Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 120

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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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Under normal circumstances, I would have burst into laughter, but given my guilt over today’s transgression, I hurried over to pat Leon on the back and apologize. Of course, I made sure to give his waist a few subtle taps where the Crown Prince couldn’t see—well done, my brother. That was brilliant.
“He’s still young and lacks judgment, so surely he didn’t mean to act out so recklessly. Your Highness, might you show a bit of magnanimity?”
“You’ve done nothing but watch until now, and yet you speak of yielding?”
“Goodness, two large men fighting like that—I was so frightened I couldn’t even speak.”
“Haha.”
Wait, say something in response—why are you just laughing?
The man casually ignored me and offered Glen words of praise for his usual efforts. He even said he was grateful on behalf of all the men in Aleine for Glen’s sacrifice in living with a woman like me—wait, what did you just say? Say that again.
“But he’s not from Rocksburg, so why is he here?”
Oh my, our Crown Prince still remembers Luke as the boy who does business in Aleine. I found it rather impressive that he retained such details, and my mood brightened further as I introduced Luke. He seemed disappointed that Luke wasn’t from Rocksburg, so I explained.
“The news must not have reached the Royal Palace yet. Haven’t you heard that I’ve taken him in as my adopted son?”
“I’ve already heard about that.”
“This is my son, Luke Rocksburg.”
“….”
The Crown Prince looked at me, then at Luke, then back at me, then at Luke again before tilting his head in confusion.
“Are you in your right mind?”
“Yes.”
“No, you’re not in your right mind.”
Why is he saying the same thing as my son?
Luke was nodding along as well, which only irritated me further. Fine then—I’d simply ignore them both equally.
After escorting the Crown Prince through the casino as he wished, I pestered Luke for chips so I could recover Aster’s outer coat and sword.
I’d forgotten because the boy stood there without complaint, but Aster was still wandering about in nothing but a running shirt and barefoot.

After that, I predictably failed spectacularly, and only thanks to Glen’s valiant efforts could I recover Aster’s belongings. Theodore, with his perpetual smile, seemed to find my failure absolutely hilarious, laughing heartily, while Asterion was relentlessly needling him over every little thing.
They seemed to get along just fine at first—when did they suddenly turn against each other like this? And how did they even consider making him Crown Prince consort in the first round when they were already tearing into each other like this?
Well, I suppose… it’s a bit fuzzy, but Asterion doesn’t seem to have grown up this way originally…
Sigh… what exactly did I do wrong this time? What choice did I make that caused him to develop like this?
I watched quietly as the two of them stood before the roulette wheel, muttering curses at each other, and now looked ready to grab each other by the collar. Jack quietly suggested it might be good to head back soon.
True enough—it was getting late and we’d already lost plenty of money, so it was time to withdraw.
I gathered everyone from the Rocksburg Estate who were scattered about playing and suggested we return to the hotel. I also proposed to the Crown Prince that since it was late, we should meet again tomorrow, but he responded with a dissatisfied smile and said something entirely unexpected.
“I hear Princess Grace received quite generous hospitality, yet you intend to neglect me?”
“Wasn’t that merely an escort arrangement?”
“It sounds as though you despise staying with me.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Ha, I suppose I’ll have to follow you even unto death.”
Ugh, why is he being so clingy?
Does some hormone kick in after thirty that makes you want to play among children? I found myself thinking of Lucius across the sea and fell into contemplation for a moment.
“…”
Yes, thirty can be like that. Lucius was quite persistent from the moment he first saw me, after all.
Well, what can we do? We’ll have to entertain him. I called Jack over and whispered that the Crown Prince seemed lonely in his old age, so we should play with him, then had him relay the message to the others.
Once Jack spread the word, the Rocksburg household looked at him with pity and nodded in agreement. We laughed exaggeratedly and guided Theodore to the hotel.
Theodore seemed thoroughly displeased by my kindness, but that was hardly my concern.

