Chapter 32
You’re not my sister.
Rashid’s lips touched hers. Tericia instinctively took a step back, but her body wouldn’t move. His hand wrapped firmly around her slender waist, pulling her in.
“Tericia.”
His voice, low like a whisper, soaked into her.
Rashid’s lips pressed against hers. It wasn’t aggressive, but it wasn’t gentle either.
His kiss felt like that of a starved lover, trying desperately to restrain himself—soft enough to be careful, but brimming with restrained hunger.
The heat radiating from his body held her in place. Her pulse pounded in her ears like a drum.
“Stop!”
Tericia shoved Rashid away with all her strength. Despite the intensity with which he had embraced her, Rashid stepped back without resistance.
He didn’t move, only stared at her with deep, unreadable eyes. Her chest felt like it might burst from the weight of that gaze.
He felt unfamiliar.
Only then did Tericia realize how wrong she had been.
Rashid could no longer be her little brother. He had become something else entirely.
Rashid looked at her—confused, shaken—and let out a low laugh. That quiet chuckle sent a strange shiver down her spine.
“Give up, Tericia.”
His long fingers reached for her trembling hands and gently wrapped around them. Even as his fingers moved to the lips he had just kissed, she couldn’t pull away—couldn’t protest.
At this moment, there was none of the usual warmth or gentleness Rashid typically showed her.
She found herself caught in the golden light of his eyes, watching blankly as he brought her fingers to his lips and kissed them.
His breath was so warm, it felt like it might burn her.
“I have no intention of letting you go.”
＊＊＊
She didn’t even remember how she got back to her room.
When she came to, she was leaning against the door, gasping for breath.
“I’ve never once thought of you as my sister.”
So he had been looking at her like that… all this time?
She clamped a hand over her mouth to muffle any sound and collapsed to the floor. Her mind was spinning.
Since when? What did he mean—the forest? When was that?
Nothing made sense.
That never happened in my past life…
Back then, he had never shown her the slightest hint of emotion. Whether positive or negative, Rashid had always been calm—distant.
Except for one time, right before going off to war.
“I hope my death brings you peace.”
That sorrowful look in his eyes had stayed with her, carved into her memory—hurting her long after.
Now, everything was chaos.
“…I have to run.”
Tericia buried her face in her knees, unsure of what to do.
She had to leave—for Rashid’s sake…
And for her own.
She had to escape.
“But… where?”
Her face still flushed, she remained sitting on the floor, hiding her panic for a long while.
＊＊＊
Count Clu’s townhouse was in one of the capital’s elite residential districts. Though it couldn’t compare to the Hespelt ducal estate, it was still in a prime location—near the city’s heart.
A house that rivaled those of most noble families in the capital, the inside of Count Clu’s study was a complete wreck.
“Arrogant little pests!”
Everything throwable—vases, ornaments—had been shattered. Chairs and tables overturned. The elegant curtains hanging from the arched windows had been ripped down and now lay crumpled on the floor.
After tearing through everything in a fit of rage, Count Clu finally collapsed onto the one intact sofa. He clenched his jaw, still breathing hard.
Despite repeated messages and private requests, Rashid had refused to meet him.
He was clearly in the mansion, and yet he had ignored his own uncle.
When Count Clu, having lost his patience, visited the ducal estate, he’d run into Tericia by chance. He’d even tried to be as polite as possible—
“And she dares talk to me about knowing my place? I let them get away with too much, and now they forget who raised them…”
Even after the embarrassment at the estate, he had never been granted an audience with Rashid. One of the attendants had escorted him out—and he’d been forced to leave like a dog with its tail between its legs.
The more he thought about it, the more furious he became. A low-born girl, playing at being a noble lady, sitting there so smug—it was unforgivable.
Count Clu dropped onto the couch, seething. Once his breathing began to settle, he muttered to himself,
“I can’t let this go.”
It seemed Rashid and Tericia trusted each other far more than he’d expected.
Otherwise, there was no way the two of them could have dismissed him so coldly. Especially when he was the highest-ranking elder in the family after the Duke.
They clearly had something between them—something unshakable.
Trust, he thought. But how long would that last?
“There has to be a weakness somewhere.”
His thoughts drifted to the temple. The temple held records of everything about the family. Including marriages.
No one had accessed the record of the Duke’s marriage since it was made.
“All I need… is one thing.”
Whether it was about Tericia or Rashid, there was bound to be something hidden.
“And if there isn’t… I’ll just create one.”
A satisfied smile crept across Count Clu’s face. His eyes gleamed with a dark, ominous light.
＊＊＊
“These are the records of the food and goods we purchased this month.”
The butler, Harris, finished his report to Tericia.
Ever since she became the only woman remaining in the Hespelt household, she had taken responsibility for overseeing internal affairs before the Duke gave his final approval.
