Sister-in-law of the Heroine in a Childcare Novel - Chapter 134

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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 134

Brian had taken Adrian’s warning—not quite a warning—badly, yet he’d decided to visit the Lande Marquis House all the same. He’d even made up his mind to press the marquis, in a way that wasn’t quite pressing, to back him decisively. The fact that he had to watch the Emperor’s mood and keep quiet for a time, watching others’ faces, infuriated him. It had been that way—until he met the person Cleo had sent to him.
From the moment he encountered that person, Brian changed.
Had he possessed stronger willpower, he might have resisted the transformation. But Brian was the owner of a soft, selfish soul that had never endured hardship, and he fell under the spell of the voice that manipulated him, losing himself entirely. Or rather, the “change” was fundamentally similar to what Brian had wanted all along.
It promised him power. The power to crush everyone who had scorned and belittled him. Power before which others wouldn’t dare even glance.
A voice like marshmallow mixed with honey, sugar, and flowers whispered to Brian with cloying sweetness.
—Your Highness, so then…….
Those mysteriously gleaming eyes—what color were they again?
—……For now, you must endure. Just a little longer, and you’ll have patience enough. Like a butterfly hiding itself in a cocoon before becoming…….
That fleeting thought—that the eyes of the person watching him suddenly felt as emotionless as if they were regarding an insect—was Brian’s last conscious thought.

