Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 264

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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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“Wouldn’t it be nice to have a Rocksburg House servant capable of desk work living at home?”
Rosalite’s mother set down the knife she’d been sharpening on the whetstone, placing it gently on the table. Rosalite quickly withdrew her feet, then wiped my indoor slippers with the hem of her dress and shouted for Violet to bring the salve. I found myself oddly touched by the gesture.
“I’ve had faith in you, Lucilucil. Buy as many of those rolling toys as you like.”
“Didn’t you say you disliked them because they were noisy?”
“No, it’s nice having an alarm in the morning.”
How could she smile so brazenly? She and Rosalite were practically identical. I hoped Erina Yudi wouldn’t turn out the same way. I didn’t even want to imagine it.
I’d pulled together a list of people who suddenly moved to the Redevelopment District, dug up connections, and pressured both the Administrative Center director and the Rocksburg father-daughter pair—all because of a man named Amram Amber, that girl’s father.
This man was quite the specimen. Besides, the previous Eddie wouldn’t have much longer working here, and more hands meant more benefit for me. The more days Rosalite had off, the more time we could spend together at the Palace.
“That Amram Amber fellow could probably buy a noble title with the money he made at the Public Security Bureau.”
When I explained Amber’s skill at quietly siphoning off supplies and selling them through connections, his meticulous double-entry bookkeeping, and his perfect ten-year attendance record without a single absence, tardiness, or early departure, both Eddie and Rosalite covered their mouths with identical expressions before tears of joy streamed down their faces.
What kind of people were these? Honestly, it was disgusting.
“Quite the talent. Managing that in the Public Security Bureau where the budget is barely a pittance.”
“Indeed. If nobility is so desirable, perhaps we should grant him a title?”
“Come to think of it, Brown has served our house for a long time.”
“Brown Baron has a nice ring to it.”
“I do hope Amber prefers white marble for his residence.”
“What about the negotiating material?”
“I have extras. I received them as a gift when Laios abdicated.”
How did the author keep finding blackmail material on a king? No matter how much was used, more kept appearing. After six years of witnessing this repeatedly, I’d developed chills.
The first time or two, I’d genuinely admired the Previous Duke Rocksburg. But after it happened more than ten times, I couldn’t tell if this was a person or something wearing human skin over the concept of malice itself.
“I’m so happy, so very happy, Lucilucil! I’ve been short-handed since Crolley hasn’t come back from the Telecommunications Bureau. What would you like? Should I plant a new jewel tree for you?”
Rosalite, your tendency to compensate affection with material goods is far too strong. A person can’t live on money alone. To meet someone worse than myself and finally understand my own flaws—I couldn’t decide whether to welcome this realization or resent it.
“…!”
Rosalite was hugging me and kissing my face from the crown of my head downward when Gazelle entered the Dining Hall limping, holding Eri’s hand, and called out to the Rocksburg Duke. Gazelle puffed out his cheeks, insisting he was angry, but Rosalite dropped her spoon mid-meal and rushed over. Eri coldly shook off Gazelle’s hand and ran to me, whimpering for a hug.
“There, there. You still love being held, don’t you?”
Marie and Lily had outgrown this phase, but why was she still doing this? Was the Rocksburg bloodline that strong? Compared to Marie and Lily, who resembled me relatively well, Eri was practically a miniature Rosalite, so there was nothing strange about it.
“The Prince is happy too! Lucilucil said so!”
When Rosalite relayed the story to Gazelle, this herbivore smiled brightly in a way similar to the Rocksburg father-daughter pair and shed tears.
Come to think of it, he’d spent his childhood in Diamante. Sometimes his reactions were so Rocksburg-like that it bothered me.
“Lucilucil, I’m so, so grateful!”
“If you try to kiss me, I’ll shoot you dead.”
“Why would I do such a thing?”
Following the Rocksburg Mansion code of conduct, Gazelle applauded, thanked me for my consideration, bowed respectfully, and took a seat beside Rosalite. Regardless of where his father sat, Eri refused to leave my arms. What was this girl going to become when she grew up?
“You there. Bring children’s dinnerware.”
Feeding Eri was apparently my job now. I ordered a servant to bring her smaller portions and glanced dismissively at Rosalite and Gazelle, who were chattering away hand in hand. Since I was irritated anyway, I might as well use Eri.
“Eri. Hit your mother for me.”
At my command, Eri jumped up eagerly and kicked Rosalite’s ankle. A characteristic shriek erupted from Rosalite throughout the Ballroom. It was satisfying.

