TMHLBQ_RASUBOSS_ARCHIVE_C76:CHAPTER 76. The Younger Sister Understands Her Brother

76. The Younger Sister Understands Her Brother

“Oh? What’s the matter, Stayle? And Arthur too?”

I turned around as I was enjoying a conversation with the maids and guards. To my surprise, Stayle, who usually wore a smile in public, was now looking quite displeased, his face downcast. Beside him, Arthur appeared utterly exhausted as they both approached me.

“I’m sorry, my sister… I was planning to discuss the matter of the ‘Imperial Guard’ with Chancellor Gilbert, but…”

Stayle looked like he was at the peak of his frustration, and I tilted my head as I realized he’d probably been teased by Chancellor Gilbert again.

Since the incident with Maria, both Arthur and I had become closer and more at ease, but strangely, Stayle’s hostility seemed to have intensified. In the past, I had always managed to deflect his words with ease, but lately, for some reason, I found myself responding with sarcasm, even when it came from Stayle. However, when it came to Chancellor Gilbert, the dark and tense atmosphere I had once felt wasn’t there anymore. In fact, when he looked at Stayle, his gaze felt soft, almost kind… although it seemed Stayle hadn’t noticed. It made me recall a college student from my past life who used to tease the local elementary school boys playfully—annoying, but in a strangely endearing way. Chancellor Gilbert, at his age, still acts like that.

I gently took Arthur aside to deal with Stayle’s intense frustration, promising to speak with Chancellor Gilbert about the matter later. After I saw Arthur off, I turned back to Stayle, hoping to calm him down.

“Don’t worry, Stayle. I’ll speak to Chancellor Gilbert about it later.”

I patted his head gently, but Stayle couldn’t even manage his usual smile as he continued to look down, muttering a small “I’m sorry…”

At this moment, it seemed less like anger and more like disappointment. Looking at him like this reminded me that, despite his maturity, he was still only twelve.

Trying to change the mood, I handed him a fresh glass of wine and placed my hand on his back.

“By the way, let me introduce you, Stayle. These are Agnes, Teresa, and Trixie, the maids who took care of Maria, and this is the guard Salman.”

When I introduced them, each one bowed respectfully. These four had originally worked in the castle, but after Maria fell ill, they had mostly become her dedicated caretakers. Trixie, in particular, was quite skilled in healing. Chancellor Gilbert invited them to work at this residence now that Maria was well, and I said we would probably see them again. Stayle seemed to calm down a little, smiled, and introduced himself, “I am Stayle Royal Ivy, the First Prince. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

After that, he joined in the conversation with the maids and guards, chatting happily. Once I saw that Stayle had regained his composure, I began to greet other guests, including the knights.

After greeting the Knight Commander, I exchanged words with each knight. Some of the higher-ups said, “We will continue to support Lady Pryde!” with such strength that it left a strong impression. Others, introduced by Chancellor Gilbert, greeted me respectfully, and it was quite a busy time. Later, Chancellor Gilbert himself approached and, with a proud smile from Tiara, offered to help with drafting the law regarding the “Imperial Guard.” After Tiara had watched us begin our conversation, she left quietly, heading to greet the knights.

What is it about her that piques my interest?

I’ll have to thank her properly later.

“...I’m sorry, Tiara. Thank you.”

Stayle sighed and placed his head in his hands.

“Don’t worry about it. Honestly, it was impressive that you didn’t have a big fight with Chancellor Gilbert back there.”

Tiara smiled as she spoke, but Stayle felt a sense of shame as her younger brother.

After the conversation with the knights, Tiara began speaking with Stayle, who had also just finished talking to the maids and guards. The higher-ups were hovering around, waiting for their turn to greet the First Prince and Second Princess, but they didn’t want to interrupt their conversation and risk upsetting them. So, they scattered around like birds.

“I’m happy I could help my sister,” Tiara said proudly, puffing out her chest. “I always end up getting ahead of me, so it’s nice to finally catch up.”

“You really… make me feel like a failure as an older brother…” Stayle replied, staring at her with a mix of emotions.

Tiara, beaming with Pryde, laughed adorably, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Do you really dislike Chancellor Gilbert that much, big brother?”

“No, I don’t. I hate him.”

Stayle immediately responded as Tiara looked at him curiously, her face full of questions. Stayle’s face became expressionless, and an aura of displeasure radiated from him. Tiara sighed quietly.

“Did he do something mean to sister?”

“What else is there?”

He answered immediately, and then added, “Someone like him should be dragged down from his position as Chancellor.”

Tiara quietly stood by Stayle’s side, looking at him.

“Do you ever wish you hadn’t helped Maria?”

“…I never said that.”

Stayle finally faltered, giving Tiara a small glare for her provocative question.

“Chancellor Gilbert really admires Sister now, doesn’t he? And he’s been so kind to both Arthur and me, and to you too.”

