If I Were That Brother-in-Law, I'd Agree
Right after returning from the imperial palace, I couldn't even take off my coat before pulling out the communication device. It was a topic related to the imperial family, but more than anything, it was about my family history. Yet hearing family matters from someone else's mouth felt both frustrating and disappointing. More than anything, there had been opportunities for me to hear it from my father, and especially from my sister.
[Karl?]
“Father.”
Immediately upon seeing my father appear through the communication device, I began fact-checking.
“I heard the story. About my sister. That she was in a relationship with His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince.”
[Ah, I was planning to tell you today anyway. I heard it from your mother yesterday evening and was too shocked to even find a chance to tell you, Karl.]
“It's fine. After all, the one who was most shocked would be my father, my mother. The two of you, right?”
Up until now, my sister had always been on my side, but now she's looking at the future, which is a bit disappointing. But there's nothing I can do about it. My sister couldn't cling to me forever.
Instead, from the perspective of a younger brother, if my brother-in-law is none other than the Crown Prince, it's actually quite a pleasant thing. Fortunately, I had met the Crown Prince several times. And every time, I felt something. A kind and gentle person who shows the demeanor befitting the Crown Prince of the Empire — a magnanimous individual. So, I was glad. If such a person becomes my brother-in-law, I'd be fine with it.
The problem was, it was in other aspects.
“But it's not like that. I'm supposed to become the Count of Friedrich County and the head of the Adelheit family. You should have told me about this sooner. It's such an important matter.”
[... Yes, I should have. You should understand, Karl. From a father's perspective, how could I stay calm when my son-in-law is the Crown Prince?]
That's... right. Father is correct. Honestly, in that situation, how could I calmly contact me and say something like 'Prepare to receive the title in place of your sister.'
“Are you okay?”
[What do you mean?]
“Originally, my sister was supposed to receive the title and the position of head. No matter what the outcome, the plan would be disrupted.”
[It's sudden, but I don't feel unpleasant. Rather, it's a good thing. It's none other than His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince. Moreover, he seems to cherish Ricata very much.]
“From what I see, His Highness is quite a good person.”
While having various conversations, I continued to observe my father's condition. Despite the future succession structure I had envisioned being completely disrupted, my father seemed unfazed. Even though the relationships my sister had built with the family's servants and retainers, which I had known about, had almost perfectly turned into a "no worries" situation.
“Looking at your face, it seems there's no need to worry.”
[Huh? Ah, you thought I was worried about having to rebuild the succession structure from scratch? That's not going to happen, Karl. In this county, besides my sister, there's no one else who can inherit the title.]
“That’s right.”
[Besides, you're not just any ordinary student. If they immediately appoint you as the next count, the servants and retainers would probably all agree right away.]
Since my father is saying this, it seems there's truly no need to worry. He seemed worried that I alone would cause confusion by having my sister give up the title.
“Father, then do I need to prepare for succession right away?”
[What do you mean, Karl?]
“I heard that my sister was preparing to receive the title within the year, at the earliest.”
[That? I can just wait until you graduate, Karl. It's not difficult.]
“You said you wanted to step down. It seems like this kind of thing doesn't suit you.”
Currently just a count, but in the past, my father was a dashing warrior. But after that, with the advancement of guns and gunpowder, and taking on the role of head, such things disappeared. So he faithfully fulfilled the duties of a count, but occasionally grumbled that it itched.
[Enough. Just take it as simple grumbling. Your sister was already prepared, but you're not, Karl. Take it slow. Slowly. There's no need to rush. Just don't fall.]
With those words, my father added, 'By the way, contact your sister.'
[Ricata seems quite tense.]
“My sister? Why would my sister...”
[Karl, there were many opportunities for me to tell you, but I hesitated and ended up not saying it. But now that I heard you went to the imperial palace, it seems she found out. She's trembling because she kept it a secret from herself and might be worried if you feel upset.]
“...”
My sister is trembling? Ricata, trembling?? No matter how I think, I can't imagine it. Puzzling over it, I ended the call with my father and turned to magic communication with my sister—
[K, Karl! Sorry. I'm sorry, sister!]
“Sister. First, calm down...”
