I Became the Youngest Sister-in-law of the Ruined Reverse Harem’s Male Leads - Chapter 177
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
#.177
The fact that Lazarus and I were destined to inevitably clash, leading me to annihilate Lazarus, wasn’t an important factor.
Of course, it was quite an interesting matter, but what the government needed to be concerned about was the fact that we were ‘minor’ students.
My brother organized this issue very rationally.
“It’s a complaint the government naturally has to raise. Moreover, the ritualist worked as faculty at the school you attended. I was shocked when I learned that fact too.”
“But Lazarus was annihilated. We weren’t seriously hurt either. Isn’t that enough?”
“Even though the Empire swept away the sect, since you were attacked, the government has a duty to protect minors. They’ve concluded that the schools here can no longer be considered safe.”
“That’s…”
“Andrea is right. That’s correct. That’s the protocol.”
Edgar nodded with a face pale as a corpse. When I glanced at Edgar, I could see his fists clenched so tightly they were trembling.
My brother apologized and comforted me. With the government stepping in, there was nothing that would change even if I, still young, protested.
As soon as we left the room, I checked on Edgar first.
He had reacted so sensitively to returning home in two months, but now we had to part ways next week – it must be unbearable for Edgar.
“Edgar…”
“…I’m fine.”
Edgar, who said he was fine with a deathly pale face, hurriedly returned to the Imperial Palace, saying he needed to go back without delay.
* * *
Emilia steadily recovered her health under Francois’s care.
The hospital room was filled with letters and gifts sent by former Magic Tower colleagues.
“They started tax audits on the nobles. Thanks to that, Edgar’s story got buried. I didn’t know they’d be this sharp.”
“We didn’t know because he’s kind to us, but His Majesty has a colder side than expected.”
Regina handed over an apple she had neatly peeled, stabbed with a fork.
Emilia, who was full from her recent meal, slyly pushed it toward Francois.
However, when Regina’s eyes flashed, she lost her nerve and had to reluctantly take a bite.
“How are Lilliana and Antonio doing?”
“They’re depressed. They worked so hard to come as exchange students.”
“They did try hard for them. Antonio even got 60 points in math.”
“60 points in math…”
Hearing another shocking score, Francois shook his head as if witnessing a nightmare. He struggled to compose his expression as he spoke.
“Lilliana and Antonio are so bright and healthy, they’ll bounce back quickly once they return.”
Regina crunched on the apple and furrowed her brow.
“I’m worried about Edgar. When he heard the news yesterday and went straight back, his complexion looked terrible.”
“He has been very fond of the youngest since childhood.”
“It was nice to see him come alive after Liliana arrived. Thinking about how hard it’ll be for him when Liliana leaves already breaks my heart.”
Unlike Emilia, who only occasionally encountered them during visits to the Imperial Palace when the children were still young, Regina had been acting as an older sister to Edgar all this time, so she couldn’t help but worry.
“Worry about yourself instead. Edgar liking Liliana is probably just depression from a childhood friend growing distant, but what about you? I’m worried about you.”
“Emilia. You’re going too, right?”
“I have to. Trobancha is home.”
“Wasn’t it difficult for you when you lived in Trobancha, Francois?”
“As you know, my mother is from a small kingdom. Thanks to that, I grew up traveling between countries, so it wasn’t too difficult.”
Emilia looked at Regina with concern.
The Empire might be Regina’s home now, but Trobancha was still her homeland.
Even if Leopold was wealthy and of high status, settling alone in a foreign country wouldn’t be easy.
‘I often received letters from brother-in-law saying she was struggling with homesickness.’
That’s why Emilia visited and stayed every 2-3 years.
The children must have grown quite a bit – she wanted to suggest coming to stay in Trobancha, but she held back since she couldn’t interfere in someone else’s family affairs.
“Don’t worry. I’ll manage well.”
At her uncertain tone, Emilia suppressed the sigh that was rising.
She herself wanted to stay here longer, but with the manor destroyed and Leopold, her brother-in-law, busy with cleanup without a moment to spare, it seemed best to leave now.
