Arc-3 Ch-02

“This is this year’s projected harvest. It’s a little less than last year’s, but considering we had a war, it’s a miracle the damage wasn’t worse.”

“True. Angie, Father, and Colin all worked hard. Thanks, everyone.”

“These are the current market prices for food. As expected, shortages and disrupted distribution have driven prices sky-high across the board.”

“After setting aside taxes for the kingdom, feeding our people has to come first. I was hoping to sell any surplus at market for some profit, but that looks impossible now.”

“Our top priority is preventing starvation. With labor shortages everywhere, we can’t afford to lose any more of the population.”

“We’ll also need to take care of the families of those who died in the war.”

“If it comes down to it, we may need to offer not just condolence money but actual food assistance.”

Inside the office, three men sat among sofas and chairs, sorting through documents and exchanging updates with focused expressions.

Roughly half a month had passed since the memorial ceremony. Autumn had begun to settle over the Bartfort territory, marking the arrival of harvest season.

For most commoners and merchants, this is a season of abundance—cause for celebration.

But for a lord, it means calculating and collecting taxes based on the harvest yields.

No matter how just or kind a ruler may be, no one likes the hand that collects their money—that’s simply the nature of the world.

Even as you protect the people, they still harbor resentment. Being a lord is, at its core, a thankless role.

We were fortunate to avoid a failed harvest this year, but the war with the Principality drained both our finances and manpower.

Those damned bastards from the Principality launched their attack right in the middle of the farming season. No doubt it was strategic—but that doesn’t make it any less of a disaster. Angie’s political skills are superb, but she’s not well-versed in agriculture.

Thanks to Father managing things while my older brother and I were away, we narrowly avoided financial ruin. But that doesn’t mean we can relax now.

We’re barely scraping by on the interest from the Duke’s loan, and maintaining the hot spring facilities is a constant drain on our funds.

Saintess Olivia-sama’s visit brought an influx of tourists to the territory, but who knows how long that boost will last.

If another conflict breaks out within the kingdom, it will spell doom for Bartfort’s development and stability.

That’s why Angie and I are doing everything we can to prevent a full-blown clash between the royal family and the Duke’s house.

“What’s wrong, big bro?”

“Nothing. Just thinking.”

“Don’t push yourself too hard just because Angelica-san isn’t around. You should focus on preparing for the baby instead of overworking.”

Our family doesn’t know that Angie and I are entangled in the capital’s political turmoil.

Telling them would only cause confusion, and if they got involved and something went wrong… I don’t even want to imagine the outcome.

I feel guilty, but also slightly relieved to keep them out of it.

They probably just think I’m feeling unbalanced because Angie isn’t here.

“Her belly’s grown so much, it’s starting to interfere with her work. I know what that’s like—I took care of Mother back then.”

“Even with the three of us working together, we’re still less efficient than Angelica-san alone.”

“Don’t say that.”

Angie is remarkable—almost too remarkable.

Trained from a young age to be the next queen, she’s well-versed in politics and economics.

With her Duke family connections, she can get nearly anything approved or negotiated.

Without Angie, the Bartfort territory would’ve collapsed immediately—or worse, been devoured by unscrupulous merchants.

And beyond all that… she’s beautiful, elegant, and generously endowed.

She’s perfect—my wife.

I’m hopelessly in love with her, enough to die for her.

So it’s only natural we’re having lots of children. It’s Angie’s fault for being so charming. I’m completely innocent.

I stood up and looked out the window. The wheat fields, golden just days ago, had already faded to a brownish hue.

The off-season is approaching, and farming will soon slow down across the territory.

I’d love to try double-cropping, but the land is still under development, and pushing our war-weary people too hard might backfire—hurting morale and productivity.

I’ll need to find alternative work to sustain the population through winter.

Looking down at the garden, I spotted Angie playing with the twins.

She’s taking a well-earned break today, so I’ll need to step up as the acting lord.

