Chapter 21

The next morning, on the ground of the garden path.

A large moth was being devoured by a swarm of ants.

As I watched it silently, I felt even more miserable myself.

The moth’s wings, disguised with the fierce eyes of a predator, seemed to symbolize me.

Yesterday, I was just a moth pretending to be tough, cowering in front of a mere child.

But at least I wasn’t dead. If I had failed, I would have ended up like that moth.

Deciding to live a long and thin life rather than a short and thick one made me feel somewhat better.

-Why are you sitting there with such a pitiful look, Hersel?

“Shut up, you fake.”

At my retort, the defeated Donatan sighed bitterly.

-Grr…

‘Donatan, who is all talk, must be feeling like death right now. After boasting that he could easily beat a kid, he was utterly humiliated. It’s only natural to feel ashamed.’

-What did you say?

“Nothing. I was just talking to myself.”

-You… You bastard! …Huff!!

Donatan, who had been grinding his teeth, suddenly swallowed hard.

-Hersel, be on guard! That damned kid is here again!

It seemed he had developed a trauma from his defeat.

In any case, a shadow was cast over the moth that had lost its life to the ants.

Clack.

Was he here for revenge?

Or perhaps he had realized that I was no big deal…

Narrowing my eyes, I spoke.

“What do you want?”

But Mircel’s reaction was somewhat unexpected. His eyes sparkled, and the corners of his mouth lifted, making him look like an innocent child.

“What? Didn’t you say big brother would play with me anytime? Did you already forget?”

…It seemed like he had taken my words literally when I was trying to naturally flee.

Despite his monstrous skills, he was still just a child.

So, what should I do?

Should I actually play with him…?

While I was conflicted, Mircel blinked his eyes.

“Now that I think about it, this is the first time I’m playing with a sibling.”

Given their personalities, it made sense. They probably found this kid, who shone like a pearl, annoying.

“Those mama’s boys probably want to play with their mom.”

“Mama’s boy? What’s that?”

“It means a fool who, despite being grown-up, is still mentally immature and still looks for his mother’s milk.”

“Pfft. Anyway, I’m looking forward to it. There’s a rumor that big brother is the only one who knows how to play properly.”

Isn’t it that they said I’m always playing rather than knowing how to play properly?

Anyway, Mircel seemed to take it for granted that I would play with him.

Well, I guess it’s not a big deal.

I’m also curious about the expression of the mistress.

But what should we play?

While rummaging through the storage of childhood memories, Niasel approached with a difficult gait. She had a bundle of papers like yesterday, but today she also had a book.

[Read me the fairy tale book brother gave me. The maids won’t read it even if I ask.]

“A book?”

[Yes. The book you lent me before going to our maternal house.]

Niasel handed me the book as if she was pushing it onto me.

“Why don’t you read it yourself?”

[There are too many difficult words, so I can’t read it.]

A fairy tale book with difficult words? Curious, I opened the book.

“This, this is…”

I immediately closed the book. I had only read the first page, but the sentences were vivid in my mind.

[Blushing]

[Juicy like a peach]

[Her waist bent like a bow.]

These sentences were blatantly written on the first page. It was a book for adults with a courtesan as the main character.

No wonder the maids wouldn’t read it to her.

Giving such a thing to a child…

Hersel, you crazy bastard.

“Brother, aren’t you going to read it?”

“You can read this later when you grow up.”

As I slipped the book into my pocket, the kids pestered me.

“What is it that you can’t read it?”

[What is it?]

I need to give them some suitable plaything to quiet them down.

But having spent my childhood playing games, I had no idea about kids’ games…

Ah, there was a time when I played physical games instead of video games.

I joined a club named “Classic Arcade Club,” attracted by the idea of playing with 8-bit and 16-bit consoles, only to end up playing traditional games like spinning tops and hacky sack after school.

“I’ll teach you a game more fun than this boring book.”

No experience is ever useless.

I chose kite flying. I wanted to do it again after a long time, and I made a kite shaped like a stingray with materials collected by the servants. Mircel looked at me with suspicious eyes.

“This isn’t the shape used by the army…”

There were kites here too.

In ancient Rome, kites were flown for weather forecasting and military position identification.

The only difference was the shape, being Korean-style.

