A Month Later: Cicada's Cling and the Open Door
The day the unwanted truth about the Argent family had finally come to light. A whole month had passed since then.
In that time, harmony had begun to settle over the Argent household, and the awkward parent-child relationships that had strained for so long seemed to snap back into place overnight…
"…Liriet, young master. Heading out for training?"
"Yes, Mother."
"Yes, Stepmother."
"All right. Take care out there. Young master, I'm sorry to ask, but please look after Liriet."
"Don't worry about it."
"We'll be back soon, Mother."
…Of course, nothing like that had happened.
Things were better than before, at least. But a subtle distance still lingered between them. Even when they crossed paths in the hallways, they barely exchanged words. These few short phrases were about the extent of it.
The funny part was that Abel had always gotten along fine with Cassdia. Yet after the truth came out, he was the one who started feeling awkward around her.
Why? Because one reason Abel had turned against Liriet growing up was Cassdia herself. It turned out she'd badmouthed Liriet plenty in front of him back when the girl was starting to resemble Viola more and more—and drawing all that resentment.
Of course, that didn't make Abel completely innocent. It just meant he'd been something of a victim himself.
But maybe that's why the siblings' relationship had recovered more than the others. At least it seemed that way.
Thwack!Kreeeak…!
"Brother, you're too slow."
"Kuh!"
Smack!
Abel took another wooden sword to the ribs and tumbled to the ground. For a moment today, it looked like the bout might drag on, but nope—one solid hit ended it.
Lately, these two had been sparring relentlessly, to the point of boredom. Not just sparring, either—they even used the training grounds at the same time every day.
Abel wasn't in any position to coach Liriet anymore, so she ended up teaching him most of the time. Still, watching the siblings sweat it out together felt gratifying, like warped gears finally starting to mesh, even if just a little.
"Again. One more round, Liriet."
"I'm fine with that, but are you sure, Brother? That's seven times already today."
"It's the only way I'll beat you. Hate to admit it, but yeah."
And Abel had developed real grit, surprisingly. Nothing like the old days.
He used to drop after one hit from her. Now he scraped himself together and charged back in more often than not.
Not that he'd won a single round yet.
"Haa, haa… Good work, Brother."
"Huff, huff… You too. Damn, couldn't take even one today."
"Keep at it, and you'll catch up soon enough."
"Getting pep talks from my two-years-younger sister… It's messing with my head."
The spar wrapped up anyway, and they shook hands before tidying up. I approached with towels and handed one to Liriet.
"Good work. Your footwork's getting sharper by the day."
"Even you think so, Uncle?"
"Mm. Oden would be thrilled too."
"Miiyaat…"
I toweled off her soaked hair, and she let out a weird, ticklish mewl like a cat in the grass. She used to snatch the towel back and insist on doing it herself. Now she just took it in stride. Funny how spoiled she'd gotten—or maybe how much closer we'd become.
"Heading to see Father today too?"
"Yes."
"Then let's go together."
"Yay, sure!"
Her face bloomed into a grin, like flowers bursting everywhere. She used to hold back her emotions a bit, but lately she showed this pure, sunny side more often. Made me happy. She was changing—a lot. Inside and out.
Pride swelled in my chest just then when something slapped onto my arm. I thought it was some giant cicada at first. Nope—Liriet.
She'd never minded a light pat on the head before. But her initiating this kind of contact? Rare back then. She'd ask for headpats sometimes, sure. Lately, though, she was clinging like glue more than ever.
Not that I minded. A cute niece's affection is always welcome.
I was just curious if something deeper had shifted in her heart.
"You've been extra clingy lately."
"Am I bothering you? Sorry."
"As if. No way I'd mind my adorable niece's love."
I waved her off as she startled and tried to pull away, adding,
"Just curious, that's all. How'd my shy little niece turn so bold?"
"Well…"
Her steps halted abruptly. A shadow flickered across her face for a split second, but "…it's nothing. I just like you that much, Uncle." She bounced right back to her usual self, so I didn't worry.
"Good to hear. Though you still can't top this uncle's love."
"No way! I love you more, Uncle!"
"Oh? Can't accept that, even from my favorite niece."
"And I can't yield, not even to my sky-high uncle."
What followed was a delightfully childish war of words. And it was great. Precisely because it was childish. We'd grown close enough for this nonsense, and it meant her heart had room to breathe now.
— …come. ……I'll send over. …until.
