Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 59

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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 turned my head toward Leon with delight, only to find he was no longer on the ground—instead, I caught sight of a nearby window creaking open.
Leon had his foot planted on the window ledge. From the look of it, he was about to jump.
“Jack! Catch Leon!”
I cried out urgently, and Jack threw himself forward to save him. As Jack barely managed to drag Leon back down to the floor, my brother thrashed about, wailing that he wanted to die.
“Let me go! I’m going to die! I’d rather die! I don’t have the courage to live anymore!”
“You fool!”
Why would you die over something like this? Do you really want to drive your sister crazy?!
With the stuffed doll tucked under one arm, I approached Leon and pinched both his cheeks, stretching them outward. He still had baby fat on his face, so the skin didn’t stretch as easily as I’d hoped—soft and plump like mochi.
“Even boys can play with dolls! I don’t discriminate over things like that!”
“Wow… Are you serious, Young Lady?”
“And if your sister really likes you that much, she might even have a doll that looks like her!”
I already knew he had a sister complex! So I’m not shocked! Thank goodness I found out beforehand!
“This isn’t just… a passing resemblance, I’m afraid…”
There are so many silver-haired, golden-eyed characters in fantasy novels—what does it matter anyway!
After comforting Leon and assuring him it was fine, I held up the meter-tall stuffed doll and asked where he’d bought it. Leon checked with me once more to make sure I was really okay, and when I nodded, he spoke hesitantly.
“Well, I received the materials and pattern from Violet, and I sewed it myself…”
“You made this yourself?”
“Ugh. And it’s handmade on top of that?”
I shot Jack a look to stop his complaining, then examined the doll carefully, inspecting the craftsmanship and seams in detail.
So his earlier claim about being confident in sewing wasn’t just talk. He’d done an excellent job.
“I need one for something, so could you make another one?”
I handed the doll back to Leon and spoke matter-of-factly. His expression brightened immediately. He said he could make an even prettier one now and asked about the deadline and the size of the new doll.
I gave Leon detailed specifications regarding size and expression, and told him he could consult with Violet if he needed help. After we finished discussing the doll, I thoroughly cursed Theodore and returned to work.
Just you wait, Theodore Alain. You’re finished now.

