Half-Sister 2

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Chapter 2: Seeing Him In Person

The old-fashioned mansion was twice as big as my family’s mansion. Keeping in mind that my father was a Marquess, this person should be a higher ranking noble. There was only one high ranking noble who lived in a remote region. 

Juno Zander Hart. His alias was Lord Hart, the Math Freak.

He was rumored to devote himself to the studies of mathematics and had invented numerous formulas. Although, most of them couldn’t be understood by anyone, leaving them useless.  

Nevertheless, his achievements had rapidly developed the academic sectors to the point that he could spend the rest of his life by playing around with the money he earned. It was even said that His Majesty the King highly valued his brain and was keeping it for emergencies.

However, until an ‘emergency’ came, he always shut himself in the mansion, absorbed in some suspicious research. Not even once has he shown himself in high society. Everything from his appearance, age, and preferences were shrouded in mystery. Many said that those who came to his residence to suck up to him, were mercilessly driven out.

The one who greeted me in front of the mansion wasn’t Sir Hart himself, but a middle-aged maid.  For some reason, she nodded at my greetings with a compassionate look and promptly invited me inside.

Unlike the exterior of the mansion, which had seen better days, the interior was clean. The building itself was grand but at the same time, none of the decorations were very luxurious.

When I took a glance outside, I could tell that the one who worked on the architecture truly knew his stuff, since the pillars and windowsill were designed naturally.

I had some books about the history of architecture in my luggage and wondered if I should take a look at them, when the maid suddenly stopped in her tracks.

“My Lord, you are here? I thought you were going to be in your room all day…”

“I was wondering what you guys are doing, so I came to check. To think that you let someone in without my permission…”

My Lord?

This person must be Sir Hart.

He was younger and skinnier than I had imagined.  He didn’t even look like he was in his thirties.  He had peculiar navy blue hair and gray eyes that slant upwards. His skin was pale, which gave off a feeble impression. 

He furrowed his brows restlessly as he tapped on his hips with his bony fingers.

He then turned his sharp eyes towards me and asked in irritation. “Are you that bad woman?”

“My Lord! What in the world?!”

“It’s alright, what he said was true. I am really grateful that you took in someone like me on this occa…”

“No need for formality.”

He cut off my humble greetings as he continued, still filled with irritation.

“I have only one thing to say. Don’t bother me. It doesn’t matter whether you’re dumb or mean. I only want a child. At night, come to my room at the scheduled time. Aside from that, you can play around with men or spend money as much as you like, but, Don’t. bother. Me.”

“My Lord! Don’t be rude!”

“A child…?”

So, he aimed for my body? Then, I don’t need to fake being affectionate, right?

“Yeah, people around me are being really noisy about getting an heir. Making children is easy for you, right?”

“No! My Lord, wasn’t that horrible? Look at the lady’s face!”

“Shut it. You said the rumor is true. So if you feel indebted that I took in a notorious woman like you, quickly repay me.”

It seemed like he misunderstood.  I had never been pregnant or had any experience in sex.  I did get pressured once by the Crown Prince’s aide to do it, but I used an excuse to evade him.  It would be outrageous if a child was born out of wedlock.

“I apologize, but I don’t have any experience in it. I’m not sure if I can repay immediately…” I trailed off.

“Then make every effort to do so. I don’t have much free time either.”

“I understand.”

Sir Hart was about to leave when he turned around, “Oh, and…”

“We won’t do anything troublesome like a wedding. Alright?”

“Alright.”

“Then, that’s it.”

“Wait…”

I held back my words when I saw him about to leave for the second time. He felt irritated, though he still replied, “What?”

I felt bad for taking up his time, but I really needed to ask this.

“Is there a library in this mansion?”

“Yeah.”

“Would you let me use it?”

“I told you to do as you like.”

“Thank you so much!”

I lowered my head and when I raised it, Sir Hart’s figure was already gone.

The maid watched our conversation with her mouth wide open. “Young people these days are scary…” she commented with a terrified look plastered on her face.

After being guided to my room and arranging the dowry chest that I had received from my family, I was told to carry the books that didn’t fit in my room to store at the library.

(Dowry chest: Stuff that the bride's family prepares for the bride, like bed sheets, comforters and furniture.)

