Ch. 87
“Geenie?”
“Yes.”
“That…”
Do you remember now!
“It’s such a smooth name, it just rolls off the tongue. Makes me want to keep saying it. Geenie Crowell.”
Oh, my blood pressure.
If this wasn’t a test of patience, I don’t know what is.
How could two brothers both not remember me like this?
Was I really so insignificant to them?
Did that whole event mean nothing to them?
Me… me!
I’ll make sure you never forget again, you damn punks!
“Prince Fedri.”
“It’s an honor. You know my family! Yes, I am Prince Fedri.”
“Who wouldn’t know the distinguished House of Fedri?”
“You flatter me.”
“Well then, do you find me to your liking, Prince?”
The natural, delighted smile on my face was because I was already plotting something devious.
“You’re rather direct.”
“I don’t care for beating around the bush.”
Looking up at Rashamu with laughter in my eyes, I parted my lips.
He had become a robust young man, and at a glance, looked every bit the confident, handsome imperial knight.
The sun insignia on his chest meant he was a knight of the royal palace.
Considering he was in his early twenties, he was quite the elite.
“Of course. I already can’t take my eyes off you.”
Rashamu’s eyes were different from Rovenin’s.
His were a clear, delicate green. Was it because they had different mothers?
“If I could, I’d kiss your golden hair and whisper my love against your rosy cheeks.”
“Oh my.”
“If you’ll allow me, I’ll do anything.”
“Really?”
When did that little brat learn to flirt so skillfully?
Smiling sweetly at his honeyed words, I stepped closer and readily replied.
“If that’s so, would you like to join me on the balcony?”
“…Pardon?”
“I’d like to get to know you better. Somewhere quiet…”
Even with last-minute cramming, the etiquette book said inviting someone to the balcony was a secret signal.
Usually, it was the man who asked the woman.
Whatever Rashamu was imagining, his cheeks turned red.
“T-to ask that of me, when we’ve only just met…”
“If you’re not interested, there’s nothing I can do.”
“No! Not at all!”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
Huhu.
[Master… what are you trying to do?]
[Just watch.]
[Did I sign a contract with a demon or something?]
[Huhuhuhuhu.]
* * *
My nemesis, Rovenin Fedri, was recovering in Heidrike, and Ash was walking the Path of Trial.
I thought I had no acquaintances left in the Empire.
At least, until I ran into this tail-wagging, oversized pup Rashamu.
On the small balcony, it was just Rashamu and me.
The surroundings were dark, and tonight, even the moonlight was bleak.
We’d only stepped a few paces from the hall, but the world felt completely silent.
As I leaned against the rose-vine patterned railing and gazed at him, Rashamu—thinking it was a signal—immediately drew closer.
After glancing at me for a moment, he stealthily took my hand resting on the railing.
Rai’s question soon followed.
[Are you going to bite him?]
[No.]
It was strange. What was it about me that this guy liked so much?
Back then, he’d openly looked down on me as a cowardly girl from a tiny country.
And then he lost to me.
“Hmm, staring at me like that…”
Do you like it? You do, don’t you?
Watching the bashful, hulking guy, I clicked my tongue inwardly.
“Prince Fedri.”
“Yes! Miss Crowell.”
“May I ask you a question?”
“It’s an honor that such a beautiful lady wishes to know more about me. Anything at all.”
“You have an older brother, don’t you?”
Being the nemesis’s little brother, maybe I could find out some weakness.
Know your enemy and know yourself, and you’ll win every battle—I wanted to see what I could dig up.
But as soon as I asked, Rashamu’s expression turned icy.
I was forced to recognize how gentle his face had been up until then.
“…You know my brother. Of course, he’s famous, so that’s not surprising…”
“Why that look?”
Were they fighting now? They used to seem close.
“I hope it’s not true, but Miss Crowell, are you actually interested in my brother, not me?”
Uh, well, sort of.
“So that’s why you approached me? Because you’re after my brother? Is that what you’re after too?”
His voice rose slightly, sounding hurt and somehow pitiful.
He looked desperate, pleading for me to say no.
Apparently, he’d been deeply wounded over this.
‘Well, I am after your brother… just in a different way. Like his neck.’
It seemed time had brought changes between the two brothers.
The Rashamu from back then had admired Rovenin like a duckling, but now, as men, there was a hint of rivalry.
“So… are you asking if I’m interested in Rovenin Fedri as a woman?”
“You don’t have to lie to me. I’m used to things like this.”
“Oh my.”
Feigning ignorance was actually pretty entertaining.
“Everyone sees me only as Rovenin Fedri’s younger brother, not as Rashamu. I’m sick of being used like that.”
Alright.
This guy’s sulking.
Well, having the continent’s most famous swordsman for a brother couldn’t be easy.
He’d be compared constantly, but could never surpass him.
What a painful, suffocating frustration that must be.
Having lived in someone else’s shadow myself, I could relate, just a little.
I leaned my elbow on the railing and rested my chin on my hand, letting out a chuckle.
“What a dangerous thing to say. If it’s Rovenin Fedri, I can’t stand the guy.”
You could tell by my look just how sincere I was.
“Please, drop that unpleasant misunderstanding.”
“…Miss Crowell, you’re telling the truth.”
“Yes, to the point I’d like an apology.”
“I’m sorry. I spoke out of turn.”
“I’ve heard rumors that he’s quite popular.”
Honestly, if word of his popularity even reached my ears, he must be incredibly popular.
“My brother’s reputation as the most eligible man in the Empire is well deserved. There aren’t many women who dislike him… Please forgive my rudeness.”
“I just don’t get it. What’s so great about a guy like that?”
Even as I pretended to be graceful and mysterious, I couldn’t hide my true feelings—a deep-seated loathing for Rovenin Fedri.
After all, I was someone who could barely stand the thought of him.
“Well… my brother’s a genius with the sword, heir to a ducal family, and handsome enough to be counted among the best.”
Damn it. Did I ask for all that?
“Come on, character matters most! Character! Rovenin’s got a rotten personality!”
After blurting that out, I worried for a moment about how Rashamu would take it.
After all, he might not like hearing someone badmouth his older brother.
“How do you know him so well?”
“Anyone could tell after talking to him for just a minute. He looks down on everyone.”
Fortunately, instead of resenting me, Rashamu actually looked pleased and nodded in agreement.
“That’s right. He’s exactly like that!”
“If you talk to him, he never answers, just ignores you completely.”
“Exactly! Exactly!”
“And that’s not all. If he does bother to talk, it’s always off-topic, and it seems like the only thing in his head is fighting. He’s a little crazy… ahem.”
“That’s exactly what I mean! People think he’s a silent, lonely type, but that’s not it! He’s just an absolute individualist. No one realizes how cold-blooded he really is.”
Rashamu looked like he had just as much pent up as I did.
“He left on a whim and now he’s laid up in Heidrike. And he hasn’t even sent a single letter.
Why do I have to hear news about my own family from someone else?”
“He’s like that even to his own family?”
“Yes, he’s not normal by any stretch.”
“What do you mean?”
At that, I took the chance to start grilling Rashamu for all sorts of details.
