Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 210
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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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After Leon and Jack were pointed out on that matter, they threw themselves into the fountain rather than abandon their nephew and young master.
That’s right… I couldn’t abandon Luke. How could I abandon Luke?
『That’s enough for today. Return to your duties. The children from the Emperor’s concubine quarters should be returned to their masters. If I weren’t so busy, I would have kept you all with me, but I have no leisure for that now.』
If I were going to stay here permanently, it would be different. Since I only needed to show quick results, there was no reason to exploit them. Let them return and face punishment or death from their respective masters as they see fit. Though some even whimpered when they understood my meaning, I had no inclination to point it out.
I was going to be busy from now on. Leon would be busy, and Jack would be busy too. We needed to put our heads together to determine the severity of punishments and solidify the hierarchy.
If I only thought of my original purpose, I wouldn’t need to work this hard… but who knows what might happen? Aleine might actually fall. Wow, if that happened, would Father and that lowborn also become lower in status than me? That would be quite entertaining.
Well… such a thing probably wouldn’t happen.
“How thoroughly you were underestimated. Seeing that Lucilucil doesn’t understand the circumstances of subordinates, it seems Empress Aidemoc handled all such trivial matters before… and now that she’s passed away.”
“It would have been easier if there were trustworthy blood relatives remaining. Like myself, for instance.”
“Indeed. Even though Marius seemed that way, he had good rapport. But Lucilucil here fought bloody battles with the Fourth Prince, so only sinister rumors circulate.”
“By now, ignoring the young master’s disgusting remarks has become an art form.”
“Ignoring? Sister, you listen to every word, understand it completely. You simply don’t respond because it’s all so obvious.”
“Oh… this excessive affirmation is also an art form.”
You two are bickering again. Go ahead, fight away. Children grow through quarreling.
I sat on the platform and had them bring writing materials, deciding to have tea time and lunch here as well. Since we were short-handed, I urged the Emperor to fill the positions quickly, and when I had a chance, I pressed the heretical sect members and those affiliated with the Orthodox Sect to see if they knew a woman named Celin. And as expected, no matter how much I thought about it…
“To achieve results quickly, raise Lucilucil’s value, and solidify my foundation, there’s only one way, Leon.”
“And what would that be?”
“The tyranny of maternal relatives!”
“Then I can receive a position! Sister!”
That’s right! Exactly! My brother really does understand quickly! If I want to appear successful in the Imperial Palace, shouldn’t my younger brother sit in a high position?
『Camille! Camille! Go quickly and find out where Lucilucil is!』
『Yes, yes! Rosalite!』
Kehehehe, if I burst in while Lucilucil is working and ask him to save face for my brother, there’s no way the rumors won’t spread. Leon and I were putting our heads together about which position would be best when Jack suddenly interjected.
“What about me?”
“Jack, do you want to hold your head high too?”
“When else would I get to sit in a high position if not now?”
True, the Brown siblings were surprisingly concerned about such things. They hadn’t cared before, but once Aster realized what a knighthood was, they started taking interest.
This was, in other words… to put it bluntly, only John and Aster among the seven Brown siblings held knighthoods. A knighthood was a legitimate title and semi-noble status, so according to etiquette, Jang, William, Quill, Karl, and Jack should have addressed and served John and Aster respectfully.
Within Rocksburg Territory they could grab each other by the hair and fight, but in public settings, they were not equals. A tragedy born of the class system. That’s why when the royal family held commemorative ceremonies or parties, the children refused to attend even if accompanied by Aster.
It had been… half a year? Three months? Since Aster realized she was semi-noble. In any case, she acted incredibly arrogant in public, so whenever the children spotted Aster in her beautiful formal wear, they wouldn’t come near her.
That must have been incredibly eyesore and left them with deep resentment. Yes, I could fully understand their feelings.
“How about being the escort knight of the highest authority in the Internal Affairs Bureau? If it’s an appointment ceremony, I can handle it quickly and simply.”
“Wow! I’m a knight too!”
The boy was so delighted. This is why one needs power. Then you can take care of your people and give an extra treat to those you favor. Even if Father and I appointed knights, it would only be valid in Rocksburg Territory, which already hurt, but this works out well. Here there are no complicated procedures—only imperial decree matters, so if I butter up the Emperor a bit, he’ll grant a knighthood easily enough.
“Sister, I would prefer to be the commander of the Imperial Palace Guard! I saw them passing by, and I think I’d look really beautiful in that uniform!”
“Perfect! Then you’re the Guard Commander!”
“Wow! I’m the Guard Commander!”
『Rosalite! Lucilucil said…! No, no, my apologies! The Crown Prince is currently at the Military Ministry!』
Yippee! The Military Ministry! I must rush over and watch the military conference!
“Leon! Jack! Let’s go! We’re going to make a grand entrance!”
I dragged Jack and Leon along with the maidservants who accompanied me on outings toward the Military Ministry. In Largol, they used something called a silk carriage as a means of transportation within the Imperial Palace, and it was quite elegant with its silk canopy extended.
