CHAPTER 13: THE STEP-BROTHER'S VOW
Translated by Eunie
Edited/Proofread by Para When I woke up in the morning, Pryde was no longer there, and the doctor who came to check on me told me that just to be safe, I should rest for a few days. I wonder if what happened last night was real or if it was just a dream; I'm not sure. Even though I could clearly remember Pryde's words, her warmth, and my resolve, I didn't have a clear grasp of reality when it happened. Pryde didn't come to visit at all. Unable to stop myself, when the maid who was always with Pryde came into my room, I tried asking her about it. It seemed like when she came to visit me in my room last night, she got embarrassed because she fell asleep with me. And then the maid continued with a teasing smile and said, "Please be at ease. Her Highness instructed me to keep this a secret from the Prince Consort and Her Majesty, the Queen." Finally, I was able to understand that what happened last night was not a dream. The maid introduced herself as Lotte, saying she'll be in my care from now on before stepping out of the room. Days passed, and Pryde still didn't come to visit me. I couldn't calm down. Just remembering what happened that day, and I could feel my body heating up. I'm glad that my fever didn't get worse. As soon as I received permission from the doctor, I immediately devoted myself to my etiquette class and other studies. The pressure I was feeling before I got sick seems like a distant dream. Because right now, I feel much more refreshed, and I was able to retain information better. Though I was kind of nervous when I first met Pryde after having recovered from my cold. For a brief moment, Pryde looked bashful, but after that, she smiled at me like before and said, "I'm glad that you are alright now." Hearing her words helped release the tension I was holding in. Pryde never brought up the time when she visited me, so I also did the same. If that's what she wants, then that's alright with me as well. Because it won't change the resolve I made back then. Read only on eunietl.weebly.com On the same day, around lunchtime, Pryde requested my presence, and together, we headed to Father's office. Pryde nudged me forward towards where Father was, and then I could feel her hand on my back as if to support me while waiting for Father's words. "This is a special case. Make sure to keep this a secret from even the people in the palace." After saying that, he handed an envelope to me, and to avoid being rude, I took it with both hands. I wonder if it's some kind of invitation, I thought to myself as I cut open the envelope. I took out the letter, and when I saw the familiar handwriting, I couldn't help but let out a noise. It was a letter from the person whom they told me I could never meet again. To Stayle Stayle That handwriting is definitely my mom's. My mom told me that I should, at the very least, know how to read or write my own name, so she taught me. I've seen her write my name over and over again; that's why I'm sure it is my mom's handwriting. They told me I could never contact or meet her. Even I thought the same, but that's why... that's why... I... Father explained that it was Pryde who requested it. He also said all sorts of things, but as I listened to him, it felt like something was welling up inside me. Once a month, can I still hear how Mom's been doing? Confirm that she's doing well? Furthermore, I can actually send a response to her letters on my birthday!! To think I could also do the same. Even I had doubts if it would be possible for me to contact her once I became the Queen's advisor. And even if I was able to, it would still take years before then. Deep down, I had almost given up; I should have given up already. Read only on eunietl.weebly.com But right now, my heart is filled with so much happiness and gratefulness towards Pryde and Father. And with my feelings for Mom, I didn't realize that I was already crying. To think I would cry and wail like this, even though this never happened to me before, but my tears wouldn't stop as they continued to well up to the point where I couldn't control my emotions. Suddenly, I felt a gentle touch on my head. I immediately knew that the hand softly caressing my head belonged to Pryde. When I looked over my shoulder, I could see her smiling tenderly at me, and just like that, I clung to her. Just how much more is this person planning on giving me before she can be satisfied? I feel embarrassed acting like this in front of Pryde and Father, but I can't stop myself. "I, Father, Mother, and...your mom as well. Everyone loves you." Ah, it was already useless. My emotions were like a tsunami as tears kept gushing unsparingly forth with no way to stop. When I felt her arms around me, I buried myself in her chest as my emotions exploded. My mind had long abandoned thinking about anything. I felt like a baby crying and wailing his eyes out to his heart's content. Just protecting her is no good. I have to make sure to return this debt and express my gratitude. Even if it takes me a lifetime. I kept thanking Father with my hoarse voice, and I could feel Pryde's hands supporting me from behind as we left the room. Partway before meeting up with the servants and knights waiting outside the room, I secured the letter back in the envelope and hid it. As soon as I got back to my room, I firmly shut my mouth to forcefully stop myself from crying out loud and read the letter I got from Mom. To Stayle Seeing those letters alone was enough to bring me back to tears again. From the bottom of my heart, I'm so glad and thankful that I learned how to read and that I did my best in studying. Read only on eunietl.weebly.com Mom's letter told me that she's doing well, that everyone from the town is treating her nicely. She's happy that she gets to write letters to me and looks forward to receiving my letter. It's