Chapter 37. Meeting After Five Years

Five years had swiftly passed since that night when she realized her feelings had moved far beyond admiration.

For beastmen, five years felt like less than one year, but for humans, five years brought many changes.

In the dressing table mirror, large eyes with elegantly upturned corners and a straight, prominent nose bridge reflected youthfully. Below them, moderately plump red lips looked moist and soft.

Her pleasantly filled-out cheeks had a healthy complexion, and the slender neck extending from her graceful jawline resembled that of an elegant deer.

“Time……”

The haughty, cat-like face turned toward the clock hanging on the wall.

After checking the time, Rasiel tidied her hair, which was braided on both sides and half-tied, and stood up.

“Miss Rasiel.”

Rasiel picked up the gloves she had placed on the dressing table in response to Jane’s voice from outside.

Every time she moved, her black hair, grown long to the middle of her back, gleamed with luster.

“Yes. I was just about to go out.”

Her slender body, which had grown nearly 20cm in five years, was filled with elegant dignity.

Her careful yet upright and graceful steps were accompanied by the weighty swaying of her fine coat and wool skirt.

Soon after, her long, straight white hand touched the golden doorknob.

Before opening the door, Rasiel twisted her body to scan the neatly arranged room.

The five years of time flashed before her like a panorama.

‘I won’t be back for quite a while, will I?’

The child raised with abundant love over five years had blossomed more beautifully than any young lady from any family could match. And now, having become a proper adult, she was about to venture into a larger world.

Rasiel, who had been studying in the north all this time, was scheduled to board a train to the capital today to take the entrance exam for the Imperial Central Academy.

If she passed the entrance exam, she would study at the Academy for five years.

After staring at the room for a moment, she turned and opened the door firmly.

As the cream-colored door opened smoothly, Jane stood behind it.

“The young masters have finished their rock-paper-scissors and are waiting.”

“Ah.”

Rasiel, who let out a light exclamation, now naturally walked ahead of Jane.

“Rasiel.”

Briel, who had been standing at the starting point of the central staircase, spotted Rasiel and stepped onto the right staircase.

Rasiel, receiving Briel’s escort, descended the central staircase and slightly raised her chin toward him. Though she had grown diligently, she unfortunately still didn’t reach the height of the Mosteros siblings.

Rasiel looked at Briel and spoke with a voice tinged with laughter.

“Brother won again today. Isn’t Brother Riello losing too often?”

Briel glanced at Riello, who was standing glumly in front of the entrance, then leaned toward Rasiel and whispered.

“This is a secret, but he always throws scissors after throwing rock.”

“Let him win sometimes. Poor brother.”

“I already do. I’m a good older brother.”

Briel smiled mischievously as he boasted.

Rasiel raised her delicate hand to cover her mouth and laughed softly.

“Hurry up.”

Riello, bitter about losing the rock-paper-scissors, gestured impatiently. He seemed resentful that the two were being so cozy without him.

“What if Rasiel falls while hurrying?”

“C-come slowly. Very slowly.”

Though Briel was obviously doing it on purpose, Riello, who doted on Rasiel, immediately changed his stance.

Michaela, who had been watching this, struggled to swallow her emerging laughter, causing her lips to twitch.

After descending the stairs, Briel, like a good older brother, released Rasiel’s hand and gave a subtle nod.

Noticing his signal, Rasiel approached Riello with quick steps.

“Brother.”

“My little sister. From now on, I’ll win all the rock-paper-scissors.”

Riello opened his arms to Rasiel who was approaching him.

In the five years, he had also grown considerably, with his once unbalanced strength becoming quite stabilized, and in a few months, he seemed likely to surpass Michaela’s height.

“Brother, no scissors after rock, okay?”

Rasiel, who had fallen into Riello’s embrace, whispered in his ear.

It was her last gift to her cute brother before leaving home.

However, Riello, who didn’t understand what she meant, tilted his head in confusion as he released her.

“What?”

“There’s such a thing.”

Rasiel simply smiled brightly, as if she had expected this reaction.

Riello narrowed his eyes, but she didn’t add any further explanation.

After all, it wouldn’t be fun if she explained everything.

“Rasiel.”

Michaela, who had been quietly observing this scene, could no longer hold back and opened her arms.

Riello willingly released Rasiel.

“Sister.”

“Come here, my child.”

Rasiel snuggled perfectly into Michaela’s embrace.

Just like five years ago, Michaela’s embrace remained warm and still large.

Rasiel burrowed deeper into Michaela’s arms, hugging her tightly, and rubbed her forehead back and forth as if acting spoiled.

Stroking the back of Rasiel’s head, Michaela spoke softly.

“It will be tough spending four days on the train, even in a sleeper car.”

“Yes.”

“There’s no need to rush, so if it gets difficult, get off in the middle. It’s fine to stay at a hotel for a day or two. Do you understand?”

“Of course. I won’t overdo it.”

“You’re a child who quickly overdoes things.”

Michaela gently detached Rasiel from her embrace, held her small face in her hands, and emphasized once more.

“You must not overdo it.”

“I absolutely won’t overdo it.”

Rasiel smiled prettily, her eyes curving, as if to reassure her.

As her healthy-colored cheeks rose slightly, her haughty, cat-like face immediately softened.

“Alright. I’ll trust you.”

