Touch My Brother and You Die - Chapter 95

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

I’d suspected she was deliberately picking fights midway through, but the girl turned out to be far bolder than I’d anticipated. Not that I dislike bold children—as long as they do their work well.
“You think you can run your mouth so freely and simply walk out of this office on your own two feet?”
“If you provide me with personnel, I will completely shut down the Chatel Department’s operations within a month.”
This girl isn’t just bold—she’s refreshingly straightforward too?
Diana’s audacious declaration actually pleased me, so I let out a short laugh and twirled my pen. I was already considering adjusting the scale of support based on her answer.
“What method did you have in mind?”
“First, I’ll establish a labor union.”
Hmm… So she had a strategy. I’d been thinking only of external pressure, but Diana’s answer impressed me enough that I decided to guarantee not just personnel, but financial support, lodging, and three meals a day as well.
“I’ll have you connected with territorial residents already working at Chatel. Infiltration will be far easier that way. You can learn the procedures for requesting personnel and funds from Glen.”
“I am deeply grateful for your high regard. I shall dedicate myself entirely to prove that your judgment was not mistaken.”
Yes, that’s right. Do your best!
I drafted a document certifying that Diana would temporarily serve as my direct retainer under the Rocksburg Ducal House, stamped it with my seal, and handed it to the girl. Diana said she needed to explore the territory further to calculate the necessary personnel and funds, then left the office. When I returned to my leisurely work, everyone from Asterion onward pointed out my behavior one by one.
“A hero’s weakness for beauty?”
“Is that… is that what this is…?”
“I won’t be helping you this time.”
Oh no! I forgot to deny it!
I hurried out of the office to tell Diana that finding Luke wasn’t what I meant, but the girl moved so quickly she was already nowhere to be found near the office.
The clothes she was wearing looked remarkably practical for movement!
“No! That’s not why I called Diana!”
“I’m leaving early because my feelings are hurt.”
“I’m going out on business for the same reason.”
What business could you possibly have going out, Glen?
Leon and Glen, who were usually at odds, had their hearts perfectly aligned at moments like this. They quickly donned their outer coats, gathered their things, and rushed out of the office.
That wretched Asterion, I won’t approve your early leave request. I won’t approve it. You’re leaving without permission today.
“I have miniatures to assemble, so I’ll be leaving at the regular time.”
You’re terrible too.
I cursed at Jack, who wouldn’t offer me a single kind word despite my pitiful appearance, and instructed Lily to have coffee ready beforehand.
Tonight would be a lonely evening spent alone.

