I inevitably get caught in the spotlight whenever hyung causes a stir or ends up at the center of some incident. Actually, I usually received more attention than he did—because honestly, very few people are brave enough to approach him directly.

Some might find this offensive to their pride, but it had happened so often since I entered the Academy that I had become numb to it. Honestly, I’d probably approach the seemingly approachable younger brother rather than the intimidating older one if I were in their shoes, too.

I’d even reached the point where I gained enlightenment. This was all because I had a warm, kind face that anyone could comfortably approach. With both the Patriarch and hyung having resting ‘I-will-end-you’ faces, someone in the family had to look normal.

But this time… I don’t think I can just laugh it off.

It stings.

I almost scratched the back of my head from the countless stares I’d been receiving for days. I didn’t think mere glances could be so burdensome.

I wish they’d just talk to me instead.

I realized again that silent stares were more uncomfortable than direct questions.

But there was nothing to be done about it. Even for noble children sensitive to rumors, this incident was too delicate and burdensome to discuss freely.

First a godfather, and now a minister.

I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.

Academy students were a bizarre mix of sharp-nosed aristocrats and nosy teenagers. And yet, they’re all just quietly watching from the sidelines. The fact that these students were only watching cautiously showed just how monumental this matter was—too big for any ordinary noble to handle.

I understand. No matter how famous someone is, people get nervous about even mentioning their name once they cross a certain threshold of power or status. Royals and dukes were good examples. One careless word, and you could insult someone way above your pay grade.

Unfortunately, hyung now fell into this category. A war hero, godfather to the imperial grandchild, and the youngest minister-designate. Hyung, who had simultaneously achieved honors that most struggled to attain once in a lifetime, had—at least temporarily—reached a status comparable to a duke.

I should get out of here.

I stood up after thinking for a bit. Thinking of myself not as the ‘approachable younger brother’ but as the ‘brother of someone on par with a duke’ made me feel guilty just for being here.

And I was right. When I moved, the students nearby instinctively stepped back.

Avoiding the situation would clearly be the right choice for now. I should stay alone as much as possible until the rumors die down.

Eventually, I arrived at the safest and most secluded place in the Academy.

“…So that’s why you came here?”

“Yeah.”

At my firm answer, hyung sighed as if resigned.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. It’s not weird for a club member to hang out in the club room. Stay as long as you want.”

Hearing him say that took a weight off my shoulders. I’d been worried he might kick me out with something like, ‘The club room’s only open during club hours.’

But no, that was just overthinking it. Hyung might look like he was made of stone, but he wasn’t heartless, especially when the person crashing in here was his own brother who had been driven into exile because of him.

“But what happened to make you run away like this?”

“I feel like I’ve received a lifetime’s worth of stares.”

I gave an honest answer to his tilted-head question.

Listeners might think I’m exaggerating, but I’m dead serious. If stares had physical force, my head would already be full of holes.

“Oof.”

Apparently, he took me seriously because he frowned with a pitying look.

I felt grateful, but it was somehow irritating that the one person who understood my pain just so happened to be the one who caused it.

“Still, it might be good to get used to it. I’ve heard being a councilor means you’ll get a lot of attention either way.”

“Are you really in a position to say that?”

I snapped back to the advice disguised as a curse before I could stop myself. Hyung also seemed to realize his mistake belatedly and averted his gaze.

After glaring at him for a moment, I looked up at the ceiling helplessly.

Council proxy.

I sighed. Overshadowed by the godfather and minister news, the news of hyung also being set to inherit the title of Count of Tailglehen hadn’t received much attention. He would become one of only thirty imperial counts in the empire, and excluding Zenobia noona, he’d be the youngest among the current imperial counts.

The problem was that hyung, who was soon to be an imperial count, was also a high-ranking official in the administration. This meant he couldn’t take on the role of a member of the imperial council, which was both a right and a duty of imperial counts.

As a result, Father would act as his proxy councilor. But how long could a retired man continue in this role?

A council proxy right after graduation…

I felt resentful. I can’t help resenting hyung for pushing the council seat onto me while he gets to skip it himself.

I mean, it technically wasn’t his fault since he was tied up working in the administration, but I still resented him. If this feeling gets any stronger, I might even start resenting Father for passing on the title.

My life…

I almost teared up. I had mentally prepared myself for the eventuality of becoming a councilor one day, but I thought it’d be at least twenty years down the line. Twenty years to do what I want—maybe even split a mountain or two.

Is it too selfish to hope for another sibling even now? Maybe it would be faster if hyung had a child and that child became the proxy—

“Ah.”

Hyung’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

“Come to think of it, Countess Horfeld asked me to send her regards.”

“Noona?”

“Yeah. And she said to contact her if you’re worried about the council proxy duties, she’d be happy to give advice—“

I couldn’t hear what hyung said after that. I was too moved by Zenobia noona’s kindness to listen.

We’d been in touch occasionally since her visit during the club fair, and she even sent me her congratulations and well-wishes after the war ended. It was natural to do so as a childhood friend, since Uncle George had returned safely.

I also asked about why Uncle was wandering around the capital instead of being in the county of Horfeld.

