Volume 8, Chapter 11 “A Bond Stronger Than a Chain”
Volume 8, Chapter 11 “A Bond Stronger Than a Chain”
Part 1
Nix was nervous from the morning on that day.
He walked around the mansion restlessly, returning to his room and then coming out again, he seemed unable to relax.
I was stunned to see Nix in such a pathetic state.
“Calm down. It’s just Dorothea-san coming to visit.”
Nix, who was dressed very enthusiastically, had styled his hair well.
I could tell that he was looking forward to Dorothea-san’s visit.
“I-I’m calm!”
“Where?”
Nix looks displeased with me, but occasionally takes a deep breath to ease the tension.
Even though you were not very fond of Dorothea-san not long ago.
“My big brother is pathetic.”
Yareyare, I shrugged my shoulders and shook my head, and Luxion who was not convinced by my statement said something sarcastic as usual.
[If Big Brother is pathetic, Master is even more pathetic.]
“You idiot. When I couldn’t run away, I made up my mind, didn’t I? Aniki is on the verge of getting married, and yet he’s dithering about it.”
[I’d say that’s a false perception.]
“Where? Yesterday, he was wondering if he is good enough? He has been whining about it all day.”
[I’m referring to the part about Master couldn’t run away, you made up your mind. Master was the one who was struggling until the very end. You have no right to mock your brother.]
“Is that so?”
In a huff, I saw Colin watching me in the corner of the room.
“Colin!”
“Hyi!”
I stood up hurriedly and Colin ran away in surprise.
I stretched out my hand to Colin as he ran away, depressed that I couldn’t talk to him again today.
“If only we could at least talk. Luxion, do something.”
When I give an unreasonable order, Luxion refuses.
[I don’t want to because it’s mostly been resolved]
“What do you mean you don’t want to? That’s an order!”
[No problem. The problem has already been resolved.]
“Is it true?”
As I doubted Luxion, the entrance of the mansion became noisy.
Apparently, Dorothea-san and the others have arrived.
.
Part 2
After having his heart broken, Colin had been looking for an opportunity to apologize to Leon.
However, he couldn’t speak to him well.
When he went to see Leon again, he found Noelle in a wheelchair there.
“Leon, did you get a chance to talk to Colin?”
“I didn’t”
“I see. I’d talk to him too, but he’s avoiding me right now.”
Seeing the two of them depressed, Colin’s heart ached.
However, when he saw the two of them getting along, there was still a part of him that couldn’t yet swallow.
It would be unreasonable to expect a child Colin to be able to separate the various aspects of his life, so he left again without speaking to Leon.
(Let’s at least apologize in a place where Noelle-neechan isn’t around)
Because he had been running around like this, he had missed the opportunity to apologize.
As he tried to head somewhere calm, he saw his parents taking the boat out of the window of the mansion.
What they were pulling out of the warehouse was a floating boat.
The boat is loaded with food and drinks.
Barkas is dressed a little better than usual, and Ruth is dressed up as well.
Colin was curious about their situation, so he went outside.
When he left the house and came outside, he saw them getting into the boat.
Barkas gives Ruth a hand.
Colin calls out to them.
“Where are you going? We’ve got guests today?”
It seemed strange to Colin that the two of them were vacating the mansion when he had heard that an important guest was coming.
However, both Barkas and Ruth looked at each other and smiled.
“It’s okay, Nix will take care of it. Dad’s going out with Mom, you stay out of Nix’s way and be quiet.”
When Barkas said that, Ruth also reminded Colin.
“Right. Just don’t get in Nix’s way. Just go play with the others.”
Colin didn’t quite understand, but decided to nod anyway.
“I understand. Anyway, where are you two going?”
Barkas scratches his cheek with his finger, feeling embarrassed.
“Aa~, this is that. I thought I’d have a look around the territory with Mom. We’ll just take a small boat and go around.”
They boarded a small floating boat and toured the territory.
It’s not like they are going out into the sky, it’s just a little outing.
The only thing that bothered Colin was that his parents were more dressed up than usual.
And then he comes to the answer.
“Maybe a date?”
Ruth squints.
“Ara, this child has grown up.”
Barkas scratched his head without answering.
He was probably embarrassed.
So, instead, Ruth answers him.
“Now that I’ve made up with Dad, we’re going out together. So Colin, you’re going to have to stay home today.”
“Is it okay to go out at this time?”
Would it be all right that his parents were absent when Dorothea from the Roseblade family was coming?
Colin’s question was answered by Barkas.