However, the problem was…

“Hey, what is this! It doesn’t fly!”

[Big brother tricked us!]

“It’s because there’s no wind. This place is annoyingly calm.”

We had no choice but to move. I crouched down and assumed a piggyback position.

“Get on.”

It’s going to be quite a walk, and it would be hard with her uncomfortable legs.

Niasel timidly got on my back. As I stood up, Mircel looked at me with a strange expression.

“You walk on your own.”

“…No, it’s nothing.”

Outside the mansion, I also brought Jack and Rodel with us midway.

We arrived at a place that held bitter memories for me.

With a beautiful sunset, a cool breeze, and a view of the commoners’ homes, it was the cliff where that psychopath Selly had tried to push me to my death.

“Keep a close watch. As you know, this place is quite dangerous.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Understood, young master!”

Though I had no intention of going near the cliff, it was different for the two kids. Jack and Rodel, who probably thought I was mocking them by mentioning the previous incident, nodded stiffly with rigid faces.

I let the kite go in the wind. As the string unraveled and the kite floated into the air, the four of us gaped.

“It’s really flying?”

[Mine is still not flying.]

I also flew Niasel’s kite and handed her the string. Mircel, determined to do it himself, kept throwing his kite towards the cliff. Each time he pulled the string and retrieved it, the play turned into something else.

“Is he fishing or something?”

“Shut up.”

He’s good with a sword but terrible at this? No, if he had good senses, he should easily be able to feel the direction of the wind.

Observing Mircel closely, I noticed his hands were trembling. It seemed his wrist was damaged when he tried to cut my neck the other day.

Though I wanted to help, seeing his sweaty and earnest face, I decided to just watch.

“Oh.”

This time, the kite lifted a bit. Mircel’s lips trembled slightly, tasting joy, and he became more absorbed.

After a few more tries, adjusting to the wind, Mircel’s kite flew the highest among the three. Jack and Rodel, who were watching, cheered loudly.

“Wow!”

“It looks strange, but it flies well!”

But I couldn’t remain carefree. While the others were focused on the kites, Niasel had gotten dangerously close to the cliff.

“Damn it…”

It seemed she was distracted by the kite flying and moved unconsciously. With her uncomfortable legs, her body kept swaying precariously.

Approaching her slowly to avoid startling her, I reached out just as she fell.

I grabbed her by the neckline and pulled her back. But my body, propelled by inertia, lurched forward.

“Oh, brother?”

“You… young master…?”

Noticing the commotion, Mircel and the guards looked our way with wide eyes.

I glared fiercely at Jack and Rodel.

“You two, we’ll see about this.”

That was the last thing I saw as I braced myself.

Ah, seeing my hair flailing upwards like seaweed, this was my second fall off a cliff.

“Are you two really just going to sit there leisurely in this situation?”

Mircel, looking at the trembling Jack and Rodel, couldn’t believe it. Their response was even more absurd.

“You don’t need to worry about young master Hersel. He’ll be back soon.”

“…He’ll be back?”

Falling off a sheer cliff and surviving, is he even human? Mircel thought the guards must be insane, looking at them curled up and whining like that.

“Last time it took 3 hours, right?”

“Rodel, you’d better beg for forgiveness when he returns. He might knock 30 minutes off your punishment.”

Eventually, Mircel decided to go himself.

“Tch, you two watch Niasel. I’ll go check it out myself.”

Mircel ran down the steep slope but halted suddenly.

‘But why should I check if he’s alive or not?’

Thinking about it, it was odd. Shouldn’t it be a relief if he’s dead? Hersel was a snake that slyly approached Niasel.

-Regardless of who becomes the head of the house, the treatment won’t change, right?

-It’s the same even if Young Master Deisel becomes the head.

-Indeed, who would take care of her? At best, they’d lock her in the basement out of sight.

Some months ago, while passing by, Mircel overheard such gossip. He wanted to scold the maids, but Niasel stopped him.

However, an outsider was different.

-So noisy. Why make a fuss about a mute? Isn’t it enough that a woman knows how to lie in bed?

-Young Master Hersel…

-It’s actually better if she’s quiet, don’t you think? Hmm, the vocal cords can be ruined even after birth, right?

-Sorry. It won’t happen again…

Clearly not defending her, Hersel’s outburst seemed like a fit of unnecessary anger. But Niasel started following him since that day.

