The Duke's Beloved Third Son Aims to Escape as a Villain!?

Special Chapter 2: The People Around Us

Our family started hosting tea parties regularly.

I think the first party I hosted was a success. The purpose was to solidify the Triaina family faction. But thinking about doing all that preparation and sending letters again next month makes me sigh. Moreover, the next guest seems like they'll be quite troublesome.

“Phew…”

“Are you tired, Brother Sevran?”

My younger brother Fran, who was sitting next to me, looked at me while holding a fork with a piece of pie on it. His mouth was half-open, eager to eat. Even though he was like that, Fran responding to my sigh made him adorable.

We spread a carpet on the hill within our grounds and had a picnic. Instead of setting up a table, we sat directly on the carpet and had lunch. It was Fran's sudden suggestion, but stretching out and having lunch was quite comfortable.

“Sorry, I was lost in thought.”

When I gently tapped Fran's plump cheek with the palm of my hand, he finally put the pie in his mouth and ate it. His cheeks puffed up as he munched, which was cute. But he still seemed worried, with an un-childlike wrinkle forming between his eyebrows, making him look a bit unbalanced.

“…I have to invite a girl who’s destined to become a saint to the next tea party. That’s why I was a bit troubled.”

“A s-saint…”

Fran dropped his fork with a clatter.

It was a strange reaction, but maybe Fran only knew saints from picture books. It might have been surprising for him to know that one actually existed. Since it’s the first time in 50 years, it’s natural that Fran would think of it as a legend.

“Even though she's a saint, she's just a normal girl. She just has a little more magic power than us.”

“W-where…where was she found?”

“Hm? Oh, I think they said near the slums. She suddenly began to pray, and with her vast magic, she healed the entire area with healing magic.”

Apparently, she said she “saw love,” and the church, seeing her as merciful, appointed her as a saint. Since she’s from a noble family, we’re hosting a tea party to greet and observe her.

I swallowed the sigh that was about to escape again and looked at my little brother next to me, who had collapsed onto the carpet.

Maybe he got sleepy from being too full. Watching Fran, who moves unpredictably and whose emotions change rapidly, is always amusing. I could probably watch him forever and never get bored.

“Fran, what’s wrong?”

“Brother Sevran…”

“Yes?”

“Did I change fate…? Maybe I sped up the countdown to ruin…ugh…”

“…Haha!”

Fran looked so distressed, worried about something incomprehensible. His tiny body wriggling with concern was both pitiful and adorable at the same time.

I lay down next to Fran, who was sprawled out, and hugged his little back. Noticing me, Fran quickly turned over to face me. His eyebrows were drooping, and he looked troubled.

“Fran.”

“Yes…”

“Even if you bring ruin, I will always be your big brother. No matter what happens, both I and Brother Stefan, and even Father, will always protect you and love you.”

I gave him affectionate kisses on his forehead and cheek.

Fran, who had been looking troubled, suddenly blinked in surprise. …Ah, yes, after Mother passed away, we completely stopped the habit of kissing.

Fran, who was now surprised, I wonder what he'll say.

“…Like a foreign celebrity!”

“Huh?”

Foreign…what?

“So cool! Brother Sevran, you're so cool for doing it so casually!”

“O-oh, really?”

“Yes! You're amazing! So stylish!”

Fran praised me without restraint. He’s always like this, looking straight at me with sparkling eyes and telling me how cool I am. It makes me happy, but also embarrassed, and all I can do is feel my face heat up. Why is he so honest?

“I also… I also want to try kissing!”

Fran wriggled, moving upward, bringing his face to the same height as mine. I could feel his excited breath—so full of enthusiasm that I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“Haha! Alright, go ahead.”

“Okay!”

I turned my face sideways, offering my cheek.

“Mmmm, smooch!”

With Fran’s voice came the soft sensation of his lips on my cheek. The faint sweet smell must have been from the apple pie he had just eaten.

“How was it?”

Fran waited proudly for my evaluation with a self-satisfied look on his face.

I deliberately pretended to think seriously, closing my eyes. I could feel Fran’s body tense up in my embrace.

“…You pass!”

“Yayyy!”

With that declaration, I hugged him tightly, and Fran laughed joyfully, “Hehehe!”

“I’ve become cool too!”

“That’s right. Fran, you’re always cool, but now you’re especially cool.”

“Hehehe…”

Fran, now embarrassed, rubbed his head against my shoulder.

I don't know anyone other than Fran who expresses their love and trust with their whole body like this.

The servants watched us with warm smiles.

While thinking I’d like to have tea parties with Fran every day, I continued to hold my little brother, who was letting out strange giggles.

________________________________

Author's Note:

Thank you for your thoughts, bookmarks, typo reports, and ratings (＾ν＾)!

It makes me so happy and motivated! I'm really grateful!

It’s a laid-back, fluffy, everyday story, but I hope you'll continue to enjoy it (＾ν＾)!