“It’ll make Nix feel easier. Colin, don’t get in Nix’s way. But you can bother Leon, he can take a little trouble.”
Ruth agrees with Barkas’s opinion.
“Is he really that great or not?”
It seems that his parents are unsure of their opinion of Leon.
However, Colin was relieved to see them.
(They’ve both made up)
The two of them had been somewhat distant lately, which worried him even as a child.
Colin was relieved to see the two of them back together again.
“All right. I’ll go to my room and read a book.”
Barkas patted Colin’s head a little roughly.
“Good boy”
As he watched them off in the boat, Colin felt envious of them.
A good married couple.
Not long ago, he had a formal wife named Zora, but Colin didn’t have very good memories of her.
She was not usually at the mansion, and would occasionally come and complain.
Although she was Barkas’ wife, he couldn’t see her as family.
When the two of them are out of sight, Colin realizes in that place.
“Are? Dad was married to Mom and Zora, but they have been alone ever since?”
Zora had been gone before he knew it, and no one in the family mentioned her name anymore.
As a child, he thought he probably shouldn’t ask, but there was no sign of Barkas marrying any other woman after that.
Colin felt uncomfortable.
” ―― Are?”
.
Part 3
When Colin returned to the mansion, he found both Jenna and Finley walking down the hallway.
The two do not seem to notice Colin and start talking when they stop in the hallway.
Colin decided to hide behind a pillar and wait for them to leave, thinking that he would be teased or ridiculed if he spoke to them.
Then the two of them start complaining.
“Ah~, mou! I really don’t understand why a bunch of ladies would show up in a rural area like ours?”
Jenna had a look of heartfelt incomprehension on her face and complained that she couldn’t understand why there was a young lady like Ange and the others in her house.
Finley seemed to agree with her, but she was not complaining.
“Sure, it’s strange, but it’s a good thing we get souvenirs and stuff.”
It was a carefree statement from Finley, but Colin agreed with it.
When Ange came to stay at the mansion, the meals became more luxurious.
In addition, Duke Redgrave had sent them gifts in addition to the money for her stay, and Colin was happy to find some unusual sweets among them.
If Ange was there, he would get sweets ―― that’s all he knew.
He’s heard that she is a young lady, but he doesn’t understand exactly how important she is.
However, since his parents were all sitting low, he knew that she was probably higher than them.
Jenna put her hand to her forehead in astonishment at Finley’s carefree attitude.
“They’re usually people you can’t get involved with unless you’re a follower. I was surprised when I saw Leon, but I don’t expect Nix to bring the Countess.”
“We’re barons, aren’t we?”
“Idiot!”
“Ouch!”
Jena flicked her finger at Finley’s forehead, who said that they were noblemen and barons, so there was no need to feel nervous.
Jenna explained to Finley in detail the reality of the Kingdom of Horfalt.
“In our country, there’s a world of difference between a baron and a count. Didn’t you see the castle of the Roseblade family? That’s the real nobility. Ours is just a mere hair’s breadth from a knight’s family.”
“It’s true that the Count’s family was great, but~”
Jenna lets out a sigh at Finley’s disapproval.
“You’ll understand once you enter the school, even if you don’t like it, you’re going to understand. Real young ladies are different.”
“That much?”
“All the clothes they wear are custom-made, and they have a lot of craftsmen working for them. They even have their own airship. The maids who follow them are from the family of knights.”
“Rich people are awesome.”
Finley was impressed, but she didn’t feel it yet.
Colin, who was also listening to the talk, thought it was great, but he couldn’t understand it.
Jenna was annoyed with her sister who didn’t understand, but she didn’t scold her, probably because she remembered herself before she entered the school.
“You may not understand it now, but when you get to the capital, you’ll understand it too, even if you don’t like it. And when that happens, you’ll realize how unnatural our situation is.”
“I still find it strange. That our boring older brothers can bring young ladies. Brother Leon brought a duchess and brother Nix brought a countess. I can’t believe it either.”
From Finley’s point of view, knowing what they usually look like, his brothers must be quite plain.
The two of them can’t understand why beautiful young ladies would fall in love with such boring older brothers.
The conversation then turns to Dorothea, Nix’s partner.
Jenna crossed her arms and turned her head down, perhaps feeling uneasy.
“In Nix’s case, it’s a problem because he’s taking over the house. If she’s his wife, she’ll have to live in this house. Angelica-sama will eventually move out, so I’ll just have to be patient, but when I think about Dorothea-sama running the house ―― “
Jenna, with a blue-faced and shaking, looked truly terrified.
