Chapter 19: The Story Behind the Incident
It is a battlefield… it is a battlefield!
Without thinking, I tightly grasped the hand Anna was holding.
Sensing my tension, she squeezed back gently and whispered,
“Milady, it is all right. I will protect you.”
A-Anna!
If Julius is the model servant, then Anna is the model maid!
But this is the first time I have ever seen Kishtarial treat someone with such coldness.
I always believed him gentle by nature.
Even when dragged about by my whims, he would forgive me with a smile.
“And yet… if Lord Kishtarial does not attend the tea party…”
“I have no intention of going.
Or are you planning to threaten me by borrowing the authority of royalty?
Regrettably for you, that does not work on the Latitche Ducal House.”
W-What!?
Kishtarial, is it truly acceptable to say that?
Regardless of Father’s personal sentiments, the Sandis Royal Family is still royalty.
Should they not be afforded due respect?
It is true that I was kidnapped at a royal-hosted event.
I was injured and left with a scar at a young age, branded a damaged lady.
The royal family incurred a grave debt to the Latitche House.
Father is indeed one of the pillars of this nation.
But is it permissible to be so dismissive?
Kishtarial is merely the heir’s son…
Though admittedly, I dislike royalty.
Alber’s destruction routes accelerate whenever royalty is involved.
As I flustered inwardly, Michaelis leaned close and murmured,
“Do not worry. His Majesty and the Duke have already settled this matter.”
Ngyah!
Please do not whisper in that low voice!
It sends shivers down my spine!
It sounds like a certain famous voice actor’s live performance—
Even Anna trembled from the stray impact!
Father…
You did not threaten His Majesty, did you?
You discussed things properly… right?
Your daughter is deeply concerned.
“Is that all?
Then disappear.”
Even from behind, I could feel Kishtarial’s pressure.
It was as if pale blue flames of anger flickered around him.
Seeing such a terrifying younger brother for the first time nearly turned my legs into those of a newborn fawn.
The young lady facing him endured that oppressive force astonishingly well.
If it were me, one glare would have reduced me to tears.
Are modern young ladies required to possess such fortitude?
High society is frightening.
Or perhaps academy life is.
When Kishtarial turned back toward me, the glacial chill had vanished entirely.
His brows softened, and a gentle smile bloomed upon his face—
Like white roses flourishing in sunlight.
My usual Kishtarial.
My shoulders relaxed at once.
And then—
A scream erupted behind us.
Not a mere shriek, but something like a roar.
Heavy thuds followed, as though bodies had collapsed.
To the uninitiated, that smile is lethally devastating.
Apparently several young ladies—and even young men—fell like dominoes to its radiant blast.
Startled, I widened my eyes like a startled cat.
Before me stood Kishtarial, shining and serene.
It was a lovely smile…
But did he cast some sort of spell?
“Um… Kishtarial?
That young lady earlier… she seemed rather unusual.”
“There is no need to know.
And no need to see.
Let us go.”
That perfect smile clearly rejected her.
It also conveyed an unmistakable desire to distance her from me.
Ah… that lovely smile shifted again.
Wait.
Have I seen this pattern before?
“…Could she be Baroness Datches’ daughter?”
“Why are you so oblivious most of the time, yet notice that?”
Please do not make such a bitter face!
There is a crease in your brow!
I pressed my finger gently against it, rubbing until it softened.
Kishtarial blinked, then gave a reluctant smile.
Why has he rejected her so completely?
If this were his route, Lady Renaria was meant to heal his lonely heart and wounded spirit.
Except…
His mother was never driven to suicide by abuse.
I am on excellent terms with Lady Latty.
We even share matching Rose Brand accessories.
Nor has he been mistreated by servants.
If anything, Lady Latty seems harsher on him lately.
Wait.
Have I dismantled a crucial route condition?
The tyrannical older sister meant to torment him is, as you see, a useless shut-in raised within barriers.
Occasionally treated as a child.
This makes game knowledge entirely unusable.
From childhood, he was the one who said, “I will protect you,” and took my hand.
Overprotective as a mother cat.
