The Duke's Daughter Goes Her Own Way
[The Hearts of Macnagan]
Translated by: ME
Author's note:
Since there seemed to be unexpected demand for it, here's the 'Brother Episode'.
Writing from the brother's perspective would have been too much for my sanity, so it's from Elizabeth's point of view.
My apologies to anyone who wanted the brother's perspective... (Unclear if such people exist, but still).
Only the title is strategy-game style. The content is pure slapstick comedy.
ME's note:
This is Elrick-focused episode.
***
The news arrived in the summer of my second year as Crown Princess. It arrived, and it was the worst possible news.
The thing I had feared had come to pass.
[My Lady Elizabeth, pardon the intrusion.]
[What is it, Elsa?]
Elsa, who had somehow ended up firmly in His Highness's service, had come to my office. This was unusual.
I'd had my suspicions, but Elsa has become His Highness's 'intelligence agent' rather than his 'lady's maid', hasn't she? Not that I mind. His Highness isn't the type to force such a role on anyone, so I know Elsa must have volunteered.
[Please, steady your heart and listen.]
What is it? That's unusually grave.
Don't tell me something has happened to Father or Mother at the Ducal house...!?
[...*That one* has escaped the territory.]
...*What did you say?*
*That one*?
Escaped the territory...
[WHYYYYYY!?]
I screamed the moment I understood. Well, of course I'd scream.
Why?! Escaped?! And by 'That one', you mean *that* 'That one', right?!
[Elsa, just to confirm... When you say 'That one'...]
[The shitty young master, my lady.]
[WHYYYYYY!?]
No! Escaping from that landlocked island of a territory (for our brother only)! How did you do it, Brother?!
As always, your abilities are pointlessly high!!
[I shall return to the Ducal residence now to receive Lord Thomas's instructions.]
Elsa's eyes are sharp... They're completely the eyes of an 'Owl'. The eyes of a bird of prey hunting its target...
[My Lady Elizabeth.]
Marina, who had been waiting in the corner of the room, spoke up.
Marina's eyes are terrifying too. She's completely still.
[I shall take my leave from your side for a time. I must crush that shitty insect...]
Her tightly clenched fist is trembling. Truly a 'Shitty Insect Elimination' specialist... How reliable...
[I'll make time to go tomorrow as well. Tell Thomas to hold out until then.]
[Understood.]
[Understood.]
After their brief replies, the two quickly left the room.
This is bad.
If Elsa just received the news, it means Brother escaped maybe half a day ago, or even earlier.
She didn't say he had already returned to the Ducal house, just that he escaped. So, it's highly likely Brother hasn't even entered the royal capital yet.
But we have no time to set up a perimeter.
It's better to wait for him at the Ducal house.
Father, Mother, Thomas...
Please, just hold on for today...!
With a prayer in my heart, I began clearing the work on my desk. I want to be at the Ducal house by early tomorrow morning.
***
I finished my duties early, adjusted my schedule for the next day, and waited in my private chambers for His Highness to return.
Ugh... I'm getting impatient. What to do... Countermeasures for Brother...? It's been so long, I've forgotten how to handle him.
But that brother of mine is twenty now. He's at an age where both his energy and physical strength are at their peak.
Yeah.
Who needs to hold back?!
Now is the time to teach him the terror of the Macnagan Ducal House, down to the very marrow of his bones!
Right?! Right!! Yeah, yeah!!
Just as I finished my internal pep rally with a mental [Let's do this!], His Highness returned.
[Welcome back, Leon-sama.]
[Un. I'm home, Ellie.]
His Highness pulled me close by the waist and gave my cheek a *chu* kiss. Since it's a daily occurrence, I don't get flustered by it anymore.
I'm growing too. The day I become a composed, mature lady is surely near. Muhahahaha!
[Welcome home... Um, I'm sorry to bring this up right away, but there's something I need to talk to you about...]
Urged by His Highness, we sat down together on the sofa.
[Elsa told me. That Elrick has escaped...]
[Yes. What I wanted to talk about is precisely that. I would like to return to the Ducal house immediately and dedicate myself to the utter annihilation of my brother.]
[Anni...hilation...?]
Huh? His Highness seems speechless.
It's fine, Your Highness.
You know those black, creepy, fast-moving bugs that everyone in the world hates? They don't die even if you cut their heads off.
Brother won't die from a little thing like that either. He's part of the shitty insect family, after all.
