Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 158

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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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While everyone except Lucilucil was laughing and conversing, the carriage arrived at the Conference Hall. What on earth was wrong with me that displeased Lucilucil so? He mimicked my every word like a parrot—”Is that so?” “How embarrassing?”—with exaggerated formality.
I mean, when a person is being polite, their speech naturally differs from their usual manner. But where does he get off mocking me like a child, parroting back my words so deliberately? I’d sensed this about him before, but Lucilucil was clearly underdeveloped. Immature. Tsk.
“Please don’t be upset. I’m sure my brother meant no harm.”
If that was harmless, the world would be populated entirely by virtuous people. I was about to grumble as much, but the sight of Prince Marius in his short-sleeved formal attire made me reconsider my irritation.
How could he have kept wearing those thick, heavy clothes when he possessed such a refreshing and beautiful muslin outfit? The fabric looked wonderfully breathable, and the way the undergarment showed through slightly beneath it was absolutely exquisite.
He maintained the distinctive aesthetic of the Empire’s traditional dress while showing everything that should be shown and achieving perfect ventilation besides. Was this fashion diplomacy? Anyone who saw the Third Prince once would never forget how an Imperial citizen dressed. Magnificent. The Largol designers are the best, the absolute best!
“Ohoho, of course. I’m well aware that Prince Lucius has quite the playful nature.”
“Well aware that Prince Lucius has quite the playful nature.”
I was about to tear him to shreds!
The moment Prince Marius stepped down from the carriage, I reached out to yank that pirate’s eye patch and smack him, but the cunning Lucilucil blocked me. We grabbed each other’s hands, glaring, both plotting our next move, when that shrewd Luke suddenly took Prince Marius’s hand and helped him down.
“Thank you for your consideration, Prince Marius.”
“Ah, I was just… No, never mind.”
No! That hand was meant for me! Oh no! Did I raise a son just to see this? Oh dear! Oh my!
As I clutched my chest in frustration, my son took Prince Marius’s hand and walked into the Conference Hall as if he were being escorted.
Unbelievable, that boy is driving me mad. Now he’s going around acting like a young master of Rocksburg? Without a shred of fear?
“Your son is quite clever and charming.”
“I know. Keep quiet.”
“This isn’t your home ground, so why are you being so cocky?”
“Lucilucil isn’t on his home ground either. Rohil is a neutral nation.”
“Rohil is part of the Federation, but geographically close to Largol—we supply eighty percent of the weapons and gunpowder your defense forces use. One word from me and your nation could be reduced to ashes.”
“Well said. Eighty percent? One hundred percent of the mana crystals Rohil uses come from Alein’s mountains, and every mercenary mage conscripted is an Alein citizen. One word from me and you’ll become an ice sculpture, like that sea anemone over there!”
“Does Alein have nothing to boast of but mana crystals?”
“Mana crystals end the game! If you’re so upset, go find your own ore deposits and mine your own crystals!”
This man was underestimating mana crystals. The abundance of mana crystal deposits in our nation wasn’t merely a matter of having abundant resources to sell. It meant the land itself possessed extraordinary mana output and cohesion, and in such an environment, the mage population naturally flourished.
But did it stop at merely having more mages? No. The officially documented mage population alone was approximately one per thousand Alein citizens, and considering those who hadn’t registered, the actual number was certainly higher.
So what was my point? Alein was a nation where human rights standards were remarkably high regardless of age or gender. Disrespect someone for being weak or low-born, or persecute them for being young or old, and one day that supposedly powerless person might suddenly awaken as a mage—and your skull would be crushed.
Mage aptitude wasn’t determined at birth; it manifested suddenly during one’s life when one’s compatible attributes or mana sensitivity suddenly awakened. Treat someone like a dog for not being a mage, and your skull could be crushed the very next day.
Because of that threat—never knowing when your skull might be crushed—mutual respect became established. Even when people found each other disagreeable, they still observed proper courtesy. Laws were rapidly refined and became specific. With no discrimination in talent recruitment, the nation developed with a solid foundation from within.
The reason our nation, which began as an integration of five tribal states, maintained continuity as the Alein Kingdom without fracture was because everyone worked hard to read each other’s moods, not wanting their skulls crushed. Greater violence is the source of human rights advancement. After all, no one willingly seeks to have their skull crushed.
Of course, not everyone could be unfailingly polite and intellectually refined, so there existed many who lived without thought for the future, as if there were no tomorrow. For example, Dylan. Or Dylan Diamante.
