Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 207

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

“Your Majesty, you jest too much. And you cannot simply dispose of my future wife like that…”
“Eh? You two haven’t even married yet?”
“…Pardon?”
“If it’s before marriage, there’s no complication. I’ll simply open the Empress Palace and move her in. Problem solved.”
“Surely you cannot be serious.”
“It is an imperial decree—what could possibly prevent it? Impudent wretch. Come, Rosalite. Let me show you my concubines.”
This man truly never listens to anyone. Thanks to his obstinacy, at eighteen years old I managed to monopolize the Emperor’s attention, manipulate him, entertain him lavishly, and secure diplomatic gains that would have been halved had he heeded the Prime Minister and other elders.
“Leon! Jack! Behave yourselves! While I’m away, obey Lucilucil!”
“What?! What in the world was that about?!”
“Hahahaha! Lucius! That is an imperial decree! If you follow, be prepared to die!”
Father and son truly shared the same temperament—their personalities were remarkably alike. The man scooped me up and slung me over his shoulder, then rushed out of the building and mounted a horse that resembled him perfectly.
Even our Elizabeth was impressive, but nothing compared to this beast. It was clearly a military-bred warhorse—savage in appearance and so massive that it could easily carry the Emperor, who was built even larger than our William, and myself without strain.
“So then, where shall we go? The concubines’ quarters would be pleasant, or if you’re not afraid of a private audience, we could proceed as planned to the Empress Palace.”
“In any case, you’ll tire of people eventually. Let’s simply conduct your business and be done with it.”
“Those Alein folk are reckless beyond measure, I tell you.”
“That is how I was raised.”
“Tch. Edward Rocksburg, that thieving bastard.”
Eh? He knows my father? When I asked, His Majesty tapped my crown with personal resentment before cursing Eddie.
“That wretch came as a diplomatic envoy thirty years ago, pretended to give everything away, then smuggled out a dozen gunpowder manufacturers and priests before returning home.”
“…”
“I was beaten by the late Emperor until his final breath because of it.”
No wonder Father was so intimately familiar with the Zoroab Church. The Pope had said that if he could heal Four Spans’s eyes, he would have cured the Chatel House lord’s diabetes first—and the Pope said exactly the same thing. Come to think of it, those attempts to cultivate religion in Alein… were those actually based on experience? Did he experiment using priests he stole from another nation? This is absolutely theft, isn’t it?
“Sigh… if only you’d been more generous with your subordinates’ wages…”
“You shameless thief’s daughter.”
“Ow!”
It hurts! Stop hitting me! Your hands are as big as a cauldron lid!
I could only shriek in protest, but my body suddenly lifted into the air and was transferred to the Emperor’s shoulder. Was this the Empress Palace that had been mentioned earlier? It was meticulously maintained, but with no lights on, it looked like ghosts might emerge at any moment.
“No one has entered since Julia died. The place has been vacant for over twenty years now.”
Because you were like this, the concubines fought viciously among themselves. If you had simply appointed one of the formerly powerful Empresses—whether Tianuus or Aidemoc—and maintained order, the Imperial Court wouldn’t have been drenched in blood. Now both are dead, and their sons suffer as a result. What is this?
The Emperor, unable to forget his old lover, has made a mess of his household—it’s what he does best. I desperately wanted to tell him this, but I valued my life too much to open my mouth. Instead, once I finally touched the floor in some bedroom, I offered my assessment of the interior.
“The curtains and bedding are remarkably antique. It seems Your Majesty’s tastes remain frozen in this era.”
“If you trust my son and run your mouth, your head will fly off.”
“Are you serious? You truly… believe… your son is… trustworthy…?”
“Stop running your mouth. You’re just like that father of yours, and that daughter too.”
“The Duke will be delighted to hear that.”
“Impudent. Absolutely impudent.”
“Ow!”
That bastard hit me on the head again! It hurts!
The man flopped onto the bed, and with those massive hands, he opened a small drawer and pulled out an aged bottle of liquor, then tapped the space beside him.
“You should turn on the lights. Surely it would be better to see.”
“Don’t turn them on. Then Lucius will find this place in no time.”
“Didn’t you say you’d kill anyone who followed you?”
“That bastard will come prepared to die. It’ll take him about thirty minutes to steel himself.”
Ugh… what a temperament. Both father and son alike.
Either way, the Emperor commanded it, so how could I refuse? I flopped down beside the large man, and he made a popping sound as he uncorked the bottle, then drank it down with gusto.
“Lucius must have already asked you. Why did you come all the way here?”
“Because Lucilucil said he’d make me the Crown Prince’s consort.”
“Hmm… when you die, is poison the best way? We have methods like being torn apart by horses and quartering too.”
