I Will Protect My Brother - Chapter 3

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 3
“Huh? No, well. It’s not exactly like that. Noble families always arrange betrothals early, so it’s something worth considering, isn’t it?”
Why was he taking this so seriously?
I gave a vague response while searching for the source of the sword energy I’d just felt. At that, Kalien’s expression shifted as though he’d been wounded.
“I understand. Next time a proposal comes, I’ll give it serious thought…”
“That’s not what I meant!”
“So I’m a thorn in your side, am I…”
“That’s not it at all!”
Don’t twist my words to suit yourself, you brat!
I shook my head earnestly to convey the misunderstanding.
After rambling on about how much I adored and cherished him, and how desperately I wanted to remain by his side for many, many years, Kalien finally broke into a radiant smile.
It was a smooth, luminous expression—as if he’d never been a pitiful, rain-soaked puppy moments before.
“Alright then. I’ll stay by Rosy’s side forever.”
“Yes, yes.”
He really does interpret everything his own way.
I ruffled his golden hair and exhaled a deep sigh.
“At least your tastes don’t run that direction. If they did, this would be a real disaster…”
I grew serious again, compiling all the information I possessed. Then Kalien asked with perfect serenity.
“But is that really true? That the Emperor has a taste for beautiful youths?”
“…As far as I know, yes.”
I knew quite a lot about the Emperor of Delpiam.
In my previous life, I’d been a member of Kirges, and since Kirges served the Emperor of Delpiam as their lord, it was only natural that I was well-versed in Imperial Palace gossip.
Though I’d never directly witnessed the reality of his unusual tastes, the rumors I’d heard through the grapevine were more than sufficient.
To the north of the Imperial Capital, in the Abandoned Palace, there was said to be a harem where three hundred concubines lived.
The Emperor supposedly visited that palace every night to receive their service. And they were all said to be extraordinarily beautiful youths!
The problem was that these beautiful young men were replaced every year…! It was said that once the Emperor’s interest waned, they were quietly put to death without anyone knowing…!
When I relayed this information, Kalien exclaimed with admiration.
“Our Rosy truly knows everything. I never expected you to be so knowledgeable about Delpiam.”
You’re completely missing the point here.
I groaned inwardly. In truth, in my previous life, I’d come within arm’s reach of that very harem.
While searching for a Star Relic that the Delpiam Imperial Palace had secretly hidden away.
A Star Relic was an artifact left behind by the stars—proof that each star protected its respective family.
The fact that an undisclosed Star Relic was hidden within the Delpiam Imperial Capital was, within Kirges, as much of an open secret as the Emperor’s clandestine personal life.
I’d been so curious that I’d attempted to sneak over the wall. Of course, I was caught before I could even get close, and the Family Head of Kirges gave me a beating on the backside.
When was that again?
I calmly calculated the years.
I was now barely twelve years old. Thanks to my remarkably swift reincarnation after death, exactly twelve years had passed since my demise.
Even now, twelve years later, would the Emperor’s tastes and his harem still be thriving?
“So what exactly happens inside that forbidden palace?”
One of us was gravely concerned while the other remained blissfully oblivious. I shook my head firmly.
“You don’t need to know about such things, brother.”
“What?”
“I’ll protect our young master with all my heart! So stop trying to learn useless things!”
Kalien’s expression shifted to surprise for a moment before his lips slowly curved upward.
“Fine then.”
Even so, as the son of a swordmaster, his calloused hand reached out and playfully tousled my hair. Kalien pinched my cheek lightly before leaning in and kissing it softly, whispering.
“I’ll only trust Rosy. You understand?”
My expression crumpled involuntarily. My chubby cheeks, still retaining their baby fat, were something I found deeply embarrassing.
‘Still… I’ll let it slide today.’
Considering Kalien’s dark and gloomy future ahead.
More than that, it seemed the family’s fate had suddenly fallen upon his shoulders alone.
I accepted five cookies from Kalien while drowning in contemplation, when suddenly an ominous feeling washed over me.
“Wait, Kalien. If you agreed to meet on the night of the festival, that means the appointment is already set?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“The night of the festival… that’s not tomorrow, is it…?”
“It is. Tomorrow night at nine o’clock, we’re heading to the Delpinu River together.”
My jaw dropped. This time, I actually hurled the cookie box into the air.
“Why are you telling me this now!”
This could very well be the last day of our rabbit-like existence!
