“Yes, I’ll handle that matter as you say, Jansi. You may leave now.”

 “Yes, Father.”

After Jansi’s report, we walked out of the office.

Even though Jansi’s room was in the opposite direction from mine, he started walking alongside me.

“Aren’t you busy?”

From the way you’re talking about business with the Duke of Perdia, it sounds like you have a lot to do. 

“I have time to accompany my beloved sister to her room. Oh, I’m sincere, so please don’t misunderstand.”

While there was no real need to accompany me, I left him to his own devices since Jansi seemed to have some business.

As we walked side by side down the hallway, I glanced at him.

 “What’s wrong, Lili?”

Jansi asked, looking down at me softly as if he had been looking at me the whole time.

I avoided his gaze and casually responded.

 “I was just wondering, how’s your power control lately?”

He continued to look at me, even though I was deliberately avoiding eye contact. His gaze felt intrusive. After a while, Jansi broke the silence.

 “It’s always the same. Like a cup full of water.”

His tone was unexpectedly bitter.

 It means it’s always on the verge of overflowing. Even in such a state, Jansi managed to carry on with daily life without showing any signs to others. It was truly remarkable.

It could be described as incredible mental strength. Jansi Perdia was evidence that having an overwhelmingly strong ability wasn’t always a good thing.

Suddenly, I stopped in my tracks. Jansi, who had taken a step ahead, also halted and turned to look at me.

“Lili?”

“Brother, could you lend me your hand?”

Without questioning my intentions, he immediately placed his hand on top of mine.

Looking at Jansi’s large hand, willingly surrendered to me, I felt a strange sensation

It was as if I were holding the front paw of a wild animal, never knowing when it might attack.

I stared down at Jansi’s hand. Even as the heir, assisting the head of the family in various tasks, He never neglected physical training. His large hand felt firm.

I pulled off Jansi’s gloves, which he always wore, and grasped his bare hand firmly.

 “What if I do this?”

 “…….”

 “Brother?”

Jansi gazed at our intertwined hands with a somewhat dazed expression. He moistened his lips.

 “Good.”

 “Huh?”

Good? When I tilted my head, Jansi smiled and answered calmly, as if wondering what was strange.

 “It’s easier to control the power just by being touched. I guess it’s Lili’s power influence after all.”

 “What if I take my hand away?”

As I withdrew my hand, Jansi frowned slightly, as if displeased.

“Even if you let go, the effect seems to linger to some extent. …It won’t last long, though.”

Jansi’s fingertips brushed against the back of my hand. As if he were secretly asking for it. I grasped his hand eagerly, then his expression became much more relaxed.

The sharp change in expression revealed how significantly my ability affected him. That was exactly what I had hoped for.

“In the upcoming monster subjugation event, please don’t interfere with what I do. Promise me you won’t report it to Father. If you keep your promise, I’ll hold your hand again.”

Upon hearing this, Jansi obediently looked down at me. What the Duke Perdia overlooked was precisely—

“I’ll listen to you.”

I held the leverage over Jansi Perdia’s weakness.

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***

It was the beginning of summer. 

Cool in the sun and occasionally breezy in the shade. 

Dressed in lighter attire, I stood in front of Perdia’s carriage.

It was early morning, so it was still dark.

 Carlot glanced disgruntledly at Raeyan, who was waiting at the front of the carriage with his hand on the reins. 

 “Sister Lili. Do we have to take that mercenary with us?”

 “Yes. We must take him.”

 “Well, if that’s what sister thinks, I can’t help it…….”

Carlot said there was nothing he could do, but grumbled as if he was disappointed.

 I shrugged it off and climbed into the carriage.

Once Jansi and Carlot were seated in the carriage, the coachmen began driving the horses.

 Today was the highly anticipated day of the monster subjugation event.

The chosen location for this event was a medium-sized monster-infested area, a six-hour carriage ride from the capital, Somnia.

The terrain was a rugged mountain range, strategically positioned between commercial hubs and the territories.

This area was known for frequent monster attacks on nearby villages, prompting regular requests for subjugation.

“Sister, I’ll make sure to claim the first place!”

Looking at Carlot’s cheerful grin, I speculated on why that particular mountain range had been chosen as the location for the monster subjugation event. Breaking through it would likely yield considerable economic benefits.

 ‘These royal folks found an easy way to flatten the terrain.’

Unaware that he was being used, Carlot confidently boasted. Jansi seemed to share my thoughts, as he looked at Carlot and smiled silently. Sometimes ignorance can be bliss.

Both Jansi and I attended the monster subjugation event as spectators, choosing not to participate in the battles.

The Duke and Duchess of Perdia, much like me, disliked events such as the monster subjugation, so they were absent. Therefore, three members of the Perdia family, including myself, participated in today’s event.

Watching the scenery outside the carriage window change rapidly became tiresome. I found myself nodding off unintentionally during the monotonous journey.

Suddenly, Jansi, who had taken a seat beside me, gently cradled my head, pulling me closer to him. My head lightly touched his shoulder.

“Since you’re looking forward to it, just rest comfortably.”

“Please wake me up later…”

The overwhelming warmth of Jansi’s gesture made it impossible to refuse his care. I quickly succumbed to a light slumber. Softly… murmurs of a conversation between the two continued.

