Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 159

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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 hastily added a comment, fearing Glen might sulk again. When I explained that Luke had gone in holding Prince Marius’s hand and would need to be called back, the man’s expression softened, and he pointed with his finger.
“If it’s Luke, he should be in the Largol delegation’s section.”
“Luke Rocksberg!”
At my command, Luke jumped up from his seat in surprise. This fool was so captivated by Prince Marius that he’d forgotten his own nationality? Did he think I’d gone through all the trouble of extracting him from Chatel and securing his position for nothing?
“My dear boy, it seems you’re not an Alein citizen anymore? Should I carve out the area around the Department Store and declare it an independent nation just for you? Don’t you know perfectly well how much tax we extract from foreign merchants operating in Rocksburg?”
“I apologize. I was so enchanted by Prince Marius that I lost myself.”
Well, that… honestly, I understood. When Prince Marius took my hand and walked, wherever he went became my path. Besides, considering his usual conduct, he probably couldn’t bear to escort Luke to the Alein delegation and instead seated him beside himself.
“Regardless, you need to keep your wits about you.”
“I apologize. I have no excuse.”
“Please, Rosalite, that’s enough. Luke seems to be reflecting on his actions.”
“Glen, you were just calling me ‘madam’ so readily a moment ago—why the sudden formality with ‘Rosalite’ now?”
“That’s because…”
Hahaha, his face flushed again. He was quite amusing to tease. When I laughed, he finally realized I was deliberately provoking him, and Glen began scratching my ribs, protesting that I was too much. Unfortunately, when he attacked my ribs, I twisted my entire body to retaliate, and our playful scuffling apparently became so bothersome that Theodore let out a deliberate cough.
“This isn’t a private setting. Please stop.”
“If you find it unbearable, why not simply get married, Your Highness?”
“Does every word from you inevitably lead to marriage?”
“Yes.”
Oh my, the conference chair is arriving. Please be seated.
Seeing the Crown Prince about to stand and confront me, I grabbed his shoulders and pushed him into his front-row seat, then gestured for him to calm down. When he didn’t approve of my method of persuasion, this troublesome royal pinched the back of my hand painfully, forcing me to stifle a cry.
“Before we commence the First Tripartite Anemone Conference,”
The woman presiding as chair introduced herself as the Queen of Rohil and declared that the subsequent conference would proceed in the Alein language. Prince Marius and Lucius were fluent in all three nations’ languages, so it mattered little which they used, and the Federation Vice-Minister claimed that having spent childhood in Alein, he found that language more comfortable than the Imperial tongue. Thus, the conference language was settled as Alein.
To be frank, we were being accommodated. Our Crown Prince could manage the Imperial language well enough, but his Cerepia was poor. Though Rohil was neutral and used all three languages as official tongues, as a Federation member, protocol dictated the conference should proceed in Cerepia.
How embarrassing. If Grace had remained as Crown Princess, I wouldn’t have suffered such humiliation.
When I clicked my tongue loudly for the Crown Prince to hear, the wretch’s fists clenched and he trembled with rage. Perhaps he should study harder in his spare time instead of deliberately inviting such frustration.
In any case, whether His Highness and I felt embarrassed was one matter, but the chair, having completed the preliminary procedures, introduced in order the representatives of Largol as the suspected perpetrator, Alein as the primary victim and secondary suspected perpetrator, Cerepia Federation as the nation facing anticipated damages, and even Serena, the representative of the Magic Tower, which enjoyed extraterritorial status.
Despite the time constraints, they’d even prepared seating for those from extraterritorial organizations. Rohil had done an excellent job this time. They’d accommodated the distinguished guests comfortably even on the way to the conference hall. Protocol is truly important—truly important. I love Rohil, absolutely love it.
“I hereby declare the First Tripartite Anemone Conference open.”
When the chair struck the gavel, the attendants beside her outlined the case summary and gave each nation an opportunity to speak. Since this was still a preliminary probing phase, nothing of great importance was discussed, but watching the conference proceed in perfect order sent a thrill of satisfaction through my chest.
Seamless progress is magnificent. Protocol is supreme. I’d love to obtain their manual. How is even the placement of the gavel so beautiful? My heart races—I’m going mad.
I wasn’t alone in thinking this, for Glen, seated beside me, leaned close and whispered hotly in my ear.
“Rosalite, would it be possible to obtain a copy of their protocol manual?”
Ah, my sentiments exactly.
When I agreed and promised we’d definitely obtain the manual, Glen nodded with an excited expression. The order in which each nation’s flags were hung before the conference hall, the way the carriages had been retrofitted so their decorations could be replaced with each nation’s or house insignia—nothing was ordinary. Once the conference ends, I’ll have to butter up the Queen of Rohil.
The anemone is a grave threat, but the conference hall is peaceful, so peaceful. The protocol is beautiful, the representatives of each nation arrived in elegant attire, and they’re all gracefully exchanging subtle digs after having diligently studied each other’s household affairs. There couldn’t be a warmer gathering than this.
Among all the conferences I’ve attended in the past decade, this is the most beautiful. My heart grew serene, and I dipped a silver teaspoon into the tea water brought for refreshment, confirmed it showed no discoloration, and sipped my tea. If we drag this out another thirty minutes or so, we’ll seal the conference minutes, strike the gavel, and head to the banquet.
