Recently, Rubert found Rowenloa very strange.

The timid child who used to startle and avoid her siblings at mere eye contact and feared even passing their father in the hallway, had started to contradict their father’s words and challenge Bershua, the eldest son. 

 Rubert had known since childhood that Rowenloa was intelligent. However, as she began to show off her intelligence, he unconsciously felt himself being overshadowed by her. 

 Bershua had always told Rubert and Rembro.

That he should rightfully become the head of House Masipacius.

That only then could the wealth be properly distributed among the other siblings. 

 And he had been brainwashing the siblings, telling them they needed to unite.

He had been wary of Rowenloa since childhood.

Because unlike them, she was extremely intelligent and quick to master skills like horseback riding and martial arts, he thought she would threaten his position.

That’s why Bershua always told his siblings.

That if Rowenloa inherited House Masipacius, she would obviously not share any of the Masipacius wealth with her siblings.

That his attempts to check Rowenloa and claim the marquis position were ultimately for all of them. 

 So as soon as Bershua entered the academy, he began spreading numerous bad rumors about Rowenloa.

It was so severe that not only the students but even the academy’s teachers knew who Rowenloa was.

He had planned ahead for when Rowenloa would enter the academy. 

 ‘Does Rowenloa really care about the position of marquis? But with the first brother, second brother…… and me here, is Rowenloa thinking of defeating all of us?’ 

 Under the influence of Bershua, who thoroughly hated Rowenloa, and Rembro, who unconditionally followed his words, Rubert also gradually began to suspect Rowenloa. 

 Perhaps the fear that someone superior to oneself would cast them aside was natural.

At some point, Rubert began to feel as if Rowenloa’s eyes were telling him there was no place for him in the mansion. 

 And one day, a girl slightly smaller and more delicate than Rowenloa entered the mansion holding Marquis Masipacius’s hand.

For some reason, Rubert felt an immediate liking toward that child. 

 Of course, the other siblings felt the same way.

Though the ill-tempered Bershua showed interest in Leila, he would push her away irritably when she approached him.

But before long, he became close to Leila and began using her, who was loved by the mansion’s people including their father, as a weapon against Rowenloa.

Rembro seemed interested in Leila from her first day at the mansion, and as soon as Bershua became close to her, he reached out to her first.

Marquis Masipacius was the one who brought Leila to the mansion, so there was no need to say more. 

 And Rubert too, as he spent time with Leila along with his siblings, came to think of her as a lovely little sister and was ready to give her anything.

Thus Rubert began to hate Rowenloa who threatened Leila.

He couldn’t understand Rowenloa who tried to take away Leila’s place, the love she received, and even the man she liked. 

 But one day, Rubert received help from Rowenloa.

And she urged him to get their father’s recognition, saying he could even erase her help from his achievements.

At first, Rubert thought Rowenloa wanted to steal him, who was close to Leila, away from her. 

 However, Rowenloa’s actions contrasted with Rubert’s predictions.

Her behavior caught his attention — how she took care of him at high nobility parties where even Bershua was too tense to look after him, how she somehow stood prouder with her shoulders straight when Marquis Masipacius praised Rubert. 

 And at some point, Rubert realized. 

 Until now, Rowenloa and Leila had never directly fought.

Rather, it was always the siblings or their father, Marquis Masipacius, who created the sparks of conflict.

And, Rowenloa had never once shown interest in succession.

It wasn’t Rowenloa’s fault that she had outstanding talents. 

 It wasn’t Rowenloa who had been tormenting the siblings and Leila all this time.

It was the siblings who had been tormenting Rowenloa. 

 And the siblings had been trapped in self-justification and self-pity, unable to accept that they were inferior to Rowenloa. 

 The moment Rubert realized this, he felt as if he had broken out of a shell into a new world.

And he began to feel certain about how he should act from now on. 

 Rubert liked intelligent people. 

 ***

 The feeling of returning from the Posilia ducal mansion was very refreshing.

Her steps naturally felt lighter with the success of completely winning over the Duchess and getting a small but satisfying revenge on Pelena who had tormented her badly in the past.

Being unable to contain her excitement, she decided to take a brief walk in the garden before returning to her room to calm down. 

