* * *
Adam offered his heartfelt gratitude.
“Thank you for always being so kind to me.”
“You always seem to have something to be grateful for.”
“Well, it’s true. Even now… You came all the way to the hospital with me when you could’ve been doing something better.”
“Isn’t that embarrassing? Saying thank you like that to someone?”
“Is it supposed to be embarrassing?”
Adam tilted his head as he questioned back, making Chester fall silent.
His expression suggested he didn’t know the answer himself.
In the quiet moment, Isaac turned toward them.
His expression was calm as he gestured for them to come over.
Adam hurriedly approached him.
“How is she?”
He swallowed nervously and asked.
Instead of replying right away, Isaac simply patted Adam’s shoulder once.
The firm, reassuring touch told him not to worry.
Only then could Adam finally feel at ease.
“Whew…”
“Come on.”
As Adam let out a long sigh, Isaac grabbed his arm and gently pulled him along.
Adam followed, letting himself be led.
They soon arrived at an open space covered in green grass.
Roses bloomed all around, filling the air with freshness and color.
“Ah…”
A soft gasp escaped Adam’s lips.
A young girl sat in a wheelchair.
She was frail, her pale skin and thin frame making her look fragile.
But her cheeks held a faint flush, and her eyes sparkled like stars.
Adam called her name softly.
“Emily.”
No one else in the world could say her name with such warmth.
Emily, his little sister, reached her arms out.
“Brother.”
A gentle joy slowly filled his chest.
His anxious worries about her condition had been unfounded.
She looked much healthier than before.
Her strong voice and rosy cheeks were proof enough.
“Is it okay for you to be out here? What if you catch a cold?”
“It’s fine. Actually, they say it’s not good for me to stay inside all the time.”
“The doctor told you that?”
“Yeah. That’s why I come outside every day now. It’s my favorite time of day. The breeze is so refreshing, and the flowers are beautiful.”
Relief washed over him.
Adam gently cupped Emily’s face with his hand and caressed her cheek.
Emily lifted her head and carefully studied her brother’s face.
Her eyes, the same shade of green as his, were filled with concern.
“Brother… Are you doing well?”
“Of course.”
“Really?”
Emily’s expression remained clouded with worry.
“You always say you’re fine… But if your work is hard or exhausting…”
She trailed off cautiously, then suddenly widened her eyes like a startled rabbit.
She had only now noticed the two dukes standing nearby.
“Brother…”
“Ah, these gentlemen are…”
Before Adam could explain, Isaac stepped forward.
He approached Emily’s wheelchair and bowed his head first.
It was a graceful, noble gesture.
Startled, Emily hurriedly lowered her head as well.
Her long, thick red hair cascaded down like a waterfall.
“Ah… The Dukes…”
Her flustered voice trembled slightly.
Isaac’s eyes narrowed faintly.
“You realized quickly.”
“My brother told me about you in his letters. You’re Lord Isaac, right? He said you have golden hair and beautiful red eyes.”
Emily lifted her head and looked toward Chester.
“And the one with platinum blonde hair and violet eyes is Lord Chester. Every time I read his letters, I imagined you both. There was even a line that said you were more beautiful than angels.”
This time, Adam was the one flustered.
He hadn’t expected Emily to chatter away like a lark.
He rubbed his flushed cheeks, glancing awkwardly between the two dukes.
But the Carlisle brothers didn’t seem displeased or surprised.
Instead, they watched Emily with amused smiles.
“Bold little lady… You take after your brother.”
Chester curved his lips into a graceful smile.
Then, he knelt on one knee before Emily and spoke kindly.
“Nice to meet you, Miss Ross.”
“It’s an honor to meet you, my lords. You came all the way to the hospital… You’re truly kind.”
“Well, you are Adam’s sister. I’ve always wanted to meet you.”
“Oh my… You must care for my brother deeply.”
“Care for him, and then some.”
At those loaded words, Adam’s eyes wavered slightly.
Chester lifted his face and smiled faintly.
“He’s a good teacher, after all. I’ve learned so much thanks to him.”
Emily believed Adam was hired as their academic tutor.
Adam couldn’t bring himself to correct her.
If she knew the truth—that he had made a contract to bear an heir—Emily would surely be devastated with guilt and fall ill all over again.
Before this visit, Adam had carefully explained everything to the two dukes.
He had begged them not to reveal the truth to Emily.
‘They didn’t say they’d agree back then… I was so anxious… But I’m relieved now.’
Only now could Adam fully relax. He quietly watched as Chester and Emily conversed.
With her bright personality, Emily quickly warmed up to Chester, chatting away.
Chester, seemingly fond of the lively girl, responded with ease.
“Of course, Miss Ross. I’ve gathered countless treasures. All of them rare and precious.”
“Wow… Incredible…”
Emily covered her mouth with both hands, looking as if she were dreaming.
Watching her, Adam suddenly felt a hand wrap around his arm.
Before he realized it, Isaac had taken hold of him.
“Ah…”
Adam let out a sound without meaning to.
Isaac nodded once, then released his arm.
It meant not to worry.
The spot where they had touched tingled inexplicably.
A soft, warm feeling wrapped around Adam.
As the tension left his body, Adam looked up at the sky.
The deep blue sky gazed down on the four of them.
For some reason, tears threatened to fall.
Adam took a deep breath, trying to hide his burning eyes.
The rich scent of roses filled him all the way to his core.
The carriage moved along under the fragrant spring sunset.
Isaac, admiring the golden glow beyond the window, heard a dull thud.
Across from him, Adam was clutching his forehead.
“Did you bump yourself?”
“Just a little.”
Adam answered awkwardly.
His hair was messy, and his eyes looked hazy and unfocused.
His face was heavy with sleep.
“No wonder you’re tired.”
Chester, seated next to Isaac, chuckled.
“You had to meet your little sister, see Dr. Myers… and on top of that, sightseeing too. Isn’t that right?”
At those words, Isaac understood immediately.
Adam had been unable to hide his excitement all day.
After all, he had finally seen his beloved younger sister in person.
When he heard the doctor’s positive diagnosis, he had been so moved that tears welled up in his eyes.
Adam, overjoyed like never before, had been more lively than usual.
Whether visiting Myers’ home or going to see the rose garden and the lion statue, it had been the same.
“…”
Isaac’s lips curled slightly.
He remembered Adam running toward him with ice cream in both hands, face flushed as he pushed one toward him saying, “Here, have some.”
Looking at his cheeks, red like ripe apples, Isaac thought—’I want to take a bite.’
“Stop being stubborn and lie down.”
Before they knew it, Chester was pressing Adam’s shoulder down.
With his other hand, he lifted a soft cushion and a blanket.
“N-no, I couldn’t possibly… You both aren’t sleeping either…”
“Are you worried about us?”
Chester sounded amused.
“Of all people, you know how strong an Alpha’s stamina is.”
Unable to argue, Adam let out a quiet hum of defeat.
Chester, half-forcefully, laid Adam down.
When Adam tried to get back up, Chester added teasingly:
“Want me to give you a lap pillow too?”
* * *
