Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Older Brother
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It had been ages since I'd pinned up my hair with a pearl pin and slipped on a petticoat. I donned a sky-blue dress that went perfectly with my deep navy locks.
The air outside was fresher than I'd expected, and the sunlight pouring down was nice and warm. Stuck inside for so long, I hadn't even realized what the weather was like.
It had been a while since I'd ridden in a carriage, too.
Sent from the imperial palace, it was surprisingly comfortable. Propping my chin on my hand, I peered out at the passing scenery.
Ordinary people going about an ordinary day—walking, chatting. Smiles bloomed on every single one of their faces. It was a nice sight.
But I couldn't imagine myself squeezed in among them.
A little more rest at home, and maybe I'd feel up for heading out there myself.
Yeah. I still needed time to settle.
Arriving at the palace, I blinked at the sheer magnificence of it all—a sight I hadn't laid eyes on in ages.
The Etwar Marquis House was plenty grand in its own right, but this place was pure extravagance. I recalled it was Emperor Kies's personal taste.
Guided down the corridors, I was led to the dining room.
I shuffled in slowly, like a kid dragging their feet to do homework they hated. There, in the middle of the long table, sat Ryan.
I bowed my head in a polite greeting. Ryan gave me the slightest nod in return.
Not a word passed between us. The room filled with heavy silence.
'This is actually kinda comfortable.' The maids and butlers hovering around to serve us were the only ones fidgeting nervously. Ryan arched a brow.
"For once, it seems we're of the same mind."
I thought so too. Truth be told, I was shocked he wasn't yelling at me about Resuan. Had Resuan not said anything to him? That, in itself, was pretty surprising.
"I have no plans to get engaged to you. Or marry you. Resuan is the only one for me."
I'd seen that coming. I nodded.
"Yes, I know—" I'd been about to reply flatly when the dining room door creaked open behind me. I didn't bother turning around. Probably just a servant bringing the food. That was when I tried to continue.
"Marso."
A voice I hadn't expected at all made me jolt. My body froze up for a second before I shook my head.
"Marso."
But as if to shoot down my very thoughts, that warm voice called my name again. ...But how was Darsi here? The imperial palace wasn't some place anyone could just wander into. And more than that—he'd said he was leaving.
"Sorry. I hustled to prepare since it'd been so long since I last saw you, but it took longer than I thought. Still made it on time, though. Good thing."
Before I could even turn, Darsi's hand clapped over my eyes. His voice turned sharp.
"What're you doing chatting with a loser like that? It'll rot your ears." ...Blunt as ever—refreshing, sure, but his future was looking seriously dicey. Ryan was a crown prince candidate, after all. I pressed down hard on the fingers covering my eyes, trying to signal him. But Darsi pressed on undeterred.
"I covered your eyes special for you. We'll cleanse them later by staring at me. I'm way better looking anyway."
"...Who the hell are you? Get out—" Ryan's furious voice sent a chill down my spine. No way he'd let someone who straight-up insulted him slide. 'I have to step in.' I opened my mouth to speak, but Darsi beat me to it.
"Your brother." ...Huh? This twist was nowhere on my radar. I'd suspected he wasn't just some extra, but was this for real? He never even showed up in the book... I grunted and tugged at Darsi's hand, trying to pry it loose. But his grip was way stronger than I'd imagined. A low chuckle rumbled from Darsi, then the pressure on my eyes eased. I shoved, and his hand slid away smoothly. My vision cleared. I whipped my head around. There he was—Darsi. Dressed sharp in a uniform, hair swept up and tied back, his face was practically glowing. Those clear eyes, thick brows, and upright poise radiated an elegance totally unlike his usual self. ...He looked like a whole different person. The moment our gazes locked, Darsi's eyes crinkled into soft crescents. The look he gave me curved gently. A beat later, he narrowed his eyes, crossed his arms, and shot Ryan a slanted glare. Night-and-day difference from how he'd treated me.
"Go on. Call me 'big brother.'" Ryan gawked at him like he'd lost his mind. Darsi shrugged, then swung his head back toward me.
"Couldn't just up and leave knowing trash like that might end up as your husband."
"You're completely insane." Ryan spat the words in utter disbelief, but Darsi carried on like he wasn't even there. That intense stare boring into me bordered on overwhelming. The warmth in his eyes was definitely not like before. It was free and unguarded, just like that final time we'd met. 'What's going on with him?' I was thrown by the hot-and-cold vibe when he spoke up.
