Mumbling

,The Hero’s Harem Can’t Help But Win. That’s the title of the novel I wrote, and it’s the foundation of this world. The person who becomes the hero here is naturally Roel, the protagonist of the novel. My brother, a munchkin protagonist loved by everyone.

But no matter how strong a being is, they can’t do everything alone. That’s why groups like the Order or the Church are created. No matter how strong a being is, they can’t be in two places at the same time.

Roel made up for his shortcomings with the talents of his lovers. Because they were there, Roel was able to endure all kinds of trials, and in the end, he couldn’t help but win. Just like Luna is the driving force for me, their existence was the driving force for Roel to grow and strive endlessly.

But Roel’s harem, which is so important to the story, and my relationship with them, couldn’t be said to be good even as a polite lie. The only person I maintain a good relationship with is Rosalyn. My relationship with Flavia is subtly off, and I’ve never exchanged a word with Illia.

Even my relationship with Bella is close to being like cats and dogs. The reason I used the expression “close” is because it was clearly Bella’s fault that our relationship turned out this way. It’s justified for me to hate Bella. I was tortured and lost my lifespan because of Bella’s schemes, and Luna was ostracized just because she was my lover.

It’s natural for resentment to remain in the heart of someone who’s been unilaterally attacked. Of course, Bella apologized to me. She knelt down and apologized sincerely. I even saved Bella’s life, even though I was the victim. It’s a clear relationship between the perpetrator and the victim. If I chose revenge, it would be considered justified.

But I can’t take revenge as coolly as I’d like. Bella is Roel’s lover and plays an important part in the story. If I kill Bella, the story that has been built up will collapse. A moment of pleasure will bring a huge tragedy. Everything will be messed up. Our relationship is at a standstill. It could explode at any moment, or it could sink to the bottom over time.

I quickly moved my steps and arrived at Bella’s personal laboratory. When I knocked on the door, a familiar face opened it and quickly scanned me up and down. Leo smiled, as if he remembered my face.

,It’s been a while. Do you have an appointment with the Crown Princess-nim?

,No. I have something I want to ask. It’ll only take a moment. Is she inside?

At my answer, Leo looked flustered and turned his head into the laboratory, then looked back at me.

,I’ll tell the Crown Princess-nim. Please wait a moment.

Maybe he felt bad about closing the door in my face, so Leo left the door slightly open and disappeared at a quick pace.

Having no choice, I waited outside the door for a moment, and the sound of footsteps began to approach from behind the door. Leo, who opened the door wide and cleared the way, nodded his head.

,The Crown Princess-nim will see you.

Nodding my head in gratitude, I stepped into the laboratory and immediately noticed the change. Whether she used space expansion magic or not, the interior was much wider than before. It’s not a laboratory, it’s more like a villa.

Following Leo, I passed through a hallway where unfamiliar paintings moved elegantly, and a large garden was visible through the window. Judging from the various types of weapons placed here and there, it seemed to be used as a training ground.

I stopped for a moment, feeling a sudden sense of incongruity. Bella is the top student in the Department of Magic in her second year. Training in throwing axes or daggers doesn’t suit her. Then whose training ground is it? It was the kind Leo who solved my question.

,Ah, it’s where Roel-nim and Ian-nim train. I also train sometimes.

I frowned. There was no way Roel’s training ground would be in Bella’s laboratory. The laboratory was entirely Bella’s space. Could it be that Ian, who was the Church’s hunting dog, was attached to Bella’s side, and that became a variable? I decided to keep it in mind for now and moved my steps again.

Following Leo, I arrived at the reception room, and Bella, who was sitting on a chair, got up from her seat and greeted me.

,Welcome.

When Bella gestured, a maid pulled out a chair opposite her. As I sat down, Bella asked.

,I think you’ve already eaten, but should I still bring out dessert?

,It’s okay. I’m just going to ask a question and leave.

Bella nodded and gestured for the maid and Leo to leave. As soon as I heard the sound of the door closing, Bella sighed as if she had been waiting for it.

,Haa, I warned you to be careful of the joint attack, and you ruined the triathlon? You have no idea how hard I worked to clean up the situation because of you.

