Chapter 167

1st Person POV – Ekaterina

To begin with, I feel that summers in the Imperial Kingdom were more comfortable than the sweltering Japanese summers I remembered from my previous life.

Nevertheless, in this life’s memory, summers in the imperial capital were certainly hotter than those in the dukedom. And when I was on deck, I felt sorry that Mina was standing beside me, holding a parasol over my head.

“But if Big Brother is concerned, I will do as you ask.”

“Good girl.”

Alexei smiled and took her sister’s hand.

They were to stay together in Alexei’s cabin until dinner.

Ivan brewed a pot of fruit tea. It was a refreshing tea with citrus fruits added. Alexei placed his hand over it and let it cool with the ice magic.

“Thank you, Big Brother, it’s very good.”

“If you’re happy, I can think my own magical attributes aren’t so bad.”

…I guess it’s complicated because the old hag and the bastard father also had the ice attribute.

I, who was someone in their 30s before, just want to pet Big Brother’s head or something.

“The imperial capital is enormous, isn’t it? Even with such a fast ship, it seems we haven’t left the Imperial City yet.”

“Yes, because the imperial capital continues to expand along the Cernov River. But this area is no longer the official imperial capital. It is just an area populated by the influx of exiles.”

Alexei’s words caused me to review the rows of houses visible from the ship’s windows. Indeed, the houses looked much smaller and shabbier than they had looked when we first set sail.

“…I wondered if there were any residents of Yurinova territory who ended up living here…”

People who could not live because of disasters and embezzlement of the aid they were supposed to receive.

“There may be some. They will return once their homeland is restored.”

“Yes, I’m sure they will. I will do what I can to help them return to their hometowns.”

If they haven’t established a basis of living in another land, or if they are still struggling and have a better chance of making a living if they return, they will surely return.

“… you are really a kind person being concerned about them.”

Alexei sighed softly.

“There are too many greedy people in the world. People who are already wealthy in their own right, but are not ashamed to steal from those who can’t even make ends meet tomorrow.”

“Big Brother has been fighting them all his life, hasn’t he? That’s admirable.”

He had just turned eighteen, but he carried himself with tremendous dignity because he had been through so much.

I once thought that his interaction with the Headmaster was a bit like facing a boss who was a little too polite with his words, but I guess that means there was a difference in experience that even the Headmaster couldn’t compare to.

Alexei smiled as he looked at me, lost in thought.

“When we return to the dukedom, you will be the queen of that land. No one will be allowed to oppose you. You can behave as you wish, unfettered.”

“Big Brother, the head of the family, is Big Brother. I serve Big Brother as his sister.”

“Yes, I am the head of the family. And although I am the head of the family, I am also your loyal servant. My beloved Mistress, Ekaterina.”

Alexei then took Ekaterina’s hand and kissed her fingertips.

Ekaterina was inwardly squealing.

Big Brother as my servant! Why must you say something like that!

Was it my imagination, or am I just being an idiot!

“I’m still a student myself, and this will be the first time I’ll spend time in the territory in earnest since I inherited the duke’s title. Many people will underestimate me because I am young, but I will not allow them to be disrespectful to you. I swear it.”

Oh, that clarifies things.

Ekaterina smiled at her brother.