[I'll come right away, wait! We'll meet and talk! Meet!]
“No! Sister, listen to me... Sister?! Ricata!!”
A few hours later. I encountered my sister, who was about to kneel down right away.
“Karl! Really, really, I'm sorry, sister! So...”
“Sister! Calm down! Listen to what I say first! I'm not upset at all!”
“Ah, not upset?”
In a half-kneeling, awkward posture, Ricata looked at me with frightened eyes.
Oh my, oh my. Is this the same person who brought home the Gganf's head and came home? Even the Ricata who asked me 'Want to take one?' is in a frightened state!
“Calm down, sister. Sit down here.”
I managed to prevent the situation where my sister was pressing her forehead to the ground in front of her younger brother. Of course, depending on what I said next, it might happen again.
“Karl, are you... okay?”
“What?”
“You didn't tell me about it. That you were in a relationship with His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince. There were many opportunities to tell me. Even when we met right after returning a few months ago, there was a chance.”
After thinking for a moment, I replied after blowing my nose once.
“Honestly, it's not like I'm not at all upset.”
“As expected!”
Wait a minute. Sister, please listen to what I say to the end. Don't kneel. I said don't kneel!
“But that's not because you lied to me or didn't tell me honestly. It's just that it's disappointing that you didn't tell your younger brother like me about such an important matter.”
“Ah...”
“When I saw the Crown Prince, he didn't seem like a light relationship. If that happens, the Crown Prince could simply become my brother-in-law. If I had known earlier, I would have been nicer to His Highness.”
“That’s—”
“Stop. Up to there. It's not about right or wrong. It's not that I want you to apologize. It's just that. Sister. I'm rather happy about it.”
At my words, my sister widened her eyes in surprise and looked at me.
“Honestly, you know. Now that my sister's marriageable age is almost over, without even getting married, and without even a man. My parents must have been secretly worried too.”
“...”
“As much as you love me, I love you too. So I want to see you living happily with a good person. If I have a nephew, that would be even better.”
Ricata had loved and cherished me very much since I was little. In the spirit of repaying that favor, and wanting to cherish and love the child of such a person the same way, if a nephew is born, I probably wouldn't.
“So, I'm fine. Rather, I want to ask you, Ricata. The Emperor, are you really looking at the future together?”
It was three years ago that I decided to have feelings for the Emperor, but I only started dating a few months ago. Until then, I was just agonizing. I had already seen his character appropriately. As the Crown Prince, and as the future Emperor.
If such a person becomes my brother-in-law, my sister's husband, it would be fine. I can trust and entrust it.
“... It's not that light.”
My sister, who had been silent for a moment, muttered in a small voice.
“That’s good. I was worried that I'd just meet and break up casually.”
“Karl... would you be happy if your sister got married?”
“I want to see you happy.”
I know that my sister has deep affection for her family, especially for me. That memory has been very clear since I was little. I also followed that sister well. Even until the day I die, to my sister, I will remain just a cute younger brother.
Thinking that such a sister would become a wife to another man is a bit sad. Inevitably, so. But my sister can't stay by my side forever. Soon, thinking about my own future, I shouldn't feel sad about someone else being with her.
“This sister... if Karl says not to get married, I might not.”
“W-w-wait. Please don't. That would make my position awkward.”
At this point, I think I should make it clear. So, I lightly hugged my sister.
“Thank you, sister. For loving me. And for continuing to love me. I love such a sister too. So I especially want to see the real happy face. Looking at what you said about the relationship with the Emperor being 'not light,' it seems not bad at all. Am I right?”
“... Yeah. His Highness really treats me well.”
“Then it's good. His Highness is really a good person. I'm in favor of him becoming my brother-in-law.”
I got out of my sister's arms. And after thinking for a moment, I continued.
“When real nephews and nieces are born later, I really want to treat them well. Ah, since it's the future Emperor and Empress, it's only natural, right? Hmm. Anyway, I want to have a nephew who looks like my sister. Then I can really spoil them. I'll go see them every day, hug them every day. Tell them they're pretty every day. I have to do that!”
*
... Although it's a bit far in the future, I had to think more about the last words I said that day. What I mean by that is... I had forgotten that she was none other than Ricata's daughter.