Chapter 12

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The story of the step-sister, step-brother, and step-mother.

The purebred sheltered daughter and the demon king who took her and her family in, but the sheltered daughter is so sheltered that she needs much protection. Latimama was aware of Kishutaria's feelings, but Alber himself loves his younger brother very much, and the demon king, for all his machinations, has been quietly observing the situation. Until now.

When I told my father, who had returned to the Latitsche residence, that I wanted to enter a convent, he pretended not to hear me at all.

Father, your ears are too young to be going deaf.

Sebastian, standing behind, fainted on the spot, and the other servants fell one after another. Given the situation, I couldn't press the matter much.

But just when I thought I had it all figured out, a bombshell was dropped on me.

While trying to persuade my father to let me enter the convent, I was struggling with how to convince him. Perhaps I should flee to a foreign country and enter a convent there. Or find a place where outside interference is difficult once I enter, like a church.

Anna and Latimama try to stop me, but I feel like I could be a source of trouble as long as I stay in the Latitsche family and in this country.

The Latitsche family is a powerful noble family, and even the royal family struggles to deal with them. To solidify my brother's position, it would be best if I stayed out of the public eye. If I were to be dragged out, I can only imagine a future where I become a puppet.

I can't enjoy the peace of the cage my father has protected me in forever, especially once I come of age. It would only lead to more complications.

I was worrying about how to persuade my father.

The kind servants of the noble family are entirely against my going to the convent. Julius, whom I relied on, is the leader of the opposition. He doesn't say it outright, but the atmosphere suggests it. Anna, my maid, with her childlike face, pleads with me to reconsider, her eyes brimming with tears. Latimama's gaze speaks volumes. My father, with a smile, usually cuts off any discussion. This is the first time he has been so uncooperative with my actions. For my doting father, the idea of me leaving his side is unthinkable.

I can't help but sigh. Sneaking out of the country without my father's notice is even harder.

Without an accomplice, it's impossible. But who would risk their life to help me defy my father? The level of risk is equivalent to a death sentence.

This is my moment of truth.

Only I can stand up to my father and remain calm.

As I approached the window, I noticed it was rattling.

Is it the branches of the trees in the garden hitting the window because of the strong wind? It's supposed to be a stormy night. If it hits too hard, it might break the window.

Should I ask Julius or Raven to cut the branches? It's cruel to wake the gardener in the middle of the night, but they should be able to do it with magic. Julius and Raven seem to be good at offensive magic.

Incidentally, the game version of Albertina is an all-rounder, skilled in offensive magic, debuff support, and barrier magic. She was a villainess who used her abundant talent for nefarious deeds until the end of the game. Depending on the route, she could even be the final boss. I, who don't even attend school, can barely use offensive magic and find cursing magic somewhat unpleasant, much to the confusion of Anna and Raven. My barrier magic, reflecting my desire to "stay in my room," is impenetrable. As a trade-off for my poor offensive and cursing skills, I can use basic healing magic.

As the daughter of a high-ranking noble, I have been educated in both culture and magic. One reason is that the higher the rank, the more likely they are to have magical power.

I am completely defensive and supportive.

In other words, I can't even cut a tree with magic.

As I approached the window, I found Kishutaria, drenched in the rain.

"Kishutaria!? What are you doing here so late at night...?"

"Is it true that you're trying to leave the house!?"

Oh, you're quick. But did you really come all the way to the balcony just to hear that?

I haven't made a final decision because my father is strongly against it, and a gag order has been issued. Only a few servants, including Sebastian, who were present during my direct talks with my father, and Julius, whom I told first, know about it. I don't think Julius would leak it so easily.

Kishutaria, with his strong magical power, must have used magic to get here. His hair and forehead, which were starting to get wet, quickly became damp when I touched them with a handkerchief.

Of course, as siblings of similar age, we have separate rooms. The balconies are not close enough to move between them easily. And, of course, as a noble family, we have security measures against intruders.

"Anyway, Alber, are you really going to the convent?"

