Chapter 36

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Chapter 36

8 years ago.

“Li!’

Upon hearing my name, I turned around only to see a pretty boy with a pair of beady eyes.

“Lord Signus.”

“Congratulations, Li! I heard you passed the promotion test!”

You already knew.

I was a little surprised because I just passed the test and was returning to my accommodation.

“Do you know Dojino Knights Commander who’s been watching you for a long time? The one who wanted to scout you when you got older? He complimented you a lot, you know.”

Signus’ clear golden eyes sparkled beautifully.

“He had never seen such a fast and excellent swordplay before! He said you were the best among all the apprentice knights, and he was happy that his eyes weren’t wrong!”

Signus’ asked with a beaming smile.

“So how do you feel about climbing to the top with your own ability?”

At Signus’ friendly question, the recollection of my life flashed by.

As soon as I turned 8, I left home and entered the Imperial Knight Academy to become a knight.

How many years have I been locked up in a training center and wielded a sword every day?

“I am beyond happy.”

Hearing me summarize my feelings in a few words, Signus beamed again.

“You can be happier. Because this is only the start for you.”

The golden eyes were bent amicably.

“You’re coming of age and everyone recognizes your incredible skills, so you’re going to receive love calls from all places. Have you decided where to go?”

“Yes.”

“It’s Dojino, right?”

I replied with a nod.

“The Knight Commander liked you at first sight, after all. Not to mention, Dojino Knight Order is one of the two best knight orders in the empire.”

If one can enlist in the Dojino Knight Order, they would be able to succeed their family.

‘Then, wouldn’t my parents acknowledge me?’

Although I haven’t seen them since the day I broke the cup.

“You’re really amazing, Li. I’m proud of you.”

An affectionate gaze colored his face.

“When you become a knight, everyone in the empire will know your true value. You’ll go up higher and farther away.”

Signus muttered as if he couldn’t help it.

“Actually, that’s a bit unfortunate, but what can I do? I have to be equal to you.”

I blinked vacantly as I couldn’t process what he meant.

‘You want to be equal to me, who is just a knight?’

Signus laughed as I was absentmindedly staring at him.

“As you already know, I’m the youngest prince. A third prince who has zero influence and weak power. If I don’t level up myself, I’ll be torn apart by the faction and not even rats or birds will know about my death.”

My heart sank at his words.

“I know. If you become a knight, you will be busy without time to care about me. That was the case even now, too. I’ve been asking you for years to drop formalities when we are alone, haven’t I?”

Signus dropped his long eyelashes, and I couldn’t bear to see that pitiful appearance.

‘How can I talk down to the prince?’

Signus tried so hard to lift a smile at my dazzled face.

“It’s okay. I have a wonderful life just by meeting Li.”

I stared at Signus with a firm face.

“I’ll protect you.”

“…..”

“I’ll protect Lord Signus.”

His golden pupils trembled quietly.

“Don’t forget your promise, Li.”

“Yes.”

Looking at his dazzlingly bright smile, I vowed with all my life to protect this beautiful boy who approached me first.

A few hours later, I never thought I’d forget about that promise.

I ran and ran across the street.

Even though I was out of breath, I couldn’t stop running.

No wonder she used an amazing sword technique. Turns out she’s Marquis Million’s daughter.

I heard the Marquis and his wife, who had been living in the countryside, had returned to their mansion. They must have come to congratulate their daughter for becoming a knight.

How happy are her parents?

Even though she lived apart from her family at such a young age, she grew up so proudly.

It’s a pity that your younger sibling is sick, so I’m sure he loves to see you.

Ever since I passed the promotion test, people have been talking about me.

“Your parents are back.”

Moreover, something even more surprising happened.

‘I have a younger sibling!’

Gender wasn’t important. All that matters is that I have a younger sibling.

You don’t know how envious I was of those who were taking lessons from their brothers.

“How sick is he?”

When I asked how sick my younger sibling was, the nobleman who delivered the message shook his head regretfully.

My heart sank and I immediately rummaged through my lodging.

I used all my money and checked out all the pharmacies down the street. And I was running crazy after sweeping all the medicines I could grab.

Hosh, hosh.

I entered the mansion with a rough breathing.

“Oh my god!”

Ignoring the shout of the surprised servants, I stepped on a familiar garden. I grabbed the doorknob and turned it around in a rush.

Clack.

My parents were surprised to see me running in.

“You…!”

I looked down, ignoring my mother’s scream. The boy in her arms was very thin.

Blonde hair soaked in sweat and plump cheeks that are red with fever.

The boy who is years younger than me was very small and pretty.

“My brother….”

At that time, my focus returned to my younger sibling’s eyes, which looked frenzied due to the fever.

When I met his round eyes, he smiled.

“Oh….”

I let out a small groan without realizing it, and my sibling stretched out his arms toward me, as if wanted to be held by me.

As soon as I took a step closer, a sharp voice burst out.

