Sister, Don’t Marry That Guy – Chapter 36

Chapter 36

If Rainante Hakil had stepped forward with me as my guard just now, his future would certainly not have been smooth.

“Sir, you don’t need to hold onto a rotten rope. Just do your best in the moment. I understand your position well enough.”

I watched with an emotional face as Ruben, who seemed to be vigorously shouting something that was probably praise, and Roy, who was embarrassed but accepting it.

“No, you both are already doing your best for me and my older brother, so that’s enough for now.”

“Whenever you show such an unchildlike side, Young Lady, I find myself presumptuously wishing you would be more childlike.”

“Huh?”

“Yes, it is a presumptuous thought.”

Even though I didn’t answer, Rainante emphasized it once more.

“In a lord-vassal relationship, I believe that presumptuous actions and insubordination are exceptionally permissible when there is a genuine heart that follows and cares for the lord, and when that lord is in danger.”

“……..”

“Please allow me to step forward next time.”

I blinked my eyes widely. Even now, Ruben’s tearful praise continued.

Both Rainante and I knew what this meant.

“……Why are you trying to grab onto a rotten rope?”

I wanted to say that, but the words didn’t come out in the end.

It was because someone suddenly came running towards us.

“Sir Rainante!”

It was a messenger sent by the Knight Commander.

Perhaps it was because the Crown Prince had suddenly appeared, but Rainante and Ruben were urgently called away.

I couldn’t hide the strange feeling as I watched their firm backs as they ran.

‘It’s strange, Ice.’

Ice, who was connected to my consciousness, fluttered and floated in front of my eyes.

‘I feel like I’ve always been alone since I was born, but recently, I keep having people around me.’

『Negative. Guardians are not human.』

‘Yeah, should I say people and one guardian?’

I chuckled softly, then briefly turned my gaze towards the direction where Rainante and Ruben had disappeared.

So these small happinesses are this good.

‘If I could continue to be happy like recently, even if I had to repeat that past time once more… I think I would be okay with it.’

I turned my body around and looked at Roy, who was left alone.

I smiled brightly as I looked at my third older brother, who was truly on my side now, someone I could truly call my own.

“Older Brother, I have something to tell you.”

A once-a-year visit from the Imperial Family and a gathering of relatives and vassals.

This is called the ‘Grand Assembly Day’.

And this year, on the Grand Assembly Day, I, no, we are going to be a little busy.

“I’m going to go to Grandfather’s Room during the Grand Assembly Day.”

* * *

At the same time.

Crown Prince Helios was receiving a welcome greeting from the acting head of the Blackwinter family, along with the main vassals.

Of course, it was only a superficial welcome, and no one there was not feeling unpleasant.

Because, as in previous years, the Imperial Family had changed the schedule arbitrarily once again.

This was an act of tyranny and a display of their presence by the Imperial Family that had been going on every year.

Even if it was the Blackwinter family, they could not take issue with it because of the lord-vassal oath that had been in place since the invitation.

‘Tsk, the one who was calling herself a Young Lady isn’t here…!’

Helios felt anger.

That was because this was a place where all the key figures had gathered.

Not only was the third son who had knocked him down not in the seat where the direct descendants were located, but the small girl who had been giggling was also not there.

Only the core personnel among the vassals could participate here. The same was true for the direct descendants.

The fact that they were not here meant that they were insignificant figures in this family.

“Ah, it would be fine to compete again here, but then Your Highness would also have to share the story of how you were not only miserably defeated but also beaten by my third older brother, who is not even known by name.”

He had been defeated by insignificant beings.

This proved that what the small girl had said was true. At the same time, it resulted in his humiliation growing even greater.

Helios’s lofty pride, as Leia had expected, made it impossible for him to reveal the truth to anyone. No, he couldn’t say it even if he died.

It was a disgrace, a humiliation!

“Are you Kyle Blackwinter?”

During the meal, Kyle, who was sitting on the right, raised his head at the Crown Prince’s words from the head seat.

That Crown Prince was asking again even though he had already greeted them, there must be a reason, Kyle quietly acknowledged.

“Yes, I am.”

“……I heard that the current Acting Head of Family has three sons, you must be the eldest, and that one is the second.”

“Yes, that is my younger brother, the second son, Stefan Blackwinter.”

Helios didn’t even glance at the second son, Stefan.

His only concern was one thing.

He spoke again, turning towards Kyle.

“Your swordsmanship is famous even without seeing it now, but what about the third son?”

Kyle felt a question.

Kyle knew that his name had spread to the Imperial Family.

Now that he had introduced Stefan, wasn’t it the right time to naturally ask about the second son Stefan’s skills?