Mircel repeatedly warned her to stay away, but she didn’t listen. He ended up personally warning Hersel.

-You really are ignorant, kid.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

-What?

-Do you think any man would take a half-wit? Maybe some fool would if she could act cute. It’s better to sell a burden if you can.

After hearing those harsh words, Mircel was sure. This guy was an irredeemable piece of trash.

However, watching Hersel up close, his actions were completely different from his harsh words.

He willingly made time to play with her, carried her on his back when no one else would touch her for fear of bad luck, and treated her well in general. He even read her fairy tales, although he didn’t know the content.

Most importantly, he risked his own safety and jumped off a cliff to save her.

So, Mircel started to think.

Maybe he got angry because someone insulted his sister.

Maybe those harsh words were because he was embarrassed that his true feelings were revealed.

Perhaps he was just someone very bad at expressing himself.

Thud-thud.

His pace quickened again. Mircel ran faster, his speed increasing. He saw a wagon in the distance. It was a supply wagon heading to the mansion. Mircel ignored it and was about to pass by when a familiar voice stopped him.

“Hold on, stop the wagon.”

“Yes?”

“My little brother is here to greet me.”

Creak.

The wagon stopped. Sitting in the open back of the wagon was Hersel.

“What are you doing? Get on.”

“Uh…?”

Mircel looked at his face. Covered in some dust but not a scratch on his skin.

“Are you walking back?”

Hersel patted the seat next to him. Mircel, bewildered, sat beside him. Even up close, Hersel had no injuries.

“Brother, you’re not hurt anywhere?”

“Well, no injuries but it’s unpleasant. Even the second time, I can’t get used to it.”

“Second time? Has this happened before?”

Hersel nodded. Mircel now understood why Jack and Rodel had said those things.

‘No wonder I couldn’t cut him. He’s so tough, how could I?’

Clip-clop clip-clop.

The wagon moved again. For a while, only the sound of hooves and wheels filled the air. Yet the atmosphere wasn’t cold. Sitting in the wagon, staring at the scenery, and feeling the cool wind made the skin tingle.

“The weather is nice.”

At Hersel’s words, Mircel looked up at the sky. It was sunset. The warmth of the sunset’s glow seeped into the skin, making his chest feel warm.

In the intense crimson light, Mircel blinked.

“Brother, will you play with me again?”

“No, it’s late today.”

“Not today, but tomorrow. But let’s not fly kites, it’s dangerous.”

It was a trivial conversation that siblings might have. Mircel hoped such conversations would continue, but Hersel suddenly crossed his arms and frowned.

Then, Hersel spoke.

“Let’s play with spinning tops.”

A smile spread across Mircel’s face.

***

The faint sound of clattering dishes echoed.

The mistress, surveying her children at the silent dining table, spoke.

“Is it because it’s been a month and a half since we’ve been together? It’s too quiet.”

Deisel paused his fork and cleared his throat.

“I was lost in thought.”

“Thought?”

“You must know as well, mother.”

Deisel glared sharply at Mircel.

Mircel quickly chewed and swallowed the meat in his mouth.

“What are you looking at?”

“Why did you follow that guy around all day?”

“I was just curious why he’s still alive and wanted to investigate.”

“Investigate?”

Mircel tapped his neck with the edge of his hand.

“But now I understand. I tried my best to break his neck, but the wooden sword broke instead. If I had kept holding it, my wrist would have been severed.”

Deisel’s eyelids twitched. Erucel, flustered, asked in surprise.

“Did, did the sword break? Did you use aura?”

“I said I tried my best, don’t make me repeat myself.”

Deisel was at a loss for words.

It was unbelievable. The kid was only ten years old but had the skills to face an imperial knight. Even with his golden aura, Deisel couldn’t be sure he could match him. And yet, Mircel was defeated so completely?

Looking at the caviar on his plate, Deisel briefly recalled Hersel creating a black aura with his sword.

…No, it couldn’t be. He had shown a brown aura soon after.

Even if he’s a genius swordsman, he’s still just a child. It’s probably just exaggeration, typical for his age. He must have hit the wrong spot and the sword broke.

Trying to dismiss his unease, Deisel forced himself to relax.

