I Became the Youngest Sister-in-law of the Ruined Reverse Harem’s Male Leads - Chapter 161
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#.161
After hearing Andrea explain the situation, Alicia squeezed her eyes shut.
Her heart was churning so violently that she felt like she might vomit at any moment.
After taking several deep breaths and regaining her composure, Andrea resumed the conversation.
“I’m sorry. I should have been more careful.”
“You were with Emilia at the time. It couldn’t be helped.”
Edgar had grown up to be quite clever. To make that judgment on the spot and call Marius.
If he had left and the palace had cautiously brought it up later, Eddy would already be on a ship to Trobancha.
“Marius didn’t come looking, did he?”
“He came.”
“To comfort the child? Or to claim custody?”
Alicia slowly shook her head.
“He wants to start over.”
“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”
Andrea let out a hollow laugh and leaned back deep into his chair.
“There’s also the option of Emilia taking Eddy back to Trobancha.”
“Emilia needs to root out the Order here. You know we can’t all sleep peacefully until Lazarus is gone.”
“Then I’ll go.”
“No. I don’t want to provoke him by moving rashly. He must be very sensitive right now.”
“This is the Empire. What if that bastard tries to take the child by force?”
“I am Alicia Berchio.”
That characteristic defiant glint that danced between life and death filled her eyes.
Once someone submits their resignation to the Marine Police, returning is nearly impossible.
But Alicia was such a talented individual that the government temporarily modified related ordinances just to bring her back.
Seeing her confident demeanor put his mind at ease, so Andrea spoke in a lighter tone than before.
“It would be great if that guy took it to legal issues. We could drag out the lawsuit until Eddy becomes an adult. Leave turning it into a mud fight to me.”
“I don’t think Marius would do that.”
“Now that he’s seen it with his own eyes, even if he’s fine now, who knows about later.”
Andrea was pressing his forehead and going through legal points when a thought crossed his mind, prompting him to speak up just in case.
“Don’t sacrifice yourself thinking the child needs a father or anything like that. I absolutely cannot watch you live that kind of life.”
“If I ever start over with that person, it would be for my sake, not Eddy’s.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Andrea sipped his completely cold coffee and thought.
If Alicia fell in love with that bastard again, his sister would have to choose between her dreams and Marius.
‘How cruel.’
She was trembling with fear of losing her son, yet deep in her eyes, he could see affection she hadn’t managed to extinguish.
If he had known it would come to this, he would have talked her out of getting married when Alicia said she would.
Even if time could be turned back, past choices inevitably leave regrets.
“Alicia. Whatever choice you make, I’ll support you. I’m behind you, so don’t be afraid and choose the path that will make you happiest.”
“Yes. I definitely will.”
It was quite reassuring support, so despite her complicated feelings, Alicia was able to smile quite happily.
* * *
Since I couldn’t go to school for a while, I deliberately created tasks at home to pass the time.
One of them was organizing my travel bag, and after putting in souvenirs I bought in the Empire, trying to put it back on top of the closet was quite difficult.
‘My arms hurt.’
Lifting the bag high and standing on my tiptoes while struggling made me want to just lie down.
“Ugh.”
Just as I was almost throwing the bag and trying to force it up there, my arms felt lighter and the bag floated up.
“Huh?”
Thud.
I felt a large body behind me.
When I reflexively stepped back, my body bumped into a solid chest.
As if my struggling had been a lie, thick-jointed hands easily placed the bag on top of the closet.
“You should have called me.”
It was Edgar.
Whoosh. When I turned around, I could clearly see his straight nose and full lips.
And he was too close. So close that if I wasn’t careful, I might feel his breath.
“Ah.”
When I pulled my body back again, my back touched the closet.
Since Edgar had his back to the window, a deep shadow fell over me. I was newly aware of how tall he was.
I’m not short either, but he’s more than a span taller than me. He’ll probably grow even more.
What would Edgar look like as an adult? I briefly imagined Edgar’s future.
“I’m a servant. Leave this kind of thing to servants.”
When our eyes met, his eyes curved prettily.
Even though his face was shadowed by the backlighting, his eyes seemed to sparkle somehow.
The smile playing at his lips was quite fresh.
Really, it was terribly distracting.
Even when I tried to think about what specifically was distracting – whether it was his eyes, his smile, his face, or past events – I couldn’t tell.
At some point, Edgar’s mere presence had begun to cause tension.
Heart-fluttering, toe-tingling, soft and warm tension.
