“Big brother…?”

“Eh?”

The man’s eyes narrowed with confusion at suddenly being called ‘big brother.’

This person has red eyes so I thought it was Raytan. But now that I look at him closely, he isn’t him. His hair is navy blue and he’s much taller than Raytan. He also looks about five or six years older than Raytan. His atmosphere was a little different. Also, was there anyone else in the Imperial Palace with those kinds of eyes?

“Who are you?”

Sezh asked him with a puzzled face.

“I think I should be the one asking that.” The man answered Sezh with a wry look on his face.

“Oh, I’m Sezh. Well, I got lost on my way to the library…”

“…”

“I’m sorry, but could you show me the way…”

The man grew silent. He narrowed his eyes while looking at Sezh.

What is it? Why are you looking at me like that? Do you want to pick a fight?

“You said you’re here because you lost your way?”

“Yes.”

“Where did you come from?”

“A small hole behind the palace.”

“You came from there and now you’re here?”

“Pardon? That’s right…”

“How weird.”

The man tilted his head and proceeded to ask again.

“Did you just carelessly walk on your way here?”

“Ugh, yes…”

At that moment, the man frowned as he looked at Sezh.

“How old are you, little girl?”

“I’m twelve years old.”

I’m not lying. Since I’m twelve years old right now.

“You said you’re twelve? You are?”

“Yes. So, am I not supposed to be twelve?”

“How funny…”

The man giggled.

What’s so funny about something that’s not funny.

Sezh glanced at the man as if she were looking at a madman.

“Excuse me, if you could show me the way to…”

“Would you like to have a cup of tea?”

“Yes, that’s why the tea…pardon?”

“Let’s have a cup of tea.”

The man was being stubborn. He grabbed Sezh by the shoulder and made her sit in front of the table by the window.

I wonder what this is about.

But whatever was going through Sezh’s mind right now, the man didn’t give a damn about it.

“Have a sip. It’s warm milk.”

The man pushed a cup towards her, some steam visibly rising from the cup.

Um…it’s not poisoned, right? Sezh hesitated to drink it but decided to take a sip or two of the warm milk, feeling that it wouldn’t be polite to reject and not drink it.

“What did you say before? Big brother?”

The man sat in front of Sezh before starting to question her.

“Ah, yes. I was mistaken…”

“Why?”

“Pardon?”

“If you said you’re mistaken, then I assume that I look like someone that you know. So, is there someone in this imperial palace who looks like me?”

“That’s…the color of your eyes has the same color as my brother.”

“Just like me…?”

The man’s face hardened.

“Yes, big brother Raytan has red eyes too. But he has black hair instead of navy blue hair…”

“Wait, please wait. Ray…what?”

“Pardon?”

“What did you say?”

“About having black hair and red eyes?”

“No, not that. What’s his name?”

“Big brother Raytan?”

“Raytan? His name is Raytan?”

Can’t he hear me? Sezh was nervous.

“But you’re from the royal family. You have blonde hair and blue eyes…”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“So your big brother is also part of the royal family too?”

“That’s also true.”

“I’m speechless…”

The man laughed. Frankly speaking, it was the same for Sezh because she was currently dumbfounded, speechless as to how to respond to him.

I was wondering if I could get help finding the way, but I never thought you’d be such a crazy person…

“But who are you? Do you live here? But this is Lady Lise’s palace…”

“Ummm…”

“Or perhaps Lady Lise’s servant?”

“I am not.”

“I’ve been there for a few days, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen you.”

“That’s right. Because it wasn’t long ago that I was locked up.”

A prisoner…?

“I am not a prisoner.”

“Eh? Pardon?”

What is this? I thought you were a crazy person but how did you read my mind? Sezh looked perplexed.

“I am not a crazy person either.”

“Did, did you read my mind?”

“No, your face just showed what you were thinking about.”

“You have good eyesight…”

“I don’t want to have any misunderstandings.”

The man laughed as he sipped his tea.