The moment I entered, I unconsciously let out a delighted cry.

“Ohhhh…!”

Like I expected, since this mansion was built a long time ago, there should be some books from that era that aren't available now. 

Countless bookshelves taller than me were laid out in front of my eyes. Even from the top of the stairwell, I could still see the same magnificent view.

Sir Hart, himself, said that I could do whatever I wanted.  I still needed to fulfill my duty at night, but I would be free until then.

It was paradise. But I wondered whether it was okay to stay at this place.  My sister suffered because of me, yet, I didn’t get any punishment.

But no, this and that were a completely different matter. It was not the books’ fault. There were an awful lot of them, so I just couldn’t help but read them. That was it.

I quickly put down my own books and made a couple of trips around the library to collect other books that I had taken a liking to. After putting them all together, I began to ponder where to start.

Inside the library, there was a single, tiny window.  The light shining in from there was so thin, that I wouldn’t notice even if the light had gone.

Though, that wasn’t an excuse.

Sitting in the corner of the library, I was completely immersed in my readings when I heard the voice of the head maid, Marietta, who came looking for me. Just then, I realized that the sun was already setting.

I apologized to the servants who were anxiously searching for me and had my dinner alone.

“The lady probably cried all day… Look at those eyes! They’re absolutely damp!”

“I feel really bad… there’s no way she would be okay after being told like that by that insensitive Lord…”

“I heard that it was a false charge. She must have been threatened by the Crown Prince…”

I heard chattering voices, but I was too far from it.

Anyways, I found a new record about Emperor Leonis III.  It was a very old book, and the cover was already worn out. The inside had some stains, but it was still readable.

Apparently, despite his cruel deeds, he doted on his family a lot. When his mother’s health had declined, he neglected the war and rushed home. When his younger brother was injured, he immediately eliminated the cause. And when his daughter wanted a pet, he collected and gifted her animals from all over the Empire.

As I thought, I shouldn’t look at it from just one perspective. I should analyze every layer of the stories to know the truth.

Tonight was a night with a full moon. I was currently in Sir Hart’s room. What I needed to do from now on was obvious.

I wore a black nightgown prepared by the servants of my family.  

“No way… that sinister beast will… to the lady…” one of the maids sobbed with teary eyes, while another quietly dressed me up.

I had a gist of what will happen from now on. When I was reading a book, that kind of scene sometimes came up. It was usually concluded with a sentence such as, “Then the woman entrusted herself to the man.”

So, I just needed to do that as well.

However, Sir Hart stayed still.

He sat on the chair in his bathrobe, furrowing his brows and folding his arms together, not moving at all. I already had a bath though. 

Therefore, it wasn’t strange for him to start at any time. Yet he didn’t make any advances.

It was getting a little cold.  I rubbed my exposed areas when Sir Hart finally opened his mouth.

“How long are you gonna do that? Go ahead and do it.”

“Yes. I am ready whenever.”

“What?”

“Huh?”

It felt like our words didn’t match.

Sir Hart tapped his temples with his finger and complained in irritation.

“If you don’t start it, who will?”

“Huh? Is that so?”

“Isn’t that the norm? Women should serve men.”

“I see. Of course it is.”

Speaking of which, I remembered hearing such lines several times. But now I was in trouble.  

Even if I was told to start, I had no idea what to do.  There was no such description in the books that I read.  They only implied what happened.

What exactly should I do?

“Forgive me. I really don’t know what to do.”

“What? So?”

“If Sir Hart leads me first…”

“I know that much. And don’t call me that, it’s annoying.”

“Then, my Lord. By your grace, I will do my best with my utmost effort.”

When I lowered my head, Sir Hart clicked his tongue loudly, “That’s  enough. Get out.” 

Then, I got kicked out of the room.

I felt miserable, he could ask for a divorce tomorrow because of this! As I was thinking this, my eyes met with Marietta and the servants who were peeking from the corner of the corridor.

They acted quite awkward at first, but when they heard what happened, they were enraged and even threw out some insults, like, “What the heck?!”  

They also promised me that they wouldn’t drive me out even if the Lord ordered so. 

I felt truly grateful.

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