Chapter 3: Family

“Is that true, Your Highness?”

“It is.”

“Are you saying the demon attacked Shasha because of the anklet I gifted her?”

“Yes. ‘Momo’ was attacked because of the anklet you gave her.”

“…”

After returning late last night from vanquishing demons in the Western Forest, Rictusa visited the Imperial Palace at dawn to report on the mission. He had just received unexpected news about Shasha from the Princess.

Despite the early hour, Rictusa faced the Princess in his perfectly arranged uniform, his face drained of color. His expression demanded an explanation.

“So that’s why Shasha looked unwell yesterday.”

“What are you saying, Commander? Is Momo still in that condition?”

Yesterday at dawn, despite his subordinates’ protests, Rictusa had stubbornly traveled the long distance alone to return to his mansion. He flatly rejected his subordinates’ suggestions to celebrate their successful mission with drinks.

He rushed back because he’d heard that Shasha would be staying at the Eros Mansion starting today.

When he arrived at the mansion around 3 AM after his relentless journey, Shasha was sound asleep in one corner of a room.

The servants reported that Shasha had been terrified and trembling violently. Her clothes were wrinkled from forcible damage, and her limbs were soaking wet like she’d been caught in the rain.

She had adamantly refused assistance from the servants, including help with bathing, and had washed herself alone. She hadn’t eaten anything, just locked herself in the room and slept.

He thought something seemed strange, but never imagined such a terrible thing had happened to Shasha—and because of the anklet he had given her.

His heart sank.

Rictusa rubbed his eyes and glared at the coffee cup on the table.

Shasha had been hurt because of his oversight.

And by a Taracan, notorious for its ferocity.

But he’d heard the demon incident had occurred quite a while ago, so why had Shasha returned to the mansion in such a state just last night?

Though puzzled by the inconsistencies, Rictusa decided that checking on Shasha’s physical condition was the priority.

“Was Shasha seriously injured?”

Kesera, sitting with her arms crossed and legs intertwined, peered into Rictusa’s eyes.

His ocean-blue eyes were filled with intense waves that seemed ready to overflow.

“Momo…”

She hadn’t yet told Rictusa the details of what happened. Just hearing that a demon had attacked Momo made him look ready to storm out of the audience chamber and tear apart the underground prison.

His father had died because of demons, so his hatred and killing intent toward them already reached the heavens.

If he learned that Momo, whom he cherished like a little sister, had been sexually violated by a demon, he wouldn’t stay calm.

But setting everything else aside, Rictusa was currently her adoptive older brother.

If he, of all people, learned about the incident, it would be extremely shameful and humiliating for Momo.

The palace people only knew that a demon had attacked Momo and that she was being inexplicably pursued by demons afterward.

Only she and Momo knew the full details of the incident.

After contemplating how to explain this matter, Kesera decided to remain silent about it.

“Fortunately, she just hit the floor and got some scrapes. Still, she must have been terrified, so as her new family member, please stay by her side and comfort her.”

“Of course. Shasha is now my top priority.”

Rictusa declared in a low voice. His fist trembled with self-blame and anger under the table.

He never imagined such a terrible situation would befall Shasha while he was away.

Wasn’t he supposed to be the one protecting her?

“Commander, you look exhausted. I heard you successfully eliminated the demons. Good work. Now go home and rest.”

“I should stay with Shasha continuously.”

“Yes, but… what’s with ‘Shasha’? Your naming skills…”

“Pardon?”

“It’s so provincial.”

“…Says Your Highness who named her whatever came to mind? What’s ‘Momo’? Is she a puppy that wags its tail and comes running when called? At least ‘Shasha’ has a meaningful significance.”

Rictusa retorted with displeasure.

“Little Rictusa? That’s your meaningful significance? Who names someone like that? Is Momo your possession?”

The two continued bickering for a while, criticizing each other without restraint.

Their relationship wasn’t bad, but they always seemed to clash somewhere. While one lived however she pleased despite her position, the other was a person who seemed born for his role, fitting into it perfectly.

In essence, they were fundamentally incompatible.

“Dealing with you always gives me a headache. You may leave now, Grand Duke, I’m tired.”

“I was about to leave anyway.”

“Tomorrow I’ll give you a day off. Why not take Momo out for a walk? Oh dear, what you said earlier makes this sound strange. Anyway, Momo has been cooped up in the palace and longs for the outside world.”

“I don’t follow Your Highness’s recommendations.”

“How impertinent. Then I’ll take her out myself.”

This man is dead without his principles and virtues.

Rictusa’s attitude toward the Princess might seem disrespectful to a third party. However, they were the same age and had known each other since childhood. Their long-standing relationship as master and servant allowed them to engage in such childish bickering without hesitation.

Of course, due to their opposite personalities, they often found each other disagreeable.

“Then I shall take my leave.”

“Go ahead.”