From behind a pillar, Colin was frightened to see his usually arrogant sister frightened.
(Dorothea-“sama”? There are still people who are called by Jenna-neechan like that. What’s more, if the scary Jenna-neechan is scared of her, is Dorothea-neesan that scary?)
Seeing the frightened Jenna, Finley also tells her about the scary part of Ange.
“Ah~, I get it! I also asked brother Leon for some money, and she really stared at me. That was scary”
However, this one was laughing goofily, saying, “I got scolded.”
When the two of them show their excessiveness to Leon, Ange and Livia show their displeasure.
From the two of them, Livia, who was not a noblewoman, was not scary.
But Ange is different.
Even though Jenna is older than her, she can’t be strong because there is a solid hierarchy.
It’s more powerful than the school caste, and Jenna can’t go against it because there are certain standards.
There was some flexibility when men were involved, but on the other hand, the hierarchy in that area was very strict among women.
Jenna was venting her anger at Leon for putting her in such a troublesome situation.
“Not only did he bring a duchess, but he also brought a foreign princess. What is it with our men? Thanks to them, we’re on the short end of the stick.”
Finley agreed with that opinion, and voiced her dissatisfaction with Leon.
“Yeah. I can’t forgive Brother Leon for his habit of having women around. Isn’t it strange that he has three wives? What’s so good about that brother? The three of them don’t have a good eye for men, do they”
“No way~. I will never forgive him. Even if he had money, I would never choose Leon.”
The sisters were all despising Leon, and Colin could feel the discomfort growing in him as he listened to them.
(――Maybe it’s strange to have three wives?)
.
Part 4
Colin’s next stop was the courtyard.
Having a lot of things to think about, he sat down on the edge of a flower bed in the courtyard and lazily moved his legs around.
Then, a man and a woman come out of the mansion.
The man was Nix, and the woman was Dorothea, their guest.
It seems that they cannot see Colin.
Nix was a little nervous, but he wanted to talk to Dorothea about something important.
Colin quickly remembered that his parents had told him not to disturb Nix, so he ducked down without making a sound, saying, “I have to hide.”
Then, Nix ――.
“Dorothea-san!”
“Y-Yes!”
When her name was called, Dorothea’s voice was nervous and stuttering, and her face was as red as Nix’s.
“I-I want ―― to live here ―― with you.”
When Nix shyly expressed his feelings to the best of his ability, Dorothea paused for a moment before replying loudly.
“I-I want to live here too!”
They both turned red and didn’t move for a while, and then they both started laughing together.
―― Colin has witnessed a scene of confession.
Colin, who was watching the situation, was envious of Nix’s appearance and congratulated him in his heart.
(Congratulations, Nix-niichan)
And Dorothea also tells Nix how she feels about him.
“I love Nix-sama”
“I-I’m the same way.”
“Yes. But I think I am more than you. No matter how many times I am reborn, I will find you and fall in love with you. And we will be united again and again. I would never give you to anyone.”
Nix was embarrassed to hear that passionate line.
“Ahaha, I’m happy about that. Ah, but you know.”
Dorothea nodded her head at Nix, who hesitated to say.
Nix seemed to give up and made some conditions.
“About the collar, if you promise not to do it in public, we can do it when we’re alone.”
He doesn’t deny Dorothea’s hobby, but offers terms that can be compromised.
Then Dorothea shook her head.
“No, that won’t be necessary.”
“Eh?”
“There is no need for a collar or a chain between Nix-sama and me.”
“I see! Ah, I’m sorry. It’s not that I’m happy about it. I just thought it would be fine to have that kind of relationship.”
“Of course. From now on, we’ll be together forever and ever. I’ll never be apart from you.”
“U-Un?”
Nix seemed to be bothered by Dorothea’s phrasing, but he didn’t think too much of it and the two of them brought themselves closer together.
Noticing that they were about to kiss, Colin’s face turned bright red and he decided to leave quietly.
However, Colin somehow thinks.
(Hm~m, is this normal? I feel a little scared)
.
Part 5
Before dinner.
Colin was visiting Nix’s room.
Nix looked very tired, but happy that his confession had been successful.
Therefore, he welcomed him with open arms.
“What’s wrong? If you want me to help you apologize to Leon――”
“You’re wrong. I have a question for Nix-niichan.”
“A question?”
“Yes. You know, Nix-niichan is going to marry sister Dorothea, right?”
“O-Oh. Well yeah.”
