SILHCN 33

They’re my beloved brothers, capable, good-looking, and from a good family, but…

How should I put it? It feels like looking at two mischievous, large dogs that only pay attention when I’m fawning over someone with a “life is hard” attitude. It feels like I’ve gained two troublemakers that I can’t even handle one of.

But then again, to argue, “Let’s keep our distance from Sister Titania and watch her,” Titania seemed too precarious. I mean, to be frank, am I in a position to worry about the Castrain Ducal family? No, I’m not.

“Big Brother, why are you suddenly so wary of Little Brother? You usually just tell him not to cause trouble, right?”

“That guy is excessively full of energy.”

“Didn’t you say you’re used to cleaning up after him now?”

“He shouldn’t inconvenience a patient. Who knows, he might set the Empress’s palace on fire this time.”

They agreed on that, though… Vivi thought, but because he was so obviously wary without even realizing it himself, she turned her eyes away again.

“Big Brother.”

“Hmm?”

“Vivi always trusts and loves you.”

“I love you too.”

A faint smile appeared on his expressionless face. It took a long time to get that kind of response. It was only after more than two weeks of going around like a machine, shouting, “I love you, Papa! I love you, Big Brother! I love you, Little Brother! I love you, Youngest Brother!” that he finally gave her that answer.

“But I don’t like your petty jealousy…”

“It’s not jealousy.”

“I also don’t like how you’re so petty that you deny it…”

“I said it’s not jealousy, Vivi. Lysianthuses has been overly excited lately. The possibility of him being unable to control his power when he met Her Highness the Princess was too high.”

“There’s a magic stone to prevent fire in her room.”

“…I couldn’t put them in all the hallways of the Empress’s palace.”

“You put a magic stone to amplify power in the hallways to prevent the fire from spreading to her room, just in case he causes trouble in the hallway.”

“There is still a possibility that the secret of his power will be exposed to the Empress’s palace family.”

There was no end to arguing with Raymond, who denied his own feelings and emotions with cliché excuses. As the carriage slowed down and arrived at the Duke’s mansion, Vivi closed her eyes for a moment.

Sister Titania, I’m sorry, but I’ll do my best. Vivi will do a really good job.

Please don’t abandon my sometimes annoying Brothers 1 + 2…

Vivi truly loved the Castrain Ducal family. However, she never forgot that they sometimes drove people crazy.

“What a sight.”

Miriam, the laundry maid, clicked her tongue as she looked at the ghostly Rose Palace. The blackened and burned walls and the ruined garden were left untouched. One side of the wall had collapsed, exposing the inside of the drawing-room, and it was covered with a curtain-like cloth, but it looked like a temporary measure at best.

They were planning to do a temporary repair and start a full-scale renovation after Princess Titania left the palace, but then the princess was in an accident and was on the verge of death, so there was nothing they could do. Since the princess hadn’t woken up, no one could suggest starting the renovation of the Rose Palace. The reactions within the palace were chaotic. This was especially true after the maids of the Rose Palace, who had rushed to the main gate of the Empress’s palace to ask about Titania’s condition, had a bad experience. This was even more so because they all had something to feel guilty about.

That’s why Miriam was even more determined. To steal things from the Rose Palace.

“Just a little, just a little.”

The princess wasn’t even in the Rose Palace, so who would care? Miriam had seen Natalie hurrying out of the Rose Palace and heading somewhere earlier. That’s why she was sure that no one was in the Rose Palace right now.

Other maids said the Rose Palace was scary. This was especially true after the incident and the Rose Palace maids were forced to perform penance-like prayers. They trembled in fear, saying they heard strange noises in the empty palace and that it might be a ghost.

“Where are the ghosts? Cowards.”

Miriam snorted, looked around, and slipped into the ghostly Rose Palace. There was no sign of anyone. There were rumors that the Emperor didn’t know what to do with the Rose Palace family, that he was furious, and that those involved in this incident would be punished in some way. The princess herself was in the Empress’s palace, but no one even knew if she was alive or dead.

Therefore, Miriam was sure that this was an opportunity to make a fortune. Even if she was just a princess in name, she was still a princess. Even if she only took a few decent pieces of silverware or jewelry, she could make a lot of money. If the servants who originally guarded this palace were here, it would be a different story, but their fate was unknown. Even if the princess, who had returned from a coma, noticed that a couple of pieces of jewelry were missing, who would she blame? It would be fine if they just disappeared without anyone knowing.

Even as she looked at the blackened hallway, Miriam wasn’t afraid. On the contrary, she thought it was a stroke of luck that others, who were scared of the ugly exterior, didn’t come near. She knew the basic structure of the building. Miriam decided to go to the princess’s room first.

Surprisingly, the door was not locked. Well, the Rose Palace maids were so terrified of being punished after Titania’s accident that they didn’t have the presence of mind to care about such a basic thing. If valuable items really disappeared, they would all be blamed, the idiots. Of course, Miriam was happy. Her crime wouldn’t be noticeable.

Squeak.

Miriam opened the door and carefully peeked inside the room. It smelled of dust. Even though it was the middle of the day, the curtains were drawn on every window, so no sunlight came in, making it dark. Was it a bedroom? She saw a large canopy bed in the innermost part of the room and a small table next to it. She didn’t even glance at the vase with the wilted, rotting flowers and opened the drawer below it.

A small locket necklace was visible. It was a crude object made of brass and didn’t look expensive, but Miriam opened it, thinking there might be a jewel inside. It was a small portrait. With the jet-black hair and the unusually clear golden eyes, she could tell who it was just by looking at it. It was the young Duke Raymond, much younger than he was now. It was a crude painting, probably something sold to commoners in the city.

“…What a disgusting feeling.”

Miriam’s mood soured instantly. Thinking of Titania, who was so obsessed with the young Duke Raymond, her conscience pricked her in an unusual way. Did she have a maid buy this for her? She should have put her favorite jewels in it instead! Miriam grumbled and closed the locket, putting it back in the drawer. It might be better to just casually search the room and then go through the toilet room or the closet. Even in the Rose Palace, expensive jewelry was usually kept in locked boxes and stored separately by a maid.

It would be nice to have some gold or silver that doesn’t need to be put in a jewelry box. Miriam looked around. That’s when it happened.

-…O-ver…

A strange sound was heard. Goosebumps ran down Miriam’s neck. It felt like someone was standing right behind her and whispering.

-…Intru…der…

There was a crackling sound, as if something was being forcibly cut off. Miriam turned around, trembling. There was nothing there. However, she saw a magnificent box, which she had wondered why she hadn’t seen before, lying next to the bed. Its long shape looked like it held a staff, a sword, or a scepter. Should I not touch it? Even as she thought that, Miriam reached for the box.

When she opened the lid of the box, she saw a sword with its scabbard and hilt wrapped tightly in red cloth. Even to Miriam, who knew nothing about swords, it looked like a valuable one. Normally, Miriam wouldn’t have touched such a sword. Even a thief isn’t without a thought. There was no way a mere maid could dispose of a famous sword without any repercussions.

But strangely, Miriam was mesmerized and unwrapped the red cloth. And the moment she grabbed the hilt to pull the sword out of its scabbard, as if it were the most natural thing in the world…

-THIEF!!!!!!!! (⍜⍙⍜)!!!!!!!!!

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!”

Someone screamed in her head.