,…Do I need to know that?

At my sarcastic answer, Bella scoffed and shrugged her shoulders. She didn’t care what I said.

,No, it’s okay for the ‘gap’ to not know the efforts of the ‘eul’. I also know very well that it’s still not enough to repay the sins I’ve committed… So, why did you come here today?

For some reason, I felt that Bella was a little different, so I felt strange. It could be because the atmosphere around me changed because the interior of the laboratory had changed.

,Was it you who spread the rumors about me in the academy?

,If the rumor is that your arrogant and stupid behavior was a choice to end the vicious cycle of the triathlon and for all the academies that participated, then that’s right, I gave the instructions.

Bella, who answered in a confident voice as if she had no intention of hiding it, narrowed her eyes slightly and asked.

,You’re not here to argue about that, are you?

,…I’m just curious about the reason why you spread the rumors.

Bella retorted with a dumbfounded expression.

,Of course, it’s for you, who’s being cursed at by everyone in the academy. I’ve even heard it in my ears recently, that righteous seniors should give a harsh lesson with tears in their eyes for the stupid first-year junior who ruined the triathlon.

Clearly, Bella’s actions are appreciated. But now that the truth about the triathlon has been revealed, there’s no way the Emperor’s close aides will stay still. It’s revealing the Imperial Family’s flaws. They’ll definitely find the person who spread the rumors and punish them. It would have been better to let me be cursed at and do nothing.

I said with a sigh.

,Are you doing this because you don’t know how the Emperor will react if that rumor spreads? Even if the Emperor stays still, the nobles around him will move to find the person who spread the rumors.

,I know. That’s why I said I worked hard. It was incredibly difficult to make the decision. I had to give up several plans that I had been setting up for a long time to protect you. The nobles will also move, because they don’t want the influence of the capital, which is their territory, to decrease.

I frowned at Bella, who had a regretful expression.

,It sounds like you made a choice knowing it was a bad move.

,That’s right. But what can I do? You’re Roel’s younger sibling. Would I just stand by and watch you collapse?

Emotions surged up. I felt repulsed by Bella being nice to me. I didn’t want to forgive Bella. Bella’s unfortunate life and tragic ending were all my fault.

I have affection for all the characters in the novel. But for Bella, I felt more guilt than affection. She had every right to blame the person who ruined her life. So I deliberately suppressed the guilt in one corner of my heart with hatred. Even though I knew I was being cowardly.

Bella sighed at my hardened face.

,Don’t worry. I can control it enough. I don’t do things stupidly without any plans. And this time, it’s not like I recklessly stepped in to repay my sins. In fact, at first, I thought it would be better to just leave it alone. I knew it would get complicated if I touched it.

I was puzzled by Bella’s words. Then what on earth was the reason for changing her mind? As I was waiting for her to continue, I heard the sound of the door opening from behind. Footsteps approached. Until then, I thought it was just a maid bringing a drink. But when a hand casually came up on my shoulder, I realized that Roel had come.

When I turned my head to look at Roel, Roel smiled contentedly and took over Bella’s words.

,I asked Bella. To spread those rumors for you.

I brushed off Roel’s hand, which was stroking the back of my head without permission, and said in a blunt voice.

,I didn’t ask you to help me.

At my words, Roel smiled brightly and sat down next to me.

,Yeah, you didn’t ask me. But I can’t just stand by and watch when I’m your older brother. What can’t I do for my younger sibling?

After saying that, Roel rested his chin on the table and looked at me. His blue eyes shone with some kind of emotion.

,And right now, I think you should thank Bella rather than argue.

That’s right. Whatever it is, I’m grateful for what I’m grateful for. I took a long sigh and turned my head to Bella.

,Thank you for helping me.

Bella nodded slightly. Roel, who was watching it, patted me on the shoulder as if I had done well, with a bright smile.

I suddenly asked Roel, feeling a question.

,But how did you know and spread the rumors?

At my question, Roel stared at me with a somehow sharp look and opened his mouth.

,Just… because I’m your older brother. I could know.

For some reason, I felt that Roel was mumbling.