“We should finish as much as we can today.”

“Why not hire a secretary, deputy, or clerk? Our family alone can’t manage everything.”

“Many servants were dismissed from noble houses that lost their titles during the war, but the capable ones have already been snapped up.”

“What’s left are the dregs—either incompetent, corrupt, or too eccentric to trust. Hiring them could do more harm than good.”

“Why not ask the Duke’s house to send someone?”

“I don’t want to be any more indebted to them than I already am. Worst case, they’ll send someone more loyal to the Duke than to us.”

The Duke-sama is dependable, but terrifying.

He may respect my position and capabilities, but he has little regard for me personally.

To him, I’m just a pawn in a political game—not a trusted son-in-law.

Everything he does for us is ultimately for Angie and the children’s benefit, and to keep me in his debt.

If we get too deeply entangled, we won’t be able to escape. In fact, we’re already ensnared.

“I wish we had connections with nobles besides the Duke’s house. Not someone too powerful—just an ally we could rely on in a pinch.”

“You think that kind of convenient arrangement really exists?”

“Big bro, why not marry another noble lady?”

“I’ve learned my lesson in the capital. If I marry again, it’ll be to a kind commoner girl. I’m only inheriting a barony—marrying a commoner isn’t a big deal.”

“Then, Colin—how about marrying into another family?”

“I’m open to it, but do you even have those kinds of connections, big bro?”

“…No.”

“Well, that’s not helpful.”

“Still, marriage is a good thing. Having a beautiful wife and adorable kids gives you the drive to work harder!”

“You’re just ridiculously lucky.”

“You were already engaged at my age!”

“Yeah, and I was half-dead! I would’ve died without Angelica-san!”

My little brother’s gotten harsh. Where did that sweet, honest kid go?

“First, we need to think about Jenna and Finley. They’re running out of time.”

“Maybe we’ll get lucky. A decent second or third son from a noble family might show up—someone who wants to work here and rise in rank.”

“Those two are still fixated on becoming a noble’s first wife.”

“They need a dose of reality. There’s a surplus of noblewomen now.”

The war with the Principality devastated the kingdom’s noble men.

Those who fought bravely died. Those who fled or betrayed were executed or stripped of everything.

Now, marriage prospects for noble ladies have plummeted.

There’s a wave of upstart nobles like me—most rough around the edges, lacking basic etiquette.

Even noblewomen are swallowing their pride to marry them.

But our sisters are aiming too high.

“Men can marry later in life, so it’s the women who are at a disadvantage.”

“You’re way too soft on family, big bro.”

“We should call a family meeting about their marriages soon.”

Thanks to their help, most of the paperwork on my desk had been sorted.

All that remained was my review and official stamp.

“I’m off to meet with the merchants. You handle the letters on the desk, big bro.”

“Got it. Good luck.”

I watched Colin leave alongside our older brother.

He’s grown into a reliable man.

As his elder brother, I want to see him rewarded for all his efforts.

“Colin’s grown up.”

“He has.”

“Maybe we should find him a good match. Raise him up as a quasi-baron.”

“No need to rush. He’s still young.”

“What about you, big bro? Not thinking of getting married?”

“No prospects. I'm barely a noble—next in line for the barony. Why are you so pushy about marriage all of a sudden?”

“Well, I got married and had kids before you, so I feel kind of guilty. Also, Angie mentioned something about the Bartfort family's succession.”

“Angelica-san said that?”

This territory was granted to me along with my viscountcy as a reward for my military achievements.

It was originally meant to be governed solely by the “First Bartfort Viscount House,” but the complications following the war made things messy.

The war had ended in a stalemate, and the kingdom lacked sufficient rewards for those who had earned distinction.

So, they seized the lands of traitors, downsized incompetent nobles to smaller holdings, and distributed large territories to capable families.