[It's my brother we're talking about. He probably has no accomplices. The enemy is alone. There's no reason we should lose. I will mobilize the full might of the Macnagan Ducal House in the royal capital and crush him.]
Now, roar once more, my gamer brain!
The battlefield is my familiar home. I naturally have the map completely memorized. But Brother is the same. What we have on our side is superior numbers and geographical advantage.
I looked over and saw His Highness still frozen, speechless.
Your Highness? What's wrong?
[Leon-sama?]
When I called out to him, he started, looked at me, and then let out a deep sigh.
[Ah... No... It's nothing.]
Is that so? You look like you have a lot you want to say. But I'm a good girl, so I won't poke the hornet's nest.
[Then, I shall go to the Ducal house. If all goes well, I should be back tomorrow.]
I'd cleared my schedule for the day after tomorrow as well, just in case it wasn't resolved in one day.
[Ellie.]
When I looked at him after he called my name, he was giving me a terribly wry smile.
[Don't push yourself too hard.]
[Yes. I'll be fine... Well then, I'm off.]
I gave His Highness's cheek a *chu* kiss and stood up from the sofa. The carriage arrangements were already perfect. All that was left was to head to the Ducal house.
I bowed to His Highness and left the room, completely unaware that inside, he was holding his head and muttering, [The Macnagan Ducal House is...] with another deep sigh.
***
From the outside, it's just a quiet, unassuming noble mansion. Oh, my beloved home. I've returned.
Even though it's the middle of the night, the mansion is brightly lit. That gives you an idea of the emergency level. It feels like the castle that never sleeps.
As I got out of the carriage, a servant standing in front of the entrance door saw me and bowed deeply.
[We have been awaiting you... Everyone is already assembled.]
Mmm. As expected of my house.
This responsiveness, even without a word being said.
I'm ignoring Alphonse, who looks like he wants to say something. You can just go brew some tea and relax.
Also, His Highness lent me one guard knight [just in case]. Not that I think anything will happen.
He's a young man named Alex Cox, probably in his early to mid-twenties. Unlike the unnervingly calm Alphonse and Sir Gray, he has a sort of vibrant energy. Youth is a powerful parameter indeed.
A servant opened the heavy front door for me.
I had considered sneaking in through the back, but Brother's ultimate target is probably me. So, I decided to make a grand entrance to draw Brother's attention as much as possible.
That's why I used a luxurious carriage prominently bearing the royal crest.
I wonder if that shitty insect is watching this spectacle from somewhere. Come on, then. I'll be waiting.
When the front door opened, the family of the Ducal house, led by Father and Mother, were all assembled in the wide hall.
...Uh, the cleaning maids and cooks, and others with no combat ability, you can return to your posts. Actually, it's fine if you just go to sleep.
[Well done on returning, Ellie.]
Father, your voice is so deep! And what's with that phrasing! (Gendo pose)
[Shall we begin, Ellie-chan?]
Mother, your art style is different again... And your voice is deep too...
[The servants, led by Thomas, are prepared and ready.]
Thomas bows neatly and precisely. Thomas, quiet and military-like, is somehow fearsome and good.
Behind me, the young guard knight Cox seems startled.
I'd like you to go brew some tea with Alphonse, too. Our house's tea is quite delicious.
As I walked slowly forward, the servants parted to either side to clear a path.
These people, so utterly theatrical! The feeling of 'coming home' is off the charts!
Father and Mother followed close behind me. I'm glad I'm your daughter! Even my parents are way too into this!
I climbed the staircase at the back of the hall and stopped at a spot where I could see everyone. Father and Mother were one step below me. Further down were the royal guard knights. Nice... This is luxurious.
Alright, let's get this show on the road!
[Thank you all for gathering. Today will surely become an unforgettable day in the history of our Macnagan Ducal House.]
The hall fell completely silent.
[Those who survive this day safely will likely look back with pride when this day comes in years to come. Those who overcome today will, in their old age, roll up their sleeves on each anniversary and boast, 'I got this scar on that day!'].
Thank you, great author of old. For leaving behind such a wonderful speech.
[Man is a creature who forgets. They grow old and forget everything, but they will remember this day, today, with exaggerated frequency.]
I'm sorry it's a half-remembered, heavily arranged version.
[We are a very fortunate group. Those who fight together today shall all become brothers. Those currently in the territory will surely hear tales of today's battle and regret not being here.]
