✔DROP!! A TALE OF THE FRAGRANCE PRINCESS

Volume 1, Act 03: Second Older Brother, Isma's Monologue

For the longest time since I was born I was the youngest child, but eight years ago, my younger sister, named Cordelia, was born and I became an older brother. I was 12 at that time But to be honest, I pitied Cordelia.

Id never imagined that my sister could be conceived, what with my parents relationship being heavily strained, but I could easily figure out the reason behind it.

The child was to become the companion of the Prince, who was born half a year earlier than her.

If the child had been born a male, he could possibly become the Princes friend, but if the child was female, then she had the possibility of becoming the Queen. I thought that there were no other possible reasons for her being born. Although I was only 12 at that time, I was educated enough to understand that.

I sympathised with my sister, who was born into that, and thought, it would have been better if she was at least born a male. If she had been born a male, then she could somewhat decide her own future, but her fate was already chosen for her the moment she was born female.

『Aim to become Queen in the future. Its impossible for you not to be Queen.』

She was probably raised with only those words. I pitied her just when I thought about what would happen if things didnt work out. Well, the me who thought that, had severe feelings of inferiority at that time, so I wonder if my circumstances were still luckier than Cordelias. That also was nothing but trifling.

I was the second son but my elder brother, who was cut from the same cloth as father, was clearly treated differently.

On the surface, we received the same education, but I instinctively realised that I was a 『spare』from the environment we were in. I was never expected to achieve results above a certain level, and even though I did well in rare cases, I was never praised. Also if I were complimented, I would be compared to my brother; 『But it doesnt seem like you can beat your eldest brother』. If not, then I would be compared with father; 『Elvis-sama was even more amazing when he was younger』.

I have been called a prodigy, but it was always followed by those same words. So, Im not a prodigy after all. The feelings I had when I thought that were a little depressing, and there were times when I resented my brother. When I was younger, I was enthusiastic about winning against my brother someday. Well, but that was only when I was younger. I gradually became jealous of him, then acted stupidly, and finally gave up. Now, Ive already settled with 『as expected of elder brother』.

But even so, when Cordelia, who strongly inherited the blood of the Pameradia House, was born, on the one hand, I felt sorry for her; and on the other, I was glad that she was born as my sister.

If Cordelia had been born male, then my inferiority complex would have definitely solidified. My feelings had sublimated now, but if I were to be caught up between older and younger brothers, then I probably wouldnt have been able to hold it in. I was really impatient, and I might have become an atrocious brother.

Well, thats enough about me.

Father hired a live-in tutor for Cordelia to educate her as a future consort of the royal family almost as soon as she was born. Thus, my sister received education as a lady before she could even speak. Arent you too hasty, father?

Because of those circumstances, Cordelia had more restrictions than me; they were perhaps on the same level as elder brothers. Although, that was the only thing she knew, so I didnt feel like shed suffered from those restrictions. My sister was a fast-learner, and the maids and tutor always raved about her as if shed overwhelm everything in the world.

When I saw that, I honestly thought that it couldnt possibly be good.

I could understand if someone praised a child for being cute or smart, but they shouldnt compliment them more than necessary since the child could grow up to be spoiled, you know? Cordelia also looked somewhat smug whenever she was praised, so I was concerned that she would grow up to be spoiled.