By Zephyria 
The meal was always friendly. All the family members except Frederick gathered and constantly exchanged stories. The main topic of conversation was Frederick, who was not present.
The incredible stories from various regions that Frederick sent in letters, or the crude, cheap trinkets he sent as souvenirs, always brought laughter like a cornucopia, no matter when they were told.
Among the members of the Count’s family, who were all smiling, only Andrew was frowning as much as he could. He didn’t usually emit a gentle light like the other family members, but Andrew, whose expression was mostly expressionless at a decent level, had a deathly look on his face throughout the meal as if he was protesting.
“But, Young Count. Why are you like that again? Do you have other worries in your heart?”
“…No, Mother.”
“No? Your complexion is so bad. Is it because your work is too heavy?”
In the end, my mother, unable to bear her worries, turned the topic of conversation from Frederick to Andrew.
“I guess so, Mother. Brother’s expression really doesn’t look good. As his younger brother, it breaks my heart.”
It was pure concern and worry, without any sarcasm. On the surface, there was nothing to criticize.
The Count and Countess were not exactly aware of how serious the relationship between Andrew and me was. Andrew’s bad language was mainly revealed when he was alone with me, and I didn’t outwardly resist much either. Still, Father and Mother were vaguely aware that he and I were not very close or friendly. But when I was the first to say such caring words, they seemed to see it as quite admirable.
My mother was even touched, saying that the youngest, who only seemed young, had become so thoughtful. The corners of my father’s mouth also drew a very satisfactory, relaxed curve.
It was a naive reaction that could only be shown because they didn’t know how much of a mockery my words, “As his younger brother,” were to Andrew.
Despite the family’s thoughtful concerns pouring down like warm sunlight, the furrow between Andrew’s eyebrows did not easily disappear. As I chewed and swallowed the meat that the Count had cut for me while looking at that dark shadow, my appetite became even better.
After the meal, the Count and Countess left to enjoy a cozy tea time. I also went straight outside without paying attention to Andrew, who would be left alone. The sunlight was warm, so I thought it would be nice to stroll around the garden a bit and then enjoy a nap.
The youngest, who would only inherit simple property without any rights, liked this. The only tasks given were eating and playing. This leisure would only be a luxury that I could enjoy until Allen found his place.
“Hmm hmm, hmm hmm…”
The humming that I was humming was arbitrary in rhythm and melody, but I was excited anyway. The feeling of the lazy rays of sunlight tickling my face wasn’t too bad.
I walked slowly without even shielding my dazzling eyes with my hand. On both sides, there were abundantly blooming lilac Stock that the gardener had grown with care. It was the place that was most visible when looking down from my room’s terrace.
Later, when Allen is revealed to be the real youngest who disappeared, and he naturally takes over the room I was using, all the types of flowers planted here will be changed.
Still, this time, I have solidified my position as the Crown Princess, and I have managed the favorability of my brothers quite a bit more than before, so maybe I won’t be deprived of my room. No, it wouldn’t be bad to gain the sympathy of others by using that as an excuse.
Let’s see. The capture of the Crown Prince is going smoothly… I have safely made contact with Lennox, and I have roughly planned how to deal with Kyle, who likes ‘forbidden relationships’… Now, if I can just reel in Grand Duke Graham, I will have roughly defended myself.
Then, is the only urgent thing to do now to pack my bags and go on a trip? I wasn’t really planning to go on a trip to get some fresh air, but when I thought about leaving, my heart fluttered without any reason.
That’s because this is the first time I’ve gone on a real trip since this life began. The closest thing to a trip was going to the Hamilton estate for my first Heat cycle.
I arrived at the pergola located in one corner of the garden and was just about to lean my back against the cushion.
“Noah Hamilton.”
A disgustingly familiar voice called out to me. I smiled brightly and turned my head.
“Ah. Brother.”
Tsk, what an unlucky guy. I was in such a good mood, but he’s the best at pouring cold water on me.
“…”
“…”
The first guy bothered to chase after me, called me, and then didn’t say anything. Was he trying to give me a look? He just had a rotten expression. What a funny guy.
I was also used to him showing his displeasure so openly. After that incident a year ago. I don’t know what the system did, but Andrew didn’t even remember the situation at the time. The only thing he remembered was that he had raised his voice at me more than necessary.
And after that, he didn’t even open his mouth to me at all. The only time he said a few words was when Father or Mother were present.
The amplitude of his emotions was also incomparably narrower than before. He was originally a cold guy, so other people didn’t seem to notice much, but I could definitely feel it.
For the above reasons, the relationship between him and me, which was extremely sharp, had become so awkward that it was almost unfamiliar.
“…I clearly warned you that it would be better to behave properly.”
The only time that first guy sharpened his blade and revealed his emotions was at times like this. The day the Crown Prince visited the mansion to suppress my Heat cycle. To be exact, the day when the Crown Prince’s Pheromone vibrated all over my body.
“What did I do wrong, Brother?”
“You…”
He was so upset that I could hear his teeth grinding.
“The ignorant younger brother really doesn’t know, so please teach me.”
This time, his reaction was more intense than usual, so he must have been very upset that the trip to the Grand Duchy, which he had opposed and tried to stop, had been realized.
He was just panting and couldn’t open his mouth easily. Of course. It’s not like I’m secretly going on a trip like a reckless child without the Count’s permission. Now that the head of the family has given his permission, how can he reject it? No matter how great Andrew Hamilton is, he is still just a Young Count.
“Daring, as a subject, to disloyally hold onto the busy Crown Prince…”
I couldn’t help but burst out laughing. I was wondering what kind of excuse he was so desperately looking for, but that was all he could come up with.
“But, Brother. I’m not his subject.”
The more the sneer on my lips deepened, the darker his expression became. It was just exhilarating. The adopted child who was kicked around by the high and mighty first young master is no longer here. The idiot who was anxious to be loved by his family and secretly sighed at the hatred and scolding of his first brother, who he didn’t even know the reason for, has been dead for a long time.
“I’m the one who will become his Royal Consort. He cherishes me more than anything. He wants to see my happy face and gives me his heart, so how can I dare to refuse that kind heart?”
Now, standing in the beautiful pergola where a pleasant breeze is blowing.
Only an Alpha who is writhing in pain, desperately clawing at his heart as his unrequited love is exposed, and an Omega who is crushing the Alpha’s rotten purity. Only those two people.
“Could it be… that you’re presumptuously jealous now? A mere Young Count, to His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Now. Really, now?
If this regression were only the third or fourth time, my feelings toward Andrew might have been different. But I had already gone through a long and arduous repetition, and I knew all too well how horribly and cruelly Andrew Hamilton, a man who couldn’t even control his own heart, had humiliated me as soon as he found a good excuse called Allen.
However, the reason I didn’t have as much animosity towards him as I did towards Frederick was because, unlike Frederick, I had no expectations of him from the start, so I didn’t even have the chance to feel betrayed.
And now he’s saying it was because he liked me? That he couldn’t accept the reality that the person he liked was his own brother?
“How… could you… say such things…”
Now, of all times. He’s saying his heart is breaking from just these few sharp words?
“I’m sorry. As my brother once said, I’m just a half-wit who can’t hide his humble origins no matter how well he’s educated, so I’m not even good at hiding my true feelings. I hope you’ll understand?”
It’s ridiculous and disgusting. No matter how thirsty I am for affection and starved for love, I don’t want to swallow such a vile affection.