Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 21

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

Unable to comprehend his meaning, I tilted my head in confusion, and Luke let out a whimpering sound. He looked genuinely distressed, but without knowing the reason, I had no way to console him.
What should I try next?
Luke was young, well-built, and possessed considerable strength—qualities that made me think we could attempt various things I couldn’t do with Father. With his help, I imagined we could even pull off aerial flips, though that would require perfect synchronization and considerable practice. Perhaps I should call on him occasionally to serve as a practice partner?
While entertaining such thoughts, Duke Edanelli emerged from the edge of the Ballroom, striding forward with heavy steps. The red-haired Duke swiftly snatched the Duchess—who had been held by Father and wore a half-tearful expression—from his grasp, then pointed an accusing finger at Father while launching into a lengthy scolding.
In the middle of the Ballroom, where cheerful music continued to flow, Father was thoroughly chastised by Duke Edanelli. He grew flustered and apologized repeatedly, bowing his head over and over.
He deserved the scolding too. What was he thinking, dancing continuously with another man’s wife like that?
After thoroughly reproaching Father, Duke Edanelli huffed irritably and led his wife away. Father, his spirits completely deflated, walked back toward our group. William appeared to be earnestly trying to console him, shoulders drooping. If only he’d simply waited for me instead of continuing to dance with that woman, pretending it was some grand performance.
“Shall we continue dancing?”
“…Shouldn’t you check on them?”
“Don’t worry. Our Duke possesses a stronger character than anyone in this world.”
“Yes… I suppose that’s true…”
Why is this fellow staring at me so intently? Do I have something on my face?
More concerning was Luke’s complexion, which seemed worse than before. Could he have come without eating, not knowing how to manage his energy expenditure?
“You don’t look well. Did you skip a meal?”
“I ate properly. Thank you for your concern.”
Then there’s nothing to worry about.
I grasped Luke’s hand and traversed the Ballroom in every direction, executing every step I’d wanted to try, spinning in circles until the music ended.
Just as I was beginning to feel the strain, I exchanged the customary farewell with my partner, and genuine joy and delight poured forth in my laughter. Ah, it had been so long since I’d danced with such exhilaration.
“That was delightful. You claimed to know only the basics, but that was clearly false modesty.”
After wiping away the perspiration, I attempted to hear what Luke had been trying to say earlier as thanks for being my partner, but the moment I reached for his hand to lead him, Luke flinched in alarm and pulled his hand away.
“I… I think I need to rest for a moment. I apologize.”
Luke, breathing heavily, finally steadied his breath, uttered those words, and walked away unsteadily. Though the lead role certainly expends more stamina than the follow, this seemed excessive. The boy had strength, yet his endurance was surprisingly lacking. I’d have to arrange some nourishing food sent in my name later.
I deliberated whether to send eels or soft-shelled turtles to the Chatel Corporation Group’s Alein Kingdom branch, then returned to our seats. Father, who had been huddled in the corner, brightened considerably when he confirmed that I’d sent Luke off and returned.