My father’s original Bartfort domain was confiscated, and in its place, this undeveloped floating island was designated as our new territory under the “Bartfort Clan.”

As a result, both the Viscount House and the Baron House of Bartfort now govern the same territory.

Because the kingdom has no clear estimate of the taxes an undeveloped island might yield, they’ve proposed to eventually divide the land between the viscount and baron based on area or population—a ridiculously vague arrangement.

Here lies the problem: while my brother will inherit the main Baron House, I—head of the newly recognized and higher-ranked Viscount House—am technically in charge of the entire clan.

“Angie says we need to define the roles between the Viscount and Baron Houses clearly and maintain good relations, or else things could get messy down the line.”

“This territory was awarded to you. You’re the head. What’s the issue?”

“Things might be fine between us now, but our children or grandchildren could easily turn on one another. Angie says that if we treat Colin like a vassal, resentment could fester over generations. It might spark a future succession dispute.”

“What does that have to do with me getting married?”

“Angie thinks the easiest way to keep our descendants aligned is through marriage. If done right, we could merge the Viscount and Baron Houses into one unified branch.”

“She’s really thinking decades ahead... The Duke’s daughter certainly sees the big picture.”

When I heard that, I realized just how sharp Angie truly is—thinking twenty or thirty years into the future.

Still, the thought of using our children’s marriages for political convenience didn’t sit well with me.

“So, Nii-san, hurry up and get married and have kids.”

“I’m not getting married just for that. Besides, I already told you—I don’t have anyone in mind.”

“You sound just like those guys aiming too high.”

“In the worst case, I’ll have Colin inherit the Baron House. He’d gladly serve under you.”

“I just want my real brother to be happy.”

“Focus on your own happiness instead. Think about making your wife and kids happy.”

His exasperated sigh made him seem a bit reckless, yet strangely warm.

As he gazed absentmindedly at the ceiling, I found myself recalling our childhood.

Back then, neither of us had imagined we’d end up as nobles.

Had the war with the Principality never happened, we’d probably still be commoners.

“Leon.”

“What is it, big bro?”

“I’ve always been bad with you.”

“That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

“Well, I never said it.”

He took a sip of tea and looked at me, his expression more solemn than usual. He didn’t seem like the brother I grew up with.

“You’ve always been the most talented one in the family. Back in the day, you were the center of the neighborhood kids, and all the girls your age were head over heels for you.”

“No way. There were plenty of guys smarter and stronger than me.”

“Yeah, but how many of them went on to make a name for themselves? How many became viscounts? None. Even I only inherited the barony because that scumbag from Lutoart ran away. You rose on your own merit.”

“I just happened to survive. That’s all.”

“And you’re managing the Bartfort territory far better than I ever could. Even if I had been given this land and married Angelica-san, I doubt I would’ve done half as well. You really need to stop selling yourself short.”

“You and Angie are the ones keeping everything running. Don’t say weird stuff like that.”

“I’m just picking up where you and Angelica-san leave off. I’m barely fit to run a barony, let alone compare to you.”

“Even so, I need you, brother. Please keep supporting your useless little brother.”

The conversation was starting to get uncomfortably heavy, and the mood was turning bitter.

It seemed I’d been hurting my brother without even realizing it.

“When I got the letter saying you’d left home, I actually felt a bit relieved. I thought, ‘Finally, I won’t be compared to Leon anymore.’”

“Man, that’s kind of harsh.”

“But I was genuinely worried, too. So please forgive me. Then I got another letter saying you’d joined the army and were earning accolades fighting sky pirates on the frontier. That’s when I knew—I’d never be able to catch up.”

“You were at the academy, weren’t you? You didn’t have to go through what I did.”

“Walking a path laid out by your parents and forging one for yourself are entirely different things. I’ve watched you ever since we were kids, and I’m telling you—you’ve always been the stronger one.”

“I always admired you, brother. You protected me from Zola and the others, and you taught me how to study and play.”

