101st Confession - Side Story Episode 19 - Island Outing (2)

Side Story Episode 19: Island Outing (2)

“Oh! Come to think of it, what exactly happened? Getting married?”

“That’s right. Mother and Father’s reaction was a bit strange. Did you maybe have an accident?”

With the two’s strong reactions, Lucas broke into a cold sweat while Arista blinked her eyes and smirked.

In no time, she raised her hand to show the ring on her ring finger.

“Huh? Isn’t that Mother’s ring?”

“It’s a ring used for proposals in the Agnes family for generations. My brother proposed to me while putting this on me.”

“Yeah, it was such a meaningful ring indeed.”

Lucia examined the ring with a renewed gaze.

“No, but shouldn’t we start by explaining how you two ended up dating? You didn’t just suddenly propose out of nowhere, did you?”

Faced with a sharp question, Lucas didn’t know how to respond and glanced at Arista for help.

“Should we tell them everything…?”

“Well, telling them everything might be a bit much, right? But, we’ll have to say it anyway if we’re explaining what happened during the formal meeting, won’t we?”

“Ugh……”

As the conversation continued, Lucas’ face grew more stiff. Arista, seeing him struggling, explained what had happened during their time together.

As they listened to her, Lucia and Herwin’s initially smiling faces froze, eventually turning into glaring stares at Lucas.

“So, we ended up having the formal meeting, and I kind of threw up there. I thought I was pregnant for sure.”

“In the end, it turned out you were just stressed and couldn’t keep down food, but still…”

The commotion during the formal meeting was only resolved after calling a doctor to confirm it wasn’t pregnancy.

At that moment, Lucas recalled feeling like he had lost all his hair in the process.

“Well, my father initially refused to permit the marriage, so I told them I would cut ties with the family. Then he changed his mind and allowed it again.”

“……Wow.”

“……How are we supposed to react to this?”

Feeling like they were watching a soap opera, Lucia and Herwin felt dizzy.

“We understand why Mother and Father said what they did. We’re nervous just listening, how about you two.”

“……I already got a severe scolding from my parents. Father too, but even before that, I nearly died at their hands.”

Lucas’ eyes grew moist as he confessed his mistakes. Lucia shot him a sharp glance as he reminisced.

“So, after seeing everything, you ignored Arista for a month?”

“I said I had my reasons………….”

“But still, that’s not right. No matter what reasons you had, the person left behind feels abandoned! That was wrong of you, brother! What if Arista had misunderstood and stayed like that!”

“………You’re right.”

As Lucas started to slump, Arista hugged him tightly.

“Don’t be like that. Brother said he didn’t want to continue like that with me. Isn’t that right?”

“Arista……….”

Seeing Lucas melt in Arista’s embrace, Herwin grimaced.

“Wow, it’s the first time I’ve seen my brother act like this.”

“Exactly.”

Is it good because it’s good? Lucia and Herwin nodded vigorously.

“Still, it’s a shame. I was so happy thinking I was pregnant.”

As Arista sincerely expressed her regret, Lucas broke into a cold sweat.

“Arista. You shouldn’t be………….”

“My brother is right. Fortunately, you and my brother are together. If not, what would have happened.”

As Herwin praised Lucas, Arista flashed a mischievous smile.

“Then, were you planning to use the child to threaten my brother?”

Gulp!

Lucia choked on her tea upon hearing a story.

“I told you. I won’t let go of my brother anymore. Even though my brother doesn’t have feelings for me, I thought he would take responsibility for me and the child because he’s a responsible person.”

Including Lucas, everyone stared at Arista with wide eyes.

Was Arista such an extreme person? Or was it the accumulation of past wounds that had shaped her into who she was now?

“Then I’ll do whatever it takes to keep my brother from leaving me. No one wouldn’t be swayed if I set my mind to it, right?”

Arista was not arrogant, but she indeed had such deep charm.

Unknowingly, Lucia hugged Herwin.

Seeing this, Arista burst into hearty laughter.

“Ahahaha! Of course, Herwin and friends are exceptions. Lucia, I haven’t been interested in any other man besides your brother from the past to now.”

“That’s a relief. Huh? But from the past… What does that mean?”

“Didn’t I tell you? My first love was your brother. It wasn’t as strong as yours, but I had a crush on him for over seven years.”

This time, Lucia and Herwin’s eyes widened like lanterns. Due to the push to explain from the two, Arista eventually had to reveal more detailed stories.

Thus, the conversation among the four continued unabated until dawn.

* * *

The next day on the island. 

The two went to the Duke Phoenaeus’ mansion on the island to greet Henry.

In the short time they hadn’t seen him, Henry’s face had become more refined, exuding a dignified adult vibe.

While Herwin had a sharper and colder impression, Henry was a warm and friendly person with a gentle smile.

