Episode 10 – An Older Brother Who Loves Me More Than My Mother

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Rose was shaking her legs and biting her nails.

She was doing her best to avoid Jennifer’s gaze, who was sitting across the desk from her.

She didn’t understand why she was so afraid of her mother; even just holding onto her sanity was a struggle.

Jennifer raised her pinky finger, lifted her teacup, took a sip, and then spoke to Rose.

“So, in the end, you couldn’t resolve it?”

“… Yes… I’m really sorry, Mother.”

“It was such a simple task, Rose. Really, it was easy enough for a ten-year-old to do.”

She couldn’t understand why her mother was suddenly using polite speech with her.

But even that made her so afraid that Rose couldn’t calm her trembling legs.

Jennifer looked at her with disdain.

Her daughter, but an immature and disappointing child in every way.

That’s what Jennifer thought of Rose.

“Rose. Your disappointing me just never ends, does it?”

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I was wrong…”

“Besides, this incident is quite significant.”

“But…”

“Would you shut up?”

“Heop…”

On the day Jennifer visited Aureo Academy,

Jennifer ordered Rose to eliminate Banata, saying it was her last chance.

But Rose failed to kill Banata.

She even ended up harming his maid, following Salvieo Baron himself.

“Thanks to you, there’s talk that Count Salvieo’s maid ingested poison and is teetering on the brink of death. You’re aware of that, aren’t you?”

“…Yes, I am aware.”

“I offered to provide a physician from our side, but he vehemently refused. I can’t even begin to imagine how great his anger must be.”

“…Eueut.”

Jennifer suddenly threw her teacup.

Rose couldn’t even think of dodging and was doused in hot tea.

Her face felt like it was burning, but she gritted her teeth and sat there, suppressing her screams.

Jennifer listened to the sound of the teacup rolling on the floor and fell into thought.

Thanks to that stupid daughter of hers, nothing was going as planned.

Jennifer wanted to make a good impression on Baron Salvieo.

No, there was a reason why she absolutely had to make a good impression.

Even if her first impression with Rose wasn’t good, she wanted to have as much contact with the Baron as possible while she was here.

So she apologized without complaint, even swallowing her pride, and even forcibly made Rose apologize,

But Rose ruined it again.

“Ha… nothing is easy. It would be easier to catch the Demon King one more time than to make you useful.”

“… Yes.”

Jennifer sighed, holding her forehead.

Robin, the hero of the empire and humanity, supported by many people as a Warrior.

Even he was always ignored amidst the fierce waves of palace politics.

No matter how much of a Warrior he was, his commoner origins always followed Robin like a tag,

So Robin forcibly drove out his female knight master and seized the position of commander of the Knights.

His female knight master had maintained the position of commander of the Knights for over 30 years despite being a woman, thanks to her outstanding martial prowess,

And she was a role model in terms of character, enough to be in charge of educating the princes and princesses of successive generations, so she was a person who received much respect.

Thanks to the halo of ‘Warrior’, there was less backlash than expected, but it was definitely something that would become a political weakness for Robin.

So Robin poured money into erasing even the smallest backlash.

He helped the poor in the capital with welfare projects and replaced all the knights’ equipment with new ones.

He forcibly collected taxes from the Boldiras region, which was also Robin’s hometown,

And he laid off unnecessary servants without hesitation to raise money.

The residents and servants were full of complaints, but there was no choice.

To make matters worse, Robin had to hold a large-scale social gathering soon.

Because that day would return in three months.

The day Robin killed the Demon King 20 years ago.

The 20th anniversary celebration banquet of the Empire’s victory had to be held on an unprecedented scale.

Jennifer even began to begrudge the money used to support Banata.

Robin was a cowardly person, but at least he was devoted to his children.

Even if that was a bastard he had from raping a maid.

Normally, Jennifer wouldn’t have cared, but now the situation was urgent.

Not only would it harm her,

But if the social gathering, which many foreign nobles and royals would visit, was canceled or reduced in scale due to budget shortages,

There was a possibility that it would become a national disgrace.

That’s why Jennifer wanted to eliminate Banata and become close to the Baron to receive support.

The story that he generously gave money to the poor, workers, and street artists had been circulating in the capital.

Although the Baron had stepped forward as Banata’s patron, it seemed to be nothing more than simple justice.

If Rose apologized and then Banata disappeared from sight, the aftermath would be simple.

However, the poisoned refreshments that Rose gave her to kill Banata ended up in the mouth of Baron Salvieo’s maid.

“…”

Rose quietly wiped her face with her hands.

She had her own reasons for feeling wronged.

Of course, Rose had never killed anyone before.

Jennifer, who had been a member of the Warrior party since Rose’s age, couldn’t understand, but assassination couldn’t be easy for a teenage girl.

Rather, even the method of poisoning was a method she had found after a long period of consideration.

Since Banata’s death next to her could be suspicious, she used the method of putting poison in refreshments and giving them as a gift.

But who could have known that Banata would eat it with Baron Salvieo?

Jennifer lowered her voice and said to Rose.

“Confess. I have nothing to do with this.”

“…!”