After a brief rest, I danced with Father three times in succession, then gathered with the heirs of the Ducal Houses for a casual meeting. Once we’d procured food and drinks and the three of us convened, the Edanelli Family heir immediately apologized for what had transpired earlier.
After Duke Edanelli had scolded my father and returned to his seat, it seemed the Duchess had separately reprimanded him for causing embarrassment in such a crowded venue. Since my father had been at fault first, I had no choice but to apologize as well.
As the Edanelli heir and I rushed to apologize to each other, the Bienar heir naturally interjected and smoothly resolved the situation. Only then did we exchange pleasantries and inquire after one another’s well-being.
Trisha Bienar, the mother of a man who looked as though he ought to be admitted to a hospital this very moment and also the Duchess of the Bienar Family, still commanded a privateering fleet nominally under the Alein Kingdom’s navy and continued to traverse the seas. Trevor Bienar, the Duke’s consort, had departed five years ago with the intention of mapping every coastline in the world, and there had been no word from him since.
Certainly, mapping the world’s coastlines and discovering a new continent would be a tremendous asset to the Kingdom, and the Duke’s efforts in eradicating the pirates plaguing our coastal villages were proving invaluable. Yet even so, delegating all the administrative duties solely to the heir seemed rather excessive.
“You appear to grow more gaunt with each passing day. Would it not be wise to increase your retinue?”
“I would wish to do so, but given the precedent set by Rocksburg, I hesitate to act rashly.”
That was true enough. I closed my mouth, having offered the suggestion myself, and fell into deep contemplation. In any case, those Cissel wretches had left quite a stain upon the nation.
Though I had only heard the tale secondhand, it was said that the Cissel Family had once infested our household far more densely than the Browns. According to legend, back in my great-grandfather’s time—when my father’s grandfather served as Duke of Rocksburg—our house was far less burdened than it is now.
In those days, there were many minor servants to assist with household affairs, and the retainers were divided into military and civil branches. The Browns faithfully performed guard duties alone, while the Cissel Family handled administrative work and assisted the Duke, and they supported one another and lived in happiness for a long time. But in my grandfather’s generation, those Cissel bastards committed an act of tremendous betrayal.
The Cissel Family had earned such trust from the Rocksburg House that merely invoking their name secured cooperation from other Ducal Houses. Exploiting this, they attempted to sell my grandfather’s name, plunder the northern military secrets, and defect to the Cerepia Federation.
Of course, their scheme was discovered before the family and secrets could cross over to the Federation. Our grandfather, absolutely furious, had every last Cissel—man, woman, and child—arrested and executed, and he expelled all those who had been handling administrative duties from the Mansion.
From that point onward, the workload of the Rocksburg Ducal House spiraled into madness. The already distant relationship between the Alein Kingdom and the Cerepia Federation grew even more strained, and the Brown Family, in addition to guarding the house, had to safeguard the Duke’s health and schedule.
I could hardly recommend bringing in more people for convenience’s sake when our own house had suffered breached secrets, depleted wealth, and shattered morale.
“I too wish that someone like Glen would simply fall from the heavens.”
“He did seem quite charming when I saw him earlier. Wherever did you manage to find such a person?”
“Our stories would be tedious to hear, so why not tell us about your fiancé instead? How did you meet?”
These people were bored and had simply redirected the conversation toward me.
Yet I could hardly refuse when they asked so directly, so I began recounting the story in detail from the day I first met Glen. The Edanelli heir and the Bienar heir listened with intense focus, perhaps thinking to employ such methods themselves later. However, I noticed the music had changed, so I asked their permission to step away for a moment.
“Forgive the interruption, but I believe Glen would be capable of dancing a blues number. I shall go invite him.”
“Oh, just when it was getting interesting.”
“You truly do cherish your fiancé. I envy how well you get along.”
We do get along quite well. As I laughed with a chuckle, the two of them complained of envy and irritation, poking me repeatedly in the ribs. Finding it ticklish, I made a fuss before waving my hand and promising to return later, then set off to find Glen.
Glen, apparently weary of merely sipping drinks in the Banquet Hall, stood leaning against the wall with a vacant expression.
“You seem bored.”
“Pardon? No, that’s not it!”
The moment I thrust my face close to Glen’s, he startled and immediately denied it. This boy really was hopeless at lying.
“You needn’t lie before me.”
As I laughed, noting that it was written all over his face anyway, Glen blushed and gave a slight nod. Everyone else was enjoying themselves, and with no familiar faces and unable to dance, it was only natural he’d find it tedious.
Feeling a sense of responsibility for having brought him to this place, I extended my hand.
“Come on, we’ve come this far—we should dance at least once before we leave.”
“No, I couldn’t possibly—”
“Just lean on me. I’m strong enough to support someone like you.”
Besides, the music was slow, and blues was simply a matter of holding each other and moving in time—there was nothing difficult about it. I persuaded him that if he truly couldn’t manage midway, he could simply take my hand again and we’d return. Finally, Glen reluctantly set his cane aside and took my hand.
“I’m in your care.”
“Yes, I’ll take good care of you.”
Leading Glen out, I found a relatively secluded spot and placed my hand on his waist. Though Glen said he was in my care, he didn’t seem to be putting any of his weight on me at all.
“Come now, lean on me. Here, hold my shoulder. That’s it.”
After teaching him the basic steps, I took the lead and moved my feet. Glen followed along clumsily, but after every three steps, he’d apologize, and after three more steps, he’d apologize again. Watching him, I couldn’t suppress my laughter.
“I’m sorry, Rosalite, I hope I’m not causing you embarrassment—”
“There’s nothing to worry about. No one would dare say anything to me or my fiancé.”
If anyone did, I’d strip them bare and hang them in the Rocksburg Central Plaza. At my words, Glen sighed deeply, begging me not to say such things even in jest.
It wasn’t a joke, but at least the tension seemed to have eased, so that was good enough.
“Oh, I apologize.”
How many times had he apologized in such a short span? When I finally burst into laughter, Glen followed suit with a bashful smile. He’d looked so gloomy before, but his smile was a welcome sight.
“I…”
It seemed he’d grown somewhat accustomed—at least the apologies had stopped. When I urged him to speak, Glen hesitated before forcing out a single sentence.
“Meeting you, Rosalite, feels like great fortune.”
“Of course it is.”
He’d taken so long to say it, I’d wondered what he was getting at. Since he’d stated something so obvious, I nodded in agreement and decided to return the sentiment with equal obviousness.
“I’m fortunate to have met you too. It’s destiny, a jackpot, a Mega Millions Powerball Super Lotto.”
“…What is that?”
“Such things exist.”
I evaded the question and held Glen’s hand, dancing with him until the music ended.
Once the music stopped, Jack and Aster thoughtfully came to escort him, handing Glen his cane.

After that, our household members ate, drank, danced, and made merry until the banquet ended, at which point they all grew tired and followed the Crown Prince about.
When Father and I complained that we didn’t want to go home that night, the Crown Prince grimaced and ordered the maidservants to quickly escort these people to the guest rooms.
We slept soundly at the Royal Palace and returned home the next day, resuming our duties.

◇ ◆ ◇

A month had passed since the Queen’s birthday banquet ended. In that time, the only notable event was rejecting Luke’s requests—sent via letter thirty times over—to reduce taxes in exchange for paying rent in gold ingots.
Work piled up daily, I had to listen to Uncle Louis’s complaints about the tasks Father had dumped on him at the banquet, I took the model prisoner for walks, received learning reports from Leon and Aster, meditated, and slept.
Oh, right. Speaking of meditation, I recently achieved the establishment of the 1st Circle. Repeating this practice so often has honed my skill—the speed has increased. At first, it took nearly a year just to reach the 1st Circle, but now it takes less than half that time.

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