Chapter 171
“Huff. Sorry. Just thinking about it makes me angry again.”
My sister composed her emotions with a short deep breath, looking a bit embarrassed.
“It’s fine. I’m so disgusted by it too that it makes me nauseous.”
“Right. You would be. Let’s not talk about that revolting bastard anymore. More importantly, Fei.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t worry about the family. You should pursue the love you want and live the life you desire. I’ll always be on your side.”
“…”
Her words made my previous concerns seem needless. My heart fluttered. My kind sister gave me strength with her beautiful smile. I felt narrow-minded and selfish for having considered leaving the family just to be with Luwen.
‘I am that kind of person, though…’
Even though I want to change, will I ultimately remain the same?
“…Actually, I…”
I opened my mouth with difficulty and told her that I’d been thinking about leaving the family in the future. Not to ask for permission, but to be honest and ask for forgiveness.
My sister seemed a bit surprised, but quickly regained her composure and smiled.
“If that’s the life you want, it’s fine. Even without the ‘Vinter’ name, the fact that you’re my brother won’t change.”
I received an answer different from what I expected.
Her statement that she would acknowledge me as her brother even if my status changed implied a lot. It meant that even if I wasn’t Fei Vinter, I would implicitly remain a Vinter. Unless someone wanted to incur the wrath of Duke Vinter, no one would dare touch me.
However… now that I had my sister’s permission, I found I no longer wanted to leave the family. I was happy and overwhelmed that my sister was my only family, and I didn’t want to lose the proof that we were family.
“Why do you look so glum?”
“…It’s because of you, sis.”
“Are you moved? Really? Oh my, I’m sorry for making you cry first thing in the morning.”
“Don’t tease me. And I haven’t cried yet, you know?”
“Hmm, so you haven’t cried yeeet~”
“Ah, sis!”
“Hahaha!”
Hearing my sister’s cheerful laughter, the tears that were about to come out retreated. Instead, I also burst into laughter.
All the troubled feelings from the past few days flew away. An unfounded confidence welled up, and I felt like everything would work out. For no particular reason. Just because.
***
When it was time to go to the clinic, I left the mansion with Luwen.
While riding in the carriage, I enjoyed the scenery outside the window. The energy of people bustling about seemed to transfer to me.
“You seem to be in a good mood today.”
“Do I? Is it that obvious?”
“Yes. I was worried because you seemed down recently. Was it because you felt confined staying at the mansion?”
Luwen asked with a relaxed expression. The real reason for my good mood was the conversation with my sister, but since he was at the center of that conversation, I couldn’t tell him.
“Yes. I’m finally free again.”
As I made up an excuse, Luwen smiled gently and opened the carriage door. We had conveniently arrived near the clinic.
As usual, he got out first and extended his hand to me. Although the weather was still cold, it felt refreshing, perhaps because of my good mood.
“Master!”
As soon as the clinic building came into view, Taran, who had been pacing at the entrance, ran toward me with a bright face and open arms. It looked like he was about to embrace me.
‘Taran’s been through a lot too.’
I also opened my arms, thinking I’d hug him and pat his back, but we didn’t make contact.
“How dare you be so impudent.”
Taran was stopped right in front of me, his forehead caught by Luwen’s hand.
“Ah! Luwen! How dare you make this touching reunion look ridiculous. You spoilsport!”
“Says the one who only visited once during his illness.”
“I was responsible for the Master’s clinic, you know?”
While the two bickered, I awkwardly withdrew my arms and placed them behind my back. Ahem.
“Anyway, don’t think you can just casually hug him.”
“You do it!”
“I have permission.”
“Can I get permission too?”
Both of them looked at me simultaneously. Though their gazes contained contrasting emotions, they were equally intense, which made me laugh.
“Normally it wouldn’t be allowed, but since you’ve worked hard this time, I’ll give you a hug just once. Come here.”
Since I said it was an exception this time, I thought it would be an answer that would satisfy both of them.
“Did you hear that! Take your hand off my head!”
Luwen clicked his tongue lightly and lowered his hand.
“Young Master, please don’t indulge him so much. It will create bad habits.”