* * *
It was spilled water—irretrievable. I’d spent the night worrying without sleep, but no solution presented itself.
And so, as dawn broke today.
Today was the day when prayers of blessing were offered to the five Guardian Stars that protect the transcendent families before the Continental Conference.
Once the prayer ceremony ended, the festival would begin that evening.
The festival would last four days. If he’d promised the first night…
This seemed less like a coincidence and more like a declaration of intent to cling to Kalien throughout the entire festival.
Of course, it was possible that the Emperor had reformed over the past twelve years. He may have been a reckless fool in his youth, but he’d aged since then. Perhaps he’d come to his senses.
If that were the case, it would be fortunate, but why did I feel so uneasy!
Kalien had already made a date with the Emperor of Delpiam.
Unless one of them suddenly collapsed from some mysterious illness today, the appointment wouldn’t be broken.
Then, to prepare for any contingency…
‘Should I knock him out with a single blow?’
That was my first instinct.
Since his eye had already been marked, nothing in heaven or earth could undo it, so at least I had to prevent the Emperor and Kalien from meeting until I could come up with something.
I hid behind a corridor pillar and watched Kalien’s retreating figure.
His pristine blonde hair, visible from five hundred meters away, swayed as it receded into the distance. I followed Kalien while suppressing my presence as much as possible.
The Family Head of Wynyak and his direct line were currently staying in Delpiam for the Continental Conference.
Where we were staying now was a separate residence provided by Whisel, one of Delpiam’s two transcendent families, for Wynyak’s use.
Though called a separate residence, its scale was no smaller than the main mansion. Moreover, compared to Wynack Castle with its simple and open corridors, this residence had a far more complex layout.
In my previous life, I’d never had reason to enter Whisel’s Separate Residence, so this mansion was deeply unfamiliar to me.
If I’m feeling this way, what must Kalien be experiencing?
Kalien walked without a care in the world, completely unaware that someone was trailing him, making no attempt to conceal his presence. Whatever delighted him so, his footsteps were light—almost buoyant.
I clicked my tongue inwardly.
Regardless, he was already fifteen years old and nominally the heir to Wynyak, yet here he was, radiating mana so openly that he might as well be inviting the entire world to chase after him.
But for me right now, Kalien’s carelessness was an opportunity.
I gripped the wooden sword firmly and crept toward the pillar beside me.
The moment Kalien passed directly by the pillar, I raised the wooden sword high.
One strike—straight to the back of his head!
Forgive me. But it’s all for your sake!
Starlight glimmered across the blade, seeping in like ink. The blessing of the star that guards Wynyak—the “Judge of Darkness and Chaos.”
But in that instant.
Kalien vanished from my sight.
“What?”
He’d clearly been descending the staircase just moments ago, but in the blink of an eye, Kalien had evaporated like smoke.
Panicked, I tried to regain my balance, but my wooden sword was already plunging downward at a terrifying angle into empty air.
With nothing to strike, my body lurched forward.
I instinctively chanted the incantation.
[Bounce!]
Guardian star of Kirges, help me!
Just before my body crashed into the marble floor, the rune inscribed there blazed with light.
Kirges incantations begin by designing sorcery with rune characters, then calling upon the name of a star.
The star that answers channels power through the planetarium possessed by Kirges sorcerers, breathing force into the spell.
I’d lost my planetarium long ago, but the Guardian star of Kirges always willingly lent its power whenever I called.
This time was no different. A gelatinous barrier materialized in the air, flinging me skyward.
‘Yes! Thank you!’
I tumbled once through the air before landing lightly on the floor.
“Hah.”
Where did he go? Kalien?
I scanned the surroundings with sharp eyes. But I sensed no presence of anyone. It was enough to make ghosts weep.
I hastily scraped away the rune with my foot. I was about to dash down the opposite corridor in search of Kalien when—
“Ack?!”
Someone appeared from behind and seized both my shoulders with a crushing grip. My feet lifted from the ground as my body was hoisted into the air.
“What are you doing, Rosien?”
The one who’d lifted me was Owen, the Family Head of Wynyak.
Suspended by someone of nearly two meters in height with a frame like a bear, the ground seemed impossibly distant.
“F-Family Head… brother?”
Standing beside Owen was the very one I’d been about to strike across the back of the head.
‘When did he get behind him?’
Kalien asked with a picturesque smile.
“What are you doing here, Rosy?”

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