CH 13

“Brother doesn’t need my care. You’re 12 years older than me…”

“I will be older 12 years earlier? When I am retired and very old, push me in a wheelchair often.”

“Ah, you’re already saying such unlucky things, Brother!”

“It’s the future that will come anyway, so what? And come to think of it, it’s not even unlucky. At least I will have plenty of time when I retire. Ah, I want to eat twice a day with Rosie Rosie.”

The old Julian was always busy. He came to see me whenever he had a chance, but we never had more than two meals together.

After Julian woke up from his accident, we shared two meals a day as he wished.

If it was the old Julian, he would have jumped up and down with great joy.

‘Right now, he doesn’t seem to have such thoughts.’

“Is it difficult to learn the letters? It’s okay, learn slowly . The teachers say you can’t read letters, but you’re very smart in other things.”

“They can’t say anything bad when they are getting money… What if I study slowly and then grow up to be an idiot?”

“Don’t worry. I started studying when I was 19-years-old.”

“Really?”

“Ah, I want to read a book with our Rosie Rosie! That’s my second hope for the future. The first is a secret because it’s something I dreamed of when I was an immature teenager.”

“Brother.”

I muttered as I wiped the tears from my ruby earrings.

“I can read everything now… But you don’t even remember that I couldn’t read well…”

Even when Julian saw me casually reading a book, he only had a blank expression.

Instead, Schulva was startled, although he didn’t make a comment.

“Of course, you don’t have to be burdened with letters! Really. No matter what situation, no matter what kind of Rosie, I will love and cherish you.”

“Even a 72-year-old Rosie Rosie who hasn’t been able to read for 60 years?”

“Well! Of course! But let’s try to learn it within 60 years.”

“Ah… Your love has cooled, Brother.”

“Your brother made a mistake, Rosie Rosie. Please hit me very hard! I will love and cherish even an 82-year-old Rosie Rosie who has not been able to read for 70 years.”

I sniffed as I recalled an old conversation.

“Do you think a 17-year-old butcher will love you like before?”

Roystan’s words from our last encounter lingered in my ears.

“Surely, you will love me again.”

I murmured to myself.

“In any situation, in any country, Brother will eventually come back to me… He will love me.”

Julian had changed, and I was anxious because I had also changed, but I still had to believe.

“And even if not… I will love you very much.”

Taking a deep breath, I put the ruby earrings back in the drawer. And I started to pick out the jewelry for tomorrow.

“…Oh really…”

As I looked at the contents of the drawer, my eyes filled with tears again.

“What on earth should I choose for tomorrow…”

Unbeknownst to me, a sad grumble broke out.

“…There are too many…”

Among the items that filled the drawer, not a single one of them was without Julian’s sincerity.

“Really… Buy it in moderation… It’s hard to choose…”

I rubbed my eyes with my fist, my heart accelerating for no reason.

“I have to stop before Schulva comes…”

But no matter how much I rubbed my eyes, tears welled up.

There was even a black and white photo of me and Julian in the drawer. He called a photographer for this.

Really, the price was outrageous. However, it was taken because Julian said he really wanted to take a picture to commemorate my birthday.

Holding the picture frame, I sat still for a while.

‘Brother…’

‘Thank you for opening your eyes. Really.’

I thought it would be enough if I could save him. It was sincere.

Still… still…

Still.

Tears dripped nonstop and pooled on the frame.

Unable to wipe away those tears, I held my breath, and my shoulders trembled. Without my knowledge, Heidi didn’t close the door properly, and so it was slightly open.

´⛧ ⛧ ⛧ ´

Julian’s room.

Schulva, who secretly received Heidi’s message, said to Julian.

“I’m going to see Lady Rosie for a while.”

At that time, Julian was just sitting in a wheelchair and practicing rolling the wheels. The wheelchair was brought by the attending doctor, Peter, after dinner.

Peter praised him for his monstrous resilience and for being a patient who makes doctors feel immensely rewarded.

“Schulva, but…”

Julian’s eyes narrowed slightly as he asked. 

“Why did Rosie call you and not me? Why?”

“Hmm.”

Schulva looked at Julian and replied,

“Maybe because you won’t be able to go even if she calls you?”

“Aha. I guess that’s right.”

Julian nodded.

“She doesn’t know that I can now sit in a wheelchair.”

Playfulness flashed in his green eyes.

“I will follow you.”

“…Yes?”

“Just to show her I can move with a wheelchair. She always says she wants to see me. So won’t she be happy? I’ll give her a surprise.”

“Um, Julian.”

Schulva frowned, troubled. 

“Those from aristocratic families don’t usually make sudden visits like this, even between siblings…”

Ignoring Schulva’s words, the mentally 17-year-old Julian shouted sternly.

“Depart! Depart! The youngest son of the blacksmith, follow the words of the butcher’s genius!”

And so, Julian pushed the wheels and left the room. Schulva trailed behind him, muttering, “That butcher’s idiot is really too mean…”

´⛧ ⛧ ⛧ ´

After crying for a long time, I finally stopped.

It was time to put the picture frame back, pick out the accessories for tomorrow, and close the drawer.

“Lady Rosie, this is Schulva.”

A knock was heard.

Whatever happened, it was fortunate that it was later than expected. I answered right away.

“Yes, come in.”

Schulva entered alone with a worried face. Strangely, he kept looking back. Did someone come with him?

But there was no one behind Schulva.

‘What? Why is your expression like that? Is it because of the monthly meeting?’

The monthly meeting was approaching.

He must have a lot of worries since all of the 137 billion gold was in danger of being distributed at the monthly meeting.

It was a monthly meeting, but without my grandfather, it was just a majority vote. Thus, I wouldn’t be able to resist when they all agree to ‘divide it into thirds and share it.’ 

“I heard you called me.”

“Yes, Schulva.”

I sat up straight and answered. Then, after taking out today’s newspaper from another drawer, I went straight to the point.

“It’s about my brother’s property. Please cash in everything tomorrow.”

“What?”

“And the day before the monthly meeting.”

I calmly looked at Schulva and opened today’s newspaper.

The Temple announces that the romstone mine will be bigger than expected!

Crisis of the Magic Tower – Endless drop in magic stone price!

Then, pointing to the word ‘magic stone’, I ordered.

“Everything, please invest in magic stones.”

Schulva’s eyes twitched.

“Are… are you serious?”

He stayed silent for a moment before adding,

“…Lady Rosie…”

His face was grim.

“I know you’d rather blow them all up in the air than give them a single coin. But if your relatives knew about this, they would be very upset.”

Schulva said more seriously.

“Lady Rosie, those people will never let you lose 137 billion gold.”

“Haha, don’t tell me they will divide me into three instead of dividing 137 billion gold into three…”

“Lady Rosie, this is not a joke.”

“Hmm. If that ever happens, tell them not to divide me into head, torso, and legs. Because that’s how insects are divided. I want to protect my human dignity.”

Realizing Rosie’s intentions, Schulva sighed deeply. She was changing the subject due to his agitation, but ultimately, the investment would not be reversed.

In the end, with great worry, Schulva replied, “I will deal with it as you wish.”

Ame: Ah, I thought the crying portion is over T^T

Tassie: I wanted to see bonding, not be hit right in the feels ;-; I’m excited to see the shitshow that will be the monthly meeting tho XD