Maybe that's why the voice flickering through my mind felt a touch resentful.
Liriet's daily routine had settled into a pretty fixed pattern lately.
Not some mindless hamster wheel—just a few obligatory tasks each day.
"Father, we're back."
"We're home, Father."
"Already done with morning training?"
The prime example: visiting her father, Edmund.
He still wasn't fully recovered. Sometimes he wouldn't recognize Liriet; other times he'd ask who Cassdia even was.
To etch those memories deep and strengthen their bond, regular visits were crucial.
"On the way here, I saw the most beautiful flower blooming. Pale pink petals dusted with yellow pollen—do you know its name, Father?"
"Probably a peony. Famous enough to be called the king of flowers."
"No wonder it's so pretty."
"Your mother Viola loved them too. Blood will tell, I suppose."
So Liriet made a habit of dropping by with even the tiniest daily tidbits to share. Stories about her birth mother came up more often now—things Edmund rarely mentioned before.
That thrilled her. It felt like proof he could reminisce about Viola without fear anymore.
"So, how'd you do today?"
"Tch. Didn't win a single round. Feels like the gap's only widening—got me down."
Abel, who usually minded his manners around parents, couldn't hide his frustration after a full month without a win. He clicked his tongue despite himself.
Edmund let it slide. Competitive spirit was a good sign, after all.
"Don't give up. Time to reclaim some big-brother dignity, right?"
"That's the plan. Especially since Liriet's been looking down on me lately…"
"Oh, misunderstanding, Brother."
"Hmph. You say that, but you went easy on me again today."
"That was just because your condition wasn't great…"
The three of them were growing used to these ordinary family moments. Sipping tea, nibbling snacks, chatting about nothing—it hit them how precious it all was, especially after how long it'd taken.
"Father, we should head out. Teacher's due soon."
"All right. Liriet, still no tutor of your own?"
"Yes. Mother offered, but I turned her down. I prefer training solo for now."
"Fair enough. Do what suits you. Rest up—you must be beat from morning practice."
Time up, they slipped out of the study. A fork in the hall soon split their paths.
"Straight to your room, right?"
"Yes, Brother."
"I'm this way. See you at lunch."
"Good luck with class."
"Yeah."
With everyone gathering for meals now, they parted ways after a quick promise to meet later.
What’s Uncle up to?
She'd told Abel she was heading to her room. Truth was, Liriet was bound for Baal's quarters.
Lately, he dominated her thoughts. Baal at breakfast, Baal at lunch, Baal at dinner. Even lying in bed.
Why? The question dredged up his words from a month ago.
— Even without me by your side, you won't need to worry.
She'd barely caught it—soft, amid the chaos. Assumed she'd misheard.
She didn't believe he'd leave anyway. He'd promised: he'd stay by her side forever.
Uncle wouldn't do that.
Must be a misunderstanding. And his home was right here—the Argent estate. Where could he even go?
I'll ask him straight. He'll smile like always and clear it up.
Faith? Or a balm for her unease? She rationalized it coolly inside while her steps quickened unwittingly.
His door loomed. Her quiet heart began thumping louder, thud-thud-thud.
She pressed a hand to her chest and approached. But the door was ajar—just a crack.
Stepped out for a sec?
Maybe he'd left without locking up, or a maid had cleaned and botched the latch.
— …sir. Yes. No, but why send that guy of all people…
A faint voice drifted from within as she neared.
Uncle?
He's in there. Forgot to shut it.
Probably chatting via resonant crystal orb. Eavesdropping was wrong, so she reached to close it.
But—
— …yes. Should be fine. Liriet seems like she'll do just fine without me.
"…Huh?"
Her body froze mid-motion. What did he just say?
She'll do fine without him? And he named her.
Her pulse roared. Vision blurred. Hands trembled faintly.
No, it can't be.
He smiled so brightly at me this morning. Didn't bat an eye when sweaty me clung to him.
Why would that uncle leave me? He promised. Forever by my side.
Should I go in and ask? No, he might get upset I overheard.
Ask casually later? What if it's true? He's not mine to own anyway. Isn't thinking like this rude?
Speculation, plans, self-loathing swirled in chaos.
Then—
— Ah, sorry. The door was open, so I just…
"…!"
His voice grew nearer. Tap-tap!
Liriet bolted without looking back.
It terrified her more than learning why her father had ignored her all those years.
More than hearing why her stepmother had tormented her.
Scary.
The very idea of tomorrow without him by her side.