# Chapter 94
Chapter 94
The atmosphere in the room became harsh with the word “escort”.
The role was too much for Catherine.
This would draw society's attention to her, and as the imperial princess' companion, Catherine could be treated as an adult member of the imperial family.
“But why?”
Although Catherine hesitated, Jonathan suddenly interrupted.
“An excellent idea, Your Highness.
A lady's help is absolutely necessary to celebrate her coming of age.
I've been worried about this for a long time.
Then he continued calmly, —Although I wish my wife could play this role…
Cayena pretended not to have heard him and turned to Catherine.
“No need to overthink it.
Harmonious families are important in aristocratic society, and we, the imperial family, must set an example.
The reason was convincing enough, but being an escort was still a big deal.
In any case, Catherine saw it as a good opportunity to establish protections for herself and her son.
She got up.
“Accepted.
I'll make sure it's not a hassle.
Cayena smiled.
“I am in your care.
Ethel ran out of the gym as soon as class ended.
Cayena was expected at Hamel's residence today.
He looked around impatiently, looking for the carriage.
At that moment, a well-dressed attendant stepped out of an ornate carriage and greeted Ethel.
“I came to pick you up, Young Master.
Ethel inspected the carriage.
“It’s the seal of Hamel County, but…”
Before, the Hamels made him ride in a common cart that didn't attract attention, as if they were ashamed to receive Ethel and her mother.
But today, a fancy carriage came for Ethel.
It was as if he was being favored.
“It must be because of the sister.”
Ethel felt many eyes watching him and the carriage.
This was Cayena's strength and status.
“Please come in.
The attendant opened the carriage door.
Ethel hesitated, then climbed into the carriage.
He unnecessarily checked his school uniform for any wrinkles.
After Cayena ordered the academy to punish the students who attacked him, no one tried to fight him anymore.
Thus, his uniform stopped getting dirty, but he continued to search his clothes out of habit.
The carriage arrived at the mansion.
Ethel swallowed and went inside.
“Where is the sister… I mean, where is His Highness?
Ethel was about to call her sister, but quickly corrected herself.
Cayena said he could call her that, but he wasn't sure if she was serious.
The attendant politely replied,
“The adults in the house are receiving His Highness.
“Oh…
Ethel wanted to run into the living room and see Cayena.
A lot of things happened to her, so he wanted to check if she was okay.
However, he did not express a word of his desire to go to the living room.
Then, the butler ran to the first floor and called Ethel.
“Young master!
— Unlike before, he addressed Ethel with great courtesy.
“The princess is waiting for you to return.
Please accompany me to the room.
“Was she waiting for me?”
Ethel was embarrassed and fidgeted with her hands.
He headed towards the second floor room.
He was unfamiliar with this feeling.
Typically, the second floor room was used to greet close allies and family members.
“It’s like we were a real family.”
Finally, he reached the room.
Jonathan called out to him gently, seeing him at the door.
“Oh, Ethel.
Come here!
— Catherine ignored how Jonathan was behaving differently than usual and greeted her son.
“Welcome back, Ethel.
“Yes, I'm home...!
— Ethel was bowing her head when he paused.
He met Cayena's eyes; she was looking at him.
Her smile was warm and tender, as if saying she wasn't worried about anything.
Ethel wanted to smile at Cayena, but her rigid face did not move according to her heart.
He greeted her respectfully.
“I greet Her Highness, the Princess.
“It's been a while, Ethel.
“I have to ask how she is…”
Ethel was extremely worried, but it was difficult for him to ask about her.
He felt shy.
He played with the hem of his jacket.
“It's good to see you, Ethel.
Ethel looked up in surprise.
He saw a dark-haired man sitting next to Cayena.
“…greetings, Duke Kedrey.
Ethel frowned.
He hated admittir, but the two sitting side by side seemed to go well together.
“…where should I sit?”
Cayena noticed Ethel's reflection and approached Raphael, making space beside him.
Because of this, Raphael's entire body was startled.
He almost wrapped his arm around Cayena's waist when she suddenly approached him.
Raphael sighed inwardly, holding his hand so the others wouldn't notice.
He had to control himself.
Cayena, who hadn't noticed Raphael's condition, called Ethel.
“Come here and sit down.
Ethel hesitated and went to Cayena's side.
