Chapter 27
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Unwelcome Companion
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Charlotte, Joseph, and Russell walked side by side toward the stables.
Russell, who rarely took a carriage, was about to lift Charlotte onto his horse when Joseph casually led his own mount over. Something about how even the servants couldn't handle it.
Suddenly, Russell found himself thoroughly irritated by Joseph hanging around Charlotte.
"We're heading out for a nice sibling meal after so long... Your Highness would do well to return to the Setia House and focus on your training."
Russell's words were polite on the surface.
But his growling tone carried less suggestion than outright threat.
The Setia House had been using Joseph's "education" as an excuse to thoroughly crush his spirit, and the prince had never once pushed back. So in a way, it was only natural.
But Joseph, who normally wouldn't even show his face in a situation like this, was acting strangely today. The Third Prince, who had meekly taken every beating from Lancelot without a hint of rebellion, now stared straight up into Russell's eyes and talked back.
"I had prior plans with Charlotte. You've never spared her a glance until now, yet here you are acting all chummy."
Russell felt a strange shock.
It was like watching a doll come to life and speak.
He hadn't even imagined the prince's resolve could remain unbroken after all that trampling.
Not that Joseph had ever stepped forward like this before.
"What did you just say?"
"Was I wrong?"
Formality in honorifics or familiarity was all just a matter of form.
Like most martial artists, Russell had a quick temper.
He couldn't stomach the Third Prince suddenly widening his eyes and acting so brazenly.
"No, I wouldn't presume to know why Your Highness ventured out today... but I can't fathom why you'd choose to tarnish your dignity in public like this."
It was a threat laced thick with sincerity.
That was the moment Charlotte, who had been quietly listening, stepped forward as if to shield Joseph.
She appreciated Russell trying to be nice to her today, but there wasn't a single action or word from him that brought her joy. Not even his rudeness toward Joseph.
'No, if Joseph grows up, he won't just wipe out the imperial family—he'll probably exterminate the Setia House too. In the original story, Isaac had already done most of the dirty work anyway...'
She quickly wedged herself between them, standing on tiptoe and spreading her arms wide.
"Brother Russell, don't say anything to His Highness Joseph."
"...What?"
"What did His Highness Joseph do wrong? He just came to see me. Didn't you see him stand up for me earlier?"
"No. That's not some grand feat."
"It is! Anyway, don't say anything to His Highness Joseph. Isn't he just the cutest and most endearing?"
Russell was dumbfounded as Charlotte treated the prince like a cute little brother.
'Is she mad at me and deliberately doing things to annoy me?'
The Charlotte he'd known before had no skill or effort to speak of, but she was quick on the uptake.
She knew full well how the Setia family treated the Third Prince, so she'd always kept her distance from him.
Things had been better back then, at least regarding Joseph.
"No, Charlotte. If you're upset with me, take it out on me directly. Don't drag His Highness Joseph into this."
Charlotte tilted her head as if she had no idea what he meant.
Then she shrugged her shoulders and walked right past Russell—boldly standing there—to Joseph's white steed.
"It'd be better if I ride with His Highness than with you, Brother. You're too big."
"You call that something to say? Grown men ride warhorses just fine. What do you mean, too big?"
As the exasperated Russell clutched his chest, glared at Joseph, and opened his mouth to scold Charlotte again—
'...Does Charlotte even know how to ride?'
When he blinked and looked back, Charlotte's tiny body had somehow leaped atop the tall white horse.
A horse's saddle sits much higher than most people imagine.
Especially on a full-grown warhorse, where even a tall adult has to reach up to barely touch it.
And Joseph's warhorse was of an excellent breed—enormously large.
Normally, someone who didn't know how to ride couldn't even dream of mounting such a beast alone, let alone a child. They'd need a servant to hold the reins and provide a foothold just to clamber up.
'And it was supposed to be a vicious horse even the servants couldn't handle...?'
Blink, blink.
As Russell blinked in surprise, Charlotte glanced back over her shoulder.
