By Zephyria 
On the night after the commotion had settled, I couldn’t fall asleep and kept tossing and turning. Even though I tried to close my eyes, sleep wouldn’t come, so I went out to the living room to get some water. However, as soon as I opened the door, I saw my brother sitting alone on the sofa, drinking. He’s drinking whiskey this late at night? His stomach is going to hurt.
But I couldn’t just approach him and scold him. It was because I knew that I was the reason for that drink. Feeling upset, I looked at his back and approached him cautiously. His head must be exploding from these repeated, exhausting situations. To him, am I nothing more than a ticking bomb?
Having a younger brother who requires constant attention from A to Z. The family is a mess behind a polished facade, and because the younger brother married poorly, even the older brother has to live like this. Poor thing, my brother. Sensing my presence, he looked up to confirm it was me and soon showed a smile.
He patted the spot next to him on the sofa, inviting me to sit. I plopped down beside him and buried my face in his shoulder. Perhaps thinking that I was acting spoiled because of everything that happened today, he simply stroked my hair gently.
“…My brother is just too pitiful, really.”
“What? What’s so pitiful about me, you brat?”
When I looked at him with pity, he let out a scoff of disbelief. He gave a hollow laugh with an expression that said, ‘Who is pitying whom?’ To a third party, our fates as brothers might seem like six of one and half a dozen of the other, but to me, my brother was just a little bit more pitiful.
Among Alphas, he was one of the few Dominant Alphas and an outstanding talent. He was a man so great that Joo Min-hyeok wanted to keep him in check and possess him. Yet, he couldn’t fully utilize his abilities, was swayed by the power of authority, and got swept away by his younger brother’s life.
It was heartbreaking and pitiful to see my brother living without even being able to plan the life he dreamed of. I felt sorry that such a great person was wasting his precious years shut away on an island just to clean up after me. I simply wanted to hold back the time that was flowing away from him relentlessly.
He wasted his most beautiful years hiding and couldn’t even care for his own life. All because of me. To think that a wonderful Dominant Alpha in the prime of his youth has to live like this… An indescribable guilt weighed heavily on my body and mind.
“Once I divorce Joo Min-hyeok and settle everything, we won’t have to hide anymore. Then, Brother, let’s go back outside the island and live doing everything you wanted to do. I’ll help you with anything. I’ll compensate you for all the time you wasted because of me.”
“Wasted time? Where do you get an idea like that? It’s only natural for a brother to look after his sibling. What do you mean, compensation? You’re not a stranger.”
At my words spoken with sincerity, he just chuckled and patted my back. This fool, a fool who only knows his younger brother.
“I’m saying this because I’m genuinely worried about you and I feel sorry.”
“What is there to worry about for you to say such things? Were you perhaps walking on eggshells around me over something so useless?”
“No! Walking on eggshells… I never did that.”
“Then why do you keep saying you’re worried and sorry? This is natural. To me, you are the most important. Just as you took care of Seo-joo, I am the same. I’ve lived like that my whole life, and this is something I do because I want to, not because I’m forced to.”
This perfect brother-fool thinks it’s natural to take care of me. As he said, I know because I’ve taken care of Seo-joo too. I know how hard that is. Because it’s something I’ve experienced, my brother’s situation hurts my heart even more. Sacrificing one’s own life to look after a sibling isn’t something done with ordinary responsibility. Because I know all of that, I only feel sorry for him.
He was busy shielding me from a crazed grandfather, and then from the hands of an Emperor burning with revenge against that grandfather. Now, I hope my brother finds a happy life entirely for himself, not as a brother. I hope his goal becomes finding his own happiness, rather than taking care of me being his life’s objective.
“It’s only natural for a younger brother to worry about his older brother! Just as you worry about and take care of me, I’m the same. So don’t just let my words go in one ear and out the other. Once this is all cleaned up, I’ll take care of your marriage issues and how you’ll live from now on. Got it?”
“Marriage? What marriage… I have no thoughts of marriage yet. First, as long as you live well, that’s enough. I’ll handle my own affairs.”
As if uninterested in my complaining, he continued to poke my cheek. Seeing that smile, I ended up laughing along. My brother is a truly mysterious being. My heart was always calmed by a single word or a single touch from him. Even things that were so terrifying that my hands shook—I could forget them all if he was there.
He must have been just as scared, but he likely overcame that fear with a sense of responsibility alone. I am simply grateful for my brother’s existence, hiding his own fear to take care of me first. What could make him happy? Supporting him firmly for his career? Or helping him meet someone he can open his heart to and lean on?
