I Became the Youngest Sister-in-law of the Ruined Reverse Harem’s Male Leads - Chapter 129

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#.129

As soon as I saw my brother, I reflexively hid behind Liliana.

When disappointment flashed across my brother’s face, my heart stung, but it was too difficult to step forward in front of Liliana.

“The youngest got upset because you didn’t come with the delegation.”

“Is that so? Lily, I’m sorry. I was too sick at the time to come.”

I wasn’t a six-year-old child anymore, but like an idiot I clutched Liliana’s skirt and only looked at the floor.

“Lilliana.”

Even when Liliana called me, my lips were sealed shut and no words came out. That’s when Filippo shouted.

“I’m hungry!”

“That’s Filippo and that’s Yosiyas, right? I’ve never seen Leopold’s face, but seeing Yosiyas gives me an idea of what he looks like.”

“Kids, you should greet your uncle.”

“Hello!”

“Filippo, Mom said to say ‘Hello, sir,’ didn’t she?”

“Hello, sir!”

When Liliana took the children’s hands and went into the Dining Hall, only my brother and I were left at the door.

I couldn’t go in, nor could I run away, so I just stood there with my head deeply bowed.

My brother crouched down in front of me and spoke.

“Lily, I’m sorry. Please stop being angry.”

“…Mm.”

“Hm?”

“…Not… mm.”

I’m not angry.

Was it this difficult to say a short sentence clearly?

I mumbled like a baby and swept the floor with my toes. My brother watched me intently and then asked.

“Won’t you look at me?”

That’s not it. Instead of speaking, I shook my head.

“Is it because it’s been so long that I feel like a stranger? Or do you really hate me for coming so late?”

The sandals I usually wore just fine looked shabby today for some reason.

When I avoided answering, my brother spoke up after a long while.

“Lilliana. May I hug you once?”

It would be okay to hug, but I felt a bit awkward and distant, so I couldn’t easily answer.

When my brother and I didn’t enter the Dining Hall for a long time, Edith came out after us and carefully said as she looked at us both.

“Since your brother came from far away, give him just one hug.”

Because Edith gently pushed my back, I ended up in my brother’s arms in the blink of an eye.

My brother hugged me carefully, very carefully, as if hugging me tightly and lifting me up like before would be some great rudeness.

“To think you’re already 10 years old.”

The arms wrapping around my body, the scent I felt from his embrace, the warmth of his chest and his heartbeat – everything felt strange yet surprisingly familiar.

My brother’s embrace felt so natural, as if it was where I belonged.

“You’ve really grown so much taller. When did you grow this much? I should have been there to see you grow…”

A voice tinged with sadness echoed in my ear.

At first, being hugged by my brother felt awkward and my skin felt tingly, but gradually my feelings became strange.

‘Is it because it’s so warm?’

Should I reply today? The resentment that had built up during the days of waiting for letters full of expectation only to be disappointed suddenly burst out.

The sadness of him suddenly leaving me to go to the Countryside, and the heartbreak of him not coming with the delegation.

Most of all, when the longing I believed had disappeared came rushing back, my chest trembled with each breath and my nose stung.

“Lily. There wasn’t a single day I forgot about you. I really missed you so much and longed for you.”

My brother’s sincerity was conveyed through his slightly trembling voice.

If he missed me, why didn’t he write letters properly? Why… why on earth…

“Sniff.”

My runny nose came before the tears. Tears dripped down, wetting my brother’s shoulder.

Once my emotions started welling up, I couldn’t control my crying.

“Sob… Waaah!”

I wrapped both arms tightly around my brother’s neck. My brother, who had been patting my back, sniffled.

“I’m sorry for coming late. I believed that not appearing was the right choice for you.”

“No! No! How could that be! There’s no such thing!”

“Sorry, Lily. Every time I wrote you a letter, I couldn’t resist the urge to come get you right away, so I couldn’t reply.”

My brother swallowed his tears and poured out his hidden feelings. But soon he was sniffling and crying just like me.

His face was bright red as if he were drunk, and his shoulders shook as he sobbed.

I had forgotten his voice and face, but there was one thing I chewed over every day and never forgot.

“Lilliana is like a daughter to me.”

Brother was just what I called him, but he was really no different from a father.

So those words made it feel like we were really father and daughter, and young me kept chewing over that sentence even while eating meals and enjoying fairy tales.

I still remember the overwhelming feeling I felt in that moment.

“Waaah! Why did you come only now! Waaaah!”

“No matter what happened, I should have just kept you with me… I’m sorry. I’m really sorry, Lily.”