Only then did Rose realize why Jennifer was using polite speech with her.

She no longer regarded her as a daughter.

It was a sign that she would regard her as a complete stranger.

“Originally, it would be the death penalty, but fortunately, the Baron and his maid’s status in this country is unclear, so it will probably end with just going to prison.”

“There’s also the method of paying a settlement and bail…”

“There isn’t. Money to spend on the likes of you.”

“…”

Jennifer didn’t say anything more and signaled Rose to leave with a gesture.

Rose got up from her seat, bowed to Jennifer, and then slowly left the room.

Only after the door closed behind her did Rose shed tears.

“What should I do…”

＊

Fourth-year students in the Knight Department of Aureo Academy went on field training during this period to hunt monsters.

It was a training that took an average of about a month to meet the required number of subjugations for passing,

But this year, a male student named ‘Daniel’ completed all the target amounts in just two weeks and returned to the academy.

Daniel Boldiras Robinson.

A student representing the Knight Department,

The student council president representing the academy,

And a student who showed the qualities of a hero by blooming his talent early.

Kind and active, he was a popular student inside and outside the academy,

And at the same time, he was the Warrior’s favorite eldest son.

But even such a Daniel had one secret that he hid from others.

As soon as Daniel returned to the academy, he knocked on his younger sister’s door.

A weak voice was heard from inside the room.

“… Who is it?”

“It’s me. Rose.”

“Oppa…?”

“Yeah, it’s Daniel Oppa.”

“R-Really Oppa?”

A hurried footstep was heard from inside the room, and then the door opened weakly.

Rose, dressed in a thin negligee, stood weakly in front of the door.

Daniel, seeing his younger sister, who had become even thinner and whose face was haggard, hugged her as she was and closed the door.

At the same time as the sound of the door closing, Daniel grabbed Rose’s face and kissed her.

Rose also wrapped her slender arms around her brother’s neck and hugged him, pressing her chest tightly against her brother’s upper body.

“Rose, what happened? Why do you look so pale?”

He didn’t give Rose time to answer and kissed her lips again.

When he pried open Rose’s lips with his sticky tongue, they opened without resistance, and Rose’s soft tongue came out to greet him and became entangled.

“Heut, Oppa. I missed you, I was so scared.”

“Oppa will solve everything for you, tell me everything.”

Daniel took off his top and lifted her up, placing her on the bed.

Rose hurriedly reached out and unbuttoned Daniel’s pants.

He stroked her head because she was so lovely, and Rose, with tears in her eyes, hugged his lower body as if burying her face in it.

Daniel took off Rose’s negligee and said.

“No matter what happens, Oppa will help you with everything.”

“Really? I… there’s something really big.”

“Tell me slowly, there’s plenty of time.”

“Okay. Oppa.”

Rose, who was completely naked, collapsed on the bed as if crumbling.

Daniel threw away his underwear and slowly approached her.

“However, a little later, because I’m busy now.”

“Okay, hug me quickly.”

＊

After spending a sweet time, Rose told Daniel everything that had happened.

Daniel listened to the story with a serious face and hugged Rose tightly.

He said he would solve everything, but it was definitely a difficult situation.

The crime Rose committed was definitely a terrible act,

And the other party was a suspiciously rich Baron,

And he couldn’t expect help from his mother, Jennifer.

However, he had no intention of abandoning her, whom he loved as a woman, not as a family member.

Rose believed that Daniel would save her, and that evening, she went to the guardhouse herself and was arrested.

Daniel tried to think of a way to save Rose in his room, but unfortunately, he couldn’t think of a good way.

The Baron had strong support in this city, so it was as good as having no chance of winning with political maneuvers in the Plavis courtroom, which operated a jury system.

Moreover, the victim is his maid, the only other person who survived the shipwreck with the Baron.

They must have been united by a strong camaraderie beyond a simple master-servant relationship, so he couldn’t expect the Baron to withdraw his anger.

The only way left is to raise bail.

Then, someone knocked on Daniel’s room window.

“Is Daniel-nim inside?”

“Who is it?”

“I’m here to deliver a letter. They said it’s urgent.”

The man who appeared on the airlift was wearing a post office delivery uniform.

It was already late, when deliverymen didn’t work, but if you paid a special fee when you had urgent business, they would deliver it.

Daniel wondered who had sent him a letter so urgently and received the letter.

After handing over the letter, the deliveryman closed the window and left with a light greeting.

As the deliveryman disappeared from sight, Daniel slowly opened the letter.

It was a letter from Rose.

[Oppa.

I’m currently in a temporary prison under the courthouse.

I have some information I heard here, so I’m sending you a letter urgently.

I heard that there are a lot of treasures in Baron Salvieo’s ship docked at the port.

I heard that even if you bring just a handful of them, it would be more than enough to cover my bail.

The Baron wouldn’t even notice that much,

I don’t want to do this kind of thing either, but I have no choice because I heard that the bail has to be paid within 3 days.

I ended up like this because of that Baron in the first place.

I know you won’t like it, but please, just help me once for my sake.

Oppa, be careful.

From your loving younger sister, Rose.]

