Finding Lisa

S1 CH. 4

"You seem to like your brother," said Jungkook.

Eunwoo had been perusing over hunting rifles and now straightened his back at Jungkook's words. Jungkook Del Ihar was Duke Ihar's son, who ruled over the north. His mother, Hyori Pon Ihar, was the emperor's sister. His sharp features and black hair came from the north, while his blue eyes came from the imperial family.

Eunwoo turned to Jungkook's expressionless face. His cold eyes and condescending attitude were passed down to him by his bloodline. Other aristocrats considered the Ihar family as the noblest of the noblemen.

"Is there a reason I shouldn't like my brother, Jungkook?" asked Eunwoo with a raised eyebrow and a smile.

Jungkook frowned slightly as he looked at Eunwoo's mysterious smile. "He's the evidence of deceit," said Jungkook.

The answer was curt, and Eunwoo's smile deepened as he stroked the pistol engraved with the eagle crest of the Ihar family. "Deceit comes with a price," said Eunwoo, "My brother has already given up much for it."

Eunwoo's tone was intentionally polite, and Jungkook's eyes glistened at the careful answer.

"I sometimes see you as an old man, Kieran," said Claude with a smirk."Me? Old?" scoffed Kieran, "Don't say that even as a joke."

Jungkook looked at Eunwoo's sculpted face. He seemed to take after his father, but his mouth was similar to the Marchioness. Eunwoo never revealed his innermost thoughts to him. It was all fun and games and nothing more.

However, Lin was different. Except for his appearance, the boy did not take after Kieran at all. Lin Bale was a fake. While he had the Marquis's blood, he did not have that secretive streak. Jungkook decided to forget about Lin Bale, he was young and of no consequence. If it hadn't been for his appearance, he would have died in poverty somewhere. It was clear to Jungkook what the marchioness was working hard for. And it was a pity she did so much for a fake.

Jungkook approached the window that looked over the lavender gardens with a drink in his hand. Eunwoo's copy was standing in front of a man, who bowed in surprise as Lin greeted him with courtesy. It was comedic. The boy's hair covered his ears a bit, and his round green eyes glanced at the window where Jungkook was standing. Jungkook sipped his drink as he watched Lin and tasted the bittersweet herbs in his mouth.

Jungkook's carriage drove away from the Marquis's lands four days after that incident. Lisa hadn't been able to sleep properly from the day she had met Jungkook. Every time she closed her eyes, she heard gunshots and animal cries. According to Minzy, Jungkook and some other noblemen had gone hunting.

She could not understand them. Why did they go out hunting in the dark? And, why hunt small helpless animals rather than large predators? They hunted only for the fun of inflicting pain, not because they hungered for the chase.

Lisa had covered the window that looked over the hunting ground with a large blanket. Betty had drawn the curtains, so the window wasn't visible anymore, but the sounds of the hunt weren't muffled. She could hear them outside.

"Young master, wake up! It's morning!

Lisa woke up blearily. It was the first time she had slept properly after Jungkook had gone away. She still felt tired even after the deep sleep, but she needed to get up and get dressed. The Marchioness would be there at the breakfast table.

Lisa went up to Minzy who began fussing over her, washing her face in the wash basin, and straightening her hair. Lisa wore trousers much more easily now; she had become familiar with the comfort of it. She had become accustomed to this easy life. She recalled her soot-stained face. She mustn't forget. She needed to remember her past if she was to have any chance of ever meeting her mother again. MInzy straightened Lisa's cravat and smiled approvingly.