The Villainous Noble Son Wants to Capture His Stepsister! - Chapter 42.3

The Wertheim ducal estate boasted a vast and beautiful garden.

Skilled gardeners tended to it daily, ensuring that seasonal flowers were always in bloom.

At the edge of the garden, overlooking a small pond, stood a gazebo—a charming, open pavilion.

“Ahh… Schefflera is relentless. I told her today was my day off, but she still barged in first thing in the morning…”

“Fufu, you must be exhausted.”

Inside the gazebo was a small tea table set for four.

I sat across from Primelia, venting about this morning’s events.

Two of my personal maids stood behind us, preparing tea.

Today was supposed to be a day just for us—siblings spending time together.

But first thing in the morning, Schefflera had appeared at my door.

“Forgive me for disturbing your rest, but please sign these documents immediately.”

And then, she dumped a stack of paperwork in my hands.

It wasn’t even malicious.

She genuinely thought she was helping.

Which made it even harder to complain.

“She’s diligent, not overly rigid, but… she’s just a workaholic.”

“Fufufu.”

Oh, good, Primelia was laughing.

I shouldn’t dwell on work-related frustrations.

I should change the topic to something more lighthearted.

“So, Primelia… um… how have you been lately?”

“…Huh?”

…Wait.

What kind of awkward conversation starter was that!?

I sounded like a father trying to reconnect with his estranged teenage son.

Sure, I’ve been busy since taking over as Duke, and this was the first time in a while we had time to relax together.

But come on, me, I could have done better than that.

“Ah, forget that. I meant… since we haven’t talked much lately, I was wondering if anything has changed for you.”

“Let’s see… I do miss Lady Enzi.”

“…Ah.”

After I became Duke, Enzi resigned as my bodyguard.

She was never the type to settle down, so it was expected.

In her place, Laps had stepped up—and damn, had she gotten strong.

Apparently, after the kidnapping incident, she secretly trained with the knights to become a competent fighter.

She even learned from Enzi herself.

Seriously, why are my maids turning into elite warriors!?

Ever since I took over as Duke, Primelia and I were heavily guarded whenever we left the estate.

I understood the necessity.

But still, I missed the days when we could just wander around freely.

“I’m sure we’ll see her again. Her home is here, after all.”

“Yes!”

She did say she’d visit the orphanage more often.

And if I went to the protagonist’s village—which was in the neighboring territory—I’d definitely run into her again.

“Onii-sama… are you feeling well?”

“Hm?”

“Since you became Duke, you’ve been even busier than before. If you keep pushing yourself like this… what if you get sick…?”

Her eyes glistened with concern.

Ahhh, what a good girl.

Her big brother was about to cry, too.

…Jokes aside, I knew this was serious for her.

Her mother had died from an illness, so she was especially sensitive to matters of health and family.

To reassure her, I reached across the table and gently stroked her hair.

Fuwaaahhh, so soft—

No, wait, Heliotrope, I said nothing.

“Thank you for worrying about me. But I’ll be fine. Things are hectic now, but soon everything will settle down.”

“Onii-sama…”

This wasn’t false bravado.

Right now, I was overhauling the entire ducal administration, which meant heavy workloads.

But once everything stabilized, my duties would become much easier.

That’s why I couldn’t just refuse Schefflera’s requests.

No one was working harder than her right now.

“I might not be able to help with your work, but if there’s anything I can do, please let me know!”

She clenched her fists and puffed out her chest with determination.

Ahhh.

So cute.

I want to take her home.

I want to hug her so bad.

“I-I don’t mind…?”

“…Huh?”

Primelia’s face turned beet red, and she started fidgeting.

…Wait.

From her reaction…

“…Did I say that out loud?”

“(Nod, nod, nod)”

Laps, Heliotrope, and the maids all silently nodded.

…CRAP.

Did I seriously just say something that could get me arrested!?

I had a suspicion that my self-control had been slipping lately…

I should be careful before I actually get thrown in jail.

“…A hug is fine, right?”

“Y-yes!”

“You’re actually going through with it?”

As expected, Heliotrope’s sharp wit never fails.

…But hugging Primelia makes me feel at peace, okay?

Once you start, you can’t stop.

I’m a gentleman, not a pervert.

…Probably.

“Alright, come here.”

“Y-yes…”

“What even is this…”

“Fufu, isn’t it sweet?”

As I wrapped my arms around Primelia, I felt an immense sense of comfort.

She, meanwhile, turned even redder, pressing her face into my chest.

Heliotrope looked exasperated, while Laps smiled at us with gentle amusement.

Nothing particularly eventful happened that day.

Just a peaceful, quiet moment with the people I cared about.

And so, my day off passed in blissful tranquility.