喵绅HCMOIC士网页版

Chapter 67

Chapter 67

After returning from the palace, I immediately took out my communicator without even having time to take off my coat.

It was a matter related to the imperial family, but above all, it was about my own family.

But listening to such family matters from someone else’s mouth was both frustrating and hurtful.

Most of all, I wished I had the chance to hear it from them directly, especially from Father or Sister.

[ Karl? ]

“Father.”

As soon as Father appeared on the communicator, I went straight to confirming the facts.

“I heard about it. Something related to Sister. That she was in a relationship with the Crown Prince.”

[ Ah. I was planning to tell you by the end of today. I heard about it yesterday evening, but I was too shocked to even find the chance to tell you. Karl. ]

“It’s alright. Anyway, it would have been more of a shock for you and Mother.”

It’s a bit saddening to see my sister, who has always been on my side, now looking towards the future.

But it’s inevitable. My sister can’t always be looking after me. From a younger brother’s perspective, having the Crown Prince as a brother-in-law is quite a welcoming prospect.

Fortunately, I had encountered the Crown Prince several times before.

And each time, I felt something. He’s a person who is friendly and affectionate, yet shows the qualities of an imperial prince. I consider myself lucky. If he becomes my brother-in-law, it’s a good thing.

The problem, however, lies elsewhere.

“But, Father, as the next Count Friedrich, I should have been informed about the succession much earlier. It’s such an important matter, isn’t it?”

[ …Yes. I should have. Try to understand, Karl. From a father’s perspective, how could I have been in my right mind when I heard that my son-in-law is His Highness the Crown Prince? ]

Well… yeah. Father is right. Frankly, in that situation, how could he have casually contacted me and said, ‘Prepare yourself to inherit the title instead of your sister.’

“Are you okay?”

[ What do you mean? ]

“Originally, Sister was supposed to prepare to inherit the title soon. And when things like this happen, no matter what the outcome, it’s kind of like the plan got screwed up.”

[ It’s abrupt, but not unpleasant. If anything, it’s a good thing. After all, it’s His Highness the Crown Prince. He seemed to care a lot about Rika. ]

“From what I saw, he seemed like a very good person.”

As we continued our conversation, I kept observing Father’s demeanor.

Despite the entire succession plan being thrown into disarray, Father seemed unperturbed.

Until now, knowingly or unknowingly, the relationships my sister had built with the servants and vassals of the household, it seems they’ve all been shattered.

“Seeing Father’s face, it seems there’s nothing to worry about.”

[ Huh? Ah. Are you worried about having to establish the succession plan from scratch again? Could there even be such a thing? Karl. This Countship, apart from your sister, there’s no one else to inherit it. ]

“That’s right.”

[ And you’re not just an ordinary student either. Probably, even if they were to nominate you as the next Count right away, all the servants and vassals would probably agree. ]

If Father is saying this, then there really seems to be nothing to worry about. Perhaps I was worried that my sister’s decision to give up the title might cause some confusion.

“Father, should I start preparing for the succession right away?”

[ What are you talking about, Karl? ]

“I heard that Sister was already preparing to inherit the title as early as next year.”

[ Is that what you heard? We can just wait until you graduate. There’s no rush. ]

“It’s just that Sister mentioned several times that she wanted to step down. I feel like this isn’t right.”

Right now, He’s just a count, but in the past, Father was a fine Warrior.

However, since then, firearms and gunpowder have advanced, and with the added responsibility of being the head of the household, such occurrences have become rare.

So, he fulfilled his duties as a Count faithfully, but sometimes he would grumble about it.

[ Alright. Just accept it as a simple tantrum. If your sister was already prepared, it doesn’t matter, Karl, but you’re not. Take it slow. There’s no need to rush. As long as you don’t trip up, it’s fine. ]

Father said that, then he told me to contact my Sister.

[ Rika seems quite nervous. ]

“Sister? Why is she…?”

[ Karl, there were several opportunities for her to tell you, but she hesitated and didn’t say anything in the end. But now that you’ve gone to the palace, she probably knows. She’s probably worried that she kept it a secret from you in the end. ]

“….”

Sister’s nervous? Rika, my sister, is nervous?? …No matter how much I think about it, it’s unimaginable.

With a puzzled look, I ended the communication with Father and reached out to my sister through the communicator.