“It was Lucilucil who said Rocksburg would withdraw if they go into exile! Why do you keep hounding me!”
“If you were in my position, could you actually believe that Rocksburg bastard from Aleine spouting such nonsense?”
“No?”
“Then why ask?”
“Hahaha, you’re right.”
“Hehehehe.”
The Emperor and I slapped the bed as we laughed together, and he hit me on the head again.
“Speak while I’m being nice. I’m not as docile as my son—I wouldn’t mind if a woman like you died tomorrow.”
“I’m serious. Aleine has no official record of sending me. This is Rocksburg’s independent decision.”
“While you’re turning another nation’s coastline into a star shape?”
“Well, that was… when you’re suddenly invaded like that, you get a little heated and lose yourself.”
“Heated, my ass. You were trying to get word directly to the Imperial Palace.”
“Why do you keep asking when you already know?”
“That’s exactly why I don’t like Rocksburg.”
“Ow!”
He hit me again! This bastard hit me again!
Moreover, whether this man was trying to be kind or cruel, he handed me the bottle of liquor.
Sigh… sharing a bottle mouth like this is uncomfortable, but I didn’t want to refuse and upset him. It also seemed like this man, in his own way, was inviting me to speak freely.
With that thought, I accepted the bottle without hesitation and took a swig.
“…Cough.”
Kyaaaah! This tastes like whiskey—why is the alcohol content so high! I thought my throat was on fire! How many years old is this stuff!
As I coughed and clutched my chest, the man laughed heartily and patted my back, saying it was amusing. God, what a temperament this Emperor has. When I met him five years ago, dealing with his personality was already a nightmare, and it seems he’s only gotten worse.
“Aleine has already resolved to go to war. They’re preparing a marriage alliance with Nimerunia. Our foolish Crown Prince and Princess Natalie of Nimerunia will be married soon.”
“Hmm, Nimerunia… Their recent movements have been rather suspicious.”
“Of course, Rocksburg and Edanelli were displeased. But since military authority rests with Bienar and Noctram…”
“Displeased? Why?”
“Are you asking because you don’t know?”
This man knows everything yet makes me explain. I drew a clear circle with my finger in the moonlight. Who would be trembling most in the current situation? Those who possess the Masujung Mine, of course.
“Aleine has no choice but ruin in this war, whether they win or lose. Even if Largol withdraws due to supply issues, rebuilding will be difficult with their coffers emptied. And above all, won’t Cerepia stay idle? The nations adjacent to Noctram will see this as an opportunity and march south.”
“I’ve already heard reports that you arrived in Largol under Bienar’s protection. How do you plan to explain this?”
“I deceived Alein’s faction by claiming the Crown Prince of Largol favors me, saying I’d feign defection to sow discord in the Imperial Palace and steal secrets.”
“So you’re flitting about like a bat—clinging to whoever’s winning, switching sides to join the victor?”
“Precisely.”
“Damn brats.”
“Ow!”
I protested as he kept striking my head—what if I lost my mind?—and the old man snatched the bottle from my hands, took a swig, and spoke gravely.
“Your logic is sound. But there’s something missing.”
“What could I accomplish alone in this vast Imperial Palace? Besides, I came here as a hostage. You could lock me away until the war ends.”
“Really? You want to go to prison?”
“No, wait. If I must be confined, I’d prefer somewhere with plenty of sunlight, soft bedding, and three proper meals a day…”
And if possible, some entertaining diversions and books. My household always insists on a daily walk, so I’d appreciate that too… And if I’m being greedy, I’d love to learn Largol dances.
As I rambled on about all the things I’d miss, the old man pinched both my cheeks and sighed.
“How did she manage to produce someone exactly like me? Do you even have a mother, brat? Did Edward Rocksburg birth you alone?”
I do have a mother! Maria Rocksburg—a woman more monstrous than any demon!
As I responded with incoherent protests, the Emperor seemed to lose all strength and collapsed onto the bed.
“If you’re truly going to play both sides and defect, wouldn’t the position of Empress suit you better? Don’t give false hope to some poor fool.”
“Ah, well, that’s a matter of… personal preference.”
“…Preference?”
He looked bewildered, then asked with deep suspicion.
“By preference, you mean… that sort of preference?”
“Yes.”
“Lucius is your preference?”
“Lucilucil is cute, isn’t he?”
“…What?”
Why? What’s wrong with that? I was equally bewildered, but the old man suddenly shot up from the bed and grabbed my shoulders.
“Lucius is cute? My son is cute? Have you lost your mind?”
“Why not! Lucilucil is cute!”
“Where?”
Well, most of what he does is rather endearing, but if I had to pick one thing…
“Hmm… the way he agonizes, thinking I dislike him, trying to probe my true feelings…?”
“Huh?”
“Even in the bathhouse, when I approached him with mischievous intent, he thought I had ulterior motives and fled.”
It was truly hilarious back then. For the role of Crown Princess, it would make sense to make a move, but watching him panic and run away, not understanding my intentions, was absolutely ridiculous.

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