Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 193

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Luke cried out loudly, triggering one of his usual fits. The household staff scrambled about in their familiar panic, searching for a paper bag. Once we’d unfolded one and pressed it to the boy’s face to calm him, Mother—who’d been watching cautiously from the sidelines—approached me and asked about Luke’s identity.
“Mother? Whose son is he? From the Brown family? But his hair is red.”
“He’s my son. Can’t you tell by looking at him?”
!
Mother’s eyes widened as she began slapping my back repeatedly. She wailed that she couldn’t fathom when I’d committed such a scandal to have produced such a grown son, but I had no time to worry about her—I was already overwhelmed caring for Luke’s illness.
“This isn’t the time for that! The child is sick! He won’t even eat!”
“That’s… certainly serious, but… how did my grandson become so frail?!”
He’s adopted, adopted! I wanted to bear him myself if I could! Then he wouldn’t collapse every time something happened! When I shouted this, Mother seemed reassured and pressed a hand to her chest. She always said that a child bearing a child was something the world couldn’t allow, no matter what… But how could she possibly think I’d given birth to Luke? Perhaps she’d grown up watching Serena and Sage, so her sense of reality had become warped.
How could she even conceive of the notion that I’d birthed Luke?
“Be honest with me, Duchess. You don’t know my age, do you?”
….
I knew it. I’d sensed something was off from the moment she started calling me “young lady.”
“How old do you think my son Luke appears to be?”
“Ah, well… fifteen…? No, children these days develop so quickly. Thirteen…?”
That’s enough. I’m not discussing ages with you anymore. The people from the Magic Tower have a completely warped sense of age.
“You reek. Go away. My son’s stomach is already delicate, and if you trigger another fit, what then?!”
“Rosie, nooo!”
At my rebuke, Mother was dragged away by the maids. If I’d left her alone, she might have wandered off again, and everyone had been enduring the stench of her rancid bear fur coat all this time.
According to the maids, they’d already sent an emergency summons to Lily, so even if Mother thrashed about during her bath, we could manage her to some degree. If necessary, we could threaten her by invoking my name or Father’s. Fortunately, Lily had the audacity to threaten our mother if needed—unlike others.
“Jack Brown! Unfold that paper at once!”
“Yes, ma’am!”
With Mother handled, I now needed to see what was written on that paper he was holding so proudly like a badge of honor. Luke’s declaration that he wouldn’t eat carried an unprecedented solemnity, so I read the contents with tension. First, the opening sentence…

Rosalite Rocksburg (hereafter Party A) shall establish this contract upon accepting the demands of Luke Rocksburg (hereafter Party B).

Hmm… the boy followed proper format. The paper wasn’t parchment, but it was thick and high-quality, with a lovely gold border trim. He’d put considerable effort into this. Moreover, it was written in Luke’s own hand. My son’s handwriting was beautiful—clean as if it had been printed. Imagining how he must have cradled this paper carefully against his chest through the downpour to keep the ink from smudging made me smile warmly. Of course, a contract is precious. If the ink smudged and the terms became ambiguous, it would be his loss. He’d learned this lesson well from Chatel.
Now then, what are his demands…?
Where, where… this guy’s requirements are then…

Party A will write a pledge never to self-harm or commit suicide again, and Party B will cease food intake until a contract is established stipulating that if this pledge is broken, all of Party A’s assets will be forfeited to the Alein Royal Family.

