My Childhood Friend is Like a Stone - Chapter 23

‘Things that don’t make sense—’

Cyri, who climbed on the horse’s back, clicked his tongue. It was ridiculous to think about it again. Rumors of engagement are circulating because he only danced once. Humans who enjoy their lives freely pretend to be naive only when they do this.

There will be dozens of couples born at the ball yesterday alone if one dance is a measure of engagement. It was also because of Lionel’s request that he asked Princess Dezire for a partner in the first place.

He stayed in the Imperial Palace for a year, so he was close with the Princess, but nothing more.

‘By the way, Adrienne also danced with Lionel.’

The image of Adrienne, who was gently walking to the floor with a smile, came to mind. She smiled so brightly that even without the light of the chandelier, she seemed to be shining alone.

‘—Is it good?’

It took a lot of courage to be able to continue with an unrequited love that began when she was 14 and ended when she was 19. It was even more so considering Lionel’s history of going through one engagement and one breakup in the meantime.

What’s so good about it? Finding a way is something that will be very memorable—.

Cyril could not understand Adrienne then and even now.

‘You don’t even need my understanding.’ 

Thinking like that, he had a little bitter taste.

Cyril lowered his posture by pulling the outer reins very lightly. The intelligent horse quickly understood the owner’s will and increased his speed.

******

Cyril lived at his mansion, not at his official residence. It was possible because Thesar’s mansion was located not far from the imperial palace.

It was closer to the Imperial Palace than most general’s’ official residences, so what more explanation is needed?

Not only the location, but also the mansion itself had just been built. A new mansion built on a yolk-like land.

Maxel, who discovered Cyril’s house by chance, ask for an invitation. He wasn’t aggressive the first time he recruited a major and launched a joint attack.

But Cyril refused like a sword each time. It was a natural response from Cyril’s point of view. What’s the point of having soldiers smell like sweat in a clean mansion?

Even if it wasn’t Maxel, everyone was the same.

Cyril placed great importance on private space as he thoroughly separates public and private matters.

‘—It can’t be Maxel.’

Then, what is that carriage that is stopped in front of the mansion now?

Cyril looked back to see if there was any promise he had forgotten, but there was no such thing. He could be sure because he never had an appointment at home.

The only exception would be Adrienne, but there were still days left until the appointment with Adrienne.

There were no marks on the carriage to identify it. That appeared to be the shape of the horse-drawn carriage he saw one day.

While the sound of the rattling horseshoe gradually decreases. The distance from the carriage got closer little by little.

“…..!”

As soon as the horse stopped at a suitable place, the carriage door opened and someone came out.

Cyril, who reflexively took his hand to his waist, stopped.

“Adrienne?”

“Hurry up, let’s go in and talk. Hurry up! Oh, Shinu! Long time no see. How have you been?”

The uninvited guest was Adrienne.

Adrienne, with her characteristic bright red hair tightly hidden under the bonnet, did not rush Cyril, but exchanged greetings with Cyril.

It was natural to be close to Adrienne because he had been with Cassinel. Shinu, the white horse, was rubbing the bridge of his nose against Adrienne’s cheek, whether he knew his owner’s absurd heart or not.

“How long has it been—! You’ve gotten more splendid since then. Is Cyril taking good care of you? Your hair is still pretty!”

She felt happy just with the voice that was reminiscent of a lot. The situation was not much different when she said she was excited to meet her old friend again.

The sea of joy, leaving the owner alone, ended briefly, and Adrienne, who belatedly came to her senses, grabbed Cyril’s hand.

Shinu walked after the two on his own, wagging his tails.

“What the hell is going on? There’s no way the weekend never came without me knowing.”

Cyril asked the butler who was surprised by the unexpected visit. Adrienne finally let go of the hand she was holding the whole time and chose a word.

“The weekend is not important. I have something urgent to tell you. A suitable place—”

“Come here.”

Cyril, who sighed as if he couldn’t stop her, took the lead. Adrienne, who was guided to the drawing room, looked around and quickly stared at Cyril.

The eyes had a lot of say.

Meanwhile, Cyril, who ordered the maid to get the tea, sat on the sofa opposite.

