Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 86

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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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Without much thought, I grabbed Glen’s face as he stared at me and bent my waist forward. The man’s eyes widened in confusion, unable to comprehend what was happening as my face drew closer to his.
No one stopped me, and Glen didn’t resist, so our lips met easily. Unsatisfied with just a quick peck, I nibbled at his lip and slowly pulled away. Glen’s face flushed so intensely I thought he might burst at any moment.
“How was that! My first kiss!”
I laughed awkwardly at my own boldness. My face was burning. Ugh, it’s so hot. If I looked in a mirror right now, wouldn’t my face be completely flushed with blood?
Glen said nothing, and since facing each other felt awkward, I tried to go to the window for some fresh air, but the man reached out and grabbed my hand.
Remarkably, his face was even redder than before, and tears glistened in his eyes. Setting aside his embarrassment, he looked directly into my eyes and struggled to open his mouth.
“May I… ask for one more?”
This audacious man!
My insides tickled, my neck tickled, and my entire body felt tingly. I twisted my body in response, then decided to accept his request and kissed him once more.
It tasted like coffee.

◇ ◆ ◇

Everything was a blur.
After sleeping through the entire previous day, I woke to find Lily dragging me to the bathroom to prepare for the wedding.
I stood before the mirror rubbing my eyes and yawning, and Violet dressed me while instructing me to open my eyes properly for makeup.
I argued that only the groom, Glen Hofen Rocksburg, and the Duke presiding over the ceremony would see my face in detail, so what did it matter if my makeup was slightly crooked? The maids scolded me, asking if I wanted to walk around with mismatched eyes on my one and only wedding day.
When I joked that it might not be just once, Jack Brown, who had just arrived for his shift and was standing beside me, launched into another lecture.
He passionately took sides, saying who else would marry a young lady like me besides Glen, but I couldn’t tell if he was looking out for my interests or Glen’s.
After finishing my preparations, I told him to focus on escorting Glen instead, and linked arms with Aster. There was plenty of time before the ceremony, and I was scheduled to ride in a flower carriage for a parade in the morning.
With Aster accompanying me, I rode in an open-topped carriage, megaphone in hand, and circled the entire Duchy, grandly announcing my marriage.
The well-prepared residents of the Territory congratulated me, loaded gifts onto the carriage, threw flowers, set off fireworks, and caused quite a commotion. So this is why people get married—it’s exhilarating and wonderful.
“What a feeling! Today, all the alcohol in Rocksburg Territory is on me!”
At my announcement that I’d cover it from my pocket money, cheers erupted everywhere. Shop owners rushed out from their stores, and wives opened third-floor windows to peek out while watching their children. I thought my wallet would be destroyed, but more troublesome would be the shopkeepers coming to me with receipts for verification. Still, as they say, it’s my one wedding day—what does it matter?
Come to think of it, this is the first time in my life I’ve actually reached the finish line of marriage. It’s quite a momentous occasion.
“Everyone who thinks I’m the most magnificent person in the world right now! Three cheers for Rosalite Rocksburg!”
“You’re magnificent, Rosalite!”
“Kyaaaah! The Young Duke is so beautiful!”
No, I asked for three cheers.
But everyone looks so excited, so it’s fine. Today there are sales at every shop, and alcohol is free as a wedding celebration gift. Just make sure everyone has fun without causing trouble. I don’t need more work piling up.
As I returned to the Duke’s Mansion and checked the guest list, I learned that the Four-span Princess, who was supposed to represent the Royal Family, had gotten drunk and fallen ill, unable to attend. I clicked my tongue in disappointment.
The Fourth Prince of the Empire also couldn’t come, as it hasn’t been a year since his mother’s death, and he’s refraining from attending events in his own country. It seems all the notable figures are absent.
My wedding is significant enough that it’s unfortunate they’re not coming, but I’ll be satisfied with all my relatives attending and other Duke’s Houses sending representatives. Of course, Uncle Louis’s family couldn’t set foot on Rocksburg Territory due to the banishment order, but it’s better they don’t come anyway. They should never leave the Marquis Territory for the rest of their lives.
I rode in the flower carriage toward the venue, greeting people along the way. The Conductor was already leading the orchestra in performance, people were dancing on the outdoor dance stage, and drinks and light refreshments were beginning to be served. I couldn’t distinguish whether this was a wedding venue or a social party, but I was told this was how it always went when someone from our household got married, so I let it pass.
After stepping down from the carriage, I reunited with Glen and went around meeting and greeting relatives up to the seventh degree of kinship.
It was strange that I didn’t encounter Asterion, but he was surely somewhere being surrounded by admirers and bombarded with questions about whether his younger sibling had any thoughts of marriage. The boy had grown up so handsome that popularity was inevitable.
With his sister complex, he wouldn’t marry anyway. Since the three idiots weren’t attending today’s wedding, I could let him suffer in peace.
After making the rounds greeting everyone, Glen appeared completely drained, but I couldn’t very well tell the groom to rest. With the wedding ceremony still ahead, followed by the reception and overtime work, there was no way I could suggest he take a break.
I gave Glen’s shoulder an encouraging pat, changed into my wedding vow dress, and continued with the proceedings.
The servants dispersed to guide the guests to their tables as the courses began to arrive, and the wedding procession commenced during the meal service.
Since my father was officiating and we thought it would look awkward to make separate entrances, Glen and I chose to enter hand in hand. We stood before the Duke and made our vows to become husband and wife, then listened carefully to his advice on what we should be mindful of in married life.
He didn’t tell us not to fight—rather, he advised us to fight without getting seriously injured.
If either of us made a mistake, we should apologize immediately.
The bride should refrain from interfering in most matters and keep her mouth shut.
The groom should stop overthinking and develop the habit of expressing himself.
Live long and happily together.
These were words of genuine wisdom, so I nodded along while listening, when someone at the nearest table burst into tears.
Sage was crying with tears and snot streaming down his face, lamenting how he couldn’t bear to part with Rosalite, so I decided to ignore him. The Duke, meanwhile, deeply frowned.
“The bride and groom shall exchange rings.”
Never mind the Duke’s expression—perhaps he should work on managing his tone of voice.
Because my father made his displeasure so obvious, laughter rippled through the guest section. Most of them were relatives. It was rare for Father to show such intense anger, so they found it amusing.
Once the laughter subsided, my attendants arrived in bridesmaid dresses carrying the ring box. They must have gone to fetch it after helping me into my ceremonial dress. I hadn’t realized it, but both Violet and Lily looked lovely and suited the dresses perfectly.
Now that I think about it, neither of them has any marriage prospects. I’m confident I could provide them with generous dowries.
“Rosalite.”
Oh dear, I was being impolite with the groom right in front of me.
At the sound of Glen calling my name, I looked at him and extended my hand. He solemnly removed the wedding ring from the box and slipped it onto my left ring finger, leaving only the task of me placing his ring on him.
“?”
But what was he thinking? With surprising quickness, he pulled out another ring from the box and slipped it onto his own hand.
Wait, the procedure is supposed to be that I put yours on you. Excuse me. Groom?
“Now that we’re done, shall we go to work?”
The man spoke triumphantly, leaving me utterly bewildered as I stared at Glen. Even after the vows, there was still the reception—why on earth would he suggest going to work?
“…!”
As I continued staring at Glen in confusion, the man who had been so confident moments before suddenly flushed crimson. In that instant, I understood. The memory came flooding back.
Ah. So that was it.
Oh, oh my…! He’s been holding onto that all this time?!
“You…, you certainly do hold grudges for a long time.”
“I apologize.”
“I’ll have to be more careful with my words going forward. To avoid creating resentment.”
“…I apologize.”
What is there to apologize for? It was my fault for slipping on the engagement ring by myself back then.
Since the others didn’t know the story, I simply laughed to myself, accepted their congratulations, and exited hand in hand with Glen.
The ceremony concluded without incident, and no one objected to my marriage. I changed into my reception dress and resolved to remain vigilant until the very end as I greeted the guests.
The marriage was a blessing, and my wallet being about to be decimated was also a blessing. After exchanging greetings with Luke Chatel and others whose priorities had been pushed back, I decided to enjoy the reception for this moment at least.
Once this dance ends, I’ll need to go to work as Glen said. I should consider myself dead for the next week.

