How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love Chapter 354

“Waaah, Lady Violet!”

 

I only knew my older brother was coming, so I was shocked to see Violet here too.

 

If my body had been lighter, I would’ve run straight to her.

 

As if he understood how I felt, Leonhard wrapped an arm around my waist to support me. Honestly, it was closer to *stopping me from running*.

 

“Oh my gosh, how did you even get here? You should be taking extra care of yourself right now!”

 

“My body has been trained my entire life. A light trip like this is fine.”

 

“This isn’t exactly a ‘light trip’—the north is really cold! Don’t stand around here, let’s go somewhere warm. And just in case, you should get checked by our Doctor too.”

 

The one looking displeased at my fussing was none other than my brother.

 

“You know your brothers are here too, right? Aren’t you curious if we’re cold?”

 

“It’s basically summer already. Why are you acting so dramatic?”

 

At my unimpressed glare, he grabbed the back of his neck on purpose. I just stuck my tongue out at him.

 

“A guy who gets married without even sending his sister an invitation? That’s not my brother. Hmph!”

 

On the other hand, I held both of my older brother’s hands tightly and thanked him for keeping his promise to come when I was about to give birth.

 

“Brother Liv is the best. I guess not just anyone can be the eldest.”

 

“I did work pretty hard raising you all.”

 

“Wait, brother. Don’t tell me I’m included in that ‘you all’?”

 

“Don’t you remember? Well, you were pretty young.”

 

“I do remember! When did you ever carry me? I carried *you* when you collapsed!”

 

“That did happen. You cried your eyes out thinking I was going to die…”

 

“Ah, brother!”

 

Why are these two reminiscing like this all the way out here?

 

And Violet was actually listening closely, like it was the most interesting story ever.

 

I understood the mood, but I couldn’t keep standing like this forever in my condition.

 

I grabbed Violet’s hand and pulled her toward me.

 

“Let’s leave those two and go inside first. Honey, I’ll leave my brothers to you.”

 

“Yes. Please go in and rest first.”

 

As we women went inside first, leaving the men behind, Violet glanced back with a slightly regretful expression.

 

‘Does she not want to be apart from Alexander in an unfamiliar place?’

 

Just as I thought that—

 

“Would it be inappropriate if I asked His Excellency for a spar right now?”

 

“What? Absolutely not!”

 

Even if she’s a Swordmaster, there are things you can do and things you can’t!

 

“We’re family now, right? There will be plenty of chances later. Let’s wait until after the baby is born and you’ve recovered.”

 

“Family… I see.”

 

Violet nodded, looking like she was recalling something.

 

“So I can now officially attend the Howard family gatherings.”

 

“Of course, sister-in-law!”

 

Violet smiled brightly, like she had just heard something she’d always wanted to hear.

 

* * *

 

“Honeymoon?”

 

The reason my brother and Violet came to the north along with my eldest brother—

 

I never expected *that* answer. The cookie I was about to eat dropped onto my lap.

 

“Um… Alexander was the one who chose the destination, right?”

 

“We decided together. Well… honestly, I also wanted to spar with His Excellency again…”

 

“Later. Definitely later. Leon won’t accept it right now.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Coming all the way here while pregnant just because she wanted to spar…

 

I guess you really have to be *this* obsessed with swords to become a Swordmaster.

 

‘Still, I’m glad it wasn’t just Alexander making a reckless decision alone.’

 

While I sighed in relief, Lily took the cookie from my lap and handed me a new one, then asked Violet,

 

“What happened with the family you cut off? They’re not still bothering you, right?”

 

Wow, Lily’s speaking casually to Violet now. They must’ve gotten close.

 

“No. I told them that if they bothered me again, I would cut them down for real. They haven’t shown up since.”

 

“I don’t know what happened, but good job. If they bother you again, seriously, just cut them down.”

 

“I’d like to, but they haven’t shown up. It’s a bit disappointing.”

 

“If it got bad enough to cut ties, you’ve already seen the worst of them. It’s better to never get involved again. Don’t even waste time feeling regret.”

 

“That does seem true.”

 

“From now on, when you think of family, just think of us, sister-in-law!”

 

“Yeah, sis.”

 

“…Thank you.”

 

Violet gave us a shy smile. It made my heart flutter.

 

—knock knock

 

While Lily and I were busy exposing my younger brother’s embarrassing past, we heard a knock.

 

I thought it would be Leonhard or one of my brothers, but it was Layla.

 

“Sorry to interrupt your conversation… may I come in for a moment?”

 

“Of course. Come to think of it, you two haven’t met before, right?”

 

I introduced Violet and Layla to each other.

 

After a brief, slightly awkward greeting, Laila spoke with a serious expression.

 

“I would like to ask for your advice, senior.”

 

“Me…?”

 

Violet pointed at herself, confused.

 

Layla nodded solemnly.

 

“Have you studied swordsmanship? Is that why you’re calling me your senior…?”

 

“No. Not swordsmanship. I, too, am currently pursuing a man from the Howard family.”

 

Lily quickly covered her mouth mid-sip, and I nearly choked on my cookie.

 

Thanks to Violet patting Lily’s back and Layla patting mine, we avoided embarrassing ourselves in front of our new family member.

 

“So in short, you have feelings for Count Howard?”

 

“Yes. I know the Count and Sir Alexander have different personalities and tastes, but they are brothers. I was hoping to get some advice, even if it’s presumptuous.”

 

After explaining, Layla bowed apologetically to us.

 

We waved it off, saying it was fine. Honestly, she looked a bit pitiful being this desperate… and—

 

‘I really want to hear what advice Violet gives!’

 

We exchanged glances, clearly thinking the same thing, and quietly waited.

 

“Well, I don’t know if my advice will help…”

 

“I will listen carefully!”

 

“First, the most important thing is to block their escape routes.”

 

“And then?”

 

“Then, don’t give them time to think.”

 

“Don’t give them time to think…”

 

“Lastly, don’t give them any chance to counterattack. Overwhelm them completely so they can’t do anything.”

 

“So they can’t do anything…!”

 

Layla even started taking notes as she listened.

 

Honestly, I wasn’t sure this was right. Judging by her face, Lily felt the same.

 

‘Isn’t this more like sword-fighting advice than dating advice?’

 

But since both the advisor and the listener seemed satisfied, maybe it didn’t matter.

 

“If you’re going to get advice, you should also ask these two, since they’re the Count’s sisters.”

 

“Oh! You’re right. Madam Marquise, Lady Lily—may I ask for your help?”

 

“I’ve never seen my brother date… but I can at least tell you his preferences.”

 

“I’m ready to take notes.”

 

Smiling at how serious Layla looked, Lily began,

 

“Well, first of all, what my brother likes is…”

 

* * *

 

—knock knock

 

In the room Leonhard had personally shown him, Oliver—who was organizing his luggage—looked up at the door.

 

Instead of answering, he stood and opened it himself.

 

“Uncle!”

 

Noah, who had been about to knock again, looked up at Oliver with a bright smile.

 

The moment he saw that face, a breath escaped Oliver’s lips—

 

something between relief and disappointment.

 

Of course, Oliver himself didn’t even realize it.

 

* * *