I Will Protect My Brother - Chapter 4

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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 4
“Ah, that…”
A chill ran down my spine in an instant.
If it were revealed that I was a sorcerer of Kirges, it would be absolutely catastrophic.
Setting aside the fact that Kirges and the Wynack Family were rivals, learning two secret techniques from transcendent families was strictly forbidden under international law.
I dangled awkwardly in mid-air, stammering out excuses.
“I was… following Kalien. But he suddenly disappeared…”
“Why Kalien?”
“He said he was going out tonight, so… I was a bit worried about him.”
Owen’s eyes narrowed as he fixed his gaze upon me.
The head of the Wynack Family, a man said to have reached a transcendent realm with the blade, possessed bronzed skin and sharp, piercing eyes. His muscular frame was imposing beyond measure.
Perhaps because the Family Head of Kirges had once described Wynack’s current leader as a man as solid and taciturn as a mountain, Owen always proved difficult to face.
I quietly hid the wooden sword behind my back.
Avoiding his gaze by looking toward his neck, I noticed the veins standing out along his throat.
‘He… seems quite angry…’
For reasons I couldn’t quite fathom, Owen’s expression would visibly harden whenever he saw me.
Days like today, with those bulging veins, were commonplace, and the cold glint in his eyes was standard equipment.
Sometimes, when we faced each other like this, his thick fists would clench as though he wanted nothing more than to strike me across the head.
I lowered my eyes dejectedly.
“I apologize, Family Head.”
His grip on my armpit tightened as he lifted me up like pulling a radish from the ground.
Ow, it hurt. My spirits sank even further.
Owen clearly despised me.
Indeed, he had been the one to vehemently oppose when Kalien said he wanted to take me as his younger brother.
How unfortunate to be disliked by someone who had been my role model and hero in my previous life.
Owen spoke in a sinister tone.
“Stay quiet… and remain only within the Mansion.”
“Yes…”
“You might get lost if you wander about carelessly. Then I’d have to search for you again… wouldn’t I…?”
“Yes, Family Head. I’ll keep that in mind!”
Wanting to appear as endearing as possible, I clenched my fists and made my eyes sparkle brightly.
At that, Owen flinched momentarily, then abruptly turned his head away. Seeing the veins even more pronounced than usual today, I felt even more disheartened.
‘It must have backfired. I won’t do that next time.’
Perhaps concerned that someone of unclear origins would roam freely through a foreign mansion, Owen tucked me under his arm and personally carried me up the staircase to my room.
Damn it. My plan to knock Kalien unconscious had failed.
“What should I do?”
I clutched my anxious chest and peered down from the window at Owen and Kalien sparring below.
Still, seeing Kalien wield his blade brought me some measure of relief. True to his status as Wynack’s sole direct heir, his swordsmanship was quite exceptional.
The fatal flaw was that his stamina couldn’t sustain him for long bouts.
Fragments of conversation drifted up between the clashes of their blades.
“I will never acknowledge you… you incorrigible, reckless fool!”
“Why do you speak as though only I am like this? …you know.”
It seemed he was saying he couldn’t recognize me as part of the Wynack Family. How depressing.
“My life is my own to manage…”
Wait, did our eyes just meet for a moment?
“Ugh, ah.”
The moment I felt Kalien’s gaze brush past me, he suddenly dropped his sword while evading Owen’s blade that came slashing diagonally toward him.
“Cough… huff.”
Kalien collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily. Naturally, I was startled.
“Oh!”
I hurried over in alarm to check if he was injured anywhere, but there were no visible wounds. It seemed to be exhaustion.
Somehow, he had managed to hold out against the Family Head for quite a while.
I clicked my tongue and quickly descended to the Training Ground. Kalien greeted me with a bright smile.
“Rosy, did you see me training? Today I lasted fifteen minutes in sparring!”
“Really? Well done. That’s quite an improvement!”
“But my wrist hurts. I think I sprained it.”
“What?! Let me see!”
No! I’d only just started to feel relieved that he could finally handle a sword!
As I hurriedly examined Kalien’s left wrist, Owen watched me with an expression of disbelief.
I thought I heard him mutter coldly, “How absurd.”
By the time I glanced up to gauge his reaction, Owen had already turned away.
So much for earning his recognition. I clicked my tongue and helped Kalien to his feet, then immediately took him to the Court Physician.
* * *
That afternoon.
