Chapter Sixteen: The Warmth of a Gentle Morning

When I woke up in the morning, I found myself asleep while hugging Cedric. He slept peacefully while burying his face in my chest.

I had observed such a habit from Cedric ever since he was young. In the past, he’d occasionally take a nap in my room. Seeing that he hadn’t changed, I naturally smiled.

However, I soon realized that I had no recollection of my current situation.

While I remembered crying in my husband’s arms, I didn’t recall ever lying there to sleep, or even hugging Cedric. Although, I might have unconsciously hugged Cedric, or otherwise.

I felt Cedric’s neck. It wasn’t as hot as last night, but still warm when compared to myself. However, unlike yesterday, neither his expression nor his breathing was painful. After exhaling in relief, I kissed Cedric’s pale, golden hair.

Then, I tried to silently get off the bed so as not to wake him up. At that moment, I heard a small voice and turned around.

“…Sis, ter?”

Cedric had woken up.

After his beautiful, purple eyes wandered absentmindedly, they suddenly became tearful as soon as they met me.

“Sister—!”

This time, I pulled Cedric into a hug on my own accord.

After not seeing him for a year, my younger brother had become thinner, and I bit my lip.

“I’m sorry, Cedric. I should’ve gone to see you sooner.”

“It’s alright.”

Cedric shook his head and buried his face in my arms, letting out a small sob.

I caressed Cedric’s hair and rubbed his back like I had done since he was little. Even though he was small, it hurt when he hugged me with all his might. Perhaps, because he was a boy. When I thought of what he had gone through, I couldn’t refuse him. Instead, I embraced him tightly.

We stayed like that for a while.

Then, I heard a knock and looked towards the door.

“Liliana, it’s me. May I come in?”

When I heard my husband’s voice, I came to my senses.

I unconsciously touched my face. Not only were my eyelids swollen, I also fell asleep without removing my makeup. To top it off, I was still wearing last night’s dress.

“P-please wait, ah, um…”

Amidst my confusion, I hugged Cedric, who soon became restless.

“Liliana? What’s wro—ouch!”

“Please step back, my Lord. In the morning, a woman has to prepare for battle. Milady, this is Elsa. May I come in?”

“Of course!”

At the appearance of a reassuring ally, I felt relieved. Elsa opened the door and proceeded to enter. For a moment, I saw a glimpse of my husband, but then he was dismissed by Elsa, “Wait in your room, my Lord.”

How dependable of Elsa.

“Good morning, Milady.”

“Good morning, Elsa. Cedric, this is Elsa, my maid.”

Elsa bowed to Cedric.

“Nice to meet you, Lord Cedric. My name is Elsa, the maid who serves Lady Liliana.”

“Nice to meet you, I’m Cedric Chester de Alwin.”

“May I address you as Lord Cedric?”

Not a shy child in nature, Cedric nodded. At the same time, his grip around me relaxed.

“Lord Cedric, how are you feeling?”

“…”

Cedric anxiously stared at me.

“It still hurts, right? You don’t have to hide it. Come to think of it, just now, I hugged you with all my might. Are you alright? Did it hurt!?”

“Don’t worry, it’s alright. More than that, I’m happy that I was able to meet my sister.”

Smiling bashfully, Cedric hid his face in my face, before hugging me tightly. My heart pounded at such a spoiled gesture. However, I suppressed the urge to hug him back, lest I hurt him again.

Elsa was writhing while grasping her chest.

“He’s so cute!”

—I completely agreed.

“Cedric, I’d like to wash my face and change my attire, is that okay?”

It was unfortunate, but I had to change my outfits considering that my husband was waiting.

“…Sister, will you come back soon?”

“Of course, my dear Cedric. It’s alright, I’ll be right back. Elsa, I leave Cedric to you.”

“Understood.”

I thanked Elsa, before letting go of Cedric and getting off the bed.

“Sister, please come back soon.” Said Cedric as he clung to my fingertips. In response, I kissed him on the forehead.