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『Your Majestyyyy!』
I led Jack and Leon ahead as I cut through the Military Ministry toward the conference hall. The moment I burst through the large doors, military officials frantically hid their documents, and Lucilucil spread his arms wide to shield some map with his entire body.
Seeing him brace himself, I responded by leaping up and throwing myself into his embrace.
『I missed you so much!』
『Have you lost your mind?』
『It has only been four hours and twenty-six minutes since we parted!』
『What nonsense is this?』
『I was so desperate to see you that I thought I might perish!』
『You? Who?』
『I could not even focus on my duties for thinking of you!』
『Where did you pick up that manner of speech? Classical Largol literature?』
This old pirate with his eye patch certainly knew how to deflect. I stopped my sniffling and turned my face away from his chest. When I tried to glance around the conference hall, he pressed his hand firmly against the top of my head, preventing me from turning.
『What are you doing, Lucilucil? You’re hurting me.』
『Look only at me. Did I not say I wanted to see you?』
『I have seen your face, so that suffices. I am relieved to see you in good health. As your future wife, should I not also greet those who work alongside you?』
『That affected speech of yours—simply adding “I” everywhere does not make it eloquent.』
『Then teach me yourself.』
『Now your true colors show, you cunning woman.』
『If I am cunning, then what are you—sly and slippery?』
『Do not invent new words.』
It hurts, so let me go for a moment! I compromised by keeping my face buried in Lucilucil’s chest while releasing my grip on him.
『If you find me pretty and adorable and lovable, then surely you could delegate some important matters for my sake. When I see my younger sister idling away at the Crown Prince’s Palace at her age, does it not pain your heart?』
『I only met your sister for the first time yesterday.』
『And you should grant my loyal guard a knighthood as well. The poor thing has dignity—how can he go about without even a title?』
『I have observed that fellow for some time, and he does not appear to be someone you particularly care for.』
『I do care about Jack! Why are you like this!』
『Leave now.』
Why! I’m not leaving! I won’t go!
I held onto Lucilucil to resist, but he simply lifted me up, apologized to the executives, and left the conference hall. The moment he closed the door, he looked around and grabbed my ear firmly.
『Ow! Ow! Ow!』
『Tell me honestly. Why did you really come here?』
『I just told you!』
『There is no way you would come all this way for that reason alone.』
“I’m doing this for your own good! Let go of me!”
Aaahhhhh, it hurts!
As I twisted my body while rubbing my ears frantically, Leon steadied me and offered his support.
“Both the Young Lady and this boy were only concerned about Lucilucil’s wellbeing. They have no interest whatsoever in military strategy.”
“Take back what you said about me not being like Rocksburg. You’re truly more Rocksburg than anyone.”
“Thank you for the compliment!”
“It wasn’t a compliment.”
Lucilucil began taking deep breaths. He must have been thoroughly exasperated. The man sighed at the ceiling, then at the floor, then at me, before finally asking me to simply tell him why I’d come, since he’d believe I had no interest in the Largol Military’s movement routes.
“Marius’s death is only serving as a curiosity to Lucilucil.”
『….』
“When everything unfolds in your favor, someone will eventually grow suspicious. And they might not take kindly to it.”
“That’s…”
“So you need someone to take the blame.”
From a purely Largol perspective, the easiest way to handle misfortune in the household was to blame it on a woman. And if that woman was a stranger passing through? Even better. That’s why, unlike Aleine or Cerepia, Largol had countless tales of wicked women who ruined state affairs or destroyed their households. My strategy for securing my position was born from that very insight.
Since I was only staying temporarily, this method was perfect—I could build an impressive record that pleased the Emperor, suppress Lucilucil’s scandal, and enjoy myself in the process.
As I explained this with a shrug, Lucilucil’s expression grew flustered, and he opened his mouth reluctantly.
“You… just what…”
“What do you mean?”
“Why do you work so hard at things no one even asked you to do?”
『….』
That’s… that’s a good question. Why? What’s the reason? I was just as flustered as Lucilucil, my mouth hanging open, when a sudden thought crossed my mind.
“If I don’t work… I get anxious?”
The moment those words spilled out, Leon’s expression grew sorrowful, and following the Rocksburg manual, he embraced me. As Leon hugged me, Jack wrapped his arms around me as well, and Lucilucil, watching their lead, joined in the embrace.
“His Majesty wants to introduce Empress Flavia to Rosalite. You’ll all be attending the banquet.”
Empress Flavia… According to my records, she’s the most favored empress since Empress Aidemoc’s passing. I understand the role I’ve been assigned. I have no choice but to attend.
I decided to continue discussing my seat arrangements at dinner and made plans to withdraw. Just as I was about to give Leon and Jack the order to retreat and say my goodbyes, I noticed a few people passing by, so I paused for a moment.
“Lucilucil. Bend down for a moment, would you?”
“What now? What nonsense are you about to spout?”
Thinking I was about to whisper something to him, the man bent down and offered me his ear. I poked Lucilucil’s side and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before turning to leave.
Romantic entanglements during official business—wasn’t that a prerequisite for ruining a nation? Having achieved my objective, I linked arms with Jack and Leon, feeling quite satisfied.
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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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