Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 79

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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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It was a day after Asterion’s birthday—our late autumn child—when Prod, who had come up from Beloche Territory to assist Glen, let out a scream and fled back to Beloche.
In truth, ever since the day I returned from the island, he had been visiting my office pleading to be sent back to Beloche, insisting he could not bear to live under the same roof as Bullyeossi. I had refused, telling him that Glen needed hands immediately and I could not spare him without a replacement. Now this disaster had come to pass.
Did he have reason enough to flee to Beloche without even following proper procedures? More pressingly, what exactly was this Bullyeossi? I was drafting a letter to summon Philip in haste when Violet informed me of Leon’s arrival.
The moment Leon entered my office, Violet—who seemed far more delighted than I was—told him to wait while she prepared refreshments, then disappeared into the small room.
Wait, Violet… I didn’t ask you to prepare refreshments…
“I’ll collect today’s wages first, then.”
Ah, very well.
As I continued moving my pen across the paper, Leon approached from behind without wishing to disturb my work, embraced me from behind, rubbed his face against mine, buried his nose in my hair, and breathed in that peculiar, damp way of his. After playing with my body to his satisfaction, he perched his backside on the desk and crossed his legs.
“You should behave yourself, Leon.”
“You’ll forgive me anyway, won’t you?”
“You might find yourself severely scolded one of these days.”
“Oh no, I wouldn’t want that.”
As I feigned anger in my voice, Leon quickly descended from the desk, linked his arm through mine, and adopted an ingratiating manner.
He clearly sensed that I would not truly scold him, yet I could not help but find it endearing. Even knowing his cunning nature, I found him adorable. This must be why the emperors of old ruined their nations for their beloved concubines. When someone’s actions are so lovely, what does it matter if they tear a few bolts of silk?
“What brings you here today?”
I smiled softly and continued with my pen. Leon, reading my expression, released my arm and stepped back to state his business.
“I still haven’t received my birthday gift from you.”
“That’s right. Didn’t you ask me to wait until you decided?”
“I’ve decided today.”
Well then, what is it?
As I urged him to speak, Leon cleared his throat and pointed to the display cabinet behind me.
There stood a collection of exquisite fountain pens—a Monte Carlo May Bride Edition, a masterwork created by a renowned pen craftsman to commemorate his youngest daughter’s wedding—but surely he wasn’t asking for that.
“Do you mean the golden squid statue I had made to commemorate my return from the Empire?”
“No.”
“Ah, then you must want the Rocksburg Employees file. Does someone in particular wish for it?”
“The Monte Carlo May Bride Edition fountain pen.”
This boy, who had never shown interest in stationery, had even learned the name of that item.
“Um… which… color… would you prefer?”
“The set.”
This child—I stood in line at the shop for that myself!
I had sacrificed sleep to camp outside the store and had never properly used it, fearing the nib would wear down. My heart sank at his request, but I could not show it. I had cultivated an image all this time; I could not appear petty over a mere fountain pen.
“Our Leon, your teacher praised you, saying that in just a few more years you’ll be on par with Aster. How about a sword that fits your hand as a gift? I could even ask Sage to apply magical enhancements.”
“The May Bride Edition.”
“If that displeases you, what of a ring befitting our Leon’s beautiful hands? Luke recently imported royal blue diamonds from the Empire. We could have one made into a ring.”
“The set.”
Did this boy deliberately plug his ears?
As I pondered what else might capture Leon’s interest, my dear brother before me changed color, his eyes glistening with moisture. Startled by his sudden transformation, Leon met my gaze, then lowered his head pitifully and opened his mouth.
“You said you’d give me anything, but I only worked up the courage to ask….”
“No, that’s not it, Leon.”
“It’s not…allowed?”
Leon’s eyes were red-rimmed as he lifted his head slightly. His shoulders hunched a little, making it seem like he’d acted on my word alone…. Did he really want that object so badly?
Well, I was the one who said I’d give him anything, and if I’m going to be petty over something like this, how will I ever grant Leon’s wishes later….
“I was too presumptuous. Let me think of something else….”
“No! I’ll give it to you! It’s fine! Take it!”
What if that was Leon’s true wish?
I hastily told Leon to take the fountain pen, and he wiped away his tears like magic, breaking into a brilliant smile.
This child seems to be growing into Asterion with increasingly volatile emotions—should I bring in a psychiatrist?
Though I’d shouted confidently, I couldn’t hide how my hands trembled. I barely steadied my racing heart, opened the display cabinet, and retrieved the pristine fountain pen set without a speck of dust.
As I reluctantly placed the fountain pen back into its original box, Leon excitedly showed off his prize to Violet.
This was the first time I’d succeeded in obtaining this item after going through twenty-two cycles….
“Violet, look at this! My sister has agreed to give me the Montecarlo May Bride Edition set!”
“My, isn’t that the fountain pen the young master treasures most? Are you certain?”
“It’s…, fine, I’m… fine….”
In truth, I’m not fine at all!
Shedding tears inwardly, I wrapped the box tightly again, moved to the sofa, and accepted the refreshments Violet brought. Then, squeezing my eyes shut, I held out the fountain pen box to Leon.
