Sister-in-law of the Heroine in a Childcare Novel - Chapter 207

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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 207

I rolled my eyes, taking in the situation at a glance.
Fortunately, Joon had offered only a token protest before excusing himself, and the Castrain Family representatives had fled the terrace as well, leaving Brian and me alone for the moment.
Still, this situation was hardly appropriate.
The finger that had grazed my chin traced along my cheek before stopping beneath my nose, as if confirming the thin thread of my breath. His smile revealed teeth—bright white teeth, sharp as those of a hunter who has cornered his prey.
“You’re not like those foolish mortals, are you?”
“You speak as though you yourself are far from an ordinary human.”
“Honestly, this is the first and last chance I’m giving you.”
……
The voice that whispered at my ear was like snake venom.
“I’m offering you the chance to live at ease, doing nothing at all.”
……
“No need to kill anything, protect anything, or worry for your life.”
I lowered my eyes.
Brian looked like a common demon—the sort who whispers, “Make a contract with me, and I’ll grant your wish; just give me your soul.” It was all too familiar.
But I had already wagered my soul long ago, and I had never regretted it. He didn’t know the full terms of my contract with the god, which was why he was approaching me this way, but for some reason a bitter laugh escaped me.
So we’re dropping the pretense of being ordinary siblings altogether now, are we?
“…If you wish to request something from someone else.”
Crack!
A sharp sound rang out. I struck away the hand that had been circling my cheek and nose. Brian slowly withdrew his hand, which had taken the blow audibly.
“You should break yourself of that vulgar habit. Anyone watching would think you’re a masterless dog, snapping at anything.”
“You dare compare me to a dog?”
“It’s merely an analogy—you snap at everything without even distinguishing your prey, just like a dog. Actually, forgive me. Dogs are among humanity’s greatest companions; they didn’t deserve that comparison.”
My words seemed to offend him, and he frowned, but Brian stepped back a pace from me.
“And another thing—if you’re going to request something, you should abandon that condescending tone, that air of benevolence. Both I and the Empress are of imperial blood, born of the same rank as you. Anyone listening might think you’d already been crowned Crown Prince.”
That was true. Brian might not know it, but Chernobog himself had once tried to seduce me directly, saying, “Join hands with me.”
“If I were to accept what you’re asking, truthfully, you wouldn’t be standing before me like this, stiff and pretentious.”
A Contractor of the God of Light who controls the Northern Barrier itself, placing herself under the God of Darkness?
I’d do the same—I’d applaud, shower her with wealth, honor, beautiful men, and propose: “I’ll give you everything you want. Will you be my second-in-command?”
Of course, I don’t know what would become of me if I were to receive my wish early and then break the contract with Beloborg. But since that much is manageable, Chernobog must have made such a fuss about joining hands and granting my wish. Brian’s face hardened as he listened to my words.
“So you should adjust your attitude so your ‘master’ doesn’t scold you. Nobles everywhere despise it when their inferiors act carelessly and ruin their plans. Don’t you agree?”
“So, are you thinking of joining in this ‘plan’?”
“The conditions you’ve offered are far too inadequate, for now.”
I laughed like a poisoned rose turning to ash. My darkness was so complete that anyone drawing near would be covered in acrid smoke and embers.
“Is there any trust between us? You’ve tried to kill me countless times, and now you want to join hands? Even a child who knows nothing would never be tempted by such an offer. But if you still insist on trying, well then…”
I reached for the single rose in the vase on the small table and plucked it out. My finger bled where an unrefined thorn pricked it. I snapped the stem, and blood droplets fell from the wound where the thorn had bitten deep.
I pressed that bloodied finger to Brian’s cheek. A sizzling sound erupted. When I withdrew my hand, a red mark remained, as though I’d pressed fire itself against his skin.
As I’d suspected, it was exactly as expected. Brian’s body went rigid, caught off guard by the unexpected attack. I spoke mockingly into his ear.
“Bring me the Empress’s head.”
“What?”
“Then I’ll listen seriously to what you have to say.”
Brian stared at me for a long moment, then ground his teeth. He wiped his cheek roughly and warned me in a low voice not to forget my own words, then wrenched open the terrace door and left.
