SHIROHIYO_C16The Most Brutal Battles Are Fought at Home

CHAPTER 16: The Most Brutal Battles Are Fought at Home

The phrase "If you give up, the game is over" is one that anyone from my generation would instantly recognize—an iconic quote, no doubt.

Given my current situation, it's silly how something so small can hit me so hard. But... maybe, just maybe…

Then again, Utsunomiya-san didn’t follow up with anything else related to that, so I might be overthinking things.

Watching Regulus-kun sitting on the carpet looking bored, and seeing her silently mouth “Do your best!” while glancing at me, I figured: at least she doesn’t seem like the type to abuse him. That suspicion’s cleared.

All right then, I guess I can push a little further.

Still, Romanov-sensei might look gentle, but he’s the kind of person who won’t even back down from a god. He wasn’t intimidated by Princess Hyakka, even if he was polite. Getting him to change his mind won’t be easy.

At present, Sensei has no interest in Regulus-kun. But me—he finds me endlessly fascinating.

That’s the key.

He was even enjoying watching me now, as I racked my brain for a way to persuade him.

“I fully understand now that being my tutor was purely your generous favor. It would be presumptuous of me to ask you to extend that favor to Regulus-kun as well.”

“Oh? So you're giving up...?”

“Yes, I think it would be rude to ask any more.”

“Young Master, no...!”

Utsunomiya-san cried out in dismay, and Rottenmeier-san gave me an apologetic look—but this wasn’t over. Not yet.

“That’s why I’ll teach Regulus-kun what you’ve taught me.”

“Oh my.”

“I’ll give him lessons. Teaching someone else what you know is a great way to confirm whether you really understand it. But, I’m still five years old—there’s a chance I’ll teach him something wrong. So when I’m teaching him, Sensei, could you stay nearby? And if I mess up, could you correct me?”

“You've really thought this through… You always say such interesting things.”

“So… is that a no?”

I mean, even if a pudgy kid like me tries puppy-dog eyes, it’s not going to look cute. But I’m sitting on his lap, so I have no choice but to look up at him.

In response, Sensei cupped my cheeks again, squishing them like he was giving me a facial. Is this an aesthetic treatment or what?

“Let’s see… Hōchō-kun, you're not great with swords or bows, right? What will you do about those?”

“Well… if I lose to Regulus-kun in those, then you can avenge me and thrash him thoroughly.”

“Oh ho, so that’s your angle. Fine, I accept.”

“Really!?”

“But remember: you’re the one teaching him. I’m only going to correct you, not teach him directly.”

Yes! Got him to agree! Fist pump!

That was a successful negotiation. Regulus-kun would now, by extension, receive instruction from Romanov-sensei—sort of.

Utsunomiya-san was frozen in confusion, unsure of what just happened, but Rottenmeier-san started clapping. So did someone else—surprisingly, Sebastian.

“My, how kind you are, Young Master. I’m deeply moved.”

“Thank you.”

Not that he meant any of that. His tone dripped with sarcasm, and his eyes were full of mockery. Behind him, my mother clenched her fan tightly, visibly irritated.

“But... I wonder if that decision is truly in your best interest?”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Forgive me, but Regulus-sama is a symbol of your mother’s emotional anguish. Keeping him in this estate might only deepen her pain. As her son, surely you would be considerate of her feelings...”

So that’s your game. You want me to help throw Regulus-kun out.

I snorted.

Yes, I understood Mother’s displeasure. But that’s a problem my parents need to discuss. It’s not my place to intervene.

Besides, why should an unwanted son like me take my mother’s side? Not that I’m on Father’s side either.

“Perhaps so. But again, that’s something my parents should talk about and decide. It’s not for me to say. And for the record, I’m not on my mother’s side. Or my father’s.”

“Then… why take responsibility for Regulus-sama’s lessons?”

“He just lost his mother and was brought here to a place where he knows no one. Is it so wrong for me to sympathize with a three-year-old?”

Right. My relationship with my parents and my relationship with Regulus-kun are separate things. I won’t repeat the mistake I made on my first day here.

Hearing that, Sebastian’s grin widened. A smug, nasty smile.