because of this that she can continue living. I need to properly thank the King for allowing this opportunity, and she wants me to live well, to always take care of my health. Between these sentences, "I love you" had been written so many times. I continued reading the letter, and to avoid getting it wet, I wiped my tears with the hem of my sleeves and sniffled repeatedly. When I brought the paper closer to my face, I could somehow smell traces of our house. Ah, it's Mom, I thought to myself. Then I re-read the letter over and over again. I pondered how I should hide the letter so that no one would find it when I suddenly heard something. "Really, how troublesome Pryde-sama's selfishness is." It came from outside the window. My room is one floor below Pryde's, and from the garden, there's a large entranceway where you can overlook everything. I unconsciously closed my mouth shut as I slowly headed towards the window. "Is it okay to talk about these things on palace grounds?" "I've confirmed it with their teacher, it seems like both the princess and little brother are having a self-study lesson for today, so I'm sure it's alright. Rather, isn't your voice too loud? Please tone it down a little." I couldn't hear them from here aside from that sudden outburst about Pryde-sama's selfishness. They started talking in low voices, and even when I got closer to the window, I still couldn't hear them. I was curious, so I used my ability for the first time in a long while. As they continued their conversation, I teleported to the closest thicket near them. Read only on eunietl.weebly.com The moment I teleported, I heard the palace guards foolishly telling tales while others contributed to their useless gossip. Even the person with the loud voice from a while ago seemed to be surrounded by many people. Some of them responded to him with, "I see" or "and then?" I wonder who it was. I feel like I've heard this voice somewhere before. "No, even though I have repeatedly reminded him to stop giving her special treatment... Ah, I was even ordered by Her Highness, Pryde-sama, and the Prince Consort to keep the matters of this affair a secret." "It must have been hard for you, Prime Minister Gilbert. But...to think that the First Princess, Pryde-sama, is still this selfish." "Yes, regrettably so. However, many people have said that she has changed since her special ability awakened, saying she has become much more agreeable. But ever since Stayle-sama arrived at the palace, he's been dragged around by her selfish whims. His health was even affected because he was forced to run around when he wasn’t feeling well. She must have been jealous of her little brother, who is said to be quite ahead of his peers when it comes to his pursuit of knowledge. ____ ____ Gilbert!! He was that person who was with Father during that time. As I hid from within the thickets, I could feel my body tremble as I tried to refrain myself from lunging at them. "It seems like His Highness, the Prince Consort, is spoiling Pryde-sama... This time, I was told to take appropriate action and make haste regarding the letter even though it surely isn’t something within my capabilities. I feel troubled that I was forced to do this." "No, no. This isn't something Prime Minister Gilbert should worry about!!" "That's right! Rather than that, even if it's for Pryde-sama, the Prince Consort's daughter, at this rate, it will be quite alarming if she becomes the next queen..." "Well, if someone from the Royal Family orders us to, there's no other option but to comply since it's our job. Pryde-sama is still young, so I'm sure she'll change one day..." "How understanding of you, Prime Minister Gilbert. As expected of the youngest prime minister ever to be appointed." "No, no. Such praise... I'm just someone who follows the orders of the Royal Family and does their best to complete them. Though I'm being dragged along with their daughter's whims and selfishness. It's as if they're telling me that I have too much free time on my hands. And this is just talks from here, but... Stayle-sama has also been troubled by her... Because of his commoner roots, Pryde-sama has been looking down on him daily. And behind the scenes, she has been harassing him..." After hearing his words, I could feel my hand tremble in anger. Everything he spouted was all lies. Pryde has never harassed me, not even once. But despite that, Gilbert was acting as if he was actually there when it happened. Read only on eunietl.weebly.com "But as expected, Stayle-sama, despite being young, is smarter than kids his age. He is always being praised by his teachers. That's why I'm sure no matter what we say, he'll never admit it. Yet, there's also Pryde-sama, whose future is to be the next queen; just thinking about it fills me with anxiety." "Oh my...even to the young Stayle-sama...!" "I really hope the Prince Consort and Her Majesty, the Queen, will realize the graveness of this matter... Yes, for example, the proposal I was pushing for the other day, the Special Ability Application Obligation Order. Currently, there are still countless abilities that we have yet to discover. Not to mention where they are or what kind of abilities they could be. Like the case of Stayle-sama. We only relied on rumours and blindly looked for him, which drained our citizens of their hard earned-taxes. But if only there was a way to regulate it, then for this country's sake..." Everyone agreed with what Gilbert was spouting. "But I'm only a prime minister. And as the prime minister, I must support the Queen, who is in love with His Highness, the Prince Consort, and his sweet nothings. The diligent Prince Consort, who spoils the First Princess, the heir to the throne, rotten as she indulges in her selfish whims. Ah, umm....please don't spread a word about the things I've said." The moment I tried to secretly peek at the