Erhan always liked his cousin, Wederick.
After his father passed away a few years ago, his mother, the Duchess, always suffered from mysterious headaches. Nevertheless, she has always been busy in managing the land.
In addition, Erhan was a weak child and would often fall down and lie in bed. But for him, who had no brothers and was always alone, Wederick was the only brother to have played with him since he was very young.
Moreover, Wederick was the only one who worried about him and said the ‘right thing’.
“You will have a headache tomorrow after taking etiquette’s class.” (Wederick)
“But Sir Jeffrey said I was in a good condition-.” (Erhan)
“You will experience a terrible headache tomorrow, trust me.” (Wederick)2
The next day, when Wederick said that, a terrible headache would always strike him.
“Don’t eat too much meat or vegetables. If you gain weight, everyone will ignore you.” (Wederick)
“Ferelman told me not to leave food and eat them always…” (Erhan)
“Well, you will get a stomachache after you finish eating them.” (Wederick)
As Wederick said, he suffered from a stomach ache after that.
So Erhan kept listening to Wederick better.
His doctor, Sir Ferelemen, recommended that he move often and eat well but it was hard for Erhan to do something because he was only thinking about his own feelings.
Erhan was afraid that Wederick would never come back if he didn’t listen to his words. Wederick was his only brother and friend.
“Of course you can’t tell your doctor or your mother that I said that.” (Wederick)
“Why?” (Erhan)
“Sir Ferelman won’t let me play with you because he wouldn’t let you listen to me. Then the duchess, who always follows his advice, won’t let me come again.” (Wederick)
“Really?” (Erhan)
“Then you have no one to play ball with and no one to talk to.” (Wederick)
Erhan was six years old when the Duke of Cerseus died.
At that time, the Duchess was not in a situation to take good care of Erhan. She had fallen into anxiety and stress because losing her husband, and a sudden authority to manage the land were too much.
For a six-year-old boy, Wederick, who often came and played with him, was more reliable than Ferelmen, who was too scary.
Thus, seven years later, he turned thirteen.
In the meantime, Erhan has not played as much as other kids in his age because he feared to be a laughingstock to others
He didn’t eat properly because he was afraid of gaining weight.
He never read or studied when he heard from Wederick that he would have a headache because of too much knowledge.
He was a thirteen year old boy who was not educated by a teacher, nor did he learn swordsmanship from an eligible knight.
There were so many situations where life and death could not be done continuously.
Whenever Ferelmen did a check on Erhan, he managed to save him somehow and only gave him a medicine’s prescription. But he did not enforce his lifestyle.
His role was to check his physical condition as a good doctor, not because Erhan was a child.
In addition, he also had circumstances in which he could not care about anyone else. He was half crazy and kept looking for his lost daughter.
Even if the Duke of Cerseus had not died, the cold Duchess would beg him to stay. Ferelmen would never have imagined getting attached to the Duchy.
Erhan was slowly weakening amid the neglect by the adults.
There was also a chronic disease, but it was slow to cure because he didn’t eat well and didn’t move regularly.
—
Right now, Erhan was playing ball with Wederick, who had been here for a long time. He lowered his shoulders when Wederick told him not to play ball again.
It was when Erhan was depressed at the thought that he could never do anything –
“He is still thirteen.”
They flinched when they heard a strange voice from the back. A pretty girl with brown bobbed hair and green eyes was looking straight at them and talking straight.
Well it’s me.
“His growth development is not the same as a seventeen-year-old Young Master Wederick.”
It was Wederick who answered my bold statement.
“Who are you? I have never seen you in the Duchy…”
Looking at the pretty and luxurious clothes, I really didn’t look like a girl working as a servant in the manor.
But he knew that there was no girl of Erhan’s age who was in the Duchy.
I did not answer Wederick’s question, but said with a tilt of my head innocently.
“Sir Wederick, I just heard that Baron Ishid was looking for you. Don’t you think you should go?”
Wederick was suspicious but couldn’t treat me in a rude manner because my dress was too luxurious.
From my dignified tone to expensive accessories, he must have thought that I am an aristocrat lady.
“You seemed to be in a hurry. Go ahead, Sir.”
‘I’ve never seen her before, and she even knew Baron Ishid’s name, so I didn’t think she was talking nonsense.’
“I see.”
Wederic put a handful of snacks in Erhan’s pocket and went back into the manor.
Only then did I smile brightly at Erhan.
“I’m 13 years old too, would you like to play ball with me?”
It was the first time for Erhan to see a girl of the same age, who was wandering around in the Cerseus’s Garden.
***
On the spot, I really wanted to kick that dipshit, but I was just a commoner and Wederic was a nobleman.
It was only then that I could face Erhan, who was eagerly listening to Wederick’s lies.
‘Oh my..’
Erhan’s eyes were black as the night sky. It has this natural sparkling as if seeing a starry night.
He was a little shorter than me due to poor development, but I was slightly embarrassed by his flawless features.
I never gave an impression about Erhan when I saw him being corrupt from afar a long time ago, but he was a good-looking boy who seemed to be quite handsome if he grew up well.
‘You were handsome and cute when you were young..’
