Chapter 19

The heroine exits, and the backstory of the Alber kidnapping case.

It's a battlefield... a battlefield! Without thinking, I tightly gripped Anna's hand, which she was holding. Perhaps sensing my tension, Anna whispered, "Miss, it's okay. I will definitely protect you," and squeezed my hand back.

A, Anna! If Julius is the epitome of a butler, then Anna is the epitome of a maid!

However, I've never seen Kishatia treat people so coldly. I always thought she was generally calm. And even when I dragged her around with my whims, she would laugh and forgive me, being so generous.

"But, if we don't get Lord Kishatia to come to the tea party—"

"There's no way I'm going. Or are you trying to intimidate me with the royal authority? I'm afraid that won't work on the Latitsche family."

Wait, what? Is it okay to say that, Kishatia? The Sandis royal family, regardless of how Father feels, should still be treated with a certain level of respect, shouldn't they?

Indeed, in the past, I was kidnapped at a royal event, and the scars from that incident made me a damaged young lady at a young age. The royal family made a huge mistake and owed a significant debt to the Latitsche family.

Father is indeed a pillar of this country. But can you treat them so lightly!? Kishatia is still a son...

I don't like the royal family either. After all, Albertina's route always leads to destruction when she gets involved with the royal family.

As I was panicking, Mikaelis whispered, "Don't worry, the matter has already been discussed between His Majesty and the Duke." Gyaah! Stop it, that low voice makes my spine tingle! It's like the live voice of a popular voice actor... Pyaa! Anna, who was hit by a stray bullet, is trembling!

Father... you're not threatening His Majesty, are you? You're having a proper discussion, right? I'm so worried about Father...

"Is that all you wanted to say? Then just disappear."

I can feel the intensity from behind. I can almost see the pale flames of anger coming from Kishatia.

The first time I've seen such a terrifying younger brother, my legs feel like those of a newborn fawn.

The young lady who faced that pressure head-on is truly remarkable. I would have shrunk back and started crying at just one glance.

Do modern young ladies need such mental toughness? The social scene is scary. Or is it school life?

When Kishatia turned to look at me, the cold air that reminded me of eternal ice had dissipated. He lowered his eyebrows slightly, and a sweet smile appeared on his well-defined face, a smile that seemed to make white roses bloom around him.

I felt the tension in my shoulders ease. It's the usual Kishatia.

But then a scream came from behind. It wasn't a gentle scream but a roar. And the sound of heavy objects falling.

It's mentally devastating to those who aren't used to it. The stray bullet hit not only the young ladies behind but also the young gentlemen, who fell one after another.

Startled, I opened my eyes wide like a frightened cat and tensed up.

In front of me, Kishatia still had his dazzling smile.

It's a very beautiful smile, but did he use some kind of magic?

"Um, Kishatia, what about that person? They seemed quite... unusual."

"You don't need to know or see them. Shall we go?"

His perfect smile clearly rejected her and conveyed the intention of wanting to distance himself from me. Ah, the beautiful smile from earlier has changed!

Wait, hasn't this pattern happened a few times before?

"Could it be the Duchess' daughter?"

"Why do you notice that when you're usually so oblivious?"

Please don't make such a bitter, unpleasant face! Your forehead is wrinkling! When I placed my fingers on his forehead, Kishatia looked surprised. As I rubbed the wrinkles away, his expression turned into a wry smile.

Why are you rejecting me so much? In your route, Renaria was supposed to be the one who healed the loneliness and wounds in your heart.

After being bullied by your stepfather and stepsister, and being driven to suicide—no, that didn't happen. I get along well with Mother. We even have matching Rosebrand accessories.

Of course, as the head of the household and her daughter are neglected, the servants are also cold—no, that's not true. I don't know about other households, but I don't think they are neglected. In fact, apart from Father, Lady Lati is the strictest? Lady Lati is very kind to me, but recently she seems to be tough on Kishatia.

Wait, is this ruining the important part of Kishatia's route??

The stepsister who bullied me the most is, as you can see, a useless NEET and a super sheltered child. Sometimes she's treated like a little girl.

This makes it impossible to follow the route using game knowledge.

From a young age, my stepbrother has always said, "I'll protect you," and held my hand.

Like a mother cat protecting her kittens, he is overprotective. Another overprotective person, Julius, even considers me a top candidate for care when he's not around.

Hmm? Is it not about love or bluff but about being treated like a little girl or needing care?

"Miss, forget about things that are bad for your education."

"See, Julius says the same. Let's forget it, okay?"

Of course, you're treating me like a child!

Even though they know I'm sulking, everyone starts moving again.

Suddenly, I realize that someone is still there where we just left. I can't see their face because they're looking down, but their dark chestnut hair and clothing resemble that character design.

"You shouldn't look."

Even Mikaelis says this, leaving me with a lingering feeling as I leave the scene.

In the end, I don't understand the route!

"First, the basics."

Kishatia says, "Basics," and creates a ball of water that floats in the air.

He slowly moves it closer to me.

I can't help but touch it, and it wobbles. The sensation is just like ordinary water. It's strange to see so many floating around, sparkling in the sunlight.

I can't help but look up and smile.

"Amazing!"

As I clap and cheer, he shapes the water into fish and birds and makes them swim around.

It's truly fantastical! As I cheer inwardly, the water suddenly bursts and disappears. I tilt my head and look at Kishatia, who smiles back.

At the same time, the ground shakes—no, only the spot where I was standing shakes.

