Chapter 186

“I met the current Count Kruimov, Nicolai and Marina’s father. He is rarely involved in politics or social life, but I have heard that His Majesty has a lot of faith in him. The Zephyros affair was almost unspoken of and quietly settled; Marina probably isn’t aware of it, but Nicolai most likely knows about it, and he hasn’t mentioned or even hinted at it in the more than two years we’ve been classmates at the school. He is a trustworthy person.”

“Yes, Nicolai-sama is a good friend to Big Brother.”

Ekaterina said, while Alexei muttered, “I see,” and looked down at her, as if embarrassed. Then he smiled.

“Treat the Kruimovs the same way you’ve always treated them. They are, indeed, good friends. However, I think we should keep our side of the story, so I decided to mention it to you.”

“Yes, Big Brother, thank you for telling me.”

I have a feeling that the next time I see them, I will stare at them with indescribable feelings.

But I was certain that Nicolai-san would not waver in the slightest, and would show his usual smile. That was all I could think of.

I wonder what Count Kruimov thought about, as the father of those siblings and a man trusted by His Majesty, when my ten-year-old Big Brother appeared in his father’s place at that time.

I was confident that, despite his young age, Big Brother would have acted with dignity, mourned for Zephyros, and apologized for his father’s disrespect with sensible words. How would he have viewed Big Brother at that time?

I was going to keep my promise not to ask for the Magic Beast Horse, but I wondered. Big Brother was a very sharp man for his age, especially considering he was only 18 years old, but he probably didn’t realize it.

Maybe… he felt sorry for Grandfather and Zephyros and was punishing himself for not being able to do anything about it. It might have been an unconscious act, but….

Big Brother was always trying to make me happy, but he was also endeavoring to fulfill his responsibilities. All he does is carry out his duties.

Ekaterina took her brother’s hand and held it gently.

“…Did I make you feel sad?”

“No. No. But Big Brother must have been feeling sad at that time. I wanted to share that feeling with you.”

“You really are very kind.”

Alexei squeezed his sister’s hand back.

And then a large head rested on the sibling’s hands. Laughing, Alexei patted Regina’s head.

“Regina is kind, too. In the past, it was Regina who used to share my feelings with me.”

These words, in return, seemed to bring out the image of a lonely child.

Ekaterina looked up at her brother and smiled.

“Yes, of course. Regina is a wonderful big sister.”

“I am a lucky man. To have two intellectual, kind, and beautiful women looking out for me.”

“Big Brother is the nicest gentleman of all. Right, Regina?”

Regina looked up at them and wagged her bushy tail.

“Big Brother… will those deviants show up for the weekend’s festivities?”

“Probably. After all, it will be a celebration of my succession to the dukedom, as well as an invitation to the majority of the territory’s major players to make you widely known as a duchess.”

“Please don’t let me leave your side. If such people try to approach Big Brother, I will drive them away.”

Big Brother knew that kicking those people to the curb would be desirable. But he still needed to hold back, even if it was a little unpleasant.

This brocon villainess will not allow such a thing!

“I see. I’m counting on you.”

Despite this, Alexei cut himself off as if he couldn’t stop himself.

“You don’t have to be concerned about those people. You can turn your beautiful eyes and kind heart to something deserving of your attention. You are the one who has the ability to make the world more beautiful and pleasing. It is extremely rare to find someone who can see things from such a broad perspective. You are a bright child, but you don’t always seem to understand yourself.”

…hmm?

Huh?

That’s what I thought about Big Brother earlier!

Was my brocon not as good as Big Brother’s siscon in terms of content? I felt so frustrated!

I was uncertain if I should be comparing a siscon to a brocon, but so be it.