When My Contract with the Misanthropic Duke Ended, I Filed For Divorce, But My Husband's Obsession and Doting Became Unbearable - Chapter 20

“Ah, I already told the duke everything I just said to you earlier as a lecture, so don’t worry about it.”

“Huh, I see—wait, what? You told him?”

I was shocked for two reasons. First, that my brother actually lectured the duke, and second, that my timid brother of all people did it?

“Normally, I wouldn’t have had the courage to say anything, but when it came to my little brother’s life, I acted without thinking. After the lecture ended and I came to my senses, I realized I had made the duke sit on his knees on the floor. At that moment, I seriously thought I was going to die.”

“Wait, you made him sit in seiza too?”

I couldn’t help doubting if this was really my brother speaking. Maybe he was imagining it? But judging from his pale face, it didn’t seem like a lie. Now that I think about it, I’ve never actually seen him angry before. Maybe he’s the kind of person who loses control when he finally snaps.

“When people lose control, you really never know what they might do, huh?”

“Y-Yeah…”

I decided then and there never to make my brother angry. If he could make the duke sit in seiza and lecture him, that was no joke. He must have been forgiven since he was still alive, but judging from the faint dark circles under his eyes, I doubt he slept well afterward.

“Honestly, it started because of you, Sharon, but I think I also took out all the things I’d been bottling up on the duke.”

“Ah…”

What should I say… I kind of remembered doing something similar myself. Very recently, too. Yep, this really proved we were siblings—both the kind who hold everything in until we explode. I couldn’t say anything back.

“But even after all that, the duke still forgave me. He’s clumsy, but he’s actually a kind person. Though… he’s still a bit unreliable.”

“Brother…”

Was he really reflecting on what he did? It didn’t sound like it. But I could tell he said all that because he cared about me, so I couldn’t bring myself to scold him.

Honestly, it’s thanks to this brother that I grew up without turning rebellious, despite our family situation. What’s more, it’s amazing he managed to stay so kind when he grew up alone in that cold household before I was even born.

Well, my situation was a bit different, since there was also the issue of my being gay. Before I confessed that, our parents were still relatively kind—at least, they were desperate to find me a fiancée.

I got so fed up with that, I just blurted out the truth. I’ll never forget how furious they were that day.

Maybe remembering all that made me tired, because suddenly, I felt sleepy even though my brother was still there.

“Ah, I made you talk too much right after you woke up, huh? If you’re sleepy, go ahead and rest.”

“Yeah… Sorry, even though you came all this way…”

“Don’t worry about it. You need to rest your body for now, Sharon.”

“Tha…nk you…”

My brother noticed right away that I was getting drowsy. He gently patted my head, waiting until I fell asleep. Wrapped in that warmth, I slowly closed my eyes again.