Chapter 36

In the original story, Lucas was obsessed with fighting strong opponents. He even despised the weak to the point of ignoring his younger brother Tristan’s crisis.

In the end, Tristan, who was a genius capable of changing the tide of war, lost his life early due to Lucas’s neglect. Among the fans of the novel, many said that if Tristan hadn’t died then, the Grand Duke would have become the final victor of the original story.

[Lucas scoffed at the news that Tristan was in danger. “Tell him to handle it himself.” If he was too weak to survive on his own, it was better for him to die. For Lucas, settling the score with the opponent before him was more important than his brother’s safety. Becoming stronger. That was the only purpose he lived for.]

Why did the Grand Duke have to say I was a genius in front of someone like that?

As Lucas’s golden eyes, sharpened like a beast’s, scanned me, I felt a chill.

‘Is he going to try to kill me?’

Lucas, who sighed, quickly concealed his hostility towards me. When he made a cold expression with his angelic appearance, the pressure was tremendous.

“You’re saying this young child is more of a genius than me?”

“Third, not just a child, but your new sibling.”

“I heard the news about adopting a child. But why did you do such a thing without saying anything?”

“Get along well with your new sibling.”

Lucas’s face crumpled at the words that showed not even a hint of consideration. I clicked my tongue as I watched the bewildered Lucas.

‘How can he say it like that?’

Isn’t adopting a child a significant family matter?

Even I would feel rebellious if I were told about a new sibling in such a manner. The Grand Duke ordered in an utterly refreshing tone.

“Then, you take your sibling to their room.”

“What?”

“Hm?”

The Grand Duke, who had just insisted on teaching me, turned his back without a trace of lingering attachment.

As the gathered knights and maids disappeared, only Lucas and I were left in the training ground.

Perplexed by the unexplained situation, I cautiously observed Lucas. The veins popping on his forehead clearly showed he was extremely angry.

‘Should I say thank you?’

He, who was said to despise the weak in the original story, had protected me from the Grand Duke. Perhaps his obsession with swords wasn’t as strong as in the original story yet.

I carefully grasped and pulled at the hem of his clothes.

“…Um, Lucas.”

“What is it?”

“Thank you for saving me.”

Lucas harshly removed my fingers and frowned. His golden eyes with a hint of lemon narrowed in displeasure as he looked at me.

“There’s no way you’re more of a genius than me. Father must be going senile.”

I can hear you. I can hear everything.

I pretended not to hear and avoided his gaze, digging at the ground with my toes. Lucas, who had been sighing deeply, met my eyes with a sour expression.

“So, are you hurt anywhere?”

“…Ah.”

“What’s wrong?”

“My legs won’t move.”

It seemed I had gotten a cramp from the tension during the duel with the Grand Duke.

‘The Grand Duke really doesn’t know moderation.’

If Lucas hadn’t intervened, would I have been able to stand here safely? Lucas supported me, almost embracing me as I staggered.

‘Unexpectedly comfortable scent.’

The uniform Lucas was wearing had the distinctive sunlight smell of freshly laundered clothes. As I buried my face in his embrace, Lucas’s waist straightened stiffly.

He grumbled in a sulky voice.

“Do you always cling to just anyone like this?”

“What can I do when I have no strength?”

“And you’re shameless too.”

“Lucas is much kinder than I thought.”

When the Grand Duke mentioned the word genius, I thought it was going to be a disaster.

When I tilted my head slightly and smiled brightly, a flicker of confusion crossed Lucas’s icy face.

“Let me tell you in advance, I’ve never acknowledged you as my sibling.”

“Okay, sure.”

Lucas’s gaze pierced my cheek sharply, looking dumbfounded. I wanted to tell him that I was just as swept up in the Grand Duke’s decision.

“I don’t want to be part of your family either.”

“Right, of course. After what Father just did to you.”

“What do you mean?”

As I asked with wide, innocent eyes, Lucas’s head tilted slightly. At the same time, his beautifully plump pink lips parted.

“Father almost killed you, didn’t he?”

“Ah. That’s fine.”

It’s true that it would have been dangerous if it had hit me, but it was okay.

I was the one who first gave the Grand Duke a reason by accidentally showing my skills. Lucas seemed unconvinced by my answer.

“If I hadn’t blocked it, who knows how badly you would have been hurt.”

“I’m grateful for that.”

“Are you really okay with what happened?”

“Yes. Lucas is kind.”

Much more than what was written in the original story.

Lucas’s silver hair swayed back and forth in the wind. I could read the displeased expression on the boy’s completely white face.

He’s already so captivating; he must be incredible when he grows up.

As I continued my nonchalant thoughts, I slowly opened my mouth.

“It was scary that I almost got hit by the Grand Duke’s sword.”

“Then should I help you avoid Father? If you want, I could even smuggle you out…”

“But it’s okay. I’m used to being scared.”

Come to think of it, moments when I wasn’t scared were rarer in my life. I wondered if I might eventually become fearless if I keep being reborn.

There was a time when I hoped for that.

But even if I were reborn dozens of times, my true nature wouldn’t change.

“Lucas probably doesn’t know much because he’s still young.”

