By Zephyria 
What he lightly pointed to, I emphasize once again, was the entire three-story commercial building. The size of the building wasn’t the issue. This was the heart of the Imperial capital, right next to the clock tower in the most crowded square. It was prime real estate in a crazy location where, as they say, the price is whatever you’re willing to pay. It just didn’t make sense to buy it just to watch fireworks.
“Actually, I’ve been wanting to buy this place for a while, but I couldn’t figure out who owned the building. But just a few days ago, it came up for sale! Good thing I saved up diligently for years.”
Frederick winked, saying he was broke from buying the building, so I would have to buy the snacks at the night market later. As expected, it was impossible to keep up with the way of thinking of those who were born as perfect nobles from the start.
“What did I say? I said the second oldest brother would give our youngest the best birthday present, right?”
“Birthday present… You don’t mean this building?”
“I know your brother said something to you about the vineyard. If, just if…”
He paused for a moment, hesitating, or perhaps trying to soothe me, before opening his mouth again in a slow tone.
“Even if my stubbornness leads to having to put that vineyard back on the market, don’t you dare be discouraged, Noah. Got it? Even if you combined ten of those vineyards, they wouldn’t be worth as much as this building.”
This is driving me crazy. Why am I hearing this kind of talk in the timeline where I’m determined to throw him into the underground prison with Allen?
“My beloved little brother. Happy seventeenth birthday. Even next year, and the year after that, even if the whole world turns its back on you, I will always be on your side.”
“Freddy…”
Why? My chest felt so tight. I couldn’t say anything properly.
Bang…!
“Ah, it started. Let’s go up quickly!”
The fireworks decorating the night sky were incredibly beautiful. On the rooftop of a lavish birthday present that I had never received in dozens of regressions, I made the excuse that the night sky was beautiful and cried a little.
“When I see you like this, you still seem like a baby.”
“Don’t tease me. What kind of baby is this big?”
“What do you mean, where? You’re right in front of me.”
Frederick’s fingers, which playfully wiped my cheek with the rough calluses that were the result of long training, were softer and more comforting than any luxurious Luxury silk.
“What should we eat next?”
“I had something salty, so I want something sweet. Do you see any snacks around? I’m tired of chicken skewers now.”
As if everyone had been waiting only to watch the fireworks, the crowd had thinned out considerably after the fireworks ended. We bought all kinds of food as if we were conquering each stall one by one. Frederick, who had to fill his hungry stomach with all sorts of food during the royal guard training and the occasional monster subjugation, thankfully didn’t show any picky noble tendencies even when it came to food.
Frederick and I ate cheap sausages with beer at a street stall with a messy array of tables and chairs without a proper indoor space. Andrew would never eat this, he said, chuckling and making silly jokes.
Before long, I was so full that I couldn’t move anymore. Frederick seemed like he could still eat a lot more, but he must have thought I looked quite tired, so he suggested we sit for a bit and then slowly return to the mansion. It was welcome news, so I just nodded.
“Sleepy?”
“Yeah, a little…”
With a full stomach, sleep was pouring in. Frederick chuckled and said I could just fall asleep if I couldn’t hold on. I didn’t refuse and leaned my head on Frederick’s shoulder.
The tempo of inhaling and exhaling gradually slowed down. I was really planning to fall into a deep sleep.
“Lords and ladies! Take a look at these flowers! Only 2 shillings a stem!”
If it hadn’t been for that familiar voice, one I could never forget, coming from somewhere, that’s definitely what would have happened.
“How much?”
“2 shillings.”
“Hey, that’s expensive, isn’t it? You shouldn’t try to pick people’s pockets so much just because it’s a festival.”
“Then, especially for you, sir! I’ll give you two stems for 3 shillings. How about it? The pink lisianthus next to you is still fresh and looks great on your companion.”
In an instant, the sleepiness vanished. I immediately lifted my head and turned my gaze towards the source of the voice.
“Huh? What’s wrong? Do you need flowers too?”
“No, Freddy. Just a moment. It’s not that… it’s not that…”
“Let’s not buy flowers here. I’ll tell the gardener to pick the most beautiful flowers as soon as we wake up tomorrow.”
Freddy soothed me in a gentle tone, as if pacifying a spoiled child choosing a cheap toy, but still, my gaze couldn’t leave the flower-selling boy.
That boy selling flowers on the street with a cheerful tone was none other than.
“Alright. I’m in the mood. But you have to pick two very fresh ones, okay?”
“Yes, sir. Leave it to me!”
Allen Hamilton, the protagonist of this world and the one who repeatedly defeated me.
“Noah, what’s wrong? Noah?”
I could hear Frederick calling me with a worried voice from the side, but I couldn’t react at all. How was I supposed to move my body? How do you breathe? Like someone who had encountered a legendary snake, I just stiffened and widened my eyes.
I was suffocating. I doubted whether I was breathing properly. My head was getting dizzier and dizzier, and I just wanted to pass out like this.
But what if I really did pass out? The distance between where we were sitting and Allen was very close, less than a hundred meters. If Frederick and Allen were to run into each other while I was unconscious, and Allen, who looked suspiciously similar to me. Allen, who was also the same age as his lost younger brother… What if Frederick recognized him?
What if Allen entered my life, entered Count Hamilton’s mansion, before the two-year grace period given to me had even properly begun?
“Heeuh, hic…”
“Damn it, what’s wrong? Noah! Breathe, Noah!”
All sorts of ominous thoughts chased after me, tormenting me relentlessly. I tried to breathe in the insufficient oxygen by opening my mouth wide, but I couldn’t breathe at all. I dug my nails into my neck and chest. It was painful. My vision was all bright yellow.
Frederick hugged me and screamed, asking for help from those around us. Then, people who sensed the commotion gradually gathered around us, and among those people surrounding us, of course, was Allen.
“Oh my, what’s going on?”
“I don’t know. He was fine, and then he suddenly became like that, that young man.”
“Excuse me! Please step aside for a moment!”
Allen took the paper bag he was using to wrap the flowers and hurriedly brought it to my mouth. No. Not for this reason, I couldn’t let Allen appear already. I still had two years left, and I hadn’t even established a proper foundation…! I despaired, writhing in agony at the terrible premonition. But unfortunately, I couldn’t stop Allen, and gradually it became easier to breathe, thanks to his actions.
“Keueuk, euk… Heueu, hoo…”
“Noah! Are you conscious? Are you okay now?”
Even in my dim vision, I could clearly see Frederick’s pale face. I barely moved my weak neck and nodded slightly, desperately grabbing Frederick’s sleeve. Tears that hadn’t been flowing well were strangely pouring out.
“I, home… Heuk, I want to go home…”
“Okay. Let’s go. It’s my fault. I should have let you rest.”
I desperately turned my gaze away from Allen. No matter how much effort I put in, I didn’t want to be in the same space as Allen, who had stolen everyone’s attention and gaze with just one charming smile and one faint release of Pheromone.
It was an instinctive fear rooted deep in my mind. I couldn’t face Allen in an unexpected way, at an unexpected time, without being fully prepared.
I want to run away. I’m just scared. I hate unexpected variables. Even the tragedies I had anticipated and faced were so painful and bitter, how destructive would an unexpected tragedy be? Just thinking about it made me tremble and cry.
My panic-stricken brain refused to make rational judgments and just kept blaring a loud red alert.
“Don’t tremble, Noah. No one can hurt you. It’s okay. I’m here.”
Frederick calmly patted my trembling body and finally turned his gaze to Allen. At that moment, my heart plummeted to the depths.