Yes! Why didn’t I think of that? Wouldn’t it be great if I could help him meet someone he can rely on mentally and feel love for? A good Omega who would cherish him most and be his strongest ally. I think I would be so happy if my brother lived happily with a partner.
And then, I’ll provide everything they want for the two of them. It’s a really great idea. My brother is someone who wouldn’t be lacking compared to anyone else. I suddenly wanted to see him meet someone he loves, start a good family, and live happily.
∗ ∗ ∗
“Oh my, I don’t know how to thank you. I really didn’t know you’d come back to help again, thank you so much.”
“Not at all. It was a promise I made.”
Min-hyeok, who had unloaded a heavy net from the boat, replied quietly to the old man.
“You’re not from the island, you came from the mainland, right? Student?”
“Ah, no. I’m not that young.”
Min-hyeok gave an embarrassed smile while filtering out the small fish caught in the net and putting them into a bucket.
“Is that so? Then did you come here for sightseeing? I was curious and surprised as to how you came to help us with our work. Thank you for coming again.”
“Don’t mention it. It wasn’t for sightseeing; I came for some business and just helped out for a bit. I’m glad if it was helpful.”
The people here were the elderly he had helped last time. While helping them then, he had promised to help again. He simply kept that promise, yet they were this grateful. They must have thought he had just said it in passing.
“Of course I’m grateful. It’s a bit awkward to hire someone for this kind of work. Because it’s simple work. It’s something I’ve always done, but at some point, it became burdensome. I’m grateful you appeared just in time to help.”
“You don’t have to be grateful. It’s not a difficult task.”
It wasn’t a complex job; he just had to remove the seaweed or fish caught in the net and organize the net. However, since the net had some weight to it, it would be burdensome for them.
“It was a huge help. I’m very grateful. I don’t know why this has become so heavy lately.”
In truth, if you look at it, their hardship was essentially caused by Min-hyeok relocating all the Betas and Alphas from the village. The way they continuously expressed gratitude to him felt unfamiliar and embarrassing. This kind of work that simply required strength was truly nothing. To Min-hyeok, an Alpha, the net wasn’t even that heavy. It was unfamiliar since it was his first time doing it, but he adapted quickly. As befitting an Emperor, Min-hyeok had always done much for the country and its people.
As long as he remained in the position of Emperor, he would continue to do so. In fact, managing the affairs of a nation is no ordinary task. It cannot be compared to spreading and drying a net like this. However, no one comes to Min-hyeok to express their gratitude. It is because they believe his work is a natural duty as Emperor, and Min-hyeok feels the same. A natural duty that requires no praise.
Rather, he hears more curses? Far from hearing words of thanks, the position of Emperor is one where you can do a hundred things right, but if you do one thing wrong, you face immense criticism. That’s why this expression of gratitude he was hearing now felt so strange. It was embarrassing enough to make his face flush to hear words of thanks after helping out a couple of times, but it didn’t sound bad.
No, it didn’t just not sound bad; it sounded good. It was the first time he had heard a direct thank you, and it had been a long time since he had seen such a warm smile firsthand. Min-hyeok realized for the first time that this is what sincere gratitude feels like.
“How can you be so tall and handsome? Are you an actor by any chance? One of those people who appear on television.”
“Pardon? No. I’m just an ordinary person doing the work people tell me to do.”
“You do what people tell you to do? What kind of work is that?”
“Ah, a pub… public servant.”
It was a lie made up on the spot, but strictly speaking, it was similar to a public servant, so it wasn’t entirely wrong. It was also true that he had come to help. The replenishment of personnel coming to the island to help the elderly was soon to be finalized. He had held specific meetings for this and finished planning how to help. Then, the difficulties of the elderly living here would be greatly reduced.
“A public servant? With looks this bright, you’re a public servant? Aren’t you a top candidate for a groom these days! Even I’m tempted. Should I introduce you to someone?”
“No, I’m already married. I married a bit early.”
“Oh my! Already? These days, all the young people are making a fuss about not getting married, so you’re quite admirable!”
“Is that so? I’m glad I did it early.”
Blushing at the shower of praise, Min-hyeok answered smoothly, unlike his usual self. To the point that Sang-seon, who was working opposite him, was quite surprised. Perhaps simple labor suited his aptitude, as his expression looked unusually relaxed.