Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 126
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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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#Episode 22: Rosalite at Twenty-Two (4)
“Good heavens, I’m going to die!”
I screamed as though my very life hung in the balance and slammed my head onto Father’s desk.
It had been two days since I’d taken on the duties of Acting Duke. The work didn’t come naturally to me, William—who’d wasted no time abandoning his post—wouldn’t stop pestering me from beside my desk, and the moment the Royalist Faction heard I was Acting Duke, they flooded the Ministry of Justice with official documents.
Those insufferable wretches, grinding them to dust wouldn’t satisfy me. They even fabricated trivial matters to torment me with—who in their right mind dredged up some ordinance about prohibiting pets on streetcars, then demanded amendments to clarify whether non-pet animals were permitted? I’ve memorized every single one of their names. When Father returns and I finally have leisure time, they’ll learn what happens when you provoke the second most petty person in this Duke’s Mansion.
I’ll show them exactly what kind of fate awaits them.
As I rested my forehead on the desk, grinding my teeth, someone suddenly dropped a stack of documents beside me with a heavy thud. Rolling only my eyes to glance sideways, I found Glen standing there.
Feeling wronged, I quickly wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my head against him.
“Glen!”
“Yes.”
Glen’s voice sounded remarkably weary and hollow. But I was in no better state, so I poured out everything tumbling through my mind.
“Why don’t we run away together, hand in hand? We’ll hand over the position of Duke’s heir to Leon and flee far, far away. Let’s build a grand house by the seaside in some village in the Cerepia Federation. We’ll cultivate a small garden, raise a large dog, and since we already have Luke as our son, let’s have just one daughter more!”
“Rosalite…”
As I buried my head in his chest and spun around, he lifted my head away, cupped my face in his hands, and met my gaze.
“I married you because you were destined to become the Duke.”
“So you have no interest in me if I’m not Rocksburg?”
“Correct.”
“How cruel!”
This wretch, this absolute wretch! You’ve gone too far!
I pounded my head against Glen’s chest, and he laughed, insisting it was merely a jest and begging me not to be angry. This scoundrel—living in our household for so long has made him far too comfortable teasing me.
“Stop joking and prepare yourself. It’s time.”
Time for what?
Brown, my super-secretary, spoke while her glasses gleamed, but I found myself at a loss. With my head still buried in Glen’s chest, I merely turned to look at her, and after a weary sigh, she pointed to today’s schedule posted on the desk.
“Did you not hear? Princess Natalie is arriving urgently. She said if we keep waiting for news of a match, she’ll be a grandmother.”
“Oh, that’s right…”
Right, Capo is coming.
It had been years since I first broached the subject of arranging a match for her, so her impatience was understandable. Goodness, I need to retrieve the apology gift I’d prepared and make sure we have ashtrays ready. I’d heard she was such a heavy smoker that her hands trembled without a cigarette.
Since no one in our household smoked, we didn’t have a single ashtray in the guest room unless we specifically prepared one.
“Wait, please, Rosalite. I shall attend as well.”
What? Why would you?
Since this concerned Theodore, one person to receive her was sufficient. There was no need for the young master to involve himself in something unrelated to household affairs. I’d planned to bring only Brown and William, but he limped over and grasped my hand firmly.
“I’ll handle Capo myself, so you can rest easy here.”
“No. Given what happened with Janet before… women cannot afford to be careless.”
Janet? That girl not only brought Macaon to us but helped with all our household matters before departing. She must have been busy with Dorothy’s inauguration ceremony too, yet the child was so thoughtful. When she left, promising to return and help whenever she had time, I praised her so generously that Glen began nibbling his lip and asked a question.
Janet, who had left saying she would come help again if she had time, was so kind and thoughtful that Glen praised her generously, but then he bit his lip and asked a question.
“Do you truly believe that Rosalite helps him simply out of kindness?”
“Well, of course, Edanelli and I maintain a symbiotic relationship. He certainly wishes to appear favorable in my eyes for the sake of our future, but….”
“No, that’s quite enough. What could I possibly ask of you, Rosalite?”
What is it, what is it—do you desire something? If there’s anything you wish to have, I shall procure it for you. Upon hearing my words, Glen covered his mouth and produced a whimpering sound.
What now, why are you crying again? Your emotions seem rather turbulent today. Is this a delayed adolescence, perhaps? Let me see—twenty-six years old would make it…, yes, that does qualify as adolescence.
“Young Master, Princess Natalie has arrived.”
Oh heavens. I was already in the wrong, and now I’ve kept her waiting as well.
Upon receiving the servant’s report, I stood before the Reception Room door and adjusted Glen’s attire. He, in turn, repositioned my hair ornament and inspected whether anything was amiss, and after we both circled around each other to verify our appearances, we opened the door and entered.
I was about to begin with an apology when the Princess, upon catching sight of me, suddenly rose from the sofa and spread both arms wide open.
“Oh! How delightful to meet you, sister!”
Oh, yes, I’m delighted as well!
Since the woman approached me with such warmth, I embraced her in return. Princess Natalie wrapped her arms around me and struck my back with considerable force, then rubbed both our cheeks together while making soft clicking sounds.
“I do apologize. I broached the subject first, yet have kept you waiting all this time….”
“Hahahaha! That’s perfectly fine! As long as you are my sister, I can wait as long as necessary. If anything, I should be ashamed for rushing here without restraint!”
Ah…, well…, I see.
I found the Princess’s repeated use of “sister” somewhat embarrassing, but I composed myself and recalled the customs of the Nimerunia Duchy. Since we had formed a sisterhood bond with that nation, Father and I were essentially family to them. And the royalty of that realm become offended if they do not receive familial treatment from those they have acknowledged as siblings.
Very well, from today onward, the Princess is my older sister. My, I’ve gained an older sister—how exciting!
“Since the Duke is currently indisposed, I have taken it upon myself to receive you in his stead, Big Sister. I hope you will forgive any shortcomings in my hospitality as your younger sister.”
“Hahahaha! How could there be any shortcomings when simply seeing your face brings me such joy! Please, call me sister freely!”
“Cough.”
This woman possesses considerable strength.
After patting my back once more, the Princess released me and turned her attention toward Glen, spreading her arms wide.
Glen tensed visibly, swallowed hard, and opened his arms in preparation to receive her embrace.
“It is an honor to meet you. Sister-in-law…, or rather, elder sister?”
“So you are my sister’s husband! Indeed, you are as lovely as I’ve heard!”
Yes, quite so. I nodded in agreement, though Glen appeared uncomfortable and fidgeted slightly.
…He rarely squirms like that. What’s the matter? More importantly, let go already. How much longer will you hold him?
“Please, do sit down. Surely I must have prepared a gift for my elder sister, given my regret over this situation.”
“Oh, my thoughtlessness has caused my sister such trouble.”
As I took my seat on the sofa and gestured for her to sit, the woman grasped Glen’s hand and escorted him to the seat beside me before settling into her own chair.
Haha, it appears Glen brought his cane as a decorative accessory today.
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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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