“Happy birthday, Leon, though it’s late. Please treasure these for me.”
“Yes, sister! I’ll work hard with the gift you’ve given me!”
Wait, you’re actually going to use this? The pen tip will break? The ink will…stain? And it won’t come out once it does?
…No. It’s already left my hands. I gave it to Leon as a gift, so how he uses it is none of my concern. None of my concern, but…
…Ugh!
“Glen! Let’s take it easy!”
I called for Glen to distract myself from this regret. If I stick by Glen’s side and fidget around, I’ll quickly forget about letting my precious things go.
I called out toward the adjacent room with the open wall, but for some reason, Glen didn’t come to my office. He didn’t even answer.
“Glen! My fiancé! Let’s have a snack together!”
…Something feels off. Why isn’t he answering?
“Glen…?”
“Just leave him be, sister. Glen must be busy.”
“But it’s strange that he won’t even answer.”
Was something wrong with him?
I rose from my seat out of concern. Leon clung to my arm, insisting that Glen was probably just too focused on work to hear, but if he’s busy, that’s all the more reason to help. My side was relatively free, so I should share the workload.
I brushed off Leon’s clinging touch lightly and went to find Glen, intending to fill my stomach with the refreshments Violet had prepared and then work together.
The man sat with a sullen expression, twirling his pen, but fortunately, he didn’t seem to have as much work as I’d worried about.
“Your complexion looks good. Let’s have a snack first.”
“….”
“Ah. Should I help you up? Take my hand.”
“I’m fine.”
Oh my.
Glen refusing my support—does the Young Prince have some urgent matter to attend to?
Wondering if there was time-sensitive work, I glanced at the documents he was writing, but nothing appeared particularly pressing.
Then what on earth was the problem?
“The precious Leon is waiting for you. You should go quickly.”
“How can I enjoy something delicious with just the two of us, leaving you behind?”
“You’re usually indifferent to such things. That item you gave to Leon—I wasn’t even allowed to touch it because you said it would get worn out.”
“….”
Ah, he was sulking.
That’s right. Now that I thought about it, something like that had happened.
I’d successfully purchased a limited edition item and arrived home humming with excitement, and when Glen asked what it was and requested to see it, I’d forbidden him from approaching it out of concern for its condition and carefully placed it in a display cabinet.
He had every right to feel hurt. This was my mistake.
“I’m sorry. But there’s nothing to be done about it, is there? The boy wants it so badly.”
“Of course. Rosalite would even marry Leon if he threw a tantrum, wouldn’t you?”
“He’s my brother—how could I marry him?”
I heard something thud against the wall. Was it just my imagination?
No, it wasn’t. Glen had also heard the dull sound, and he glanced beyond the wall with a knowing smirk.
…Why had this fellow’s mood suddenly improved?
“I see. Indeed, since Leon is your blood brother, you could never marry him, no matter what.”
“Of course not. How could I marry my brother? I couldn’t, not even if I died. And you know full well that you’re the only one I’ve chosen as my marriage partner, so why are you doing this?”
“…Is that so?”
“Naturally. The wedding preparations are nearly complete, so don’t even think of backing out. The contract is safely stored in the vault. If you run, your death alone won’t be enough to settle it.”
I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth, put a collar around your neck, erase your debts, and drag you back.
As I spoke seriously while meeting Glen’s eyes directly, another thud echoed from beyond the wall. I tried to check what the sound was, but Glen suddenly extended his hand, forcing my attention back to him.
“If you say such things, I suppose I have no choice. I’ll rest for a moment and then return to work.”
“It’s difficult to humor a prospective groom.”
“If you’re displeased, you need not marry me.”
“No, I’m not displeased at all. Glen is the best. My fiancé is Rocksburg’s finest!”
I gave an exaggerated three cheers and pulled Glen up by the hand.
As I led him out toward my office space, I noticed forks and knives oddly embedded in the wall.
“Lily. Did you do this?”
If it was the strong Lily, she’d certainly be capable of such a thing—she’d previously riddled the walls with holes while claiming to catch insects.
Wondering if those earlier thuds were from her catching an insect, I asked, and Lily alternated her gaze between my face and Leon’s before nodding vigorously.
So Lily was indeed the culprit.
“You should have called me to catch it. Now look—more holes in the wall.”
“I-I’m so sorry, Young Master.”
Was Lily so frustrated about not catching the insect that she had to look at Leon with that tearful expression? What connection could there possibly be between an insect and Leon that she needed to watch his reaction?
“I prepared tea for you earlier, Miss. It should be cooled to the perfect temperature by now.”
“Thank you.”
Hehe. My brother truly has a thoughtful nature.
I settled onto the sofa and patted the space beside me, gesturing for Glen to sit. Since Leon had considerately poured tea for Glen as well, I simply lifted my teacup and took a sip of the fragrant black tea.
Hmm, it’s certainly perfect for drinking. So today’s refreshment, let me see where….
“Violet. Please empty my cup and pour it again.”
I bit into a warm scone with a soft sound when Glen called Violet without even touching his teacup with a single finger. It wasn’t just me who found it odd that he was putting Violet through the trouble twice—Leon, seated across from us, spoke up in his measured tone.

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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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