Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 53

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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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Upon arriving at the Duke’s Mansion, I confirmed that Rosalite was indeed absent, and her escort Aster was nowhere to be found either.
I couldn’t believe that this scheme—using the final chapter as leverage for blackmail—had passed through the council with Rosalite as the obvious target, received the King’s approval, and even earned the Rocksburg Duke’s consent.
When I questioned how he could push his daughter, not even twenty years old, into such danger despite his inhuman competence, the Duke simply said Rosalite could handle it, and even if she failed, there was no succession problem since Asterion existed.
Come to think of it, the Duke was that man’s older brother. The Rocksburg Duke and my stepfather the Marquis were the same blood, united in their agreement to kill my brother Dylan.
People without blood or tears.
I decided to seek cooperation from Prod and Diana in case something went wrong, but before we could devise any useful strategy, news arrived that Rosalite had returned from the Empire.
And it wasn’t simply a return—she had resolved the matter of the Third Prince’s repatriation, negotiated a fishing agreement regarding the Jokgyeongsu Waters between the Empire and the Kingdom that favored Alein Kingdom’s fishermen, secured a promise that imperial pirates would not receive imperial protection and the Bienar Duke could arrest them at will, and even obtained assurance that if the Kingdom mistakenly attacked civilian vessels, only nominal compensation need be paid.
…What was I doing when I was eighteen?
As I buried my head in the desk from self-deprecation, Prod comforted me by saying it was easier not to think of Rosalite as human, and Diana, befitting a lord’s lady, gushed that she was truly extraordinary and desperately wanted to meet her once.
I mentioned that I was merely someone in a contractual engagement, and we’d be strangers once the period ended, but they both made a fuss and told me to push it all the way to marriage.
Well, I’m not entirely without such feelings. The problem is that Rosalite doesn’t see me as anything remotely like that….
“My lord! My lord, please look at this!”
I’ve been calling Diana since earlier, but why does this girl come running so eagerly when all I do is work her to the bone?
I had called Diana to ask which location to use as an ambush point for dealing with the remnants of the rebellion, but the girl insisted there was something more pressing and placed several bread pouches on the map spread across my desk.
…Is bread more important than discussing ambush locations? Is the child particularly hungry? Should we go eat lunch? Though Rosalite did say that while work is good, one mustn’t skip meals….
“My lady seized the patent rights from a civilian business that started a bread trade and began mass production! Apparently, Prism Seals are included at low probability, and when you collect all types of seals, you receive luxury goods—the bread is selling like hotcakes! Truly, my lord’s lady is remarkable! Her talents are extraordinary!”
Rosalite…, doing such unscrupulous corporate schemes again….
To Diana, who proudly noted that these mysteriously crafted breads were only sold in major cities and quickly sold out even when distribution began through shops connected to the Rocksburg House, I bestowed praise along with a gold coin.
Rosalite once told me that nearly everything can be accomplished with money, and even people’s loyalty can be bought with it. She said that even if the other party isn’t in need of money, a show of sincerity is extremely important, so when I took office in the Beloche Territory, I spent money without hesitation.
I have little desire for material wealth, and by implementing a performance bonus system with my own funds, I distributed commendations and money to those who achieved great results, which improved work efficiency beyond measure.
“Thank you, my lord! I shall repay your kindness toward me with unwavering loyalty!”
And how did this child grow up like that at merely twelve years old?
Rosalite’s case was equally remarkable, but at least she was the heir to the Duke’s House and underwent extremely rigorous early education, so it was somewhat understandable.
But Diana Cento could only be described as a natural phenomenon—at twelve years old, she instigated a rebellion, manipulated a Grand Mage with her silver tongue, commanded soldiers, and her tactical abilities could only be called divinely granted….
What is Diana?
“…Huh?”
When I opened the bread pouch with a caricatured drawing of Rosalite—that is, the “Original! Rosalite Rocksburg’s Crispy and Moist Squid Croquette!”—a glittering seal fell out.
I opened Rosalite’s bread and found a portrait seal of Rosalite inside. Indeed. So this is the system….
“Oh! Isn’t that the Prism Seal of my lady, of which only ten are produced daily throughout all of Alein! To boast of such marital harmony even here—I, who have yet to find a good person, am utterly envious!”
So how did Diana Cento end up growing like that at twelve years old….
I briefly pondered the secret of Diana’s growth, then quickly realized it was a futile concern and examined the drawing of Rosalite. While it was a cunning money-making scheme that exploited human greed, I felt pleased that a rare seal had come out on the first try.
“So. What is this luxury item they give for collecting all types of seals?”
“It should be written on the back of the bread pouch…. Ah, here it is. After confirming no cheating occurred, they provide either one hundred gold coins, a cushy position at the Duke’s Mansion, or a one-day date with either Rosalite or Aster, your choice.”
“….”
“By the way, how do they print these glittering seals? Without magic, it seems impossible with our country’s printing technology.”