The famous speech ends here.
So, I looked over the assembled crowd below and grinned.
[Now, let us begin.]
With that one line, a great cheer erupted from the hall.
Nice! Gotta boost morale before a battle! Thank you, Great Master Shakespeare! Yo! Great Literary Master!!
The servants scattered in all directions at my signal.
Alphonse is watching this with a distant look in his eyes, and young Cox is staring in a daze. Getting used to things is important, Alphonse. I hope young Cox gets used to it eventually too.
***
After the scattered servants had left, a table and chairs were brought into the entrance hall.
Our strategy was to make this our headquarters. No matter how barricaded we are in a room, if he's coming, he's coming. It's better to wait in a wide, easily defensible location.
The porch in front of the entrance would work too, but it's dark... Also, bugs are attracted to the light...
Here, we're safe from mosquitoes. There are insect-repelling herbs placed around, too.
I wonder if these herbs would repel that shitty insect too... Probably not...
On the table was an overhead map of the entire Ducal grounds. Pins were stuck in various places. These pins represented the current positions of the servants.
[By the way, Thomas, where is my brother now?]
[There has been no report yet. Elsa and Jackson are searching.]
[So he's not in the royal capital yet... meaning?]
[That is most unlikely. It is almost certain he is in the vicinity of the mansion.]
I see.
Elsa is a former 'Owl'. A specialist intelligence unit, an expert in stealth and combat. Jackson is a former 'Hawk'. He specializes in surveillance and is stealth-focused. His combat ability is around self-defense level plus a little extra.
And even those two can't find Brother... What pointless, overflowing talent...
For now, the servants' posts are the same as when ordinary ruffians try to break in.
But our opponent is *that* brother.
He's on a completely different level from the occasional petty thief-like intruders.
[Where will Brother enter from...?]
[Normally, one would think, since it's his own family home, he'd use the main gate...]
Right. Normally, that's the only option.
When returning to one's own home, one naturally enters through the front door.
[Just in case, shall we strengthen the front a bit more...?]
I have a feeling Brother won't come from the front. But leaving it under-defended is also worrying.
There are regular soldiers for security in front of the entrance. They are closer to knights, so their tactics differ from the servants'.
I'll station two servants there as well.
Now, the problem is where he *will* enter.
Normally, one would think the mixed forest at the back. That's where the usual stealth surveillance personnel are stationed.
Let's shelve the question of whether entering one's family home via the back woods can be called 'normal'.
Thomas and I went back and forth, positioning personnel, and waited for Brother for a while.
Over an hour had already passed since my arrival here.
A servant ran down the hall stairs with minimal sound. It's impressive how little noise he makes at that speed.
[Reporting. Target sighted. Currently around area 9-1 to 10-1.]
[Understood. Return to your post.]
[Yes, ma'am!]
The servant bowed and ran back up the stairs.
He's a messenger, tasked with reading the hand signals of other messengers and servants scattered throughout the mansion and reporting here. His waiting spot, by the way, is on the roof. I just hope he doesn't fall off.
The numbers he reported correspond to those on the map of the Ducal grounds.
9-1 to 10-1 means the outer edge of the mixed forest.
As expected of Brother. Not trying to enter from the front.
[...It seems the young master did not enter grandly through the main gate.]
[Perhaps he realized, after the trouble of escaping the territory, that he couldn't just waltz in through the front?]
[Well, I suppose so... Why must all that excellence go entirely to 'waste'...?]
Don't be discouraged, Father. Please, have some tea.
[Then, let's guide him towards the trap. To 10-3.]
At Mother's words, a waiting servant replied [Yes!] and ran off.
[...What is all this?]
I heard young Cox ask Alphonse quietly.
They were currently sitting in chairs a little away from us. We were likely in for an all-nighter, so I had them prepared, thinking standing the whole time would be tough.
A small table was also provided, with light snacks and tea cakes on it.
Of course, tea refills are free.
[I wouldn't know, even if you ask me.]
Young Cox gave a small [I see...] in response to Alphonse's sigh.
***
The current time was just past 11 PM. About an hour had passed since Brother was sighted.
Brother seemed to be running around inside the mixed forest.
...I wonder what Brother thinks about being chased around his own home. Or is it such a normal scene for him that he doesn't think anything of it?
And how can he run around safely in that trap-filled forest without a map? What excellence. And what a waste...
