He’s My Real Brother, Duke Chapter 92

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A few peaceful, leisurely days had passed.

 

Mornings for aristocrats usually begin with a simple tea in the bright sunny afternoon, but here at Serpen House, things are a little different.

 

Especially today.

 

For today was the day that Duke Anais and Astel would be taking a tour around the Imperial Palace. It was something she had requested when they came to the capital.

 

— ‘As an investor in my business, can you give me a tour of the palace and the capital?’

 

— ‘Of course.’

 

— ‘So, when can I expect to visit the palace…!’

 

— ‘We’ll arrange it soon.’

 

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Duke Anais’ lips as he recalled Astel’s childlike excitement at the prospect of a tour of the palace. Besides, the thought of showing her around the palace made him feel exhilarated for a change. 

 

From dropping her off at Serpen House to going to the palace with her, it was a kind of announcement: she was his. If Astel was officially known in society as his partner, no one would be tempted to mess with her.

 

‘I can deal with all those unnecessary nuisances.’

 

It would also have a significant effect on the flies that swarm around Astel.

 

This world of Cassian Gray flies would be too harsh and dangerous for Astel, and as her imprint and protector in the capital, he had to ensure that she was taken care of. 

 

So, as soon as he arrived in the capital, he placed a ban on anyone coming near her. Despite the trash and flies that kept piling up, he never stopped trying to keep Astel’s path clear.

 

Of course…

 

— ‘Astel, why don’t we have lunch together…’

 

— ‘What can I do, I don’t think I’ll be able to eat lunch today!’

 

…Astel was a little too busy to even approach him.

 

— ‘Ever since I came to the capital, I haven’t been feeling well. I have the same life patterns as someone in their 70s, so I thought I’d have dinner with Astel…’

 

— ‘That’s impossible! You’re so healthy!’

 

…No, actually, I’ve been very busy.

 

As the days passed, the Duke of Anais’ patience began to wear thin.

 

Astel spent long hours in the crystal room, studying and pondering.

 

He didn’t see her often, even though they were only one wall apart. He would hold her hand, using his health as an excuse, but that was it.

 

His patience was short-lived, and he eventually went to the crystal room first, turning to Astel and asking her bluntly, 

 

— ‘What’s going on, Astel?’

 

— ‘I’m researching and developing a business product! Oh, and the Duke loves our Rune, so why don’t you have some fun and chat with him?’

 

— ‘Daddy!’

 

Just like that, several days after arriving at the capital mansion.

 

He had been a bit of a handful, or to be more precise, a nanny to a three-year-old.

 

But today, when the tour of the palace would commence, was different.

 

“Today’s the day we finally get to visit the Imperial Palace!”

 

“Yes, I’m excited because it’s been a long time since I’ve been to the Imperial Palace.”

 

“I’m so nervous…”

 

Astel laughed softly as she adjusted the hem of her pale yellow dress.

 

“What do you think? A little, like a businessman?”

 

The Duke laughed embarrassed.

 

Not long ago, he had summoned a boutique to tailor her outfit for her future social appearances.

 

He’d brought in several of the capital’s best-known tailors, and they’d done an amazing job.

 

Today, Astel is the most beautiful woman in the world…

 

“… Like a baby chick.”

 

Wide-eyed, Astel looked up at the Duke and repeated.

 

“A chick?”

 

Astel looks like a yellow chick you’d want to carry around in your pocket.

 

She was more of a chick than an actual baby chick. While the Duke was busy admiring her cuteness, they arrived in front of the palace.

 

“I see. Let’s take a tour of the palace, shall we?”

 

The tour of the palace was scheduled for the nearest hour, but Duke Anais wanted to take his time exploring the interior.

 

Until the palace doors opened, and a suspicious, ill-favored stranger strode in from the distance.

 

🐾

 

“It’s been a long time, Your Grace.”

 

Astel’s eyes widened at the approaching figure.

 

She smiled naturally and stomped her foot a couple of times in greeting, then glanced up at him and tried to keep her expression straight.

 

The Duke of Anais glanced at Astel, whose lips twitched, then finally stiffened, and spoke down to Cassian Gray.

 

“Yes, you may pass as you are.”

 

Cassian was still smiling, and Astel was a little taken aback.

 

“No.”

 

The Duke said through gritted teeth.

 

During their confrontation, Astel cautiously interjected.

 

“What is the matter?”

 

“Alas, my lady.”

 

Cassian’s expression changed from overly pinched to hastily playful.

 

Astel froze at the sight of his change.‘Why was he acting like he hadn’t seen her in five hundred years, Astel wondered.

 

His face was still scarred, and his eyes were red as if they’d burst with blood.

 

While Astel looked at him and felt sorry for him, Cassian, his expression perfectly back to its mischievous self, lifted the corners of his lips and smiled.

 

“It is well known that I have a great deal of respect for the Duke, and His Majesty himself has asked me to take charge of the arrangements.”