“….”
Ah… so this was why Luke was making such a fuss about not eating. He didn’t want to see me dying again and throwing another tantrum, did he?
Once I’m dead, it hardly matters what happens to my wealth. But the part about it all going to the Royal Family was, subtly…, no, rather glaringly irritating.
“Fine, fine. I’ll write up a promissory note soon enough, so just rest today.”
“I don’t believe you. Bring the seal right now. If you’re given time, you’ll transfer all your assets to different names. We’ve already assessed the scale, and the payment standard is based on today’s total assets. Even if you disperse it later, we’ll apply it retroactively and have the Royal Family collect. The Duke of Rocksburg will handle the notarization.”
I hate you. I hate Father too. And here he is, nodding along as if you’ve come up with something brilliant.
With things escalating like this, I couldn’t carelessly hand over my seal. Luke’s refusal to eat was worrying, but the thought of all my money going to the Royal Family was absolutely unbearable. I’d worked so hard to accumulate that wealth. Why should that smiling, lazy good-for-nothing take what I’ve built?
The mere thought made my skin crawl. Imagining Theodore living a life of leisure and laughter on my hard-earned money filled me with revulsion.
“You call that blackmail? Then don’t eat at all!”
“Yes! I skipped dinner anyway!”
This isn’t what I meant! More importantly, that already frail boy skipped a meal? No wonder his complexion looked so pallid.
I was shocked to hear Luke hadn’t eaten dinner, but the most startled person in the room was undoubtedly Aster. He flinched so violently his shoulders jerked, then grew stern, questioning how anyone could move about while starving.
“I’ll call the on-duty cook and bring food right away, Young Lady!”
“Yes, just bring a little. He doesn’t eat much anyway.”
“But he says he won’t eat!”
What will you do if you don’t eat! I’m going to feed you!
I huffed indignantly, ready to force-feed him by opening his mouth wide, when Glen stepped between us and mediated.
“Perhaps we should rest for today as Rosalite suggests. Luke’s stomach is rather delicate, isn’t it? Eating late at night could cause problems.”
“That’s…, true enough.”
“He must be chilled from riding through the rain. It would be best to prepare warm water first.”
If he caught a cold, that would be serious too. We could argue about meals tomorrow; let’s call it a day for now.
Following Glen’s suggestion, I had the servants bring bathwater. I’d discuss this matter leisurely tomorrow. Once I raised the white flag first, Luke accepted the truce and followed the servants out.
Phew, now I could finally rest. Today was truly like a storm.
I no longer had the energy to stop Father, so I agreed to sleep all together when bedtime came. We spread soft blankets on the floor, and Father, Leon, Lam, Aster, and Jack all huddled together preparing for sleep.
Moreover, Mother and Luke seemed intent on joining, as Luke changed into pajamas and Mother entered the room in just a bathrobe, settling into place.
Wait, you all…. After twenty years, you’re finally sleeping face-to-face properly. Why don’t you two have some intimate time together? Stop leisurely watching over me here.
“Luke, aren’t you hungry? I have plenty of chocolate biscuits in my room as emergency rations.”
“I’ve already brushed my teeth.”
Tsk. He won’t fall for it.
Too tired today to persuade Luke further, I asked Jack to loosen the restraints around my waist for sleep, only to be refused. I protested, not expecting he’d keep me bound even while sleeping, but no one took my side.
Glen merely comforted me, saying he’d sing a lullaby, so I’d have to bear with it. I agreed to that compromise. Glen’s songs always lull me to sleep nicely. Now that I think about it, there was one more thing I’d wanted to do when I got home.
“Glen.”
I called to him as sleep began creeping over me. Glen answered warmly, “Yes, Rosalite.” and I made an additional request for better sleep.
“Drape Marius’s shirt over my face, would you?”
“I didn’t hear that, Rosalite.”
You’re getting sharper by the day. Since he wouldn’t do it anyway, I figured I’d just sleep, but the people gathered in the room murmured in their drowsiness.
“The Young Lady…, made a mistake….”
“You made a mistake, Rosalite.”
“I’m not sure, but if Eddie says you made a mistake, you made a big one, Rosie.”
“Rosalite made a mistake, but please lend me the shirt later.”
Fine. Yes. It’s all my fault, so everyone just zip it and get some sleep.
The rope was a bit uncomfortable, but Glen draped a blanket over me and patted me gently, so I fell asleep quite soundly.
Living this long, there come days when our whole family gathers like this. It’s oddly moving.

My eyes snapped open at my usual waking hour, and I pushed myself up to find Father standing right in front of me, already dressed for the day. They say old men lose their morning sleep, but Father’s already reached that age…
“Rosalite.”
“Gasp! Yes, sir!”
Oh no, I thought he’d caught me cursing him under my breath for getting old. I’d raised my voice in panic, but I quickly checked that Glen beside me was still sleeping soundly before looking back at Father.
“In four days, we’ll hold a reception to commemorate the Duchess’s return to Rocksburg.”
“…”
…In times like these?
I mean, it’s been quite a while since we last held a party at our house. Mother’s return is certainly joyous, and I understand the desire to make it a celebration, but… now? Duke, I’m sure you haven’t forgotten, but… now?
“But we’re in the middle of war, sir?”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Well…”
Right. I suppose that’s possible. If Father wants to do it, what power do I have to stop him? I’ll just accept it. Besides, if something goes wrong, it won’t be my fault anyway.
“Should we keep it modest? Or go all out?”
“I’m opening one of my private treasure vaults for this.”
My, Father’s made quite the grand decision. Even though he didn’t show it, Mother’s return must have made him incredibly happy.
“I’ll prepare it. I’ll have invitations delivered to every noble with key positions, cadet branches, and territories within a day.”
“Don’t invite Laios.”
“As if he’d come even if invited.”
If he were planning to cause trouble, he might show up, but since he’d obviously lose to Father anyway, he won’t come. He’ll just lurk grimly in the Royal Palace and continue cursing Rocksburg. I won’t invite Theodore either—I can’t stand the sight of that smiling face. As for Four Spans… maybe I should invite her. She’d probably come if John hadn’t secretly stopped bringing her alcohol.
Oh right, I forgot I was supposed to talk about dark magic with Lam yesterday. I was too preoccupied with Luke.
I’ll be busy printing invitations during the day, so I won’t have time then… but since this group will gather again tonight anyway, I’ll wait for then.
I shook Jack awake and had him loosen the rope temporarily so I could finish my morning preparations. Once Father left for work and I finished getting ready, the rest of the group gradually woke up, and we headed out to work with renewed energy.
Today will be even busier thanks to Father’s urgent request. Everyone will be shocked when we arrive.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————