“You’ve done a thorough job, Harris. I don’t think there’s anything else I need to review. Let’s keep things as they are.”
“Then I’ll continue in the same manner next month and stay within the budget.”
After bowing respectfully, Harris left Tericia’s office. Once the door closed, Mandy and Sarah exchanged uneasy glances.
Mandy took care of Tericia’s personal matters, while Sarah handled official duties.
Because they were always by her side, they were also the first to notice any changes in her mood or behavior.
Something’s wrong.
Watching Tericia work with a blank expression, the two were convinced something had happened.
“Rashid… asked her to have breakfast with him?”
Tericia looked stunned—like she hadn’t expected that at all. Her face went pale, then quickly flushed all the way to her ears.
She seemed to realize she wasn’t reacting normally. Covering her face with her hand, she hesitated for a long moment before finally saying:
“Just tell him… I overslept.”
That was all.
And Rashid? When he heard her excuse, he let out a long sigh and replied,
“Then please make sure she joins me tomorrow—even if she’s late.”
And that was it.
Normally, he would’ve rushed over, worried, asking what was wrong. But today, he backed off so easily. It felt… off.
Something’s definitely going on.
But they didn’t know what.
No matter what happens… I’ll make sure they eat together tomorrow.
Mandy clenched her fists with determination, as if she’d just taken on a world-saving mission.
Sarah, seemingly sensing what Mandy was thinking, shook her head with a sigh and handed Tericia a small, neatly prepared box.
“A sample of the new fragrance has arrived.”
“Already?”
Tericia’s eyes lit up as she opened the box. A soft, calming scent slowly filled the air.
“This is lovely.”
A smile returned to her lips, breaking the stiffness that had lingered there all day. Her nerves began to settle, just a little.
The scent must have come from the Sedamen flower—known for its ability to soothe the body and mind.
“This…”
Tericia hesitated.
She wanted Rashid to be the first to receive it.
She didn’t have the courage to deliver it in person, but the moment she smelled it, he was the first person who came to mind.
No matter what had happened—or what might still happen—Rashid always came first.
Closing the box gently, she said,
“Please give this to Rashid.”
“A gift from Lady Tericia,” the servant announced as the box was delivered.
Rashid, seated at his desk, looked up immediately.
“It’s a prototype of the fragrance she’s developing.”
As soon as the box was opened, the gentle aroma drifted into the room. The scent was soft, calming—designed to soothe anxiety and bring peace.
Just like her.
“…It smells like her.”
He smiled, quietly—something rarely seen on his face.
“She said you can enjoy a deeper scent by burning it in an incense holder. She suggests trying it before bed.”
As the gentle fragrance filled the room, Rashid’s tense expression softened, and even his posture eased. He hadn’t realized just how on edge he’d been.
There was something in the scent—something like her—that untied the knots in his chest.
“Is the afternoon outing still on schedule?”
“…Yes.”
How does he know every part of her schedule like that? Mandy glanced at Rashid in disbelief.
“Make sure she looks absolutely beautiful today. More than anyone else.”
“Yes, Young Master!”
Thrilled to receive the very order she’d been hoping for, Mandy beamed and rushed off.
Rashid tapped the desk a few times, thinking, then called for Adler.
“Set aside a portion of this fragrance.”
“…Are you planning to give it to His Highness the Crown Prince?”
Rashid was scheduled to visit the royal palace that afternoon. At Adler’s question, he smiled faintly.
“Well, I should support my sister’s business, shouldn’t I?”
As much as he wanted to get in the way of it all… upsetting her would hurt more. It was better to keep her within reach—within his control.
As long as she stayed inside the boundaries he set, he could always protect her.
Though I doubt he’s just trying to help her…
Adler wasn’t sure what exactly had happened, but ever since their return from the trip, something between Rashid and Tericia had been off—unbalanced.
He let out a small sigh.
Rashid’s possessiveness was growing more obvious by the day. And Rashid didn’t seem to care who noticed.
“Tericia, are you busy today?”
“Call me ‘sister.’”
“Tericia.”
“Ugh… And stop following me, Rashid.”
“I just happen to have business there too. While I’m at it, I thought I’d ask if I could join my sister for tea.”
Whenever Rashid used the word “sister” in that pleading tone, Tericia would frown—but he always just smiled playfully, unfazed.
After so many similar exchanges, Tericia had started to accept his behavior with half-hearted resignation. She’d glare at him from time to time, but it didn’t seem to have much effect.
Just when it felt like things were finally settling between them, something had clearly changed again.
Today, Tericia hadn’t shown herself once. It was almost like she was avoiding him.
What if one day she just disappears…
The thought alone was terrifying.
A chill ran through Adler’s spine. He prayed silently that Lady Tericia would stay—always—by Rashid’s side.