[ Karl! I’m sorry. I’m really sorry! ]

“Sister, calm down for a moment…”

[ I’ll come straight away! Just wait for me! We’ll talk when we meet! ]

“No! Sister, listen to me first… Sister?! Rika, Sister!!”

A couple of hours later, I found myself face to face with my sister, who seemed ready to kneel down at any moment.

“Karl! I’m really, really sorry! So…”

“Sister! Calm down! Listen to me first! I’m not upset at all!”

“Oh, you’re not upset?”

With half-kneeling and trembling eyes, Rika looked at me.

Goodness, is this the same person who confidently came home with a bunch of trophies in hand? Even the one who used to ask me, ‘Do you want one?’ is now trembling!

“Calm down, Sister. Sit here for a moment.”

I managed to divert Sister’s impending breakdown. Of course, depending on my next words, she could easily fall into that state again.

“Karl, are you… okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“I didn’t even tell you about being in a relationship with the Crown Prince. Despite having several opportunities to do so. Even when we met recently after your return.”

At Sister’s question, I sniffed and then spoke.

“To be honest, I’m not entirely not upset.”

“As I thought!”

Wait a moment, Sister. Please listen to people until the end. Don’t kneel down. Don’t kneel down!

“But it’s not because you deceived me or didn’t tell me the truth. It’s just that not telling me about such an important matter to your younger brother is what’s upsetting.”

“Ah…”

“Seeing the Crown Prince, it didn’t seem like a casual relationship. If that’s the case, he could become more than just my brother-in-law. If I had known earlier, I could have been better prepared.”

“That’s―”

“Stop. That’s enough. I’m not trying to blame you. I’m not asking for an apology. It’s just how I feel, Sister. I consider myself lucky.”

At my words, Sister widened her eyes and looked at me.

“Honestly, it’s like that. Sister, it’s about time you got married, not to mention that there’s not even a man in sight. Not only me, but I think our parents were secretly worried too.”

“…?”

“As much as you love me, I love you too. So, I want to see you happy with a good person. And if there’s a niece or nephew, that would be even better.”

Rika, my sister, has always shown me a lot of affection since I was very young.

With the feeling of repaying her kindness, and also because I want to love and cherish such a person’s child. If a nephew or niece is born, I’m sure it will be like that.

“So, I’m fine. In fact, I want to ask you. Rika, are you really considering a future with the Crown Prince?”

Although she had held feelings for him for about three years, they had only started dating a few months ago. Until then, she had been fretting over just the thought.

His personality was already considered appropriate. I saw him as a crown prince and as a future emperor.

I think it would be okay if someone like that became my brother-in-law. I think I can trust him and leave it to him.

“…Not so light.”

After a moment of silence, Sister muttered in a small voice.

“I’m glad to hear that. I was worried we were just going to hook up again and then break up.”

“Karl…do you want me to get married?”

“I just want to see you happy.”

From my sister to her family. I know she has a lot of love for them, especially me.

I remember it very clearly from my childhood. I followed her example.

Until the day I die, I will probably be seen as just a cute little brother to her.

It’s sad to think that she will be married to another man. I can’t help it.

But she can’t be by my side forever, and I shouldn’t feel sorry. When I think about my own future and who I’ll be connected to.

“Karl… if you tell me not to get married, I won’t!”

“Woah, Woah. Please don’t do that.”

Maybe I should be clear here. So, I gave her a light hug.

“Thank you, Sis. For loving me, and I know you will always love me. I love you, too, and that’s why I want to see you truly happy.”

“Thank goodness. He really treats you well.”

“In that case, it’s settled. He’s a really good person. I approve of him becoming my brother-in-law. When you say ‘Not so light’ about your relationship with the prince, it seems like it’s not entirely untrue. Am I right?”

I let go of Sister from the hug. And after a moment of hesitation, I continued speaking.

“When I have nieces and nephews in the future, I should really take care of them. Oh, maybe it’s natural since they’ll be future princes or princesses? Hmm. Anyway, I hope I have nieces who resemble you, Sis. Then I’ll really spoil them. I’ll visit them every day, hug them every day, and tell them they’re beautiful every day. That’s how it should be!”

* * *

…It’s a story for the distant future, but I had to think a bit more about the last thing I said that day.