Mircel, having finished the last piece of meat, showed his empty plate to their mother.

“Mother, I’ve finished eating. May I be excused?”

“Yes, you ate well.”

“Niasel, you’ve finished too? Let’s go together.”

Niasel nodded, wiping her mouth with a napkin. As Mircel passed by, the mistress called out in a slightly stern voice.

“Mircel, did you say you followed him to investigate?”

Her tone was somewhat sharp. Mircel nonchalantly nodded.

“Yes.”

“And?”

“And what? I told you I was curious why big brother was still alive.”

“Big brother?”

Realizing his slip, Mircel covered his mouth with his hand. The mistress masked her expression. Mircel, too, slowly removed his surprised look, meeting her icy gaze with his own cold eyes. The atmosphere turned as cold as ice. Niasel and Erucel broke into a cold sweat, while Deisel watched with keen interest.

“I wanted to know what you think of him, seeing him up close.”

“Hmm, I haven’t figured it out yet.”

Mircel replied bluntly, and the mistress raised her hand. In the breathless silence, her children’s eyes followed her hand, which reached toward Mircel’s face.

Swoosh.

She gently stroked Mircel’s soft cheek and smiled faintly. Mircel’s eyes sparkled with life, returning to his innocent child’s expression.

“Alright, go ahead. You need to sleep early to grow tall.”

“Yes.”

Mircel led Niasel out. The tension evaporated. The mistress looked at her two sons with a slightly displeased expression.

“It must not sit well with you that I didn’t scold him. Honestly, I do have a bit of favoritism. But know that my concern is greater.”

Deisel spoke with a slightly emotional voice.

“If he shows defiance, I won’t stand idly by.”

“You’re approaching it the wrong way, Deisel.”

The mistress scolded him before giving both sons a deep look.

“When I spoke of concern, it wasn’t about Mircel.”

Deisel swallowed his saliva silently.

“Mircel is a child you should embrace, not alienate. Remember that, Deisel.”

The mistress resumed her meal, indicating the conversation was over. Maintaining a harmonious relationship rather than making enemies was her wish, considering Mircel’s talent.

‘The more he grows, the more my position is threatened.’

Deisel had no intention of leaving his rival alone.

The mistress picked up the last letter on her desk. The wax seal bore an eagle emblem. She hesitated, remembering Mircel’s words calling Hersel “big brother.”

‘Big brother… A boy difficult to control, how did he manage to win him over?’

It was indeed a troubling matter. In time, Deisel would also have no choice but to embrace Mircel.

Even if he disliked it, circumstances would force it, hence she hadn’t pushed for improving their relationship.

‘This isn’t good…’

People who attract others are always troublesome.

Putting that aside for now, she opened the letter. It was from the Schweik family, with whom there had been recent territorial disputes.

The letter contained formalities and details of the meeting’s location and time. The one-sided notification made the mistress sneer.

“Elma.”

When she rang the bell, the head maid approached nervously, sensing her displeasure.

“You called, madam?”

“Tomorrow, I have an outing. We need to make preparations.”

The priority was to protect the family’s safety. Hersel’s matter had to be set aside. That was the duty of an adult.

***

The sound of birds chirping was unusually pleasant. Perhaps because I don’t usually hear them well.

The evil, nasty cat having left, they probably sensed peace and returned.

I picked up the half-finished spinning top. Selly stood beside me holding the tool box.

“Hammer number 2.”

“…What is this?”

“Can’t you see? I’m making a spinning top.”

“But why… are you only putting an iron core in your top, young master?”

Selly looked at me disapprovingly. I ignored her and hammered the iron core into the center of the top.

“Sometimes, even a child needs to taste the bitterness of life.”

It had been a while since I last made one, so quite some time had passed. The weak light filtering through the window indicated it was already nearing evening.

I looked out the window and my eyes gleamed. There was a carriage at the main gate. I carefully observed the carriage with a telescope from the table and confirmed the scale emblem of Orbella.

Finally, they arrived.

But why is Deisel greeting them?

“Did that guy also apply for Edel Klais membership?”

“Deisel? Of course. He applied a year ago. Why?”

“Hmm.”

When a man got out of the carriage and Deisel smiled broadly, I couldn’t help but smile too.

“That guy, his stomach will soon be burning.”