What are Rohil’s signature dishes? Come to think of it, I’d given notice that Aster eats prodigiously, but surely they won’t run short of provisions? I shouldn’t judge Aster’s appetite by human standards. I should have written down his exact consumption rather than just saying he eats a lot. I was too busy to think that far ahead.
If it comes up short, I can always take the boy around to tourist restaurants. While I was thinking this, the conference hall seemed to grow cold. Even in short sleeves, a sudden chill shouldn’t…
“You insolent fools!”
It wasn’t my imagination.
At Serena’s roar, the conference hall froze—and I mean that literally, not figuratively. Frozen door panels, frozen flags, frozen ceremonial seats, and my tea developing a thin layer of ice.
The woman, having lavishly expended her mana to thoroughly freeze the conference hall, rose from her seat and brought her hand down upon the table with such force that it shattered into pieces, then bellowed.
“The ancient creature that Joraab has summoned—that’s what matters now! Your family squabbles are utterly irrelevant! In ten days, it will awaken! It will return to life! And you people don’t care one whit about your own nations and peoples?! Good heavens! I’ve been running myself ragged trying to save you wretches! Back and forth, for centuries, and—ugh! Ugh!”
“Are you alright! Serena!”
“It’s just because she’s old that she’s shouting like that! Serena!”
“Please consider your age! Serena!”
“All of you, be quiet!”
I’m freezing to death, and now a gale is sweeping through the hall. Why do Sage’s disciples insist on opening their mouths and making things worse? Are they doing it on purpose?
“Who is that woman! Who summoned her!”
“According to the records, she’s the representative of the Magic Tower heads!”
“Why would such a great archmage be here!”
“She’s apparently the one who froze the sea anemone!”
And so the beautiful conference descended into chaos. No matter how distinguished the representatives of each nation were, none dared to stand against Serena, the supreme leader among those with extraterritorial authority. Some hurriedly attempted to escape by opening the doors, but since the door panels were frozen solid, even striking them with chairs proved futile.
I sighed deeply. It was certainly a grave matter that I myself was in danger of freezing to death, but it pained me to see that elegant conference reduced to rubble by a single spell from Serena. Yet I could not simply despair—I had to take action. Most importantly, Prince Marius was trembling pitifully in the cold.
I could not bear to see Prince Marius, who possessed the most lethal physique in the world, shivering so pathetically—well, actually, I could. His trembling was rather endearing. But before he caught a cold from this sudden temperature drop, I had to act.
“Great Serena! Might I be so bold as to offer a word!”
“What!”
“All these representatives here are my contemporaries!”
“…What?”
The wind ceased at once. I had considered the matter from multiple angles, and this seemed the most effective way to quell Serena’s anger.
“What did you just say, you foolish girl? They’re all your age?”
“Yes! As I mentioned, I am twenty-three! Our Crown Prince is thirty-one! Prince Marius is thirty-three! And the Federation Vice-Minister is…!”
“Forty-one! I am the Federation Vice-Minister of Cerepia! Forty-one years old!”
“I am the Queen of Rohil, presiding over this conference! I am forty-four!”
“…None of them have even reached fifty?”
As Serena’s voice carried a note of shock, warm air began to flow through the conference hall. The temperature steadily rose. Serena not only ceased her freezing magic but seemed to gently emit a warming spell instead.
“They’re practically newborns, aren’t they? No wonder these children can’t reach a conclusion when they put their heads together.”
Exactly? When your opponent is a child, what can you do?
Serena, now recognizing that those she had been furious with were mere infants born yesterday, found her own anger absurd and laughed helplessly.
“I mean, why would kings and emperors entrust such brats with this… no, never mind. I’m the fool for meddling.”
The woman waved her hand dismissively, telling them to continue their little game, but a conference once shattered could not be so easily resumed. The presiding officer, understanding this, hastily moved to conclude the meeting and had the secretary seal the minutes.
Since the chill did not dissipate easily, the presiding officer, her lips still trembling, methodically completed every item on the scheduled agenda and raised her gavel.
A professional. That woman was a true professional. If one were to personify protocol itself, it would surely be her. The Queen of Rohil, presiding officer of this conference, was truly the sovereign of ceremony and decorum.
A protocol master. There was a protocol master in this place.
“Then, the minutes of the First Tripartite Sea Anemone Conference, Part One, are hereby sealed, and we adjourn temporarily.”
Bang, bang—the sound of the gavel echoed through the conference hall. I was genuinely moved. To think such a talented individual existed in this small island nation. My eyes grew misty, and I rose from my seat to applaud.
As I began clapping, Glen soon stood and applauded as well. Luke, naturally, was equally moved. We of Rocksburg offered our heartfelt praise for the Queen of Rohil’s diligent efforts.
Magnificent. Truly the most magnificent. Father should have been here. He would have awarded the Queen of Rohil the Rocksburg Medal of Honor with his ducal authority.
“You were magnificent, Queen. That was the most beautiful conference I’ve ever attended, and you were the most impressive presiding officer I’ve ever seen.”
The Queen had declared the conference adjourned, so I approached the presiding officer’s seat with the intention of engaging in pleasantries and ingratiating myself. Glen, equally scheming to obtain the manual, positioned himself at my side and joined me in lavishing praise upon the Queen.
Get her on the aircraft quickly, obtain the manual swiftly, and visit Prince Marius without delay—such were my true intentions, which I carefully concealed beneath a facade of courtesy as I accompanied the Queen and her consort to the Banquet Hall.

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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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