◇ ◆ ◇

A week had already passed since Diana took up residence at the home of a Chatel Department store employee I’d introduced her to. I’d offered to prepare accommodations at the Duke’s Mansion, but she stubbornly insisted on living there, eating from the same pot, so I’d left her be—though I wondered how things were progressing.
Curious about the little one’s movements, I rummaged through the stack of reports to see if anything had come in about her.
Let’s see… this was the circulation memo about what to change the nutritional meals to from the current menu… everyone filled it out properly and sent it back. This seems to be about Asterion’s twentieth birthday party… preparations look complete here too. Where on earth is Diana’s report?
“Glen.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“…couldn’t you stop calling me that?”
No, I explained everything the next day after working overtime alone that night. You just forgot because Diana’s smooth talk got to you, that’s all.
Honestly, once he gets upset, he holds grudges for eternity. With that temperament, he’s the type to hold a grudge over one wrongly placed engagement ring for years and then get revenge at the wedding.
“I don’t understand your meaning. Is there something wrong with calling Your Grace by your title?”
“Never mind. I’m the guilty one. Has Diana submitted any reports?”
“Well, about that…”
At least he works. The man seemed willing to help with my request, limping over and rummaging through the pile of documents.
Starting from the very top, he flipped through the papers at rapid speed, checking all the way to the bottom, then knelt down and approached my feet before flipping through the documents from bottom to top.
“Found it.”
What can’t this man do? My goodness, what should I do with him? It’s as if he has a search function built into his brain.
Oh my, my heart’s racing. What should I do? The most handsome in the world and the most capable worker in the world. Glen is the best.
“You’re so handsome, Glen.”
“Pardon?”
“I love you, Glen.”
“Y-yes? Why so suddenly?”
I just felt like saying it. I kneaded Glen’s face with both hands as he knelt, and with a chuckle, I brought my lips closer, wanting to plant a kiss on him.
In that instant, something whooshed past my eyes and struck the bookshelf beside me with a sharp crack. Fortunately, it didn’t seem to be a weapon—the object appeared to be a fountain pen.
“Please maintain propriety, Sister.”
…my heart nearly stopped. Was Asterion trying to kill me?
The fountain pen had been thrown with such threatening force that a few strands of my hair were fluttering in its wake. If it had hit me directly, I’d be dead.
“Are you trying to kill me?”
“Though we are married, this is merely a contractual arrangement. It would be a burden to Glen.”
“…”
Is that so?
It’s certainly odd to say that in a contractual relationship, but… Glen seemed to enjoy it when I gave him that blood transfusion service before. The Prince himself had requested at least minimal affection since we were getting married anyway, and given his age, I thought it would be good for his future development to provide such events…
Is that so… is it a burden? Is that how it is…
Glen might not be able to say he dislikes it even if he does, given his nature. Taking Asterion’s advice to heart, I quickly withdrew my hands from Glen’s face and pushed my chair back, moving away swiftly.
“If you dislike it, you should say so. Restrain yourself in front of me from now on.”
I simply extended my hand to help Glen up, brushed the dust from his trousers, and turned my attention to Diana’s submitted report.
After Glen finished his business and approached Asterion, they seemed to quarrel as usual, but I’m accustomed to that sight now. I should review the report.
Diana’s report had the progress of work organized chronologically and clearly. On the first day Diana made contact with the Chatel employees, she had thoroughly uncovered cases of disadvantages suffered by individual employees at the Chatel Department, industrial accidents, employment discrimination, promotion discrimination, overtime work, abuse of power, and so forth. On the second day, it was written that she had incited the person I’d introduced to form a labor union.
“…?”
Wait, where’s the process? That happened in one day? What kind of girl is this?
On the third day, the union members had a company dinner gathering, and by the fourth day, the union membership had expanded from employee-level to team leader-level, forming quite a large organization that even required an organizational chart. Looking at the chart, while no names were publicly revealed, it appeared that most meetings were conducted under Diana’s control.
Over the fifth and sixth days, Diana created a hostile atmosphere by spreading rumors of discrimination and wage gaps between executives from the Largol Empire and those from Aleine within the Chatel Corporation Alaine Branch, and she succeeded in creating factions among the executives and drawing the Aleine-origin executives into the union.
And after all the back-and-forth, next Thursday at 2 PM, the employees of Chatel Department and all executives and staff of the Chatel Corporation Alaine Branch Global Sales Division are going on a general strike and holding a demonstration in front of the Department.
Diana included a postscript inviting me to the event, urging me to come watch even if I was busy.
How exciting. Fresh corn from Uncle’s garden has arrived, so I’ll boil it before heading out.
“Lily! Get ready for an outing next week!”
Since it’s 2 PM anyway, I can go on a picnic, have lunch, get some fresh air, and be back. Today, everyone from the Office happened to be gathered, so I raised my hand and recruited people to join me on the outing.
Everyone seemed tired of being cooped up in the Mansion, so starting with Asterion, Glen, Aster, Jack, Violet, and Lily all raised their hands to participate in the excursion.
Right. There’s no point leaving anyone out when we’re going to have fun anyway. Lily and Violet looked nervous when they heard Aster was coming, but if anything went wrong, Leon and I could help roast the corn, so nothing serious would happen.

◇ ◆ ◇

The morning of the scheduled outing. When I asked Aster to bring enough corn to eat, he brought an entire cartload.
The corn was originally harvested as a hobby from Uncle’s garden and sent to our house, so why was there so much of it?
Benjamin had been learning agriculture in preparation for being removed from the family registry, so just how impressive was the farming operation he was running in the garden in front of his residence?
“….”
Oh well, never mind. Since Aster said he’d eat it, I’d make sure we finished it all. I gazed at the cart with glazed eyes, gathered everyone, and headed to the site. On the way there, I noticed the streets were unusually empty, but it turned out everyone had gathered in front of Chatel Department, which was now bustling with activity.
“There are more people than I expected.”
Not only employees but their families had been mobilized as well, and since Diana had properly submitted the assembly application to the Public Security Bureau, officials from the Bureau were also on site to protect the residents of the Territory.
I had a makeshift table set up on the Riverside where we could see the demonstration well, and had a parasol put up. I was glad I’d followed Glen’s advice to bring more servants and have them prepare everything. If I’d stuck to the original plan of just spreading out a mat by the river and sitting down, it would have looked quite shabby. Glen would have found it uncomfortable to sit too.
“Young Lady, the seat next to me is empty.”
“Rosalite. I’ve already poured the beverages.”
Yes, that’s right. Both of them were so thoughtful toward me. But the seat I was going to occupy today wasn’t something as modest as a makeshift table. Since Diana had specially invited me, I’d brought a special chair loaded on the carriage just for today.
“Aster! Bring that over here!”
“Yes, Young Lady!”
I’d brought out the long umpire’s chair that had been stuck on our Tennis Court. When I asked Aster to fix it firmly to the ground, the chair stood as if it had always been there, not wobbling at all as I climbed the ladder.
Sitting at the top and using the opera glasses I’d brought to look at distant places, Diana was standing at the very front of the protest line wearing some kind of headband, performing brilliantly. And near me, Lily and Violet were busily roasting corn over a fire.
“Don’t skimp on the butter! Even if it drips everywhere, slather it on generously!”
“Yes, Young Master!”
The aroma is absolutely divine and deadly. Since we’ve already formed a sister city relationship with Nimerunia Duchy and have an abundance of dairy products, it would be wasteful not to use them.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————