I had told my sisters I was fine, and declared I wouldn’t miss him anymore, but it was all lies.

I missed my brother every day. Even if I forgot his face, I never forgot his existence.

Even if I grew taller and other memories covered mine, it couldn’t be helped.

Just as parents cannot abandon their children, children cannot erase their parents.

* * *

“This is my younger sibling Jelly. At first the fur was pink, but now the color has turned slightly yellow.”

“You said you gave Cookie to Edgar, right?”

“Yeah. Edgar sets it next to his pillow every day.”

After making up with my brother, I hadn’t left his side for even a moment for three days.

I explained everything to my brother.

From what kind of clothes I liked to what I played with friends at School. I think the only thing I didn’t tell my brother about was my School grades.

“So Edgar is your best friend?”

“No. We’re Mega Best Friends. He’s closest to me. Edgar is one of a kind.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Edgar is good at running and kicking balls. And he often shares his chocolate cookies with me.”

“Wow. He’s really a good friend.”

My brother admired Edgar while braiding my hair into two plaits.

I felt proud for no reason since my brother seemed to acknowledge that Edgar was a good kid.

“Is Edgar good at studying too? He kept skipping grades and is scheduled to graduate early by himself and enter middle School this time.”

“Really? What an amazing friend. How are our Lilliana’s grades?”

“Th-that’s… don’t be curious! It’s my secret!”

Compared to when I first enrolled, I do dictation quite well now, but math still hovers between 40 and 60 points.

Only Edgar and Edith know my disastrous scores.

“B-brother, let’s go to the Playground with me! There’s also a secret hideout at the Playground.”

I took my brother’s hand and went to the Playground just like that.

My steps felt light as if they would fly away. I was so excited that I stamped my feet here and there along the way.

“Brother, are you tired?”

“I’m not tired. I’m fine.”

It had only been an hour since we started playing after lunch, but my brother already had dark circles under his eyes.

Actually, during the meal, my brother said he had indigestion and put down his fork after eating just a little more than me.

“In the past, he used to eat that amount like a snack…”

I heard Edith looking at my brother and murmuring worriedly as if she was concerned.

‘If I don’t seal my abilities, could I heal my brother?’

I considered going to find Chris again, but then shook my head.

Both my brother and sisters would definitely oppose unsealing my abilities. If I unsealed them twice, my body might not be able to handle it.

“This is our secret hideout!”

My brother’s eyes widened as he saw the cabin built up in the tree.

“Cool, right? On weekends, Edgar, Helene, and Chris would all gather here to play card games, but now it’s vacation so no one’s around. Everyone went on holiday.”

“I’ll have to be careful not to slip when climbing up the stairs.”

“I’ve never slipped once!”

I scampered up the stairs like a squirrel climbing a tree.

The tree wasn’t very tall, so the door was at my brother’s eye level.

“Brother, you can’t come in because you’re an adult.”

“Yeah. I figured. The door is only big enough for children to enter.”

“Instead, I’ll go in and show you around!”

I grabbed the door handle and pushed inward, but the door wouldn’t budge.

“Huh? That’s strange.”

The secret base door doesn’t have a lock, does it?

I pressed harder with more force. Still, the door wouldn’t move.

“Huh?”

“The door won’t open?”

My brother reached out and turned the door handle in my place, rattling it.

Then he pushed with force, and with a thud from inside, the door opened.

Creak.

Through the open door, Edgar appeared.

Edgar had been avoiding me ever since he went to meet Marius, because he didn’t want to meet my brother. So I never expected to run into him like this here.

“Edgar?”

“Oh, hello…”

Edgar greeted us with a flushed face, looking down at the floor.

“So you’re Edgar. Nice to meet you. I’m Lilliana’s brother. Just call me Uncle Andrea.”

“…”

“I’ve heard a lot about you from Lilliana. In her letters, she only ever talks about Edgar, and even since coming here, she only brags about you.”

“About me?”

“Of course. That you’re good at running, smart, and kind. Meeting you in person, you’re an even more wonderful friend.”

Edgar’s gaze shifted to me, so I quickly scurried inside.

Books were scattered on the floor, as if he had been reading alone.

“Please continue being good friends with Lilliana.”

“That’s…”

Edgar’s face began to turn red, and he answered with a trembling voice.

“But when Lilliana returns to Trobancha, it’ll all be over.”

Edgar spoke with a determined expression, clenching his fists tightly.

“Uncle. Couldn’t you live here with us? I don’t want to be separated from Lilliana.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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