Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 18

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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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The Royal Palace was flooded with far more people than the last time I’d visited. Nobility from the Capital, provincial lords, wealthy merchants, and executives from various enterprises—all had converged here.
Normally, entry alone would take considerable time, but the Rocksburg Ducal House possessed a VIP pass that bypassed the queue entirely, allowing us to enter through the main gates without delay. The Brown Family members had to surrender their weapons as per protocol, and they complied without protest.
The moment our arrival was announced, all eyes turned toward us, and a path to the Queen opened instantaneously. Beside Her Majesty stood representatives from two other ducal houses. The Northern Region must have been too occupied to attend.
Since it was proper etiquette to greet the Queen first, the Bienar Heir from the Eastern Region and the Edanelli Heir from the South offered only a brief nod of acknowledgment, which I reciprocated with the same gesture—a silent agreement to speak later. As I observed them, their appearances remained unchanged.
The Bienar Heir bore the weight of managing everything alone while his mother remained at sea, never returning—his frame gaunt and exhausted. The Edanelli Heir, meanwhile, still looked like… well… how should I describe it…
The coolest older sister one could imagine.
With a voluptuous figure, vibrant red hair, dark skin that was utterly fatal, and an air of decadence beyond measure, she wore a silk dress that clung to her body with side slits that extended all the way to her thighs.
What was truly remarkable was that this wasn’t merely the Heir—even Duke Edanelli himself, her father, exuded the same decadent charm. With a languid expression, he flaunted a physique just as striking as his daughter’s, wearing equally form-fitting garments, and he carried a long cigarette holder. When he drew smoke and exhaled with a flourish, he was practically a walking embodiment of adult content. Though the South was known as a region of luxury and indulgence, one would think the ducal house itself didn’t need to become the very personification of excess and hedonism.
Of course, since they managed their duties exceptionally well, it hardly mattered.
Despite their appearance suggesting they lived extravagantly, not a single scandal regarding romantic entanglements could be found. The Heir sister was the same, and Duke Edanelli as well—standing beside his husband and legitimate children, he appeared remarkably composed, and he seemed to maintain a good relationship with his Duchess, who looked the most refined among them.
Moreover, the Southern Region was wealthy and teeming with criminal organizations, yet they managed their territory without incident. In truth, much of this success was due to the vigilante group that protected the Southern Domain at night.
Now that I thought about it, in some earlier cycle—was it the fifth or sixth?—I had passed through the Edanelli Duchy in the middle of the night and received aid from that very vigilante group. Masked men had blocked our carriage, and I had initially intended to have Aster, my escort at the time, handle them, but a voluptuous sister with flowing red hair descended from above.
Clad in a black mask and black suit, she unleashed a brilliant red aura that transcended mere sword energy—it was like a destructive beam—scattering the masked men and inquiring after my safety. She advised me to be careful when traveling at night with a wink, then tossed me a single red rose before performing a wire stunt and soaring away across the rooftops.
It was incredibly cool.
“Young Lady of Rocksburg. Surely you should introduce us now.”
Oh right, I was in front of the Queen!
Lost in reminiscence, I heard the Queen’s voice. Father and William had already completed their greetings and were watching me. The Queen extended her hand with a benevolent smile.
I approached the Queen, kissed her hand, and delivered the prepared greeting.
“Happy birthday, Your Majesty. Through the grace and wisdom of Her Majesty the Queen, the Kingdom enjoys endless prosperity and glory.”
“Thank you for making the journey during such a busy time, Young Lady.”
“Not at all. It is only proper to pay respects on such an auspicious occasion.”
After the greeting, I pulled Leon and Glen forward to stand before me. Especially with Leon, I clapped my hands sharply to draw everyone’s attention, then placed my hands firmly on his shoulders from behind.
“This is my younger brother, Aster. I shall repeat this because it is important: Aster, of the Rocksburg Ducal bloodline, my adorable, intelligent, and handsome younger brother whom I cherish more than life itself.”
“I am Aster. It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty.”
“I am delighted to meet you as well. It seems the Young Lady holds you in great affection.”
Anyone who touched Leon would face death by my hand. With that understanding, I swept my gaze across the room, and most nobles averted their eyes. Only the Edanelli and Bienar representatives smiled as though amused, but those families had never attempted to approach Leon in any timeline, so it mattered little.
“And this is…”
As I was about to introduce Glen, my fiancé, I realized I hadn’t spotted an important person. I turned a full 360 degrees, scanning the surroundings. Indeed, he was absent.
“My beautiful fiancé, Glen Hofen, but where might the Crown Prince be?”
At my introduction, Glen jabbed my ribs repeatedly, but I paid it little mind. The Queen found his poking amusing and covered her mouth with her fan before revealing the Crown Prince’s whereabouts.
“Yes, he is indeed as beautiful as I have heard. Upon learning that you had arrived, my son fled.”
“Where did he flee to?”
“He went down the corridor connected to the Garden, so perhaps he is admiring the flowers.”
“I shall retrieve him.”
“I would appreciate that.”
Very well. With permission granted, I should go.
I extracted myself from Father, who questioned where I was going without dancing, and informed him I would be away briefly. After leaving Leon and Glen in Father’s care with instructions not to wander, I set off down the corridor with Aster and Jack at my side.