After observing the formal courtesies, Rictusa left the audience chamber.

He immediately went to the most famous macaron shop in the palace district, bought three boxes of plump macarons filled with generous amounts of filling, and returned to the Eros Mansion.

He also didn’t forget to order the servants to dress Shasha in the finest clothes.

Though popular with women, Rictusa had absolutely no dating experience.

His workaholic spirit played a part in this.

Above all, his character was so upright and straight that he knew how to escort women gently but not how to seduce them sweetly.

He received approaches from various women at balls, but lacking the discernment to distinguish between genuine interest and mere courtesy, he always assumed the latter.

How to console a woman when she’s upset or sad? This was Rictusa’s greatest challenge.

He hurriedly entered the mansion, desperately hoping the macaron boxes in his arms would improve Shasha’s mood even a little.

* * *

“Grand Duke, you’ve arrived?”

“Where’s Shasha?”

“She had breakfast and is now in the east wing bedroom.”

“Good. Take these and send them up to Shasha’s room with warm milk in about 20 minutes.”

Rictusa handed the macaron package to the butler and quickly went upstairs.

He paused briefly outside Shasha’s room to straighten his clothes and clear his throat.

Having only ever met her at the palace, this was his first time welcoming Shasha in his home, which made him unexpectedly nervous.

“Shasha.”

After knocking carefully, a tiny voice leaked through the door.

“Come in.”

That weak voice was so heartbreaking that Rictusa felt a tearing sensation in his chest.

“Commander?”

Discovering Rictusa entering, Shasha hurriedly tried to get up. Rictusa stopped her and sat down by the bedside.

“Don’t get up. Stay lying down.”

“Did you just arrive?”

“I arrived at dawn yesterday. But more importantly… I heard you went through something terrible. Are you feeling better?”

“Something terrible?”

“I heard the demon in the underground prison went berserk and attacked you…”

“Ah.”

Shasha blinked blankly, suddenly remembering something forgotten.

Her hands, resting neatly on the blanket, trembled slightly before moving down to touch her lower abdomen.

“Shasha, are you alright? Does your stomach hurt?”

“No, I’m fine.”

Rictusa furrowed his brow, recalling Shasha’s condition as described by the servant last night.

Should he ask, or wait for her to tell him?

There seemed to have been something separate from the demon incident.

Gazing into Shasha’s eyes, Rictusa soon changed his mind.

With her eyes downcast, she seemed absolutely unwilling to talk about it. She also appeared to be trying hard to look cheerful, deliberately hiding her feelings.

Even though they were family now, he had no desire to invade Shasha’s personal space, so he had to withdraw with an uneasy heart.

“I was terribly worried that something might happen to you. Why would Her Highness bring a demon to tame… goodness.”

Rictusa let out a long sigh of relief as he gently patted Shasha’s hand fidgeting under the blanket.

“I’m glad you weren’t seriously hurt. Oh, I bought some macarons for you. I’ll have them sent up once you’re feeling better.”

“Wow. Thank you, Commander. I’m already feeling better.”

Rictusa smiled broadly and pulled the golden cord next to the bed, which was used to summon servants.

“And I’ve been thinking about one more thing.”

“What is it?”

“First, let’s clarify how you address me. Don’t call me by the stiff title of Commander. We’re practically family now, aren’t we?”

“Hmm, then, Big Brother?”

“That’s fine, or you can call me Riksha.”

“Is that a nickname?”

Shasha, fluttering the white lace sleeves of her nightgown and looking up with curious eyes, was as beautiful as a princess trapped in a tower.

Snow-white skin and crystal-clear grayish-blue eyes. Her silver-rippled hair was disheveled over her nightgown.

Plus, the small twitching of her nose.

She looked just like a baby angel waking from sleep, making Rictusa squeeze his heart dozens of times inwardly.

Unaware of his feelings, Shasha kept fidgeting with the lace hem of her nightgown, seemingly uncomfortable with her attire.

“Hmm, Big Brother… Riksha… It still feels awkward.”

“You’ll get used to it gradually.”

Just then, the butler knocked on the door, carrying a tray with macaron plates and a glass of milk.

True to his role as butler of the illustrious House Eros, he set the refreshments with elegant gestures, bowed, and withdrew.

“So what were you going to say earlier?”

“This demon incident made me realize something important. We can’t leave you as you are. Shasha, you’re cute and beautiful… so pretty and lovable.”

Rictusa almost said he wanted to bite her, but stopped himself, fearing it would sound strange.

The Empire’s greatest swordsman and warrior was acutely aware of his limited expressiveness.

“And you’re very small. Naturally, you lack physical strength. While I will always prioritize protecting you, when I’m absent like that time, you need to be able to protect yourself.”

“You’re right, o, um, o, o… Big Brother.”

Shasha clenched her hands and shyly mumbled.

Feeling his heart crushed once more, Rictusa explained his future plans as calmly as possible.