We've pulled back all servants except those acting as beaters from within the mixed forest.
If you're not a professional, capturing Brother is probably impossible.
Instead, we've secured the exits of the mixed forest. Normally, that should catch him.
But this is *that* brother! That brother who would probably say, [Normal? What's that, does it taste good?]
By the way, all entrances and exits other than the main front door are sealed.
Not just locked, but barred with bolts and blocked with furniture, using every method to secure the doors. It's not impossible for one person to break through, but it should take considerable time.
And it would make a lot of noise.
Once he realizes it won't open, Brother will probably give up.
We've also stationed servants near all entrances. They are merely lookouts. We've assigned this to those without combat ability who insisted, [Let us help somehow!]
...Just watching is fine, so please put away those brooms and cooking utensils you're holding. They're dangerous. Okay?
Meanwhile, the other non-combatants are apparently praying at the hidden altar.
His Highness's divine protection is amazing! Makes you want to pray, doesn't it! But you guys could just go to sleep, you know?
Other potential entry points like windows have their shutters closed.
Some ancestor must have had them installed. They're unusually sturdy.
We're making good use of them, ancestors.
With this, for a normal intruder, only the front remains.
But there's one other place Brother is likely to target.
My room.
I've stationed one maid with a crossbow on my room's balcony. It's a crossbow that Lily—who used to be in the development department of a certain country's weapons factory—and I collaborated on, making it more powerful than the original.
However, I've strictly ordered her not to aim for the head or chest.
Obviously, I don't actually want to kill him. Really, I don't.
It's not as powerful as something from modern Earth, but it's still a weapon that could kill a person depending on where it hits. I don't want it to accidentally turn into 'Noble Slaying'.
The shooter is the maid who came in second place in the 'First Crossbow Target Shooting Championship' we held among the family staff. Her aim is true.
The developer, Lily, and other championship winners are hiding at my carefully selected 'If you're targeting the front door, shoot from here!' points.
It's my familiar home. I can instantly judge where the sightlines are without checking. Don't underestimate my gamer brain!
***
...Brother hasn't been caught.
The date has already changed.
What's going on...? The servants around the mixed forest aren't reporting any movement either.
The messages from the messengers have stopped.
Damn it! I wish there was a function to right-click and see the battle situation! Or open a shortcut with a function key!
Of course not...
Status Open! I wonder if shouting that would bring up a window... Not that I have the courage to shout that.
But for the messages to stop...
There are two possible reasons.
One: The messenger is unable to move for some reason.
Two: There is genuinely no movement.
Which is it?
Checking the safety of every messenger across the grounds now would be a huge hassle. But we can't just not do it.
[Call Dee.]
At my words, one maid swiftly went out of the mansion.
By the way, Dee and Caesar are our ultimate weapons. Those two are a bit beyond the norm, so they're on standby in front of the entrance.
If they fight in a confined space, they might not be able to hold back.
Even Brother wouldn't emerge unscathed against those two when they're serious. And because of their origins, they have a habit of aiming for vital spots when cornered. They are extremely dangerous individuals. Originally, that is.
[You called?]
[We called you, yes.]
I beckoned Dee over to the table as I spoke.
I had him memorize the locations where the messengers were hiding by pointing them out on the map.
[Confirm their status, urgently.]
[Got it.]
With just that, Dee swiftly left.
***
About thirty minutes later, Dee returned.
[Sorry to keep you waiting—]
[Yes, we were waiting—. ...Well?]
When I asked, Dee let out a sigh. [Whew...]
What's with that sigh? What happened?
[The two messengers in the woods were tied to a tree, so I helped them down.]
...*What* did you say...?
[And, they had a message from *him*. That shit... I mean, Lord Elrick, was apparently carrying a big load. And that 'load'... was wearing the young lady's old dress, they said...]
I heard a sharp *snap*, the sound of something inside me freezing solid.
Wearing my dress.
A big load.
Could that be...?
[The young master's 'My Ellie Doll'... perhaps?]
Thomas! Why did you have to say it out loud!
[Probably.]
Dee! Don't you confirm it so clearly!
So what's the deal with that doll?! Not that I want to know!
So you brought *that thing* with you, Brother!!
[Dee, and about the young master's current location...]
[Unknown. The stealth guys have been completely shaken off too... If we really want to find him, we'd have to do a simultaneous roller sweep of the entire forest.]
[I see...]