It was fortunate I’d chosen low heels.
I clutched my silk hat before it could slip away and rushed down the corridor, scanning my surroundings for the Garden. I was certain it should be somewhere around here, but perhaps I needed to go further?
“Miss, shall I carry it for you?”
“No, it’s fine.”
There was no urgent need just yet. The Crown Prince was enjoying the flower viewing, so he was unlikely to venture far. Besides, I could already smell flowers from someone in the corridor—perhaps they’d just returned from the Garden. It couldn’t be much further now.
“Wait.”
Eager to witness the Crown Prince’s humiliation etched across his face, I quickened my pace when someone called out to stop me. The fact that they omitted honorifics suggested either they hadn’t discerned my appearance or they were some fool who’d wandered into the Banquet Hall without understanding the situation.
“How dare you pass me by without acknowledgment. There are limits to rudeness.”
Ah, someone from the Royal Family of higher station. So it’s the Princess. Long time no see.
“My apologies, Your Highness the Princess. I’m in rather a hurry. Greetings to you, and may you enjoy eternal prosperity. I bid you farewell.”
With that, I bowed curtly and turned to search for Theodore with his smiling face. Then a sharp pain shot through my scalp as though my hair might be torn from its roots.
“Hey! Aren’t you going to do this properly?!”
Ah, she’s really particular about this! One can hardly be expected to remember every courtesy when one’s mind is occupied!
I grabbed my hair where the Princess held it and barely wrenched myself free, then removed my hat and pressed my head firmly. It throbbed.
“Are you quite well, miss?”
No, I’m not.
As I frowned, Aster checked on my condition while Jack positioned himself in front of me. This wouldn’t do. If I’m not careful, a fight will break out.
“Oh dear, does it hurt? You should have kept your eyes open while walking.”
Good grief, why does she always pick a fight with me?
I faced Jack, who blocked my path, while observing the Princess’s guard standing before her. The man was a knight of the Royal Family, permitted to carry a sword in the Banquet Hall, and his hand rested on his sword hilt as though ready to draw at any moment should Jack act foolishly.
“Stand down. You are before the Princess.”
“Surely you see this, sir. Yet you pretend not to. It was your side that struck first.”
To clarify, the guard before the Princess was John Brown, the eldest son of the Brown Family—a man so enchanted by the Princess that he’d left home and taken service with the Royal Family. As John drew his sword with a metallic sound, even Aster positioned himself before me.
And from somewhere within his sleeve, he produced a short blade, gripping it in both hands.
“It’s been so long since I left home, I nearly forgot—the hounds of this house bite when provoked.”
Aster nodded at Jack’s words.
The fact that he’d brought a dagger at all was shocking, but Jack pulled something from his belt and began wielding a sharp steel whip.
Where did these two think they were? Didn’t they hear the instruction to surrender weapons at the entrance?
Once John fully drew his blade, there was no holding back anymore. I’d thought that since the boy had some years on him, the younger ones might defer to him, but I was sorely mistaken. He had much growing up to do.
“Wait—isn’t that the Crown Prince!”
As I turned and feigned delight, John Brown instantly sheathed his sword, and Aster tucked his dagger back into his sleeve. I watched to see what Jack would do, and remarkably, as though a magnet were attached to his belt, the steel whip snapped into place. Then, with a button press, it retracted with a whirring sound like a vacuum cleaner cord.
That’s rather ingenious, actually.
“Cowards.”
I’d ask about that curiosity later. First, let me manage this situation.
After massaging my scalp thoroughly, I placed my hat back on. The Princess had laid hands on me and picked a fight because no one else was present in this place. This was the same reason Aster and Jack, who weren’t permitted to carry weapons, had boldly drawn their blades. With no witnesses, one could deny everything later.
And I understood well why the Princess had, time and again throughout all these years, never tired of provoking me. Of course, I also knew the magic words to rid myself of her. Though each time I speak them, my heart aches.
I held my hat and bowed deeply, as though seeking forgiveness for Aster and Jack’s rudeness. Jack clicked his tongue in displeasure beside me, but there are times when one must bend. Had my beautiful fiancé Glen not said so?
“In my haste, I failed to properly recognize Your Highness the Princess, and I deserve punishment for this transgression. Yet if you would show mercy to this foolish and ignorant person, I would count it a great honor.”
“You understand that you deserve punishment. Then you shall receive it. Bringing weapons into the Banquet Hall—are you in your right mind?”
“Oh? But you’ve changed your glasses, haven’t you?”
“….”
“Wow, these look quite serious. Your prescription has gotten much stronger than last time, hasn’t it?”
The woman who had been glaring at me fell silent at my sudden observation about her glasses and stepped back. The irritable way she removed them and rubbed her eyes caught my attention.
It made sense she’d be flustered—after all, I’m from Rocksburg, and I’d pointed out something so specific.
In truth, she had nearly become the Crown Princess of this kingdom. Her abilities were comparable to the current Crown Prince, and she had essentially opened the maritime trade routes with the Federation nations, earning high regard both domestically and abroad. She possessed competence, accomplishments, and was even the eldest legitimate daughter. Her ascension to Crown Princess was all but assured—until my father opposed it.
Father declared that if that alcoholic Princess became Crown Princess, the Rocksburg Ducal House would stage a complete strike. I’d heard he even dragged ten-year-old Rosalite to the front gates of the Royal Palace for a hunger strike.
Other ducal families tried to persuade Father, suggesting that as long as she performed her duties well, minor flaws shouldn’t matter. But he wouldn’t hear a word of it, insisting that if that Princess became Queen, her trembling hands from alcoholism would sell the nation itself.
That last claim seemed like quite a leap, though I had no intention of refuting his argument.

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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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