Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 244
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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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I decided that I’d knock Jack down one more time, and if the King chuckled, Jack would have to pay me back. With that settled, I turned toward Janet. Come to think of it, hadn’t she said she needed my help?
“Yes! I’ve placed the iron rods, so if you just send a lightning bolt our way, Rosalite, the water should boil right up!”
“You’ve been rolling around under Father, and now you’ve become quite the construction expert.”
“Hehe, I do tend to pick things up quickly.”
“How did you know I’m a mage?”
“That Leon fellow who broke into the Private Military Unit commander’s office was bragging about it everywhere.”
Hmm… yes. Leon deserves punishment for that.
“And Lucilucil was also hit by magic once, and he said I’d be as terrifying as a demon grandmother, so if I didn’t want to die, I shouldn’t talk back!”
Hmm… yes. Lucilucil deserves punishment too. I hadn’t planned to go this far, but I think I need to give him a proper scolding in bed.
Anyway, this is… sigh. Since it’s already made, I can’t just leave it unused. The children went to all this trouble to play, so while punishment is punishment, I suppose I can cooperate to some degree.
“Maximum output! Target specified! Release!”
As I sent a lightning bolt down onto the iron rods, it wasn’t long before the stone warmed up and the water began boiling vigorously. It seems Aster laid out the heating lines on the ground well. Is this, strictly speaking, working on the same principle as a heated stone bed or an electric heating pad?
“It’ll be hot for a while, so wait until the steam dies down before entering. And put something around those iron rods to prevent electricity from flowing through. High voltage warning.”
“Yes, Young Mistress!”
They all answer well, at least. As I sighed heavily, Magnus let out another creepy laugh and complimented me.
“Your character is generous and gentle, so your subordinates follow you well. It’s not something everyone can do—you’re remarkable.”
“You’re too kind. Even if they cause some trouble, children are happiest when they’re simply playing well, aren’t they?”
“My, what a virtuous person—how did you ever end up meeting Sage…!”
“Hey, are you cursing me? You just cursed me. Didn’t you?”
Well, it’s good to have a warm place to wash up, but considering Magnus’s constitution, everyone entering together might make him uncomfortable. Out of consideration for him, I asked Janet to prepare a separate smaller bath, and decided to personally guide Magnus to his quarters.
I wanted to understand more about this person for a while anyway. Since there’s no harm in making a good impression, we walked while exchanging updates about our lives, when my husbands approached from afar, engaged in harmonious conversation.
Glen, with his injured leg and a wine glass in hand, walked unsteadily and eventually leaned too far, pouring a drink that reeked of alcohol all over Lucilucil’s head, and Lucilucil, startled, apparently tangled his feet and kicked Glen’s cane out from under him, sending him tumbling to the ground.
Glen sprawled on the ground and Lucilucil, drenched in what could have been ethanol or wine—impossible to tell—couldn’t stop laughing at how ridiculous each other’s mistakes were.
“Hahaha, be careful, Gazelle. You might end up breaking your good leg too.”
“My apologies. It was my mistake. If Rosalite saw this, she might feel displeased, so you should go wash up quickly.”
“Rosalite wouldn’t be displeased just because a little alcohol got on me.”
“As expected, you’re overflowing with confidence, Lucilucil. Though there’s no basis for it.”
“No basis? I’m not as frail as you are.”
The conversation just wouldn’t end. When should I jump in? I waited for a while, then seized the moment when the two of them started a staring contest to speak.
“Greetings. This is Magnus, the main figure of today’s negotiations.”
“I’ve heard much of your reputation. I’m Lucius Iddemock Rocksburg, the one and only husband of Rosalite Rocksburg.”
It was Lucilucil who moved first at my introduction. The man accustomed to life in the Imperial Palace offered a smile that would win favor from anyone and extended his hand. By the way, that “one and only husband” comment—Glen had told him not to say that, but it seems he forgot in the meantime. Perhaps with his age, his memory is a bit… well. Seeing Glen firmly gripping his cane with a sullen expression, it would take a while longer for that to smooth over.
“Ah, no. Aren’t you Crown Prince Lucius? It’s an honor to meet you.”
“Hahaha, I’ve been a former crown prince for quite some time. Please, speak freely.”
Lucilucil really does have a good temperament. While Glen hesitated, Lucilucil finished his greeting heartily and naturally extended his hand that wasn’t covered in alcohol, and Magnus, somewhat caught off guard, grasped Lucilucil’s hand with his gloved opposite hand.
The same thing that had happened to me earlier unfolded before my eyes. A green liquid oozed and stretched, then fell to the ground with a soft sound.
Yet Lucilucil’s smile remained unwavering. Instead, he nudged my side repeatedly, silently asking whether this substance was harmful.
“It’s body fluid. There’s no toxicity to it.”
At my whisper, Lucilucil relaxed and withdrew his hand.
“So that’s why you wore gloves on the other hand. My apologies. I wasn’t perceptive enough.”
“No, goodness, I’ve made another mistake. Not only the Young Duke, but even Your Highness—oh dear.”
“Don’t worry about it. Make yourself comfortable.”