‘Rose. Are you telling me to steal?’

What would happen if the fact that the Warrior’s son was stealing, even stealing the victim’s property to pay bail, was revealed?

Daniel held Rose’s letter tightly in his hand and pondered.

Is this the only way?

Of course, he wanted to save Rose.

But as a human being, he couldn’t help but feel sorry for the Baron and his maid.

Was there really a bad person in this incident?

Banata, Rose, the Baron, and his maid all seemed to be victims.

Daniel gritted his teeth because they all felt like victims who had been caught up in his mother Jennifer’s evil deeds.

Daniel carefully folded the letter, put it in his arms, and then left the room.

To go meet Jennifer.

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The guest room inside the academy where Jennifer was staying.

Reflecting Jennifer’s opinion, there was a research table in one corner of the room, and it was full of various magical reagents and new papers from the academy.

It is said that the academy’s surveillance magic was temporarily suspended to deliver those various magic supplies.

Daniel inwardly criticized his mother for being a human who only knew herself.

Jennifer was spending her time reading interesting papers there.

Daniel entered Jennifer’s room without knocking.

Despite his rude behavior, Jennifer greeted Daniel with a bright smile.

“You’re back! My proud Daniel.”

“…”

Of course, Daniel also knew that she was mistreating Rose and favoring him.

His mother was a person who judged her children based on the presence or absence of talent.

However, Daniel was sincerely disgusted with Jennifer’s appearance, not caring at all even though her daughter had gone to prison a little while ago.

Daniel grabbed his constantly fleeing composure and bowed his head calmly for now.

“Mother, I’m back.”

“Yes, I’m sure you were surprised that this mother came to visit so suddenly without contacting you.”

“No, I’ve heard everything.”

It was an answer meaning that he knew everything that had happened to Rose.

Daniel thought that Jennifer would at least give an explanation or excuse.

“Really? You’re quick with the news as expected. Hehe, how about it, son, would you like a cup of tea?”

“… Heo,”

However, Jennifer acted as if nothing was wrong.

Was Rose really meaningless to her?

Daniel couldn’t stand the disgust any longer and shouted.

“Mother! Are you just going to let Rose go like that!”

“…”

Rose turned her head and stopped talking.

“…Daniel, let’s not talk about that story.”

“Mother, isn’t it all what Mother ordered?”

“No, I never did.”

“I heard everything from Rose. Mother,”

Jennifer’s eyes widened.

She wasn’t surprised, but she looked at her son with a truly puzzled expression.

“So you believed that story? Really?”

“What do you mean, are you saying Rose lied?”

“I’m asking if you really believe that idiot’s words and are rebelling against this mother. Son.”

“…Mother…”

“Don’t be intimidated, I’m not scolding you. I’m just really surprised.”

Daniel couldn’t find anything more to say and closed his mouth.

Jennifer gave a pitiful expression, approached Daniel, put her hands on both of his shoulders, and asked softly.

“Why do you care so much about such a lacking thing? An child as talented as you doesn’t have time to care about such things.”

“Mother… Rose is also Mother’s daughter.”

“Yes, so I’m truly sad.”

“…Then help Rose,”

“I can’t believe such a lacking child came out of my womb.”

“…Haha,”

Daniel brushed off his mother’s hand on his shoulder.

“Daniel?”

“Mother. I love Rose.”

“…Yes, you’ve always taken good care of your younger siblings.”

“No.”

Daniel unbuttoned his shirt and lowered his collar, revealing his neck and chest.

There were kiss marks and nail marks left by Rose.

Jennifer realized what that meant and screamed with a distorted face.

“Daniel! You don’t mean!”

“That’s right. Mother.”

Daniel gave Jennifer a bitter smile.

Jennifer’s body began to tremble with anger.

“I love Rose. As much as Rose loves me.”

“…”

“I’ll say it one last time. Help Rose. Mother. I’ll do whatever it takes to get my woman out of prison.”

“Ha… hahaha.”

Jennifer released her face distorted with anger and laughed in vain.

“…Ha, my daughter is my daughter after all.”

“…What does that mean?”

“It’s nothing you need to know.”

Jennifer gestured for Daniel to leave and said.

“There is no help for such a whore-like woman who shamelessly seduces her own brother with her body.”

“…Okay.”

Daniel gritted his teeth at the words insulting Rose and turned around, leaving Jennifer’s room.

After Daniel left, Jennifer sighed deeply and buried herself in the sofa.

“I thought she was a dull daughter who didn’t receive any talent, but to think she resembled that talent.”

Jennifer just let out a low laugh.

＊

Lara was hiding in the leaves, climbing a tree near the academy.

Daniel was seen getting on a carriage heading from the academy entrance to the port.

Lara signaled to me, who was hiding nearby.

“I thought he would worry for at least a day, but his action is amazing.”

I took off the postman’s clothes and buried them in the bushes.

“Lara, you can go take care of Lily now.”

“…Okay. However,”

“Okay. I’ll call you when it’s Rose’s turn. I’m first for now.”

I took out the black chain and loosened my body.

Tonight, the Warrior’s eldest son will die.

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