Since we were outside the clinic, Luwen’s voice, which started with “Young Master,” was very quiet. It wasn’t so quiet that the person right in front of him couldn’t hear, so Taran pouted and glared at Luwen.
“Heh. No matter what you say, it won’t work. Since Master has given permission, it’s my victory.”
Taran proudly fell into my arms. Since he was a bit taller than me, he awkwardly bent his knees and slightly hunched his back.
“…Just this once.”
Luwen turned his head and muttered quietly. When he heard how Taran had protected me, he had acted like it was only natural, but it seems he was truly grateful inside.
“And now it’s over. It’s not good to embrace for too long on the street.”
Shortly after, Luwen separated Taran and me.
“Then let’s continue inside!”
As Taran vigorously threw open the clinic door, Luwen looked at me with a sullen face. His gaze seemed to ask if this would continue.
Perhaps it was because I had nearly died. Somehow feeling nostalgic, I laughed heartily as I entered the clinic.
To be honest, I didn’t teach Taran with pure intentions at first. He was a puzzle piece for later, in case war broke out. Because I could get hurt. To place a doctor among the Kans who could save me.
But now Taran had also come inside our protective circle. I would never forget how he had risked his life for me. Yet he didn’t ask for any compensation and continued to bicker with Luwen as usual, which felt homely.
‘It’s a shame we won’t be able to see this scene forever.’
Even if Luwen stays by my side, Taran will return to the Kans. I don’t know when, but we’ll part ways.
“Hey! Hurry up! Aren’t you coming? I have a lot to report!”
Only then did I snap back to reality and check the time.
“Luwen, you’ll be late for training.”
“…Ah.”
Luwen also checked the time and nodded. He hesitated, looking at the entrance, then met my eyes.
“I’ll be back.”
“Yes. Take care and come back safely.”
With a brief eye contact that felt too short, Luwen started walking.
After a few steps, he looked back once more. When I waved my hand, he smiled and opened the door. Just before dissolving into the sunlight, Luwen looked at me one more time and then closed the door.
“Well then, shall we begin?”
“Yes!”
Taran handed me some documents with a confident smile. They were medical records of patients who had visited during the past week. I had told him to handle patients he could treat on his own, and there were quite a few.
‘His treatments are accurate too.’
I also checked the list of patients he had referred to my teacher, and they were decisions based on accurate diagnoses. Most were patients I would have referred as well, so it seemed like he was ready to graduate.
“Well done. Everything is appropriate. You could graduate now, couldn’t you?”
“Really?”
Seeing Taran’s joy, I felt pleased as well.
“You can go back whenever you want.”
“Nah, I want to stay here a bit longer. I got a letter from the Boss a few days ago. Seems like they’re still as chaotic as ever.”
There was longing in Taran’s eyes.
“Well, the Boss is like home to me. I’ll tell him to wait a bit longer! I’ll go when I can live comfortably!”
His bright smile contained a joke, but the words that the Boss was home resonated with me. It was because he knew that whenever he returned, he would be accepted and welcomed, which allowed Taran to focus on his studies now.
“Alright. Still, let me know in advance when you make up your mind. I’d be upset if we parted suddenly. I’d be lonely too.”
“Hehe. I will!”
Taran smiled brightly, seemingly in an excellent mood.
‘Ah. Could it be?’
When Luwen mentioned becoming Marquis Hooper’s adopted son, was this my mistake? Did he want me to hold him back rather than asking him to express what he wanted?
‘Later… if the adoption topic comes up again, should I try to hold him back? He might let me catch him.’
I was worried that I might be misinterpreting again, but it seemed worth trying.
“Alright, let’s prepare for work now.”
“Yes!”
After spending time frantically working, I suddenly realized that Alteo hadn’t come. I checked the time; it was 4 PM. The clinic would close soon.
‘Then Luwen will come…’
The whole point of meeting at the clinic was to avoid them running into each other, but this defeats the purpose.
“Master, a visitor has arrived.”
That guy isn’t going to be a gentleman either, it seems. When I left the examination room, Alteo was there. After leaving Taran in charge of the clinic, I took Alteo up to the second-floor office.
“You’re late.”
“I deliberately came at this time. I heard Luwen returns around 5 o’clock.”
“You want to meet Luwen? Why?”
Alteo grinned with a sly expression.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
