Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 38

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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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“Sigh….”
I’d underestimated him—the man could really hold his liquor. I’d assumed that maintaining such impressive musculature meant he rarely drank, but I was entirely mistaken.
The drinking session stretched late into the night. The orchestra had been dismissed long ago, and Leon had dozed off some time back, his head now resting on my lap as he slumbered peacefully.
I’d intended to probe him about the Princess while he was intoxicated, but his complexion hadn’t shifted even slightly. I’d better broach the subject before I became too drunk myself.
“Now that I think about it, I did hear something regarding Marius.”
“About me?”
“Yes. That there would be good news between you and Princess Grace soon.”
“So you kept refilling my glass just to ask me that?”
He didn’t seem drunk at all, yet he’d clearly had enough to throw such a direct fastball. Fine, yes, that’s exactly what I was trying to ask—so what?
“At a young age like mine, gossip about romance is naturally the most entertaining, isn’t it?”
“…That was the most amusing joke I’ve heard all evening.”
“You’re not laughing though.”
“I plan to laugh once I’ve bitten someone.”
What a strange man—laughing whenever he felt like it.
I swirled the glass in my hand, inhaling the sharp alcohol fumes rising from it. One more drink and I’d truly pass out. Before that happened, I needed to hear something—but the sofa shifted beneath me as something moved.
Turning toward the source, I found the Third Prince settled right beside me, emptying his glass. Even accounting for the late hour and everyone else retiring to their quarters with only their closest attendants remaining, wasn’t he being rather forward?
“Phew, drinking so much makes one hot.”
Thank you for being so forward with me; I look forward to your continued company!
The Third Prince removed his jacket and unfastened four buttons on his shirt from the top, which forced me to clamp my mouth shut and hide my increasingly uncontrollable smirk. Each time he grasped his shirt and fluttered it, complaining of the heat, a wonderful scent wafted toward me, and I nearly swooned.
That idiot Luke missed this spectacular view just because of sleep. But what’s done is done—I’ll have to witness it for both of us and explain it to him later.
Keeping my face forward while rolling my eyes to their limits, I scanned the Third Prince from head to toe, then reminded myself of my original purpose and removed the hand covering my mouth.
Right, I was supposed to ask about the Princess.
“But if you’re using a word like ‘merely,’ doesn’t that mean you’d speak quite openly about what happened between you and the Princess?”
“There would be no difficulty in that.”
Marius, now sitting flush against my side, didn’t stop there—he subtly leaned his body against mine and linked his arm through mine. Where our skin touched felt like it was burning.
More importantly, his forearm was pressing against my chest! My chest! And we’re not even alone here—what kind of shameless behavior is this?!
But I have no intention of stopping him; thank you so much!
I offered my gratitude to the 80-proof Applejack and remained perfectly still, only my lips curving into a smirk. If I moved even slightly, the Third Prince could report me and I’d have no defense, given how heavy his arm felt around mine.
“But first, you should answer what I asked earlier.”
“What I asked earlier…?”
“What’s become of your fiancée?”
Hahaha, so that’s the answer you want badly enough to rub your forearm against my chest? Thank you; please continue to be curious.
Unable to manage this body contact while sober, I simply swallowed more of the wretched alcohol and licked my lips.
I shouldn’t drink more. My throat kept drying. I was already barely holding onto my last thread of reason with the alcohol threatening to sweep it away, and now that the Third Prince was acting like this, I couldn’t think straight at all.
A perfect rendezvous! Could this possibly be heading toward a rendezvous in bed?!
As I kept thinking back to the rendezvous I’d missed long ago, my face burning, the Third Prince suddenly went even further and grasped my hand. Not content with just that, he wrapped his hand around mine—the one holding my glass—and brought the rim to his own lips, drinking from it with a soft gulp.
Heart, don’t act up. You’re not a free agent.
“If you’re honest with me, I’ll be honest with you.”
“H-h-honest, you s-say?”
“Whether what happened between you and Princess Grace is mere rumor or truth.”
Kyaaaaa! My ears! My ears! Your breath! Your breath! Don’t whisper like that, it gives me goosebumps!
I was perfectly content observing from a distance, so why was he suddenly acting like this? He must have had some ulterior motive, but I lacked the mental capacity to dwell on it. Instead, my mind fixated solely on my precious human asset—Glen Hofen.
I may have a betrothal contract until I turn twenty, but I am indeed an engaged woman. I shouldn’t entertain thoughts of clandestine rendezvous with strange men, should I, Rosalite Rocksburg? But since it’s merely a contractual engagement, wouldn’t it be fine as long as I report properly afterward?!
Ah, it’s no use. Glen Hofen isn’t helping at all—he’s not becoming a beacon for my heart. Why did I suggest drinking? I was rather confident in my ability to stay sober, but I hadn’t anticipated my companion would be an even worse drinker than me. Now I don’t even know what I’m thinking anymore!
“With Glen… the young master…!”
Hehehehe. Oh, forget it all, let’s have a clandestine rendezvous! A rendezvous in bed!
