BSS 87

Chapter 87

“Jinny?”

“Yes.”

“That….”

So you finally remember!

“What a name—so soft and smooth to say. I just want to keep saying it… Miss Jinny Crowell.”

Ah, my blood pressure.

This was a straight-up test of my patience.

Could it be possible that siblings could forget like this?

Was I really such an insignificant presence to them?

Was that event really nothing to them?

I… I!

I’ll make sure you never forget, you damn brats!

“Prince Pedri.”

“It’s an honor! You know my family! Yes, I am indeed Prince Pedri.”

“Who wouldn’t know the prestigious Pedri family?”

“You flatter me.”

“Hehe, Prince, do I please you?”

A natural, pleased smile spread across my face—probably because I was scheming some little mischief.

“You’re quite direct, aren’t you?”

“I don’t like beating around the bush.”

I looked up at Latshamu with a smile in my eyes and twitched my lips slightly.

By now, he had grown into a strong young man. At a glance, he seemed just like a confident, tall imperial knight.

The sun emblem on his chest marked him as a knight affiliated with the palace.

Considering he was in his early twenties, he was quite an elite.

“Of course. I already find it impossible to take my eyes off you.”

The color of Latshamu’s eyes was different from Robenin’s.

It was a clear, delicate green—perhaps because their mothers were different.

“If I could, I would kiss your golden hair and whisper love into your blushing cheeks.”

“My, my.”

“If you allow me, I would do anything.”

“Really?”

When did that tiny little boy grow up enough to flirt so confidently?

I stepped closer with a delighted smile and gladly responded.

“Then shall we go to the balcony together?”

“……Excuse me?”

“I want to know you more deeply. In a quiet place…”

According to the etiquette books I’d crammed from, inviting someone to the balcony was a discreet signal. Usually, the man invited the woman.

Latshamu’s face had turned red—what was he imagining?

“On, on our first meeting…”

“If you don’t want to, that’s fine.”

“No! Of course not!”

A laugh escaped me naturally.

Hehe.

[Master… what are you planning this time?]

[Just wait.]

[Did I just make a contract with a demon?]

[Hehehe.]

Latshamu, my formidable rival, was there with me on the balcony.

Robenin Pedri was recuperating in Heidrike, and Esche had gone on the path of trials.

I thought I no longer knew anyone in the empire.

Until I came face-to-face with this big, tail-wagging beast, Latshamu.

On the small balcony, it was just the two of us.

The surroundings were dark, and the moonlight tonight was cold and bleak.

Only a few steps away from the hall, the world seemed incredibly quiet.

I leaned against the rose-vine railing and looked at him carefully. Latshamu, thinking it a sign of seduction, immediately moved closer.

He stood beside me cautiously and gently held my hand that rested casually on the railing.

Lai’s questions followed immediately in my mind.

[Asking me?]

[No.]

Strange. What exactly does he like about me?

He used to openly despise me as a cowardly girl from a small country.

And yet, he lost to me.

“Hmph, staring at me like that…”

Do you like it? You do, don’t you?

I clicked my tongue at the shy, distracted, bulky fellow.

“Prince Pedri.”

“Yes! Miss Crowell.”

“May I ask you some questions?”

“I am honored that such a beautiful lady wishes to know about me. Ask anything.”

“You have an older brother, right?”

Since he’s the sibling of my rival, he might have some weakness.

If I know my enemy and myself, I can win every battle—let’s see what I can uncover.

But as soon as I asked, I saw Latshamu’s expression harden.

He had been smiling warmly moments before—I had to forcibly notice it.

“……You know my older brother. Of course, he’s famous, so you’d know him…”

“Why that face?”

What’s this? He looked friendly before—did we just fight?

“I hope not, but Miss Crowell, are you actually interested in… him rather than me?”

Well, technically yes.

“So that’s why you approached me? Targeting your brother? Is that your goal too?”

His voice sounded slightly agitated, and his expression looked hurt.

He was desperately hoping I’d say no.

Latshamu seemed to have been deeply wounded in that regard.

‘I am targeting him… but in another sense… maybe his neck.’

Over time, the relationship between the brothers had shifted.

Young Latshamu had once admired and followed Robenin like a duckling, but now, as a man, he had a subtle resentment.

“So… you’re asking me if I have romantic interest in Robenin?”

“You needn’t try to deceive me. I’m very familiar with these situations.”

“Oh my.”

A bit of cheeky playfulness, I see.

“Everyone sees me as Robenin Pedri’s younger brother rather than Latshamu. If it’s just to be used, I’m fed up with it.”

I understood.

Being the younger brother of the most famous swordsman on the continent might not always feel good.

Constant comparisons, yet never surpassing him.

That must be suffocating and infuriating.

Having once been someone overshadowed by Robenin, I could empathize a little.

I rested my elbows on the railing and propped my chin, letting out a small chuckle.

“Don’t worry, I would hate Robenin Pedri if it were anything serious.”

Judging by my expression of disgust, I meant it sincerely.

“Please discard such unpleasant misunderstandings.”

“……Miss Crowell, you are serious, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I dislike him enough to want an apology.”

“I’m sorry. I spoke rashly.”

“I’ve heard he’s quite popular, though.”

If even my usually indifferent ears have caught rumors, he must be extremely popular.

“My brother’s popularity is undeniably the highest in the empire. Few women dislike him… Please forgive my rudeness.”

“I can’t understand it. What could be good about such a man?”

Even while pretending to be elegant, I couldn’t hide my true feelings—my hatred for Robenin Pedri.

I hated that man so much I felt I could die.

“Well… my brother is a genius swordsman, the eldest son of the Dukes, and very handsome.”

Damn it. Who asked for that?

“No, personality matters! Personality! Robenin is morally corrupt!”

I burst out, worried how Latshamu might react.

But fortunately, Latshamu didn’t resent it—instead, he nodded with delight.

“That’s right! That’s exactly him!”

“When someone speaks, he should respond, but he ignores everyone.”

“Exactly, exactly!”

“Not only that, but he’s off-topic, always thinking of fights. He seems a bit… crazy.”

“That’s what I’m saying! Everyone thinks he’s a quiet, lonely person, but he’s just a brutal individualist. He’s unbelievably cold-blooded.”

Latshamu seemed to have accumulated grievances just as much as I had.

“He left on his own, collapsed in Heidrike, and didn’t even send a single letter. Why must I hear my family’s news from others?”

“Even to family?”

“Yes, he’s far from normal.”

“What do you mean?”

I seized the opportunity to interrogate Latshamu further.