“If your personality had been a bit worse, I probably could’ve hated you. But you were always following me around, calling ‘Brother, brother,’ so I couldn’t.”

“Sorry about that, brother.”

“It’s fine. You were cute. I’ll forgive you.”

With a dry chuckle, my brother stood up from the sofa and laughed lightly.

“Whether your little brother turns out to be a success or a failure, being the older brother is always tough. Do whatever you want. All I can do is lend a hand.”

“Thanks. I’ve still got work to finish, so I’ll stay here a while longer.”

“I’m heading to my room for some rest. Come find me if you need anything.”

“Got it.”

Left alone in the study, I turned my attention to the stack of documents on the desk, sorting them into piles—approved, reconsider, rejected.

One by one, I reviewed each item in my head before placing my seal.

Angie could probably finish this in half the time, but I continued working in silence.

In the back of my mind, I kept mulling over my brother’s words.

I had no idea he’d been thinking about things so deeply.

It seemed he’d been carrying far more than I gave him credit for.

Even so, I was deeply grateful to have a brother who continued to help me despite all that.

I wondered if there was a woman out there who could bring him happiness.

With that thought, I returned to my work.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

Hours passed, and when I finally looked at the clock, I realized I’d finished everything.

Today’s work is done. Good job, me. I’m awesome.

Time to report to Angie and get some well-earned praise.

It might not be the most noble behavior, but it’s a necessary part of my routine.

If stress keeps me up at night, it could impact the entire Bartfort territory.

So, being pampered a bit by Angie to recharge for tomorrow—it’s only natural.

A loving wife beats medicine any day, right? I’m not in the wrong here.

Just as I was indulging that thought, I spotted a stack of letters on another desk.

I thought I could finally rest, but now this? What a letdown.

I could leave it for tomorrow, but if Angie finds out, who knows what she’d say.

Better to deal with it now and enjoy my rest afterward.

Most of them were formal replies to the recent memorial ceremony, reports from merchants and guilds, or proposals from neighboring territories.

One letter was addressed to Angie, and finally, I picked up the largest envelope.

The moment I saw the wax seal and the sender’s name, a headache hit me.

“Redgrave Duchy.”

No matter how I looked at it, this spelled trouble.

I was sorely tempted to toss it into the trash and pretend it never arrived.

But that’d only make things worse if I got found out.

Bracing myself, I opened the envelope and pulled out an ornate booklet.

Inside was a photo of a woman.

She appeared to be in her early to mid-twenties, with flowing blonde hair and striking blue-green eyes.

Her facial features were flawless, her beauty refined and elegant.

But—not quite on Angie’s level.

Her perfectly styled hair and radiant skin reflected noble upbringing.

Still, not quite on Angie’s level.

Her ample chest and shapely figure—noticeable even through formal attire—could rival any high-end courtesan’s allure.

But again, she didn’t beat Angie.

Conclusion: my wife is the best.

Wait—that’s not the point!

The real issue was why the duchy sent this photo.

Wait a minute... is this an arranged marriage proposal?

Why the hell is this even here?

"It's becoming common for capable men to take multiple wives. Having just one may limit your political reach."

Oh no. I remembered now.

The duke told me that when I visited the capital.

He said I should consider a second wife to build new noble connections.

So he hasn’t given up yet, has he?

Sending a beauty like this... What, does he think I’m just a pawn?

Using this trick on your daughter’s husband? What about Angie’s 

feelings?

And yet... the more I looked, the more dangerous her beauty felt.

There was something aloof, almost untouchable about her. That only made her more captivating.

If I hadn’t already met Angie—this could have been bad.

But now that we have a child, this sort of thing won’t sway me.

Time to draft a sarcastic thank-you and a very polite refusal.

“What are you looking at?”

…Am I dead?

My beloved wife’s words sounded like a death sentence.

Standing behind me were Angie and the twins.

