He’s My Real Brother, Duke Chapter 90

 

“Sure, thanks… No, what?”

 

…No?

 

He laughed softly, and stroked Rune’s hair on his lap with a stiff hand.

 

“Because babies need daddies, too, don’t they, Rune?”

 

…Did he sound affectionate?

 

Rune’s eyes fluttered open at the Duke’s touch. After rubbing his eyes a few times, the little rascal stretched out, glared at me and the Duke, then laughed

 

“Daddy! good job!” 

 

What was going on here?

 

I asked cautiously, with a heaping half-spoonful of suspicion.

 

“The Duke is… being good to you?”

 

“Mmm, many good!” (Yes, so much good!)

 

Rune grinned and nodded eagerly. It looks like he has truly accepted the Duke as his father. I watched as Rune curled up on the Duke’s lap, squirming and snuggling.

 

‘This seems a bit much… awkward…’

 

The Duke’s touch, on the other hand, was a little stiff as he settled Rune into a comfortable position. But his appealing, dark eyes bore into mine, more than offsetting the awkwardness. 

 

Feeling persuaded, I swallowed hard. In the tense atmosphere, Rune bared his front teeth in a ‘heehee,’ expression.

 

“Daddy’s baby, I need, Mommy I need!” (Baby needs Daddy, and needs Mommy too!) 

 

The Duke didn’t flinch at the taunt, but his expression was different from his usual nonchalant one.

 

‘The Duke seems to be a bit fond of Rune… or is it just me?’

 

Confused as hell, I had to draw the line somewhere. I am, after all, an outsider to the Duke’s family. If I got too attached here, I might embarrass Rune and cause him great grief when we leave.

 

Besides, once the imprinting was over, if Rune did anything to offend the Duke…

 

“…Of course, Rune needs a father, but he has his father.”

 

“…”

 

Rune’s mouth fell open as he watched the air exchange between us. I tried to look away from the Duke’s intense gaze, staring far away from the child, but he called my name, as if demanding I look at him.

 

“Astel.”

 

His voice was pleading, and I slowly drew my gaze upward. Then the Duke whispered in a low voice.

 

“I am not the scum who abandoned you with a child, Astel.”

 

His eyes softened and he smiled. No matter how I think about it, my brother seems to be a confirmed piece of trash in the Duke’s mind, the kind of trash that can’t be recycled.

 

Of course, if anyone doesn’t know the circumstances, it might seem that way, so I gave up.

 

I’ll have a chance to correct that prejudice later.

 

Brother, I’m sorry…!

 

As I was feeling sorry for my brother, the Duke spoke again.

 

“I love children.”

 

I don’t think so… I get the impression that he hates babies and would snap at them if they cried.

 

Perhaps it’s just my prejudice…?

 

As I looked into his sincere eyes, I wondered if I should correct my preconceptions. At that moment, the Duke spoke again, this time earnestly.

 

“Being a child myself, I would like to be a father to Rune for the time being, and give him good memories.”

 

His fingertips touched my forehead unexpectedly. I felt his fingertips digging in, tangling in my hair, distracting me from my thoughts.

 

“Can’t we?”

 

Our gazes met. Rune said in a small voice.

 

“Daddy… says he’ll buy me things… and baby likes Daddy!”

 

I bit my lip hard. It was the flesh inside my lips, and they were dry.

 

But how wonderful it would be for a child to see the Duke’s grown-up demeanor, wealth, and ease.

 

He could be a role model. Besides, if Rune becomes close to the Duke, even if I die in the process of revenge.

 

…Maybe the Duke would take care of Rune.

 

Somehow, I feel like I’m being persuaded…!

 

I was about to say no, but the sight of Rune in the Duke’s arms stopped me from saying anything.

 

Rune looked so peaceful as he leaned heavily on the Duke.

 

Sensing my confusion, the Duke smiled and stroked my still slightly awkward hand.

 

“If I show that I care for Rune, there will be no one in this empire who will bully or ignore him.”

 

That was… true, but…

 

“How about that, Astel?”

 

“…Sure, but only until the baby’s real father arrives.”

 

To be honest, Astel was grateful for the help, even if he was only supposed to be looking out for her life as an imprint.

 

The Duke beamed with pleasure at my half-approval.

 

“Then the three of us will be together for a very long time.”

 

…Wait, a very long time?

 

It was a subtle nuance. But I didn’t get a chance to ask as the carriage rattled loudly as it turned onto the dirt road.

 

A few minutes later, we were past the capital’s security guard post and completely inside the capital.

 

I had gone to the Northern Duchy with a vengeance and was quite excited about my return after years away.

 

“There’s going to be a fun parade soon.”

 

“A parade?”

 

Suddenly I remembered what Sally and Jenny had said about the various parades that would take place once we reached the capital.

