The Reason Why the Forsaken Fake Returned Chapter 87

As they strolled through the park centered around a large lake, they saw couples and families leisurely rowing boats on the river, and encountered ducklings following their mother in a line. Some people were scattering bread crumbs on the ground to feed the birds, and many young women were out for a walk, pushing strollers on this sunny day. Young boys on bicycles continuously passed by as they circled the park. On their third lap around the park, a boy on a bicycle fell on the slope leading from the path to the lake. It happened in a secluded area.

 

“My goodness!”

 

“Are you okay?”

 

Shailoh and Doris screamed almost simultaneously and ran down the slope. They had thought it was a boy because of the helmet and shorts, but the fallen person turned out to be a girl who looked about eighteen. Fortunately, the slope wasn’t steep. The two of them reached out their hands side by side to pull her up. However, as soon as she grabbed their hands and tried to get up, the girl groaned and sank back down.

 

“Aack!”

 

“A-Are you okay?”

 

The girl’s face went pale as she shook her head. “I think… I twisted my ankle…” The girl, on the verge of tears, pointed to her left ankle, which was already starting to swell.

 

“Doris.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“We probably can’t find a doctor right away, so bring a strong man to carry the young lady. I’ll try to find a carriage—”

 

“No! Please don’t leave me alone.”

 

“Milady…”

 

“Please stay with me…” The girl pleaded tearfully.

 

Caught in a dilemma, Doris dusted herself off and stood up. “I’ll do both. So, Milady, please stay here with the young lady.”

 

Shailoh glanced at the sobbing girl at the bottom of the slope and nodded. “…Please do.”

 

“Of course.” With a gentle smile, Doris went off to find help.

 

Shailoh spoke kindly to the girl, who was hugging her knees and sniffling. “What’s your name?”

 

“Cecil…” The girl answered, sniffling.

 

At the familiar-sounding name, Shailoh tilted her head. It felt like a name she had heard before. Then again, it was a common name, so it wasn’t strange. To keep the young lady from focusing on her injured ankle, Shailoh continued asking questions.

 

“I see. Cecil, do you like this park?”

 

“Very much… I begged my older brother to bring me here because of this park. We don’t have parks like this where I live…”

 

The girl, whom Shailoh thought would be shy, turned out to be unexpectedly talkative. Though a bit surprised, Shailoh thought it was a good thing and chimed in.

 

“That’s true. Parks like this are hard to find anywhere. I love this park too. Does your brother like it as well? Did he come with you today?”

 

“My older brother… likes this park too. He didn’t come today. He’s always busy…”

 

“I see. That must be lonely.”

 

“No… My older brother would be mad if he knew. He always tells me to check my bike, but I was lazy and didn’t, and now this happened…”

 

“So that’s why you fell down the slope.”

 

“I tried to slow down, but the brakes suddenly didn’t work. I got startled… and turned the wrong way.”

 

“Milady!”

 

While they were talking, Doris returned with a man.

 

* * *

“It’s a mild sprain. You shouldn’t ride a bicycle for a while. Just in case, I’ve put a splint on it.”

 

Fortunately, the girl’s condition was stable. Other than her left ankle, she wasn’t seriously injured. After receiving treatment, Cecil’s pain subsided, and she stopped crying.

 

“I’ll prescribe some medication, but the guardian…”

 

Shailoh, seated beside Cecil, hesitated, wondering if she should step forward.

 

“I’m sorry for coming late!” Someone burst through the door, interrupting.

 

Cecil, who had just calmed down, immediately burst into tears again. “Brother!”

 

“Cecil, are you okay?” The man rushed over to Cecil, ignoring everyone else, and carefully examined her ankle. When the doctor repeated what he had just said, the man finally breathed a sigh of relief.

 

Cecil pointed to Shailoh and Doris, who were sitting beside her. “Brother, these people helped me.”

 

“Thank you for helping my sist—” As soon as the man turned his head, he and Shailoh fell silent almost simultaneously.