In an instant, I was alone in the empty room. It felt as though a storm had passed. Had Pan and Lisianthus already left? Had they heard the conversation just now? Were they about to accuse me of suddenly switching sides to the enemy? I had little to say in my defense, but still… I casually tossed the rose I’d broken in half out the terrace window.
That was when it happened.
Someone caught the rose. A gloved hand—black as midnight. Between the billowing curtains, black hair was visible too.
There was nothing visible beyond the terrace, yet there stood a man, as if he’d climbed invisible steps, silent as a ghost, still as a shadow.
For a moment, I froze—as though it were my wrist being caught, not the rose.
……
I forced strength into my stiffened neck and turned my gaze away. I was determined to act as though I’d seen nothing. I wasn’t entirely without perception. Pan and Lisianthus’s behavior a moment ago had made it clear they were trying to hide someone’s presence.
But the person in question didn’t seem to be trying very hard to hide.
If someone of Raymond’s caliber truly wanted to conceal his existence, he wouldn’t have let me catch sight of him so clumsily. I’d tried my best to ignore his attempt to gauge my reaction, but I hadn’t expected the situation to unfold like this.
Now, I had to walk slowly, one step, then another, toward the door Brian had closed behind him—moving in a way that didn’t look like flight, yet appeared natural…
“Do you desire the Empress’s head?”
His voice was dull and murky. Somehow, it sounded weary.
I stopped mid-step, though I hadn’t meant to. Hearing that voice made my nerves spring taut.
What have I been doing these past few years? The ominous aura was so pervasive I couldn’t ignore it even if I wanted to; my skin crawled. He’d hunted Magic Beasts again and again, and again, until he’d become one himself—the aura was so thick, so entrenched, that I could feel it even with my back turned.
I mustn’t respond. I mustn’t acknowledge that I know. With that thought, I stepped closer to the door.
“…Is it so distasteful to you that I would even listen to a wish grand enough to demand from an enemy whose life you’ve threatened?”
His voice carried a trace of self-mockery. My heart pounded hard.
“We’re not even bound by betrothal anymore, are we?”
……
“Is my existence so worthless that presenting anyone’s head before you would change nothing?”
Even when Brian hissed at me like a serpent, I’d found it laughable. But now, I felt like hunted prey being stalked by a beast—a danger that made my skin prickle with warning.
The gloved hand rested lightly over mine on the doorknob. I went completely still.
Raymond closed the distance and drew me into his embrace, caging me against himself.
His gloved hand checked the tip of my finger where it had bled earlier. Brian had been the one burned, and such a small wound should have healed by now, yet my fingertip curled away in anticipation of fire each time his hand came near. I had to force myself to keep still.
After years apart, and now we meet like this—he’s checking my wounds first.
“Are you going to betroth yourself to Lisianthus?”
……
“You didn’t find his words particularly offensive—merely absurd, I’d say. And yet you bear the Castrain name just as he does. Anyone but me, was it?”
His voice held a light, teasing tone, yet somehow my spine grew slick with sweat. No—what was strange was that despite having just had a suspicious conversation with Brian about the Empress’s head, he wasn’t interrogating me about it. Instead, he was asking “You wanted that?” as though it were the most natural thing…
Wasn’t that odd?
Long ago, he’d apologized for his childhood mistakes again and again, sworn to protect me and do his best, and actually kept his word. Then one day he suddenly began acting distant, as though everything had become a bother, something he despised, until finally he dissolved the betrothal. Of course, he might be upset with me for that. He might wonder what was wrong with him. And since I was his family’s benefactor, perhaps he could never truly blame me, but still…
No. Focus. This isn’t the time to speculate about Raymond’s emotional state.
“I’m not going to betroth myself to Lisianthus.”
……
When I looked up, our eyes met. His eyes were the color of gold filling the cracks between shattered glass—hollow and worn.
At the sound of my voice, Raymond seemed slightly startled. He’d been beautiful even as a child, all sharp lines and perfect features, but seeing him fully grown, I couldn’t help but catch my breath. I bit the inside of my mouth hard.
The way Raymond looked at me then was unusually heavy.

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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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