Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 12

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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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I offered my respects and stepped outside. Aster tried to follow, but Father intervened, and with my consent, she agreed to wait in my Office instead.
As I headed toward where Glen was, William surprisingly followed me out and whispered something into my ear.
“Miss, regardless of the reason, don’t question it—just admit you were wrong.”
What? How did he know I didn’t understand why Glen was acting that way? Was it that obvious?
“…Is this from experience?”
“Usually, people say you talk well even when you don’t know what you did wrong, but if you stay quiet without talking back, it surprisingly works.”
Right. So I just needed to apologize and look contrite. I thanked William and hurried off. Glen was probably heading up the stairs to return to his room.

“Glen.”
When I spotted Glen climbing the stairs while gripping the banister, I immediately tried to follow and support him, but he refused my hand. With no choice, I silently climbed the stairs in pace with his steps, and Glen opened his mouth curtly.
“Why did you follow me? You’re a busy person.”
“No matter how busy I am, some matters take priority. I was thoughtless.”
I gently grasped his sleeve and recalled the advice Father and William had given me.
Just apologize unconditionally. Say you were wrong and don’t talk back. Repeating these two things, I referenced what Glen had mentioned and elaborated on aspects that might have bothered him.
“It wasn’t that I disrespected you. Given the circumstances, I believed this method was best for you as well. I never imagined you would dislike it, and for that, I’m sorry.”
I think I’ve said everything I could at this point, and it’s best to hold my ground. Even without a response from Glen, I kept hold of his sleeve and followed along, carrying the ring box. I was apologizing for my mistake, but I had no intention whatsoever of abandoning the engagement.
“I apologize, Glen.”
The fact that he didn’t shake me off suggests there might be hope.
“I thought it would be much easier to understand if you reviewed a report. I’m sorry, Glen. If you permit it, I can explain everything in detail right now.”
Besides apologies and regrets, what other words of contrition were there? As I rummaged through my mind, Glen stopped. His expression had softened somewhat, suggesting he was willing to listen to what I had to say.
“…I’ll hear you out.”
Unconditional apologies really are the best.
With his permission, I approached his right side—the one where he was limping—and extended my hand. He initially refused, saying a man couldn’t borrow a woman’s hand, but after I insisted a few times, he reluctantly took it.
“Let’s have some tea and talk at leisure. Shall we go to your room?”
“Do you know where my room is?”
“Isn’t it the room at the very end of the Third Floor Right Corridor? The view there is quite nice.”
Why is he asking such strange questions? Would I, one of the owners of this house, not know which room my guest is using?
As I gave Glen a puzzled look in response to his confusion, he smiled faintly. I didn’t know why, but he didn’t seem angry like before.
“Has your mood improved somewhat?”
“It’s better than before.”
You’re an honest one, and I appreciate that about you.
I took Glen’s hand and entered the room, ordering a maidservant to bring refreshments. While the tea was being served, I nibbled on pastries and explained the entire sequence of events in as much detail as I could.

“That’s the gist of it. Do you have any questions?”
Recounting everything from the moment the Royal carriage arrived with the Queen’s orders to submitting the report took the time it took to drain an entire cup of tea. I requested another apple tea from Flora, who was attending to the Guest Room, and waited leisurely for Glen’s questions.
“…It certainly seems beneficial for both parties.”
See, I told you so. You should have just accepted right then and there!
I nearly cried out in frustration, but remembering William’s counsel, I stuffed a pastry into my mouth instead. I must remain composed…, I absolutely must remain composed.
“Then how long am I expected to serve as your fiancé?”
“Given the Duke’s marriage prospects, I ask that you do so only until I turn twenty. Should I marry during that period, I will fully support your remarriage with a dowry. As for the Hofen Territory, it requires Royal approval, so I cannot give you a definitive answer.”
Glen was competent enough that if necessary, I could threaten Uncle Louis into ceding part of the Marquessate for him to manage. Since this remained uncertain, I hadn’t mentioned it, but I had no intention of letting him leave Rocksburg’s sphere of influence. While working by my side, he’d gain ample experience managing territories—it would be wasteful to let that go to waste.
“…There won’t be any harm coming to my mother and younger brother, will there?”
“What fool would dare harm my fiancé and his family? Not to mention Uncle Louis and his son.”
This boy was good in every way, but his timidity made him worry about trivial matters. Since the concern was beneath discussion, I laughed deeply, and Glen nodded as if his resolve had solidified.
“I accept. I look forward to working with you going forward.”
This was something that should have been resolved long ago, yet I’d dragged it out considerably.
With his acceptance ringing in my ears, I rose from my seat and approached Glen. Taking his hand, I lifted it and cradled it between both of mine, meeting his gaze.
“Though we call it a contract, I promise to cherish you and always stand by your side. As long as you are the fiancé of Rosalite Rocksburg, no one will dare disrespect you.”
Should any such insolent fool appear, I’d ensure they watched the sunrise from inside a coffin the next day. Swallowing those words, I gripped Glen’s hand more firmly, and the man squirmed as if desperate to escape my grasp, turning his face to the side.
Though I could only see his profile, I could discern his mouth contorting oddly.
“I understand your feelings well. More than that, there are a few things I’d like to say….”
“Say whatever you wish.”
Glen, who had continued squirming in my grip, eventually gave up trying to free his hand. His ears seemed flushed—was the heating in here particularly strong?
“Please lower your tone. Being called ‘you’ like that gives me chills.”
Why is this boy never satisfied, no matter how well I treat him?
“Very well.”
Laughing aloud, I retrieved a ring for Glen from the ring box and slipped it onto his finger. The 0.5-carat diamond ring fit perfectly on his ring finger—truly exquisite.
“Then, shall I put on yours, Miss?”
Right, I should put mine on too. I took out my ring from the box and slipped it onto my finger. Then I held it up to the sunlight, turning it this way and that. Diamonds are indeed the finest choice.
“So we’re officially engaged as of today. Once we’ve settled our business, let’s hurry back to work.”
There was much to do—furnishing the empty room adjoining the Office, stocking office supplies, creating the position of Duke’s Heir Assistant, submitting for a salary, preparing a proper private room instead of the Guest Room, purchasing a new cane. Goodness, bringing one person on board entailed an enormous amount of work.
But now that I had Glen, my own personal spreadsheet, work would become considerably easier going forward. Glen was truly a blessing, an absolute blessing.
“Why are you standing there with your mouth agape like that?”
As I tried to help Glen up and hurry back to the Office, he wore a sullen expression and refused to move. Reminding myself that remaining composed was the path meant for me, I waited a moment. Glen eventually rose on his own, took my hand, and spoke briefly about getting to work.

