Chapter 72

After Alvis left the salon, Elina was bombarded with questions from Ranaris and Miraria. While Ranaris seemed to find it amusing, Miraria's curiosity was palpable.

"Elina, my dear sister,"

"Yes, what is it, Miraria?"

Elina smiled as she answered Miraria, who called her sister. To Elina, who had no sisters, Miraria was the first person she could call a sister. Although Kiara, the second princess, was like a sister to Elina, she couldn't casually call her a sister because of her royal status. In that sense, Miraria's presence was a joy to Elina. Her words, still tinged with childishness, were straightforward and unadorned. It felt like a long time since Elina had such a conversation with a woman.

"What do you like about Alvis, brother?"

"Eh?"

"Milley... Since Alvis and Elina are in a political marriage, isn't it a bit early to ask such a question?"

As Elina froze at Miraria's question, Ranaris spoke from the side, sounding exasperated. However, there was something that caught her attention in Ranaris's words. She said it was a bit early. It was as if...

"Ranaris, that's like declaring you'll ask eventually."

"Oh, Maguria, of course I intend to."

"Then it's not much different from Miraria."

"No, it's different. Alvis and Elina will be spending their lives together, so it's better to hear about it when the time is right, so you can hear more about Alvis."

Ranaris explained that it was better to wait and ask later. Regardless, it seemed that she would eventually ask. Elina could tell that Ranaris wanted to hear a lot about Alvis. Both Miraria and Ranaris wanted to hear about Alvis, which suggested that he had kept his distance from the Belfias family, perhaps.

"Is something wrong, Elina?"

"Ah, no... I just remembered that Alvis said he rarely returns to his family home. I thought both of you must have been lonely."

"Of course Miraria was, but Ranaris was also very close to Alvis. He may seem aloof, but he's quite caring. ...Well, he had to be to get by."

Elina felt a pang of sadness as Maguria spoke about Alvis. To Elina, the Belfias family seemed very close. Both Rakwell and Okvias, as well as Maguria and Alvis, who were illegitimate, and Ranaris, seemed like they were not half-siblings at all. The same could be said for Miraria, who was present. However, perhaps there was something more to it. As Elina turned to ask Maguria, he slowly shook his head.

"You should hear the rest from Alvis himself. In fact, I'm just speculating. Littine, the princess, might know more."

"Littine, the princess?"

"Alvis and Littine were the closest among the cousins. She probably knows things we don't."

Littine and Alvis. Indeed, there was a relationship between them that Elina didn't know. She had only been engaged to Alvis for a little over a year. The time they spent as cousins couldn't be compared to that. But knowing this still made her feel a bit lonely, and it wasn't just her imagination.

"Looking at you like that, it's as if I'm the one who's being mean."

"No, that's not it..."

While she couldn't say for sure, Maguria's words were concerning. The Alvis she didn't know. No, it was more accurate to say that what she knew about him was limited. Elina was happy just to be married to Alvis, but if they were to spend their lives together, she wanted to know more. No, there were things she needed to know. Elina clenched her hands tightly on her lap.

"May I ask one more question?"

"If I can answer it."

"Was Alvis intentionally avoiding the Belfias family?"

"…I don't think it was intentional avoidance. But I believe there was a reason he rarely returned to the estate. I don't know what it is, though."

Perhaps Littine knew. If Elina asked, would Littine answer? No, Alvis wouldn't like it if he heard it from someone else.

"Maguria, brother! Miria is talking to Elina, my dear sister. Don't interrupt!"

"Sorry, Miria. I didn't mean to interrupt. It seems our youngest has taken quite a liking to Elina."

Maguria chuckled, but there was no sign of regret. Miraria, who understood this, pouted even more.

"We can't talk here. Elina, let's go to my room."

"Miria, isn't your room in the annex? Shouldn't we go to my room?"

"No, let's go to Ranari's room! Come on, Elina."

Pulled by Miraria, Elina had no choice but to stand up. She glanced at Maguria, who waved his hand, signaling that she should follow Miraria.

"I'll tell Alvis. Enjoy yourselves, ladies."

"Y-Yes. Excuse me."

Although it was impolite, Elina bowed her head and left the salon with Miraria and Ranaris. On the other side, Maguria sighed.

"Maybe I should thank Miraria for that."

"Brother?"

"What is it, Valeria?"

Valeria, who had been silent until now, spoke. She was usually quiet, perhaps because she understood her mother Leona's intentions, and rarely joined in the conversation. This time, she seemed to be watching to make sure her sister didn't make a mistake. Now that her sister was gone, the tension seemed to have eased.

"Was what you said earlier true?"

"About Alvis?"

"Yes. Could it be because of—"

"No, it's not that."

Maguria answered, overlapping with Valeria's words. The reason Alvis stayed away from his family was not because of Valeria and the others. It was the opposite. Because of Valeria, Miraria, and Ranaris, Alvis came back. If they weren't there, he probably wouldn't have returned home at all. This was evident from how he interacted with them.

"Then why?"

"...I'm sorry. I don't know either. But..."

"But what?"

Maguria looked in the direction of the annex and murmured.

"Perhaps Leona knows."

"Mother?"

"Yes. ...It's just a hunch, though."

"Brother?"

Maguria patted Valeria's head, who tilted her head in confusion. Valeria's innocent look reminded him of a young Alvis.