Chapter 58
“Elber…”
A reunion after one year.
Elber had changed so much. He had shot up in height, his shoulders had broadened, and his eyes had deepened. Even his hands were larger than before.
If I had met him by chance on the street, I would’ve admired his handsome looks—but perhaps also stepped back a little in intimidation.
But the moment I heard that gentle, earnest voice, I knew without doubt. This was my youngest older brother. The boy I had saved from the orphanage—Elber.
And he was still clinging to that tsundere persona I had asked him to keep up!
With the murmurs of the crowd buzzing behind him, Elber lifted his other hand.
And in it—
“A bouquet? What’s with this, Oppa?”
“Picked it up on the way.”
“….”
“Here, take it. It’s heavy.”
Elber thrust the bouquet of roses at me as if tossing it aside. It was stuffed with fresh blooms and weighed a ton. He said he had just returned from field training, so when on earth did he pick this up?
More importantly—
“You’ve really grown, Oppa.”
“And you’ve gotten smaller.”
“It’s because you’ve gotten too big!”
Ignoring my protest, he ruffled my hair roughly. My strands trailed along with the sweep of his hand.
That hand was so large it reminded me of the Duke’s. Just how much had he grown in a single year?
…Well, even if his body had grown, the way he shoved the bouquet into my arms with a grumpy look was the same. The same good-natured boy I remembered. Relieved, I hugged the flowers to my chest.
“Thank goodness, Oppa… You haven’t changed at all.”
That seemed to fluster him.
“What? What do you mean I haven’t changed! My height, my shoulders—”
“I already said that. I meant your personality.”
“A-ah! No, even that’s—”
“You’re kind. You even brought me flowers.”
I reached up to pat his head, only to realize—too high. Should I stand on tiptoe?
Elber solved the problem himself by bending down obediently. While I stroked his head, he muttered,
“Ugh, you really talk too much. It’s not like I brought these for you or anything.”
“Yes, yes, of course. …Ah, wait!”
Seraphina! Where did that girl run off to?
I frantically looked around, but the golden-haired beauty who always drew eyes was nowhere to be seen. Instead, all eyes were drawn to…
The male lead before me—Elber.
People whispered, their tones far brighter than when they had been gossiping about the Duke earlier.
“Is that the promising youth General Pine mentioned?”
“He takes care of his sister well.”
“…That one. That’s the kind of man you need to catch.”
I saw a father nudging his newly enrolled daughter with that advice.
Absolutely not. No way I’d hand Elber over to some extra!
So I grabbed his arm in plain view of everyone and declared,
“Oppa, you don’t have a girlfriend, right?”
“No! Absolutely not! Never, not once!”
He blurted out the denial so quickly it startled me.
What the—if I’d asked if he had killed someone, he would’ve answered more calmly than that!
Realizing how he sounded, he added hastily,
“Of course I don’t. Time in the capital is far too precious—I don’t even have enough to spend on myself.”
“Ooh, that’s a good answer.”
“Most importantly… if I had spare time, I’d use it to protect you!”
And just like that, he ruined it.
“What nonsense. It’s not like you’re going to trail me 24/7.”
“….”
“Well, if you ever do meet a girl you like, promise you’ll tell me right away, okay? I’ll judge whether she’s a good person or not.”
You’re destined to meet a saintess, after all!
I stuck out my pinky finger. Elber stared at it for a long time, then instead of hooking it, he grasped my entire hand between both of his.
I had worried he’d scold me for interfering in his private life, but… looks like he accepted it. Thank goodness!
Then he leaned in close and whispered in my ear.
“I’ll tell you. Definitely. …But of course, I’ll also make sure any man you meet is truly, absolutely decent.”
…Why do I feel like I’ve dug my own grave?
For the rest of the entrance ceremony, I couldn’t find Seraphina again. Not that I had the chance—both Benen and Elber flanked me the entire time, talking nonstop.
“I’m training under General Pine. Sometimes I even join knight missions. I caught a wanted criminal recently.”
“Wow, amazing.”
“But remember, that case is still on trial because Elber used excessive force.”
“Hyung! We agreed not to bring that up!”
“Oh right, the real secret was how the General’s daughter dotes on Elber… oops, wasn’t supposed to mention that.”
“Hyuuung!”
Benen teased shamelessly, while Elber panicked and glanced at me nervously.
“…Sol, why are you laughing?”
“Because you two seem close.”
In the original story, Elber and Benen’s relationship was the worst at this point. But now, they looked like any normal brothers.
When I smiled warmly, Benen awkwardly stopped his teasing.
And then, time came to part. The Duke left the fawning priests behind and strode over.
“It’s time for us to return. You know you’ll stay in the dormitory on weekdays, yes?”
“Yes, I heard.”
“And… some bad news. I wanted to build a new dormitory so you’d have a comfortable bed, but the priests refused. Stubborn old fools.”
