For Older Brother, I Will Seduce the Male Lead - Chapter 7

Like that, the Duke of Eston who hid behind the wall, glanced at Raphine with a yearning look.

It was then.

“Dad is really pitiful.”

“Raphine’s cheeks are warm and soft like bread, though… Dad said he has never even once touched it.”

“Really? He said he hadn’t even touched her cheeks? That’s too bad. I feel so bad for him!”

The twin brothers, Luca and Royce, who turned eight this year, chatted as they passed by Father.

It was an attitude where they didn’t care about whether their father heard it or not.

Father’s heart was crushed by the light words his sons uttered as they passed by.

‘Boys… thank you so much for thinking about me…’

Around his eyes became near to tears.

But the twin brothers were sincere. They really pity their father.

It was because Raphine only hung in the arms of Sofia who’s her mother, Adrian, and Violet.

Although Luca and Royce were still young and couldn’t hug Raphine, even so, they were allowed to touch her cheek or stroke her head.

Luca, who had been thinking for a moment, murmured.

“Just why does Raphine hate Dad?”

“That’s what I’m saying. Did Dad say ‘you bastard!’ to Raphine?”

(t/n: the ‘you bastard’ is actually 이놈 [inom] = some kind of pronoun (usually to males) when you’re already close to somebody and is not older/higher in status than you, and it’s also usually used for cursing somebody as well, or sometimes when parents scold their kids… so yeah…)

The two boys belatedly found Father, who was sniffing, and stood in front of him then agonized seriously.

The Duke of Aston, as expected, wondered about that part as well.

He thought that rather than hating him—Duke Eston wanted to deny reality even only by thinking this way—Raphine was afraid of adult men.

It was credible in its own way.

Since even when big knights came and went, Raphine would shrink up easily.

Although he did instruct to find out about it through the butler, it seemed to take some time because Viscount Beryl hid the child so tightly.

‘I won’t let you go, Viscount Beryl.’

The Duke of Eston gnashed his teeth inside.

For whatever reason, he will find and destroy Viscount Beryl together with the woman who stole the child.

He had enough power and authority to do so.

The Duke of Eston Family was a meritorious family which is on par with the Imperial Family of the Ferdenia Empire.

It was the Duke of Eston Family who came forward the very first every time the barbaric forces, who threatens the Imperial people, were infested.

The Eston Family was the richest family in the Empire, as they were holding numerous mines, including gold-flowing mines, diamonds, rubies, and others.

All of the huge territories were fertile land, and the main street of the Territory Main Castle was as prosperous as the Imperial Capital.

With huge assets, the Eston Family worked on numerous businesses, as they had many noble families as their vassals.

If such Duke Family openly turns someone into an enemy, that household will not survive.

‘My baby… my daughter….’

The object of fear for the Capital nobles as well as the cold-eyed iron-blooded Duke.

Such Duke of Eston peeped at his daughter from afar while he wiped his tears a little pathetically.

As expected, Raphine, who was in the Duchess’s arms, discovered the Duke of Eston who was in a distance, but…

“….”

Raphine turned her head slightly and avoided eye contact, pretending not to know.

‘I’m scared….’

Duke Eston’s guess was right.

Even when she was at the Viscount Beryl Family, she was like that…. Is it because the memory of being kicked with foot by Viscount Beryl, especially when being kicked out, is so strong?

Raphine was automatically frightened when she saw an adult man.

Her rational thinking shouted, “Don’t act like a child!” but her child’s instinct refuted it, saying, “But I’m scared, so what are you saying I should do!”

For, the Duke of Eston was as tall as a door and also looked strong.

Although from an adult’s point of view, it was a fancy and handsome appearance, in a child’s eyes, it also felt a little sharp.

“Raphine, do you want some snacks?”

At that time, Adrian asked in a friendly voice.

‘Snacks!’

Raphine nodded strongly.

Like that, Raphine headed to the garden in the Duchess’ arms. They were followed by Luca and Royce.

And in front of them, Adrian and Violet were talking as they were walking, but….

Raphine giggled inside at the sight.

‘Those two look really great together. Am I right?’

Raphine asked the baby teddy bear which is embraced in her arms.

Honestly, carrying a doll around every day hurts her pride, but….

She didn’t have a choice because it was frustrating, leaving the mythical creature, whom she could talk frankly to, only in her room.

And after being together all week, now she felt uneasy if they were separated.

[Yeah, they look really great together. Then the problem, is it Zerkan?]

‘That’s right.’

[But that guy. Why does he try to do a contract marriage?]

At those words, Raphine replied after thinking.

‘It must have been for political reasons. He must have felt his place was in danger by the Second Prince.’

To not lose the Crown Prince position in such a situation, it was important to be recognized by the Imperial Family’s Senate and the Elders of the Royal Family.

To them whose tendency is being very conservative and family-oriented, the fastest and easiest thing to be acknowledged was to start a family.

Even other than that, there must have been various reasons since he has to win over the power of the nobles.

‘But he asked Violet to do it because he didn’t want to do it with someone he doesn’t know. Since she’s a friend he trusts. And Violet’s family also has a long history.’

[That guy…. And don’t tell me it’s not that he’s been in love with Violet from a long time ago?]

‘I don’t think so. I think he didn’t even care about her until his mother died and became obsessed.’

[Then so he should get engaged when he is as young as he can? I mean so that he doesn’t need a contract marriage later.]

Those words were right. But she couldn’t just think of it easily.

‘Yeah, but… if a young child like me asks to get engaged right away, will he listen to it?’

