DFCWD 67

Chapter 67

“W-What are you talking about! Who else could there be for me! Benen already went down to Flogel!”

“Then why were you surprised to see me? You must’ve heard I came to visit.”

Elber’s eyes sharpened.

“Were you expecting some other brother?”

Yes, I was expecting someone else.

But I’m not dumb enough to be honest at a time like this.

“Snacks… do you have any?”

“Huh?”

“The caretaker said you brought snacks. I was looking forward to it, but maybe he mistook you for someone else.”

Any ordinary brother would’ve said, ‘Were you waiting for snacks more than for me?!’ and felt dumbfounded.
But Elber is different. His face immediately turned guilty.

“I see! You wanted snacks? Wait right here! What do you want? Juice? Candy?”

“It’s fine, sit down. Just chatting with you is enough.”

“If you ever think of something you want to eat, you have to tell me, okay?”

Elber’s eyes sparkled. Almost like he was hoping for an errand. Is he… happy just to have something he can do for me?

…Before I realized it, my hand had landed on his head.

“There, good bo—”

But I didn’t get to pat his hair. Elber caught my wrist.

“I’m not a child, Sol.”

“Ah, sorry.”

I quickly pulled my hand back. Though, Elber looked like he regretted letting it go…

Yeah, I get that feeling. I hate being treated like a kid too. But sometimes I just want to flop on the floor screaming, ‘I don’t want to work! Someone take care of me! Carry me! Feed me!’

It might look pathetic to others, but I think that’s just the ironic feelings ordinary people have.

…Which is why I’m glad. Elber, I’m glad you didn’t grow up into someone scary.

“You’ve grown well, my Elber-oppa.”

“…What’s with you all of a sudden.”

“Hehe, embarrassed?”

“Y-You too, you’ve really gro—”

“Anyway. Why are you really here? Feeling bad for not saying goodbye last weekend?”

“…Not just that.”

Elber fidgeted with his hands for a while, looking tense, then spoke.

“I got a love letter. What do you think I should do? Tell me honestly.”

…Huh?

Elber got a love letter?

My heart dropped with a thud at the unexpected words.

So he came to consult me about receiving one? Well, I suppose it’s only natural. He’s handsome. Skilled with a sword. Even the general’s daughter’s been interested in him.

Before some random girl snares him, I should hurry and pair him up with Seraphina.

…But why would he ask me about how to deal with it?

“Sol…?”

“…Ah, s-sorry! Just never expected that question.”

“It’s reality.”

Elber pulled an envelope from his chest pocket and waved it. The edges had dainty floral patterns. H-ha-ha. Whoever sent it has cute taste!

“R-Right, so if it were me…”

“Yeah. If it were you?”

“I’d burn it.”

“…Why?”

His eyes widened at my blunt answer. Oops, that came out too instinctively. Let’s try again!

“Not all of them, I mean! But unless the person came forward properly, said ‘I’m so-and-so, and here’s why I’m giving this to you,’ then yeah, burn it.”

“Hm. Why?”

“If you’re interested in someone, the least you can do is introduce yourself. Otherwise, who knows if it’s a love letter or a threat disguised as one?”

“…That makes sense.”

“If you’re not looking for romance anyway, it’s just an annoying distraction. So I’d burn it.”

There, nonsense concluded. If I react strongly, maybe it’ll scare away the extras from approaching Elber.

I wondered if Elber, who’s always so kind, would accept advice like that…

“I think so too.”

Elber smiled brightly at me—then promptly ripped the letter into shreds before my eyes. Not only that, he pulled out a candle from the corner of the visiting room and burned it.

“Cough!”

“Sorry, it’ll be over soon.”

“You hold that much of a grudge? Anyone watching would think you were burning a duel notice, not a love letter!”

“You told me to burn it.”

“I meant depending on the situation, not that you should blindly obey me…?”

On the table, a piece of the envelope that barely escaped the flames caught my eye. The recipient’s space read elegantly: Lady.

The name wasn’t visible, but… don’t tell me.

“Oppa, who’s this addressed to?”

