Chapter 52: The Distance Between Siblings
“…Even for siblings, aren’t you two a little too close?”
“Oh? You think so? This is perfectly normal for us. Albel likes me, after all, don’t you?”
On a sofa in the main residence sat a young man and woman pressed together like newlyweds or lovers.
As if daring anyone to object, Kishutaria kept an arm wrapped around the waist of the noble lady who had just been attacked by an intruder and was seeking comfort from someone she trusted.
He was provoking Count Fortuna quite deliberately.
Julius inwardly sighed as he watched the deep crease form between the count’s brows.
Kishutaria’s provocation was working perfectly.
He had already realized that Albertina’s beauty made an overwhelming first impression and seemed especially effective against royalty and high-ranking nobles.
Yet seeing the notoriously unfriendly and difficult Count Fortuna fidgeting so awkwardly just to catch a glimpse of her drove the point home all over again.
As usual, Albertina’s shyness had kicked in, and she refused to go anywhere near him.
Apparently he had gone even further and said things he should not have, because she would not even look in his direction.
Whether he liked it or not, Count Fortuna understood that the moment Kishutaria stood up, Albertina would leave as well.
As a result, all of his usual sarcasm and barbed remarks had vanished.
His words had lost all their sharpness.
“My lady, today’s tea is Benoir from the Kingdom of Goyuran.
It goes well with plenty of milk, and you may add spices or jam if you wish.”
“…What about honey?”
“Of course. Rose honey, Pale Flower honey, and Coral Lily honey would all pair well with it.”
At last Albertina lifted her face from Kishutaria’s shoulder.
She stared thoughtfully at the spices, jams, and small jars of honey arranged beside the tea.
As a valet, Julius served Count Fortuna as well.
The fragrance of tea drifted through the room.
Watching the middle-aged man gaze at his niece with a slack, lovestruck expression unlike anything Julius had ever seen, even he felt disturbed.
He knew there had long been friction between Grail and the Fortunas because of Christina’s marriage.
He also knew the count’s reputation as an extreme sister-lover.
He had expected some reaction from seeing Albertina, who resembled Christina.
What he had not expected was something this severe.
Albertina was certainly good at winning people over, but even for someone with no intention of charming others, this level of obsession would be difficult to handle.
“Does Albertina like sweets?”
“…Yes. I do not dislike them.”
What a lie.
She loved them.
She loved adding sugar, honey, or jam to tea, herbal tea, and coffee.
She adored hot chocolate and cocoa.
Even her lemonade preferences leaned toward extra honey and fruit juice rather than stronger carbonation.
She disliked bitterness, excessive spice, and overpowering aromas.
She was not the type to throw a tantrum over food she disliked, but everyone knew she was quite the gourmet.
Still glued to Kishutaria’s side, Albertina continued her kitten-like attempts at intimidation.
Julius kept his exasperation off his face.
That sort of weak resistance would only delight Count Fortuna.
And indeed, Christoph’s face had melted completely.
He looked as though he wanted nothing more than to scoop her up and shower her with affection.
The only thing stopping him was Kishutaria.
Though smiling elegantly, the younger man’s aquamarine eyes were icy.
The arm around Albertina’s waist made it obvious.
If Christoph crossed a certain line, Kishutaria would simply pick her up and leave.
Perhaps the encounter had exhausted her.
Albertina nibbled cautiously at a walnut cookie, looking unusually nervous.
Even so, her refined movements remained impeccable.
Yet the constant stare from Christoph had her visibly tense.
“…Count, I believe Albertina is finding it difficult to eat under such scrutiny.”
“M-My apologies. She is simply so adorable.
Truly, truly…
She resembles Christina so much…”
Christina.
That was who he saw.
But Albertina was not Christina.
Just as Grail often struggled with that distinction, Christoph seemed equally guilty of it.
Because he had begged so persistently, this single meeting had been arranged.
Kishutaria had only managed to persuade Albertina by assuring her it would happen once and only once.
He had repeated that condition to Christoph countless times.
This was the first and last opportunity.
And because of it, Christoph now owed Kishutaria a tremendous favor.
It had also demonstrated just how much Albertina listened to Kishutaria.
Still, Christoph had wanted this chance desperately.
His mother Sistina, Duchess Fortuna, had died young.
His sister Christina had died young as well.
Though Christoph had children of his own, they were all sons.
Seeing his behavior now, Julius could understand why Grail had been so determined to keep the Fortuna family away.
Left unchecked, Christoph looked fully capable of carrying Albertina away himself.
Though, after witnessing Albertina’s complete rejection of him, he seemed to have finally given up.
Even if he forcibly took her home, she would likely collapse from stress almost immediately.
She would cry from fear and loneliness.
Christina had reportedly been frail as well.
Removing such a delicate young lady from her home against her will would only cause her health to deteriorate.
Albertina’s mental fortitude was far too fragile to endure life surrounded by enemies.
While twining strands of her hair around his fingers, Kishutaria sat calmly smiling.
Yet beneath that smile was a glint far too sharp to be called playful.
Both Duke Fortuna and Count Christoph had spent years directing their resentment toward Kishutaria simply because of their grudge against Grail.
Naturally, their interest in Albertina irritated him greatly.
“…Changing the subject, what exactly was that intruder?