Nix, who was embarrassed but confirmed it, looked quite happy.
“I doubt I’d be a good match for her. It’s a lie that when Leon got engaged to Angelica-san, I laughed and said it was none of my business.”
“I see. ―― So, are you going to marry someone else next?”
Nix’s brow wrinkled for a moment as he heard Colin’s question.
But he quickly softened his expression, saying it was a child’s question, and answered in Nix’s own way why Colin had asked him this.
“You’ve seen Dad, and then there’s Leon, so you think that?”
“Yes. Dad was married to Zora.”
Seeing Colin’s difficulty in saying Zora’s name, Nix briefly explained the situation.
“They were not family. Dad married Zora for the sake of society, but the real family is us. In the first place, he couldn’t even work the territory on his own.”
Although the Kingdom of Horfalt had long been a place where some women were more powerful than the men, the men in weaker positions had a concubine and a mistress.
The reason for this was that it was essential to have a partner in order to work.
Whether you are a nobleman who has been given a job by the royal court or a nobleman who has a fiefdom, if you don’t have someone who can be trusted to take care of the house, your work efficiency will decrease.
Even more importantly, if you’re going to entrust your house to them, you should feel more at ease with your family.
For this reason, there were other women besides a legal wife.
Otherwise, many of the houses were unable to work and collapsed.
So, when Barkas took Ruth as his concubine, he didn’t touch any woman after that.
For Barkas, only Ruth was his wife.
“Dad got married because he couldn’t deal with the society, but I think Mom was the only one he wanted to marry.”
Colin confirms Nix’s feelings.
“Is Nix-niichan the same?”
“I can’t guarantee the future, but I can’t think of any other woman right now.”
Colin thinks when he hears Nix’s words.
(Is Leon-niichan, who has three fiancées, really strange?)
Colin had never given much thought about marriage in the past, but after his first love and heartbreak, he started to think about it a lot.
Then he thought of Leon’s fiancées.
He wondered why Leon had three fiancées?
.
Part 6
“Leon-niichan, I’m sorry about the other day.”
I felt my eyes getting hot in front of Colin’s deep bow.
I didn’t realize that Colin was in love with Noelle.
“I apologize too. I should have explained it to you from the beginning.”
“It’s okay. It’s my fault.”
Not long ago I thought he was a child, but it seems that Colin is growing not only in appearance but also in mind.
I can’t help but be happy with my little brother’s growth.
It’s always Luxion who dampens my emotion.
[Your brother has grown mentally. Isn’t this something Master should learn from?]
“Normally I’d say something back, but since I’m in front of Colin, I won’t. Besides, I’ve had a lot to think about this time.”
Colin apologized to me after dinner, and I was relieved that we could finally be the close brothers we used to be.
Noelle, who had been watching us, looked quite happy.
“I’m glad you’re both making up.”
Noelle, who had been fretting about our relationship, seemed to be very happy.
Ange and Livia, who were overseeing the situation, also looked relieved.
“It took a while, but now you’re back to normal.”
“Leon-san is relieved. I’m also relieved to know that all the problems have been taken care of before the new school year.”
I’ve caused a lot of trouble for the three of you regarding me and Colin.
“Even though we were on vacation, the three of you couldn’t enjoy it. Sorry.”
I feel guilty for ending my spring break in such way.
It all started when Ange and Livia were worried about me.
I told them it was a misunderstanding, but they didn’t believe me, which was a little dissatisfying for me.
However, thanks to that, it gave me a chance to rest, and I want to thank the three of them.
Ange gives me a gentle smile.
“Don’t worry about it. As long as it helps you relax, it’s good enough for me.”
Livia put her hand on her chest, as if she felt the same as Ange.
“We had fun too, so don’t worry about it. It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to spend time with Leon-san.”
Noelle held out her hands, expressing her happiness with her body.
“My rehab is going well, and Leon’s family has been very good to me. In fact, I feel rather bad about it.”
The way they looked at me, they cared about me.
“Thank you, all three of you. ――What’s wrong, Colin?”
He tugged at my clothes and I looked over to see Colin looking up at me.
When I turned to see if there was anything more, Colin gave me a serious look.
“Leon-niichan”
“What?”
“Leon-niichan, I think you should take good care of the three of them. No, definitely make them happy.”
The word “definitely” is heavy, and I hesitate for a moment to reply.
But denying it here would not help, so I decided to nod my head.
“Y-You’re right. I intend to.”
There are no absolutes in this world.
