Chapter 5: Inner Turmoil

Lyra’s face instantly drained of color. Her already fair complexion turned almost ghostly pale.

How had they found this place? She’d never dreamed they’d discover her whereabouts so quickly.

Pressing down on her anxiously fluttering heart, she looked up at Kaylon with trembling eyes.

“Shouldn’t you at least go greet them?”

“Do I… have to?”

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t.”

His response was utterly casual.

Lyra couldn’t decide what to do. In her heart, she never wanted to face her parents again.

Yet why did she glimpse a hint of disappointment in the Duke’s golden eyes? And should he really be this relaxed? After quietly studying Kaylon’s unfazed expression, she finally nodded.

“I’ll… greet them.”

Could he have known about this already? Ah, that might be it. He must have anticipated something like this long ago. Suddenly feeling embarrassed and apologetic for having been lost in her own flowery fantasies, she felt a wave of shame.

“Good girl.”

Speaking without emotion, he reached out his hand toward Lyra. At that moment, Mrs. Beightle’s sharp voice cut between them.

“What utterly mannerly people they are. Coming here so rudely without even requesting an audience.”

Lyra, who had been debating whether to take his large, strong-looking hand, turned to look at Mrs. Beightle.

“You think so? By that standard, I’m not much better myself.”

Kaylon chuckled softly and spoke to the fidgeting Lyra.

“Come here.”

When she finally approached hesitantly, instead of taking her hand as she’d expected, Kaylon gently stroked the top of her head.

Though it felt somewhat like being treated as a pet dog, Lyra quickly pushed that thought away.

“Just go tell them one thing. That you’ll stay by my side.”

“…Yes.”

“Let’s go then.”

Lyra glanced at Mrs. Beightle, who was frowning in disapproval, before following Kaylon outside.

‘Whew.’

Taking a deep breath, Lyra quietly nodded when Kaylon asked if she was ready.

A moment later, the door slowly opened, revealing the reception room. There sat her parents, waiting anxiously.

When they spotted her, the Baron and his wife jumped to their feet.

“Lyra!”

Sabrina’s shrill voice cut through the air. She rushed toward Lyra with a worried expression and grabbed her hands tightly. The grip was stronger than expected, making Lyra wince.

“Do you have any idea how worried we’ve been? Disappearing so suddenly like that.”

“…”

“You really are something else!”

It was the kind of opening that would normally be followed by a torrent of verbal abuse. But Sabrina’s lips suddenly pressed shut, as if forcefully holding something back.

Lyra knew exactly why. It was their iron rule: be weak before the strong, strong before the weak. Still, somehow feeling emboldened, she painfully extracted her numb hands from the tight grip.

Sabrina’s eyes twitched slightly. She wrinkled her face in displeasure before quickly turning toward Kaylon, who was making his presence known beside them. Then, as if just noticing him, she offered a belated greeting.

“Your Grace. Thank you for taking care of our child until now.”

“Think nothing of it.”

Kaylon responded smoothly and led Lyra to sit down. Baron Norris, who had been awkwardly standing and watching until then, carefully offered his greeting.

“It’s an honor to meet you. I am the head of House Norris from Mares…”

“I know who you are. Let’s get straight to the point as time is short.”

The Baron’s brow furrowed at having his words so rudely cut off, but quickly smoothed again.

“Then I’ll speak directly. I would like you to return my daughter.”

“Oh? I don’t understand what you mean. You make it sound as if I’m some kind of brigand.”

At Kaylon’s brazen response, the Baron clenched his fists.

“That’s not what I…”

“Baron.”

A heavy, quiet voice resonated in the room. The atmosphere changed instantly, making the Baron swallow hard. Though he tried not to show tension, it wasn’t easy.

“I have never forced anything.”

“But that’s…!”

Kaylon crossed his legs and stared directly at Baron Norris. His look seemed to ask if the Baron truly didn’t understand.

After a moment, his gaze turned to Lyra. The silent look that said it was her turn now seemed almost amused.

Lyra took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. Then she spoke clearly to her parents.

“I’m not… going back.”

“What did you say?”

It was Sabrina who responded to Lyra’s words. She gritted her teeth as she met the unwavering gaze.

She’d noticed it since entering—her stepdaughter’s demeanor was markedly different from before. Instead of being intimidated and unable to make eye contact, now she was looking straight at them.

“Would you… say that again?”

“I’m not going back. I won’t go.”

“Dear Lyra.”

“Please just leave.”

Sabrina, who had been about to add something, fell silent at Lyra’s firm words. It wasn’t that she had nothing to say—she was simply too shocked to speak.

And now looking at her, she even wore quite a proper expression. How had the foolish Lyra Norris become like this?

She glanced at Kaylon, who was watching Lyra with upturned lips, then spoke again.

“Stop troubling His Grace. What do you think will happen if rumors spread about an unmarried lady living with an unwed Duke? This isn’t good for you or His Grace.”

Sabrina forced a gentle smile. Though her lips trembled slightly, it wasn’t noticeable. Seeing Lyra lower her eyes slightly, she continued. Knowing the girl’s timidity, she planned to exploit that weakness.

“His Grace hasn’t mentioned it, but this isn’t something to be taken lightly. Are you really alright with that? Even if you end up hindering His Grace’s marriage prospects?”

Lyra clutched tightly at her full skirts. Though she was trying hard not to waver, these words she’d never considered before struck at her vulnerable spot.

“So listen to me. This is not where you belong.”

Lyra raised her eyes to Kaylon. How long had he been watching her? His gaze, seeming to enjoy the situation, waited for her response.

‘Aren’t you worried at all? Do you have plans that make this acceptable?’

Doubt and concern sprouted simultaneously.

While she couldn’t say everything Sabrina said was right, she couldn’t entirely refute it either. Yet Kaylon remained composed. As if it were someone else’s problem entirely.

After chewing her inner lip, Lyra looked at Sabrina and Baron Norris once more before speaking.

“I have… nothing more to say. This is my home, where I belong.”

“…!”

“Please don’t come here again.”

Lyra slowly rose. The Baron, indignant, stood up with her.

“I’ve heard enough of your insolence! Can’t you even see your father worrying about you?”

Lyra, who had been about to turn away, stopped and looked at Baron Norris. Then she opened her lips softly.

“Worried… you say?”

“Yes! Not just me. Your mother loses sleep every night because of you. And this is how you repay your parents? Is this how I taught you?”

“…”

For a moment, her spring-green eyes grew cold. Her gaze was steady as she stared into the dark green eyes so similar to her own.

Who taught whom, she wondered. They’d never given her a proper chance to learn anything.

All she’d learned from them was how to live like a mouse, trying to be invisible. Yet now they had the audacity to speak of teaching her?

“You’re showing your lack of breeding with behavior like this.”

At his quiet mutter, Sabrina finally rose from her seat. She stroked her angry husband’s back, guiding him back to his chair.

“Calm yourself, dear. We’re in His Grace’s presence.”

After whispering softly, Sabrina turned to Kaylon and spoke respectfully.

“May I have a word with my daughter?”

“As you wish.”

With Kaylon’s permission, having merely observed throughout, Sabrina walked toward Lyra.

“Let’s go somewhere quiet. Lead the way.”