Tiara pointed toward Chancellor Gilbert, who was looking at Lady Pryde with a gentle expression, listening to her speak.

“I like both Maria and Chancellor Gilbert. …I’m so happy for them.”

Tiara spoke softly, and then a soft smile crossed her face as if she were genuinely happy for them.

“…Big brother, you don’t really dislike Chancellor Gilbert, do you?”

“What?!”

Stayle’s eyes widened, and he quickly covered his mouth with his hand to avoid making a noise, looking as though he wanted to deny it. But his eyes were saying something entirely different.

"Recently, it seems that you no longer treat Chancellor Gilbert as an enemy. It almost feels like you’re jealous of him.”

Her words pierced Stayle, and he tightened his mouth to avoid making any sound. But his eyes were clearly saying, “What are you talking about?”

“You’ve always been trying to outdo Chancellor Gilbert, right? You’ve always wanted to protect Sister, haven’t you?”

Stayle regretted ever venting about Chancellor Gilbert to Tiara in the past.

“But now, Chancellor Gilbert is relying on Sister, thriving as Chancellor, and even sparring with Arthur. You said earlier that you were going to practice with him, right?”

Tiara’s words pierced Stayle like daggers, and he pressed his hands against his face to suppress the burning embarrassment. He lowered his head, hoping no one would notice his flushed face.

“You’re overthinking this, big brother!”

Tiara pulled at his sleeve, tugging him this way and that, trying to shake him out of his thoughts. Stayle had no way to stop her.

“Chancellor Gilbert’s actions weren’t perfect, but I understand why you can’t forgive him, and that’s okay. But if you let your personal feelings take over and you keep disliking him for everything, it won’t help anyone!”

Tiara’s words were so spot-on that Stayle felt as if he might die of embarrassment.

He had indeed been jealous of Chancellor Gilbert. The way he had been relied upon by Lady Pryde so soon, and the fact that Arthur, who had once only practiced with Stayle, was now turning to him for help.

“I know you care about sister and Arthur,” Tiara continued. “But to sister, you’re a special and important brother. And to Arthur, you’re an important and special friend. So there’s no need to be jealous of Chancellor Gilbert.”

“Please, Tiara… just… stop…”

Stayle pleaded, his face still red. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. Tiara smiled and patted his head gently.

“You just wanted to make sure the knights could be trusted with sister, didn’t you?”

Tiara’s words hit the mark, and Stayle slumped in exhaustion.

Tiara was right.

He had been angry at Chancellor Gilbert for betraying Lady Pryde and the country. But now, seeing how close he had become to everyone, including the people Stayle cared for, it made him feel jealous.

How childish am I?

He had never forgiven Chancellor Gilbert’s betrayal or his past mistakes. However, what troubled Stayle even more was that Chancellor Gilbert was surpassing him and forming close relationships with the people Stayle cherished, which fueled his jealousy.

“...I didn’t want to realize it…”

Stayle mumbled softly, looking down, his voice barely audible. Tiara reached out to comfort him, but before she could touch his head, the sound of footsteps approached.

“Stayle? Are you okay? Is something wrong?”

It was Chancellor Gilbert and Lady Pryde rushing toward him. Trying to hide his flushed face, Stayle covered it with both hands. Tiara quickly intervened, “It’s okay; big brother just had a bit too much to drink.”

Chancellor Gilbert immediately asked a servant to fetch water, and Lady Pryde, worried, stood close to Stayle.

Looking up, Stayle noticed Arthur in the distance, watching them with concern.

I’m still a child.

Just having Lady Pryde and the others worried about him made the tension in his chest seem to disappear.

Stayle instinctively touched Lady Pryde’s smooth hand, gripping it lightly. She looked surprised but smiled warmly as she gently held his hand in return.

How many times had he wished to lose himself in her warmth?

Her nobility, kindness, recklessness, beauty, strength... and even her surprising weaknesses—he cherished them all.

Only the ones he recognized were allowed to touch him.

With that thought in mind, Stayle exhaled deeply and stood up straight, gently patting Tiara’s head with gratitude. He drank the water offered by Chancellor Gilbert and then, without missing a beat, said:

“…But still, I will never forgive you, and I hate you.”

He said this to Chancellor Gilbert, adjusting his glasses. Chancellor Gilbert looked a bit surprised but then smiled and nodded.

“Well then, I will humbly accept your words, Stayle, and I shall face them with respect.”

He bowed deeply. His words, like those of Stayle’s younger self, were filled with understanding and sincerity.

Later, after Stayle and Tiara finished greeting all the guests, Chancellor Gilbert’s party came to a peaceful conclusion.

In the end, Chancellor Gilbert announced the formal engagement with Marianne, closing the evening with a toast.

 ******

EUN: Next chapter is an actual INTERLUDE chapter but I'll stick to labeling it as an intermission chapter.  Don't skip it. 

WN STATUS: C76=Chapter 95/2128

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