“Lady Sol Schlaeger. A comrade asked me to deliver it. Apparently they saw you that day we went to the lake.”

“Liar! You said you received it!”

“I never lied. I only said I ‘received a love letter.’”

What a cowardly excuse!

The flames died down, leaving only white ashes.

Dusting off his hands, Elber said,

“You’d burn my letter, and I’ll burn yours. Let’s just agree on that.”

“…I did say I’d burn it first, but this feels unfair.”

“Did you want to date someone?”

“No.”

Who has time for romance when my life and death this year is at stake?

My quick reply seemed to satisfy Elber.

“Good. That guy who asked me to deliver it wasn’t someone I’d recommend as your lover anyway.”

“Why?”

“He’s weaker than me.”

“…Even Father wouldn’t say something that old-fashioned.”

“So what. I just wanted to say it once.”

Then, in a softer voice, Elber muttered,

“I barely have time to spend with family. I won’t let you waste it on someone else.”

“….”

So that’s how you really feel!

Well, it’s good that he’s grown up steadier than in the original. But it seems like all his sense of stability comes from his role as “older brother.”

Like that time at the lake, saying sappy things as if sending off a much younger sister to be married…

He’s kind, yes, but…

“Sol, what are you thinking?”

“Nothing much.”

Just craving kimchi.

…Does Eugene-oppa remember how to make it? Maybe if we gather the ingredients together, it’ll be doable.

“Your thoughts seem to have wandered off, my lady.”

“Yes indeed, young master.”

“If you’ve got time, want to take a walk around the temple?”

“Sure, why not.”

If we bump into Seraphina doing volunteer work, that’ll be perfect!

And so, we left the visiting room and began strolling through the temple.

Though it’s the same season, Albion feels warmer than Flogel, and the air carries a sweet scent.

…And an actual fruity aroma wafted by. Elber was holding out a cup of plum juice.

“Huh, oppa. For me?”

“I bought it because it looked tasty, but carrying it got heavy. Help me lighten the load.”

“Ahaha, okay!”

Guess I misunderstood. He’s faithful to his tsundere concept, but he also takes care of me well.

I gulped the juice. Since I’d just eaten earlier, I thought it’d be hard to swallow. But the one Elber bought had a unique hint of spice—cinnamon maybe—that made it go down smoothly.

“Taste good?”

“Yeah, really good!”

“Glad to hear it. Food looks better when you’re smiling as you eat.”

Even his gruffness feels natural now.

I giggled and leaned lightly against him. Elber turned his head aside, but didn’t move away.

As we strolled through the temple halls, voices followed us. Of course, most were directed at Elber.

“Wow, that guy’s handsome…”

“Is he a knight?”

Yep, that’s a romance-fantasy male lead for you! Getting compliments just walking down the street is standard!

But Elber didn’t seem to enjoy it, frowning slightly as if bothered by the attention.

Meanwhile, I started hearing comments that I didn’t like either.

“Oh my, look at him. So handsome.”

“The girl next to him… doesn’t seem close enough for a date. Maybe his sister?”

“Let’s go talk and find out.”

Why is it random strangers coming up instead of Seraphina?

Just then, Elber draped his arm over my shoulder. The girls couldn’t even hide their shock.

“Oh, um…”

“Come on, let’s go. He’s really flaunting it.”

I didn’t mean it that way…

I jabbed Elber in the side.

“Cut it out, will you?”

“No. They’re still watching.”

“…Huh?”

They?

Only then did I notice a group of guys peeking at us over a low stone wall. The moment they locked eyes with Elber, they flinched and quickly looked away.

Elber ground his teeth.

“Annoying bastards.”

“What? Did they pick a fight with you?”

“They kept staring at you.”

“…Eh? There are guys with nothing better to do?”

“Not just them. I’ve seen plenty whispering about you while we walked.”

I hadn’t noticed. So that frown earlier was because of this?

“Lots of guys try hitting on Gruner Wand girls. You’d better be careful.”

“I’ll just knee them in the crotch.”

“As expected, you’re wise.”

“Of course! None of the guys who come girl-watching are decent anyway!”

“…I’d never come with bad intentions. I only came to see you.”