Chapter 67

Jealousy is delicious. The portrayal of jealousy stemming from possessiveness is a good thing...

In "The King of Integrity," there’s a scene where Serius shows competitiveness even towards people and animals who are close to Sir Sil. Honestly, I loved it. No, not just in "The King of Integrity," but I can grin—though I can’t show my grinning face to anyone—!

But!

I understand now, having experienced that jealousy myself.

This jealousy, which I find so delightful in fiction, is quite troublesome in reality!

"I didn’t think you were that close."

With those words, my brother’s gaze—jealousy rays—pierced me sharply.

In such situations, should I, the supposed mistress, say something? It might just stir up trouble?

While pretending to be calm with my black fan spread, I considered my response... but the rays felt even stronger in just a second or two!

"We are not close."

I had no time to deliberate.

I denied it, prioritizing self-preservation.

Then, Sir Sil, who had been standing directly opposite me, frowned and looked sad. I could almost see a dog’s phantom, ears and tail drooping...!

Oh, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Sir Sil!

"However..."

I need to follow up!

"Both Sir Sil and I were targeted by a villain, and we overcame the dangers at the semi-ball together. It’s only natural to be happy to see each other safe."

It’s not strange if that happiness sometimes manifests as an attempted embrace.

"Hey, Sir Sil?"

Sir Sil, who had blinked, immediately smiled.

"Yes!"

He responded energetically. I smiled back.

Somehow, the atmosphere felt good?

"Sil."

My brother called Sir Sil. The jealousy rays weren’t coming, but his expression was stiff.

"I want to talk to you later."

"If it’s about the semi-ball, it would be better to talk now, with Lady Octavia here..."

"It’s different. It’s personal."

"...Understood."

Personal... a conversation between lovers?

If it weren’t for this situation, I’d want to leave as the third wheel.

But negotiations with my brother aren’t over yet... and I want to casually ask about what happened in the "Room of the Sky" when Sir Sil went berserk.

Also, if Sir Sil is on my side, I might be able to persuade my brother.

So, I’ll stay until I achieve my goal!

"Brother. Since we’re here, why don’t you make tea for Sir Sil? Of course, I can make it too if you prefer."

"...I’ll make it."

My brother stood and walked to the tea set.

I wanted to make it too, but it was immediately rejected...!

Oh well.

"Sir Sil, why don’t you sit down?"

The room belongs to my brother, but I urged Sir Sil to sit. My brother didn’t complain. We both agree that Sir Sil shouldn’t stand, right?

I returned to the sofa and sat, and Sir Sil followed suit.

Soon, my brother placed Sir Sil’s teacup on the table. He sat opposite me—next to Sir Sil. Is everyone drinking a different type of tea? Mine is milk tea, my brother’s is black tea, and Sir Sil’s is also black but lighter in color. Different tea leaves? Probably Sir Sil’s preference.

I suspect he has a variety of blends!

Thinking back, it’s hard to believe my brother has become a pro at this.

"Sir Sil?"

After staring at the tea Sir Sil was drinking and taking a sip of my milk tea, which was delicious, Sir Sil called out to me.

"Brother’s tea is so different in taste, I was surprised..."

"...Is it that surprising?"

Saying that, my brother took a sip of his own tea.

Then,

"Ah!"

Sir Sil made a "that’s it!" kind of sound.

"I’ve heard about this. Derek... "

"Derek?"

Why is Derek mentioned?

My brother asked with a puzzled look.

I’m interested too. I pressed for more.

"Sir Sil?"

A princess’s smile, asking for information if he knows anything!

"Um, Derek is... my teacher in the world of the high nobility..."

Sir Sil is the third son of a baron, not a high noble. Nobles can vary widely.

If he’s dating the first prince, there are things he can’t keep up with just general noble knowledge. Sometimes, the common sense of high nobles doesn’t apply to general nobles, but power dynamics usually prevent issues.

Anyway, Derek is indeed the perfect teacher for Sir Sil.

"When high nobles want to show hospitality, they sometimes make tea for important guests themselves. Derek shared a story about his failure."

Hmm, hmm.

This isn’t always necessary, which makes it tricky. It applies to royalty too. Tea-making isn’t part of formal education. It’s not essential knowledge, but it’s good to have. If you want to learn, you have to research it yourself or be taught separately...

"When I was a child, Serius asked me how to make tea, and... I made a mistake out of mischief..."

