I was Reincarnated as the Villainess's Older Brother, but it seems My Sister is Obsessed With Me. And for Some Reason, the Male Love Interests are also Doting On Me.(BL) - Chapter 11

The next day.

“Brother-in-law, do I look all right? Do I seem strange in any way?”

“Ah, you are the most beautiful woman in the world.”

“Oh, my.”

Fiona, who had been nervous, blushed a soft pink.

“His Highness, Prince Allen, has arrived.”

At the servant’s words, the mansion’s gates opened. A tall, slender young man with black hair gracefully emerged from the royal carriage.

“Welcome. I am Arthur Arkwright, the head of this household.”

Following my father’s example, my stepmother, Fiona, and I all performed bows and curtsies in greeting. As we lowered our heads, Allen spoke.

“Raise your heads. I appreciate the warm welcome. I have come today both to express my gratitude for the tea gathering and to discuss an important matter.”

“Then, please, this way.”

We led Allen to the drawing room, where my father, stepmother, Fiona, and I sat across from him.

With a tense expression, my father asked Allen,

“Your Highness, may I ask what matter you wish to discuss?”

“Ah, I will be direct. I wish to propose an engagement to Lady Fiona.”

At Allen’s words, everyone gasped in astonishment.

“What?!”

“Oh, my!”

“What? Me?”

I was just as shocked. I had just been relieved that I would not have to be engaged to Christelle—only for this to happen.

It seemed as if this game was determined to cast Fiona in the role of a villainous noblewoman.

Now, what should I do…?

“Forgive me, Your Highness, but why do you wish to take my sister-in-law as your fiancée?”

“I observed Lady Fiona at the tea gathering. She is beautiful, poised, and carries herself with a refined modesty that is utterly charming. She is the very image of a lady. As the daughter of Count Arkwright, she must also be well-educated. I wish for her to become my wife.”

“I see. However, my sister-in-law is still young and has little experience with the world beyond these walls. It may be too soon for such a decision.”

“She will learn in time. I will show her everything she needs to know. Count Arkwright, what are your thoughts?”

As Allen turned his attention to my father, my father replied,

“It is a most honorable offer, but I wish to respect my daughter’s feelings.”

Father, stay strong! I knew he adored Fiona, so he must be struggling internally.

“Count, I would like to speak with your daughter alone for a moment. Would that be acceptable?”

“Your Highness… Even as a prince, being alone with an unmarried lady before marriage is improper.”

I protested fervently, but Fiona intervened.

“I shall go and speak with Prince Allen. I will convey my feelings properly, so please, my lord and my brother-in-law, do not worry.”

“Fiona… If anything seems amiss, you must call for help immediately.”

Though reluctant, my parents and I waited in the adjoining room.

◇◇◇◇

Once inside, we all began speaking at once.

“Father, are you really all right with leaving Fiona alone with the prince?”

“Of course not! If His Highness dares to do anything improper to my beloved Fifi, I won’t stand for it!”

Within the mansion, my father affectionately called Fiona “Fifi” and doted on her endlessly.

“My, you two truly love Fiona, don’t you?”

“Naturally! I will never forget the day she first called me ‘Papa’ with those tearful eyes! Unlike you, Clive, who seems to have forgotten!”

For some reason, my father always tried to one-up me. Could he stop making that smug face?

“Well, I got an ‘ahh’ from Fiona when I was sick, and she fed me.”

“What?! Clive, you scoundrel! How dare you get ahead of me?! I shall catch a cold at once!”

“Fools don’t catch colds, Father.”

“How dare you speak to your father like that?!”

“My dear, foolish or not, I must admit I have never seen you sick since we married.”

“Is that so?”

Was my stepmother slightly absentminded? Sometimes, it was hard to tell if she was trying to support or tease my father.

At first, I had been stiff and formal with my father, but now we often exchanged lighthearted banter.

Sometimes, our arguments escalated, leaving my stepmother to watch with an amused smile while Fiona grew flustered. Surprisingly, our family got along quite well.

“Still, what shall we do if Fifi accepts the engagement?”

“Why do you oppose it, Father? An engagement to Prince Allen would secure the family’s future. It is the ideal political match.”

“That may be true, but… it would mean she would live in the royal palace.”

Well, of course—her betrothed was a prince. Was there something about the palace?

As my father’s expression turned serious, I straightened up as well.

“His Majesty, the King, desires a daughter.”

“What?”

“After the birth of the second prince, no more children were born to him. He has always wished for a daughter.”

I failed to see why that would make my father oppose the marriage.

My father continued,

“If Fifi marries into the royal family, she will be cherished and adored. But then, His Majesty will proudly boast about her as if she were his own! It would be infuriating beyond belief!”

Did my father and the king not get along? I began to worry about their professional relationship.

My stepmother, looking troubled, added,

“At least she would not be mistreated. That is reassuring. However, the struggle for the throne is a concern.”

“Huh? Isn’t Princess Christelle the heir?”

In the game, there were various endings—happy, good, bad, and true.

I remembered my junior passionately explaining Christelle’s route, so I recalled that in every version of her route, she became queen. I had never heard of any factional struggles.

Since my reincarnation, it had been rumored that the second prince would eventually inherit the throne. I had assumed Christelle would automatically become queen in every path. But was that assumption incorrect?

“Indeed, Princess Christelle holds the first right to the throne. However, His Majesty has given both princes a fair chance. Choosing a suitable bride is a crucial part of that.”

“In the future, they will govern together.”

“Exactly. They must gain the people’s trust and maintain a good public image. Fifi is likely an ideal candidate.”

“It feels as though she’s being treated like a mere pawn.”

“That is the nature of noblewomen.”

My stepmother, too, had once entered an arranged marriage for the prosperity of her family. Her first husband had died in a carriage accident shortly after Fiona’s birth, and she had faced many hardships.

My father, however, had married her for love. He claimed it was love at first sight—that he had been struck by destiny. Well, she was indeed stunningly beautiful.

He had pursued her relentlessly, and eventually, she agreed to marry him. Thanks to that, Fiona and I had become siblings, so I was grateful.

“But if Fiona becomes engaged to Prince Allen, she will have to oppose the very friend she just made. That is unfortunate.”

Ah, that’s right. Christelle’s fiancé was Sphere.

To turn against the first real friend she had ever made—it was too cruel.

If only her suitor weren’t a prince, I could have dismissed him without hesitation.

Fiona… What are you discussing with him now?