Prime Minister's face, I saw him smile detestably. After saying a few more pleasantries, Gilbert and the people surrounding him scattered and left. After that, I teleported back to my room and looked to confirm the people who were with him. Most of them are people whom I saw within the palace the past few days. Unforgivable. Right now, I want to immediately race out of my room and tell Father and Mother everything. That the Prime Minister and the people who agreed with him should be convicted for their blasphemous allegations. That everything they said was all lies. But, it's no good. No one will believe the words of the current me right now. I'm sure Father and Mother would rather trust the Prime Minister. Read only on eunietl.weebly.com But... However!! The special privilege they were talking about must be the letter from Mom, and they spoke as if being asked to keep it a secret was something evil. It would be easier to just tell the truth and say that Gilbert's words are all lies. But those people believed him, and I'm sure even though he said to keep it a secret, they'll further spread those words. Just how much did Pryde give to me? And those guys who are spreading these baseless rumours, just what did they do for me? I'm sure it won't just be inside the palace, but these rumours will spread outside and leave the citizens with a corrupt impression of Pryde, Father, and Mother. I haven't met Mother, but Father and Pryde, who have been really kind, will be painted as villains by those rumours. And more than anything else, It was absolutely infuriating for me to hear them say bad things about Pryde. It's like they were depicting her as a villainous princess... “If I become the worst queen..." Suddenly, I am reminded of Pryde's words. No...no way... anything but that. If someone tells me that Pryde's not suitable to become the next queen, I don't know anyone else who can. I'll never accept anyone but Pryde as the next queen. Never. I'm sure my words or Pryde's won't reach the adults around us; they'd rather believe in the Prime Minister. Even though she's a kind-hearted person, understanding, excellent in her studies, and will cry for the pain a complete stranger is going through. Even though she's never ordered anyone to do her bidding, she's still being badmouthed like this. And to think they'll only believe adults like the Prime Minister, who's only good with his words and exterior position. Read only on eunietl.weebly.com I want to do something about it, but there's nothing someone like me, who's only been adopted in the Royal Family for a few days and is still lacking in all aspects, can do. Knowledge. Trust. Everything. It's not enough if I just do well in my studies and act calculative. There'll be no meaning if I only appear to be gallant. I have to be much more cunning and sly than others. Just being able to read and write is not enough. I have to be able to see through a person and know their thoughts and feelings, and to be able to grasp their heart and earn their absolute trust. There's no point if only Pryde, Father, Tiara-sama, and Mother will like me. Being a good child is not enough. I have to be admired not just by the people who live in the palace town. I need to have an outer appearance where all citizens will adore me. But there is no need for Pryde to be like that. She just has to remain her pure-hearted self. There's no need for her to change, and I'm sure that will also be better for the sake of this country. If I have to, I will also do Pryde's share. No... I'll even go beyond that. From what I've heard, Gilbert is someone with eternal youth.*** I'm sure he'll still be around even if Pryde and I become prominent figures in the future. That's why before the time comes, I need to have more influence and trust from the people than he does. And once I've become the regent, I'll drive him out of this country. I won't give a damn on what other people will say. Pryde is the only one who can become my queen. That's why even if people point fingers or pity me, I'll continue to address Pryde as "The First Princess." And if my reputation gets better, then surely Pryde's reputation as The First Princess will also improve. ...I really want to tell Mom about Pryde. Thinking about it like that, I opened the letter I received from her, and my attention was caught by the words, "Thank His Highness, The Prince Consort." Read only on eunietl.weebly.com I see. Mom only knows that Father was the one who approved of this even though it was Pryde who asked for it. Then I must definitely inform her when I write my reply on my birthday. I also have to spread the truth about Pryde. I thought to myself as I continued reading the letter, and this time, I gazed at the words, "I love you." "I, Father, Mother,...and your Mom. Everyone loves you." It will be alright. I will definitely protect you. Your gentle voice and smile. Your heart and entire being. Since Pryde promised that she'll make me, Mom, and every citizen of this country happy as long as she's alive, then I will also promise that until my very last breath... I will protect Pryde's heart, Pryde as The First Princess, Pryde as my step-sister, and Pryde herself as a person and as a girl...I will make sure to protect her from the filthy adults. Pryde promised me that she'll never hurt me any more than this. That's why I'll never let them stain her. Even if my hands are dyed black, I'll never let anything taint her pureness. This isn't my resolve but my vow. My name is Stayle Royale Ivy. I'm the step-brother of The First Princess, Pryde, and the next regent. For Pryde Royale Ivy, to stay by her side and to help. That is the reason for my existence. And from now on, I will exist solely for her sake. EUNIE: LE BIRTH OF OUR BLACKBELLY/TWO-FACE ULTIMATE SCHEMER FUTURE MEGANE CHARACTER, STAYLE!!! WOOHOO.
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