Even as I walked Kalien to the edge of the Mansion, I couldn’t shake my worry.
“Then I’ll be going, Rosy.”
“…Wait. I can’t let you go like this.”
I barely managed to grab his hand. I interlaced my fingers with his and shook it, afraid he might simply turn and leave without looking back.
“You have to go, brother?”
“Why? Don’t you want to send me off?”
“No. I want you to be with me during the festival.”
Kalien seemed pleased by my request. His crimson eyes curved upward in a delighted smile.
Encouraged by his reaction, I quickly continued.
“Let’s go to the Delpinu River together. We can ride boats, eat lots of delicious food, and come back. Okay?”
“Hmm. I’d love nothing more than to stay with my princess, but…”
Kalien tilted his head slightly. He combed through my hair with his fingers and pondered something for a long while.
I waited anxiously for the words that would fall from his lips.
“I’m sorry. I’m afraid I can’t this time, Rosy.”
After all that waiting, the answer was a refusal.
When I looked shocked, Kalien added a few more words gently.
“As you know, relations between Delpiam and Abuye haven’t been particularly good lately. Delpiam is trying to bring the Wynack Family under its wing, and Abuye is naturally showing its teeth in response.”
“That’s true, but….”
The international situation had indeed become somewhat unstable.
The Imperial Palace of the Delpiam Empire had begun obsessing over the Wynack Family about twelve years ago, or so I’d heard. This was strange considering they already possessed two transcendent families.
Naturally, the Abuye Kingdom, which possessed the Wynack Family, couldn’t ignore this. The King of Abuye had even pressured the Wynack Family to abstain from this continental conference.
Kalien caressed my cheek as he continued speaking.
“They showed no interest in us before, but now they’re suddenly doing this—the Emperor of Delpiam must have some ulterior motive.”
“….”
“So in a way, it’s fortunate that the Emperor has taken an interest in me. It’s the perfect opportunity to uncover what scheme he’s plotting to covet the Wynack Family.”
Kalien’s voice had grown noticeably colder. A sinister glint seemed to flash momentarily across his crimson eyes.
But his expression soon returned to normal. A gentle, carefree smile replaced it.
“Don’t worry too much, Rosy. Your brother can handle this!”
His face, beaming with clenched fists, was utterly unconvincing.
‘Will he really be all right…?’
“Besides, the Emperor of Delpiam looked far gentler than I’d heard. He was kind and affectionate. If I just play along appropriately….”
“What, what, what are you even talking about!”
I was so flabbergasted my eyes nearly bulged out of my head. This wasn’t going to be all right at all!
I was genuinely worried sick. After raising you for three years, how could you….
Following a tyrant around like a lamb to the slaughter…!
I was going to faint at this rate. I reviewed everything I’d taught Kalien last night like I was clinging to a lifeline.
“What do you do if someone touches your body without permission?”
“Refuse firmly and clearly.”
“And if they don’t stop?”
“Strike their vital points.”
“What if the other person is stronger than you?”
“Never be alone with them, and if something feels wrong, immediately ask those around you for help.”
“And then what?”
“Call Rosien!”
If he dared to strike the Emperor’s vital areas, cleanup would certainly be necessary afterward.
Pretending to sigh, I cast my gaze toward Kalien’s left ring finger.
Under the guise of wrapping a bandage around his wrist, which had been slightly sprained during the day, I had secretly inscribed a faint rune character on the outer side of his pinky finger.
It was a location tracker of sorts. The activation word was “Rosien”—my name.
Whenever Kalien called my name, I would be able to sense his location.
I would have preferred to use a simpler activation word….
Something like “This is not acceptable, Your Majesty,” for instance….
But if Kalien felt the abnormal mana flowing through his body, it would be a disaster. There was also the risk of being discovered by transcendent beings who were particularly sensitive to mana.
“Make sure to tell the people around you to call ‘Rosien.’ Do you understand?”
“Yeah, I understand.”
Kalien’s response seemed half-hearted. This boy, not knowing my true intentions….
After finishing the review, he gave me a languid smile and bid me farewell.
“I’ll be back soon, Rosy.”
A warm hand tousled my hair before pulling away.
I couldn’t tear my gaze from his retreating golden head for a long time.
It would be fine… wouldn’t it?
Star of the Wynack Family, I beseech you—protect that poor lamb from the clutches of Imma and Gaye.
Yet Kalien did not return to the Mansion even as the next day arrived.

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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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