The warm sunlight downpours inside the garden filled with the scent of roses.
"Bell...... calm down already."
"Today, my younger brother is finally arriving! I can't calm down!"
After saying that while wandering around aimlessly, the prince sighed multiple times.
"And is my dress okay?"
"......Is Bell going to dress something weird in front of me who's your fiance?"
"Oh......sorry."
He sighs again.
"Is Schwartz not coming today?"
The prince's sharp gaze was so painful I thoughtlessly changed the subject. His beautiful blonde hair shined.
"Yeah. Because he should learn to work soon."
Lately, the time Schwartz came to visit has decreased.
The time I will study to be the prince's wife is also the time the prince will start to learn to work full-fledged. It is training us pair will go through at the same time. The work as the vassal will most likely increase paired with the husband who's the prince.
Aside from being the vassal, Schwartz has the important position as a close aide and, he's also a son of a minister (of the government). His work is more difficult than a normal person's.
"(Soon) I won't be able to play like this with Bell too."
Stealing a glance at the prince, he sadly smiled.
"......Did you have fun?"
I dare not say something unnecessary. Asking him nervously, the prince slowly nodded to my question.
"A lot. It was the most enjoyable days in my life."
At that moment, I think the prince smiled from his heart. I'm sure he really enjoyed it. I'm glad. I stroked down my chest in relief and I too spoke words of gratitude.
"Until now, thank you for listening to my (selfish) wishes. It was an enjoyable and fulfilling days for me too."
I said to the prince with my biggest gratitude and gentle smile. After the prince gazed at me in slight wonderment, he smiled astounded and tilted his head.
"What's with that words like it's the end. Bell is my fiancee, so I can listen to your wishes anytime."
"Your...right."
For an instant, I was startled.
I can't continuously stay as the prince's fiancee. If we enter the academy, more I can't be with the prince. But still, is it selfish of me to see him be happy while close to him?
I genuinely want the prince to marry the heroine and be happy. He's a person that should be happy. However, it won't heal his fundamental scars even if he plays with us like this.
If the prince becomes happy, I will celebrate to the fullest. If possible I want to be invited to the wedding. It would be great if I could join the heroine's bouquet toss.
"Besides, there should be a couple more months before I earnestly start working."
My thoughts returned because of the prince's voice.
What's the point of wanting the prince to be happy if I'm the only one being happy!
"Your right. Let's play a lot!"
After saying that to distract the attention, the prince nodded in approval.
"Since it's fun to tease Bell."
"...tease, you mean..."
Giving him a dangerous gaze, the prince smiled again. It was not the teasing smile like always but, a gentle smile full of affection.
"Bell, I too am grateful to you."
The prince gently wrapped my hand (with his).
Looking surprised at the prince, he narrowed his blue eyes.
"Thank you for giving me happiness. Even now, I am thankful (to you) for facing me head on that day."
The corner of my eyes couldn't help but heat up.
Is that something that should be said today? Is he trying to make me cry?
It means, that day, I wasn't wrong for trying to fill the prince's loneliness. It is me who got saved.
Me, an anomaly who knows about my previous life. An irregular existence who knows the future. I know the things the real Berthia doesn't. I learned a lot of things about being a noble and being engaged to a royal. You too, thank you for accepting such an odd existence.
I was crying none stop before I noticed it.
"Ahh, come on. Your eyes will swell if you cry."
The prince wiped my tears with the sleeve of his luxurious clothes while smiling and looking troubled. Though he always teases people, the prince is gentle at times like these.
I want the prince should be happy, after all.
***
After I sent off the prince, I cooled my swollen eyes using cold water.
"Bell's new younger brother will arrive now... Are you ready?"
"A little more. Please wait a little more."
I'm waiting for my brother to come to the front door with my father, but the swelling doesn't go away. With this, I will leave a wrong impression on my new little brother. This is because the prince says things like that......
I almost cried again when I remembered, so I hurriedly changed my thoughts.
"Father, can you please tell me my little brother's name?"
"Name? Other than asking me, isn't it better for you to ask him directly?"
"That's true, your right."
While the two of us talk, the entrance door opened and a servant entered. I swiftly hid the ice pack that was on my eye behind my back.
He bowed politely and continued his words.
"Master (head of the family), Lady Berthia, the people from Tilefia Family has arrived."