I must have been so absorbed in the paperwork that I completely let my guard down.

Angie held a metal tray with tea and snacks. It appeared she’d come with the twins to spend a quiet afternoon break with me.

It was supposed to be a brief, peaceful moment in our daily lives—yet I was drenched in sweat.

I forced myself to breathe steadily and feign composure, hoping to play it off.

“Nothing in particular,” I replied, trying to divert her attention from the desk, but it was no use.

The more I floundered, the more suspiciously Angie glanced at me.

“Have you finalized the tax revenue projections for this quarter?”

“Yeah, I was just going over them with Big Bro and Colin. We’ve come up with a rough estimate...”

Trying to answer honestly while keeping my focus on the documents proved to be a critical mistake.

In one swift motion, Angie picked up the marriage proposal photo from the desk.

She stared at it in silence. The quiet that followed was agonizing—truly terrifying.

“Lionel, Ariel. Go to Grandpa’s.”

“Ehh?”

“Ugh!”

Run, kids. This room is about to become a battlefield. If you don’t want to get caught in the crossfire, escape now.

The twins toddled out hesitantly, while Angie remained silent.

Stay strong, you two. Your father is about to face the greatest foe he’s never managed to defeat.

Her name is Angelica Fou Bartfort—my wife.

To begin with, I didn’t even do anything wrong!

The fault lies with the ducal house that sent this ridiculous proposal.

I just need to face her directly and explain myself calmly. There’s nothing to worry about.

Time to show the strength of a husband!

“Please—anything but divorce.”

There! A sincere bow, full of heartfelt emotion!

My voice didn’t shake, and my words were clear and direct!

Surely my feelings are reaching her now.

…At least, I hope they are.

“Do you want a divorce?”

“No, of course not. That’s why I’m apologizing first.”

This isn’t defeat. It’s merely a tactical retreat.

“Well, fine. But why was she chosen?”

“You know her?”

“Somewhat. Back when I was in the capital, I was acquainted with her sister.”

“So she’s a refined lady from a well-established family, I assume?”

“Not quite on par with a ducal house, but her family is highly prestigious—with deep ties to the royal family and a long, proud history. Even if your family rises in status, the Bartfort house can’t compare.”

“Why would such a family make this proposal? What’s the ducal house thinking?”

“The ducal house? They’re the ones who sent it?”

Angie pointed at the envelope that had contained the marriage proposal photo and examined it more closely.

Then she noticed a smaller envelope tucked inside. She opened it.

I hadn’t even realized it was there—I’d been too distracted by the large photo.

Angie scanned the contents quickly, her mind grasping the situation far faster than mine.

“It appears a prominent noble family wants to forge ties with the Bartfort house and arranged this proposal. They went through the ducal house to give it legitimacy.”

“Why involve the ducal house at all?”

“Because it’s proper protocol. The Bartfort house is currently a vassal of the Redgrave house. If this had been arranged privately, it might have implied disloyalty or hidden intentions, potentially weakening the ducal house’s influence. So they needed the ducal house to mediate and affirm it was done aboveboard.”

“And the ducal house agreed?”

“This family may not belong to the duke’s faction, but they’re well-connected and historically significant. Even the ducal house would hesitate to antagonize them.”

“Ugh. It’s always politics, politics, politics. I just want to live in peace.”

“A neutral family with influence in both royal and ducal circles might become a valuable ally. From your father’s perspective, this strengthens his position and places your house in his debt. As expected of him—he never misses an opportunity.”

“So, what’s the name of this concubine candidate?”

“Concubine? What are you talking about? The proposal isn’t for you—it’s for your older brother.”

“Huh? Really?”

Oh no. I’ve just dug my own grave.

Angie’s mood darkened in an instant.

I wanted to flee, but there was no escape. I never should’ve said something so careless.

“So you assumed she was meant to be your concubine?”