But even with that ongoing contact, I hadn’t mentioned anything about the council proxy to her. It was too recent, and I felt awkward telling a current councilor something like ‘I don’t want to be a council proxy.’

Noona…

Yet Zenobia noona worried about me first and sent her regards. It was so different from hyung, who passed on this heavy burden.

Moved beyond words, I instinctively pulled out my communication crystal.

It felt like I wouldn’t be able to bear it if I didn’t express this gratitude.

I put down my pen for a moment and stretched. Sitting at my desk since morning had made my body stiff.

I couldn’t help but wonder: how did my father—who was a soldier to his bones—manage to sit still and do paperwork for so long? He wasn’t exactly the type who enjoyed sitting still. And yet, he endured this for over ten years?

He must’ve really held it in.

I chuckled at the conclusion I reached after pondering alone. Having restrained himself for over a decade as an imperial count, it’s no wonder he’s now spending all his time out and about.

The fact that he went so far as to fight on the front lines again is incredibly frustrating, but…

— How could I just stand by while my friend fought on the front lines? Especially when it’s a friend who might become my in-law?

“……”

— Of course, breaking my promise was my fault. So I assure you. From now on, neither I nor that fellow will ever, ever stand on the front lines again.

Hearing the whole story made it a little easier to accept.

— By the way, I saw Uncle in the capital too. The war’s over, but he seems to be working hard.

Even Erich had subtly defended my father’s actions, so I decided to let it go.

How could I stay mad when the people I love the most—my father and Erich—were both telling me it was okay? I was only angry because I was worried something might happen to him.

I got angry for Father’s sake, so I’ll let go of that anger for Father’s sake. It only makes sense.

Let’s just hope he stays quiet for a while.

Honestly, I don’t expect Father to obediently listen to me and behave from now on. I’d be satisfied if he just stayed quiet for a while. Getting kicked out by his daughter had to have left an impression—he’d lay low for a while at least.

…He will restrain himself, right?

Just as anxiety started to slowly creep in, the communication crystal on the desk lit up.

I frowned for a moment. Most of my acquaintances know I’m working at this hour, so they don’t usually call. Erich and I usually talk on weekends. So if someone’s contacting me now, it’s probably work-related.

“This is Countess Horfeld.”

— Noona, it’s me.

The moment I saw the face on the screen, I froze while still holding my crystal.

— Sorry. Am I bothering you during work?

I hurriedly shook my head at Erich’s sheepish smile.

“No, it’s fine. I was just taking a break.”

— That’s good.

At the same time, my mind raced.

What’s this about? Erich almost never contacts me on weekdays. Isn’t he in class right now? Maybe it’s a break? Still, it’s a weekday…

— I just heard from hyung, so I called. Thanks for worrying about me.

Only then did I remember what happened a few days ago. On the day Carl was designated as the Minister of Inspection and his appointment as Count of Tailglehen was half-confirmed, I had messaged him to congratulate him—and told him to pass along my regards to Erich, who would be filling in as the councilor in his place.

It was partly out of courtesy, but also out of joy at the thought of getting to spend time in the same place as Erich again in a year or two. I didn’t expect him to actually mention it, but he did. That was touching.

“We’re close, aren’t we? And it’s only natural for a senior councilor to worry about a junior.”

But I kept my reaction as calm as possible. Showing too much excitement here would put pressure on Erich, who must be burdened by the important role of council proxy.

Right now, I should comfort Erich. I need him to see me as someone he can lean on.

Good.

Judging by the expression on his face, I’d say it worked. Even if we’re far apart, if I can secure a place in his heart like this—

— I wish you were family, Noona.

My body froze again.

My rational mind screamed that the family Erich was talking about and the family I was thinking of were different, but my heart started pounding on its own.

I silently watched Erich and Countess Horfeld talking.

It’ll work out somehow.

Eventually, I came to that conclusion. It should work out somehow.

But when Countess Horfeld clearly envisioned herself as ‘family’ in the marriage sense and Erich casually threw around ‘family’ in the sibling sense… that wasn’t something I could mediate. If that ends with someone getting cleaved in two, it wouldn’t be murder—it’d be natural causes.

Honestly, I’d done what I could. I’d given various advice and help to Sarah, who lacked the background compared to Countess Horfeld, and help to Countess Horfeld, who was physically distant.

Whether it was increasing the time Erich and Sarah spent together, or increasing conversation time with Countess Horfeld—anyway, I’d tried my best to avoid a situation where one side became completely overwhelmed.

Good luck.

All that’s left now is to leave it to heaven and the parties involved.

Thinking that, I turned my gaze to the communication crystal. In fact, dealing with the current reality was more important than the future possibility of Erich turning into Er/ich.

[Baby. It seems like Louise wants me as an external participant for the four-person match.]

I smiled at the message Beatrix had just sent.

Our Louise… Maybe it’s because she’s the protagonist of the original story, but wow, she’s bold…

[ I remember enjoying those kinds of events when I was a student too, so I’m considering it. I think it’ll be a good challenge for the Magic Department students.]

I couldn’t help but close my eyes at the following sentence.

Beatrix had a point—the magic students would probably be thrilled. But still, you couldn’t just throw a final boss into a children’s party.

The master and disciple pair were both about to go off the rails.