So my response of “I can’t promise, but I’m willing” must have sounded unreliable to Colin.
“You’ve got to be clearer than that! Nix-niichan confessed his feelings properly to Dorothea-neechan and said he was not thinking about anyone else.”
I didn’t expect to hear Nix’s confession story from Colin.
In the first place.
“You’re kidding?! That hetare Nix confessed?”
“He did! Dorothea-neechan said she would marry Nix-niichan no matter how many times she was reborn!”
“Eh, isn’t that a bit heavy?”
What’s that, heavy?! Isn’t it really heavy?!
For someone like me who has a previous life, that’s like saying I’ll chase you even if I die.
Didn’t that Nix guy think anything of it?
“By the way, what was Nix’s reaction when he heard Dorothea-san’s line? Was he shocked? Or was he scared?”
Colin is, why would you ask me that? He looks at me as if to say that.
“He was pleased. It’s natural because his confession was successful.”
“You’re kidding, right?!”
If someone said that to me, I’d do everything in my power to figure out a way to escape.
It’s too scary to be chased after death!
Even though it’s not the most heart-pounding line, but the ladies are excited.
“As Dorothea would say. No matter how many times I am reborn, huh. No matter how many times I’m reborn, I’d still like to meet you guys.”
“It feels like an amazing fate that we can meet even if we are reborn. If I were reborn again, I’d look for you all.”
“Women in the Kingdom say amazing things. But it’s kind of nice.”
―― You’re kidding, right? Why is it so popular?
I got a chill down my spine.
‘Even if I die, I’ll chase you until the next life’ things, just Marie is enough. But in the case of Marie, it’s not a sexy story but a comedy, so is it still acceptable?
As I was thinking about it, Colin resumed his talk.
“Leon-niichan, are you listening to me? I think you should be more serious. Learn from Nix-niichan.”
“Y-Yes”
I never thought I would see the day when my little brother would lecture me.
Luxion, perhaps amused by the situation, teased me.
[It’s really encouraging to see your little brother grow up. What do you think, everyone?]
The three people who had been smiling earlier were slightly envious of Dorothea-san.
Ange puts her hand to her lips.
“I suppose so. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t envy Dorothea.”
Livia put her hand to her cheek.
“It was surprising that Nix-san confessed to her. I certainly adore it.”
Noelle looked at me worriedly.
“I guess that makes Leon the most hetare within the brothers when it comes to romance.”
Colin experienced a broken heart and was able to apologize properly.
Nix confessed.
Compared to those two, I’m inferior in the romance area.
In agony, I look for areas where I am winning.
” ―― The number of fiancés won’t lose.”
Luxion and the three others shook their heads in puzzlement.
The four of them understood that it was my usual joke, but apparently Colin didn’t get it.
“That’s not the problem! You have three important people, so Leon-niichan has to work hard three times!”
“Ah, yes”
It was a child’s mysterious theory, but I understood what he was trying to say.
From Colin’s point of view, it was hard to accept that the person he fell in love with was one of my multiple fiancées.
Colin looks like he’s about to cry.
“I can’t make her happy, so I have to ask Leon-niichan. I wish I could make her happy, but I can’t――Please, Leon-niichan, make the three of them happy.”
What should I say to my little brother who was crying and sobbing? Should I just say, “I’ll make everyone happy so leave it to me!” here?
But it sounds kind of like a lie when I say it.
Seeing me in a panic, Luxion said in a rather happy tone of voice.
[How does it feel to be corrected by your brother?]
“――I can’t say anything back.”
.
Part 7
The castle of the Count Roseblade.
Dorothea clearly seemed in a good mood since her return from Bartofalt territory.
Deirdre, watching her, is dumbfounded but happy.
“I didn’t expect that he would be the one to confess. Did onee-sama tell him how you really feel? The other party is going to be shocked, though.”
Dorothea turned her body toward Deirdre, there is a slight, dark smile on her face. (Note: Danger Detected)
“Of course. I told him that no matter how many times we are reborn, we will always be connected, and he gladly accepted. After all, a physical chain is no good. It’s not enough at all. Even if we die, the chain of our souls that connects us in the afterlife is the best. “
Dorothea was serious, no matter how many times she was reborn, she was going to find Nix and be tied to him.
The weight of love is so heavy that even her sister, Deirdre is taken aback.
“You’re just not being serious, are you?”
“That’s fine. I just don’t let him go.”
Looking at Dorothea, who smiled, Deirdre shrugged.
“My older sister is a woman of heavy love.”