R4STWH - Chapter 83
Chapter 83
“Nice to meet you, Clea.”
“You too.”
I studied the girl as she smiled awkwardly.
With her delicate features, sky-blue eyes, and wheat-colored hair flowing down her back, she didn’t resemble Elias at all.
She reminded me more of my puppy doll, which had disappeared somewhere.
However, they did share one thing in common.
‘This child…’
Elias walked over to me, pulled me by the hand, and said, “Come sit down.”
Unlike the chilly weather outside, the greenhouse was warm and spring-like. We sat around a round table laden with delicious-looking food.
“Brother, it’s been a while,” Clea said.
Elias looked at her, puzzled. “Have we met before? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you.”
“Ah… I saw you at the Imperial Palace banquet earlier this year. You left early, so I couldn't greet you properly.”
She had made her social debut last year. He didn’t know his own sister’s face and hadn’t recognized her even though they were at the same banquet.
“How are your parents?”
“They’re doing well. They asked me to convey their regards.”
“I see.” He gave a curt reply and fell silent.
I was too busy enjoying the delicious food to speak, and Elias, focused on his meal, didn't say anything either.
Clea, sensing the atmosphere, also started eating, and silence descended upon the greenhouse.
“Brother,” Clea said as the plates began to empty.
“I have something to discuss with you.”
Elias put down his silverware, leaned back in his chair, and nodded. “Go ahead.”
“A dungeon has appeared just two kilometers from our territory. Could you help us?”
As we expected, her visit concerned a dungeon.
“How long has it been there?”
“We discovered it three days ago.”
“What was its initial rank?”
“I heard it was C+. The entry limit is fifteen people.”
“Then, the Lakdel Knights should be enough. I'll give the order. They'll prepare and depart immediately.”
“You’ll come too, won't you?”
“No. There’s no need for me to go to a dungeon of that level.”
Recently, the average level of both the Tenaclad and Lakdel Knights had reached the point where they could easily clear B+ rank dungeons.
If they selected their most elite members, they could even handle A-rank dungeons, so even if a C+ rank dungeon increased in difficulty by one or two ranks after entry, it wouldn’t be a problem.
However, Clea’s expression only darkened at Elias's explanation. “But… couldn’t you come yourself?”
“Why? There’s no reason for me to go.”
“Mother wants to see you…”
“…….”
Even Elias seemed speechless for a moment.
Emboldened by his reaction, Clea quickly continued, “And it would reassure my family and the people of our territory if you, the hero of the Empire, came personally.”
She shouldn't have said that.
I clicked my tongue inwardly. Elias hated being put on a pedestal and called a hero.
“Well, I don't see how that concerns me. I’m not interested in people’s perceptions of me, whether positive or negative.”
“…Excuse me?”
Clea looked flustered by his cold reply.
Just as she was stammering, unable to respond, Kallen called from outside the greenhouse, “Your Excellency, the Saintess has sent a message.”
He wouldn't interrupt them unless it was urgent.
“Is it about a dungeon?”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
Kallen entered the greenhouse at Elias's gesture and handed him the letter.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” I asked, showing interest in the letter, and Elias unfolded it for me to see.
I was shocked after reading it.
‘It was S-rank from the start? There’s no way a dungeon of that difficulty would appear already…?’
“Ilesha, this isn't normal, is it?”
“No. We have to go.”
Elias nodded and said to Kallen, “Tell her we’ll depart immediately.”
“Brother, what about our territory?!” Clea cried out desperately.
“I already explained. The Lakdel Knights are more than capable of handling the dungeon in Protia.”
“But what if they fail?” Clea didn’t seem to want to give up on Elias.
“Wouldn’t you feel bad if they failed and my mother, I, and the people of our territory died?”
But Elias, ignoring Clea’s desperate plea, stood up.
“I apologize, but I won’t change my mind. Priorities are priorities.”
I also stood up, following Elias’s lead.
As we were leaving, Clea ran in front of Elias, blocking his path.
“We’re family! Shouldn't family come first?”
I stared at her.
Her eyes were filled with anxiety, making me doubt her sincerity.
“Don’t misunderstand,” Elias said coldly.
“My only family is Ilesha.”
Since he had his back to me, I couldn’t see his expression.
But judging by Clea's pale face, it couldn't have been pleasant.
I visited Clea before we departed because something had been bothering me.
“No! I told you I can't leave like this!”
“The Head of the Family’s judgment is never wrong. Trust us…”
“That's not the point!”
The girl buried her face in her hands and crouched on the floor, defeated.
“I can’t go back… without my brother.”
“Oh dear…”
I deliberately made my presence known as I approached.
“Why are you still here?”
Clea looked up, startled.
“Lady Ilesha…”
Embarrassed at being caught throwing a tantrum, she lowered her head, her face flushed.
“Kallen, leave us.”
“Yes, Madam.” Kallen, who had been looking at me pleadingly, readily stepped away.
Now that we were alone, I could finally ask the question that had been on my mind.
“Are you acting like this on your own accord, or were you instructed to?”
Clea’s eyes widened, as if struck by my words.
I had sensed something amiss from the moment she ran towards Elias, calling him “brother.”
If she had genuinely been happy and excited to see him, she would have gone to him again even after I intercepted her.
However, her reaction had been that of someone whose carefully planned act of courage had failed.
Although she tried to appear natural, it was obvious she was uncomfortable and awkward around Elias.
‘Which is understandable.’
How excited could she be to meet a half-brother she’d only just met as an adult? He must have felt like a stranger.
Yet, when she asked for his help, clinging to the idea of “family,” she had been truly desperate.
As if her life depended on taking Elias with her.
So, I had to ask.
Why she was acting like a spoiled child and being so insistent.
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