“Don’t come closer!”

My steps halted.

“Why did you come here? What’s that ugly sword?”

She shouted with a face full of contempt.

“You’ve always been like that. You must be looking down at me with those haughty eyes of yours! But I didn’t know you’d humiliate my family like this.”

Her cold and sharp remark didn’t stop there.

“Instead of marrying into a good family, you’d rather wield a sword that adds nothing to your brother’s power. If you were born as a girl, you should have gotten married.”

My mother buried her cheek on my younger brother’s forehead.

“If I knew this would happen, I would have taken care of you earlier.”

Listening to her regretful words, I asked quietly.

“Then why didn’t you kill me?”

“You should’ve known better about your nature as a girl.”

“You should’ve killed me as soon as you gave birth.”

“What are you talking about! Is there any reason to commit something illegal?”

My mother stroked my younger brother with a loving touch.

“When I had you, my doctor said, my first child will become the successor of the family and a sword that protects the empire.”

Her voice contained hope.

“My doctor must be someone who can read celestial energy. Such an important person gave me his blessing, so I thought of how my child will grow up into a wonderful man.”

My mother’s smile trembled.

“That prophesied child can’t be a girl.”

She looked at my brother lovingly.

“I’ve been waiting for so long, so just watch and see.”

It was something that I didn’t need to hear to know.

So that’s how it is.

They wanted a ‘male’ child to succeed the family.

Even if I wield a sword, even if I was promoted as a knight, no matter how much achievement and reputation I have…..

I will never be their ‘first’ child.

Even if I carry their blood, I, who is a woman, will never be their child.

“He has to enroll in the academy once he comes of age. There are many excellent doctors in the Imperial Palace, so his disease will be cured soon.”

Hearing the real reason why my family came back to the capital, I quietly clenched my fist. An envelope containing medicine was crumpled in my hand.

“What’s your expression? Are you saying it’s unfair?”

I didn’t answer. My mother crumpled her face.

“Hey, we’re the ones who feel unfair here. Who told you to be born? You’re the one who came to the people who didn’t want you. It’s because you were born as a girl!”

My mother shouted with a tearful face.

“But why is my child sick? Why?!”

The sobbing lasted for a while. Soon, I heard my father’s cold voice.

“Calm down. Now you have a real successor of the Million family.”

My father stood as if protecting my mother and younger brother. It was a gesture to protect his family from me.

“I am ashamed that you were born in my family. My son got an unknown disease and was diagnosed that he won’t last longer because we gave birth to you first.”

His cold voice seemed to pierce my ear.

“So you must be grateful that at least we decided to keep you, so get out of here.”

“…..”

“Didn’t you always act as you pleased? Whether you become a knight or a fool, I want to live without your presence, so go pursue the life you want.”

My father saw a sword on my waist.

“If you’re going to seek revenge on my son by killing him, I won’t let you go.”

I quietly took a step back and dropped the medicine from my hands.

“What’s that?”

My father, who picked up the envelope and looked inside it, laughed as if it was ridiculous.

“I don’t need a medicine that I don’t even know where it came from.”

The medicine bag was thrown into the trash can.

That badly crumpled medicine envelope was like my heart. I loosened the strength in my fist and turned around just like that.

“Huaa..”

“My baby, what’s wrong?”

“Hic, hic..”

My mother’s voice became urgent.

“Honey! Honey!”

My father’s voice, which previously only spits poison, also became very tender.

“My baby, you were scared, weren’t you? Don’t cry.”

“It’s alright now. Your mom and dad will continue to be by your side.”

He walked up to the bed anxiously in a heart-breaking voice.

“Sis…huu…sis! Sister…I’m….”

I stormed out, ignoring the very small voice that called out to me.

“Lerine.”

I didn’t even recognize someone calling my name. My ears and eyes were unable to capture anything.

At that time, someone grabbed my arm.

“Lerine! Can’t you hear me? I’m Elon.”

“…..”

“I didn’t mean to follow you. I was just wondering what was wrong with you since you ran around the drugstore like a madman.”

I belatedly responded to his serious voice.

“I’m fine, so you should go back now.”

“Fine, my ass. You’re acting weird right now.”

“Go. You have a promotion test soon.”

“What does that matter now?”

When I raised my gaze, I saw Elon with a serious face. I couldn’t understand why he looked at me like that when we were always arguing. I didn’t even know why he followed me or blocked my way.

I said with my utmost sincerity as I watched Elon’s anxious face.

“Elon. I’m sure you’ll do well.”

But it was hard for me to smile.

“Let’s go back now.”

I took a step ahead. It was quite surprising that Elon followed me, but I was glad it wasn’t Signus.

I wouldn’t be able to endure it if it was him.

On the other hand, I also thought how nice it would be if he was the one who came.

It didn’t matter that I couldn’t say goodbye.

I just wanted to apologize.

‘I’ll protect you, Lord Signus.’

The promise that would never be kept.

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