Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 206

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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 Maidservants dried my body and hair thoroughly, applied oil generously to my silken locks, and then it was time to change clothes. Since Jack and Leon still hadn’t been released—or at least weren’t visible—I couldn’t remove my shackles. Instead, the seams of my garment were undone, draped around me, and then stitched back together to secure it in place.
After spending considerable time donning Largol’s traditional attire—those flowing silk garments whose civilization I couldn’t quite place, whether Byzantine, Indochinese, or Sumerian—a veil awaited me as the final touch.
『Hmm…』
But wait. Shouldn’t I refuse to wear a veil? After all, I’m being introduced as the future Imperial Consort, and I’m still just a guest here, am I not?
“Sister!”
I was about to point out another mistake by these novice Maidservants when Leon’s anguished cry reached my ears. Asterion came rushing in and burst through my chamber door, letting out a shriek the moment he saw me.
“You’re absolutely stunning!”
You didn’t run all the way here just to say that, did you? State your business. I’m well aware of my own beauty, thank you very much.
“To carry off Largol’s traditional dress like this! What is this! Are you a goddess or something! The goddess of beauty herself! How can you exude such charm even when covered from head to toe? I, being foolish and dull and lowly, cannot possibly comprehend it! You are a higher being! Sister, you are a higher existence!”
“Leon, compose yourself.”
“Yes.”
No, don’t suddenly calm down like that—it’s frightening.
Leon is truly peculiar today. I steadied my nerves, thinking I needed to keep my wits about me, and was about to ask Leon what had become of Jack when Leon’s eyes widened sharply. He suddenly snatched the veil from the Maidservant’s hands.
He showed no restraint whatsoever, and the Maidservant’s arm was scratched by Leon’s nails, leaving a long wound. Blood soon beaded across the injury.
“Leon, you mustn’t hurt people.”
“Sister! These women were trying to put a veil on you!”
“Oh… I see. There must have been some misunderstanding.”
“How could such a misunderstanding occur in the Imperial Palace itself!”
Eh? Well, even new recruits make such mistakes. Without proper guidance, they can’t function properly. As their superior, it’s my duty to overlook such minor errors occasionally.
“In the Imperial Court, veils are worn by concubines who failed to secure their position or lovers who never became concubines at all! It carries the meaning of ‘you should be ashamed, so don’t show your face openly in the Imperial Palace.’ By bringing you this veil, these women are essentially saying that you’re not a proper member of the Imperial Palace, yet you’ve been doing indecent things with Lucilucil, so you should be aware of your shame and crawl away accordingly! That concludes my evidence!”
“Oh, well… that does sound plausible. But Leon, aren’t you perhaps overthinking this?”
“How could I be! How many years have I spent rolling around in this sort of thing!”
What? What would you have experienced in harem intrigues? What is this? Did something happen at the Royal Palace after I died in the previous cycle?
As I anxiously questioned Leon about various things, the boy mumbled evasively before suddenly raising his voice.
“Regardless, that’s not what’s important right now! We need to punish these wretches!”
That’s… true enough. But I’m in the position of a guest right now. How can I punish the Imperial Palace attendants without the Imperial Family’s permission?
“I’ll obtain permission to punish them at dinner when I meet Lucilucil. Don’t be too angry.”
“I’m trying not to be angry, but these people are disrespecting you!”
Ah, so that’s what upset you. I embraced my foolish younger brother, whose eyes were glistening with tears of sorrow, and gently stroked his head. Well, you do enjoy playing with dolls and playing at being a duke, so it’s possible you have an interest in harem intrigue dramas. Your older sister understands everything. I truly do.
As I was comforting Leon, I quietly spoke to several Maidservants who had gone pale upon understanding Aleine.
“If you run, you’ll face something far worse.”
If you don’t run, you’ll only have to face Jack once. But if you do run, you’ll have to face Jack twice. I’ll have Lucilucil summon a priest as well. The priest will use healing magic. Once the wounds are healed, Jack can work multiple times with enthusiasm.
Here I am, in this distant foreign land, arranging work for Jack Brown.
“The problem is that Jack’s precious toolbox isn’t here. He prefers tools he’s accustomed to.”
“If it’s not here, we can make one. Don’t worry about that, Sister.”
That’s right. Now that I think about it, both you and Jack are quite skilled with your hands. I’ll prepare sufficient materials for you. Whatever comes out when I shake down Lucilucil will be useful anyway. After all, Leon, I’ve been headhunted for the position of Empress of this nation.
I gently patted Leon’s cheeks with kisses and asked him to behave quietly. When I inquired where Jack was and why Leon had come alone, the answer I received was exactly what I had anticipated.
“Jack keeps confessing, but nothing but filth comes out. He’s still being held in the Interrogation Room.”
I see… That does sound about right.