"…Yes, but it's still a plan because I haven't convinced my father yet."

Kishutaria's face, upon hearing that I had told my father, was filled with shock. He looked at me as if he couldn't believe it.

He must have understood that I was determined when I approached my father.

"Alber, do you hate this house?"

"No, I love it. I love Father, Mother, Kishutaria, Anna, Julius, Raven—everyone."

"Then why don't you stay? I'll protect you. Even if Father is gone, even if Julius and the others become enemies, I'll protect you from other nobles and the royal family."

Kishutaria's eyes, similar to Father's aqua blue, looked at me pleadingly.

My younger brother, who has grown taller and stronger, still has those gem-like eyes. Young ladies, combined with his sweet beauty, could easily fall for him.

I'm glad Kishutaria cares for me so much. But as long as I stay, I'm more likely to be a hindrance to my brother.

He is the only one who can endure the rigorous training by our demon king-like father and has honed his intellect, martial skills, and magical power to become a top-tier student at the academy. If things go well, he will be favored by the princes.

Kishutaria, with royal blood, has a high chance of being a target for political marriages. I can imagine the rumors that would circulate about me. Jealousy and envy would make life difficult for my parents. Kishutaria has likely faced some slander as well.

"I will only be a weakness for the Latitsche family. Father protects me now, but it won't last forever.

There are many people who want to curry favor with or bring down the duke. Some of them are even related to the royal family."

"…Who told you that?"

Ah, I see. The mention of the royal family changed Kishutaria's demeanor instantly.

In the original story, the royal family struggled to deal with Albertina. Albertina, with her rare royal blood, was engaged to a prince for political reasons. Even after her condemnation, her royal blood was too valuable to discard, and in some routes, she was used to increase the royal bloodline. It was a terrifying fate to be exposed to unwanted men.

In this region, the Megil flu, also known as the magical flu, spreads every few decades, and those with strong magical power are particularly affected. Therefore, the current royal bloodline is limited. Nobles have more magical power than commoners. Depending on the heroine's choices, there is a possibility of an outbreak in recent years. I hope it doesn't happen.

Albertina's grandmother is a royal sister, but she escaped the epidemic in the capital by marrying into another family. My mother, Christina, and Father, who was away on business, also escaped.

The lecherous former kings left many descendants, but most were eliminated by the epidemic, which reduced the intensity of the succession disputes. The current king also contracted the disease but survived.

The king, who was not a strong contender for the throne, ascended due to various coincidences. Father may have played a role in this.

Before I was born, a terrible disease destroyed magical cities and countries. This disease, which causes high fever, cannot be treated with ordinary fever reducers. The only effective treatment is to suppress or seal magical power, reducing the fever. Kishutaria, with his strong magical power, might contract it depending on the route. He is the most powerful in my circle. Given his wealth, he could secretly obtain the medicine, but the current situation is more pressing.

This medicine is not yet recognized as a specific treatment for the Megil flu. It only alleviates the symptoms rather than curing the disease.

Some commoners have latent magical power, and some have magical power but cannot use it. This lack of awareness hinders the recognition of the disease's severity.

Raising awareness is a challenge. Understanding the heroine's routes is crucial. Only a few players can discover this. The disease might not even spread.

Kishutaria has no shadow of the heroine so far.

Even if Kishutaria and I are close, there are many who would stir up trouble.

"No one. But even I, a fool, can understand that much. I'm not a child anymore; I can't afford to be."

"Alber, you're not a fool… You're important. Don't belittle yourself."

The warmth of his palm through the white silk negligee on my shoulder made me feel a connection.

I was touched by how he had grown into a kind and caring brother.

Recently, I received a shocking confession from Julius and a letter from Mikaelis that had a different tone, more like a man to a woman than a childhood friend. My heart was troubled as I drifted away from our group of childhood friends. The idea of entering a convent, which I had since childhood, made it hard for me to be proactive in relationships or romance. I have a tendency to be a spinster—my lover or husband would be a slave to my father.

