Chapter 83

【Chapter Four】

"‘There was never a younger brother’...?"

After a few seconds of silence, Noah repeated Stuart's words and looked at the bowed Claudia.

"Lady Adelheit, could this be—"

"……"

Claudia squatted down in front of Stuart. She smiled softly and, with concern, whispered to him,

"I believe you, Stuart Hayden Klingenite."

"…Lady Adelheit…"

Stuart, lifting his head, tears streamed down from his silver eyes.

"Until now, no one would listen to you, I'm sure it must have been very hard. But it's okay now."

As if to melt his heart, as if to untangle a tangled thread, she spoke to him gently, tenderly.

"Can you tell me? About what Stuart has seen and heard from eight years ago until now."

"…Yes…!! I will tell you everything, everything…!"

Stuart nodded repeatedly, sobbing.

"…My holy maiden, Lady Adelheit…"

And then, the words poured out like a dam had burst.

＊＊＊

Until he was ten, Stuart had been the only prince, and although he felt the pressure, he had a not-so-bad life.

Studying state affairs was fulfilling, and he had a decent talent for magic. Most importantly, Stuart enjoyed magic, and his specialty was defensive barrier magic, which could be used for national defense.

His father and mother genuinely loved Stuart as a parent and sometimes guided him strictly.

However, everything changed on a winter morning eight years ago.

"Good morning, big brother."

"…Huh…?"

When Stuart was led to the family dining room, he was surprised by the presence of the child who spoke to him so casually, and his mouth opened wide in shock.

The child had the same silver hair as his father and Stuart.

His eyes, unlike anyone else in the family, had a gradient from red to blue.

A three-year-old stranger, who seemed to belong, smiled familiarly and called Stuart 'big brother.'

Stuart took a step back and looked at his father for help.

"Father, who is this child…?"

"What's wrong, Stuart? Let's start breakfast, sit down."

Father acted as if nothing was unusual, accepting the child as a matter of course.

When Stuart hurriedly looked at his mother, she nodded.

"I know you're surprised to see Louis at the table. It's okay now, Stuart."

"Mother…!"

Stuart finally felt relieved by his mother's supportive smile.

However, the next words from his mother made him doubt his ears.

"Dear Louis is feeling much better now."

"…Mother…?"

A cold chill ran down his spine.

"And I'm sorry for scolding you so much, Stuart. You were just taking care of your little brother, Louis."

"…What are you… saying…"

"Look, Louis, say thank you to your big brother. While you were sick, Stuart visited your room every day, held your hand, and encouraged you."

(…I didn't…)

Stuart couldn't speak, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly.

(I never held your hand. I never went to your room. I wouldn't do that, because… this…)

He sat awkwardly across from the child, his body trembling with fear, but he had to confirm it.

There, sitting at the family table, was someone his father and mother called 'your brother.'

"Thank you, big brother."

(—I don't know this 'brother'…!)

The beautiful young boy, who smiled, was a creature that did not exist in Stuart's memory.

No matter how much Stuart protested and refused to share the table, his parents only looked puzzled.

Frightened by Louis, Stuart fled to his room, and his mother, holding Louis, said,

"Perhaps I scolded Stuart too much. I blamed him for your fever because he played with you the day before, and that's why…"

(Does Mother really think this is her child?)

"Nothing to worry about. You two are such good brothers. Stuart will come out and cheer up soon."

(I've always been an only child. Yet…)

No matter how much Stuart explained, everyone spoke of the child called Louis as a prince.

Terrified by the unknown brother, Stuart avoided him completely.

"Prince Stuart has lost all confidence. He has been locked in his room for months…"

(No, no! It's not true…!!)

"Even though they are blood-related, having such an excellent younger brother must be a heavy burden. How pitiful."

(We are not blood-related. He's not my brother. This is a problem before any sense of inferiority, an unknown person has infiltrated my family…!!)

But every day, that 'brother' visited Stuart.

"Big brother."

Every time he heard a knock, he felt like he might break down.

"Big brother, can we have breakfast together today?"

"Stay away…!!"

"I saw the magic in your garden the other day. The barrier was amazing, and I'm very interested. I really want you to teach me."

"Don't call me your brother!!"

Because Louis was not his 'brother.'

(Brother. Brother? Don't call me that. You must know you're not my brother…)

He couldn't understand what the creature calling itself his brother was thinking.

Deprived of the beloved son's position, the right to inherit the throne, and the life of a prince, Stuart decided to choose the easiest way to live.

(…The legendary witch Lady Adelheit can do anything with magic and will free me from this inexplicable pain.)

The beautiful witch would save him.

Just thinking about it made his heart feel lighter.

(I'll stop thinking about it. No one believes me, no one listens to my words. Then I'll put up a barrier so he can't enter and lock myself inside… Yes, I'll draw pictures of the outside world.)

He decided and convinced himself.

"…Don't think about him. Don't listen to him. Just think about beautiful things…"

Since then, Stuart has lived for eight years, putting up barriers around his room and the garden given to him.

＊＊＊

"……"

While listening to Stuart's past, Claudia quietly pondered.

Stuart, having finished his story, bowed his head, holding his head in his hands.

"Every time that guy knocked on my door, telling me to 'come out of the room,' I had to hold back from screaming."

For him, it must have been an overwhelming fear.