The Villainous Noble Son Wants to Capture His Stepsister! - Chapter 18

“This is the dining hall. When it’s mealtime, one of the servants will come to get you, so you don’t have to worry about remembering the way.”

“…Yes.”

Currently, I was giving a tour of the mansion to Primelia, my former ultimate favorite character and my newly adopted younger sister.

Normally, a servant would be responsible for showing her around. But no way was I going to let that happen! This was a rare and precious opportunity to bond with my ultimate favorite—anyone who tried to interfere could go get kicked by a unicorn for all I cared.

At least, that was what I thought…

“This is the bathhouse. If you want to use it, just let a servant know. They’ll explain how it works when the time comes.”

“…Yes.”

…And this is how it turned out.

Ever since I touched her hand earlier, she wouldn’t even look me in the eyes. Actually, had she been avoiding eye contact even before that?

Wait, does even my face count as harassment now!? I was feeling pretty good about myself after successfully slimming down, but maybe my inner creepy otaku vibes were still leaking through. This is depressing.

I finished the entire tour, but I’m pretty sure the only thing I heard from her was “…Yes.”

Any more of this and my fragile heart would shatter into a thousand pieces like an overstuffed kapok cushion. So, when I spotted Laps passing by, I entrusted him with escorting Primelia to her room and returned to my work.

“I’ll be in the study until dinner. If you need anything, feel free to ask me.”

“…(Nods)”

In the end, she didn’t even say a word—just nodded. Sure, the way she did it was adorably endearing, but in this situation, I couldn’t exactly go “Aww, how cute~!” If anything, it only made me more depressed.

I waved as I watched her walk away, following Laps.

By the way, the study is on the first floor since people come and go frequently, while the private rooms are on the third floor. It makes sense, considering this is a duke’s mansion, but it’s still ridiculously huge. For someone who used to live in a tiny four-room apartment in my previous life, this place is absurdly inconvenient.

Just before climbing the stairs, Primelia glanced at me for a brief moment—only to immediately look away and hurry upstairs.

Once she was out of sight, I let out a deep sigh.

“Sigh… I can’t believe she hates me already.”

“…Are you seriously saying that?”

“Huh…?”

Turning toward the voice, I saw Heliotrope staring at me with an exasperated expression. And just like her voice, her face radiated pure exasperation.

Even her annoyed expression was beautiful. Meanwhile, I was apparently so unpleasant that my very face was a potential harassment issue. Unfair.

“It seems you’re not joking. If you remain this oblivious to a woman’s feelings, you’ll get stabbed one day. More than once.”

“Wait, what!?”

A woman’s feelings? How the hell was I supposed to understand something like that? If I had that kind of insight, I wouldn’t have gone my entire previous life—and my current one—without a girlfriend!

And let’s not forget: back in my past life, a classmate once told me, ‘Hey, I heard so-and-so has a crush on you!’ and when I started paying attention to her, she later went, ‘Wait, you actually believed that? Gross.’

I was the one grossed out by your lies!

…Also, excuse me, Heliotrope, but did you just casually predict that I’m going to get stabbed someday? Multiple times, even? That’s terrifying!

Back in the study, I focused on signing documents like a madman.

Work. That was the answer. If I buried myself in work, I wouldn’t have to dwell on this miserable feeling. Sure, that wasn’t exactly something a twelve-year-old should be thinking, but whatever.

I had a creeping suspicion that I was pushing myself into self-imposed overwork, but if I started worrying about that, I’d lose. No hesitation—just charge forward and deal with things as they come.

I picked up a report on the orphanage’s operations. …Everything seemed to be going well. I hadn’t visited in a while, so I should stop by soon. The city’s zoning plans were… slightly behind schedule, but still within acceptable limits. As for commerce… food prices remained high. If we were thinking long-term, then agricultural reform would be—(lengthy internal policy discussion omitted).

Read, sign. Read, sign. Read, sign…

…Wait a damn minute.

Who the hell submitted this blatantly suspicious budget request?

I will end them.

“Master, you’re scowling like an ogre. It’s enough to make even a three-year-long crush disappear.”

“…Right, sorry.”

Ogres were those big, hulking, muscle-bound monsters—like something you’d expect to see in a martial arts teacher’s left hand.

Was my face really that terrifying just now? That wouldn’t be a good look for an older brother. No way could I let Primelia see me like that. Smile, smile.

Also, wasn’t it supposed to be a thousand-year love that fades, not three years?

…Oh. Heliotrope makes mistakes sometimes too, huh?

For now, I summoned the official responsible for that shady budget request and politely grilled them with my best “friendly” smile.

Their face turned deathly pale, but that definitely wasn’t because of my smile. Definitely.