* * *

—My lady.
The sword called to me in a warning tone.
—I sense something ominous from that man!
‘……That does seem to be the case.’
Brian’s expression……. It was different from before. Previously, it had been so transparent you could see straight through him, the telltale signs of privilege visible in every gesture. But now, the way he bowed his head with what seemed like genuine apology to Valentina struck me as deeply wrong.
‘……Did Chernobog’s Contractor touch him?’
—That’s quite likely!
After studying my expression for a moment, Valentina opened her mouth, her eye corner slightly narrowed as if she were deliberately feigning discomfort.
“……Brian, I never expected to see you in a place like this.”
“I’ve thought every single day about how offensive my words were to you, great-aunt. Each time I recall my foolish remarks, I feel I deserve to take my own life.”
“…….”
People began whispering. The talk of the dress that had dominated moments before, the mention of Countess Gordian who had been Cleo’s instrument—it all vanished.
“But His Majesty the Emperor has forbidden me from remaining in the Imperial Palace, so I found no way to seek forgiveness, wretched as I am. Thanks to the Marquis of Lande, who took me in despite my inadequacy, and who informed me that you, great-aunt, were venturing outside the palace—though I wasn’t invited……. I know my presence here may cause offense to all gathered, but……. Still, this time, I felt I simply had to beg your forgiveness…….”
The moment he mentioned the Marquis of Lande, Valentina’s eyebrow twitched ever so slightly.
Not even Countess Gordian, Cleo’s right hand, had known that I was making my debut here today. So she must have come in completely blind, attacking only what she could see—my dress—and failed spectacularly.
Valentina and the Countess of Orland had kept their silence strictly. Of course, since Valentina rarely left the palace, one might have inferred she could attend the Countess of Orland’s gathering—but…….
‘Even so, this easily?’
“……Rise now, Your Highness. The blood of the Imperial Family must not kneel before just anyone.”
“Unless great-aunt forgives me, I shall not rise from this place.”
“……Brian, my reproach that day was not born from wounded pride. On that day, when there was a dangerous situation in which the Empress Elaine and Her Majesty Biblia might have perished—and you, as a prince, dared insult me by speaking of Cleo’s dignity when it was Cleo who hosted that gathering. You deserved the correction for your dereliction of duty, not for any personal offense.”
“Yes, I was immature.”
“As a member of the Imperial Family, you must bear responsibility for whatever transpires. Cleo was censured because she failed to fulfill her obligations as host.”
“I shall engrave your guidance deep in my heart.”
“……That will do. Rise now.”
“Yes.”
Brian rose slowly before Valentina like a dutiful grandson. Then, looking at me, he smiled apologetically.
“I never expected to see you here, Titania. I knew great-aunt Valentina said she’d oversee your debut, but I couldn’t imagine it would be today, in a place like this. This day should belong entirely to you, and I was careless not to anticipate it. Forgive me.”
“No, not at all, brother.”
I laughed brightly. Reaching out, I linked my arm through his. Brian stiffened for just a moment, but didn’t pull away. I felt Raymond, standing not far off, tense as if he might stride over at any second. I signaled him to stay with just a look, then smiled up at Brian.
“If great-aunt and my brother can reconcile on my debut day, I can’t imagine anything more joyous! What a blessed day this is—I never thought I’d see you here. Since it’s such a fine day, will you dance with me?”
‘Sword? Sword. I’ll make some contact through my body. Can’t you probe deeper?’
—Ugh, I can’t promise anything, but I’ll try my best! That said, today you’re not wearing “Gloriana’s Curtain” either……. And since I’m not touching your true form, unless you bleed or something, there are limits…….
‘Just do your best.’
For a brief moment, Brian studied me as if searching. Then, smiling broadly, he offered me his hand.
“How could I refuse such a lovely request from my sister? You look truly beautiful tonight, Titania.”
“Brother, you’re something else.”
The orchestra, sensing the moment, struck up a new melody. In the growing tumult, I danced with Brian—something I would normally never do. As a debutante, I was swathed in layers and wearing gloves, and Brian wore gloves as well. Without bare skin or a direct touch with the sword, it was difficult to test whether the target reacted to light-based power…….
While dancing, I could speak without anyone’s interruption. I watched my partner lead the dance with practiced ease, and understood at once.
‘That is not the Brian I knew.’
His eyes, like glass marbles, resembled a reptile’s. Though his movements were skilled, they were stiff, like someone had rehearsed motions into a machine. Even the same dancing steps differed from those Titania had practiced before mirrors through countless tears. It was something else entirely……. Like a blade dance. Like a formation dance. Like movements learned because they were necessary.
This made no sense.
Brian loved women.
With Cleo watching and society’s eyes upon him, he restrained himself somewhat, lacking a formal betrothal as he did. Yet he still enjoyed seducing young, innocent noble ladies in society. More precisely, he craved praise for being better than Adrian.
So he’d learned to dance well enough. He wasn’t uncoordinated—having grown up in the Imperial Palace, his dancing was actually quite good. But the Brian I knew would never, under any circumstances, dance with Titania in this manner at a gathering like this.
“Brother, you’ve changed quite a bit, haven’t you?”
“Do I seem that way to you?”
“Yes, so much so that you seem like an entirely different person.”
I laughed with genuine cheer.
“After being disrespectful to great-aunt and cast out of the palace, I’ve reflected deeply on my own conduct. The Marquis of Lande has offered me much counsel as well.”
“I see……. Is that so?”
“He advised me to reclaim the dignity befitting the Emperor’s eldest son.”
“…….”
With the old Brian, the odds would have been slim.
Even the Emperor couldn’t ignore all the interests of the noble houses. The Castrain Family’s name was worth more than the Imperial authority itself. Without some agreement like “Let’s put this fool Brian on the throne and profit amongst ourselves,” few would support someone so brazenly destructive as a crown prince. But if he presented himself like this today……?
“Doesn’t Your Highness worry about the Empress Cleo? I’ve heard she rarely leaves Daisy Palace.”
“You show much concern for my mother.”
Spin, spin. Step by step. Our hands touched and parted. I let my fingers brush, almost accidentally, against the edge of the diamond ornament hung like a sash around my waist.
“Titania, what you did at the palace showed remarkable judgment and speed in saving the Empress Elaine and Her Majesty the Dowager. It was truly impressive—so bold, so decisive……. For her to collapse before your eyes, the Empress Elaine whom you loved so dearly. Normally, one wouldn’t have the presence of mind to act.”
“Ha, I had no idea you paid such attention to me, brother!”
“After all, we share the same blood.”
The dance was nearing its end. On the final turn, I deliberately squeezed the tip of Brian’s hand, and the sharp edge of the diamond ornament held within my gloved hand pierced through the fabric, scratching his skin.
“Oh, my glove seems to have torn. What shall I do?”
“It happens.”
Brian removed the torn glove without concern and let it fall to the floor, as if he had no use for already-ruined things.
“Beautiful and precious things often break so very easily.”
“…….”
“So be careful, my beautiful and noble sister.”
For just a moment, I caught what seemed like an optical illusion—Brian’s eyes turning a deep, dark black.
“If you should shatter like this glove, what a tragedy that would be.”

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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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