Yohan Borneau.
He was Astinaâs stepbrother. However, based solely on appearance, one would assume the two are actual siblings.
Yohan, who was running quickly, patted Astinaâs head and asked with concern.
âDo you know how worried I was when I couldnât see you at the salon? Where have you been?â
Yohanâs eyes, which were directed at Astina, were honey-colored like their hair. I donât think Gilbert, who considers me his younger sister, has ever looked at me like that, let alone my other two brothers.
Yohanâs gaze turned to me, as if he sensed my gaze. They look like baby angelsâ¦
âConlerâ¦.â
âOh, I told you before, right? I had a friend who was very kind to me.â
âHello.â
âYesâ¦â
Yohan, who has a warm disposition by nature, smiled warmly at me as well. Oh, I think I have a weakness for blonde hair. I also smiled awkwardly in response to his.
âHmm.â
âOh, prince.â
âYohan, I really enjoyed the story you told me earlier.â
Young men appeared to have their own salon as well. Demimore came over and began talking to Yohan before I knew it. Demimore, who was a little taller than me, was blocking my view of Yohan in front of me.
Oh, let me appreciate his face a little more.
Demimore squeaked a little as I crept up behind him. What? Whatâs wrong? Also, show me his face! I mean, those are the faces I really like.
After speaking with Yohan, Demimore finally moved out of my path. I gave Demimore a disapproving glare. Demimore shrugged while extending his lower lip.
Why is he suddenly so mean? Is it because heâs going to be his brother?
Unlike me and Demimore, who had a strange war of nerves, Astina and Yohan were still sweet.
âAh, why didnât Astina come to the salon?â
âWhat?â
âYou said youâd come in once you looked at the flowers.â
Yohan was worried because Astina didnât participate in the salon, so he asked in a voice full of concern. The drooping corners of his eyes are exactly like Astinaâs. I guess Astina is meant to be part of the Borneau family.
I wonder if she could honestly tell her brother that a lady from another family hated her for no reason and prevented her from attending the salon. They will surely be mad if it gets to their ears. However, I believe they will also deal with it if they are informed beforehand.
Thatâs what I thought, so I looked at Astina, who bit her lip tightly as if it were difficult to say. She shook her head slightly when our eyes met, as if to avoid talking about it. I nodded because somehow I could relate to her desire to avoid causing him to worry.
âDonât try to fool me; I didnât see Franz Scott in the salon earlier, maybe heâ¦â¦.â
âShe got lost while looking at the flowers.â
âWhat?â
I cut Yohanâs words short because it sounds like heâs about to interrogate her in earnest. Yohan nodded and looked at Astina, wondering if it was true.
âIs it true?â
âOh, oh! I got lost while looking at the flowers. Mary and the prince helped me find my way.â
âAstina.â
âOh, I didnât say anything because I was afraid Brother would make fun of me for being stupid again!â
âHaâ¦â
After hearing Astinaâs excuse, Yohan dropped his hand holding Astinaâs shoulder like he was speechless. But there were still some lingering uncertainties in his eyes. I was a little sorry, but I canât help it. I support Astina.
âLetâs go back now.â
âOh, yes.â
âYes, goodbye.â
What, youâre returning already?
I wish I could make out more of the harmony between your faces. As if they were unable to sense my desperation, Yohan and Astina appeared to be leaving soon. Demimore seemed to be trying to send them off as if he heard good news. Since when did you become so impolite? Why do you keep upsetting me, Demimore?
Astina and Yohan held hands. I wondered if such perfect and beautiful siblings existed. As one would expect from the female lead and her brotherâ¦â¦
âI had a great time, Yohan, and I hope to see you again next time.â
And the male lead, who is eager to send them on their way,â¦
âMary!â
Astina let go of Yohanâs hand and ran to hug me. I awkwardly gave Astina a pat on the back.
âIâll see you next time, right?â
In a wet, clammy voice, Astina enquired. She appeared uneasy.
âI have no doubt that weâll cross paths again.â
I spoke reassuring Astina. In relief, Astina chuckled.
âSurely.â
I looked at Astinaâs back and waved. That brother and sister have such lovely faces. Someone grabbed my wrist and lowered it because I was constantly waving as if in ecstasy, fascinated by the beauty of the siblings. Demimore was smiling at me when I turned to look at him in surprise.
âYou must like her a lot.â
âOh, yes⦠Since we shared a childhood together.â
âDid you come here after being invited by the princess?â
âYes.â
âBut why did you stop here?â
Demimore inquired, wondering why I would walk so far from the salon.
âOh, I was looking for the prince.â
âMe?â
I took the laminaicho out of my bag with joy, thinking that I might finally accomplish the reason I had come to the palace.
âYes!â
âWhy me?â
When I said I was looking for Demimore, he asked, sounding quite surprised. I smiled and gave him a bottle of laminaicho instead of responding.
âWhatâs this?â
âIâm going to repay you!â
âWhat?â
Demimore frowned, as if perplexed by my irrelevant response. Do you realize how handsome you are? You have such good looks that you could work as a model.
âI owe the prince a great deal.â
âSo what is thisâ¦â¦?â
âItâs Laminaicho.â
When Demimore heard the word laminaicho, his expression changed in an odd way. He appeared to be burdened by it. Iâm sure he is. Feel burdened, and then pay it back later.
âIf the prince doesnât mind, Iâd like you to accept it.â
âThe prince is not okay with it.â
I said it as innocently as I could, but Demimore responded more firmly than I expected. He held out the bottle I had given to him, but I hid my hand behind my back and shook my head.
You should definitely accept it.
âYou must accept it.â
âHow can I possibly accept this?â
âYouâre going to need it someday!â
âWonât there come a time when everyone needs laminaicho?â
That makes sense, I guess.
What can I possibly do to get him to accept this?
Demimore was clearly looking at me, pondering what he could possibly do to return this to me.
âNo, I really want to pay back your generosity.â
âItâs too much compared to what I gave you,â
âIn addition to the hairpin, you helped with the bet.â
âHow come youâre thanking me for that when Mary was the one who hunted the demon?â
Is this called a showdown between two proud geniuses?
Demonoor had a determined expression, as did I. Iâm sorry, but you canât overcome my obstinacy.
âHowever, you must still take it.â
âWow, youâre so stubborn.â
âHehe.â
âHaha?â
âHahahaha.â
âHahahahahahaha.â
Demimore and I looked at each other and laughed as we continued to argue. We laughed despite not knowing what was funny. But you should really take it. Youâll later regret refusing to accept it. I was about to say something, but I laughed so hard that tears fell from my eyes.
âHaâ¦â
I sighed deeply and took a moment to collect myself. How can I force Demimore to raise the white flag during this protracted conflict? I donât know what to say. Should I act like Iâm possessed and turn my eyes upside down?
âThis is too precious, Mary; Iâd rather have accessories like a beanie.â
âNo, the prince will need this.â
Demimoreâs tone softened, perhaps because he changed his strategy to persuade me. However, I was even more determined this time. I smiled confidently as I said so.
This medicine will save Demimoreâs mother.
Of course, if he hears this story, Demimore will take it without hesitation. But wonât he be upset if I tell him that this is for his mother?
âThen become my friend.â
âWhat?â
âIf you accept this, you can be my friend and help me again later.â
Anyhow, you were supposed to assist me in finding Leo. And to be honest, giving this bottle to Demimore isnât just a kind gesture. When he remembers and uses the medication later Demimore will support me, view me as one body, and see an attack on me as an attack on himself.
âFriends?â
Demimore gave me a serious look.
âIs that even possible?â