Sister-in-law of the Heroine in a Childcare Novel - Chapter 143

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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 143

During our first dance, I’d declared that we should remain “good colleagues and friends,” and now I watched Raymond with a subtle look of deflation hanging about him.
The problem was that Brian, that walking explosion, had detonated, and I’d been forced to slip out onto the Terrace to find him, leaving us no chance for a deeper conversation.
To be honest, I’d half-expected Raymond to push back, to ask what kind of nonsense I was talking about. And yet, even as he reluctantly accepted my words with an air of resignation, the yearning in his gaze as he held back something—anything—was impossible to ignore.
‘…Well, if things go right, maybe we can solve at least some of the problems the Castrain Family has been carrying alone all this time.’
It was a matter of fundamental principle.
The Barrier weakens with each passing day, magic beasts emerge from underground, and Chernobog’s power grows bolder—that was the core issue.
So if we could defeat Chernobog and fully restore the Barrier, then peace in this world would be preserved, more or less.
But why, if I’m supposed to be a Contractor, does it require gathering people and performing some ritual to grow stronger in stages? Can’t I just become strong the easy way? Is Beloborg lacking in power?
-Y-yes… (༎ຶ‿༎ຶ)….
As I complained thoughtfully aloud, I heard the Sword’s voice tremble, and I answered awkwardly.
‘Ah, I see. So that’s how it is.’
-I shared my strength with many to protect the human world, and maintaining the Barrier consumed vast amounts of power, and then the Imperial Family neglected their duties, which is why…… (;´∩`;)ﾟ:｡ B-but it’s all right! Because you’re here as my Contractor｡ :ﾟ(;´∩`;)ﾟ:｡
‘I-I’ll try my best…….’
Is it just me, or—I’d sympathized with the Castrain Family playing the role of group project leader, but now it feels like that’s becoming *my* role instead? It doesn’t feel like my imagination anymore……?
“The Northern Barrier always has its Dedication Ceremony every winter, yes? In the Castrain Family Territory?”
“Yes. Although, that is to say…”
“Does it absolutely have to be winter?”
Raymond’s eyes widened slightly.
“To be honest, you’ve probably guessed as much. This summer’s Southern Dedication Ceremony was basically a disaster… and if the timing isn’t really critical, wouldn’t it be better to just hurry through the Northern Barrier’s ceremony now instead of waiting?”
“It would be unprecedented, but I don’t think it would be impossible.”
“I think I can be of help.”
Raymond paused, as though he’d heard something unexpected.
“The Castrain Family Territory lies at the far reaches of the North. Would it truly be all right for you to travel somewhere so distant…?”
“Why would I hesitate? Anywhere will be better than the Imperial Palace anyway… Once I’ve finished my Debutante season and Valentina is on her way home, Elaine will be traveling with her as well. After I see them both off, I’ll head north. That way, Elaine won’t have the chance to cause any foolish trouble on the road like last time.”
Three members of the Imperial Family in one party, plus the protection of the Castrain Family.
I wasn’t sure exactly how Brian had changed, but if he’d developed a sharper mind, he wouldn’t deliberately provoke such a group and create problems.
‘…And I need to meet Rasper too.’
I can’t put this off any longer! My true awakening as a swordmaster!
I had to gather companions by any means necessary on this trip and become the true master of this Sword. Even if I fell short by one or two allies, I’d find a way to make do. It would be foolish to turn away from a path to become incredibly strong when powerful enemies with no scruples attacked without warning—and especially if success meant gaining such overwhelming power.
And now that I’d gained various insights from the Southern Barrier, if I actually visited the Northern Barrier that the Castrain Family had protected at the cost of their very lives… perhaps I could learn something more.
“Ha. I do hope such a sudden visit won’t be a burden? Though, if we’ve only ever held the ceremony in winter until now, and suddenly propose doing it in summer…”
“Ah, no. It’s just that we hadn’t thought of such a thing before…… A burden? How could I possibly presume such a thing?”
Raymond seemed to weigh his words carefully before speaking with caution.
“Bibi would be absolutely delighted. She’s extremely fond of the Princess. …And Lisianthus too. Before Bibi was adopted, among our brothers, Rasper was the youngest—this would be a good opportunity to introduce him to you.”
“Ah, that’s right—Lord Rasper seldom comes up to the Capital.”
“No, he’s still quite young. And among our brothers, he’s unusually delicate in health.”
“Meeting a new face—I’m really looking forward to it!”