After hearing Dee's report, Thomas went [Hmm...], put his hand to his chin, and glared at the map.
[A roller sweep is impossible.]
It would be good if he got caught in that net, but if he slipped through, we'd lack the personnel to capture him. That's unacceptable.
[That's true. So we're at a stalemate...?]
[I was just thinking, maybe...]
Mother spoke up, as if she'd realized something.
[Maybe that child is asleep? ...It *is* night.]
That's possible!!
Super possible!!
That brother of ours would totally go [It's night] and go to sleep!
[Then, is now our chance?]
[When we don't even know where he's hiding? It's faster to wait for the young master to make a move.]
[The stealth team is continuing the search, for what it's worth.]
[Have them continue. The order to capture on sight remains unchanged. Can you relay that, Dee?]
Dee replied [Got it] and left again. I'm grateful for such a nimble stablehand.
[Well. This is turning into more of a war of attrition than I thought...]
[The young master's actions are simply too unpredictable...]
Seeing Thomas sigh deeply, I felt somewhat sorry for him.
Father must have felt the same.
[Why don't you take a short break, Thomas?]
At those words, Thomas grinned. Whoa... So nihilistic~...
[I can still manage. It's much easier than waiting in a downpour in the mountains.]
Your past is way too concerning!!
***
Just waiting around is making me sleepy...
I was stifling a yawn when a messenger came running down the stairs as if he were tumbling down.
[The young master has broken through the mixed forest!]
He's here!!
I stood up from my chair with a *clatter*, like that one ASCII art.
Now the real battle begins. Come at me, Brother! I'll catch you and send you back to the territory!
***
I called Dee and Caesar, and the four of us—Thomas and I—had a quick meeting.
[Roger that.]
[Understood.]
After they each nodded, the two went outside.
Seeing them off, I also stepped out the front door.
...Sticking tightly to Thomas's back so Brother wouldn't see me.
With all other entrances closed, he has no choice but to come here.
Dee and Caesar were using hand signals to convey the plan to the hidden sniper team.
Now, it's all or nothing.
[...He's here.]
Thomas muttered almost inaudibly.
As if on cue, Brother came running out from the path leading to the back.
...He's really carrying something on his back... Tied on with what looks like a baby sling...
What do I do? This is super creepy...
Dee and Caesar closed the distance to Brother in an instant and lunged at him. But Brother easily dodged.
I'd told the two they didn't need to go all out. They were just delay troops. They skillfully stopped Brother's advance around the middle of the garden.
Seeing this, Thomas smoothly raised his right hand.
His white glove reflected a faint light in the darkness. This was the first signal.
I took one deep breath and stepped out from behind Thomas.
[Brother.]
It wasn't a loud voice. But it should reach the ears of that monstrous brother.
This was the second signal.
Sure enough, Brother looked over, and his face broke into a smile like a giant flower blooming. Creepy.
[My Ellie!!]
Who's yours?!
The only one who can call me that is His Highness!!
Dee and Caesar simultaneously distanced themselves from Brother.
Then Thomas, lowering his raised hand, pointed straight at Brother and uttered a single, low, clear word.
[Fire.]
Instantly, bolts were released from three locations simultaneously.
With a grating, unpleasant sound, they struck the 'load' on Brother's back.
Brother froze with a [What just happened?] expression. But his face was still smiling. Scary.
[Reload. Fire.]
At Thomas's merciless command, three more bolts struck the 'load'.
The sniper team has amazing skill. I shall grant you all the 'Right to Choose Your Favorite Bread Toppings'.
Brother, who had been standing there dumbfounded, slowly untied the sling holding the 'load' on his back and gently lowered it to the ground.
Sticking out of its back were a total of six bolts. One was impressively stuck right in the back of its head.
It was a rather surreal sight.
[Ah... Aah... WAAAAAAAAAAAH---------!!!]
A scream that seemed to tear his throat echoed through the area.
The gazes of everyone present, including me, watching Brother were cold.
[My Elliiiiieeee!!!]
It's a *doll*!!
As Brother clung to the doll and cried, the servants restrained him with practiced hands.
It's the usual chaos. It feels like 'home'.
Mother's carefree voice going, [Ellie-chaaan~, I hear the bread is ready~. Let's eat together~] just adds to the chaos...
And why is the baker baking bread at this hour...? Not that I mind...
***
[Mister Knight, you too~. It's freshly baked~.]