“No, I mean—the way things were phrased, it just sounded like that! When I visited the capital, the duke did suggest I take a concubine.”

“The letter clearly says the marriage is intended for your brother. They even went through the trouble of getting it mediated. Why am I only hearing about this now?”

“What? How did that even—”

‘My brother still doesn’t have a fiancée, so it wouldn’t look good for me to take multiple wives.’

‘Hmm, your brother is still unmarried, isn’t he? It does reflect poorly for a capable man to remain single.’

‘The political climate has been unstable, making engagements uncertain, but now that the principality has been subdued, a suitable match should be possible.’

It came rushing back to me.

I did mention Big Bro a few times during my stay at the duke’s estate.

“It must’ve been a half-joking comment I made that the duke took seriously.”

“I never heard about any of this.”

“Didn’t I mention it?”

“You didn’t.”

Desperately sifting through my memory, I realized—I never mentioned it after returning from the capital.

I mean, come on, it’s not really my fault.

I didn’t expect the duke to take a casual conversation so seriously. And when I told Angie about getting caught up with those four lunatics, she was furious—ranting about burning the entire capital to the ground.

“So let me get this straight—you hid what happened in the capital, mistook a marriage proposal meant for your brother as your own, and tried to cover it up?”

“That’s a huge misinterpretation!”

It was just a chain of small mistakes that snowballed out of control. There’s no reason to get so angry… or so I want to say. But if I actually did, she’d explode on the spot.

Angie grabbed my face with both hands, holding it firmly as she pinched my cheeks hard.

My wife is terrifying.

“Were you so captivated by her that you didn’t even notice us entering the room?”

“That’s not true.”

“Answer honestly, and I might go easy on you.”

“Maybe just a little.”

Pinchhh!

She dug her fingers into my cheeks so hard I thought I’d cry.

“Do you want a concubine that badly?”

“No, no! I’m completely devoted to you, Angie!”

“When you saw her, who did you think was more beautiful—her or me?”

“Of course, it’s you, Angie-sama!”

“And compared to my marriage proposal photo?”

“…Sorry. I never looked at it.”

Twistttt!

The pain was excruciating—my face felt like it was about to fall off.

Back when our engagement was being arranged, I was already sick of being forced into one matchmaking meeting after another. I heard a lady from the ducal house would be coming, but I never even glanced at Angie’s proposal photo.

That’s why I was so shocked when I finally met her in person—she was so beautiful it knocked the air out of me.

If I had just looked at that photo back then… damn it, you idiot. Why didn’t you?

I wonder if the photo is still stored somewhere in the house. I’ll have to dig it up later.

“I thoroughly investigated your background before we met, Leon.”

“Hyai!”

“And yet you didn’t even bother to glance at my photo?”

“Hyo-no-ho-hiesu!”

“And now you’re infatuated with another woman’s proposal photo and mistook it for a concubine offer? Are you already tired of me?”

“Hii-da-da-da-da!”

Only recently did I realize that Angie is surprisingly jealous.

She used to get sulky whenever I doted on our daughter, Ariel. But ever since Olivia-sama visited for the memorial ceremony, she’s stopped hiding that jealousy entirely.

In the frontier, no women could rival Angie—raised in the capital as the next queen—so she’d let her guard down.

But seeing Olivia-sama again, the very cause of our broken engagement, must have reignited all those insecurities.

Now, the moment any woman—not family—gets close to me, she flares up.

And since she’s pregnant, her emotions are on a hair trigger. If I don’t handle this carefully, she’ll be sulking for days.

So—it’s time to counterattack.

I slowly wrap my arms around Angie’s back and pull her into a gentle embrace.

Gyu-uu!

I hold her tightly, careful not to put pressure on her belly.

Despite still pinching my cheek, I don’t let go. I won’t stop hugging her until she calms down.

This is a battle of endurance—whoever gives up first loses.

Eventually, her grip starts to weaken, maybe from fatigue. I ease up a little too, but I don’t release her.