A question about the third son, Roy Blackwinter?

However, Kyle answered smoothly.

“Pardon me, but my third younger brother’s skills are at a level that there is nothing to speak of, which is why he could not attend this gathering.”

This was the truth, so there was no personal feeling in Kyle’s voice.

However, it came as a great shock to Helios.

‘Did I really fall to a guy who is not even known by name? And in just three exchanges?!’

Helios clenched his fist tightly.

The humiliation he felt for the first time in his life engulfed his entire body.

Helios, the mad dog of the Imperial Family in the future, who already had these qualities, hardened his resolve in anger.

He would never forget this humiliation.

“If you feel wronged, I hope you will go outside and say it.”

For some reason, only the face of the girl who was smiling slyly, more than the face of the boy who had knocked him down, dominated his mind.

And at the same time, in the same place, there was one more person who was secretly clenching his fist.

‘……Did you just say that I’m also nothing special? Brother?’

It was none other than the second son, Stefan. It was clearly a remark aimed at the third son, but Kyle’s gaze was directed at him.

As if he was looking at something lacking, even though he was present at this gathering.

Anger and sadness flickered on the boy’s face for a moment, but it was only for an instant.

The face he was suppressing was very familiar.

* * *

“Hey, Older Brother. Did you hear everything I said?”

I had told Roy everything about what I was going to do and my plans.

But what was this? This young older brother’s reaction was so calm that it was almost indifferent.

Our black puppy, you heard me properly, right?

“Yeah, I heard you.”

“Really? But that’s all you have to say? Really?”

“……Is there, should there be more?”

“No, it’s not that, but…….”

It was strange because I didn’t just say that I was going to Grandfather’s room.

To go to Grandfather’s room, I had to pass through a hallway filled with chief knights, and I might have to undo the magic that was placed on the room.

Above all, there had to be a scenario that could end as a mere happening even if we were caught…

‘I don’t know if it will end as a mere happening though.’

I stroked my neck.

Being caught, just thinking about it made my spine tingle.

“Listen carefully, Older Brother.”

I emphasized the strict security near Grandfather’s room that I had heard from Calidupen and Rainante.

I also subtly appealed that I could erase my presence or undo the magic by using a magic scroll for the magic release.

And then, they all accepted it calmly.

What is this? Is Roy not aware of the danger of the situation yet?

“But… but you’re going to do it, right?”

“Yeah. That’s right.”

“Then we have to do it.”

“Uh…….”

Is this the attitude of a knight?

It felt like I had heard him say, “If you say so, then I’ll do it,” which made me feel strange.

There wasn’t a hint of doubt or hesitation in Roy’s red eyes.

It felt like he would grab my hand and jump into a fire if I told him to, saying, “Okay!”…….

“……Older Brother, even if someone offers you candy, don’t follow them. Okay? Even if they look like me, don’t follow them.”

“Your appearance… are you talking about disguise magic? I think the presence would be different.”

“Even if you use magic, you can feel the difference in presence? No, no. I’m just saying don’t follow anyone.”

Now that I said it, it didn’t seem like this black puppy would follow just anyone.

How much did I suffer to tame him? Thinking about it made me feel a little proud.

‘Ice, I think I have some talent in taming.’

『Affirmative. Master is outstanding in all talents!』

‘Oh my, it’s not like you have to gild me… Hehe, it does feel good though.’

“Okay, I know you understood everything, Older Brother. I thought I had explained it wrong because you weren’t too surprised. Anyway, the execution date is four days from now.”

“Four days from now.”

I nodded, holding up four fingers.

“Yes, the Grand Assembly where everyone gathers is held then, and there’s a banquet in the evening. The surveillance and guards will probably be focused on that side. Relatively, there will be fewer guards in Grandfather’s room.”

This was a story I had heard through a conversation with Rainante. That there would be ‘fewer’ guards, at least.

“We have to take advantage of this moment. We have to see Grandfather no matter what.”

“Okay. What do I have to do?”

“Older Brother, how much can you suppress your presence? It’s hard for me to gauge since I’m not a knight, so just tell me simply.”

“I don’t know well… but I’ll try it once.”

Roy said he would try some practice and training.

Would it get better in just 4 days with practice? I had my doubts, but I nodded.

Ruben would help more when he returned.

After all, Ruben wouldn’t know where he would be used.

“Older Brother, I’m going to go study now. Don’t overdo it today.”

“Okay…….”

When I said I was going to go study in the library, Roy looked very sad but didn’t hold me back.

Looking at his sword, it seemed like he was going to start practicing right away.

“Okay, Older Brother, see you later.”