Chapter 370

“Brother Duke.”

“…”

“Oh, Brother Duke.”

“…”

“Oh, Oh, Brother Du…”

“Ugh, stop it. It’s cringey.”

Unable to bear it any longer, I pushed my sister away like a pesky fly.

But she just giggled and clung to me again.

“Come on, why are you acting so high and mighty? You’re the most exalted person in our family. Father is Marquis, and you’re Duuuuke.”

“…Stop drawing out your words like that. It’s annoying.”

“Geez, you’re no fun. I’m not wrong.”

She pouted.

But then she clung to me again.

She rubbed her cheek against mine.

Ugh… What was she, a baby bird clinging to its mother?

“What are you doing? You’re a grown woman. Have some shame.”

“Wow, you’re so old-fashioned, brother. It’s the 21st century. Can’t siblings be affectionate with each other?”

“…”

Why was I losing this argument?

Anyway, I knew why she was acting like this.

She wanted something from me.

“So, what do you want?”

“Give me some land.”

“Cough, cough!”

I choked in disbelief.

She sounded like a debt collector.

“I told you to talk to Father about that. He received a lot of land this time.”

“But Father has to pay taxes on his land, right? But your land is completely tax-exempt, forever?”

“…”

I was speechless again.

She was already thinking about the tax benefits.

She would be a shopaholic at duty-free stores.

“Why are you so obsessed with land?”

I shook my head and asked.

“Hmph, you wouldn’t understand.”

She turned her head away, looking annoyed.

“Understand what?”

“You have your own vast territory, and you’ll inherit all of our family’s land eventually, right? Do you even know how it feels to want even a tiny piece of land?”

“…”

My expression turned serious.

I understood how she felt.

She had been a bright child who had helped with family matters since she was young.

But she wasn’t the heir.

Because I, the eldest son, existed.

I would inherit everything.

She would marry into another family and become someone else’s wife, just like other noblewomen.

But she had never seemed happy about that prospect.

And I finally realized.

That she dreamed of managing her own territory.

“You’re right. I don’t know.”

“See?”

“But I can help you as your brother.”

“Oh?”

Her eyes sparkled.

“You mean…”

“Alright, I’ll give you some land. A prime location.”

“You’re the best, brother!”

She hugged me and rubbed her cheek against mine.

Of course, I didn’t see her as a woman at all, so I pushed her away.

“But there’s a condition.”

“Huh? I knew it. What is it?”

“I have a condition.”

“W-What condition?”

“Be my proxy.”

“Proxy?”

She tilted her head in confusion.

“You know I’m going back to the academy, right?”

“Of course.”

“Then there won’t be a duke in the territory, right?”

“Aha, I see.”

She nodded, as if she finally understood.

“So you want me to be your proxy?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I would return to Odinel after I graduated, but I didn’t tell her that.

I didn’t want to ruin the mood and risk her rejecting my offer.

That’s right.

…I was planning to take this opportunity to dump my responsibilities on her.

I already had enough on my plate trying to save the world from villains. I didn’t want to manage a territory as well.

“Hehe, I see. Well, alright. But wait…”

Why was she hesitating?

“Do you think I can manage such a large territory? Honestly, I’m not confident.”

…She was confident enough to demand tax-exempt land.

“Don’t worry. I’m planning to leave many of my capable subordinates there. You’ll be fine if you work with them.”

“R-Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“Alright, I’ll do it. But you’ll give me land, right?”

“Of course. Would I lie to my little sister?”

“You used to lie to me all the time.”

“…”

“…”

“…I used to, but not anymore.”

“Alright, alright, I believe you.”

She grinned, happy with the land she was about to receive.

Well, it was a good deal for me too.

I could get rid of my responsibilities and repay my past debts.

“Now, go away. We’re done here.”

I shooed her away.

I had been planning my next move before she had barged in.

Now that my business in the empire was over, I had to think about what to do after I returned to the academy.

“What am I, a fly?”

She grumbled, but then she cheered up when she remembered the land she was about to receive.

She was definitely in a good mood.

“Alright, I’m going, I’m going. But before I go…”

“What is it now?”

“Geez, you’re so mean. I’m just showing interest in my brother’s life. You should be grateful.”

“I’m very grateful.”

“Hmph, anyway, what I wanted to ask is… When are you going to officially marry sister-in-law?”

“Cough, cough!”

I choked on my own saliva.

…I had been involved with so many women that I flinched whenever someone brought up the topic of marriage.

“Huh, that’s suspicious. Don’t tell me you have another woman? Is it the empress?”

“Cough, cough, cough!”

I coughed violently, bending over. I waved my hands frantically.