The baker, with a carefree smile, handed bread to Alphonse and young Cox.
Servants sitting neatly in a row on the grand staircase of the entrance hall, eating bread. Father was mixed in with them for some reason.
Mother enjoying tea elegantly at the strategy table.
The two guard knights, one confused, the other staring into the distance.
And the valets restraining Brother in the specially prepared, sturdy chair for him.
Brother, continuously crying in that chair.
Ahh... This feeling of chaos. It's home...
I wonder why, it's calming... Probably, I shouldn't feel calm about this, but it *is* calming...
I sent Dee and Caesar to tell everyone scattered around the grounds, [It's over~]. So, people who had been stationed nearby were streaming back into the mansion.
[Ah, something smells good~]
[Oh, you're right.]
The baker smiled and called out to the servants who said that. [I baked some bread~]
[Yay! Give me one, please!]
[Me too!]
...The fact that no one there says [Why?] is what makes it feel like home.
Before I knew it, a table had been set up in the corner of the hall. On it were a tea pot, a water bottle, an orange juice server... It had become a drink bar.
What is this peaceful space?
***
[Now then, Elrick...]
Father, who seemed to have finished his bread, stood up from the staircase.
He walked over, brushing his hands off... Father, you have breadcrumbs on your coat.
[The work entrusted to you is not yet finished, is it? Why did you leave the territory without permission?]
Brother lifted his tear-streaked face. As always, he's pointlessly handsome. Drenched in a flood of tears, yet pointlessly well-proportioned.
If only his insides weren't like *that*...
In response to Father's question, Brother answered in a slightly hoarse voice.
[Because I wanted to see my Ellie...]
Ughwah... (Pulling back in disgust).
[It's been six whole years! Not seeing my Ellie! And you didn't even invite me to the wedding ceremony!]
Wahhh.........
Brother looked at me, who was recoiling in disgust. He had a tearful smile on his face.
[Ah, my Ellie... You've grown so big.]
What kind of sarcasm is that?!
[And you've become so beautiful... That's right. Let's sleep together tonight, big brother and little sister! And then we'll eat meals together, and return to the territory together!]
Don't be stupid.
The reason Brother wasn't invited to the wedding ceremony was that keeping him still would be more difficult than keeping a three-year-old quiet at a funeral. And the entire family was in agreement.
We couldn't let Brother run amok at an event attended by state guests from various countries.
It would become an international problem, not just a problem for our house.
[My Ellie... Please, say something. Look, it's your big brother?]
Creeeepy!
Handsome guys aren't innocent, that's a lie! No matter how good-looking you are, guilty is guilty! And this brother's crimes are too severe!!
At that moment, Dee and Caesar returned.
Dee was carrying Brother's 'load' slung over his shoulder.
[My Ellie doll! Stop, Dee! Don't handle it so roughly!!]
Ignoring Brother's fuss, Dee set the doll down on the floor as if tossing it.
[Aaaaah---------!!!]
Shut up!!
[Ahh... My Ellie...]
So in Brother's mind, that doll is also 'my Ellie'...
...Seriously, is this guy okay? In every sense.
And this doll is terrifying.
It's an exact replica of me when I was twelve... Probably even the same height.
What's it made of...? The joints are movable...
I'm confident I'd scream if I saw this in the middle of the night. It's pointlessly realistic and scary. And the model is me. Scary.
By the way, Father and Thomas have told me to avoid speaking in front of Brother as much as possible. You never know what might trigger one of his rampages.
Marina and Elsa entered through the still-open front door.
I was looking at them with a [You must be tired] feeling when Elsa, walking in front, stomped hard on the doll.
[Wahhh! Elsa! What are you doing!!]
Elsa completely ignored Brother's scream and walked on. Next, Marina gave the doll a powerful kick.
[Aaaaahhhh.........!!!]
Marina also completely ignored Brother's death-throe-like shriek.
The doll, launched about a meter into the air, fell to the floor with a heavy *thud*.
[Nathan, can I have one too?]
[Yeah, yeah, sure thing~]
[One for me too, please.]
[Here, here~]
The two received their bread. Brother cried silently, collapsing.
It's all just too much.
[Elrick, you have seen Ellie now. Return to the territory quietly and continue your work.]
You have a stern expression, Father, but the bread in your hand is ruining the effect.
And please don't eat the bread right after your line. The visual is too amusing.