 “I’m in such a good mood today that I want to take a walk alone.” 

 She sent Mylene ahead to her room first and took light steps. 

 “Hmm~” 

 While humming a cheerful tune during her walk, she sensed someone’s presence behind her.

As she turned around while humming, she saw Brother Rubert making an “ugh–” sound in surprise and falling backward. 

 “……Brother Rubert? What are you doing here?” 

 Meeting her eyes, Brother Rubert scratched his head as if embarrassed.

When she extended her hand toward him who had fallen, he took it and got up with an embarrassed expression. 

 “Um…… would you talk with me for a moment?” 

 Hearing those words, she nodded, and they sat on a bench near the garden.

An awkward silence hung between them. 

 Usually when talking with Brother Rubert, there was no awkwardness because they always had specific topics, but sitting next to him without any subject was unbearably awkward.

It was his voice that broke the silence. 

 “So…… did you have a good time at the ducal mansion?”

“Ah, yes. You know how Duchess Posilia is naturally kind.” 

 Hearing those words, Brother Rubert showed a bitter smile. 

 “Yes, Duchess Posilia has always been kind only to you.” 

 Hearing that, she frowned. 

 Right, she had gotten her hopes up for nothing again.

It was obvious what Brother Rubert wanted to talk about.

He would either ask her to help Leila get along with Duchess Posilia, or to create a connection between himself and the Duchess. 

 “I’m sorry but……” 

 Just as she opened her mouth to express her refusal before he could speak, Brother Rubert suddenly stood up and bowed to her. 

 “I’m sorry.” 

 ……This was a very different development from what she expected. 

 Faced with Brother Rubert’s completely unexpected behavior, she froze in place.

As she just blinked her eyes for a while, unable to say anything while staring at Brother Rubert, he carefully raised his head to gauge her reaction.

He also seemed quite flustered when she didn’t say anything. 

 “Um……” 

 When Brother Rubert opened his mouth, she jumped up from her seat in surprise. 

 “No, um…… why…… why…… are you apologizing to me……” 

 Then Brother Rubert, even more flustered, made her sit on the bench. 

 “Well…… I wanted to apologize to you for my behavior until now……” 

 Hearing those words, she could only become more confused. 

 Why is Brother Rubert apologizing to me? 

 “I disliked you. I didn’t dislike you because I wanted to…… no, that’s just an excuse. Anyway, I disliked you. I thought you hated Leila and wanted to take her place…… I thought you were aiming for the successor position to take all the family fortune.” 

 Thus Brother Rubert gave her a very long apology while explaining what he thought were his wrongdoings.

And hearing this, she was now beyond confused to the point of being dumbfounded. 

 Really, there are people like Bershua and Rembro who openly harassed me, but you’re apologizing so desperately just for badmouthing me in your mind……? 

 So she calmed down Brother Rubert who was earnestly mumbling in front of her. 

 “Please calm down, Brother. I knew you hated me…… but that didn’t make me feel bad. I didn’t communicate well with you brothers…… I mean, with you…… and since you like Leila……” 

 But just as she was about to slip and say she knew he would hate her because he liked Leila, her mouth seemed to be held shut by someone. 

 “So because you like Lei…… li……” 

 Right……

God didn’t tell me that story for nothing.

Does this mean I can’t reveal anything related to that? 

 “Leila……?” 

 Brother Rubert looked at her and tilted his head. 

 “It’s absolutely not wrong that you felt affection for Leila since you were closer to her than me.” 

 So she vaguely glossed over her words. 

 ***

 Brother Rubert and she talked for a long time. 

 “Then, do you want to become the marquis of House Masipacius?” 

 At his words, she firmly shook her head.

She wouldn’t take this marquis house even if it was given to her. 

 “……Though Father tends to favor Leila, House Masipacius is still a house with deep traditions. It has many successful businesses from ancient times and lots of money…… aren’t you interested in this house?”

“No. I have absolutely no interest in House Masipacius.” 

 Hearing her words, Brother Rubert dropped his shoulders as if disappointed. 

 “But…… if the eldest brother inherits the head position……” 

 Hearing those words, her eyes sparkled. 

 Oh?

This brother…… was thinking similar thoughts to mine?