“I see. How admirable—just what one would expect from the son of Lady Kikunoi. But still… might it not be premature to fully accept Regulus-sama? Forgive me, but there is always the risk of betrayal.”

“If you’re talking about succession, there’s no need to worry.”

“Ah, yes. The law forbids it… but even laws have exceptions.”

“What are you implying, you cur!?”

Father’s shout cracked through the room. His sharp, handsome features took on a terrifying edge when angry.

Sebastian, unfazed, merely shrugged.

“True, the law forbids Regulus-sama from inheriting. But if the legitimate heir is disowned or passes away, well… the rules no longer apply.”

“Ah… I see. That makes sense. If there weren’t exceptions, noble houses would vanish overnight.”

So, by betrayal, he meant I’d either be disinherited or killed.

I see. He wants me to consider the possibility that I might be replaced—or eliminated.

Father clenched his teeth. Sebastian smiled.

But I just shrugged.

“So what? I’ve already accepted that.”

Somehow, I knew—the vision I saw when I fell down the stairs of Regulus-kun swinging a sword at me—it wasn’t a nightmare. It was a certainty.

Regulus-kun will kill me someday.

My calm statement made even my parents freeze.

“I almost died of illness six months ago. You never know what’ll happen. That’s why, however unpleasant it sounds, it’s wise to prepare a backup.”

“You’ve… thought that far ahead?”

Sebastian faltered for the first time. My parents averted their eyes. Rottenmeier-san looked stricken.

I wasn’t hurt by any of this. I just felt tired.

Come to think of it, Mother had been giving Sebastian some very warm looks… and he was the one who shoved Regulus down the stairs. I’d better stay cautious.

“Anyway, it doesn’t have to be Regulus-kun. If I had a younger sibling someday, I’d treat them the same. But…”

“But?”

“Sebastian. I saw you push Regulus-kun down the stairs. I won’t accuse you of being anyone’s puppet—but I will record what I witnessed. I’ll put it in writing, and I’ll leave it with Romanov-sensei. Consider yourself warned. And Father, Mother—you should both be aware of this.”

“That was a misunderstanding, I assure you.”

“Doesn’t matter. What I saw is all that matters to me. And you are my mother’s attendant. I hope you’re aware of what that implies.”

Mother’s fan creaked ominously in her hand. Being disliked is one thing. But being hated? That’s dangerous—especially if it turns into direct harm like Regulus’s attack.

If this is going to be a draw, Father needs to take a hit too.

“Regulus-kun is your child with that woman. Mother shouldn’t have to pay for his upbringing, right? So please, Father—cover the expenses from your personal income.”

“Wha—!?”

“The Kikunoi estate and all its assets originally belonged to Mother. Even if marriage means shared finances, it’s still absurd to expect her to pay to raise someone else’s child.”

“Th-that’s right! Hōchō, say it louder!”

“So I suggest this: run the estate properly, write up an official loan agreement for the profits, and use that to start your own independent business, Father. If it succeeds, Regulus-kun can inherit it someday and branch off into his own household.”

Now let the adults talk this out.

All this logical strategizing from my past life is giving me a splitting headache. My vision wobbled, and I wanted to lie down.

I slid off Sensei’s lap and called Rottenmeier-san over. I took both her hands and Romanov-sensei’s.

“Sensei, Rottenmeier-san—please witness the discussions between my parents. Whatever decision they come to, put it in writing and have both of them sign it. Then, I’d like you to safeguard it in an official, enforceable form.”

“Is this a request, Hōchō-kun?”

“You two are the only adults I can trust. I know it’s a lot to ask, but please… I’m counting on you.”

My head throbbed like it was going to explode.

As the world tilted, I saw Rottenmeier-san’s face twist in alarm.

Ah. I’m going to faint.

Little kids have big heads—when they start tipping, the rest of their body follows.

As the ceiling blurred above me, I heard Rottenmeier-san scream my name.

A large hand caught my head. It was warm—definitely Romanov-sensei’s.

That warmth was the last thing I felt before everything went dark.Eunie: :L I made a mistake. I released c18 first and forogt c.16 and c17 ugh

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