Guiding the Male Lead out of His Trauma - Chapter 16.1
The junior needs the senior’s guidance
“Don’t bother. You don’t need to pay attention to anything someone like that guy says.”
As soon as we stepped outside, Hyacine tried to comfort me.
Honestly. He was the one who got worked up first, and now he’s telling me not to mind it.
If I hadn’t been holding Hyacine’s hand to stop him, he probably would’ve rushed out and grabbed Cassiel by the collar already.
“It’s not like I care that much. There are plenty of people who, just because their own wounds are deep, go around hurting others in turn. Even though everyone has their own circumstances.”
It was the same even when we were kids.
Even though everyone was struggling, there were always those who insisted that their hardships were the worst and demanded special treatment.
‘Compared to back then, this is nothing…’
At least Cassiel is the same age as me, just barely an adult.
Compared to the shameless adults from my childhood, this is almost cute.
‘Not that it means I want to be understanding.’
For a moment, I recalled the look in Cassiel’s eyes, unable to say anything more, just staring at me.
His gaze seemed a little shaken, but I couldn’t be sure.
Before long, I pushed thoughts of Cassiel’s provocation out of my mind and walked to the back of the cathedral, where the gravestones for the departed stood.
Fortunately, for how long it had been since our last visit, our parents’ gravestones were in very good condition.
Even though the prayer I offered was brief compared to the time we’d been away, I made sure to say what I most wanted to.
After cleaning their gravestones and tidying up the area, by the time I’d finished everything, the sun was setting and the day was drawing to a close.
It was just as we left the cathedral.
“What are you doing? Get in.”
I ran into Cassiel again…
He still hadn’t left. Just my luck.
* * *
Telling me to get in without even an apology.
‘I can see right through him. He admits he was in the wrong, but he can’t bring himself to lower his pride.’
Looks like Prince Isadore had already gone back first.
It’d be stranger for someone of his status to spend all day following me around, anyway.
Meanwhile, Acteon was still waiting for us.
Judging by the sour mood between him and Cassiel, it seemed they’d exchanged a few words. They probably even fought.
Cassiel’s command to get in was so ridiculous that I just stared at him, pretending not to have heard, and Hyacine growled in my place.
“Who do you think you are, telling us to get in or not? Did you already forget what just happened?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“Oh, really?”
Does this guy need to turn everyone around him into an enemy to be satisfied?
Hyacine looked dead serious at Cassiel’s attitude, as if bystanders should just keep out of it.
“What, do you really think you only said something offensive to Lippey?”
“Was there anyone else?”
Just as things were about to turn nasty again, a pale hand suddenly intervened.
“That’s enough.”
Cassiel shot a sharp look at Acteon, but Acteon was already looking not at him, but at me.
“And I can’t let you be alone with Senior. You haven’t forgotten your earlier rudeness, have you?”
“……”
“Given how emotional you can get, Brother, I figured you’d probably end up making things worse while trying to apologize.”
“Worse? Acteon Brondearn, don’t tell me you’re siding with—”
“She’s a sponsored dependent. And the sponsor isn’t you, Brother, it’s Father. To us, they’re supposed to be honored guests, so you can’t treat her however you want.”
Facing Cassiel, who looked like a furious demon, Acteon gave one last bit of advice.
“So if you really want to apologize, you should ask for her permission first.”
Despite his smiling eyes, Acteon’s voice was cold as ice.
A hint of contempt and pity, and perhaps also a faint sense of understanding. After all, he’d made his own mistakes with me too.
‘Even so, does he need to act like my spokesperson?’
I appreciate it, but I can’t help feeling a bit bewildered.
Still, it’s not a bad thing to have him on my side. I can’t deny it’s reassuring.
‘Yeah, we’re classmates anyway…’
I don’t really want to, but I am curious what Cassiel will say.
Hyacine, who could read me faster than anyone, shot me an ‘Are you being for real?’ look, trying to stop me.
But when I shook my head, Hyacine looked like he wanted to argue but gave up right away.
He must know it’s pointless to try and stop me.
After a silent exchange, I walked right past Cassiel.
Maybe he thought I’d refused him, because he clenched his fists in shame.
“What are you doing? Weren’t you the one who told me to get in?”
When I stood in front of the carriage, he looked at me as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
For a moment, all the venom vanished from his face and, for the first time, he actually looked his age.
“…I thought you’d refuse.”
“I could still change my mind, you know.”
“Don’t.”
As always, I went to board the carriage without help, but, unexpectedly, Cassiel held out his hand.
“Here, let me help you up.”
As I took his hand, I signaled to Acteon.
It meant: I’ll head back first with Cassiel, so you two come together later.
Acteon’s gaze lingered briefly on my hand in Cassiel’s, then he smiled. I guess that meant he understood.
I’d wanted to buy my younger brother some new clothes for once, but that was out of the question today.
‘Fine. I’m not in the mood, anyway… I still don’t know what happened with Millia, and I just want to go back early and clear my head.’
Sighing, I took my seat and looked at Cassiel, who climbed in after me.
If I want to get some rest soon, the first thing I need to do is get rid of him.
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