“Cough, n-no, it’s not like that! And don’t mention the empress! You’ll get us in trouble.”

“Gasp? R-Really?”

She blinked, looking like a scared rabbit.

But then she cleared her throat and continued.

“Ahem, w-well, anyway… You need to think about a woman’s feelings, brother.”

“A woman’s feelings?”

“How do you think she feels about being engaged for years without a wedding date? You might have been busy with important matters, but I think it’s time to put her mind at ease.”

“…”

I was speechless. Her words had struck a nerve.

Honestly, I had been feeling guilty about it.

She was my official fiancée, and I had inherited Max’s past sins, so I couldn’t help but feel especially guilty towards Regina whenever I was involved with other women.

It had been the same with the empress.

I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her, even though she had said, “I’m always on your side.”

“Am I right?”

“…Yes, you are.”

I agreed.

I knew that I needed to sort out my complicated relationships.

But I had been putting it off because of more pressing matters.

However, as my sister had said, it was selfish of me to keep putting it off.

I had to consider the feelings of the women I was involved with.

It was the least I could do.

“Then you should do something…”

*Grab*

“E-Eek?”

She flinched when I suddenly grabbed her hand.

“W-What are you doing?”

…Don’t be so surprised, sis.

Didn’t you say that physical affection between siblings was normal?

“No, I’m just… grateful.”

“H-Huh?”

Please stop looking at me like I’m a weirdo.

“Anyway, don’t worry. I can’t make the decision alone, but I’ll bring you good news soon.”

“W-Well, that’s good, but…”

“I have to go now. And don’t forget about your duties as my proxy.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll do my best.”

…Where did she learn to say that?

I chuckled and opened the door.

I was grateful.

That I had family here.

* * *

“Are you getting ready to go back?”

I asked Regina, who was packing her things.

“Yes, the semester will resume soon.”

She replied calmly.

The semester had been suspended due to the civil war.

But now that the war was over, it was only natural for the semester to resume.

It would be my last semester as a fourth-year.

“I see. Then you can go back with me.”

“Aren’t you going to visit your territory?”

She looked at me curiously.

“I already found a proxy.”

“…That’s unlike you. You’re usually so meticulous.”

“Well, it’s not like I can refuse. It would be awkward to be called ‘Your Grace’ by you.”

She had been calling me “you” all this time, and now she was suddenly using the honorific title “Your Grace.”

It was awkward, even though it was proper etiquette.

“Are you saying I’m a rude fiancée?”

“N-No, that’s not what I meant…”

But I couldn’t argue with her when she put it like that.

I quickly changed the subject.

“Ahem, anyway, the empress gave me a huge burden. I don’t even want a territory.”

“Phew, you’re saying things that would make people want to kill you.”

“…Isn’t that a bit extreme?”

“I’m just accurately describing how people would feel.”

“A-Alright…”

It was hard to win an argument against Regina.

I could never tell if she was being serious or joking.

“You know why she gave you Odinel, right?”

“Well, yeah…”

The capture of Odinel.

It was the battle that had given the princess’s faction a decisive advantage in the war.

And I was the one who had strongly advocated for it and led it to victory.

It was a meaningful land for both the empress and me.

So there was a special meaning behind her granting me that land.

“I’m grateful.”

I admitted readily.

I knew that her special reward for me was a sign that she would keep her promise.

“Good.”

She smiled faintly.

I could tell that she approved of the empress’s actions.

She had resolved the assassination attempt swiftly and efficiently, despite the chaos it had caused.

It was an impressive feat for a newly crowned emperor.

Regina, who had hoped for a wise emperor, must have been pleased.

It was a good thing for me too.

“Well, anyway,”

I changed the subject.

To the reason I had come here.

“Yes?”

“Hiresia said she’ll be back for my graduation ceremony.”

The elf senior had left for her homeland to train after our experience in the forest.

She had promised to return for my graduation ceremony.

“I see.”

Regina nodded.

She was calm.

Fortunately, they had already sorted things out between them.

Just thinking about that time made my heart race.

“So… “

I hesitated.

It was hard to say.

“What is it?”

“I was thinking… maybe we could get married after my graduation ceremony…”

Regina was my official fiancée, so she would be the first.

And then the elf senior…

Huh?

…I had never seen her like this before.

She was frozen in shock.

What was wrong…?

“Y-You’re saying… you want to marry me…?”

She was even stuttering.

“Y-Yes.”

…I was stuttering too.

“I-I didn’t mishear you, right?”

“Y-Yes.”

“Phew.”

She took a deep breath, her face flushed.

…I was getting nervous too.

An awkward silence fell between us.

She broke the silence.

“…I’ve been waiting for you to say that.”