When I'm involved, my father often shows a cold and ruthless side, like a demon king.

Father is truly an excellent person, completely different from me. Without me, the conflict with the royal family might ease. I want Father to look beyond me and find happiness.

I shouldn't be a burden, running around taking care of an ignorant and powerless daughter.

If this continues, it will affect Kishutaria when he becomes the duke.

Kishutaria is kind. I don't want him to suffer the same fate as Father.

"…I am a burden, and that's a fact."

"Then I'll help you. I'll always be with you."

"That's not possible, Kishutaria. As the head of the family, you will eventually have to marry a lady from another house.

She will be your partner in society and in life. Cherish her.

I, as the eldest daughter of the main branch, have done nothing. But she will have to bear many responsibilities as the mistress of the Latitsche family—"

"Unnecessary."

A low voice cut off my words. I looked up to see Kishutaria with a fierce light in his bright blue eyes.

I had seen that look before, but I thought it was just my imagination. I recently saw it in Mikaelis and Julius.

I didn't want to realize it. I had been avoiding the truth that would destroy my paradise.

Stop, Kishutaria. I don't want to hear it.

Even as I tried to escape, the grip on my shoulders wouldn't let me turn away.

"I don't need any other woman. I only need you."

"I've always only seen you.

I knew you only saw me as a brother.

I knew you loved and cherished me as a brother.

In society and at the academy, I met other ladies, but they were all the same to me. I felt nothing, I couldn't like them, I couldn't love them. That's the kind of person I am."

"Choose me."

My small, happy world was shattered.

After that, Raven, sensing someone else in my room, burst in with a knife, not even bothering to knock. He must have thought it was an intruder. But he quickly pinned Kishutaria down and, upon recognizing him, frowned and let go. He glared at Kishutaria, shielding me with his body, and urged him to leave the room.

Incidentally, I was scolded harshly by Raven and Anna for letting a male, even a brother, into my room.

From their tone, it seemed they knew Kishutaria saw me as more than a sister. I must be quite oblivious. I'm even less suited for society.

Maybe I was too bound by the game's scenarios.

In the back of my mind, I thought no one would love "Albertina von Latitsche," especially not the characters I was supposed to pursue.

"Regarding such matters, the duke has been very strict, so it's understandable that you didn't realize it... But you really didn't know?"

"…Rather, I'm surprised I haven't been taken advantage of or seduced yet… *Raven, come here*"

Julius, with a threatening smile, interrupted Raven, who was about to say something ominous, and covered his mouth. He then dragged him away.

I seem to be in a dangerous situation.

Or maybe I always have been.

My mind refuses to accept it.

Yesterday, Kishutaria sneaked into my room—though I inadvertently let him in, it doesn't change the fact that he entered through the balcony, and now he is forbidden from seeing me.

By Latimama.

Not by Father, but by Mother.

I try to recall the hazy memory.

Mother, usually calm and composed, was so angry that her hair stood on end. She hit Kishutaria with such force that her fan, which combined a tropical bird and a silver bird, broke.

Father probably didn't expect Mother to be this angry. He stood there in shock.

Mother, who is usually the epitome of grace, was so furious that steam seemed to be coming out of her head.

"Kishutaria! Do you know what you've done to Alber!?

Alber is an unmarried woman! Even if you are legally a brother, there are things you can and cannot do! Alber, who has been raised in a sheltered environment, is especially—no, a thousand times more naive about such matters, and you should know that!"

Am I that naive? I've been a spinster for a long time.

I'm more interested in food than romance, and I've always acted on impulse. I know I'm not a proper lady. I'm already a flawed object, so to speak.

So, there's no need to be this angry…

"But, Mother, I let him in…"

"Alber… You must have been startled when your brother suddenly appeared on the balcony in the middle of a storm, right?"

"Yes…"

I was genuinely shocked. Julius and Raven, who had tried to stop me from approaching the injured Kishutaria, remained in position