[No!! I haven't even held hands with my Ellie yet! I want to have tea together, eat meals together, take a bath together, and sleep together!!]
Hey, those demands are terrible!! Especially the last two!!
[Hmm... Hey.]
Father snapped his fingers.
The servants started moving at that... Not that I mind, but you with the bread in your mouth, deal with that first.
A chair was placed facing Brother. The distance was about three meters away.
[Ellie. Sit there.]
Yes.
When I sat down, a servant brought over a small table this time.
Marina prepared tea on that table. A server brought over bread on a plate.
Ah, I see.
The plan is to take care of Brother's demands for 'tea' and 'meals' right here.
I mentally said [Itadakimasu], clasped my hands, tore off a piece of the freshly baked bread, and put it in my mouth.
Ah, delicious.
Freshly baked really is special.
The cheese and bacon one is seriously delicious, just normally.
Well done, you baker, you.
Across from me, a valet was forcibly stuffing bread into Brother's mouth. Brother chewed it while smiling and looking straight at me.
Scary.
After finishing the bread and letting out a slight breath, a server quickly cleared my plate.
Brother's cheeks were stuffed with bread like a squirrel or hamster... Stuffed with bread (laugh). No, this is no time for puns.
Next is tea.
I took a sip of the tea Marina brewed, the usual kind. Delicious as always.
Across from me, a valet was tilting a cup to Brother's lips. But Brother's cheeks were still stuffed with bread. Consequently, the tea couldn't fit in his mouth and dribbled out.
Even so, Brother was smiling at me.
...I've had enough. I want to go back to the castle. Help me, Your Highness...
Lacking any semblance of elegance, I drank the tea in one go and set the cup down.
Marina swiftly cleared the empty cup.
[Satisfied now, Elrick?]
Father, who had also finished his bread, asked Brother that.
But Brother's mouth was full. He wasn't in a state to talk.
Even before that, Brother was just staring at me and smiling. Well, his mouth was still moving as he chewed.
...Scary.
Brother chewed the stuff in his mouth for a while, then eventually swallowed it all with a *gulp* and looked at Father.
[I still haven't held hands with my Ellie and gone for a walk!]
He casually added 'a walk,' didn't he?!
[Listen well, Elrick.]
Ah, Mother's tone is strict. It's the 'For Dealing with Brother' specification...
[Ellie-chan is already the Crown Princess now. She is a person of esteemed status, whom someone like you must not lightly touch. Do you understand?]
[I don't understand!]
You should understand that!!
[My Ellie is my angel! What is wrong with wishing to be with her!?]
Almost everything!!
Father let out a deep sigh at that and called, [Thomas.]
Thomas nodded once, stood behind Brother, wrapped his arm around Brother's neck, and squeezed tightly.
Brother resisted for a while but soon went limp and stopped moving. The so-called 'falling asleep' state.
Leaving him like that is dangerous, but no one seemed to be performing any first aid.
I guess it's 'Just stay down'...
[...Ellie, you must be tired. What will you do today? Rest here for a bit?]
I inadvertently sighed at Father's words, spoken with a deep, deep sigh of his own.
...I'm tired.
[No... My apologies, but I'd like to return to the castle...]
I want to see His Highness's face and be healed...
[That's probably best. With Elrick here, Ellie-chan wouldn't be able to relax anyway.]
Mother said, nodding, then stood up and gave me a tight hug.
[See you later~, Ellie-chan. You were so cool today~]
[Thank you... I'll come visit again. Next time, more leisurely.]
[Yes. I'll be waiting~]
After Mother gently let go, it was Father's turn.
He also gave me a gentle hug.
[Leave Elrick to me. I'll get him back to the territory no matter what.]
[Yes. I trust you, Father.]
[Yeah. You don't need to worry about anything. Just support His Highness as the Crown Princess.]
[Yes.]
Father is cool when he's decisive.
The lovely smell of bread, not perfume, coming from his hugged clothes is also nice. So, Father, you've hidden bread in some pocket or something, haven't you?
After Father gently let go, the servants had formed a line behind him.
...Huh? What's this? An idol handshake event?
And they all have these excited faces...
[No hugging~. Also, ten seconds per person~.]
Mother, standing next to me, said.
Father took a pocket watch from his breast pocket and stared at it intently.
...Are these two planning to be 'removers'...? Even Thomas has joined the removal team. How reliable...
***
I finally made it back to the castle...