“…That’s a level of overprotection only you would think of, Father.”
“Overprotection? Comfort in sleep is basic common sense. I’ve already summoned the finest carpenters in the capital. If the bed is uncomfortable, tell me at once.”
“…Yes, sir.”
“I can also replace windows and doors. Don’t forget to tell me.”
He repeated the instruction several times before leaving.
Next came Elber. He reached to take my hand, but, noticing all the stares, he clenched his fist instead.
“Sol, I worried about you being without me, but you’ve managed well enough. Though, you’re still short.”
“It’s because you’re too tall!”
“So what? It’s not like you need to be cut down.”
After that blunt line, he bent toward me and whispered,
“I’ll always be ready to kneel before you. Grow however you want, Sol.”
“…Thanks, Oppa. You really are still a good person.”
“Don’t embarrass me…”
Blushing, Elber retreated.
Finally, Benen. He would be sent off to the Flogel territory immediately after the ceremony.
He suddenly pulled me into a hug.
“Damn it! Father may drive me away, but my heart will always stay with you!”
“I believe you. I’ll come visit when I can.”
“You’d better. And if anyone bullies you at school, don’t retaliate right away—write it down in a diary.”
“To curse them later?”
“No. Wait until after the bully graduates, then take revenge. That way you won’t be a suspect.”
“…You really are consistent, Oppa.”
What a useful piece of bloody wisdom.
“If it’s too hard to handle alone, write me. I’m an expert in such matters. Elber will want to resolve things nicely, and Father—”
“Won’t know when to stop.”
“Exactly. You’re still sharp, I’m relieved.”
When he finally let go, Benen grinned.
Perhaps he couldn’t be called a good person. But…
I hugged him tightly once more.
“H-huh? Sol?”
“…Stay healthy. Don’t push yourself. And if it gets hard, write to me. I’ll cheer for you with all my strength.”
“….”
Benen Schleiger. In the original, the second villain. But in truth, also a victim of the Duke.
I was so glad he had grown up sane, so grateful he endured—that I squeezed him even tighter.
At first he chuckled in confusion. Then the sound faded. The trembling against my cheek stilled.
His arms wrapped around me again, and his voice softened in a way I had never heard before.
“…Thank you. For being my family.”
The school uniform was white. Only the pleats of the skirt were lined with blue, so when I twirled before the mirror, it looked like waves of the sea.
It wasn’t April Fool’s Day, yet here I was, wearing a school uniform at this age… But the sixteen-year-old girl in the mirror wore it well.
“…Hehe.”
A smile slipped out. It felt like I had regained the high school days I had lost.
My real teenage years had been nothing but worries. Jealous of friends preparing for college exams. Knowing a high-school diploma alone wouldn’t get me far. Watching my fellow orphans, once they turned eighteen and left, struggle and then vanish one by one… and fearing my own future.
But here, it was different! Here, I would do everything I ever wanted!
The bell rang. I stepped into the corridor, surrounded by young students. Most walked alone, sneaking glances at each other. This was the moment to make friends.
Seraphina was nowhere in sight. Then, as a substitute—
“Hi! You’re Betty, right?”
I approached a red-haired girl in a ponytail. She jumped.
“Huh? Who are you?”
“Oh, was I too sudden? I’m Sol.”
“Ah… from House Schleiger…”
Her voice trailed off.
Oops, I hadn’t mentioned my surname on purpose, but she guessed immediately. Guess I stood out too much during the ceremony. But this was only the beginning!
“Yep! The Duke is my foster father. And your father runs the Foldren textile mill, right?”
“Wh-what? How did you know?”
“I heard. Especially that your embroidery designs are famous for being so beautiful!”
I laid it on thick, feigning familiarity—for a reason.
And three minutes later…
“You don’t know how badly I’ve wanted to hear inside stories about House Schleiger! Your brothers are so handsome. Especially the tall one!”
“Haha, thanks.”
“And I heard he beat all the regular knights under General Pine? The General’s daughter seems head over heels for him.”
“Oh really?”
“Also, knights from the temple sometimes come by the girls’ dorm. Don’t be too shocked. They all look fine on the outside, but apparently they’re dirt poor—bad marriage prospects!”
“Oh, I see.”
“And that girl there…”
Betty lowered her voice, pointing at a girl ahead with twin buns.
“She’s from a Count’s family. Don’t mess with her. She’s whipped more than a few maids.”
“Oh dear.”
I vaguely recalled—she was a villainess who picked fights with the heroine and got crushed. But since she only lorded it over commoners and poorer nobles, she probably wouldn’t—
“What are you whispering about?”
Before I could finish the thought, the twin-bun girl whipped her head around. Betty ducked behind my back. Hey!
Her narrowed eyes locked onto me. Definitely not friendly.
“Well, well. Isn’t this the famous orphan?”
…Guess I’ll be starting Benen’s diary today.
