My Eldest Brother Is Scary...

“So that means the one targeting Princess Shitoen really is someone from Luminous.”

Raul said that, but…

Leaving Mone aside, Roze had a very unconvinced look on her face.

Originally, these two had been members of the assassination group that was targeting Shitoen’s life. And yet Roze looked suspicious of this weapon.

Which meant…

Were the bandits this time and the people targeting Shitoen separate?

“…There are people targeting Mail right now too, after all.”

“Isn’t it that side? Then we should have just left them alone, sister. Chasing them was a waste.”

Roze said that bluntly, and Mone silently ignored it.

“Actually, do we have to protect Mail? She’s the one I want to abandon first.”

“Roze, this is work. But you know, carelessness can happen with anything. Princess Shitoen is the most important, so we might carelessly forget about her.”

Mone did not mediate at all with Roze, who spat that out.

I laughed despite myself, but I accepted the mace from Mone, handkerchief and all.

“For now, I should report this to my eldest brother.”

I called out to a nearby knight, told him to form a five-person group including Mone and Roze and go guard mainly outside, then returned inside again with Raul.

When I turned only my eyes toward the high-pitched laughter, Mail, Shitoen, and Yulia were sitting on the sofa set and chatting lively.

Shitoen noticed my movement and showed a face as though she wanted to say something, but Mail immediately spoke to her about something, and she responded with a smile.

When I looked around for my eldest brother, he, the chancellor, and Crown Prince Arios had moved to the counter bar set up in the corner of the room. Since I had stepped out, the women and men had probably split into separate groups. It seemed they had yielded the sofa seats to them.

The three of them were leaning against the counter, each tilting a glass.

“Elder brother… no, His Highness Crown Prince Leonias. There is something about security.”

When I quietly called out, my eldest brother turned around silently. He must have sensed something from Raul’s and my expressions. He was about to leave his seat, but Crown Prince Arios smoothly slid over.

“If it concerns Mail or Shitoen, I would very much like to be present as well. Would that be unacceptable?”

Because he said that while looking straight into my eyes…

I decided to defer the decision to my eldest brother.

“There is also the matter of my sister-in-law, Shitoen, but your fiancée must be a concern to you as well. Saryu, what happened? Report it here.”

As always, my eldest brother’s expression did not change. But he had given permission. The chancellor also seemed to be listening closely while standing behind Crown Prince Arios.

“A short while ago, members of my knightly order sensed something abnormal and chased a bandit. It seems they captured them once, but they escaped.”

“I apologize.”

Raul lowered his head. My eldest brother shook his head.

“Never mind. You did well to repel them. And?”

“This seems to be something the bandit dropped.”

I presented the mace I was holding before everyone.

Crown Prince Arios immediately caught his breath, and the chancellor’s expression stiffened.

“…It looks like a mace.”

No one spoke for a while, but my eldest brother broke the silence.

“Indeed. …It is a weapon unique to my country.”

Crown Prince Arios said it with an expression as though enduring bitterness. When I glanced at him, his fist was clenched tightly and trembling faintly.

“What I did to Shitoen was shameful, and I am fully aware that I endangered my country as well. I am also aware that just because the apology ceremony was carried out without issue, it does not mean everything can be washed away.”

Why was that?

Crown Prince Arios was speaking to me and my eldest brother.

And yet,

His voice seemed as though it was meant for the chancellor behind him to hear.

“That is why I thought what I must do is steadily accumulate achievements, honestly and straightforwardly. I thought I must recover the trust I lost that way. This matter too must surely be something related to me or Mail. To bring such trouble into the Kingdom of Tidros, which was kind enough to accept me… I am truly sorry.”

Crown Prince Arios said that to me and my eldest brother with a desperate expression.

“I will contact my homeland immediately and request security reinforcements. I cannot allow this to trouble the Kingdom of Tidros…”

“No, sorry. My security plan was a little too lax. The reason we prevented it beforehand was because my knightly order is excellent. I apologize for burdening your mind like this, Crown Prince Arios. Your offer of reinforcements would help. Please do.”

Before I knew it, I had said that and cut off Crown Prince Arios’s words.

To him, who stared blankly at me as though taken aback, I scratched my head and said to Raul,

“I am glad no danger reached Lady Mail. Nice judgment. Thank you.”

“…No, on the contrary, we let them escape…”

Raul had a face that said, “You are too softhearted, honestly!” but it seemed he intended to go along with me here.

On top of that, even my eldest brother inserted some words.

“The Kingdom of Luminous and the Kingdom of Tidros are neighboring countries. Above all, the mother of both myself and Saryu married here from Luminous. In a manner of speaking, are we not relatives?”

My eldest brother narrowed his eyes slightly. I was moved by the trace of concern in his gaze.

You… were someone capable of acting like that…?

“Crown Prince Arios’s enemies are our enemies. Do not worry. In this country, there is a beast called the Winter Bear of Tidros, that is, my younger brother.”

My eldest brother chuckled.

“If harm were to reach even Shitoen, he would bite them to pieces and drive them out to the last. Please watch with composure.”

My eldest brother said that with a smile that would send a chill down your spine if you were watching.

Crown Prince Arios lowered his head in silence.

Behind him,

The chancellor also lowered his head slowly.

“What undeserved words. I have no words for the generous hearts of the royal family of Tidros.”

“What are you saying? This is because His Highness Crown Prince Arios has shown us sincerity. Is that not right, Saryu?”

Since both Crown Prince Arios and the chancellor had lowered their heads and were not looking at my eldest brother’s face, this was one thing, but…

I did have to wonder about the smug face he was making, as if to say, “Now I have secured our advantage!”

“That is truly so.”

As I said that, I once again thought that my eldest brother was scary.