* * *
“What were you trying to do this time that made the kid cry?”
Suppressing his irritation, Sylvian hugged his younger brother—who was taller than him—and patted his back.
“What about our parents?”
“I think… they’ve decided to buy a house.”
“…A mansion?”
Martius nodded.
Sylvian wiped away the tears streaming down the pale cheeks.
Only then did Martius turn his head in embarrassment, realizing he had acted like a child.
But Sylvian gently held his brother’s face.
“Don’t cry over something like that.”
“I just… got a little upset.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
The words ‘Don’t do that’ rose to the tip of his tongue, but he was rendered speechless by the firm look in his brother’s eyes.
“You will?”
“Yeah. Just trust me. And from now on, even on your days off, don’t go home.”
His older brother clenched his fist like a cotton ball—not exactly reassuring—but his bright smile, urging him to trust him, made Martius nod almost unconsciously.
“It’d be sad if something happened to our parents, right?”
“…I guess it would?”
‘Then we can’t let that happen.’
He himself wouldn’t be the least bit sad, but for the sake of his soft-hearted little brother, he decided to try persuading Zeroth a little.
Once Martius calmed down and wiped his face, the tea they had ordered arrived.
“Do you get a lot of gifts at home?”
“They’re pouring in. It’s all… thanks to you.”
‘Is that really thanks to me?’
Sylvian gave a bitter smile at his brother’s words.
It was a joint effort—greedy parents, Zeroth who wanted to wipe his hands clean of all nuisances, and the shameless humans hoping for some crumbs.
And he himself wasn’t exactly standing off to the side, either.
“Is the Duke of Graham treating you well?”
“Yeah. He’s kind.”
It was the answer he always gave.
Zeroth was anything but kind, but Sylvian spoke of his gentleness to everyone like someone who had just experienced kindness for the first time in his life.
“That’s good.”
At least he didn’t look sick like he did at home—that much was a relief.
Sylvian wrapped his hands around the warm teacup and sank into thought at Martius’s relieved voice.
His younger brother had done nothing wrong.
He had just turned twenty.
It was Martius’s own merit that he had joined the knights at such a young age.
If someone like that were to be dragged down and ruined along with the viscountcy because of their parents’ wrongdoings, it would be unbearable.
He recalled the face of his younger brother who used to sneak into his room every night.
‘Haah, damn it.’
Sylvian’s eyes narrowed at the sight of his younger brother’s gloomy face.
Feeling embarrassed for crying in front of his brother after such a long time apart, Martius kept his gaze fixed on the teacup, missing the expression on Sylvian’s face.
“What are you doing today?”
“It’s my day off, so just… taking it easy.”
What have you even been doing at your age, not making any friends?
Sylvian felt a headache coming on at the thought of Martius wandering the streets alone without anyone to meet—so unlike his own situation.
“Wanna go out with me?”
“Ah, no. I can’t trouble the duke’s household like that.”
“I’m heading into the capital anyway. So let’s go.”
Sylvian gently grasped Martius’s hand.
Huh?
When he saw his brother’s eyes—so similar in color to his own—tremble slightly, Sylvian knew Martius was already halfway convinced.
He pulled him into a firm hug.
“Marty, come hang out with your big brother.”
“…Alright.”
Not like I’m a kid or anything…
Martius mumbled, his ears turning red.
So obvious, and yet still pretending otherwise.
Sylvian smiled brightly at his brother.
Seeing him again after so long genuinely lifted his mood.
‘If I make it out of this, Martius will be the first person I take care of. Once I’ve pushed our parents far out of the picture, I should even introduce him to someone good.’
“Let’s go.”
After finishing their tea, the two headed out into the streets.
Martius, feeling awkward walking beside his brother, tried to keep some distance.
But Sylvian wouldn’t have it, tugging him along here and there with a firm grip on his hand, leaving Martius with no choice but to follow with a resigned expression.
“Have you ever tried this?”
“No.”
What Sylvian pointed to was chocolate.
Why is chocolate that expensive?
“May I sample this one?”
“Of course, sir. Let me know what you’d like, and I’ll wrap it up for you.”
Sylvian grabbed his brother, who was about to flee after seeing the price, and began picking out whatever looked good.
“Marty, ah.”
“Huh?”
“Ah~”
Hearing Sylvian’s coaxing tone, Martius—who had been distracted looking at other desserts—opened his mouth.
Sweet.
He instinctively accepted the round piece of chocolate placed into his mouth.
It had been ages since he last had chocolate, aside from when he was really little—and it was delicious.
“…It’s good.”
“Right?”
Still got a sweet tooth, huh.
Sylvian chuckled to himself, watching how Martius couldn’t take his eyes off the chocolate.
Then, he quietly had a bunch of it wrapped up to take back with them.
‘I’ll give him these when we get back to the inn.’
“Hyung, I really don’t need to go into the capital. It’s my day off, I’m fine just being outside—no, fine, let’s go.”
Eventually, they were in a carriage headed toward the capital.
Feeling like his day off was slipping away, Martius opened his mouth but stopped when he saw his brother’s face.
How do you say no to that kind of face…
If I just ditch him, he’s totally gonna cry.
With that thought, Martius reached out and rubbed at the tip of his brother’s red nose.
“Today’s actually my training day too!”
“What?!”
Sylvian threw the door open with a bang and leapt from the carriage before Martius could even stop him—
“What?!”
Sylvian flung the door open and jumped out of the carriage before his younger brother could stop him.
“Come on, look how healthy your brother is now.”
Holding a box full of chocolates and grinning proudly, Martius finally made Sylvian burst out laughing.
“Oh, Duchess Graham!”
At the 2nd Knights’ training ground, Aihin—who had been swinging his sword—spotted Sylvian wrapped in a white scarf and greeted him cheerfully.
“That scarf looks great.”
“Zeroth gave it to me.”
“It suits you very well. I heard you’re joining today’s training?”
A few days ago, Zeroth had said something that made Aihin certain the man had truly fallen in love.
Lately, his actions had been… far from ordinary.
‘Why is he throwing money at the Viscount’s house?’
As Aihin looked at the blushing duchess, he couldn’t help but ponder.
Zeroth Graham was a capable man—he’d probably handle it on his own.
Still… hmm.
Aihin brushed off the urge to meddle again.
“And who’s this beside you?”
“I greet the little sun of the Empire. I am Martius of House Nertian, of the 4th Knight Order.”
Aihin had asked just in case.
The man had almost the same blonde hair, pronounced double eyelids, and green eyes—he looked very much like Duchess Graham.
But this one appeared a bit taller, more slender, and sharper in expression.
Was the duchess planning to invest in the Viscount’s house instead of the Duke?
The crown prince, noticing the spark in Sylvian’s eyes, couldn’t help but wonder if he really lacked that much judgment.
“The Duke will arrive soon. Young Lord Holt just went to the warehouse.”
“Would Your Highness like some chocolate too?”
“…Give me one.”
* * *
Cuteeeee