Sir Sil continued hesitantly.

"I taught him incorrectly, and it caused a lot of trouble..."

"!"

Derek! You’re the culprit!

It wasn’t a mistake, it was intentional!

If this was Derek when he was bullying me... it’s plausible!

Even though we fought, my brother would have believed Derek without question... teaching him a terrible way to make tea, which my brother then perfectly replicated, indirectly attacking me...

Moreover, Derek is a year older than my brother. Even though my brother is of higher rank, the one-year age difference in childhood is significant. Because of the Derek filter, I had to endure terrible tea multiple times...

But, in the end, the person who came up with the bad idea was also often affected?

Child Derek, you’re not as clever as you think!

"That was Derek’s fault. His instructions were absurdly formal despite being incorrect."

My brother muttered with a frown. So, he was saying he was deceived. ...Does his memory align with Derek’s on this?

"But, why did I..."

My brother shook his head, as if asking himself a question.

"...Serius? You seem..."

"No—just a bit tired. Too much has happened, and it’s not over yet."

My brother’s firm tone silenced Sir Sil, who was about to say more.

"Right? Octavia."

"Yes, Brother."

Those words signaled the resumption of the main topic.

"Then, I also need to be questioned."

But, Sir Sil’s determined and spirited words changed the atmosphere again.

Mainly between me and my brother.

In words, it was a clear "Huh?" Sir Sil!

After finishing the tea my brother made, Sir Sil stood up straight.

"Serius. Where will my questioning take place? After I woke up once, I’ve been exempted from it..."

This guy is fully prepared to be questioned!

"Sil?"

"Sir Sil?"

My voice and my brother’s overlapped perfectly.

"Why should Sir Sil be questioned?"

Sir Sil, you were the target! The victim.

Questioning is a step beyond investigation! This is strange!

"Because I..."

Sir Sil looked confused.

Because I?

"Didn’t I attack Lady Octavia in the 'Room of the Sky'?"

"...Do you remember?"

Sir Sil laughed bitterly and shook his head.

"...No. I remember something, but it’s unclear..."

His uncertain words trailed off.

"But, after I lost consciousness, I heard what I did. I pointed a sword at Lady Octavia, and Lord Alderton stopped me."

"The Sir Sil I saw then was not normal. It wasn’t your will, was it? Or did you want to kill me?"

"Of course not!"

Sir Sil’s voice rose.

"Right?"

"But, Lady Octavia... the fact that you pointed a sword at a royal..."

"It was an attempt. And I’m unharmed—"

"You are injured."

Sir Sil’s unusually calm correction! His gaze was on my left hand.

"Moreover, I can’t be the only exception in this situation. It’s already quite..."

"...Sir Sil isn’t the only exception."

"?"

"For example, before the semi-ball, a soldier in the training ground accidentally threw a sword that almost hit me. Clifford deflected it, so I was unharmed. Sir Sil, what do you think I did to that soldier?"

Of course, this refers to Rust’s brother, Elair.

"He must have been heavily punished."

"No. Considering it was an accident, I only made a small request to the soldier."

There’s also the incident where Rust attacked me with a mask. I didn’t punish him either. Well, guiding him to Sir Sil was the condition for forgiveness.

Hmm? Thinking about it, both were let off with conditions instead of punishment...

I have no intention of questioning or punishing Sir Sil...

—But at this moment.

"Brother."

I interrupted my conversation with Sir Sil and turned to my brother.

His blue eyes looked back at me cautiously.

"First, let’s make a promise, Brother. I will not hold Sir Sil accountable for pointing a sword at me in the 'Room of the Sky.' I won’t make it an issue. As the victim, I won’t allow anyone to object. In return—"

"Accept your proposal for the inspection?"

That’s right!

"I’m not asking for Clifford’s release. Compared to that, my 'request' should be easier for you to accept, right?"

"Wait. What are you talking about? Serius?"

Sir Sil’s voice, full of questions, echoed in the room.

My brother sighed and reluctantly explained. My grand plan to prove Clifford’s innocence, in his own words, with the necessary context.

—And then.

"If I’m the decoy during the inspection, I’ll—"

After hearing my brother’s story, Sir Sil said immediately.

"That’s not acceptable."

"That’s not right."

Our voices overlapped, and we looked at each other in surprise.

Discovery: On the matter of Sir Sil, my brother and I often agree.