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Sigh…
Excel is the best.
I gazed at the pristine table, printed as if by machine itself, tears glistening at the corners of my eyes. How had I managed all these years without discovering Glen? I feared I’d become someone who couldn’t survive a single day without him.
Glen’s true magnificence revealed itself in this: despite spending the afternoon moving insufficient furniture back to the Office, restocking supplies from the storage room, and procuring drafting boards to make his work more comfortable, he’d still completed today’s tasks on schedule.
With Glen by my side, I could live a life where evenings actually existed.
Anyone who dares harm Glen will face my wrath—it’s kill or be killed.
I love you, Glen!
“I love you, Glen!”
“…Pardon?”
“Let’s go to dinner, or perhaps retire for the evening.”
Glen would certainly prefer eating in his room, but with Aster here now, it would be better to go to the Dining Hall. Since he’s family now, it looks more proper to bring him along, and besides—meals always taste better when shared at the table.
I approached the man and offered my hand to help him to his feet.
“I’m sorry I lost my temper and made things difficult for you. Tomorrow, let’s go commission a custom cane for you to use for a while. You’ve grown lovelier, so what you carry should be equally beautiful, don’t you think?”
“That’s… really not necessary. It was my own doing, and I can manage something like that myself…”
“Consider it a date invitation, then.”
Glen took my hand, and his fingers fidgeted again. Why does he always make my palm tickle like this?
“Then I’ll try to finish even faster tomorrow.”
Faster than this?!
I inhaled deeply, studying Glen. In all my years, I’d only encountered two people of such noble and radiant beauty—the Master at the Magic Tower and the True Magic Tower Master. Was this man perhaps the reincarnation of an ancient sage? I’d have to tell Father that Glen needs more work, and ask him to send additional tasks—ones with numbers that must end in zero. Father, when he hears this, will he cry?
“Aster! Come here!”
Regardless, we needed to go eat.
I handed Glen’s hand to Aster and led the way toward the Dining Hall. Aster scooped Glen up effortlessly and followed behind me, while the man protested to be put down—but he quieted soon enough.
Entering the Dining Hall with Glen, his face covered by both hands and utterly motionless, I found Leon sitting alone at the table, eating.
Father must be busy again today.
“Sister!”
Leon greeted me warmly and shot up from his seat. Sensing he was about to rush over, I told him to stay seated and took the chair across from him. Then I tapped the adjacent seat twice, and Aster gently set Glen down there.
“This person… how did they come to be here?”
Right, Leon didn’t know the situation.
Curious why Glen—someone he didn’t see every day—was suddenly here, I raised my hand and showed him the back of it, wiggling my fingers so the diamond ring sparkled brilliantly in the light.
“We’re engaged.”
“…Pardon?”
Then I took Glen’s hand as well, showing him the matching ring on his finger. Glen remained unresisting, like someone whose spirit had departed.
“He’s your future brother-in-law.”
“…Huh?”
My goodness, what kind of sound is that, Leon? When I laughed while holding Glen’s hand, Leon’s expression went blank. He rose from his chair and began walking away slowly.
Curious where he was going in the middle of his meal, I asked—he said he’d lost his appetite.
That’s troubling. He needs to regain it soon so he can study hard tomorrow.
I had Aster sit in the empty chair, draped a napkin over Glen’s lap, and began my meal.

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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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