◇ ◆ ◇

I didn’t get a honeymoon, but I could at least feel like a newlywed.
With that in mind, I urged Violet to come to the Office in her wedding dress. Aster, who was assigned to my guard detail that day, was absolutely delighted when she saw me dressed up so beautifully. She was too busy with security duties to say much then, but she giggled and said I was the most beautiful lady in the world.
I thought this girl only cared about food, but she clearly has excellent taste.
Strangely enough, whenever I praise my own beauty, Jack Brown, John Brown, the Crown Prince, the Four-span Princess—they all frown and deny it. So I was genuinely grateful for Aster’s honest appreciation. I’d have to give her half my snacks when I got to the Office today.
I arrived at the Office early in the morning. Leon and Glen hadn’t come in yet, and oddly enough, the Chief of Public Security had requested an audience. The old gentleman, who had apparently been waiting in front of the Office door for quite some time, removed his hat and bowed deeply when he spotted me.
“I apologize for the early intrusion, Rocksburg Young Lady. I sent a representative to the wedding, but I regret that I couldn’t pay my respects in person.”
“It’s quite all right. Everyone knows how busy you are, Chief.”
Besides, he must have been occupied with traffic control while I was distributing drinks and organizing the parade. I couldn’t fault him for missing the wedding. The Chief of Public Security was too busy working to even go golfing, which he supposedly loves—what could be more important than that?
“Please, come inside. What brings you here?”
I opened the Office door and invited him in. The old gentleman entered cautiously and bowed once more.
Good heavens, why was he making me so uncomfortable with all this formality?
“First, I apologize in advance for any disturbance to your peace of mind, Rocksburg Young Lady. However, the matter at hand is quite serious….”
“What is it?”
I offered the Chief a seat and took my place at the head of the table. He sighed heavily before reluctantly broaching the subject.
“Recently, several young men have been murdered in Rocksburg Territory. Most of them were robust adult males or renowned martial artists, and one of them was even my own subordinate from the Public Security Bureau….”
“My goodness. This is serious indeed.”
“However, according to witness testimony, the suspect’s appearance….”
Wait, why was this old man being so cautious around me?
I urged him to speak up, and the Chief took another deep breath before uttering the name of the suspected perpetrator.
“It seems we need to summon Jack Brown, your guard, for questioning.”
Jack Brown? He must mean the Jack Brown I know, right?

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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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