“….”
I calmly opened the remaining bread pouches and collected the seals. Aster’s soft cream bread contained a drawing of Aster, and from the crispy garlic bread, also featuring Aster as the model, came a two-shot of Rosalite and Aster.
I pulled out another gold coin and handed it to Diana, instructing her on what the child should do going forward.
“Buy exactly ten of those breads every day.”
“…You’re collecting them?”
“Is there a problem?”
“No, it’s just that there doesn’t seem to be any merchandise worthy of my lord’s interest….”
“I’ve never been on a date.”
“…Pardon?”
I’ve never been on a single date with Rosalite! Not once!
As I burst out in frustration, Diana’s eyes widened and she cried out as if it were absurd.
“But my lord, you’re the lady’s fiancé! How have you never been on a date?!”
“She’s been busy, what can I do!”
“No, but! Even so! This is madness!”
I did go out privately with Rosalite once, holding her hand. But that time I dragged along Asterion and Aster, and in the end Luke Chatel joined us and made fun of me—that’s all I remember.
She was so busy that I couldn’t even bring myself to ask her to spare some time, and even if she did somehow find the time, I had no idea what price I’d have to pay.
Buying the time of the Rocksburg Duke’s heir was never worth any price, and if Rosalite took a single day off, the ones who truly suffered were Rosalite herself and me.
As I explained the whole situation in detail, Diana’s face filled with sympathy. She pulled out a hand bell from her pocket and rushed out. Then in the corridor before the office, she rang the bell loudly and raised her voice.
“Everyone, this is an emergency! An emergency! My lord has never been on a date with the lady!”
“What?! That can’t be right?!”
“I’m going right now!”
You all ignored me when I called earlier, but now that this topic comes up, you gather so quickly….
Perhaps I really shouldn’t be in a position to command people. Until now I’ve managed by imitating Rosalite somehow, but it seems I’ve reached my limit. I buried my face in my hands, when Prod arrived faster than anyone else, and Philip—my personal butler and secretary whom Rosalite assigned to me—entered with his arm guards completely stained with ink.
Philip, are you so interested in my personal life that you’d abandon your work to rush over?
“Does Rosalite even realize she’s engaged to Glen?! Even that emotionless Duke was absolutely smitten with the Duchess!”
“Mind your words, Prod. If that notoriously difficult young mistress heard you, she might think ‘Glen and I have office dates every single day♡’!”
“That makes it worse! If they’re just meeting at the office, that’s work, not a date!”
“That’s exactly why I’m saying the young mistress is unconventional!”
“There’s a limit to being unconventional! Doesn’t she just not see Glen as a man? When she met the Third Prince before, she pretended to be weak and collapsed, making a huge fuss! She even invited him to her home personally, and didn’t the Third Prince spend the night at the Duke’s Mansion?!”
“I haven’t told him yet because I was worried Glen would be hurt! Shut up!”
…The Third Prince spent a night at the Duke’s Mansion?
I was stunned, having never heard this news before, when Philip smacked Prod on the back. It seemed Philip had been taking measures to keep that information from reaching my ears.
“Contact with the Third Prince was merely part of my duties, so don’t worry about it, Glen.”
“That’s true, I suppose. No matter how much the young mistress likes curvy women, she wouldn’t invite someone she met just once home and seduce them into staying over…, ow! Why did you hit me!”
“Watch your mouth! The young mistress is not that kind of person!”
“Come on, isn’t the real problem right now that the young mistress is exactly NOT that kind of person?!”
Prod and Philip started arguing, but I didn’t have the energy to stop them.
My heart simply felt heavy.
How had things become like this?
Surely at first I hadn’t harbored any special feelings for Rosalite. When she proposed the engagement, I was merely angry at the thought that I was just an insignificant person she could do with as she pleased.
To be honest, when she kept following me around and watched my mood carefully, apologizing—I thought it was cute that even the great Rosalite had such a side to her.
And when she tried her best to accommodate my preferences and showed me such consideration, and when at the Queen’s birthday banquet she extended her hand to me as I sat bored…, honestly…. Hmm…, honestly….
Ah, I thought my life was finished back then.
Rosalite may not remember it, but I will never forget what she said to me that day—that she had the strength to support me alone, so I should have hope.
I had endured my entire life alone. I could never complain to anyone or admit I was struggling, but Rosalite granted me that permission so easily.
She promised to always be on my side, and she has kept that promise until now, so I believed it would be greedy to ask for anything more.
“….”
But now my thoughts have changed.
Since you’re so fond of curves, Rosalite.
“I….”
I’ve made my decision. At this point, I have no choice but to go through with it. She proposed this to me once before, and I refused because I thought I didn’t deserve it, but now I have the courage to accept.
I’ve rebuilt this ruined domain to this extent—I won’t let a marriage fall apart! I have confidence now!
“I will propose to Rosalite!”

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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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