“You’re saying I’m young?”

“Yes. Lucas is still a baby, you know.”

“Do you ever look in a mirror?”

“I know Lucas is pretty.”

At my words, Lucas’s face turned bright red up to his ears. It was cute to see him flustered, unable to hide his emotions like a child.

‘Still, I can’t let my guard down.’

Earlier, he had subtly tried to persuade me to go outside, asking if I was scared of the Grand Duke.

‘I wonder what would have happened if I had agreed.’

Lucas’s authority wasn’t great yet, as he hadn’t been officially recognized as the heir. The fact that he made such an offer when he couldn’t completely hide me might mean he was trying to drive me out.

After staring at Lucas intently as if examining him, I said boldly.

“Then Lucas, take me to the Grand Duke’s room.”

“…What’s with that hand?”

“My legs won’t move. Carry me on your back.”

Lucas let out a scoff as if dumbfounded, but surprisingly, he obediently picked me up on his back.

His back, smaller than the Grand Duke’s, was just the right size to lean on and fall asleep. I rested my head on his shoulder and mulled over my worries about the future.

***

After arriving in the room, I groaned in pain.

‘This useless body is like a sunfish.’

I could only lie still because my arms and legs ached even with the slightest movement. The maids made a fuss over what was just minor muscle pain.

“Doctor! Where’s the doctor? If he’s still on his way, I’ll run and bring him here!”

“Waaah. What should we do? Grand Princess, please don’t be sick.”

“Where are the herbs to brew for reducing fever?”

The maids’ commotion only ended after I was diagnosed with muscle pain.

‘My whole body aches.’

I couldn’t sleep worrying that someday the Grand Duke would discover my skills. The only consolation was that I could skip the next sword lesson thanks to the muscle pain.

‘Even five hearts wouldn’t be enough.’

When I parried the Grand Duke’s sword, I was inwardly prepared.

That it couldn’t be helped if I was treated like a monster.

But the maids’ reactions were different from what I expected.

It seemed they accepted the ability I showed, probably due to the environment of the Grand Duke’s family, which was full of geniuses.

Especially Sen, who had directly witnessed my duel with the Grand Duke, couldn’t stop boasting.

“The Grand Duke said our Grand Princess is even more of a genius than Young Master Lucas!”

“My goodness, even Lucas is a genius!”

“I recognized the Grand Princess’s talent from the start. Even the way she eats sweets is different from ordinary people.”

“The Grand Princess will become a wonderful knight.”

There’s no way I could become a knight.

Due to my experience as a slave, my body was weaker than that of others my age. Even if I could overwhelm opponents with experience and skill, there were limits.

‘The Grand Duke must know about my physical condition.’

I couldn’t guess why he volunteered to teach me swordsmanship. It was also strange that he publicly acknowledged me as a genius in front of everyone.

That doesn’t mean anything at all.

Talent that doesn’t match one’s innate physique only ruins the body.

The maids’ conversation naturally shifted to Lucas, who had brought me to the room.

“I thought he was a good person, and he even took care of the Grand Princess.”

“I hope this incident becomes an opportunity for the two of them to become close.”

Most of the maids evaluated Lucas positively.

A mature and quiet boy.

From my personal experience meeting him, ‘current’ Lucas seemed fine. Maybe because he’s still young, he seems less obsessed with swords.

‘He was a shy, pretty boy.’

If he had been the violent person from the original story, he wouldn’t have saved me.

‘Since it was said he despised the weak.’

Perhaps the cause that made him despise the weak hadn’t occurred yet.

‘Come to think of it, becoming close.’

It seemed like a surprisingly good method, though I hadn’t thought of it.

What if I became close to Lucas and asked him to stop the sword training with the Grand Duke? The Grand Duke might listen if it was his son’s request.

I couldn’t let the sword training with the Grand Duke continue any longer.

Having made up my mind, I pondered ways to gain Lucas’s favor.

‘Bribery is the best option.’

Rather than giving herbs like the Grand Duke, a more childlike gift seemed appropriate. As I looked around, a sketchbook caught my eye.

“Should I draw a picture for him?”

From that moment on, I devoted myself to drawing Lucas. After drawing all day, the number of pictures exceeded 70.

The Grand Duke, who returned late at night, looked appalled at the sight of Lucas’s pictures scattered on the floor.

“What did you draw?”

“Lucas.”

“This is… Lucas.”

The Grand Duke, who had been silently examining the pictures, picked up a few.

“These are somewhat better.”

“Do you think they’re well-drawn too, Grand Duke?”

“I didn’t say they were well-drawn.”

“No, they are. They’re well-drawn.”

Even if the Grand Duke, with his terrible aesthetic sens,e couldn’t recognize it, they looked fine to me. No, they seemed to be the best I’d ever drawn in all my past lives.

When I said I would give them to Lucas as a gift, the Grand Duke provided frames. The pictures, fitted into luxurious frames, had the feel of a proper gift.

‘I wonder if Lucas will like it.’

In a good mood, I placed the beautifully wrapped picture beside my pillow and went to bed.

I hope the persuasion goes well.

However, my long-awaited meeting with Lucas went in the opposite direction of my expectations.