Then, I set up a new record in my life for the fastest bath. There was a private, small bathroom at the back of my chamber. Afterwards, I had Elsa fasten my corset and put on a light blue dress she had prepared for me.

As a matter of course, I went straight to meet Cedric.

Cedric sat in front of the dresser and watched with interest from the bed as I applied steamed towels and lotion.

Upon looking at my reflection inside the mirror, I was scared. However, Elsa soon helped me remove the makeup. Apparently, my face was still salvageable… Thanks to the steamed towels, lotion, and Elsa’s massage, I was no longer unsightly. To hide my swollen eyes, a thin layer of powder was applied around my eyes.

“Lord Cedric, would you like to eat breakfast?”

“Yes, I’m hungry!”

Elsa smiled at Cedric’s cheerful reply, and left the room saying. “I’ll prepare everything.”

As I sat on the edge of the bed, I reached out for his cheek. However, Cedric offered his head, instead. Knowing what he meant, I chuckled and patted him on the head. He smiled happily.

How cute he is…

“Cedric, do your wounds hurt?”

“It stings a little, but I’m fine because my sister is here.”

His dazzling smile almost made me cry. But I smiled and said, “What a strong child you are.” And rubbed his head some more. Then, I heard another knock. When I replied, “Please come in.” My husband appeared.

Cedric stiffened.

“Good morning, Liliana.”

“Good morning, my husband.”

I tried to stand up, but my husband held me down. Indulging in his kindness, I reassured Cedric before sitting down again.

“Hey, Cedric, you seem to have gotten well.”

At such times, my husband’s gentle smile didn’t fail to make my heart aflutter. As soon as I realized that, my husband’s smile seemed to become 90% brighter. No way, I’ll be caught… Thus, I chanted inwardly.

Calm down, calm down…

“Good morning, Your Excellency the Marquis. Uhm, I have a request for you. Let me stay with my older sister for just a little longer. Later, when my family comes to pick me up, I’ll return immediately.”

Cedric timidly bowed his head, inciting a surprised look from my husband. Since I was also taken aback, I couldn’t say anything in response. Due to the lack of opportunity, we still hadn’t explained the whole story to Cedric…

My husband proceeded to sit down on the bed.

“Long story short, you’ll be staying in this house until you enter the academy, Cedric.”

Cedric tilted his head at my husband’s words.

The academy was a boarding school attended by the children of aristocrats. For five years, the children from age of 13 to 18 would receive their education there. The men would attend for five years, while women would go only until they reached the age of 15. The reason was because when a noble lady reached adulthood, she’d be preoccupied with social debut, bride training, and looking for a spouse.

…My stepsister should’ve been enrolled in the academy for two years.

“For you see, your father is a bit… Well, that’s a story for another day. In short, due to his incompetence at managing the territory, he’d be staying in his territory to rebuild the finances under my guidance. Hence why I, the husband of your older sister, Liliana, became your guardian.”

“Y, Your Excellency the Marquis…? My guardian…? Then, does that mean I can stay with my sister forever?”

“Of course. You may spend time together from morning until night. However, I’d be happy if I could join as well.”

With his purple eyes wide open, Cedric stared blankly at my husband. Not receiving any kind of reply, my husband glanced at me with a perplexed look on his face.

I should do something about that.

However, when I gently put my hand on Cedric’s back, he suddenly burst into tears.

“Fu, uh, hueeeee—!”

Cedric burst into tears and hugged me. I caught him and caressed his small back. Regardless, it didn’t seem like his tears would stop.

“Are you relieved?”

Towards my husband’s question, Cedric gave a big nod. My husband stroked his chest in relief, before pulling me and Cedric into a hug.

For a moment, Cedric was stunned, but soon resumed crying—in relief, this time.

For Cedric, who had never been hugged by his father, it must be his first experience. It’d be great if he could experience a different sense of security that my slender arms couldn’t give.

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