As we walked, the Crown Prince had one of his attendants notify Duke Edanelli of his schedule. It seemed he had originally planned to stay at the Duke’s Mansion until Dorothy’s inauguration ceremony, but I couldn’t fathom why he suddenly wanted to join us for entertainment.
No matter how much the Four-span Princess and Lucius boasted about how much fun they had playing with me and how curious he became, it made no sense that a man who finds my very face distasteful would insist on joining us here.
But whether Theodore was with us or not, now that we were on vacation, we had a duty to play with all our might.
Hadn’t we already made full preparations to drink ourselves to death tonight?
“…What are you all doing?”
Finally freed from that detestable Zeus attendant uniform and dressed in casual clothes, Theodore observed our household members running about and expressed his bewilderment. The man, accompanied by his guards and attendants, sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, watching us with a sullen expression.
It might seem strange to those unfamiliar with it, but this was the Rocksburg style of drinking party etiquette. Lucius had laughed himself silly watching my technique. Surely the Crown Prince would enjoy it too.
The children lined up large cups and carefully stacked small glasses on top like building a tower. Pleased with the beautifully arranged glasses, I retrieved a prepared bottle of wine, struck the bottom with a sharp tap to create foam, twisted the cork with a pop, and poured it into the large cups in succession.
The ratio of wine to foam was truly beautiful. As I finished filling the last cup, Asterion, who was handling the small glasses, had also filled them all the way to the far end of the table.
Those small glasses held wine of such lovely color and such deceptively high alcohol content. It was perfect for the first drink.
Once Asterion signaled he was ready, I clenched my fist and brought it down hard on the table with a bang! The small glasses toppled like dominoes, splashing into the large cups with a plink-plink sound.
“First drink—one shot!”
As I raised my glass and shouted, everyone grabbed their portions and cheered. With my hands on my hips, I drank it down with audible gulps, and a satisfied “ahhh” escaped me naturally.
Ah, now I feel alive. Following Theodore around, I thought I’d die from heartburn and thirst.
While the other children ordered room service and brought over games, I was tapping the bottle, wanting another drink, when I felt an intensely cold gaze bearing down on me.
The Crown Prince, sitting motionless on the sofa with his legs crossed, met my eyes and uttered one word flatly.
“Insane.”
Oh, as if you’re not going to play along with us anyway.

◇ ◆ ◇

We spent a wild night. I had gaps in my memory from the middle of it, but roughly speaking, all the kids had a great time. Luke fell asleep after his first drink, and Glen cried himself to sleep. Asterion and the Crown Prince, who had been sharing drinks with me until the very end, also surrendered, admitting defeat. I stayed at my post until the end and confirmed the security arrangements.
I had Aster and Jack sleep in the room closest to the entrance so they could bolt out immediately if anything happened, and I instructed the Crown Prince’s personal guards and the hotel’s private security to maintain two-shift surveillance before letting out a long yawn.
Since I was tired, I could wash up after sleeping and waking.
With that thought, I crawled into whatever room was nearby and onto the bed. Ah, the hotel bed was so plush and comfortable. It truly lived up to being the most expensive hotel in Edanelli. The coziness made sleep come easily.
Sleep was overwhelming, so I stripped off everything I was wearing, threw it outside the bed, and buried my head in the pillow. Perhaps because I was so tired, I fell asleep quickly.

And it was only after the sun had passed its zenith that my eyes finally opened. Truth be told, I wanted to sleep more, but the rustling beside me forced me awake. The sunlight was bright in my eyes, and someone was tossing and turning with soft sounds. I turned my head to give them a good smack on the back, only to see a golden head glinting in the light.
“Ugh….”
I didn’t like it. Not one bit.
The first thing I see upon opening my eyes in the morning is our neighborhood Crown Prince’s golden head of hair.
After confirming that the Crown Prince was sleeping as usual with both eye masks on, earplugs in, and a stuffed animal in his arms, I rolled back over. I found it odd that a Rosalite Rocksburg Mark Two had been newly added next to the sheep plush, but thinking about it, since the doll chased after me every night anyway, it seemed easier on my mind to just accept it and sleep with it.
He does have more adaptability and flexibility than I thought. I’ll give him that. Well, might as well go back to sleep.
I fluffed the pillow and curled up my body. I was drifting off to sleep when I felt a soft breath hitting my face, so I cracked my eyes open slightly. Directly in front of me was Glen, seemingly wandering through dreamland.
“…!”
Good grief, I nearly screamed! Why is this kid here? He definitely wasn’t here when I fell asleep!
I could deduce that the Crown Prince’s presence on my right was because I’d stumbled into the wrong room in my drunken stupor and collapsed, but Glen’s presence on my left was completely unexpected.
And for good reason—I’d thrown my clothes and stockings toward where Glen was lying, so it was certain that this spot had been empty before.
Remarkable, really, that he managed to squeeze into such a cramped space next to me and sleep.
Finding Glen’s shrimp-like sleeping posture without a blanket amusing, I grabbed his cheek and pulled it.
“Uh, uh….”
He didn’t wake, just frowned. Glen really is adorable.
Afraid he’d wake if I pulled any longer, I let go, and the young prince’s face returned to its peaceful expression as he breathed softly.
Hmm….
He’s cute. This is trouble. Looking at him up close, his eyelashes are incredibly long, his skin is smooth, and when the breeze moves his hair, it releases a strangely pleasant scent.
Hmm…, I’m getting—no, wait. His expression really does change depending on whether his bangs are down or up. Down, he looks like a peach blossom; up, like a peony. Truly a multifaceted young prince.
I grabbed Glen’s bangs and played with them, raising and lowering them to enjoy the variety. Then I quickly turned my head to confirm the Crown Prince was still asleep, and planted a kiss on Glen’s forehead.

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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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