Nevertheless, when the two were placed side by side, they resembled brothers so much that it was immediately noticeable.

“Sister. No, should I call you sister-in-law now?”

“Do as you please. It’s been ‘sister’ all along, so suddenly calling me sister-in-law would be awkward, right?”

“Then I’ll just call you sister.”

“Sure, that’s fine.”

Henry chuckled and instructed a servant to bring something he had prepared.

“These are things I bought whenever I thought of you two. Now, I’m noticing a lot of baby items too. Take a look.”

“Oh my…! How did you afford all of this?”

Are all members of the Phoenaeus family so generous? From Hail and Scarlet to now Henry. Their gifts were no joke.

Wide-eyed, Lucia picked out a baby outfit with bear ears.

“Since I’m handling the affairs on the island now. I also have some money.”

Henry proudly boasted about his top grades during his academy days, prompting Herwin to chuckle and pat his shoulder.

“If you ever feel confused or encounter difficulties while working, let me know. I’ll help.”

“Oh! I was just about to mention that. The royal family has commissioned us to exterminate monsters, but honestly, I have less experience than my brother.”

Henry shared his concerns with Herwin, seeking his opinion.

Lucia stepped back for a moment to allow the two brothers to have a serious discussion, and she unpacked the pile of gifts Henry had bought.

Many of the gifts resembled those given by Hail and Scarlet, likely from the Phoenaeus family. Almost half of them were baby gifts, while the other half were mixed gifts for herself and Herwin.

Feeling Henry’s sincerity, she burst into laughter. But then, a wooden sword came out of the package. It was too small for Herwin to use and Henry couldn’t wield a sword, either.

“Why don’t we go together tomorrow instead of talking about it? Showing you directly would be faster than explaining.”

“But my brother came to take a break…………….”

“It’ll only take a moment. Besides, my friends are coming over tomorrow anyway, so Lucia can stay with them.”

“Um, sorry to interrupt your conversation………….”

Both brothers turned their heads simultaneously at Lucia’s voice. For a moment, their faces looked the same, making Lucia burst into laughter without realizing it.

“Yeah, what’s up? Lucia?”

As Herwin approached Lucia and sat next to her, Lucia picked up the wooden sword she had found.

“Isn’t this mixed in with the gifts meant for us?”

“Oh, that!”

Henry approached, pretending to know.

“Are you giving it to me to use?”

“Come on, why would I do that? That’s for my nephew, who’s in my sister’s belly.”

“Huh?”

“As you know, the Phoenaeus family learns swordsmanship from a young age. I wanted to give it to him as my first nephew.”

“Isn’t it too early? At least the child should be 5 years old to learn swordsmanship, right?”

When Herwin asked while fiddling with the wooden sword, Henry hesitated.

“That’s true, but it’s more about wanting to give it early. Honestly, considering the gifts coming for my sister and brother, we won’t need anything for 1 to 2 years, easily.”

That’s right. They were receiving plenty of gifts without even preparing baby items.

“And, I had it specially made. I asked the best blacksmith on the island. It should be easy for a child to use, right?”

“Well, definitely. It’s light and has a good grip. Thank you. Our child’s first sword will be this one.”

“When the child is ready to learn swordsmanship, let me know. It’s an important time for my first nephew to start learning, and of course, his uncle should be there!”

“Oh, when that time comes, you’ll be starting a family too.”

Henry suddenly stopped talking at Herwin’s joke. Lucia and Herwin looked puzzled as they saw his sudden change in expression.

‘Oh, could it be that he’s still…?’

Herwin glanced at Henry, who seemed lost in thought and opened his eyes wide. Although Henry had previously claimed that his affection for Lucia was just a childish joke, it wasn’t to the point where Herwin couldn’t distinguish between his joking and serious remarks. 

Regardless of whether he had moved on, Herwin knew that Henry had genuinely liked Lucia at one point. 

‘I thought he had gotten over it by now, hasn’t he?’

Concerned that Henry might be hurt again, Herwin pondered deeply. To his surprise, Henry sighed and spoke up.

“Sister.”

“Yeah? What’s wrong? Is something the matter?”

“Please, help me out. Women are chasing after me.”

Herwin, who was tense from the unexpected response, blinked. Lucia was also taken aback.

“Um… Are you bragging about being popular now?”

“No! I’m serious! Wherever I go, women keep appearing and following me around!” 

According to Henry’s explanation, the number of women chasing after him had significantly increased since he became an adult. They would fall in front of him, spill their handkerchiefs, or try to talk to him in any way they could, and some would even follow him as he slayed monsters.

“While my friends envy my popularity, I’m going crazy as the person involved!”

“Are they all interested in you?”

“Rather than that, it’s more like they’re hyenas trying to seize something……”

Henry shuddered as he recalled the women who scrutinized him with wide eyes.