The people of Hamel County looked at the scene with their mouths open.
Jonathan, in particular, looked the most shocked.
Catherine also showed a surprised expression because the two brothers seemed to be more affectionate than she thought.
Cayena gently pulled Ethel to sit next to her.
“How have you been?
Ethel looked at Cayena and responded with difficulty.
“… good.
Cayena inspected Ethel's uniform.
There were some wrinkles of everyday life, but thankfully, there was no trace of Ethel getting into fights.
Ethel, hesitant, gathered her courage and asked: — How are you… Your Highness?
He thought he could comfortably call Cayena “Sister” as soon as he saw her again, but that affectionate epithet didn't leave his lips, as if it had been pasted inside his mouth.
Cayena seemed to notice Ethel's hesitation and stroked her silver hair with a thoughtful smile.
“Your older sister is fine.
Upon hearing the word sister, Ethel opened her eyes wide and looked at her.
Was it okay to call her that?
However, others in the room reacted strongly to the intimate title.
Or rather, they had felt things were unusual for some time.
Ethel looked at Jonathan's stern face and asked Cayena,
“Can I call you “Sister”?
Cayena responded immediately, as if it were obvious.
“Everyone here is part of my family.
Of course you should call me “sister”.
Cayena added as an afterthought, “Of course, Duke Raphael is not family.” But he was our witness at the academy, wasn't he?
“… yes, sister.
Jonathan, who had been listening to Cayena silently, nodded his head and burst into exaggerated laughter.
“Yes!
This is your house and your mother's house now, so there's no need to be uncomfortable, Ethel!
— Jonathan was extremely transparent.
Cayena took a sip of tea without adding anything to his words.
She was thinking about dealing with the Hamel County problem as well as asking Catherine to be her escort today.
Specifically, the issue of family succession.
“By the way, has grandfather's health deteriorated further?
Count Hamel was over eighty years old.
During this period, it was a very long life.
Thus, Jonathan was unable to inherit the family title despite being middle-aged.
“Well, he's quite old.
In fact, I've been taking care of family matters,” Jonathan said, subtly mentioning his contributions.
Cayena made a saddened expression.
“If so, then you need to take control.
Uncle, you need to shoulder grandfather's burdens so that he can rest comfortably.
Jonathan quickly erased the smile that formed at the corners of his mouth.
Cayena was supporting Jonathan's ascension.
“I wish the count to retire in peace.
“If the vassals also care for Count Hamel's health, they will agree that you should care for the family.
Jonathan bowed his head deeply.
“I no longer have scruples, as Your Highness recognized that I am acting sincerely for the family.
Cayena smiled brightly.
“We are a family, after all.
— Saying so, she held Ethel close to her and stroked her head.
“Please take good care of my cute little brother too.
“Of course.
Ethel continued to receive pats from Cayena as her face turned red.
“Oh, Ethel.
Did you learn to ride a horse?
“I learned a little at school…
“Do you have a horse?
“No.
Jonathan, looking embarrassed, interrupted.
“Lady Catherine and Ethel have just joined our family, so I haven't been able to take care of that yet.
“I want to give Ethel a horse as a gift, so please encourage him to practice diligently while he is here.
It's a necessity for a young man from a prestigious family, isn't it?
“I'll be sure to do that.
Ethel was fascinated how Cayena held Jonathan with every word.
It was even more incredible because his tone didn't sound strong.
So Catherine said,
“Ethel, you need to thank her.
“Thank you… sister.
When Ethel, embarrassed, called her sister, Cayena gave a big smile.
It was cute how the shy teenager laconically spoke to her.
Cayena leaned back with a smile, bumping into Raphael.
Raphael supported Cayena, lightly holding her shoulder.
“Oh, I'm sorry.
“He is well.
He should have moved to the couch.
This was what Cayena communicated with her expression, but Raphael still didn't move.
She sighed a little and asked:
“By the way, Duke, didn't you say you came here to see Ethel?
Despite the sudden question, Raphael was not caught off guard.
Instead, as if he had been waiting, he said, “Yes.
In fact, I was thinking about giving Ethel a gift.”
Raphael called his entourage, who came forward with a box.
It was an excellent sword, light enough that even a boy like Ethel could wield it.
Ethel's eyes lit up when she saw the sword.