◇ ◆ ◇

I reunited with Jack and Leon precisely when Lucilucil’s proposed dinner time arrived. The two of them looked far more disheveled than I did unwashed—in fact, considerably worse—so their bathing time inevitably stretched on.
They quarreled while washing, bickered while drying off, squabbled while dressing, and after donning Largol formal wear, they teased each other about how poorly it suited them, then about how well it suited them, and the hours slipped away in their endless banter.
Of course, the one who looked absolutely stunning in the formal attire was Leon, while Jack Brown was the one I desperately wanted to wash his original clothes and dress him in them again.
We were guided by attendants who were still giggling helplessly without understanding what was happening, and we entered the Dining Hall. Lucilucil, who had arrived first, was nibbling on appetizers while peering at a scrap of paper, so I bounded over to him with unbridled curiosity.
『Luuuuuciluciiiiiil!』
What is that, classified information? Largol Military classified information? I want to see it too, show me!
As I affectionately called out to Lucilucil and tried to embrace him, the man rudely grabbed my chin to keep me at a distance and hid the documents beneath his rear.
『Rosalite, your seat is over there. Stop your foolishness.』
『This is too much. I only came running because I was happy to see Lucilucil.』
『If you’re happy to see me twice more, you’ll be dining on my lap.』
『Then will you show me the documents?』
『No.』
『Tsk.』
『Did you just click your tongue at me?』
『No?』
Getting older must have made your hearing go. I laughed cheerfully and took my assigned seat, whereupon Lucilucil glanced my way, spotted Leon, and his eyes widened in surprise.
『So you’re the one the Rocksburg Duke mentioned…』
『I’m not a candidate for Empress.』
『So you must be Asterion, a candidate for Empress. Pleased to meet you.』
『I’m not a candidate for Empress.』
『You’re Rosalite’s companion, yet you’re duller than I expected. Are you really from Rocksburg?』
Goodness, why does this man only show his sharp side in moments like these. I wholeheartedly defended my beloved younger brother Leon, insisting that Asterion was definitely from Rocksburg, while Lucilucil pouted, asking why I was being so sensitive.
Well… you struck a nerve, that’s all. I thought my heart would stop.
“Young Lady. Please ask him that question. That one.”
This fellow must have been quite eager after hearing that news earlier. Jack, sitting across from me, gulped down a bowl of soup and immediately brought up that earlier topic. The attendants ignoring me was one problem, but the fact that the servants weren’t under proper control was a significant issue for Lucilucil as well.
Perhaps with all that had happened before ascending to the Crown Prince’s position and subsequently declaring war on Alein, he simply hadn’t had the capacity to manage household affairs.
As the next Emperor in all but name, Lucilucil surely had candidates vying for the position of Crown Princess, but with the Rocksburg Duke’s Daughter suddenly inserting herself, they naturally couldn’t view me favorably.
『The Maidservants gave me a veil to wear.』
But that was their concern, and I had no interest in such matters—I simply wanted to rest comfortably and leave. When I spoke as though delegating full authority to Lucilucil to handle it himself, the man furrowed his brow and spoke with displeasure.
『Why not simply execute the insolent ones?』
『Why would you kill workers? Training them from scratch takes both time and money.』
『Unlike the Alein Royal Family, we are not impoverished.』
『I understand you don’t wish to concern yourself with war matters, but this is something that must be addressed eventually.』
『Already acting as Empress, are you?』
『Your Majesty corrected me—it would be disrespectful. I’m merely acting as Crown Princess.』
As I dipped the main dish of beef and spoke, Lucilucil laughed with a “hahaha” before frowning, saying it wasn’t funny at all.
“Don’t overstep your bounds. I don’t trust you yet.”
“You certainly are suspicious.”
“I’d sooner trust my departed Mother than trust Rosalite.”
“That’s rather harsh, isn’t it?”
Lucilucil seemed to reconsider whether his own words had been too severe, chewing the meat thoughtfully before swallowing and finally opening his mouth again.
“I don’t think my words were harsh.”
“Lucilucil, you’re insufferable.”
“That’s my line.”
Enjoying our meal with cheerful laughter, I ordered all manner of tools for Jack as well as supplies for maintenance and modification, then boasted of our household advisor’s capabilities—how no one could tell a lie before him, how even taciturn folk became remarkably eloquent in his presence—when an uninvited guest suddenly pushed the door open with a bang.
“Your Majesty, what brings you here…!”
“Sit. I’m not here for you.”
Why is the Emperor suddenly barging in here!
Startled by Lucilucil’s cry of “Your Majesty,” I scrambled to my feet, my line of sight suddenly shooting upward. The Emperor of the Great Largol Empire hadn’t gained a single wrinkle in the five years since I last saw him, and his frame seemed only more massive.
Truly, Marius’s father. With bulging muscles and towering height, a man who could be called a giant lifted me effortlessly and laughed heartily.
“So you’re that Rosalite from back then! The little handful has grown so much!”
“I am honored, Your Majesty. I, Rosalite Rocksburg, have come visiting upon hearing good news once again.”
“Once again?”
“Yes. Once again.”
“Hahahaha!”
Oh, I’m getting dizzy—please stop tossing me about in the air!
I wanted to resist, but given who I was dealing with, I couldn’t even open my mouth. I simply had to be tossed as he tossed and held as he held—there was no other choice.
Leon and Jack had assumed combat stances as if ready to attack at any moment, but I signaled them with my eyes to stand down. If you two attack the Emperor, we’re finished. Completely finished. Please, just stay calm.
“How do you expect someone as impatient as you to wait until you become Emperor? Why not abandon the position of Imperial Crown Princess and come to me instead?”
“Your Majesty!”
Lucilucil certainly had a commanding voice. As for me, dizzy and nauseated, the world spinning around me, I found myself thinking it would be better if the two of them just fought and both died.

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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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