 

“Milady?”

 

“Brother?”

 

“By any chance, do you know each other?” Doris looked back and forth between the two in confusion.

 

Shailoh nodded and smiled. “Mr. Nox.”

 

“Miss Griche.”

 

Although she insisted she was truly fine, the siblings refused to let their benefactors leave just like that and invited the two to their home.

 

“Our maid quit recently, so it’s a bit lacking.”

 

“No, it’s more than enough. Thank you.” Shailoh waved his hand dismissively at their apologetic faces and sipped the steaming tea. “It’s delicious.”

 

“I’m glad. Cecil’s hobby is brewing tea leaves.” Nox smiled proudly and gently stroked his sister’s head, who had quickly fallen asleep with her head resting on his lap.

 

“I’m surprised. To meet your sister so soon after you mentioned her yesterday.”

 

“Indeed. Fate is strange.”

 

Shailoh glanced at Doris, who was admiring the dishes displayed in the cabinet, then turned back to Nox.

 

“I heard from Wyson that you’re stopping all your singing activities for now. You’re not even performing on stage.”

 

“It’s unfortunate, but I had no choice. Every time I try to sing, my voice just won’t come out.”

 

“Do you have any idea what might be causing it?”

 

“…” Shailoh averted his gaze and slowly nodded. “Probably.”

 

“But it seems like you can’t resolve it right away.”

 

“Well… everyone has their own circumstances.”

 

It wasn’t something that could be easily severed or erased. Their chance meeting five years ago and the past three years had been such a time.

 

“So are you planning to face it head-on? Is that why you said you didn’t need my help?”

 

“Yes. It’s like you can read minds.” Shailoh nodded, amazed at how Nox’s words seemed to read his thoughts.

 

“It’s not mind-reading, but given my line of work, I end up observing people’s faces a lot, so I naturally pick up on their expressions. When I catch a subtle expression, I can vaguely guess what they’re thinking.”

 

“So that’s how you knew I liked that painting.”

 

“That much was obvious at a glance.”

 

Shailoh chuckled softly and changed the subject. “Anyway, about singing… It takes time. I need to address the root cause. So, while I appreciate the offer, I have to decline for now.”

 

“I understand.”

 

Contrary to her expectation that Nox might insist, he accepted her words quite calmly. As she found this surprising, he hesitated for a moment before suddenly asking.

 

“Since I’ve already imposed on you, can I ask for one more favor?”

 

“A favor?”

 

“If it’s not too much trouble, could you occasionally have tea with Cecil? She came here alone with me and doesn’t have friends her age, so she gets lonely.”

 

“That’s not a difficult request. Sure.”

 

“Thank you.” Nox expressed his gratitude sincerely, as if carefully penning each syllable.

 

“It’s nothing. I like Cecil, so I’m happy to do it.”

 

Given her current situation, she wasn’t sure how long she could maintain this friendship, but she didn’t want to refuse. Seeing the siblings reminded Shailoh of Declen. She had tried several times to send a letter to the north, but she couldn’t figure out how to write to a half-brother she had never known, so she gave up. Even if they weren’t as close as these siblings, they shared the same blood, and she hoped they could eventually become comfortable with each other. That’s why she wanted to get to know these siblings better.

 

Cecil was adorable, and although Nox Wyvern seemed suspicious and odd at first, he turned out to be a decent person. Now, he seemed like a genuinely good person.

 

“I should get going. I need to check out some clothing stores, and I have a restaurant reservation from this morning.”

 

“I’m sorry for keeping you so long.”

 

“It’s fine. If I truly disliked it, I wouldn’t have come even if it killed me. Doris.”

 

At the signal to leave, Doris, who had been engrossed in the dishes in the cabinet, grabbed her parasol.

 

“Feel free to visit anytime.”

 

“I will. See you.”

 

Just before the door closed, Shailoh, who was about to turn away, turned back around.