I instinctively hold hands with Anna, but we are lifted by a mound of rising earth. It forms a large hand, which then reveals a palm, arm, shoulder, head, and torso.

It's big enough to hold me and Anna on its palm. Suddenly, my view is much higher, and I'm stunned.

I look around and take in the scenery, gasping at the view. The wind caresses my cheeks and hair. The expansive view is indeed the school I saw in the game's opening.

Before I can fully enjoy the scenery, I'm gently lowered to the ground. It was brief.

Kishatia reaches out his hand, and I grab it.

A gentle breeze lifts my skirt. I instinctively hold it down and land softly.

"Wow! What is this? A golem? The earth formed into a human shape!?"

"Weren't you scared?"

"No, I was surprised! That was the wind! Amazing, Kishatia!"

Kishatia looks relieved as I cheer. What is he so worried about?

But Anna, who is afraid of heights, is trembling like a newborn fawn. She's crawling away from the remains of the earth golem.

I don't like dark or cramped places, but I seem to enjoy high and open views. Come to think of it, there weren't many such places at the Latitsche residence. Or maybe they just weren't in my range?

"If it's this amazing, I wish you had shown me at home once."

"Sorry, Alber."

"There's a reason, right?"

"You've been kidnapped before, haven't you? You don't remember much, but the fear is still there."

That's why I still dislike dark and cramped places. Father rescued me from the box where I was tied up.

But the trauma still lingers. Recently, I don't cling to Julius or Father and cry hysterically.

It's only because the maids and servants are very considerate of my environment.

"Who knows what else might trigger it. But even within the known triggers, Alber's fear when facing them is not normal."

"Magic might be one of them?"

"According to my stepfather, there were traces of magic in your kidnapping."

It's a very convenient ability to use to bypass various guards and surveillance. Some might not use it to bypass or deliberately avoid it.

Indeed, my fear of dark and cramped places is not frequent because the servants are very considerate.

When Dora was around, I used to cry and cause trouble often.

"Alber's magical traits are rare and have a low risk of dangerous outbursts.

The instructors were top-notch—however, my magical power is much stronger than average, and the risk of causing damage to the surroundings in case of an outburst is high. The four elements I can handle are mostly possessed by others as well..."

"Father wouldn't allow it."

"I was also scared to use magic around Alber until I could control it perfectly.

In the end, I had to learn secretly and avoid being seen."

If Alber praised me, I might get carried away—Kishatia smiles wryly.

If I were to get even a scratch, Father might consider Kishatia defective and eliminate him. I don't want to lose my stepbrother over something like that.

In that sense, I was protected. I was.

To avoid getting hurt, scared, or sad.

The magic incident turned out to be a false alarm, but perhaps showing me the small fire was a brave act by Jibril.

Jibril is also excellent and could have done something more spectacular if he wanted to. That fire was the utmost consideration.

"Sorry for keeping it a secret. But we concluded that it was a good time and the risk was low. Father only recently gave his permission."

"Is that so... thank you."

I feel an urge to hug my kind stepbrother, but Kishatia might not share the same sentiment.

I force a smile, hold his hand, and thank him.

I am truly blessed. If I look down, I might start crying, so I keep my head up.

"Now! It's my brother's turn!"

In the midst of a slightly solemn atmosphere, Jibril comes over, breathing heavily.

Come to think of it, Kishatia didn't use fire magic for Mikaelis' sake?

A slender arm slides around my waist from behind. I'm hugged from behind, but with Jibril, who is not much bigger than me, it feels a bit unstable. But when he squeezes, my legs wobble. Hold on, Alber! Show the bottomless strength of a NEET!

"My brother is skilled in magical swords! Last time, I received a mithril sword as a prize at a swordsmanship tournament! Mithril has high anti-magic properties, high magic conductivity, and is very durable! It's a sword that any swordsman would drool over!"

"Jibril, I was talking to Alber."

I was swaying, and Kishatia pulled me towards him. I was gently held. Phew, I didn't fall with Jibril.

"Oh, how rude. Hehe, even if we're step-siblings, he's still my brother. Shouldn't you stop yearning for something that will never be? I'm even starting to feel jealous!"

"Jibril! I've been thinking, aren't you touching Alber too much!?"

"It's a privilege of being the same gender! Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho!!

If you can do it, try! All the hard work I've put in will turn to rubble in an instant!"

Jibril, with his slender waist, puffed chest, and hand on his cheek, laughs loudly.

He looks very lively. He seems to be in great form. Maybe they fight because they are close? But it feels a bit tense? It must be my imagination.

"Here we go again..."

Julius says, sounding exasperated. Is this a regular thing?

Mikaelis looks at the two of them with an indescribable expression.

"That's going to take a while... Alber, would you like to see my magic here?"

"I would like to. I want to see the magical sword Jibril mentioned."

"Then, how about a simulation battle with a doll?"

"A doll?"

"A simple figure used to simulate a target. It's mainly used for drills, simulation battles, and practical exams. It's monotonous but moves, so it should be quite entertaining."

"I want to see it!"

Actually, seeing a real person in a simulation battle is a bit scary, but a doll should be fine. My excitement makes his red eyes soften.

Julius says, "I'll go prepare," helps Anna up, and walks away.

He looked a bit troubled by my excitement, but it must be my imagination! Yes, my imagination!

Mikaelis' performance? A sword dance? I can see something like an event!

Behind my excited self, Anna looks worried—she's happy I'm enjoying myself but is concerned that I might get too excited and collapse from exhaustion.

...Am I really in need of care?

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