What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 478

#478

How to Handle It (3)

“Did you volunteer for escort duty?”

Marguerite scrutinized her brother’s appearance as she asked.

Jibril wore a grave expression, unlike his usual self.

He tried not to show it outwardly, but the princess was his twin sister, having spent her entire life with him.

It would have been strange if she hadn’t noticed immediately.

“…Volunteer? It just ended up that way while I was looking for someone who fit the conditions.”

“The Princess seems to like you.”

At those words, his handsome eyes furrowed. This was a rare reaction!

“You’re mistaken. I detest that kind of… I haven’t liked any of the ladies I’ve met so far either…”

“At first, you doubted her intentions entirely. She must be trustworthy now.”

“…”

He wasn’t exactly trying to act as the imperial family’s watchdog, but Jibril had effectively played that role.

Those he rejected were trash not worth associating with, and those he let pass were decent enough individuals.

Even Alexandre, who disliked troublesome politics, valued young Jibril’s discernment while he was alive.

“Rumor has it that even if people dislike Princess Yeseo without knowing her, once they get to know her, they can’t help but like her.”

“No, it’s all nonsense. Her personality is terrible. And she has sticky fingers.”

“Huhu. It’s a shame I haven’t seen that with my own eyes.”

Marguerite, her eyes crinkling, turned her gaze away again.

Jibril tried to correct her but ended up just scratching the back of his head.

In the distance, Prince Ganael Kalamar and Lady Elisabeth Mute were visible.

The two seemed to be enjoying themselves, chattering and smiling.

Not a single flower bloomed in the foreign winter garden.

The lord had abandoned the city long ago, so the courtyard was generally in disarray.

Only the overgrown evergreens revealed their red berries.

Seeing the affectionate couple, it felt as if early spring was arriving.

Because they were so radiant, no other decorations were needed here.

After a while, Jibril spoke.

“How are you doing?”

“…I’m okay. I’m getting better.”

The answer was slow, but firm. The prince nodded slightly.

For now, that was enough. Instead of pressing further, he changed the subject in a casual tone.

“While conducting the northern operation, the vice-commander of the Imperial Guard will briefly visit the capital to escort the prisoners.”

“…Pardon?”

Marguerite looked up at him with wide eyes.

The only group that could be referred to as ‘prisoners’ in the context that she and her brother knew was one: those who had seduced her over the past decade, leading her to commit the worst actions; those few adults who had ‘believed in and supported’ her.

“Brother.”

“It was His Majesty’s will, so don’t worry.”

“But—”

“They won’t be executed immediately. Public opinion wouldn’t be favorable if nobles who participated in the war were openly killed.”

“…”

“They’ve decided to send them back under a suitable pretext. At least, that’s how it will appear outwardly. Prince Boutier will handle the aftermath. He’ll probably start with interrogation.”

The prince spoke lightly, as if it were nothing, then pulled out two candies from his pocket.

He tossed one to Marguerite without much care, and she caught it in her hands, bewildered.

“But it was Cedric Riester who saved us, not the Emperor. He was the one who forgave you and covered up this incident.”

“…”

“No, to be precise, it was Princess Juliette. You must remember that. Both you and I.”

“…Yes.”

The princess nodded firmly.

The siblings’ distance seemed awkward, but both were comfortable with it for now.

They had rarely had heart-to-heart conversations in their lives, so this was an adequate distance.

‘Crunch, crunch.’ The sound of Jibril crunching the candy echoed loudly in the air.

And after a long time, he spoke again.

“…I don’t think it’s all your fault.”

‘Rustle.’ Marguerite, who was belatedly opening her candy wrapper, blinked and looked up at her brother.

Jibril frowned, scratching his forehead. This was, as expected, difficult and challenging.

It didn’t suit him, lacking the eloquence of a proper head of the family.

But he had to do it. Because he was her older brother.

“I’m not saying this because someone told me to.”