Finally, her hand lets go of my cheek completely. Angie wraps her arms around my back in return.

We stay like that, quietly holding each other for what feels like ages.

“…Do you really want a concubine?”

“I don’t need one. You’re the only one I want, Angie.”

“When you saw her, who did you think was more beautiful—her or me?”

“No one else even enters my vision.”

The questions were the same as before, but her tone had softened. It seemed her anger had subsided.

“I’m sorry… I got a little jealous. I know you love me, Leon.”

“I should’ve been more transparent. I’ll be careful next time.”

Once her anger fades, Angie tends to become fragile and tender.

She’s always been devoted, but in moments like this, she becomes especially gentle—and honestly, that side of her is so irresistibly cute, I tend to get carried away.

I press a kiss gently to her neck. She trembles slightly, a muffled sound escaping her lips.

Even when I exaggerated the kiss with loud smooching noises, she didn’t resist.

If there were a bed in this office, I probably would’ve pushed her down already—but I hold myself back while I still have some shred of rationality left.

If I go too far and upset her again, I’ll be in serious trouble.

Angie, blushing as she straightens her disheveled clothes, looks so alluring it’s almost criminal.

As expected, Angie is the only one for me. I could never love another woman like I love her.

“So, what’s the plan? Are you going ahead with the marriage proposal?”

“If we reject it outright, it could damage both the other party’s and the ducal house’s reputations. It’s better to at least meet once.”

“Well, the off-season’s coming up. I can make time. If it’s just one meeting, I’m sure Big Bro will go along with it, right?”

“His feelings matter, of course, but noble marriages are often political. We’d appreciate his cooperation.”

Now that Angie’s mood had improved, I called for the twins and summoned Big Bro while I was at it.

Watching Lionel and Ariel munch on snacks like little squirrels, I casually brought up the topic.

“Hey, Big Bro.”

“Hm?”

“There’s a marriage proposal.”

“For me? Now?”

“The ducal house is offering an engagement—for you. They want to connect with the Bartfort family.”

“Since you’re married to Angelica-san, they’re settling for me, huh? Can’t we just decline?”

“Their rank is higher. Refusing outright would be rude. At least one meeting is necessary.”

“Do it just once, for my sake? If it doesn’t work out, they’ll probably drop it.”

“…I’m not thrilled about it. Do I have to?”

“If you’re not afraid of the consequences, you can refuse.”

“Fine, Leon. I’ll go, but you owe me. So, what’s this woman like?”

“Oh, I’ve got the marriage proposal photo right here.”

Angie handed him the proposal booklet. As Big Bro slowly opened it, his face turned ghostly pale. His body trembled violently.

“…Big Bro?”

“…Brother-in-law?”

““??””

The moment we all turned our eyes to him—

“~~~~~~~~~~~~~!!!”

A voiceless scream ripped through the Bartfort estate.

┳⁠━━━━⁠━⁠⁠━⁠━⁠━━━⁠┳⁠

Authors Note

┻━⁠━━━━⁠━━⁠━━━⁠┻

Big Brother’s Got It Tough

And so, the focus is on Big brother Nicks.

The original work touched on the struggles of having a younger brother who outshines you, but in this story, without Luxion, Leon’s brilliance is more grounded.

Because of that, Nicks’ struggles deepen as he directly witnesses Leon’s success.

So, as a reward, let’s arrange fateful women for both brothers.

No matter the route, Big brother Nicks’s partner is always the same, so there’s no issue there. (It’s just that I like that pairing almost as much as Leon and Angie’s.)

Next chapter: Big brother goes to the marriage proposal with the family in tow. That blonde, curly-haired girl makes an appearance too.

Postscript: At the request of the commissioner, this chapter’s illustration was drawn by Chizo-sama. Thank you very much.

Chizo-sama: Skeb

I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback to motivate me moving forward.