Is this not romance, nor a bluff—
But perhaps classification as a helpless younger sister?
“Milady, please forget such corrupting influences,” Julius said calmly.
“See? Julius says so too. Let us forget,” Kishtarial added.
They are treating me like a child again!
While I sulked, they briskly resumed walking.
I noticed someone still standing where we had left.
Though her face was lowered, her deep chestnut hair resembled the character design I remembered.
“Do not look,” Michaelis warned softly.
And so I left with unresolved unease.
I still cannot determine the route!
“Now then—basics first.”
Kishtarial summoned spheres of water, letting them float gently around us.
They drifted closer to me.
I poked one experimentally.
It quivered, perfectly liquid.
Countless droplets shimmered in sunlight.
“It is amazing!”
Clapping, I laughed in delight as he shaped the water into fish and birds that swam midair.
Pure fantasy!
Then suddenly—
The water burst and vanished.
Before I could question him, the ground beneath me trembled.
No—
Only the ground beneath me.
Anna and I clutched each other as earth swelled upward, lifting us.
It formed a massive hand.
Then arm, torso, head—
A colossal golem emerged, large enough to cradle us in its palm.
My viewpoint soared.
The entire academy spread beneath me like the game’s opening scene.
Wind brushed my cheeks.
And then—
Just as swiftly—we descended.
Kishtarial extended his hand, steadying me as wind carried me gently down.
“S-So incredible!
Was that a golem!?
The earth gathered and formed a person!”
“You were not afraid?”
“I was startled—but it was amazing!
And the wind just now too!”
Kishtarial looked relieved.
Anna, meanwhile, trembled like a newborn fawn.
Perhaps I do prefer open, elevated places.
I dislike darkness and confined spaces.
“I wish you had shown me that at home at least once.”
“I am sorry, Alber.”
“There was a reason?”
“You were kidnapped once.
You do not remember much, but the fear remains.
We do not know what triggers it.
Your reactions when confronted with certain stimuli are extreme.”
“…Magic as well?”
“Father says magic traces were involved in your kidnapping.”
That makes sense.
Magic is an efficient tool for bypassing guards.
“Your barrier magic is rare and relatively safe.
But my magic is powerful.
If it went out of control, it could cause harm.
I was afraid to use it near you until I could fully control it.”
So he trained secretly.
If I had been injured, Father might have deemed him defective.
I was protected.
Not to frighten me.
Not to hurt me.
Perhaps Jibril’s tiny flame earlier required courage.
She could have done far more.
It was restraint.
“I am sorry for not telling you.
Recently, it was decided the risk was low enough.”
“…Thank you.”
I wanted to embrace him.
But perhaps his feelings differ from mine.
So instead, I smiled and squeezed his hand in gratitude.
I am blessed.
If I lowered my gaze, tears might fall.
“Now then!
It is Brother’s turn!”
Jibril burst in energetically.
Her slender arm wrapped around my waist from behind.
We are of similar build, yet she nearly knocked me over.
Stand firm, Alber!
Show the strength of a shut-in!
“Brother excels in magic swords!
He recently received a mithril blade as a tournament prize!
Mithril resists magic, conducts mana splendidly, and is extremely durable!”
“…Jibril, I was speaking with Alber.”
Kishtarial pulled me gently back upright.
“Oh my, dear brother.
Perhaps you should abandon your hopeless longing?” Jibril teased.
“Jibril!
You touch Alber too much!”
“Female privilege!
If you dare challenge me, everything you have built shall crumble!”
Hands on hips, she laughed triumphantly.
Julius sighed.
“It has begun again.”
Michaelis shook his head faintly.
“This may take a while.
Alber, would you like to see my magic instead?”
“Yes!
I wish to see a magic sword!”
“Then let us use a doll for a mock battle.”
“A doll?”
“A simple animated target used for training.”
“I would love to see it!”
Julius went to prepare.
Anna finally regained her footing.
Michaelis’ demonstration—
Perhaps akin to that event scene—
Behind my excitement, Anna watched me worriedly.
Lest I grow too excited and collapse.
…
Am I truly classified as high-maintenance?