Ikemen ni Tenseishita kedo, Cheat ha Dekimasenshita

89.2 My Little Sister and Little Brother Is Just Too Adorable
 

“Welcome back, Theodore, and congratulation for being chosen to bear the role of the Six Gods in the main festival. Use this long holiday to get some rest before the main event,” Mother said, hugging me.

Honestly, I felt really embarrassed being hugged by my mother at this age, but still I was also happy at the same time. “I’m home, Mother. Thank you very much for the kind words. I shall take your offer and use this holiday to get some rest.”

“Dear brother! I made ornament for the Saint Festival last night! Dear big sister and dear mother made it too! Let’s make it together, dear brother!”

Carol braced herself and showed her handmade ornament. The matter of making hexagram ornament during the long holiday before the Saint Festival was a long established tradition of this kingdom.

The reason was because the night before the Saint Festival was known as the ‘Night of Demon’. During this particular night, the scattered demon race would gather at the peak of Glory Mountain to celebrate their own festival. From what I heard, the strength of the demon race was at its peak in that night, while the protection of the saint was at its weakest point.

That was why the tradition was established. We used the long holiday to make ornament as a charm to ward against evil being. This charm also served to repel evil being if we hung it at the door frame or window.

By the way, there was also a rumour saying that the demon king’s castle was located on top of the Glory Mountain at the south of the kingdom. Because of that, many people believed in the ‘Night of Demon’ tale.

But well, there was also a famous anecdote about Vlad, one of the Six Gods, living a life of seclusion in the hidden village at the foot of Glory mountain. So, I’d take this tale with a grain of salt.

I meant, why did the subjugator and the target of subjugation living side-by-side? Wouldn’t that literally mean they were neighbors to each other? Ergo, grain of salt it was.

“You can, right, dear brother?” Carol pleaded at me with upturned gaze.

Stop. This dear brother of yours were weak against such gaze!

“After I change my clothes first, okay? And, Chester?”

“Welcome back, Big Brother. Congratulation,” Chester said as he walked out of the entrance door.

He was turning eight years old this year, and had grown into a kind and gentle kid who loves his family.

Incidentally, Chester’s silky blonde hair was grown until his shoulder and tied on the back, which resembled our father’s hair style greatly. In that way, he became more and more similar with our father.

Eh? Me? In my case, I didn’t grow my hair that long since it gave a gloomy impression. Although, in the end, it was simply a matter of preference.

“I’m home, Chester. And I won’t forget you guys too, Kevin, Bernie. It’s nice to see everyone as healthy as before,” I said, greeting the two people standing behind Chester while patting my little brother’s head.

When I lowered my gaze, I saw that they’re still holding onto their wooden swords. It seemed I came when they’re in the middle of sword training.

Honestly, I had never expected Bernie to grow up into a quiet child. I mean, he was Kevin’s son, that Kevin you know? Still, he was a splendid child, who tried his best in his study to become Chester’s attendant.

Although, the decision for him to become Chester’s attendant wasn’t his own, but Kevin’s. Because, in Kevin’s view, Bernie was different from him. Bernie was a smart kid. As such, he should be raised as Chester’s attendant.

Anyway, it was his prerogative as Bernie’s father. Beside, Bernie himself didn’t reject it. Speaking of Kevin, I always had this certain feeling that the air around the guy had changed since a long time ago. Was this what they said that people’s character would mellow out with age?

Well, though I said ‘age’, he was still in a good shape even though he had already passed the thirty years old milestone. Not that I would tell him that though.

“Welcome back, Theodore-sama.”

“Welcome back, Young Master. Do you have some moment to join our training?”

In contrast to Bernie’s polite gesture and remark, Kevin showed a bold smile as he held his sword up.

“Kevin! Dear brother will make ornament with me after this. Don’t disturb us!” Carol snarled at Kevin, perhaps thinking that Kevin was going to take me away from her for sword training.

“My bad, Kevin. I have prior arrangement with Carol before you. Let’s train after I am done making ornament with Carol. And Carol.”

“Yes, dear brother!”

“Kevin is only inquiring about my schedule. He has no intention to disturb your plan. Look, I have just returned, so it’s only natural that he has no idea about my plan for today.”

Getting emotional too quickly was Carol’s bad habit. Everyone might hate her if she kept yelling like that in the future. Furthermore, as much as I hate to admit it, this side of her resembled that pink head. So, I had to curb this as soon as possible, since I really wish that our Carol wouldn’t grow up like that pink head bull.

“… I understand.”

Well, the fact that she acknowledged her wrong-doing and could apologized properly once I rebuked her gently was a good thing. So, she was still miles better than that pink head.

“Moreover, you have to remember that you’re a lady, right? Otherwise, have you not learn about how to bring yourself as a noble lady yet?”

“No! I’m learning it properly!”

“Since that’s the case, you know what you have to do at this kind of time right?”

“… Kevin, sorry for raising my voice. I have just made a promise with Big Bro Theo to make ornament together. That’s why, please postpone the sword training for later.”

After pondering for a while, Carol then bowed lightly to Kevin as she apologized to the latter.

Yosh, good job.

“I understand, Milady Carol. I guess we have no choice since you already have prior arrangement. I have no intention to disturb your time together, so I also apologized for my thoughtless word that ended up disturbing your moment. Will you please be kind enough to forgive me?”

“Yes, you’re not the one to blame for this situation after all. May I ask for your forgiveness too?”

“Naturally. Well, I’m really happy to see you speaking gently again. I really don’t want to see an angry Milady Carol after all.”

Carol’s face flushed red when she heard Kevin’s words, and I couldn’t help but to pat Carol’s head to praise her again. The way she came to me reminded me of a cat though.

“Carol is really obedient to you, dear big brother. And yet, she keep snapping at me for some reason,” Chester complained with a pout.

I see. He was dissatisfied with his situation.

“You must not say those words again, Chester. You’re also one of Carol’s dearest big brother.”

“I mean, Big Brother Chester keep scolding me.”

“That’s only because Carol is at fault.”

“Okay, okay. That’s enough. Carol, Chester won’t scold you if you’re not doing anything wrong. That’s why, you have to strive and aim to get a praise from Chester.”

“Bu— Okay.”

“Look, you clearly have no intention to do that.”

“And Chester, silence is gold. Sometime, it’ll make you popular among girls.”

“… Yes.”

“Then, please wait right here with Chester, okay Carol? I am going to change my clothes.”

After I said that, I patted their head and headed to my room, leaving Wendy and Mother to bring them toward the living room, unable to hide the warm smile on their face. As for Kevin, he followed behind me along with Richard, as if it was the most natural thing to do.

“Young Master is truly skilled when it comes to handling both Milady Carol and Young Master Chester. I wish you can teach me that skill.”

“I just treat them normally, though? They are good kids to begin with, so they will listen as long as you speak to them properly you know?”

“You’re the only one who can do that, Young Master,” Kevin continued to complain as he scratched the back of his head. Richard also had a wry smile on his face. Why? I wasn’t lying. They’re really good children.