“I know that. You wouldn’t be that kind of person. It’s just…”

“Yeah. Of course, those around you… have a great responsibility for not taking proper care of you.”

“…”

Because they were her closest family.

“I’m sorry.”

‘Clatter!’ Startled, Marguerite dropped her candy on the floor.

Jibril clicked his tongue and began rummaging through his pockets again.

Even then, the princess wore a dazed expression.

“What are you so surprised about? Is this the first time I’ve apologized to you?”

“I’ve heard it thousands of times in my life, but this one is the most surprising. I think I’m not fully awake yet.”

“Ha. Look at this.”

Jibril smiled wryly.

But since his sister didn’t seem to be in a bad mood, he was satisfied as well.

The prince suddenly felt around in his other inner pocket. Come to think of it, it was somewhere here…

“Ah. For that reason, His Majesty wants you to talk to the Duchess.”

“…”

Their mother, that is.

“Not right away. When you’re ready.”

“…I will.”

“Yeah. She’ll make time to listen to your story, even if she’s busy. She’d avoid me, though.”

At that, Marguerite laughed loudly.

‘Oh, you’re openly mocking me?’ Jibril kicked her rocking chair, but it was no use.

The two chuckled for a while, reminiscing about their parents.
The unfortunate Duke Consort who lost both legs fighting against the demonic forces alone to protect his three-year-old siblings.

At the time, their father was only twenty-four years old.

Afterward, their mother was busy all day with official duties and taking care of her husband.

The siblings grew up in the hands of nannies, tutors, and relatives for a long time.

The father, suffering from depression and various illnesses, could only be seen a couple of times a year. They hadn’t met him even once this year.

“Here. You take this.”

It was always a life lacking something, but they couldn’t quite figure out what it was.

So they just lived on, somehow.

Since others seemed to live similarly, they pretended not to notice the gaping hole.

“What is this?”

“The Riester Imperial Crest.”

“…Good heavens.”

Marguerite, utterly shocked, examined it back and forth.

For a moment, she thought it was one of her brother’s signature pranks, but it was not.

The delicate craftsmanship and the splendid insignia were all real.

The princess hurriedly threw off her blanket, oblivious to the cold. Where did he get this?!

“It’s a symbol only direct members of the imperial family can wear!”

“Ah, whatever. The crest’s owner probably already made a new one anyway. And the person who lost it probably doesn’t even know they lost it.”

“…Wait a minute. Did you steal Princess Yeseo’s belongings?”

Not only did he insult her that day, but now this?

“So what? Throw it away if you don’t like it.”

“Goodness, Jibril Diop!”

‘I don’t know who has sticky fingers!’ Marguerite shouted, finally kicking her brother in the shin.

‘Thwack!’ It was a very swift kick, but it hurt less than when she was kicked by someone that day.

Jibril chuckled childishly, bending over.

The northern wind, with its long fingernails, playfully tousled the siblings’ hair.

-Whoosh…

“Ah! Ugh, my waist will bruise! It’s my life!”

-Thud, thud!

“Is that why you’re only hitting me here!”

It seemed okay to give this much entirely to his sister.

Even if other things were difficult, at least a small gold trinket.

*

Hmm?

“Why does my bag feel lighter than usual…? Is it just my imagination?”

-Awoong?

As I tilted my head, having stopped packing, Tete on the sofa tilted his nose along with me.

I smiled slightly and stroked the divine beast’s soft chin.

“There’s no way. Your brother is the ultimate pack mule in this area.”

-Awoo.

“Yes, don’t worry. From emergency medicine to treasures, I’m well-prepared.”

After saying that, I carefully held the plump, warm baby in my arms.

The living room we shared was filled with various bundles and clothes today.

It was all because of the shocking incident just yesterday.

Outside Yerihore, hundreds of people from the black market were found mummified.

François and Bakari, along with other non-combatant mages, agreed that it was clearly a sign of dark magic.

Although the mummification was quite advanced, making it impossible to determine the direct cause of death, it was clear that necromancy had been used to extract the life force from most of the bodies.

