person with a smiling face.’

Deheen shook his head when he suddenly remembered how the enemy who had been captured as a prisoner fainted at the sight of him.

★★★

In the Austen Empire, the authority of the saint was as high as that of the emperor. As an empire that obeyed the goddess’ will, the role of a saint was great.

The important thing was always to have the saint and emperor’s dual consent.

In the central temple, an event was held every quarter to hear the voice of the goddess. The event, called the ‘Congratulatory Festival,’ must be attended by the emperor and the heads of the four great families.

“Did you know? How blessed it is to be in this position. Think of it as a class and stay quiet.”

Laura, in a stern voice, told the saint candidates.

“Yes, Miss.”

“I want to hear the Goddess’ voice quickly.”

It was today that Daina’s long-awaited event was held. An opportunity to meet the heads of the four largest families in the temple.

Unlike other times, she was able to attend the event because she returned a year earlier. Daina looked around in the venue and looked for Deheen.

It was easy to find at the top, but the problem was that Daina’s seat was too far away. She was glad that Deheen was present, but for a while, she was at a loss on how to call him out.

Even now, Deheen’s surroundings were crowded with people. Even if she was lucky, it seemed too difficult to have a separate conversation.

‘What do we do?’

It was then. Sarah, sitting next to Daina’s arm in agony, turned. She had her fingertips slightly raised as if she didn’t want to touch them.

“You, go to the warehouse and get some chairs. Lady Laura ordered it.”

Daina glanced at Sarah. She just heard Laura tell this to Sarah. Sarah was trying to pass the troublesome task on Daina.

In the past, she would have done as she was told, but now it was different. There was no reason to follow them to look better.

“That’s what the priestess told Sarah to do.”

“So what?”

“No.”

When Daina answered casually, Sarah rose briskly. The look she had towards Daina was full of contempt.

“Hey! Are you in a position to refuse us? You’re an orphan with no foundation.”

The words ‘an orphan’ pricked Daina’s heart.

‘I didn’t want to be an orphan.’

She can’t choose her parents. Why is it her fault to be abandoned from birth?

“…Even an orphan is a junior candidate.”

When Daina mumbled, Sarah’s eyes froze. She looked stunned by the absurdity.

“Look at her. How are we the same?”

“Why are you putting us together? Don’t flatter yourself. Do you think we’re on the same level? We and you, from the slums, are different!”

“Yes, my dad is a Marquis. A noble.”

At the same time, a bunch of other candidates poured out abusive words on Daina.

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