◇ ◆ ◇

I tossed another letter from Glen’s Mother into the trash without even opening the envelope, took a sip of coffee, and continued working.
When her first letter arrived, I’d opened it out of curiosity, but the contents were so absurd that I threw it away immediately. The letter that came the next day had the same message, and so did the one after that, so now I simply discard them the moment they arrive.
What was it she said? Something like, “Aren’t you going to marry Glen soon? Shouldn’t you come pay your respects to his household as a matter of courtesy?” I couldn’t fathom why she was spouting such nonsense when I was drowning in work. Didn’t that woman understand what happens when Father and I are away from the estate?
And if I had time to visit Uncle’s Mansion, I’d rather go to Luke Chatel’s Spa to relax. Why on earth would I go to some Marquis Territory that isn’t even worth seeing?
Watching the sun set and realizing I’d be working late again, my eyes grew red, but when I spotted the Royal Palace carriage racing toward me beyond that sunset, I hurriedly called for Jack and rushed to the Entrance Hall—only to be beaten to it by Father, and I genuinely wanted to cry.
It was a Royal Palace carriage visiting after a long time, and from Father’s teasing remarks as he passed by, it seemed this visit involved a banquet with a ball attached.
So the Crown Prince’s bride-hunting project is starting again this year. But seriously, is that guy really not getting married? How old is he now?
….
Let me think—there’s roughly an eight-year age gap between us, so he must be twenty-seven?
The future King isn’t married at twenty-seven?! If he were the First Prince of the neighboring country, wouldn’t he have already gone through a divorce by now?
Struck by this shocking realization, I quickly scribbled a note saying that Theodore not being married was a serious problem and that we ought to devise some countermeasure, had Jack deliver it to Father, and received a reply that the Dukes were already consulting among themselves about taking turns arranging meetings for him.
To be honest, I wouldn’t mind if he never married at all—I’d just prefer he’d cause some scandal and produce a royal heir to secure the succession. But this fellow has never had a romantic interest in his entire life, nor has he ever caused a scandal.
He may have been forced into marriage several times in previous cycles, but… is this guy actually impotent? How did Leon ever come to like him in the first place? Perhaps his sexual orientation is unconventional…
But if that were the case, he should have said so clearly from the start. If he’d been upfront about not being able to have children or not being interested in women, we could have already arranged an adoption from among the suitable children of the Royal Family, or we could have devised a plan to pass the throne to the Princess’s offspring instead.
Come to think of it, the King is still quite vigorous—it wouldn’t be a bad idea to skip the Crown Prince entirely and pass the throne to the Princess’s child.
That man is so attached to the throne anyway. If I were to step forward and actively support the Princess’s child, he’d move heaven and earth to produce an heir.
In any case, the Crown Prince lacks any sense of urgency. Just look at the Princess—she’s so stingy about securing her own position, yet she’s grown up so refined that she has no passion, no perseverance, and… ugh.
Knock, knock.
I was inwardly cursing the Crown Prince when a knock sounded, and Violet’s voice announced that Leon had come to visit. I found it odd that Violet seemed so delighted to see him, but my attention was diverted when Leon burst through the door.
“I’ve finished it, Sister! I’ve completed it!”
Because Leon had brought a doll he’d made in my likeness, Jack looked at him with an expression of utter disgust. Jack, you certainly do have an expressive face when you’re contemptuous of someone.
“Look at this! This time, the doll’s limbs can move using articulated joints!”
Wow, that’s… quite remarkable.
The detail was so meticulous that even I felt a bit uncomfortable. But determined not to show it, I praised Leon for his work and took the doll, moving its limbs experimentally.
… It moves incredibly smoothly. How did he even make this? More importantly, Violet seemed so delighted to see Leon earlier, so why is she now looking at him with such lukewarm eyes, as if to say “well done”?
“What do you think, Jack? Does this doll look like me?”
“It’s creepily similar. Even the clothes are identical to what you normally wear down to the last thread—it’s definitely the work of a genuine pervert.”
The attention to detail was so perverted that I had nothing to argue, so I praised Leon once more and asked if there was anything he wanted.
Regardless of how perverted the details were, he’d carved out time from his busy schedule to make the doll, so I owed him a reward.
“Is there truly nothing off-limits?”
“Well… within the bounds of what this sister can provide…”
“Then please give me that seat!”
Huh?
At his unexpected words, I followed where his finger was pointing and saw a desk that currently stood unoccupied.
That was once Glen’s seat—my former right hand—where he always worked. A seat… if he’s asking for a seat… does he mean he wants that desk?
“If it’s a desk, I’ll buy you a better one. That one will be needed when Glen returns…”
“What I mean is, I want to work at that seat!”
Hmm…
Has my younger brother lost his mind?
Why would he want to work, and right beside me at that?
I placed my hand on the child’s forehead to check for fever, but felt only a slight warmth—nothing that suggested a serious ailment. To spout such delirious nonsense, his temperature would need to be burning dangerously high.
“Listen carefully, Sister. If Glen returns and resumes his duties, then you’ll marry him afterward, won’t you? That would make him your husband. Wouldn’t it only be proper to provide such a person with his own office?”
“Well, that’s….”
Now that I thought about it, Leon’s logic seemed sound. What was this sinking feeling in my chest?
“And once I complete the curriculum you’ve set for me, I’ll work for the Duke’s House regardless. Rather than shouldering duties alone, it would be far more efficient for me to learn by working at your side. Glen is already managing the Marquis Territory independently, so providing him with a separate office and leaving him to his own devices shouldn’t hinder his work at all.”
“Oh….”
Exactly!
After hearing Leon’s argument through to the end, it all made perfect sense. I nodded vigorously, and then a loud bang echoed from behind me.
Startled, I glanced over to see Jack striking a pillar in the office and pointing accusingly at Leon.
“I object!”
Why did he have to announce it with such theatrical flair?
Jack Brown, having made his dramatic gesture and swept his hair back, strode toward me and launched into a rebuttal directed at Leon.
“While the Young Lady may have upgraded her engagement contract to a marriage contract, the provision designating Glen as her aide remains valid. As the Young Lady’s aide, he naturally must work at her side. Moreover, you just mentioned efficiency—the most efficient seating arrangement for both of them to work together would be to keep Glen within a five-meter radius of the Young Lady! There are far too many documents that need to be exchanged quickly between them!”
“Ugh!”
What? Leon, why are you clutching your chest and backing away? Did you take damage? Did his words just wound you? Are you hurt?
Though I couldn’t fathom why, Leon was breathing heavily as if in pain. Then Violet stepped in front of him and cried out.
“Wait!”
Did she really have to strike such a dramatic pose while saying it? Besides, why did Violet bring her sewing basket and needlework with her?
“There is merit to what Young Master Leon says. Now that Glen has assumed his position as Marquis, he’s acquired many subordinates. When he returns, that space will certainly be cramped. Wouldn’t it be more comfortable to provide him with a separate office?”
“Violet, why do you keep inserting yourself into other people’s affairs? Did Young Master Leon give you something in return?”
“How could that be! Young Master Leon is not the sort to try to win people over with material goods!”
“Why are you defending him so fiercely! You definitely received something substantial from him, didn’t you?!”
“No!”
Violet’s curt denial was delivered with an air of innocence. For reasons I still couldn’t grasp, she threaded her needle through the fabric, bit off the thread cleanly, and then straightened her shoulders and assumed a resolute posture as she declared with unwavering conviction:

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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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