Chapter 153: Friends in the Royal Capital

　Brother Alex stares at the unfamiliar sword. This mysterious silence is scary. My heart was pounding as I lowered my eyes and looked at my brother.

　After a while, he sighed and handed the sword back to me.

“Take good care of it. It’s the first time you’ve used a sword of this shape, right?　Can you use it properly?　I have a friend who has a sword very similar to it, but his fighting style is unique.”

　Oh, maybe he’s a Samurai?　Is that why brother Alex was suspicious when he saw this sword? It’s certainly different from the “sword and shield” style of a typical knight. A single katana can be both a sword and a shield. Moreover, he holds the weapon with both hands.

“I think it would be good for ornamental purposes. It looks like a rare sword.”

“Ah, I see. That’s what you were planning to do. There’s a beautiful pattern on the blade.”

　Brother Alex nodded happily as if he understands. Phew, it looks like I have succeeded in deceiving him. I’ve managed to get out of the crisis.

“Huh? But Julius was pretty handy with that sword, you know?”

　Brother Alex stopped moving and turned his face toward brother Cain with an almost audible groan. Damn it, he said unnecessary things!

“Cain, tell me more about that.”

　Brother Cain told him what had happened at that time. He even called the knight who was with him to talk about it. The knight, perhaps remembering the scene at that time, spoke with some excitement.

　I took advantage of the opportunity and fled the scene.

“Hmmm, according to father’s letter, Julius is not due to visit the royal castle until seven days from now, but maybe we should move it up.”

　At the dinner table, Brother Alex suddenly started to say such a thing. He put his hand on his chin and looked serious. Is something wrong?

“Why?”

“Because, look, you won’t have anything to do if you stay here, right? Besides, I don’t want him to cause any more trouble here.”

“…”

　I’ve  already become a problem child in brother Alex’s mind. It’s only been two days since I came to the townhouse. Next to me, my brother Cain is nodding his head in agreement.

　Personally, I think he has a hand in this, because he didn’t stop me …… either, and he was the one who encouraged me to get the wakizashi, right? I’m not convinced.

“I wish Julius had friends here, but he doesn’t, does he?”

“Well, if there are …… it’s probably only Lady Chloe and Mistress Carolina?”

　Hearing this, brother Alex crossed his arms and pondered. I’m going to be in trouble no matter which one I go to, aren’t I?

　Chloe has her fiancé problem, and with Caro there’s the awkward relationship between her sister, Miss Hilda, and my brother Alex. Neither of these are my fault, you know.

　Besides, Caro is supposed to be with Chloe now as her side servant.

“I still think we should accelerate our arrival at the office. Both Lady Chloe and Miss Carolina will be at the royal castle.”

　Apparently, they’re planning to push all the trouble onto the royal castle. Or do you think I won’t cause any trouble if it’s at the King’s Castle?　But you know what, brother? There’s a precedent with Mira. Besides, my brother may not know it, but I’ve done it with the panacea.

　Yeah. I’m a troublemaker after all. I should have stayed quiet in the capital.

　I wonder if brother Cain is planning to reunite with his friends in the royal capital tomorrow.　That’s one way to blend in there and expand my interactions.

　Is Brother Alex going to be at the student council tomorrow as well?　I don’t think it would be a good idea to follow him there.

“Brother Cain, you’re going to meet your friend tomorrow, right? Is it okay if I go with  you?”

　Wow, he looks really uncomfortable!　I didn’t expect you to give me that look. Maybe he was planning on going to see her?　Is that why he was buying a new sword?

　I looked alternately at my brother Cain, who was not reacting well, and my brother Alex.

　Brother Alex looked troubled, as if he knew something.

“Cain doesn’t seem to be convenient.”

“I see. If Brother Cain is going to meet someone he likes, I can’t get in his way.”

“　No, no, no, no,  I-it’s not like that, okay? Wait a minute!”

　Alex and I looked at Brother Cain with warm eyes. Brother Cain looked away. There was no doubt in my mind. Those were eyes that were telling a lie.

“It’s okay, Cain. You’re going to need a potential fiancée soon, too. I’ll find out who the young lady is later.”

“…… yes.”

　It seems that he has given up. I wonder what kind of girl he fell in love with, but I guess this is like me playing Cupid in love. You can praise me, okay?　Ah, brother Cain looked at me with hateful eyes. This is payback for earlier.

“Then I have no choice but to ask Julius to go to the royal castle.”

“Don’t worry. I’m fine on my own. I’m already ten years old now, and I can take care of myself.”

“That may be so, but I don’t want you to cause any trouble. ……”

　Oh, this is bad. They don’t trust me at all.

　Well, it’s true that there’s nothing to do here, so it might be better to go to the royal castle, where the compounding room has been prepared, so that I can have something to do. But wouldn’t it be a nuisance to them if I go earlier than planned?

“All right, then, I’ll just send a letter to the royal castle saying that you’ve has already arrived in the capital. Let’s see how it goes first. If I get a letter from the castle urging you to go, we will go to the office. What do you think?”

“That’s fine.”

　That’s what I’m talking about, Brother Alex. What can I say, he doesn’t force anything on me. He is very considerate and doesn’t make me do anything I don’t want to do. That’s probably why he’s so concerned about what I did. They wants to put me under Brother Alex’s control. And I think it’s better that way. I can trust him with my life.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter