The Impact of the Author's Intervention on a Blank Page - Chapter 24
Since his brother didn’t remove his hand from his cheek, he didn’t bother pulling away. Come to think of it, though his attitude had changed slightly, traces of the brother he knew showed through in his actions and speech.
He looked up at his brother’s face. Eyes full of thought were fixed directly on him. He noticed his brother’s complexion looked somewhat tired.
Was the work very difficult? Since they’d return when the contract ended anyway, it would be better to take breaks now and then. Given how diligent his brother was, he was surely doing his best with the territory’s affairs.
“If you wanted to go out, you should have said so. I could have at least taken you for a walk earlier. Since walking would be difficult, should I carry you to see the snow?”
“That sounds ni— No, that’s not it.”
It was too nice. He almost blurted out that he’d love to. Listen to that gruff tone. No matter how you looked at it, his brother seemed to be being sarcastic rather than sincere, yet he’d almost stupidly said ‘Hehe, I’d love that.’
This was all his brother’s fault. Having no proper memories yet still playing the perfect Grand Duke role and even being somewhat affectionate.
His brother withdrew his hand from his cheek, letting it slide over his clothes before returning to his seat. Leaning deeply into the sofa and crossing his legs to rest on the opposite thigh, his brother asked in a casual voice.”
“By the way, to think my brother had a mage friend. This is the first I’m hearing of it. Were you secretly exchanging letters by pigeon perhaps?”
The Grand Duke said this with a smile at the corner of his mouth. It was impossible to tell if he was joking or if he was displeased.
‘Please! Please…. Brother, couldn’t you just let that slide? This is driving me crazy….’
While internally breaking into a cold sweat, Ja-hyun responded innocently as if nothing was wrong.
“Yes. I met them long ago… before you took me in, brother.”
“If it was before I brought you in, you would have been around twelve. You’ve kept in touch with a friend you met back then until now? Must have been a very precious friend…. So. Does this friend know that you’re very ill?”
Every word was filled with an analytical attitude, as if testing him. Kwon Ja-hyun couldn’t hide his bewildered expression as his eyes darted around.
“……”
“The communication?”
“Pardon?”
“I’m asking how you’ve been keeping in touch.”
“That’s….”
“Hm? Raijin…. Why no answer?”
Sigh…. Brother… he used to be like this too. He’d forgotten because lately, brother had only shown his cute and affectionate side. His mind grew dizzy with memories flooding back.
Brother had a strong tendency to be calculating and to understand and control every aspect of a situation. Having experienced it for so long, this was likely an innate trait rather than an acquired one. Thanks to that, brother had been able to maintain his position even with a low B rank in our original world.
Moreover, we were now just fake brothers, nothing more. It felt natural that my brother, who didn’t even have proper memories, would be suspicious of what I might do.
“Brother….”
With his thoroughly hoarse voice, Ja-hyun called out to his brother and took drastic measures. He would use his brother’s condition against him.
“…I mentioned this about a month ago….”
He spoke while trying his best to maintain a wistful expression. Perhaps because he rarely used them, his facial muscles weren’t moving properly, but he spoke slowly, hoping to convey that general feeling.
“You said then that when the snow stops, you’d let me go where I want to go. You gave me permission too. That’s what I was talking about. I’ve wanted to visit Silveron at least once.”
This time, his brother slightly furrowed his brow and closed his mouth. As expected, because brother didn’t have proper memories, he couldn’t tell if what I was saying was true or not.
“It’s fine if you forgot since it wasn’t a very important conversation. I’m sorry. For being demanding when you’re busy.”
As he planted guilt with his lies, his own chest stung. I’m sorry…. Brother.
I’m really sorry, brother! But this is all for your sake! I need to solve all this and go back to fix your nightmares….
“……”
“……”
“I….”
When his brother started speaking in a low voice, honestly, he felt scared. Perhaps it was because the warnings that Emily and the butler had given him remained subconsciously. Even for him, the prospect of being on the streets was frightening.
“I have no reason to keep you confined here.”
“Phew.”
His brother mumbled the same words again. It seemed like he was talking to himself.
“I… have no reason to hold you back.”
Right, right. After all, they were just ordinary brothers now, so there was no particular reason for his brother to prevent him from going out.
Once there, he planned to pretend Planche was his old mage friend. If he presented her as a benefactor, surely the Grand Duke’s residence could accommodate one more person.
Though it was a bit lonely, maybe this was for the best. If his brother had his proper memories, he probably would have been displeased and troubled by him wandering outside.