 

Toot—

 

Before the Duke and I could finish, I heard a loud horn blast outside my window. I quickly looked out the window and found myself at a loss for words again.

 

‘What is that elephant?’

 

It’s like… the king was arriving home…

 

No, of course, the Duke does rule the North, but…

 

He was traveling back and forth to the capital not long ago, so what’s the point of having a parade of this grandeur?

 

I glanced at the Duke just in case, and he looked strangely satisfied. I hadn’t expected him to be such a fan of formalities.

 

Likewise, I added ‘parade’ to my mental list of ways to approach the Duke of Anais.

 

The one who seemed most pleased with this situation was Rune.

 

Beside me, Rune, who was watching the parade through a peephole, said in a cheerful voice.

 

“Look! It’s got a big nose!”

 

“…It’s an elephant, so it has a big nose, right?”

 

I chimed in, trying to match Rune’s enthusiasm.

 

As we whispered, the Duke abruptly interrupted.

 

“I once saw an elephant when I was a child.”

 

“Oh, really? Did you see it in the Duke’s castle?”

 

Come to think of it, I had never heard of the Duke’s past, except from a friend of mine who had once heard of him.

 

I pricked up my ears and listened to his story with interest.

 

“No, I didn’t grow up in the Northern Duchy.”

 

“Oh.”

 

I was surprised. Usually, pure-blooded beasts grew up in the Duchy, or at least lived in the Northern Duchy…

 

“Then where did you stay?”

 

“I stayed in the capital.”

 

“Oh… that’s unexpected!”

 

My eyes widened. I could feel him searching my expression. This wasn’t a conversation, so why was he staring so intently?

 

“You’re blushing, Astel.”

 

“You must be panicking from all the parade noise.”

 

“It’s because I’m embarrassed that you’re staring so intently into my face,” I replied, unable to explain myself.

 

The Duke laughed at my vague answer, “Well… do you want me to finish the parade?”

 

…Though, of course, his answer was beyond the scope of my imagination.

 

🐾

 

Thanks to my sharp rebuke, our group made it safely through the parade.

 

It was a grand parade with elephants marching and lions and deer running around them.

 

I had to struggle to keep Rune from leaning out of the carriage and waving at the crowd.

 

After happily enjoying the parade in the carriage, we finally arrived at Serpen House, the capital residence of the Duke family.

 

It was a stunning mansion, except for the thorny bushes overgrowing its walls.

 

“Astel.”

 

All was going well, but the last thing I expected was to be escorted out of the carriage by the Duke himself.

 

Unlike the closed-off northern dukedoms, this was the capital, where there were many prying eyes and rumors traveled fast.

 

It was a bit odd that the Duke would escort me, a mere subject.

 

When I remained still without placing my hand on his, the Duke spoke with emphasis.

 

“From now on, on official business, you will be my official partner.”

 

He smiled languidly, as if embarrassed.

 

“Of course, you’ll have to start escorting me today, won’t you?”

 

‘I suppose you’re right, but… well, since we’re here, I’m sure everyone can see that my relationship with the Duke is a bit unusual.’

 

It was also strange that the Duke’s outstretched hand kept hovering in the air.

 

I took his hand and stepped out of the carriage. 

 

Though I was quite exhausted, Duke Anais’s comforting escort kept me from showing my fatigue in front of my new acquaintances.

 

Rune was taken care of by Lord Mayer, who followed on horseback.

 

Soon the servants and maids were lined up on either side of the hallway on the first floor.

 

“The servants of Serpen House are here to greet the Duke.”

 

I swallowed my surprise and looked away.

 

Oddly enough, most of the servants were looking like some sort of half-human.

 

Some were human in appearance but had tiny hamster tails, while others were eagles with wings on their backs.

 

At the Duke’s castle, I saw more humanized servants, perhaps due to the careful management of the head maid.

 

But the butler who manages this house seems to have more relaxed rules.

 

‘I came to the capital, but this place feels more like a miniature version of the Duke’s castle.’

 

In many ways, it’s an otter’s paradise!

 

A colorful assortment of servants stared at me.

 

Their eyes showed interest, but also awkwardness and wariness.

 

“I am Keldon, the butler of Serpen House.”

 

My hands, clasped together in a fist, trembled slightly. The Duke nodded nonchalantly.

 

“At your service, my lord and lady.”

 

Keldon’s inquisitive gaze flicked between me and the Duke, then hastily darted away.

 

That guy looks like he’d be a quick study…

 

“The Lady will be shown to the private crystal room used by the mansion’s hostess.”

 

…I didn’t seem to notice.

 

But the Duke was pleased and said, “That’s good judgment.”

 

What in the world… do you mean by good judgment…?!