Chapter 31

It hurts! But I’m still alive!

Regardless of my mental age or my previous position as a corporate slave, of course I was scared! I almost died! As a systems engineer, if I didn’t finish restoring the program, I would be charged several billions of yen. My hands used to tremble as I thought I was going to die, but even so, I wouldn’t have really died. But those fangs-!

Even when I’m just remembering them, they’re scary.

It was really super scary!!!

Alexei, who was squeezing his sister tightly, came to his senses after hearing Ekaterina groaning in pain, and loosened his hug.

“Sorry, did it hurt?”

While clinging to her brother, Ekaterina shook her head.

“Big brother, thank you… For coming… Really, thank you…”

After hearing the response she made while sniffling, Alexei put a little more strength into his embrace and whispered.

“If it’s for your sake, I’ll come wherever you are. Even if I have to invade hell itself, I’ll definitely come to save you.”

…*Hug*

I’m dead! So many kinds of moe at once, I’m absolutely dead!

Being hugged! While being whispered to! With his sweet voice! Even better because his voice is hoarse! And even more so because I’m a brocon! And that line—it’s like it was ripped straight out of a J-pop song’s lyrics or an anime protagonist’s lines! Except he’s not trying to show off, he’s actually making a declaration of his intent!

More than anything, just as he said, he came running to rescue me when my life was in danger!

It’s too much, your sister can’t bear to get married anymore. Take responsibility for this, big brother~!

Snap out of thinking stupid things like that, ne.

Now coming back to life after dying from moe, I regained the strength to stand up again. Moe truly is one’s life force!

“Big brother… Miss Flora saved my life.”

Ekaterina said, realizing that Flora was still on the ground, looking up at the two of them while she herself was smiling.

Nodding, Alexei let go of his sister.

Kneeling in front of Flora, he took her hand.

“Miss Flora Cerny.”

Calling out to her respectfully, he bowed while offering her his hand.

A beautiful young man, kneeling in front of a beautiful young lady!

How lucky I am to see this! It’s something straight from a painting!

Inside, Ekaterina was excited to the brim.

“I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart for having the courage to save my sister. And as such, I would like to once again apologize for my impoliteness the other day. I was a fool.”

“There’s no need to go so far.”

Opening her eyes wide, Flora shook her head. Even so, Alexei continued to speak.

“The Yurinova family is now indebted to you. As such, I would like you to accept this vow of mine.”

A vow!

Indeed, I remember the prince doing this in the game!

“I, Alexei, declare upon the Yurinova name, that Flora Cerny is the friend of the Yurinovas. All those who bear the name of Yurinova rejoice in the good fortune of their friends, and fight the enemies of their friends as their own. Your enemy is my enemy, and your joy is my joy. Thus, I, Alexei, solemnly swear.”

Whoa…

It’s like a relic of history. As a history enthusiast, my blood boils at the sight of this Warring Kingdoms-esque speaking style!

“Your Excellency, the Duke…! Please, do not pay it any heed. The one who owes Miss Ekaterina more than I can pay back is me. Please, there is no need to kneel in front of me.”

“Until you accept this vow, I cannot stand. That is how a vow works.”

Alexei continued to calmly speak to Flora, who sat there shaking her head. Beneath that calm, I can feel that a switch has been flipped inside him, strengthening his resolve.

“I-I understand. I’ll accept it. So please, stand already.”