Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 105

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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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All I need to convey is how much my younger brother suffered because of what Martin Chatel did.
The moment I brought up Leon, Asterion, standing behind me, let out a fake sob. Look at him—the boy’s wounds run so deep that even his tears have dried up.
“You said you wanted Luke, but for me, this is… Luke has already become, shall we say, a stranger to the family…”
“Write down a modest sum.”
“How straightforward of you.”
I’d mentioned this to Luke before, but honestly, neither he nor I know anything else from that world. The reason we brought in a talented worker and forced him into marriage was because it was profitable. Since things had come this far, it was also an opportunity to give Martin a respectable career.
“Might I borrow some paper and a pen?”
“Of course. Lily, bring them here.”
The man repeated the motion of scribbling numbers, erasing them, and starting again—calculating a sum that would still leave us with profit even after annulling Luke’s marriage and transferring him to me. From the words “coal mine” and “mana crystal mine” appearing in the figures he was tallying, it seemed the woman who’d handed Luke over was quite the mining magnate.
“You know our nation possesses the world’s largest mana crystal mine, don’t you? I wish to maintain good relations with the Chatel House. To be honest, I’ve taken a liking to Martin as well. Seeing that he’s still alive after being sent to Uncle Louis speaks volumes—the boy has remarkable tenacity and an endearing nature.”
“Who is Martin?”
“Your son working at the Corn Farm is named Martin, isn’t he?”
“…”
“…”
“Ah, I see. You mean Martin Chatel. How troubling—my memory fails me in my old age. To forget the name of my beloved son.”
Kaina Chatel truly is remarkable. His ability to adapt is extraordinary.
I began clapping in admiration, and my household members gradually joined in. Kaina Chatel looked flustered. He’s not accustomed to praise, it seems. Though his features don’t resemble Luke’s, there’s something about his manner that does.
“Wait… might I say something?”
The Chatel patriarch wrote down his desired amount, and I brought out the contract I’d prepared beforehand, proceeding smoothly with the transaction. But then Luke suddenly raised his hand. We were nearly finished—all that remained was adjusting the sum being exchanged—yet oddly, Luke seemed dissatisfied with this arrangement.
“I… doesn’t my will matter in this transaction?”
“My, was your current marriage something you chose of your own accord?”
“The Duke’s daughter is right, Luke. You should be grateful that we’re purchasing you at such a high price.”
This man—before I met him, he was utterly disagreeable and offered nothing. But now that we’ve spoken, I find him quite decent. His words are refreshingly direct. That’s right. You were always going to be sold around without any rights anyway, so be grateful I’m bringing you at a premium price. Besides, once you come to our household, you’ll have rights. As long as you don’t act against Rocksburg’s interests, you can do whatever you please and associate with whomever you wish. Of course, you can’t touch Leon.
“No. Though I was married off like merchandise, I did attach conditions. I said I absolutely wouldn’t accept being a second wife.”
“You needn’t worry about that. If you come to me now, you’ll be first without question.”
“Pardon?”
Hehe, why do you look so bewildered? I laughed as though it were nothing, and the man’s eyes widened in shock as he glanced at Glen, who was tucked against my side.
“Did you know about this, Glen?”
“Well… yes. When someone says they’re bringing you along, what could I possibly do about it?”
“But still, this is… a matter of propriety…!”
This time, I’d discussed everything with Glen beforehand and obtained his consent so he wouldn’t scold me. I’d also notified everyone at the Duke’s Mansion, so Luke, all you need to do is show up!
As I laughed with complete confidence, Kaina Chatel, having carefully reviewed the contract, prepared to sign.
The exchange of custody between Luke and Martin, the full refund of the Chatel Department rental fees we’d been charged, the cost of retrieving Luke from the mining magnate, and the opportunity costs we could have earned from Luke—I drew lines through the opportunity cost item on Luke’s behalf and demanded priority bidding rights on the Aleine Mountain mana crystal mine.
“You said he was a stranger to the family. Why include something like this?”
“Should the lady suddenly pass away, Luke would become our household’s property once more, would he not? Luke has decent looks and a fine physique—he could easily be resold.”
The way he speaks. But from a merchant’s perspective, it’s a perfectly reasonable calculation, so I decided to be generous with Kaina Chatel. There’s no point being stingy over bringing one person into the household.
“Understood. We’ll return the gold ingots received as rental fees and pay an additional six trillion Largol Empire currency as Luke’s purchase price.”
“You’ve accumulated quite a bit of foreign currency.”
“We’re prepared to flee first if Aleine falls.”
“The First Prince and Fourth Prince would be delighted to hear this. Shall I inform them?”
No, there’s no need for that. Don’t tell them. Let this remain our secret alone.
I conveyed my instructions to the man and signed the contract, dividing the copies between us. Now Martin could return home, and Luke was mine.
Martin Chatel said he would send Luke safely with payment once everything was properly arranged, and as proof of his trust, the man paid a deposit upfront before leaving Luke behind.
After Kaina Chatel departed, everyone was eager to speak with Luke, fidgeting with anticipation, but Luke still seemed lost, struggling to breathe properly.
He would be living here from now on, so it made sense that he felt awkward. I decided to say the words I’d prepared to comfort Luke.
Though we’re still unfamiliar and uncomfortable with each other now, if we address one another with proper titles to establish our relationship, surely the day will come when it feels natural.
I cleared my throat with a soft cough and steadied my voice, but feeling embarrassed and self-conscious, I stared into empty space for a long while, twisting my body nervously before I could finally speak.
“Luke.”
“….”
“Try calling me Mother.”
“…?”
Luke looked at me and tilted his head in confusion. Wondering if the child hadn’t heard properly, I spoke again calmly and clearly, asking him to call me Mother once more.
The boy tilted his head in the opposite direction and looked toward Glen instead. That one is Father. You should call Mother first, boy.
“Well… that’s how it is now.”
Glen’s voice in response to Luke’s gaze sounded oddly forlorn.
And as Glen finished speaking, Luke began breathing heavily before collapsing with a thud.
“Young Master!”
“Young Master! Are you alright?!”
“The young master has collapsed! Call the Doctor!”
Oh dear, what am I to do? The boy’s complexion had looked poor from the start.
I had the tall boy moved to the son’s room I’d prepared in advance and stayed by his side until Luke regained consciousness.
Though my duties are pressing, when my son falls ill, I remain at his bedside. I’m a reasonably good mother, am I not?

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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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