Their eyes met squarely, and Russell unwittingly clamped his mouth shut.
He didn't know what she intended with that look, but the moment he gazed into those cool green eyes shadowed by long lashes, he had nothing to say.
As if...
'She was saying, "You didn't even know I could ride, so why act chummy now?"'
It wasn't wrong.
He had indeed kept his distance from his little sister.
He had been deeply disappointed in her, and at some point, stopped expecting anything.
Because he figured she would never change.
"Anyway, lead the way. I'm hungry."
Russell nodded unconsciously at Charlotte's curt words, gripping his reins tight.
Joseph, who had somehow become a confirmed dinner companion, was now mounted behind his little sister on the white horse—but it was too late to scold them further.
Russell swallowed a sigh threatening to escape and slipped his foot into the stirrup, swinging up onto his own horse.
Charlotte swung her legs excitedly at the table laden with meat stew, fresh mountain goat cheese and herring dishes, and honey-pickled cherries and plums.
Betty, worried after Charlotte's collapse, had served only thin soups for days, so these proper meals felt like a delight.
"Wow, this looks delicious."
But she was the only one thrilled before the steaming feast.
Russell and Joseph sat silently, not exchanging a word.
Russell in particular, having been coldly rebuffed after mustering the courage to talk to his sister for once, fidgeted restlessly, watching her mood.
Charlotte wasn't oblivious to the heavy silence at the table, but she had no intention of minding the feelings of those ignoring the steam rising from their food.
'They say to cherish every single grain of rice grown by farmers... So why are they acting so grave at the dinner table?'
Russell glanced at Charlotte across the table, diligently chewing an omelet with her small mouth, then shot a look at Joseph occupying the seat beside her.
Until now, there'd been no need for him to interfere, and the family had stashed the Third Prince away in an out-of-sight annex near the hunting grounds anyway, so they rarely crossed paths.
Thus, they'd hardly ever spoken directly.
He hadn't expected the Third Prince—whose standing had plummeted to the point of uselessness—to dare show interest in his sister.
And how had he lured his innocent little sister during the time he wasn't paying attention? Enough for Charlotte to call an older Joseph "cute" of all things.
"...So. Might I ask why Your Highness has decided to join us?"
Russell finally spoke first.
"Can't we talk after eating? His Highness Joseph hasn't done anything wrong."
Charlotte swallowed her omelet and quickly jumped in to soothe, but Russell only grew less pleased the more she defended Joseph.
Besides, with Joseph right there, any attempt to coax Charlotte would only undermine his dignity.
Russell didn't even touch his utensils, cutting straight to the point with Joseph.
"I feel like there might be some misunderstanding... Does Your Highness have some business with Charlotte?"
Joseph leaned back in his chair, meeting Russell's gaze.
"Some business...? Hmm. Doesn't seem like something you need to worry about."
"Your Highness."
"It's amusing how you keep calling me 'Your Highness' so diligently."
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
As Russell narrowed his eyes in disbelief, Joseph reached for his glass and added,
"I'm deeply interested in Charlotte. And I probably will be from now on. So whatever I do, it'd be best for both of us if you minded your own business."
Russell clicked his tongue, the vein in his neck throbbing.
He tried to pick up his utensils again for Charlotte's sake, but Joseph's words spun endlessly in his mind, making it impossible.
Bam.
Unable to endure the situation any longer, Russell's fist slammed down on the table.
The poor solid oak table had one corner completely shattered from that light blow.
"...Your Highness, may I offer a word of advice?"
"I doubt you'd stop even if I said no."
Today, the prince showed no fear.
That only grated more on Russell's nerves.
Filled with guilt over neglecting Charlotte all this time, his head buzzed with the desire to separate her from Joseph right then and there.
"Charlotte is just nine years old now and starting to take an interest in the sword. So don't needlessly block her path... Huh."
He was eloquently rephrasing, 'Being near you is a loss for Charlotte. For her sake, get lost,' when suddenly a piece of white bread was stuffed into Russell's mouth.