I calmed down my embarrassment by thinking of the skinny man I saw, before returning to the past.
“Playing with balls?” (Lise)
“Yes..” (Erhan)
“Do you know me..?” (Erhan)
His voice was full of caution.
“Of course.” (Lise)
I answered nonchalantly while staring down at him.
“Erhan Iliad Cerseus, you are the future duke.” (Lise)
His full name was cleverly recited by me and he shut his mouth while being stiff.
“Play ball with me.” (Lise)
—
A while ago, I was totally surprised to see Erhan was too skinny and small. Also he was ignored by Wederick.
‘What’s wrong with him?’
It was much better than I thought. But I also kept missing the ball Erhan threw to me since I wasn’t very athletic.
But contrary, Erhan was flushed in embarrassment.
“Sorry….” (Erhan)
“Pardon me?” (Lise)
“It’s my fault…” (Erhan)
“What are you talking about?” (Lise)
I was embarrassed and put my hand on my waist.
“Lady is so good that I can’t even throw properly.” (Erhan)
“But brother Wederick said I was wrong…” (Erhan)
‘I can’t even catch the ball properly since I wasn’t into sport.’
I was left dumbfounded with his statement.
“Your Grace, Erhan.” (Lise)
“Huh..?” (Erhan)
“Play ball with me from now on. Do not play with Master Wederick.” (Lise)
“Wederick would be left alone if I play with others….” (Erhan)
“No, His Grace is too good.” (Lise)
I wasn’t lying when I said he’s good.
I glanced at his skinny body once again.
“I really don’t like to lie. I am an honest and upright person. Of course, this is also true.” (Lise)
“Really?” (Erhan)
Even though he didn’t seem to eat well, he developed small muscles and large muscles, and the ratio of his elongated limbs was also good.
“But…” (Erhan)
Erhan looked at me and blinked. His wary voice had been softened slightly.
“Who are you?” (Erhan)
“Oh, me?” (Lise)
I grinned as I took his hand and led him into the mansion.
“I am Ferelman’s new assistant. My name is Lise Estelle, so please call me comfortably with the name Lise.”
“Ahh….” (Erhan)
Erhan looked disappointed with my answer.
“Then… I can’t stay too long.” (Erhan)
“Why?” (Lise)
I glanced down at him since he is a small petite child and was shorter than me. His voice was much softer with a hint of hesitation.
“Sir Ferelmen assistant wouldn’t last long.” (Erhan)
“I’m not the same.” (Lise)
I answered lightly as if it were insignificant.
“I was a much smarter and better doctor.” (Lise)
Still, Erhan’s face was full of doubts, so I shrugged my shoulders.
“I told you I wouldn’t lie. We’ll see if I will stay or not.” (Lise)
“Hmm, o-okay…” (Erhan)
He didn’t seem to believe it, but I laughed because I felt like I was seeing a cute little boy who answered quickly.
“Your Grace, you should make an appointment with me.” (Lise)
“Why?” (Erhan)
“I will never be kicked out, and I will play ball with you, study with you, and I will stay with you, always. Then….” (Lise)
I stood up firmly, looking into Erhan’s black eyes.
“You have to believe me, and do as I tell you.” (Lise)
“W-what? Why me?” (Erhan)
“I told you. I’m honest, smart, and great. So you have to listen to me. Most likely, my advice will be quite similar to Sir Ferelman’s, but….” (Lise)
First of all, I don’t know the cause of Erhran’s chronic disease, and I didn’t know how it got worse, so I needed to watch over him.
Any chronic disease is a highly immune variable. Of course, it was important to eat well and be active while growing up.
It seems like he was brainwashed for a long time by Wederick, his only relative. But he managed to get along with me. It was the best thing that ever happened.
“We will see the process anyway.” (Lise)
I said gently as I removed the leaves from his head.
“I will stay here until you become healthy and become the Duke.” (Lise)
“Lise..” (Erhan)
Eran looked up and said,
“I still can’t trust you, what if I become a duke later?” (Erhan)
“What?” (Lise)
“Then, will Lise still be here?” (Erhan)
“Ummm..” (Lise)
I haven’t thought about it in detail yet.
This is because I have never lived a life after nineteen. Just, somehow, finding or creating a family?
“If you are healthy, I can stay here, why not?” (Lise)
“I heard that you will be the smartest and most handsome. Then shouldn’t you stay with the Duke of Cercius? Your family is comparable to the imperial family.” (Lise)
‘That’s what your cousin did before he threw this Dukedom to treason.’
I answered with a tilt of my head.
“But, well, as your doctor, there’s also Ferelman..” (Lise)
‘I let Ferelman find her own daughter.’
I felt as if the answer to his smart words had disappeared.
Why did you suddenly become the King of Logic?
Eran held my hand tight as I hesitated.
I just smiled awkwardly and moved closer.
“Well, I will think about it then.” (Lise)
I kept on recalling the weak 19-year-old Eran.
Until then, I thought I should teach him and raise him well. Also take good care of the young master if it’s possible.
“Well you still have time before becoming an adult.” (Lise)
What’s the big deal after adulthood?