Just as I was about to close my eyes and go through with it, I turned toward the Third Prince and grabbed his wrist. Then something suddenly rose up from below.
Thud.
Leon, who had been sleeping on my lap, suddenly snapped his eyes open and sat up, positioning himself between the Third Prince and me. The wine glass we’d been holding together slipped from his grasp, and the child, drenched in spilled alcohol, reeked of spirits as his hair became thoroughly soaked.
“You’re intoxicated, Sister.”
Well… I suppose you’re right, I do seem to be drunk.
At Leon’s observation, I released the Third Prince’s wrist and stood up. I had Aster bring a towel and vigorously dried Leon’s hair.
“It’s grown late, so let us retire for the evening. Rooms have been prepared for you. I do hope you’ll find your stay comfortable.”
“What a shame. I thought this would be an opportunity for us to open our hearts to each other.”
Watching Marius smile with narrowed eyes, I bit my lip hard and pinched my thigh mercilessly, then summoned our household servants to escort the Third Prince and bid him farewell.
“There will be other opportunities for us to grow closer.”
I waved to the Third Prince with a smile and closed the door, then collapsed onto the sofa where Leon was sitting, breathing heavily.
The breath I exhaled reeked of alcohol.
Gasp. Gasp. I nearly did something terrible.
“Are you alright, Sister?”
“I’m fine. Thanks to you, I’m alive. Thank you, Leon.”
One should age gracefully, but I’ve completely lost my mind. To punish myself for nearly crossing a line while drunk, I slapped my own cheeks repeatedly, then nuzzled my nose against Leon’s head as he stared blankly at me, and grimaced.
“I need to wash up. I reek of alcohol.”
“That may be so, but… are you intoxicated?”
“I’m perfectly fine.”
As proof, I can recite pi to the thirtieth decimal place. When I confidently demonstrated this evidence, Leon’s expression grew increasingly troubled.
“You’re intoxicated.”
“I’m not, I tell you.”
“I’ll escort you to your room.”
“I keep telling you I’m not drunk.”
But his concern for me is endearing, so I’ll allow him to accompany me.
Giggling, I stood up and grasped Leon’s hand firmly, swinging it as I headed toward my room. I’d already sent Lily and Violet home after their late-night work, leaving only Aster and Leon, so I didn’t need to worry about others’ eyes.
“Come on, Aster, your hand too!”
“Yes, Miss.”
Wow, I’ve got both hands now! I’m in the middle!
I held Leon’s hand in my left and Aster’s in my right, and in my delight, I bounced cheerfully toward my room. I nearly stumbled going up the staircase, but Aster quickly caught my arm and lifted me up, allowing me to continue walking without falling.
Aster is strong. Perhaps he’s strong because he eats a lot. Will I become strong if I eat a lot too?
“Then I shall take my leave.”
“Wait!”
Leon had escorted me to the entrance of my room and was about to retire, but I couldn’t simply let him go. With Luke lurking somewhere in this mansion and the Third Prince as well, what was he thinking, wandering off alone like that?
The boy was still too innocent, unaware of the dangers that lurked in the shadows! What if they attacked him again? What if something happened to him? He’d nearly died before! If he died, I’d be sixteen-year-old Rosalite once more, trapped in that dreadful waltz of ruin…!
Sob… sob! Wail!
“Ugh, hack, wail!”
“Sister! Why are you suddenly crying!”
“Miss, are you in pain again?! Should I fetch you some medicine for cramps!”
My cycle had ended ages ago—what was this fool prattling on about cramps for? Aster, you absolute fool.
Because Aster was being so foolish, I tapped his chest and teased him for being an idiot while wiping my tears. I then explained my purpose to Leon simply and directly—the very method Father favored.
“Sleep with me.”
“…Huh?”
“I said, sleep with me.”
There he went with that confused sound again. Finding Asterion’s expression crumble amusing, I laughed and dragged Leon into my room with heavy footsteps. It was far better to keep him beside me and let him sleep than to leave him alone, anxious all night. This had been my intention from the moment I invited them to stay.
“Sister, regardless of our familial bond, how can a grown man and woman share the same bed!”
“It’s fine. My bed is quite spacious.”
“That’s not the issue! Aster! Bring the sobering medicine at once!”
Ugh, be quiet, you wretch!
I led Leon to the foot of the bed, gave him a gentle push to topple him onto it, and wrapped him thoroughly in the blankets. He wasn’t going anywhere tonight—he understood that much.
“Sister, didn’t you say my hair smells? Shouldn’t I go wash?”
“Never mind. Come to think of it, I reek of alcohol far worse.”
“At the very least, I shall sleep on the floor! This cannot continue with just the two of us!”
“Fine!”
Since he was being so insistent, I had no choice. I stripped off my stockings and outer garments, tossing them carelessly aside, and settled into bed beside Leon wearing only my slip.
“Aster! Let’s all sleep together!”
“Yes, Miss.”
If he objected to the two of us, surely three would be acceptable.
Exhausted beyond measure, I decided to postpone washing until morning and had Aster vacate the space before extinguishing the light.
Contrary to Leon’s concerns, my bed was spacious enough even with Aster joining us.

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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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