“I want to be my sister’s pillow…”

“Hush. Keep it down, Carl.”

“Mmm.”

“Lili might wake up.”

“Only brother gets to be a knee pillow. That’s not fair. Where does such a law even exist?”

What on earth were they talking about?

 “……?”

Still felt like I might be in a dream; the sensations were too vivid. In my confusion, I opened my eyes and immediately met Jansi’s blue eyes.

“Did you sleep well, sister?”

Jansi asked me, looking at me affectionately.

 I must have fallen asleep leaning on his shoulder, but I found myself lying in the carriage with my head on Jansi’s lap.

Rubbing my eyes, I sat up and looked at Jansi who seemed somewhat regretful.

“You could have just woken me up….”

“I thought you’d be more comfortable this way, Lili.”

Indeed, I felt fine, except for a bit of stiffness from lying down. Waking up after a good rest, I even felt refreshed.

‘Huh. If carriage travel is like this, it’s not bad…?’

Unable to hide my satisfied expression, I noticed Carlot quickly interjecting, patting his knees.

 “Sister Lili. On the way back, I’ll lend you my knees!”

Carlot energetically shouted while tapping his thighs. Seeing him, a mischievous idea crossed my mind.

“Carl, I don’t like it because your thighs might be too firm due to muscles.”

 “……heuk.”

Carlot, with a shocked expression, looked down at his thighs. Then, as if making a big decision, he clenched his fist.

“Ugh. If that’s what you wish, I’ll consider skipping… lower body exercises…”

Admitting his decision as a training enthusiast, it seemed like he genuinely had a significant resolution. At this rate, he might actually skip lower-body exercises.

“Just kidding.”

 “……!”

Carlot’s face lit up again at my response. 

‘Simple minds can be nice.’

***

It was noon by the time we reached our destination after a long six-hour ride from dawn. 

Getting out of the carriage, I stretched my stiff body and immediately went to find Raeyan. Raeyan, who was giving water to the horses, turned around when he noticed me.

“Raeyan, don’t forget what I entrusted to you.”

“Yes. I will continue to watch over Gabe Jenade.”

“I’m counting on you.”

While Raeyan accompanied me under the guise of an escort, today’s main purpose was Gabe Jenade. Just then, in the distance, the Kreundel family carriage pulled to a stop and I saw Leon step out. 

I stared at him for a moment, but before we even made eye contact, I quickly turned my head away, pretending not to be interested. Still, the curious gazes of others, looking at us, were felt here and there.

Duke Kreundel, who rarely leaves the mansion except for essential official events, and I, attending the beast hunt for the first time.

It was a perfect topic for the gossiping aristocrats. Nevertheless, we didn’t even make eye contact. We had agreed on that beforehand.

 “Sister. I need to go up and get ready. Will you cheer for me a lot?”

 “Yeah. Win first place.”

I gave a casual reply, but Carlot ran off happily as if he had heard the desired answer.

Seeing him more excited than usual made me uneasy as if he might cause some trouble.

“……I feel uneasy.”

As if I wasn’t the only one who thought so, Jansi muttered to himself while looking at the back of Carlot’s head. 

Some participants have not yet arrived, and the surrounding area has been considerably prepared in preparation for the battle to subdue the demonic beasts.

 Gabe Jenade was nowhere to be seen, as the masters of the four towers took their seats just before the start of the Battle.

 Even though it was a subjugation war, this event was also a social event, so people gathered from all over to chat.

Not far away, a group frequently seen with Jansi glanced over at him.

“It looks like everyone wants to talk to you brother, it’s okay for a short while if you leave.”

“No, it’s fine. My mission today is to protect you, Lili.”

Jansi’s attitude was firm as if he wouldn’t socialize with them today. With such a clear statement, I had no intention of persuading him further.

As I looked around, I made eye contact with someone sitting at a nearby table.

 It was a familiar face I hadn’t seen in a long time. 

Dorothea, as usual, was smiling brightly behind her layered mask, but then she turned away.

 For some reason, she seemed determined not to pick a fight with me today.

 ‘You’re welcome, then.’

Fortunately, today seemed to pass peacefully, at least for now.

 “It’s been a while, Lord Jansi. Is Lady Elodie doing well too?”

Someone greeted us in a soothing voice that was easy on the ears. When I turned my head, I saw a woman with an air of nobility, like a lily. This was what I was calling her in my mind. 

 ‘Step-sister candidate!’

Officially, Jansi Perdia did not yet have a fiancée.

 The Duke and Duchess of Perdia had never pushed for an engagement, as neither party wanted one. Nevertheless, some said that if anyone would be the Duchess of Perdia in the future, it would be this lady……. 

It was Lady Hyacinth Euter, Lady of the Marquis of Euter, standing before me. 

 “It’s been a long time, Miss Hyacinth. I hadn’t seen you recently, but I understand you’ve been abroad.”

“Yes, I returned not long ago. The letters Lord Jansi sent were a great comfort during my time abroad.”

What, what. They’re exchanging letters ……?!

As expected, other people’s romantic affairs are the most entertaining. In a hushed voice, so only Jansi could hear, I asked.

“Do I need to excuse myself?”