I Will Protect My Brother - Chapter 11

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

Chapter 11
Before I could even lift my head, he closed the distance with a long stride, moving directly into my line of sight.
Kalian’s voice had grown noticeably gentler as he asked.
“Were you worried about me?”
What was he saying? Of course I was. How could I leave him alone like some child abandoned by the water’s edge?
I nodded, and Kalian bent at the waist to meet my eyes at the same level.
“Really?”
“Have you been deceived your whole life? When have I ever not worried about you, brother?”
“…I see.”
Kalian stared at me for a moment, then slowly closed his eyes in what seemed like a smile.
The firmness and severity that had lingered on his face vanished, replaced swiftly by a radiant, unblemished smile.
“You must have been quite anxious, our little princess. There really was nothing to worry about.”
“…You don’t understand what you’re saying.”
What you nearly experienced is strictly off-limits for viewing by minors like you! Not even for listening!
I glared at Kalian with eyes full of unspoken words, and he burst into laughter. His expression was one of satisfaction.
“As expected, you’re the only one who truly cares about me, Rosien.”
Kalian carelessly ruffled my hair, and my carefully arranged twin braids became thoroughly disheveled in the process.
Only after creating what looked like a bird’s nest atop my head did Kalian seem satisfied, extending his left hand. A bandage was still wrapped around his ring finger.
“Then Rosy must promise too. That you won’t become close with anyone else.”
Kalian whispered in a voice so sweet it seemed pickled in honey. I nearly answered without thinking, but I caught myself.
Setting aside the enchantment, something about this was simply strange.
“Anyone else?”
“Yes.”
“That’s a bit much.”
What was he trying to do with my friendships, you fool?
The moment I showed my displeasure, Kalian’s smile vanished as if it had been a lie.
But he quickly recovered his expression as if nothing had happened.
“Fine, then. As a compromise, you must ask your brother for permission before making friends.”
“Um….”
“Rosien. You can do at least this much for me, can’t you?”
His tone was affectionate, but there was a subtle pressure in his words urging me toward agreement.
But thinking about it for a moment, this was far better than his first demand. I reluctantly nodded. Well, it was fair enough for both of us.
Kalian added as if he’d been waiting for this.
“And if any unavoidable situation arises, you must either bring me along or at the very least inform me immediately.”
Bringing you along would probably double my troubles, wouldn’t it?
I looked at him suspiciously, but he showed no sign of backing down.
In any case, what Kalian had focused on wasn’t how I’d learned the identity of the sacred relic, but rather my unexpected connection with Luize Whezel.
I was grateful he wasn’t pressing me with troublesome questions, so I quietly complied with his words.
“I understand. Whenever I talk to someone or go somewhere, I’ll always be with you, brother.”
“You promised? You must tell me first, before anyone else.”
“Yes, yes.”
“Good boy. Now, promise.”
Kalian shook his ring finger insistently, so I ended up linking my pinky with his as well.
Only then did I realize the hand he’d extended was his left ring finger—the very finger where I’d inscribed the incantation of sorcery.
Was it still there?
‘Location tracking spell… it didn’t seem to be a one-time cast.’
Fortunately, I sensed a faint flow of mana emanating from Kalian’s finger.
Well, it seemed I’d be staying in Winyak for quite a while in this life, so it was better to leave it intact. Besides, that blockhead would never notice anyway.
I smiled innocently, feigning ignorance. Kalian, looking satisfied, buried his back into the sofa.
“Now, let’s play together, Rosy. Want more cocoa?”
“But you said you were tired?”
“Still, we’ve been apart all night. Let me tie your hair back for you. Come here.”
Seeing him even hum a little tune, he seemed genuinely delighted.
While Kalian spent a considerable amount of time playing with my disheveled hair under the guise of combing it, I silently cast a spell from within.
Forget all about the sacred relic, you soft jelly!
* * *
That night, we were summoned together to Owen’s temporary office.
Before we could even properly greet the Family Head, two cards were flicked toward us.
“The Delpiam Imperial Family has sent an invitation to Winyak.”
I immediately made a face like I’d eaten something foul.
Was he obsessive? Did he not know how to give up?
“It’s an invitation to a goodwill banquet following the continental conference. Originally, we hadn’t planned to attend the banquet itself. But when you receive a summons disguised as an invitation like this, there’s no excuse to refuse.”
