Chapter 81

After that, Amelia returned to her reading, immersing herself once again in the world of the book, but soon it was time for dinner.

As usual, it was a perfect moment to pause, so Amelia decided to take the book to her room.

While carrying the book back to her room, she happened to meet Logan, who had just returned to the mansion. Rio was not with him; Logan was alone.

"Welcome back, Lord Logan."

"Yes, I'm back. Were you in the library?"

"Yes! I came across an absolutely wonderful book called 'The Green Dictionary' and spent the whole day engrossed in it."

Amelia's eyes sparkled like those of a child who had found a beautiful shell on the beach and was showing it to her parents.

"This book is amazing! It’s filled with information about all sorts of plants in the country, and before I knew it, the time had flown by!"

Logan's lips curved upward at Amelia's excited expression.

"Anyway, it seems you had a good encounter. From the looks of it, it’s one of the recently acquired books."

"Yes, yes!"

Amelia nodded vigorously.

"Thank you for buying so many books for me. I really appreciate it..."

"You don't need to thank me. If you're enjoying them, that's enough."

Amelia's heart skipped a beat at Logan's casual words.

"Still, you really are dedicated to your studies."

"Not really..."

Amelia's cheeks turned a light strawberry color at the compliment.

"Are you going to dinner now, Lord Logan?"

"I would like to, but... I'm sorry. I have someone waiting for me at the mansion. I need to go see them now."

"Oh, a guest?"

Amelia asked naturally, but there was a pause before Logan responded.

"...Something like that."

Amelia didn't miss the shadow that fell in Logan's eyes.

(He doesn't seem to want to meet them...?)

At that moment, Logan's gaze fell on the book Silvia was holding.

"That book..."

Logan said, and Silvia, with a resigned look, revealed the truth.

"Claude-sama was in the library earlier."

"What!?"

Logan raised his voice.

Then, without warning, Logan grabbed Amelia's shoulder.

"Did he do anything to you!? Anything unpleasant or painful... or did he get rough with you!?"

Logan's eyes were dead serious as he pressed Amelia, a mix of anxiety and worry in his gaze.

Amelia was speechless at Logan's sudden change in expression.

"Um, no... Claude-sama and I only exchanged a few words..."

Amelia managed to respond, despite her confusion.

"I see..."

Logan's expression relaxed with relief.

He felt the tension in his shoulders ease.

"Um, Lord Logan...?"

Noticing the confusion in Amelia's eyes, Logan released his hand from her shoulder.

"I'm sorry, I startled you."

"N-no, it's just..."

She wasn't sure if she should ask, but her curiosity got the better of her.

"Lord Logan, you and Claude-sama...?"

"Our relationship can't be called good."

Logan answered preemptively, understanding the intent behind Amelia's question.

"But..."

He narrowed his eyes and exhaled slowly before continuing.

"Still, we are brothers."

The words, as if spat out, resonated strangely in Amelia's heart.

Then, without another word, Logan started walking.

As she watched his back disappear down the quiet corridor, Amelia pondered.

Logan's brother, Claude.

Her impression of him was not something that could be described in a single word.

His intense presence and his contrasting affection for books.

And above all, his subtle relationship with Logan.

It felt as if a new piece of a puzzle had appeared in her mind.