Michaela’s index finger traced down the bridge of Rasiel’s nose.

After scrunching her nose at the ticklish sensation, Rasiel seemed to remember something and drooped her eyebrows.

“But I might have to come back if I don’t pass.”

She didn’t mind not being admitted. She only worried about disappointing those who always believed in and supported her. And she worried about being a burden to the Mosteros Duchy due to her inadequacy.

“Then you can come back. What’s there to worry about?”

“Rasiel, if you don’t pass, no one in the Empire will pass. But it’s okay even if you don’t pass. Don’t worry about anything.”

“That’s right. Don’t worry. You’re the smart one acknowledged by our sister. Even if you fail, you’ll still be our beautiful little sister.”

When Rasiel muttered with a face lacking confidence, the three siblings rushed to instill confidence in her.

How could she not be encouraged when there were such supportive people around her?

Her gloomy, worried face cleared up completely.

Rasiel smiled brightly and clenched her fist.

“I’ll do my best.”

“We’re always behind you. Don’t be intimidated, just do as you’ve always done.”

“Yes! Thank you, Sister.”

Having somewhere to return to was very empowering.

Rasiel nodded her head vigorously, maintaining her bright smile.

“Duchess, we need to leave now to make the train on time.”

“Ah. Yes. Let’s go.”

Irina approached them gently as they exchanged farewells and informed them of the time.

Michaela walked out to the garden with Rasiel at her side, as if taking a stroll.

Despite walking leisurely and deliberately having the car wait near the gate, they arrived at the farewell too quickly.

With a face full of regret, Rasiel hugged Michaela first, then Briel and Riello in turn, squeezing them tightly.

“Take care. I’ll miss you.”

“Travel safely. We’ll miss you too.”

Disappointment dripped from Rasiel’s eyes.

It seemed like a good decision not to choose to say goodbye at the train station.

“Stay well, and soon Sister, Riello, and I will come visit.”

“Yes, I’ll be waiting.”

“Rasiel. You must surprise our brother. Make sure to tell us what his face looks like when he sees you.”

“Of course. I’ll tell you in detail, Brother.”

After the regretful farewell, Riello spoke energetically and opened the car door.

Rasiel deliberately responded more vigorously and boarded the car with reluctant feet.

“Jane, I entrust Rasiel to you.”

“Yes. I will take good care of her.”

Since they knew it wasn’t a permanent farewell, they decided to keep their goodbyes brief.

As the three Mosteros siblings stepped away from the car, the black vehicle vibrated with a hum.

Rasiel pressed herself against the window and waved.

In response, Michaela and Briel waved their hands gently, while Riello raised both arms high and waved them vigorously.

Rasiel burst into laughter at the sight.

And so, the car carrying Rasiel left the ducal residence and entered the path.

⁕⁕⁕

The Mosteros ducal residence in Doska, the capital of the Aserion Empire, was unusually bustling today.

Though they pretended it was just an ordinary day, underneath were expectations, tremors, excitement, tension, worry, and concern all tangled together—things that weren’t usually present.

The passing employees all bowed their heads at Rapellian’s appearance.

The weighty swaying of the dark blue coat tails falling along his slender body caught the gaze of the employees.

Rapellian, accustomed to receiving greetings, stepped outside and boarded a car.

“You seem quite curious.”

“There are only rumors. Since the Duke has kept everything so tightly wrapped up, it can’t be helped.”

Rapellian nodded slowly as he listened to Calyx’s words.

During the five years since leaving Abelon, Rapellian had only occasionally inquired about their well-being by phone and hadn’t thought about visiting his family home. Even after hearing that Rasiel had recovered her health, he couldn’t easily move for fear of threatening her life again.

Because of this, Rapellian also didn’t know how Rasiel had grown.

It was also because Michaela hadn’t sent even one picture of Rasiel, saying it would wear out her face.

“Sister was too much.”

“You can look forward to it.”

Calyx, who had seen Rasiel once, raised the corner of his mouth meaningfully, but Rapellian showed no reaction. He simply stared at the approaching train station with an unchanging face that revealed no emotion.

“You stay here.”

“Yes. Have a good trip.”

Upon arriving at the train station located in the center of the city, Rapellian was about to enter the station building with his long coat tails fluttering, but he changed direction toward a flower shop.

Rapellian had an expression so indifferent that he didn’t seem like someone buying flowers.

However, contrary to his extremely dry expression, he carefully selected the flowers.

“Roses and this, and that too…… Red ribbon, please.”

Rapellian ordered an armful of winter-cultivated flowers that others would find burdensome to buy even a single stem.

The flower shop owner quickly completed a large bouquet for him.

“Shall I give it to the young lady?”

Calyx lowered the car window and asked Rapellian as he passed by.

“Rasiel likes them.”

Rapellian effortlessly carried the rather heavy bouquet in one hand and headed toward the platform exit where Rasiel would arrive.

Soon reaching the exit, he stood with an unwavering, upright posture.

His tall stature and straight posture further elevated his dignity, and the bouquet he held casually in one hand made him look like a painting.

Numerous gazes flew toward him, but Rapellian was looking only at the exit.

Before long, a familiar energy entered his sensitive perception.

“Ra……”

Rapellian, about to call out the name with a fine smile amid the beautifully flowing black hair, dropped the bouquet with a thud the moment he met the red eyes.