‘Where in the world is there such an inconvenient servant.’
When I slyly looked away, Edgar poked my foot with his toe.
He was like mischievous kids trying to get attention.
“What is it.”
“Is there anything else besides the bag?”
“No.”
“Then what are you going to do now?”
“I don’t know.”
Edgar smoothly turned his body to the side and leaned against the closet so I wouldn’t feel burdened. Then he looked down at me.
Why does he keep staring so intently.
Since this is my room, running away to another room would look quite ridiculous.
So right now I have to endure Edgar.
Perhaps that’s why I kept responding curtly.
“Then want to take a walk in the garden with me?”
“I don’t want to take a walk.”
“How about looking around the attic?”
“I don’t like that either.”
“Then what do you want to do.”
“I don’t know either. Don’t ask.”
I want to tear my hair out because I’m acting so stupid too.
Edgar is uncomfortable, but I can’t keep living like this either.
‘It was just a childhood crush.’
Isn’t it kind of pathetic to be so conscious of it now? Like someone who’s never been confessed to…
But whenever our eyes met, my stomach felt ticklish and I became conscious of even my own breathing.
Even though I don’t have any particular feelings for Edgar.
Silence fell. I kept my mouth shut and Edgar wasn’t the talkative type.
I glanced at Edgar and Edgar stole glances at me.
In the midst of awkwardness and unfamiliarity, we only watched each other’s reactions in the subtle and bittersweet atmosphere.
That’s when it happened.
“Auntieeeee―!”
Filippo’s shout and the sound of Yosiyas running with thundering footsteps could be heard.
If I got caught, I’d be dead meat for at least an hour.
I frantically looked for a place to hide and opened the closet door to get inside.
“You come in quickly too.”
Even though I got all sweaty because of Eddie last time. Does having good stamina make you less afraid of young children?
Edgar hesitated for a moment, then crouched down and sat next to me.
Just as I closed the door, click, the room door opened.
“Auntie!”
“Brother. Auntie’s not here.”
“Where did she go? Did she run away?”
“She might be hiding under the bed.”
The sound of the two of them chattering while searching the room could be heard.
My heart was pounding thump, thump.
Edgar, whose posture had become awkward from forcibly squeezing his large frame in, was trembling.
Since he was in a position where he’d collapse outside the closet if he lost his balance, I held his arm tightly.
I could feel his arm muscles bulging from the exertion.
Every time I breathed, his arm would twitch too.
‘Ah.’
I suddenly realized that Edgar was a guy.
As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I could see his face right next to mine.
Edgar had turned his head away and was quietly catching his breath. I could hear very faint breathing sounds.
His sharp jawline and broad shoulders, and his firm arms supporting his body to avoid putting weight on me.
Through the hand I was holding and our bodies, I could feel the tension in his arm muscles directly.
Heat rose to my face again.
I held back from letting go of his arm now, afraid he’d realize I was being conscious of it.
“Youngest Auntie! I’ll tell you you’re pretty! Come out quickly!”
“Brother. Do you think she ran away because she found out we put pepper in the cookies?”
“We need to find Youngest Auntie quickly and have her taste them.”
“She’s not under the bed.”
“Then is she in the closet?”
My heart was pounding loudly.
Just thinking about those tiny little guys teasing us for running away because we were scared made me sigh involuntarily.
Then the huge body rustled. Edgar turned his face toward me.
Even in the darkness, his flustered expression was obvious.
His face filled with subtle tension was an expression I’d never seen before.
I felt strange. I didn’t know why I was getting nervous too.
“Huh? There was a weird sound from the closet.”
My stomach twisted at the approaching footsteps.
Should I just open the door and go out? Then I wouldn’t look cowardly to the twins.
“Brother. Wait a minute.”
“Why?”
“It might be a bug. You know that big bee we found in the garden last time? That made sounds like this too.”
“Ah.”
“Let’s not open it. Auntie’s room is right next to the garden, so there’ll be more bugs.”
“That’s probably better. Let’s go find Uncle Edgar.”
The twins ran out of the room just like that.
When their footsteps grew distant and could no longer be heard, I burst out of the closet as if escaping.
When the bright light hit my face, I really regretted not drawing the curtains.
And for good reason… both of us were as red as could be, our faces burning crimson.
My heart was pounding like it would burst and my mind went blank.
My palms, and my arms that had been holding his arm, there wasn’t a spot that didn’t tingle.
Most of all, it was so, so hot.
It was already fall… but my summer was just beginning.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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