Ah yes, indeed. Someone who’s been rolling around in this world for more than just a day or two carries themselves differently. Lucilucil made an excuse about the alcohol on his hair and clothes, saying he’d go wash up, and I casually mentioned the open-air bath that Brown and Janet had taken the lead in creating.
After sending Lucilucil outside, I linked my arm through Glen’s, who was still too stunned to collect himself, and pulled him along. Glen, wobbling like a newborn Thompson Gazelle as the shock hadn’t worn off, fumbled through an introduction and extended his hand.
“It’s an honor to meet you. I am Glen Hofen Rocksburg, soon to be the husband of Rosalite.”
“Pardon?”
Magnus, there exists a cultural difference between Cerepia and Aleine, so do not be overly surprised.
The man looked bewildered, glancing back at Lucilucil’s shoulders—the one he’d just introduced as his husband—then, seeing Glen’s hand still hanging in the air, he startled and quickly grasped it.
“Forgive me, but earlier, didn’t Lucius introduce himself as the Young Duke’s husband?”
“I was her husband first.”
“Ah… yes…”
“Why are you so shocked, you fool! In my country, if our doctor has the capability, we’d give her two husbands, three husbands—as many as she can handle! The fact that our doctor is keeping just two and maintaining loyalty is what’s remarkable! Your nation should give her an award!”
Oh, how embarrassing, Papa, please stop. Besides, truthfully, there’s no one else who would come to me besides Glen and Lucilucil. Will and Jack sing that tune every single day.
I laughed heartily, feigning modesty while soothing Glen, whose eyes had reddened. This fool—Lucilucil had called himself her one and only husband, and Magnus got startled and sulked.
“Forgive me, but I should take my leave. It seems the Prince is upset.”
“Oh, no. Rosalite, I—”
“Fine, leave the escort to me. We’ll have a proper conversation tomorrow anyway. Right now my husband’s crying—is Magnus really the problem?”
“Sage! I’m not crying!”
“Oh sure. Wipe your tears and speak.”
Glen startled and wiped his eyes, though there was no way he’d actually shed tears. Realizing he’d been tricked by Papa, Glen shrieked indignantly, and I found it so amusing and endearing that I hugged him tight and peppered his face with kisses.
Then we slipped into a nearby room for a quick rendezvous before heading back to where the children were playing.
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The path to the open-air bath was far more orderly than before, with clothes and shoes neatly arranged in various spots like some sort of suicide hotspot. Yes, just as Jack said—having an open-air bath on this high cliff really is nice.
“Rosalite! Rosalite, come in quickly! We’ve prepared towels and everything!”
“The water temperature is just right now!”
Yeah, looking at you all sprawled out, it does seem incredibly enjoyable.
I watched the children lounging and gurgling in the water, then casually stripped off my clothes, wrapped a towel around myself, and dove into the bath with a splash. The moment I entered the water, Janet came to my side and clung to me, and when Glen hesitated near the neatly stacked bath towels, Lucilucil opened his troublesome mouth again.
“Come on in, Gazelle. Don’t be shy.”
“No, I…”
“No one will mock your scrawny body. You know Rosalite isn’t the type of woman to be that cruel.”
“…!”
Anyway, he’s a genius at teasing. But thanks to him, Glen seemed to make up his mind—he disappeared into the forest, fumbled around, then returned with a towel wrapped around his waist like a sarong. His upper body was mottled from the earlier rendezvous.
“I hesitated, thinking it might make others uncomfortable, but since we’re all like family, I won’t worry about it.”
“Ha, ha. Yes. Make yourself comfortable. Comfortable.”
Ugh, seeing Lucilucil’s expression, I feel like sparks are about to fly. I should hide inconspicuously behind Janet and Aster.
“Rosalite! When we return, I’ll have a pond made of alcohol built in front of my palace!”
Since when did you become Daji of the Shang Dynasty, making such requests of me? More importantly, Rocksburg looks like it’s going to collapse on my watch, so don’t say such inauspicious things.
I scolded Lucilucil for spouting such nonsense and leaned my weight against Janet and Aster’s shoulders, draping my arms across them. Ahh, the water feels wonderful. Now that Lucilucil mentioned alcohol, I’m getting thirsty for a drink myself—though that’s a bit inconvenient right now.
“Shall I prepare drinks for you, Young Lady?”
“I’ll fetch them at once if you give the word.”
“No, no. It’s cold out, and wading back and forth from the water will give you a chill. Let’s wait a bit longer.”
Even if these two keep sparring at a leisurely pace, they should be getting tired soon and heading back up.
As I recited a poem or two to savor the twilight, Leon and Yuri finally made their way up to the villa’s gate. They were absolutely caked in dirt, but fortunately, neither appeared to be injured.
“Leon! While you’re heading inside, tell the kitchen to prepare drinks for us!”
“Yes, yes, Sister!”
I should settle dinner here and head back. Janet had laid the heating elements so expertly that the water—and even the bare rocks—were perfectly warm, like a sauna. Since we’re having this much fun anyway, I’m starting to wonder if I was too harsh when I dunked him earlier.
“Aah! Rosalite! I’m so disappointed!”
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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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