“Now tell me. What’s wrong with you? Why are you breaking into someone else’s house?”

“I’m sorry about that. I didn’t have time to make an appointment in advance and wait.”

It was a polite apology for the person who was ambushed in front of the house and kidnapped the owner. It was fantastic to the point that the place where the kidnapping was at his home.

If the opponent wasn’t for Adrienne, he would have already been angry from the front of the house—.

Surprisingly, Cyril nodded quietly because he couldn’t think of anything. To be honest, he just felt like he was seeing Adrienne again, who came into the room without knocking when he was young.

He thought it was scary to be familiar with it, but the maid who just came in quietly put down the glass and left.

Cyril pushed the glass of refreshing herbal tea in front of Adrienne and dragged the sweet apple tea in front of him.

Adrienne’s eyes twinkled and she picked up the teacup.

“Enough with apologies.”

“I got a letter this morning. I want you to see it with me.”

Adrienne was savoring the fragrant smell of the subject, who had rushed to the subject as if there was no tomorrow. It was bitter, but she still liked it. Still, although it was quite urgent, the act of squeezing his throat was pretty quick.

Adrienne took a letter out of her pocket.

‘Red envelope?’

Cyril, who was watching silently, frowned without realizing it. If his common sense was accurate, that envelope was only used for marriage.

It can’t be?

It was the moment when a flame blazed in his narrowed eyes. Cyril noticed Adrienne’s gaze over his shoulder. Her big eyes widened all at once, and her mouth opened wide. After she let it go, she had a tendency to stumble.

“Cyril, do you—” What is it this time? Cyril, who swallowed a sigh, turned back. “—Do you have a child?”

Almost at the same time, Adrienne shouted.

After a while, Cyril, seeing the person standing in the doorway, could clearly understand what misunderstanding Adrienne was making.

******

Two pairs of curious eyes looked at each other. The gaze at each other was persistent, not to mention that anyone else was more.

However, the persistence did not feel like digging into others. Rather, it was closer to a curious gaze, as if looking at a character protruding from a legend or book.

Similar to the atmosphere of any exhibition, Cyril wore quietly in the silent air.

“—Let’s say hello first. This is Samuel Pierre de Thedar, my brother. This is Adrienne de Cassinel.—As you know.”

As you know.

Adrienne kept looking at it as if she were asking for an introduction, but that was it. It was a very tearful sincerity. At this point, it was even more amazing that Samuel knew her.

“Nice to meet you. Can I call you Samuel?”

“Yes. Mademoiselle.”

Samuel, who calmly replied, smiled shyly.

Adrienne looked at the child quietly, feeling a little possessed.

‘They really look like each other.’

Samuel.

Cyril’s younger brother, whom she had met countless times only by name, was surprisingly similar to Cyril when she actually met him. She had already said everything she said to the extent that she mistook him for his son.

Of course, if she observes him more thoroughly, she will notice a number of differences, such as dull gold eyes compared to Cyril’s, and a more gentle demeanor than Cyril at the time—.

Still, the fact that they look alike has not changed.

Adrienne alternated between Cyril and Samuel. It felt strange as if she was watching a big Cyril and a little Cyril at the same time.

“Adrienne, do you even know how old I need to have a son this big?”

“Maybe it was when you were in Cassinel— Sorry.”

Adrienne calmly admitted her mistake to Cyril, who was arguing like it was ridiculous. As she spit it out, it was nonsense even if she thought about it.

He deserved to feel bad because she was asked if he was a son of his brother who was eight years apart.

Cyril didn’t even look old enough to look like a father and son in the first place.

“I also apologize to Samuel. I’m sorry.”

“No, Mademoiselle. I’m fine.”

Samuel, who was treated as a son for a short time, really smiled as if nothing had happened.

Ah, the smile is different.

When she realized that, the afterimage of young Cyril, which had been overlapping over Samuel, disappeared. Cyril didn’t smile that calmly.

Usually, he smirked, and when he was truly happy, he bit his lower lip a little and laughed as if he couldn’t stand it.

Then eventually, when he laughed out loud, the corners of his mouth that raised were so refreshing.

There was a time when every smile didn’t leave her mind. Maybe that’s why the difference touched her even more.