◇ ◆ ◇

The next day, I sought out Amram Amber and treated him to a lavish dinner. The round-faced man with thick spectacles turned ashen the moment he saw me, trembling like a leaf—yet I couldn’t fathom how this seemingly harmless fellow in his squirrel-patterned shirt had managed to pilfer two percent of Luke Rocksberg’s assets.
While I stalled for time, the Rocksburg Duke, the Previous Duke, and Will Brown meticulously gathered evidence to drag Amram Amber before the gallows. Within a week, seizure notices plastered every asset Amram owned, warrants were issued, and the court handed down a 250-year sentence for embezzling Rocksburg funds in the first trial.
To Amram Amber, cornered on the precipice with only death in sight, the Rocksburg Duke extended a lifeline.
Surely you have young children—you cannot let them grow up fatherless. I too have children that age; I understand your heart completely. Rosalite, having thoroughly persuaded the director with honeyed words, proposed that working 250 years at the Rocksburg Mansion would be far preferable to rotting in prison.
There was no way to refuse. Flee from Rocksburg? Will Brown would retrieve him, and Jack Brown would ensure a fate worse than death. A 250-year sentence was effectively a life sentence, no different from a demand for self-sacrifice. Amram Amber had no choice but to accept.
Gaunt from the mental anguish, he gazed at Rosalite as though she were his savior… Truly, like that Previous Duke’s illegitimate daughter, how could she commit such inhuman acts without hesitation? If Amram Amber ever discovered that the one who drove him to this brink was none other than the Rocksburg Duke himself, what expression would cross his face? I could only hope he wouldn’t go mad from the shock.
“Lucilucil, Amram Amber has brought his child.”
“Call me Security Chief here.”
“Security Chief Lucilucil.”
“That’s enough, you madman.”
Janet grows bolder with each passing day. Ever since I caught wind of her dark schemes against Rosalite, she’s been utterly shameless.
Cursed Rosalite. I once joked that she seduced everyone indiscriminately, but I never imagined I’d witness it in so many varied forms. How… how does that woman seduce without regard for gender or nationality?
“S-Security Chief. It’s been a while since we’ve met.”
My goodness. This doesn’t look like the same Amram Amber from the dinner gathering. The man had been reduced to half his former self.
“Hey there! Unemployed mister!”
And as I’d anticipated, he’d brought his little one properly. When Miriam Amber pointed at me and called me “unemployed,” Amram Amber was startled and scolded his daughter. But I’m a magnanimous person, so I forgave her.
“It’s fine. Miriam resembles Janet—she’s quite intelligent and her convictions don’t waver easily.”
“I apologize. I must have taught her poorly.”
“No, you’ve raised her wonderfully. Even knowing my own education is lacking, she encouraged me, saying one shouldn’t discriminate against people based on their academic credentials.”
“Miriam!”
Why are you shouting at the child? I was speaking with genuine admiration. If the Rocksburg lot heard this, they’d mock me for three days and nights as an uneducated fool, wouldn’t they? Yet they themselves were taught by private tutors.
In any case, my reason for calling Miriam wasn’t unrelated—I had business with her directly. Separate from delivering Amram Amber fresh to Rosalite’s office, I’d taken quite a liking to Miriam. If I liked her, then Marie and Lily would surely adore her as well.
“Miriam, do you know that your father will be eating, sleeping, and working at Rocksburg?”
“Yes! I heard it’s a very honorable position!”
“Honorable, is it? Well, that’s fortunate. I have a job offer for you as well.”
I pulled out a pre-drafted contract and showed it to both Amram Amber and Miriam. The Brown Family was overwhelmed with complaints they couldn’t even handle, so I thought it best to assign my sons a sturdy, strong-willed dedicated companion.
“Your role will be to serve as a friend to my sons. You’ll be paid eighty percent of your father’s wages, and this will automatically adjust according to any changes in Amram Amber’s salary.”
“But… I’d have to follow Father into the Rocksburg Mansion, so I wouldn’t have time…”
“That’s fine. My sons carry Rocksburg blood.”
At my response, Miriam’s eyes widened in shock, and she cried out in astonishment—a reaction entirely different from when she’d glimpsed my nameplate and realized I was the Security Chief.
“You’re the Rocksburg Duke’s consort?!”
“You weren’t surprised when you found out I was the Security Chief, so why are you surprised now?”
“That’s something that can be solved through nepotism, but the Duke’s consort isn’t! Wow! You’re quite an impressive person!”
How on earth did you raise this child? When I glared at Amram Amber, he trembled and pleaded earnestly with Miriam to stop.
“But why, Dad! You said the Security Chief position was nepotism too! You said it was nothing special!”
“I’m so sorry! It’s all my fault! I apologize!”
This really does seem to be your fault. I beckoned Amram Amber closer, then grabbed his ear with all my strength in retaliation before continuing.
“Your Majesty will establish a Rocksburg Bank account and hold the funds in trust, disbursing everything once you reach adulthood. You wouldn’t want to entrust your money to a father who’s made a habit of embezzlement, would you?”
“That sounds perfect! I don’t trust Father either!”
I summoned the manager, who’d been banging his head against the wall in self-torment, had him verify the documents, and swiftly concluded the contract. The agreement bearing the seals of both Miriam Amber and her daughter finally rested in my hands.
“So I only need to work for five more years, correct?”
“Of course.”
I had Janet place the contract in the safe at once and smiled warmly at Miriam Amber. I still needed to review properties and finalize a purchase agreement for their residence. The little one would gain profound wisdom at such a tender age.
After covering their dining expenses as they departed, I retrieved a water pipe with delight and smoked contentedly in my office. Janet, having now experienced firsthand how grueling it was to care for the twins alongside me, gazed sorrowfully at the door through which mother and daughter had exited.
“Poor thing. Five years with Marie and Lily.”
“What are you talking about? It’s ten years.”
Janet regarded me with bewilderment. Miriam Amber had mentioned five years earlier, and the contract itself stipulated five years, so she questioned why it had become ten. I tapped my pipe stem leisurely against the desk and answered with unhurried composure.
“I didn’t write in the date.”
One must examine contracts carefully. Without a date inscribed, that agreement holds no legal force. After extracting five years of diligent labor, should she request release because the contract has concluded, I’ll simply inscribe the date at that moment and bind her for another five years. I’ve already obtained her seal—the date itself remains entirely within my discretion.
“Ah….”
“What?”
“Nothing, just. Now I understand why someone like you married Rosalite.”
“Jealous?”
“Yes.”
Yes, envy me all you wish. I do things with Rosalite every day that you wouldn’t dare dream of. I continued smoking while teasing Janet. My mood was exceptionally splendid.

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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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