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Back then, she was seventeen, and he was eleven. His sister was born only in flesh, abandoned at the sanctuary under the pretense of ‘recuperation’.
The moment he met his sister, whom he had only heard about for the first time in his life, Noah didn’t recognize Danae as his sister.It’s not just me. Brother Viego didn’t recognize her at first and thought she was a stranger.
That woman had pretended to be Danae Windsor for half a year. And those six months were the best time of his life. Until then, Noah hadn’t even realized how desolate his life had been. He thought it was natural to live indifferently between his rarely-seen father and indifferent brother.
But Dana was different. She was the first to hold him tightly, kiss him on the cheek, stroke his hair, and whisper ‘I love you’ in his ear.
“You’re so cute, Noah. I’m lucky to have an angel-like brother like you.”
“I might not be able to live without you, Noah.”
It was affection Noah had never experienced before. Every moment they shared was dazzling and blissful, as if beautiful music played in. But to think she had so thoroughly deceived him.
“When this body was just an empty shell, you treated her as if she didn’t exist. But now you act like a devoted brother… Hah, it just feels like a lie.”
Noah clutched his chest tightly, feeling a searing heat surge within him. He was furious.
“Noah? What’s wrong?”
She lied to him. And now she dares say things like that? He didn’t even want to see her. It would be better if she were dead instead.
That’s when it happened.
“Cadet Noah. Your family member has requested visitation.”
Noah snapped his head up.That woman had the audacity to come after all!However,
It was a woman with pink hair who came running to him. Allice handed a bouquet into Noah’s arms. “You were incredible! As expected, Noah is so co―”
“What about that woman?” Noah sharply interrupted Allice. “Where is she?”
“Ah… You mean Sister Dana?” Allice laughed awkwardly, rolling her eyes. “She didn’t come.”
Noah couldn’t believe his ears. That woman didn’t come?Impossible.
“I’ll definitely attend this year’s promotion exam. I’ll bring you a bouquet.”
She had definitely said that.
“What kind of flowers do you like, Noah? If I remember correctly, you like daisies.”
Right. So it was certain she’d show up with a huge bouquet of daisies like a fool. Noah believed that without a doubt. It was because that woman always kept her word.
Was it guilt from deceiving him thoroughly for those first six months? After that, she never lied about even the smallest thing and always kept her word. She tried so hard to be seen in a good light—there was no way she would go back on her word now.
“Really. Sister Dana didn’t come. Today, she…” Allice glanced up and smiled sheepishly. “She went to see a man, I think?”
“Yes. Lately, sister has been—No, never mind.”
“It’s nothing, sorry. Forget I said anything.” Allice shook her head.
Noah grabbed her shoulder firmly. “Keep talking. What about the man?”
“T-That…” Allice seemed at a loss but then sighed in resignation. “Honestly, I’ve been worried. Sister has been acting a little strange lately.”
“After what happened with the crown prince, I think she was really shaken. Not long ago, she was even with her secretary…”
One word after another. As Allice kept speaking, Noah’s face grew more and more rigid.
“Brother Viego!”
Viego Windsor, who was about to get into the carriage, paused. He turned around with an incredulous expression. Dana was standing there, smiling brightly.
“Brother, are you busy?”
Viego didn’t answer. There was no need to.
“Your Grace. You must attend the next meeting.”
The servants around him looked anxious. But Dana cheerfully pretended not to hear them.
“It’s such a coincidence to meet like this. Let’s at least have a short conversation.”
He wouldn’t refuse. Dana was confident about it.With all these people watching, there’s no way he’ll turn down his sister’s request.If he cared so much about Windsor’s public image.
As expected, he agreed.
Dana pointed to a nearby building. “Then let’s go to that coffee house…”
“No.” Viego motioned towards the carriage. “Inside.”
“Get in.” With that, Viego extended his hand, offering to escort her.
He wants to talk inside the carriage? Just the two of us in such a tight space? That’s uncomfortable…Yet, Dana quickly steeled herself.
Right. If I want to become deputy head, I need to get closer to Viego.She had to win his favor. That means she couldn’t be uncomfortable with this.
Dana carefully took his white-gloved hand.
“You must be very busy these days,” Dana spoke to him while he continued reviewing the documents inside the carriage. “It’s been hard to see you lately.”
Without looking at her, Viego responded. “Were we in a relationship that needed to see each other frequently?”
“Well, no, but…”
“Get to the point, Danae Windsor. I don’t have time to listen to your beating around the bush.”
For a businessman, indeed, time is money.
No one would believe he used to be a soldier.
Dana glanced at him. His platinum hair was neatly slicked back with pomade; his perfectly neat suit and polished black shoes were all so impeccable it was intimidating.
Or maybe it does show a bit.Well, where else could you find a businessman who has a physique like that? Dana thought so and carefully opened her mouth. “I wanted to thank you. Because of you, I was safe last time.”
“I don’t recall doing anything warranting personal thanks from you.”Rustle. Viego turned a page. “I merely punished someone who trespassed into my mansion.”
A clean, cut-off response. That firm tone chipped away at Dana’s confidence.
I’m sick of it, really.
He was a man who wouldn’t easily accept even a thank you. Could she even gain recognition from such a man? Could she ever become deputy head of the Windsor, practically a life partner to the patriarch?
Ah, I really don’t think I can.
She lacked confidence. But what could she do? She had to try. Only by becoming the deputy head could she obtain the holy relic. Then, she could open the dimensional gate and end this tiresome possession.
“You must be really busy.”
Viego didn’t respond, a clear sign he didn’t want idle chatter.
Dana looked at his handsome face, bathing in sunlight, then spoke persistently. “Brother, if there’s anything I can help with, please let me know. Didn’t you once say I should prove my usefulness?”
Viego looked up suddenly. Their eyes met.That startled me.Like being struck, Dana held her breath. He rarely made eye contact, so these moments of directness always caught her off guard.
“In that case, this is perfect timing,” Viego spoke slowly, handing her a document over her lap. “Read this. And prove your usefulness.”
Dana silently began reading the document. It was a report submitted by one of Viego’s employees…
What the heck?Dana furrowed her brows.The Windsor Bank’s check was rejected?