LMTM 07

Chapter – 07

Cesar let out a sigh, confused. He was just about to turn the corner and head deeper into the knights’ quarters when he heard the voices of senior knights. Rochester was there too. Instinctively, Cesar hid himself. He heard Reina’s name mixed with his own.

“So the Lady of Regefield said she doesn’t like Cesar anymore?”

“That’s what I heard. Whew, finally I can relax.”

“Why are you so against Cesar?”

“What do you mean? It’s not that I hate Cesar. I just hate seeing my sister suffer.”

“…Anyway. Then why did the Lady of Regefield change her mind?”

“No idea. She wouldn’t tell me. Maybe she finally grew up. Realized Cesar isn’t exactly a good man.”

“…Doesn’t seem like it to me. No way. I think it makes more sense to assume… there’s another man.”

“What! Another man?”

Rochester was shocked — and so was Cesar. Another man, for Reina Regefield?

He had never once imagined such a thing. Reina liking Cesar was practically a law of nature — a law that hadn’t broken once in years.

Another man…?

It just didn’t fit. Jaw clenched, Cesar frowned.

Of course, in a way, this should have been something to be happy about. Reina wouldn’t bother him anymore, and Reina herself would finally be able to meet the “kind, cute, lovable man who would only ever love her” — just like she’d said.

It was something good for both of them.

Right. I should be happy.

Cesar smirked slightly.

＊ ＊ ＊

I even had tea with Selena and came back home. We promised to go to the next social gathering together too. I can’t believe I came into a novel and became best friends with the villainess. Life is wild.

Meanwhile, the heroine seems like a total nerd.

Not easy. Not easy at all. Still, at least it looks like I won’t die chasing the male lead anymore. That should be enough… right? Still feels a bit shaky.

I was rolling around on the bed when my brother came to find me.

Seriously, aren’t you busy? How do you have time to come see me in broad daylight? Surprised, I asked.

“Brother? Didn’t you go to work today—”

“Who’s the other guy?”

“Huh?”

“Nothing.”

Rochester took a deep breath and forced a gentle smile. Which, honestly, just made him look scarier.

“What are you talking about? Explain properly.”

“They said you found another man you like.”

…Huh?

Is he talking about me? When did I ever say that?

With a face like his world had crumbled, Rochester continued.

“So that’s why you don’t like Cesar anymore. Is that true? Can I ask… what kind of guy he is?”

And there it is again — another delusion. I clenched my teeth. What is wrong with him?

“There is no such man. None.”

“…Really?”

“If you know any good men, introduce them to me first. Seriously. Set me up if you can.”

At my words, Rochester murmured, looking like he might cry.

“When you were little, you said you’d marry me.”

That was forever ago.

“I’m really sad, Reina. You’re still this tiny kid to me… and now you’ll marry some other man… which means you won’t live with your brother anymore. Is that really okay?”

His nonsense was getting worse by the day.

I’m the one who’s not okay with this…

“What if you live next door to me instead? I think I could accept that.”

You mean, so you can keep watch.

He really has villain potential. Maybe I should stay close and monitor him. They say family support is important for trauma and stuff.

“Really? You won’t go far?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Huh?”

“I just want to rest right now…”

He completely drained my energy.

“You’re sure there’s no other man?”

Now I finally understood why Reina had chased Cesar so obsessively.

It’s genetic.

“There isn’t!! Please leave!”

Only then did Rochester leave, looking deflated.

No wonder he becomes the final boss after Reina dies. I should probably arrange a girlfriend for him.

I let out a long sigh.

Then the maid, smiling, spoke to me.

“You must still think a lot about when you were sick as a child.”

“…That was ages ago.”

Even in the memories Reina left me, it was there.

Born weak and bedridden for years, never once breathing fresh air, and Rochester always hovering nearby.

‘Young Master Rochester absorbed all the life force when he was born.
Those born with sword-master talent usually have weaker siblings.’

Maybe it was because I heard that so often.

If I so much as tripped, Rochester acted like the earth was collapsing. If I had a fever, he acted like the sky was falling.

Growing up with that kind of love…

Reina became sweet and bright. If she hadn’t fallen for Cesar, she might have lived with not a single shadow in her life.

Anyway, the important thing now—

“Do you know what my brother’s ideal type is?”

“Pardon?”

Jane looked stunned.

“I’m going to get him dating. This won’t do. Maybe if a sister-in-law comes into the house, he’ll chill out a bit.”

“…Which lady would ever— Ah! I’m sorry.”

Jane clapped a hand over her mouth.

She really only ever says the truth.

＊ ＊ ＊

It had already been a week since I decided to be friends with Selena.

We’d been exchanging letters and finally set a day to meet. Her birthday was coming up, and she wanted to choose a dress for the party.

I’ve never gone shopping with a friend before.

Heart fluttering, I headed out.

Come to think of it, I should get her a birthday present too. I’ve also never bought a gift for a friend before. What would she like?

She probably has everything. Should I give something meaningful? Or something expensive?

I’ll ask Rochester later.

Happily, I stepped down from the carriage and entered the dress shop. Selena and Grace were already there.

“Selena! Grace!”

“Reina. You’re here.”

“…Hello.”

Grace greeted me with a faint smile.

I’d made up my mind today.

I was going to try improving Selena and Grace’s relationship. Honestly, things would be so much better if Selena just spoke a little more gently. Her feelings for Grace were real.

And it wasn’t like she’d really poison Grace or anything.

I just wanted Grace to understand how Selena felt. It’s sad when only outsiders know someone’s true feelings, while the person themselves never realizes.

“Reina first—”

“No! How about Grace chooses a dress first?”

Grace glanced anxiously between us. Selena was looking at me, eyes shining with “touched.” Big sister proud of herself for putting little sister first.

This might sound rude, but I suddenly saw Rochester in her a bit. Obsessed with their sibling.

“A-ahem. Very well, Grace. You try first. But avoid blue — it’s too much for you. Maybe because you grew up in the countryside, yellow suits you better.”

In this world, blue is considered elegant, mysterious, and beautiful. Words like that could really hurt Grace. Especially now, when she was already intimidated — and Selena just couldn’t speak nicely.

Honestly, with how she acts, Selena is basically Grace-obsessed. That the original story was about Grace healing from countless wounds through romance with Cesar makes no sense. Why heal with a man when you have family like this?

I’ll make sure she heals with family instead.