Owen looked troubled.
“And you, Rosien.”
My body flinched at the finger pointing directly at me.
“It seems an invitation has come for you as well.”
“For me too?”
“Yes. It says ‘Rosien Wynack, mandatory attendance, confirmed.'”
Why was the Delpiam Imperial Court suddenly calling for me?
“I heard the Whezel Family Head visited during the day. You made his acquaintance?”
“Yes, sir. I provided some assistance in locating the young master.”
“Did Whezel perhaps ask you anything separately? For instance, information about Kalian Wynack, or perhaps… about you?”
Owen’s gaze was sharp and piercing. I shook my head awkwardly.
“No, sir. We didn’t have any conversation that would be particularly problematic.”
The fact that he specifically invited me meant I’d somehow caught Whezel’s attention in some way.
‘Could he be upset because I treated him like a mount?’
Instead of me, who’d fallen into a panic, Kalian stepped forward.
“Rosy doesn’t need to go. After all, what they really want is me.”
“B-but…”
I turned to Kalian in confusion, and I heard Owen let out a dismissive snort.
“Do you truly believe they want you, Kalian?”
“Even if they don’t, I must go. As the Wynack Heir.”
“If you’re harboring some other bizarre scheme, abandon it now. And stop giving me headaches.”
“Why do you always disparage me like that? Everything I do is for Wynack.”
Owen’s thick brows twitched, and Kalian obediently lowered his gaze. I swiveled my head frantically, struggling to follow the ebb and flow of their father-and-son exchange.
‘Somehow both their voices seem to have an edge to them…’
Kalian continued speaking as he affectionately stroked my head, as if I were something adorable.
“When else will I have such close access to the Delpiam Imperial Court? Last night I was captured by the Guard Captain before I could even see the Emperor, but I’ve gleaned enough of Delpiam’s true intentions—that they need a Wynack Heir. Now I’ll go in myself and confirm the full details of this matter.”
What? No, this fool is going of his own accord again!
It seemed Kalian hadn’t yet abandoned his original purpose of meeting the Emperor of Delpiam and uncovering why he had his eye on Wynack.
“Please inform them that the child called Rosien cannot attend due to unavoidable circumstances, Father. They have no grounds to demand the full attendance roster from Wynack…”
“Family Head, I’m going too!”
Without further thought, I thrust my hand up. Both Kalian and Owen turned to look at me simultaneously.
Kalian’s delicate brows furrowed.
“You prefer to stay here, Rosy.”
“You said that with such confidence the day before yesterday, and I still got kidnapped. I won’t let that happen again. Family Head, I promise I won’t cause any trouble—I’ll stay right behind Young Master and just breathe. Please let me go!”
The moment I cried out like that, Owen’s gaze as he fixed it upon me was far from ordinary.
‘Mom, I’m scared.’
I shrank back rapidly. The gaze of one who transcends human limits is altogether different from that of an ordinary person.
No matter how much one conceals their overwhelming presence, anyone dwelling within a Transcendent Family would recognize it. They would perceive the level of mastery their opponent had attained.
I would stake my life that Owen Wynack was a step above the Family Heads of Kirges and Whezel. In simpler terms, it was nearly impossible not to feel fear.
“Kalian, understood. You go on out. And Rosien.”
At his summons, my body snapped to attention.
“You stay here. I have something else to ask you.”
“Yes, Family Head…”
Just as I was about to respond stiffly, a voice as cold as frost cut through the air.
“Something Father wishes to discuss with Rosy alone.”
I felt Kalian take a step closer behind me.
In that instant, I was overwhelmed by something and couldn’t move an inch. I couldn’t even turn my head to look back at him.
Another presence spread wide behind me. I felt like a butterfly caught in a spider’s web.
“A secret you’d make without my knowledge…”
Kalian’s voice from above my head carried a note of laughter, yet it was far colder than usual.
I bit the inside of my lip. The sense of discord emanating from Kalian these past two days was decidedly ominous.
Owen’s expression darkened as he checked him.
“Kalian Wynack.”
“What could it be? I’m curious.”
“It’s none of your concern. Release the child and step back at once.”
“Creating secrets between just the two of you without me… I suppose I feel a bit left out.”
Kalian’s hand settling on my right shoulder and Owen abruptly rising to grip my left shoulder happened almost simultaneously.
I suddenly found myself seized by father and son, unable to do anything. Only then did I snap awake as if from a dream.
“Rosien.”
“Rosy?”
Oh, when both of them call me so gravely like this….

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