Some of them had tried to escape before dying, scattering northward.

Seeing this, the commanders easily inferred internal strife.

‘There are traces of digging tunnels from underground. It seems this group split over their future direction, among other things.’

‘Even assuming they started from the outskirts of the collapsed black market, it would have taken at least six or seven days. That place is too deep, and the soil is quite hard.’

‘Straight north on the map… There are traces of wagon wheels. Oddly enough, they haven’t been erased until now.’

‘What were they thinking, leaving traces behind?’

The adults shared their thoughts based on what they had seen at the scene.

But the most important fact was that the group of corpses had incurred the wrath of His Majesty the Emperor.

‘That bastard is skilled at irritating people. Unless he’s abandoned his dignity… A human butcher has been born from the Duke’s family.’

‘Your Majesty.’

‘Well, it’s nothing new. Grand Preceptor [a high-ranking advisor].’

‘Your command?’

The Emperor stared at Sir Johann, who was standing to his right, for a long time, then sighed deeply and swept back his silver hair a few times.

Then, he finally spoke.

‘Take the Crown Prince and the little ones and go north. It’s an extension of the infiltration mission I gave you last time.’

‘…I shall obey your command.’

‘It’s the opposite environment from the black market. I don’t know how much more of the territory the Duke Consort will devour, and foreigners are rare, so the scrutiny will be intense. Moreover, it seems they’re playing corpse games in the adjacent territory.’

‘…’

‘I’ll give you the information I obtained from the Vatican. Use your wit and knowledge there.’

And a sharp remark was added.

‘You’ll want to kill, but you mustn’t. Do you all understand?’

‘Yes, Your Majesty.’

I bowed respectfully and gave my answer.

Meanwhile, Gain and Crown Prince Cedric were lip-syncing, so I quickly pulled on their sleeves to make them speak up.

And so, we were about to embark on a new adventure.

Of course, this time, preparations had to be thorough.

We couldn’t repeat the pattern of last month, when we went down haphazardly as soon as we learned about the existence of the black market (although that was the best we could do at the time).

I heard that the Riester garrison in Yerihore would soon leave this place and advance eastward.

Everyone was on edge, anticipating fierce military resistance in the east.

So, we had to pack carefully, thinking that there was no place to return to.

Hmm, let’s see. If I’ve packed the treasures, it seems like I’ve finished packing the hand luggage…

“Princess, treasures?”

“Ah, yes. The Aether Stones for you all. I’ve prepared plenty in case of emergencies.”

“Huh? That’s strange. The only treasure I have is you, Princess.”

Gain, who was packing across the table, wriggled exaggeratedly.

I felt my cheeks flush and quickly pretended not to hear.

‘Ahahaha!’ Then, a hearty laugh burst out from the protagonist’s core.

Isabel, who was helping her, called her daughter in a small voice.

It was probably meant to scold her, but it didn’t work at all.

I simply shut my mouth and decided to help Sir Johann pack his clothes.

Sometimes the higher-ups at the company made jokes like that, so maybe Gain was like that because she was older…

“You forgot your notebook, Princess.”

“Oh, it was hiding here. Thank you!”

Father Herrit gracefully pointed to the space between the sofa cushions.

I was startled and quickly pulled out the notebook that was stuck in the gap.

It seemed to have been hidden by Tete’s belly earlier.

It’s important, so I almost left it behind.

“Come to think of it, you seem to take notes often. Is it a habit?”

“Ah, yes. I’ve been doing it a lot since I was in school, so it’s become a habit… My brother and Eunseo are similar.”

“Now that I think about it, I’ve only talked about Eunseo. Is your brother handsome too? Does he work at a company?”

Gain, who had suddenly come right up to me, rattled off questions.

I smiled awkwardly and thought of my brother’s face.

“Um… I honestly think my brother is handsome. He’s also tall. He’s a novelist.”

When I said that, her expression became subtle for a moment.