‘When I return, the government and temple will want to investigate the truth, so I’ll need to step forward.’
Since there was nothing she could do for her twin sister, Emilia listened to Regina’s nagging about taking better care of her health without showing any irritation.
* * *
I believed I could be relatively calm about the concerns that arise when you come to like a foreigner, since they were realistic problems I had often observed from the sidelines.
But now that I’m actually returning to Trobancha, I feel queasy.
Since coming to the Empire, I had only been angry at Edgar and never properly made memories together. But now, without giving me time to prepare my heart, I have to return home…
“Next Monday means only four days left.”
It’s such a short time that I can’t even say proper goodbyes to my friends, let alone Edgar.
Edgar must have been so shocked that he didn’t even come to pick me up for school together this morning.
This had never happened once since he offered to help with studies.
“Couldn’t we delay or refuse to return home?”
“As if they’d listen. Maybe if we were 18 or 19, but we’re only 16.”
“If we asked Uncle Marius… that wouldn’t work either.”
Incidents where a country’s students nearly get killed abroad are prone to lead to international disputes.
No matter how powerful the Empire was, they had to bear enormous responsibility for this incident, so they had no choice but to take a more humble stance than usual.
Moreover, all Trobancha police officers had left the Empire’s capital during joint training, yet it was us, who should have been protected, who actually faced Lazarus.
‘I heard the Maritime Police Agency is in chaos due to public opinion that they failed to fulfill their responsibilities.’
When we arrived at school, Helene looked at our complexions and asked carefully.
“Did something happen? You both look terrible. Did first-years chase you for autographs again?”
“Helene. We have to return to Trobancha next week.”
“What? Suddenly? Why?”
I grabbed Helene and spent a long time cursing the Trobancha government before classes started.
After venting everything from “they must be crazy” to the ridiculous notion that “it’s a conspiracy to separate us,” I felt much better.
“Then you can’t participate in the medal ceremony?”
“Medal ceremony?”
“You didn’t know? His Majesty is really going to award you medals.”
Antonio looked reluctant, having told Chris to demand medals from the Imperial Family, but now that he was actually receiving one too.
I wasn’t much different. It would be nice to receive it, but it wasn’t something that really resonated with us.
If it were a lifetime free pass to the dessert shop in front of school, I’d be screaming with joy.
“Tomorrow will be your last day at school. It’s so sad that we have to part ways.”
“Please come visit Trobancha next time. I’ll take responsibility and give you a tour.”
“Okay. I’m counting on you.”
Helene wasn’t the only one I said goodbye to.
I also said farewell in advance to Chris and Luca, Luca’s friends who played soccer with us, and classmates.
Both Antonio and I were more than disappointed that our exchange program ended after just two months.
“Liliana. Let’s go visit Edgar. That guy is definitely buried under his blankets being depressed.”
“Let’s do that. He seemed to skip school today too.”
As soon as school ended, we contacted home separately and then visited the Imperial Palace.
Antonio now went straight to Edgar’s room like it was his own home and flung the door wide open.
“Hey, Edgar! Your big brother is here!”
But the room was completely empty. We checked under the blankets, but Edgar wasn’t there.
“Where did he go? Even if he went to school, he should have finished classes and returned by now.”
“Right. Where could he have gone when I came to see him.”
Antonio flopped down on the empty bed.
Leaving Antonio behind, I left the room to search for Edgar throughout various parts of the Imperial Palace.
Then I remembered a place where Edgar might be.
The place where we buried a time capsule before we parted. And the place where I confessed.
“Edgar.”
Edgar was indeed under the lemon tree in the garden.
Edgar, who had been sitting on the grass blankly gazing at the sky, turned his head at my voice. His eyes widened when he spotted me.
“Lilliana. When did you arrive?”
“Just now.”
When I tried to sit beside him, Edgar quickly took off his cardigan and laid it on the ground for me.
Seeing his face full of melancholy made my heart ache.
It seems like I’m always leaving this child behind. In my previous life, and in this life too.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————