"Let them in."
"As you wish."
The maid politely bowed again and disappeared behind the door. I gave the ice pack to the maid near me and fixed my dress.
Finally, he's coming. My younger brother.
"Here he comes."
As if Father's words were the signal, the servants opened the big door and three people entered. A chubby woman, a rather handsome man, and a boy slightly shorter than me. The child was behind the woman and his silver-gray hair was slightly peeking.
That child is surely my younger brother.
"It's been a long time, Master Seig. I am Bahar Tilefia, the head of the Tilefia Family."
"Good day, Master. I am Bahar's wife, Merli. This is our child."
Bahar bowed beautifully, and Merli who had her lips curved, grabbed the child's nape behind her and pushed him infront of us. Because Merli strongly pushed the boy's shoulder, he staggered a little.
They treat the child so roughly...
Glancing at Father, he was deeply frowning, as he seem to feel it too. We, as the head family (of the clan or household), will never treat our own children that way.
As I frowned and shifted my gaze to the child taken out infront of me, I was shocked like I was struck by lightning.
Silver-gray hair quirkily shining with big bluish eyes. His white skin with his cherry color cheeks and small lips glows well. A beautiful boy that is different from the prince.
The prince has a fleeting beauty that is somewhat dark (gloomy), but he is someone that is suited to be called cute. Is it because of his youth that even if they both have big blue eyes and white skin, they are very different?
(Note: Ummmm. Or maybe it's because they're both different people? Don't you think, Berthia? lol)
The boy who remained silent got himself poked by Merli, and reluctantly bent his knees.
"I am glad to meet you. I (ore).....no. I (watashi) am called Will. Please take care of me from now on."
(Note: As I've explained in a previous chapter, 'ore' means I or me informally and 'watashi' means the same but is a formal way of saying so.)
The cute Will also greeted adorably. I definitely want him to call me 'Onee-sama'.
"Ufufu(giggle), then, we will excuse ourselves. Will. Don't act insolently. We won't let you off when you get home."
Merli twisted her face with make-up and glared at Will with sharp eyes.
"Merli. Watch your words. My apologies, Master (head of the family)."
The (current) head of the Tilefia family properly scolded Merli and left our house. Father smiled quietly but he was radiating a very dark aura.
"Will is not their child."
"Eh?"
"You see that family head, right? He produced that child with a prostitute. He had him because he seems to not have an heir but the Tilefia family already has an eldest son."
"You mean, he's served his purpose..."
"Something like that."
In a low voice, Father whispered to me and sweetly smiled. Finally, he tells me to get along with him(w) and turned to face Will.
"Will, welcome to Thibus Family. We will be family from now on. Let's get along, but even if I say that you won't be able to accept us immediately. Well then......"
Father held my shoulders and brought me infront of Will.
"Father?"
"First of all, can you get along with this child? She's my daughter..."
"Father, I can say it myself."
I turned to my father and upon saying that, Father let go of my shoulders while smiling.
"Your right. Sorry. Sorry. Oh, it's already this hour.... I want to talk more but I still have work so I'll excuse myself for this. Then Bell, Will, see you at dinner tonight."
After looking at the clock, father gave his apology and turned his heel in a dash.
The only ones left are Will and me. An awkward atmosphere flows. I wonder. What is this uneasiness?
"Um......Can I call you Will? I'm Berthia. I will be your older sister. Well, I'd like you to call me 'Onee-sama' if you can."
I sweetly smiled to not scare him and Will who sank into silence stole a glance at me. Our eyes met, so I smiled sweetly again.
After Will mockingly looked at me from head to toe, his adorable face cutely distorted and snorted.
....he snorted?
"What's up with this shorty?"
Terrible words came out of his cute mouth.
(Welp, I guess you're stuck with another brat, Bell. 🤣 Not gonna lie, this is pretty hilarious. And already I hate Merli and Bahar upon their first introduction.)
Anyways, I'm baaack! Sorry for suddenly disappearing for so long. Something happened in my personal life that I had to do first and I got busy so I didn't have time to notify you guys. But the important part is now I have returned! I will try to update every 3 days at the earliest and 7 days at the latest.
Hopefully, you guys are still here with me. Don't hesitate to comment if you have questions or anything you want to express whether it's about the story or my translation. Your thoughts give me motivation. Thank you for reading!