 

At those words, Astel’s eyes twinkled as she looked at Cassian.

 

A knight in charge of the protocol should have been a disreputable position… but Cassian was in charge of such a thing.

 

Perhaps the Emperor had used it as an excuse to keep Duke Anais in check.

 

If that’s the case, I’ll be seeing my brother more often in the palace from now on.

 

Astel’s eyes lit up with joy.

 

Cassian smiled back at her and then bowed formally, “Allow me to formally greet you, my name is Cassian Gray, a knight who has been assigned to serve as the Imperial Court’s Chief Protocol Officer for the duration of your stay in the capital.”

 

It was a good thing for Astel, anyway.

 

Astel forced the corners of her lips down.

 

‘I’m happy to see you, but what if I’m too happy and the Duke misunderstands our relationship again?’

 

Astel, anticipating disaster, jerked her head at Cassian as if nothing had happened.

 

“Yes, it’s been a while.”

 

She tried as hard as she could to give Cassian a look that feigned reluctance, that showed her dislike for him.

 

“Astel.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“…Come with me.”

 

Astel nodded shakily at the sight of the Duke, colder than winter.

 

There was a reason for the tradition, after all. There wasn’t much to be said for a knight of honor.

 

To fulfill their duties, the Duke would escort Astel around the palace, with Cassian leading the way.

 

However, due to the Duke’s deliberate obstruction, Cassian was now forced to follow in their tracks.

 

He wanted to ask Astel if the child had come with them to the capital and if she was safe, but it was impossible to even speak to her now.

 

But Cassian, who had been waiting for a good opportunity, had his moment.

 

“Wow, there’s a lake here at the palace?”

 

Astel excitedly pointed to the palace’s outdoor lake.

 

It was a beautiful, serene, and tranquil lake just past the Meletium Hall, which was used for court meetings.

 

Cassian spoke up quickly, “Lady, I shall be glad to explain in a moment.”

 

“Yes!”

 

The Duke of Anais’ eyebrows twitched, but Cassian continued nonchalantly, acting as if he were invisible.

 

“There is a tale woven into the lore of this lake.”

 

“Oh, my, I’m so curious, Duke, aren’t you?”

 

The Duke did not dare to say that he was ‘not the least bit curious’ with Astel by his side.

 

He smiled softly and replied, “Yes, I am very curious to hear what the story is.”

 

Whatever it was, I didn’t want to hear it in Cassian Gray’s voice.

 

After consulting with the others, Cassian took the reins of the conversation and spoke with a straight face.

 

“The lake was not originally this deep, but it is said to have deepened after a certain incident. Long ago, there was a prince and a female knight who served him, and they fell into a forbidden love.”

 

“Oh my gosh, that’s so romantic.”

 

Astel clasped her hands in front of her and smiled sweetly.

 

The Duke’s gaze loosened as he watched her get lost in the story, then hardened once more on Cassian.

 

A hard gaze, as if he were waiting to see how far this goes.

 

But Cassian Gray was not about to back down.

 

“No, it’s not romantic at all. They were preparing to leave the palace with the promise of a romantic elopement. One day, the prince was passing by the lake and pretended to drown as a prank. It was a lighthearted prank, as the water was shallow enough that if you stood up, your feet would touch the bottom.”

 

Astel’s eyes widened. Cassian picked up a rock that had been rolling around without any roughness.

 

He tossed it toward the lake and splashed.

 

“But it is said that the knight did not save the drowning prince, for fear of getting her uniform wet.”

 

“Hmph…”

 

“It wasn’t love. When the knight saw the drowning prince looking like a mouse, he realized that love was no big deal once the shell came off. After that, the heartbroken prince went through a major renovation and dug the lake deeper, as a kind of warning not to be blinded by love for nothing.”

 

“Hmm? That doesn’t sound very romantic.”

 

Astel’s eyes narrowed, a little disappointed.

 

Cassian then explained seriously,  “…Yes, they say that love has a shelf life of two years, and anyone who falls in love sooner than that, grows cold in less than two seconds. It’s too easy for love to grow cold, especially for those in power, I’m telling you.”

 

Astel shook her head, “No matter how fast love might fade, two seconds is…”

 

Cassian was proud. He gazed out at the lake’s shimmering surface and spoke firmly.

 

“So this lake tale is a historical lesson in the insurmountable nature of class differences. Is there anything else you’d like to know?”

 

Astel looked at her brother’s serious demeanor curiously, meeting him for the first time, and nodded.

 

Though she could hear the sound of grinding teeth beside her.

 

“No, and you are wrong.”

 

The Duke, who had dared to interject himself into the conversation, glared at Cassian.

 

“The idea that class differences can’t be overcome is just an old-fashioned idea.”

 

Astel let out a gasp.

 

The Duke had a habit of making comments that undermined Imperial discipline a little too casually.

 

“From what I’ve heard, there are other tales of this lake.”