“Bah! That wretched Alein! We should just invade already!”
“Try saying that in the Conference Hall! That’s an international incident!”
This man grew up as the First Prince of the Empire, so he fears nothing, absolutely nothing. Now that I think about it, does his mother fear anything? A few days ago, Empress Aidemoc had fire set under her feet, and there’s something I wanted to ask about that, but—
“Then let’s go!”
“Yes, let’s!”
Wait. Why am I holding this man’s hand and entering the Conference Hall? Coming to my senses, I realized I’d somehow gotten swept up and was being escorted, which seemed rather odd.
Hold on—isn’t it rather strange that I, with my husband very much alive, am entering escorted by the First Prince of the Largol Empire? Just as I was about to realize this and pull away from Lucilucil, an announcement spread through the Conference Hall: “Prince Lucius Aidemoc of Largol and Rosalite Rocksburg make their joint entrance.”
The man presumed to be the Federation Vice-Minister regarded me with bewilderment. Our neighborhood Crown Prince was scowling at me with every ounce of displeasure he could muster. Capo, who was stuck to the Crown Prince’s side like glue, alternated her gaze between me and Glen, utterly confused.
And Glen, whom I’d sent to the Conference Hall earlier, found me with an almost supernatural sense and limped toward me. Cold sweat seemed to trickle down my spine. How could I overcome this predicament? Glen was sporting that Crown Prince smile. I had to stop that Crown Prince smile at all costs.
I decided to strike first before Glen could open his mouth. This was it. There was no other way!
“Prince Lucius! This is my one and only husband, Glen Hofen Rocksburg! Come now, my sweet honey! Greet His Highness!”
Rosalite’s preemptive strike! The Duke’s smile guard came down! The effect was tremendous!
Glen was flustered by my outburst, stammered for a moment, then offered a greeting in halting Imperial.
“Glen Hofen Rocksburg. My wife, she has… caused you trouble.”
Oh, thank goodness. So the Duke could speak Imperial. While heirs who inherit titles would acquire foreign languages as essential education during heir training, I’d been worried since Glen had lost his father at a young age and entered Uncle Louis’s household, so this was a relief.
“Husband? …What is this?”
How dare you refer to someone else’s husband as “this”—what kind of manner of speech is that, Lucilucil? I was so offended that I jabbed him hard in the ribs with my elbow, and though the man coughed and sputtered, he didn’t let go of my hand.
“No, but Rose, you do like a full chest, don’t you? To think such a chaff-like man is your husband—I can only be astonished.”
“Chaff? He is a grain of wheat full and ripe with intellect, a delectable kernel.”
“So you admit he’s like wheat straw, then.”
“Slender has its own charm.”
“If you have such skill in finding charm where there is none, why not explore my charms? They overflow.”
“What nonsense is this old man spouting?”
“Who is old? As for the matter of appointing the next Empress—send your reply promptly.”
“That official document meant that? I blew my nose on it and threw it away.”
“There’s always the option of taking it and fleeing to the Empire.”
“My, do you have the strength for that? Won’t your back give out? Consider your age.”
He kept going on about getting a job in the Empire, so I responded with my usual sharp retorts, but somehow Glen seemed uneasy.
The man alternated his gaze between me and Lucilucil, trembling like a Thomson’s gazelle before a predator. Then he carefully extended his arm and placed his hand over mine, which was held by Prince Lucius.
“I… she is my wife…”
“…”
“…”
What is this? Is he suggesting we retire to the bedroom right now?
Glen was terrified of Prince Lucius, yet he gripped my hand firmly and wouldn’t let go. I could feel him trembling sweetly, and I was actually considering whether we should just find a room and go in, when Lucilucil started doing something ridiculous.
The man, as if deeply impressed by Glen’s actions, embraced both Glen and me while spouting nonsense.
“Don’t worry. I shall graciously permit you to remain as Rose’s lover.”
“No, not a lover—my legitimate husband.”
“I… I am… her husband, I am her husband, I say.”
The boy’s going to cry—stop teasing him!
I forcefully pulled my hand away from Lucilucil and settled Glen in the Alein guest seating. Honestly, I came to see Prince Marius and ended up witnessing all sorts of spectacles. Now that I think about it, where is Prince Marius?
“Duke, are you alright?”
“Yes, yes. I’m calming down now.”
“Have you not seen Prince Marius?”
“…”
Why are you preparing that Crown Prince smile again? Was that technique something you could keep using even after it was broken?

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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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