[Well, if it doesn’t work out, at least get a promise from Zerkan in advance. That can make him recall you, when that guy needs a marriage! There’s a thing called verbal contract, you know!]

‘Okay! I’ve been thinking about it, and I think you’re a little smart.’

[Right? You’ve thought wrong, right? HUAHAHA! What a great mythical creature I am, though! You’ll be surprised when you see my real form later!]

‘Now be quiet.’

Raphine looked at the cake as she dismissed Rubi’s self-praise.

“Now, say ‘ah’.”

Adrian sliced a little bit of cake and held it out to Raphine.

“Ah, ah!”

As Raphine opened her mouth as wide as she could, Luca and Royce giggled.

“She opened her mouth so wide like that, but aren’t you giving the cake too little, Older Brother? This time, I want to try giving it to her!”

“Me too, me too! I want to try!”

Perhaps it’s because they were fascinated by their younger sister they suddenly got, Luca and Royce always followed Raphine.

It was much more fun watching their younger sister rather than a new toy.

Moreover, since she exactly looks like Mom, every time they see her it was fascinating and nice.

The color is the same as theirs, but they also wanted to keep touching the long hair because it was soft.

“….”

The Duchess, Sofia felt moved as she saw that sight which warms her heart.

To think they almost could not find this kid forever….

Every time she imagined the wounds the child gets while living in an unfamiliar place, her heart was broken.

But she decided not to cry anymore.

Since she felt the child becomes anxious whenever she cried.

She has to be as strong as much as she got her child back. At least to not let such a matter happen again.

However….

‘Honey, I’m sorry.’

Meanwhile, the Duchess apologized inside to her husband, who was hiding far away behind a tree.

The Duke of Eston had a heartrending smile as he captured this warm scene in his eyes, even from a distance.

The Duke Family’s employees felt sorry for such Master and couldn’t bear to open their eyes.

***

Toward when the sun slowly sets.

“Raphine, this Older Sister really has to go home today. My parents went to our territory and came back today, you know….”

Violet said as if she was in real trouble.

Raphine, as expected, had no choice but to gently let go of the hem of Violet’s dress, which she was holding tightly.

“Then you have to come tomorrow.”

“Okay, I’ll come play again tomorrow!”

“You have to come early.”

At Raphine’s request, Violet giggled as she replied, “Okay!”

That wasn’t enough, so she even made a pinky promise.

After that, she kissed Raphine on both cheeks twice.

Raphine also kissed Violet on the back of her hand.

Violet greeted the Duchess, Luca, and Royce, and also waved to Adrian.

“See you tomorrow, Adrian.”

At that moment.

Raphine secretly reached out her hand and pushed Adrian’s leg.

‘Take her home! Take her home! Quickly!’

Fortunately, Adrian moved his mouth as Raphine wanted.

“I will take you home.”

“Huh? It’s okay, though. The carriage is outside anyway.”

“Still… Mother, Father, I’ll directly take Violet home.”

“Yeah, of course, you should do that. Come back after delivering our thanks also to Violet’s parents. Also, Adrian, you go with taking the prepared presents.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Come back safely, Adrian.”

The Duke and his wife greeted Adrian, and Violet went out while embarrassed.

Raphine also waved her hand hard.

While praying for Adrian to come as late as possible.

‘Get closer! I say get closer!’

It was needed for Adrian and Violet to have a closer relationship.

‘Everything will be peaceful if the two confirm their feelings starting in advance.’

That was also the reason why she asked Violet to must come early tomorrow.

‘I have to make Violet come often even if I whine like a child.’

“Raphine, do you want to play the dolls with Older Brothers?”

“Or I’ll read you a fairy tale!”

Luca and Royce said to Raphine who was in the Duchess’ arms.

Raphine looked down at those two.

‘Young kids….’

Fairy tales? I don’t read something like childish picture fairy tale books. Not sure if it’s a little bit higher level storybook.

Either hungry or sleepy. Raphine could stay rational unless it were a time when only instinct remained.

To such Raphine, the eight-year-olds looked at a similar level at best.

[With you’re position as a six-year-old kid….]

Rubi laughed at her thoughts, but Raphine ignored it lightly.

“Uhm… today do you want to also play with Dad?”

The Duke of Eston approached with a careful smile.

It was a friendly smile, but Raphine was surprised for a moment so she snuggled into the Duchess’ nape.

The Duke of Eston was extremely tall and big that she would be surprised every time he showed up.

[See, look at this! Saying it while yourself is a very scaredy-cat!]

Rubi said in a teasing tone. Raphine flew into a rage and denied it.

‘It’s because I was surprised! It’s not that I’m acting like a baby! I’m just hiding for a second! Adults also become hiding when they’re surprised!’

[You don’t need to make excuses. Baby. HUAHAHA!]

‘Don’t call me Baby!’

[Even so you’re a baby! No matter how you have memories of your past life, you can’t beat a young kid’s instincts!]

‘You’re noisy!’

[HUAHAHA! You’re cute, Baby!]

“Eit!”

Raphine threw the baby teddy bear doll, which had been in her arms, to the sofa.

It was her way of protesting against Rubi, but the Duke of Eston soon began about to cry.

‘To think that she hates me so much that you throw a doll, hicc….’

“Mom, Dad is so pitiful.”

“Poor old man. I’ll not become such an adult.”

Luca and Royce muttered as they looked at such Father’s back figure.

“Honey, I’m sorry…. Can you go away?”

Sofia could neither cry nor laugh as she saw her husband.

The Duke of Eston turned back lonesomely again today as he crumpled his large body.