The current time was past 4 AM.
The sky was already bright, and the morning sun was dazzling to my sleep-deprived eyes.
The handshake event with over fifty people was pretty heavy... Idols are amazing. They do that for thousands of people...
After returning, I took a quick bath and changed into my nightclothes.
...Let me sleep for a few hours at least... The mental fatigue is as bad as the physical fatigue.
With unsteady steps, I went to the bedroom, where His Highness was sleeping in the large bed.
Wah... So healing...
His Highness is fast asleep... His sleeping face is beautiful too... Ah, my god... Thank you for preserving my peace of mind again today...!
I put my hands together once towards his sleeping face, then quietly got onto the bed and lay down in the empty space.
Aah... I'm tired...
Right next to me is His Highness's beautiful sleeping face.
I found myself putting my hands together towards it again, and perhaps sensing movement nearby, His Highness woke up slightly.
Whoops! Not good! I hurriedly put my hands down.
If His Highness catches me, he'll really dislike it. You shouldn't do things the other person dislikes. (Don't ask me with what face I say this.)
[...Ellie?]
[Yes. I've just returned.]
[Mmm... Welcome back.]
His Highness is still half-asleep~. Wah, so rare~.
[...Is it morning already?]
I gave a small laugh at His Highness's vague, slightly hoarse voice.
[No, it's still too early to get up... Shall we rest a little more?]
[Un... Good night, Ellie...]
[Yes. Good night, Leon-sama.]
His Highness, while still drowsy, hugged me tightly and soon began to breathe steadily in sleep again.
Aah---------... So healing... A healing effect that surpasses negative ions...
Truly, my god is... I'm getting sleepy already... His Highness's effect, 'Healing', is amazing... As amazing as a hot spring...
Thinking that maybe I'll have His Highness call me 'my Ellie' after we wake up... I, too, soon fell asleep.
***
Now, about that extreme pervert afterwards.
Apparently, while Brother was unconscious, they first hid the doll somewhere he couldn't reach it.
Then, when he woke up and started fussing about me not being there and the doll not being there, Mother said to him with a motherly smile:
[That doll has returned to heaven. It is no longer within your reach.]
...What is that.
When I heard about that line, my face went completely blank, but Brother's reaction was different.
Apparently, Brother shed tears and looked up at the sky.
[Is that so... Ah... So that day has finally come...!]
...How am I supposed to respond to that? What is the position of that doll in Brother's mind?
They left Brother to cry quietly by himself and then had tea with the family for a while. The topic was apparently [Isn't Elrick seriously messed up?]... No offense, but isn't that topic a bit late?
Once Brother seemed to have cried himself out and felt refreshed, Father, Mother, Thomas, and Marina began discussions about the future.
What was decided is as follows:
- First, successfully complete the territory renovations.
- Until completion, basically live in the territory.
- However, hold one meal party per year in the royal capital with Elizabeth present.
- Do not touch Elizabeth recklessly.
- Of course, bathing together or sleeping together is strictly forbidden.
- Do not attack His Highness the Crown Prince.
- Do not sneak into the royal castle.
Apparently.
The last two are common sense even a child would know...
They apparently managed to get a very reluctant Brother to agree by having all the servants gang up on him and pressuring him relentlessly, and then sent him back to the territory.
By the way, this year's 'meal party' was considered fulfilled by that face-off bread-eating incident.
Having it like that every year is fine. A proper meal would be long and troublesome...
When I reported [So that's how it turned out!] to His Highness, he just let out a deeeeep sigh and said, [I see...]
A strange annual event has been established, but I'm happy I can return to the Ducal house once a year.
Looking for the silver lining is important!
Yeah. I can definitely return home once a year, so it's a good thing!
After sending Brother back to the territory, they apparently first dismantled that terrifying doll into pieces, then burned it completely until not a fragment remained. The ashes were supposedly scattered in the mixed forest. The doll's material was apparently wood, so it burned well.
Thanks to its unexpected precision, the scene of it being chopped apart with an axe was apparently like my mutilated corpse... or so I heard from Dee later. Scary.
After returning to the territory, Brother proceeded with the territory reforms at a breakneck pace, making great contributions to the development of the Duchy.
The discovery that he was simultaneously creating a 'My Ellie Doll (Age 18 · Summer)' would come several years later...
***
Author's note:
The theory that my tension goes abnormally high when Brother appears.
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