At my cheerful tone, Raymond’s expression softened ever so slightly.
“He’s a good lad. …I’m sure the Princess would take a liking to him as well.”
“Of course. He’s family to someone I treasure as a colleague.”
I broke into a sunflower-bright smile.
Raymond tried to smile along with me, but his lips hardened subtly at the corners. He looked like a vegetable drained of water, wilting away. To be fair, even when we’d narrowly escaped several crises during magic beast attacks together, I’d seen Raymond alarmed, angry, teeth gritted—but never quite this particular expression.
It was as though someone had drained the vitality from him entirely—like a spinach leaf left in boiling water. If he’d been a creature with ears and a tail, both would be drooping listlessly to the ground.
“You see? I thought the title ‘benefactor’ was a bit much, but still—there’s dear Bibi, and Lisianthus too, whom I’ve grown rather fond of despite myself, and Raymond, who always does his absolute best in everything. If the Castrain Family and I reach that point, we’re not exactly others anymore… wouldn’t you say we’ve become colleagues worth relying on? I really am looking forward to meeting Lord Rasper!”
“…Yes. I’m grateful for your kind regard.”
The man’s golden eyes were cloudier than usual. I noticed, but simply beamed at him regardless.
I’d once felt irritated reading a romance novel.
A, we’re friends, right? You and I are truly irreplaceable friends, aren’t we?
With B, you’re too precious to date. If we broke up, this relationship would break too.
……I wish that if there existed a friend too precious to date, the character wouldn’t go on to deliberately find a lover and parade their love, saying, ‘See how precious this friend is?’ That’s what I thought as I read.
In the end, it was only friendship in name—both would end up jealous of each other’s partners, the relationship would fall apart, and they’d end up together in the end anyway.
So there were always those types.
‘We’re friends, right?’
You can’t spit at a smiling face. Declare openly that we’re truly, incredibly close, that we treasure and care for each other, that anyone who says men and women can’t be friends is an idiot—and usually, the moment would carry enough weight that the other would simply say, ‘Right, we’re friends,’ and call it a day. Of course, there were characters who’d throw a straight-ball confession, volleying romantic intent to claim the male lead spot. But between Raymond and me, there were too many entanglements, too many sins he believed he’d committed for him to go that far… or so I believed.
So that made me, right now, a mad princess infatuated with the concept of being colleagues. That was it.
“I’m always grateful to you, Young Duke. I look forward to your continued support.”
I held out my hand and grasped his firmly, shaking it with vigor while ignoring the stiff line of his jaw.
-B-but wait, Contractor. According to those romance novels you mentioned, when a relationship is so firmly fixed as merely colleagues or friends, doesn’t the ending usually…… ( ☉_☉) turn into that?
‘That’s why I’m getting out before the end.’
-Eh…? └⁰⌑⁰┐
‘I’ve certainly picked up quite a lot along the way, but once I’ve done everything I can do…’
My original goal ever since I regained my senses was always a safe asset, a new identity, and escape from the Imperial Palace!
…Though admittedly, old memories resurface often, and I’ve gotten caught up in various incidents, and I’ve learned things I didn’t know before, so new goals and means have been added to that list.
I gave the man, whose gaze had grown impossibly complex, an unchanging cheerful smile.

“Prince Adrian! This is a disaster!”
“……Why must you announce it in such a buoyant tone?”
Adrian set down the orange he’d been eating and asked in a distinctly unenthusiastic voice. I finally understood the frustration I’d felt earlier when, after waking up in the Empress’s Palace, a flood of court attendants had rushed in wailing, ‘Our dear Princess!’ and Adrian had unhelpfully chimed in with, ‘Isn’t that just the way of things!’—all in needlessly cheerful tones.
The Empress’s Palace looked much as it had before. Barbara greeted me warmly after so long, as did the Empress, and Adrian seemed perfectly fine.
“What disaster? This is *your* Debutante season—why would I be in trouble?”
I gave Adrian a brief rundown of everything that had happened. He knew the broad strokes of my goal and method, but having a brother-like figure appear from the Imperial Palace and get involved would’ve done more harm than good, so he’d agreed to stay quietly indoors. When my explanation finished, he let out a hollow laugh.
“…So that’s what happened to him?”
I nodded. Adrian’s eyes turned ice-cold in an instant.

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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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