She seemed quite insane.”
“Who knows?
That woman has always had a habit of lying.
Perhaps the name Renaria Duchess, formerly a baron’s daughter, will ring a bell?”
“Ah, that poisonous woman.
I had heard she seduced princes and expected someone alluring.
Instead she was a rather plain little thing.
Ordinary hair, unremarkable features, and if she took off her corset I doubt one could tell front from back.
How exactly did she manage to seduce anyone?”
That was hardly an appropriate topic of conversation.
Christoph genuinely looked baffled.
Meanwhile, Kishutaria nearly choked on his tea from an unexpected mental blow.
Renaria’s chest had been about the size of a slightly large cherry tomato or strawberry.
Her dresses relied heavily on lace and frills to create volume.
The cleavage she displayed was clearly manufactured through sheer effort.
For men accustomed to women who naturally possessed abundant curves, “pitiful” was probably the only word that came to mind.
Of course, Christoph’s standards were absurdly high.
His mother and sister had both been celebrated beauties.
Likewise, Kishutaria had grown up around both the social butterfly Latine and his stunning stepsister.
Naturally, his eyes were discerning too.
“Appearance is not everything for a woman…”
The noble lady possessing a face capable of devastating nations, the mind of a child, and a body that had developed remarkably well pouted slightly.
She avoided revealing clothing, but Julius had often thought she would look wonderful in them.
Perhaps something mature like the styles Latine wore.
Though Albertina preferred modest and elegant designs.
“You’re right, Albel.
But that woman had more problems than appearance.
She was terrible at studying, her manners were atrocious, her magic was mediocre, and her criminal record has already entered double digits.
Comparing her to other women is an insult to every lady who works hard to improve herself.”
“…Is that so?”
“It is.”
Albertina nodded immediately.
Ah, she had accepted it completely.
Julius kept his thoughts hidden.
Her honesty was one of her virtues.
Still, believing everything so readily was dangerous.
His gaze shifted to Christoph again.
The count watched the affectionate step-siblings with obvious envy.
Because Albertina was present, he could not openly insult Kishutaria.
“Albertina, would you consider meeting your grandfather at least once?
My father, Duke Fortuna.
I know he would be delighted to meet you.
Though… I should warn you, he resembles a mountain more than a man.
Less a duke and more the leader of a bandit gang.
But he is a warm-hearted person.”
“Count Fortuna.
I believe permission was granted only for you.”
“Would you truly deny your sister the chance to meet her own grandfather?”
“And what happens when Albel starts crying?
You do realize Duke Fortuna is terrifying, don’t you?
I already told you she is painfully shy and dislikes men.”
Christoph fell silent.
It was true.
Duke Fortuna was overwhelmingly intimidating.
Even Julius had seen him before.
The elderly man was a mountain of muscle whose physique could not be concealed even beneath formal clothing.
His body and face were covered in battle scars.
He had only one eye.
He looked like someone who had combined a veteran warrior and the king of beasts, then squared the result.
His voice was thunderous and his presence overwhelming.
Most young noble ladies would shrink back from him.
Grail was a military man as well, but his fighting style centered on magic.
His appearance was completely different.
Despite his age, he still looked like a breathtakingly handsome nobleman.
“No…
She’s so adorable.
So adorable.
She doesn’t resemble that Demon King at all.
She’s so adorable.
Am I not even allowed to let my father see the face of his only granddaughter?”
Christoph repeated the word adorable over and over.
On that point, Julius agreed wholeheartedly.
He knew perfectly well how beautiful his young mistress was.
She only grew more stunning every year.
Yet she would smile innocently and cling to people without understanding the effect she had.
For someone hopelessly in love with her, it was torture.
Despite being terribly shy and wary of men, she became incredibly affectionate once familiar with someone.
That troublesome nature came standard with Albertina.
“You have children of your own, do you not?”
“They’re sons…”
“If you continue being this stubborn, I will send Albertina back to her room.
You are only here because you helped my sister.
My father expressly forbade any contact with the Fortuna family.
This meeting is already an exception.
If you push further, you will earn not only Father’s displeasure but his wrath.”
As he spoke, Kishutaria drew Albertina closer.
She obediently rested her head against his shoulder.
Apparently pleased with the chocolate chip cookie she was eating, she continued nibbling at it while tilting her head in confusion at the tense atmosphere.
“Albertina.
Do you want to meet your grandfather from the Fortuna family?”
“No.
Not particularly.”
Given her reaction to Christoph, her overall impression of the Fortunas could not have been clearer.
She was only here because Kishutaria had asked her.
Though she looked troubled by Christoph’s disappointment, she showed no sign of changing her answer.
Kishutaria checked the time on his pocket watch before returning it to his vest.
“Well then.
We should return to the event.
Despite the incident, the tea party has not been canceled, and it would be conspicuous if members of the Four Great Ducal Houses remained absent.”
“…Very well.”
Christoph kept glancing toward Albertina.
He truly was persistent.
Meanwhile, Kishutaria gently reminded her that since the annex had been damaged, she should remain in her room protected by barriers.
She obediently agreed.
At this point, it was impossible to tell which of them was the older sibling.
Though Christoph continued watching Albertina longingly until the very end, he eventually accepted reality and returned to the gathering alongside Kishutaria.