The Gap Between You and Me - Chapter 164

“Tsk. You speak like someone who has experienced it. Brother doesn’t even know.”

Dellan, not knowing about Edwin’s past, pouted while saying sarcastically.

“You know what, Brother. My dad said this. Brother is a talented person with a great personality, good brains, and good use of power, but there is only one thing that Father felt sorry for.”

“What is it?”

“You can’t even say anything at Sister Herietta and live in a tight grip. He says that you live so tightly that even a mouse in front of a cat wouldn’t tremble as much as you.”

At times like that, Brother looks like a fool. Teasing him, Dellan added a comment.

Whatever the intention, it would surely offend the listener. Especially if it is a person who is far superior to others like Edwin.

Contrary to Dellan’s expectations, Edwin wasn’t offended at all. Hearing Dellan’s answer, Edwin wanted to raise one eyebrow, but then he just laughed quietly.

“I’m glad you see it that way.”

“You’re glad?”

“Yes. So be sure to tell your father. Thank you for looking at me that way, so please don’t change his mind.”

Edwin said. It wasn’t sarcastic, it was something really good.

The puzzled Dellan looked at Edwin. He immediately understood what Edwin meant. Dellan shook his head.

“…… Dad was right.”

Dellan sighed heavily and muttered to the man who had been his idol.

“Brother Edwin is the world’s greatest fool.”

* * *

After a brief wash, Edwin checked the time while lightly brushing his damp hair with a towel. Tick tock. The hour hand of the wall clock pointed to the number 11. Eleven o’clock in the morning. Soon it would be time for Herietta to return to the house.

Edwin put his wet towel in the laundry basket, poured water into the teapot, and set it on the stove. Then, while waiting for the water to boil, he took a tin of dried tea leaves from the shelf in the kitchen.

Black Rotien. It was a tea that Herietta, who likes milk tea, has been drinking lately.

Edwin knew Herietta’s tastes better than his own. He skillfully took out an appropriate amount of tea leaves from the barrel and placed them in a teacup. Then he cooled the water that was just starting to boil and poured it over it.

As the tea leaves were brewed, the unique fragrant scent of Black Rotien spread softly into the air.

Edwin checked the consistency of the tea with his own eyes. He thought that he could let the tea leaves steep just a little longer, but he heard footsteps outside.

A familiar step that is light and airy, giving off a bouncing feeling. Glancing out the window, he saw a woman pushing the fence door and entering the yard.

‘How did you come back just in time?’

The moment he looked at Herietta, a soft smile spread across Edwin’s lips.

* * *

“…….”

Edwin quietly looked at Herietta’s face. Her condition after returning home seemed strange. Sitting in front of the table without taking off her cloak, she was lost in thought, not even receiving his greeting.

What happened outside? In the end, Edwin was unable to contain his curiosity. He put the teacup down in front of Herietta and slipped a question.

“Is there something concerning you?”

“…….”

“Miss Herietta?”

“Huh?”

Herietta, who had been sitting blankly, raised her head to look at him. Blink, blink. As she closed and opened her eyes several times, she gave an awkward face.

“I’m sorry, Edwin. What did you say?”

“I asked if there was something concerning you. You are so quiet, unlike usual.”

“Aahh. No. I just have something to think about.”

Thank you for the tea. Realizing belatedly that he had made milk tea for her, Herietta thanked him. Then she scooped a spoonful of sugar from the sugar canister he had prepared in advance and poured it into the warm teacup.

Tink, tink. The teacup made of bone china lightly touched the teaspoon made of metal, making a small sound.

“Did something bad…… happen outside?”

Sitting across Herietta, Edwin asked cautiously while staring at her.

“You look pale. Something must have happened out there.”

“No. Nothing happened.”

“…… Not even a seven-year-old would be fooled by such a clumsy lie.”

Edwin smiled incredulously. How can nothing happen when her face looked like she had shouldered all the worries of the world. A passing dog would even laugh.

“What’s wrong? I might be able to help, so please tell me.”

“…….”

“Miss Herietta?”

“What about Edwin?”

The rattling sound stopped. Herietta stopped stirring her tea and looked at Edwin.

“You seem to be in a good mood. Did anything pleasant happen while I was gone?”

“Did I look like I’m in a good mood?”

“Yes. You’re smiling. Very brightly even.”

Herietta said, pretending to pull her lips up with one hand.

“I think something really good happened……. right?”

“Well. Dellan made a short visit in the morning, but nothing else happened.”

“Dellan is here? For what?”

“Did that child ever come only for a special reason? He seemed to just be bored. He didn’t say much and quickly went back.”

“That’s too bad. I wish he had waited a little longer and left after seeing me.”

Herietta picked up the teacup with a sad face.

Unlike Edwin, who was annoyed by Dellan’s visit, Herietta, who adored the child, was very welcoming of his visit. Knowing that fact, Edwin never paid attention to him, even if Dellan’s presence bothered him.

Still, it would be nice if she was a little less welcoming. How can he be jealous of even a snotty kid who was only 14 years old.

Realizing his own wish, Edwin’s feelings became complicated.

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