"Marso, I racked my brain over this one, but I just couldn't get a read. Had to ask you straight up."
Still dazed, I managed, "...Ask me what?"
Darsi got dead serious.
"You prefer casual talk or polite? Mix of both? Or maybe you like a strong accent?" ...What was the angle here? He propped his chin, mulling it over, then kept going.
"Guess I need to hear it first, huh? Give this a shot, Marso. 'I've missed you.' Too stiff...?"
His refined tone flowed naturally, like he'd always talked that way. Lost in confusion, I finally croaked out, "How the heck did you even get in here? You said you were leaving."
Darsi blinked at that. Looked like he'd totally forgotten I hadn't asked yet.
"To see you."
He flashed that roguish grin, closed the gap in a flash, and murmured right by my ear.
"Didn't expect you to doll up this pretty."
His breath tickled my ear like soft fuzz. Heat flooded my face. Get it together. This wasn't the problem. Darsi insulting the imperial family was way more serious. Was Ryan seriously his brother? ...Or had Darsi eaten something bad? Got brainwashed somewhere? But there was no reason for mental tampering. Was that even a thing? ...What if the palace mages caught him fleeing and messed with his head? Terrifying. My brain spun up nothing but doomsday scenarios. Best to ask him first. Voice shaky, I looked at Darsi.
"Darsi, tell me you weren't brainwashed... No, if you were, you wouldn't admit it anyway."
His pretty compliment took a backseat to his weird state. He was the first person I'd really opened up to since possessing Marso's body. Our time together had been that good—worth replaying in my head. Darsi just stared at me, silent. My worries stacked up like mountains. Could I even fix this?
"Darsi, I've got all the money we need. Let's head to our doctor first."
"Knew you'd be skeptical... but this reaction's beyond anything I pictured."
He muttered, fixing me with a steady gaze, eyes narrowing before he shrugged.
"Marso, just answer my question first. What kinda speech do you like?"
Speech style? Never crossed my mind. Looked like he wouldn't budge without an answer, so I'd humor him quick and figure out treatment next.
"Don't have a favorite."
"My way of talking doesn't grate?" ...Why even ask that? He'd been casually blunt from day one. I nodded, puzzled.
"Nah. Suits you, actually."
"It suits me? That's a good thing, right...?"
Darsi's face twisted into something odd. Even that slight frown came off like a magazine shoot—gorgeous. I'd always known he was hot, but today? Eyes kept drifting to him. Probably the extra polish from dressing up.
"Darsi, we need to get you treated—" "Not yet. Still got the most important part."
I tried fretting onward, but he shook his head gravely. Felt like the real meat of it this time, so I nodded right away.
"Don't get engaged to that guy."
"...What?"
I parroted blankly, and he lowered his gaze just a touch.
"I'll help you find happiness."
His lashes quivered. Our eyes met, and he whispered in that languid drawl.
"You saved my life, after all."
I'd been about to ask what he meant when I spotted the cold steel pressed to Darsi's throat. Oh god—I'd totally blanked on Ryan with him right there! I'd come to the palace for a reason! But Darsi? Didn't bat an eye. He turned his head like the blade wasn't even real, crossed his arms, and grumbled at Ryan all casual.
"Little bro. Where'd you pick up the manners to butt in on important talk like this?"
Ryan's face was ice.
"Acting like I'd ceased to exist—is that manners? Bringing up blood ties in front of a prince is a capital offense to begin with. On your feet."
"Alright."
Darsi stood without protest, then flashed me a sweet smile.
"Stay and enjoy the feast, Marso. I'll head out."
"...Head out where?"
Ryan demanded. Darsi's eyes went wide, like he'd been slapped.
"What, tell Marso to leave? The world can't be this clueless. She's at the palace—let her eat her fill proper."
That pitying look on his face dragged me back to our first meeting. Darsi jabbed a thumb at the door.
"Alright, I'll go?"
The gall to tell a prince to scram. Ryan scowled, sword still glued to Darsi's neck. Clearly not entertaining a word. Same here. Who knew what threats Ryan might pull once we were alone outside.
"Talk here. Stay."
I couldn't just let him walk to his death. One-on-one, Darsi would be at a massive disadvantage. Darsi blinked at me, then whispered with a smile bright as a bloom.
"Music to my ears. Say it again."
No—this wasn't playtime. I gaped, flabbergasted, and he cracked up with a big, easy laugh. The behavior was so out of sync with the crisis, yet it fit him like a glove.
"Say it."
Sword still kissing his throat, and he was calm as could be. Chilling.