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“Onii-sama…!”

Waaah!
It’s Onii-sama!
Onii-sama!
Onii-sama!
I missed you so much!

Ekaterina clung tightly to Aleksei.

“Ekaterina.”

Aleksei called her name in a whisper, holding her as if to wrap her entire body in his arms.

“Ekaterina… my Ekaterina.”
“Onii-sama.”

She was about to ask why he was here, when Ekaterina suddenly caught her breath.

Aleksei was trembling.

The proud Duke of Jurnova—an outstanding ruler who governed vast lands despite being only eighteen—was trembling. He, who possessed a spirit so strong it could be harsh at times, had never once before shaken like this.

“Onii-sama! You’re trembling—what’s wrong? Are you unwell somewhere? Please, you must rest at once!”
“…It’s not that I’m unwell. It’s just… something terrifying happened. The most terrifying thing in the world.”

Saying this in a gentle voice, Aleksei let out a relieved breath and stroked Ekaterina’s indigo hair.

“When Erik sensed that something had happened to you… that something dreadful might have occurred, and yet I was far away, unable to protect you— I thought my chest would collapse.”

Aleksei pressed his cheek against her hair.

“I’m so glad you’re safe. Ekaterina… my sister, my life, my love. Without you, I cannot live. I was reminded anew how unbearably dark and cold a world without you would be…”
“Onii-sama…”

So the twin alarm really did go off…
Oleg the knight and his younger brother Erik. That special bond where, when danger approaches one of the twins, the other can almost certainly sense it—it truly worked. The reason my brother chose Oleg as my escort was so that, in a world without mobile phones, he would know immediately if something happened to me. And it hit the mark perfectly.
It must have been when the Demon Dragon King appeared. From there, he prepared and set out—and he’s already here… what an emergency scramble! Even the Air Self-Defense Force would snap to attention!
This is no time to be thinking that. My siscon brother must have been so worried. And yet there I was, chatting quite happily with the Demon Dragon King, getting excited and giddy about riding on a dragon’s back… waaah, I’m so sorry!

“I’m sorry, Onii-sama.”

Tears welling up, Ekaterina touched her brother’s cheek and gently stroked it. She then patted his head as well, smoothing his wind-tousled light-blue hair with her fingers. Aleksei narrowed his eyes contentedly at the feel of her touch.

Ekaterina drew her brother’s head toward her and hugged him, doing her utmost to envelop him.

“That I caused you to feel such anguish—I cannot forgive myself. You rushed here so quickly; you must have overexerted yourself. That my precious, precious brother suffered so much that he trembled—all because of me…”

Ugh… I set out on this journey to act in my brother’s stead, to be of use to him.
At this rate, I can’t even call myself a proper brocon!

“It’s fine, as long as you’re safe. You did nothing wrong, my beloved Ekaterina.”

The sun rises in the east, and the little sister is innocent. For Aleksei, the innocence of his sister is a self-evident truth, akin to a law of nature. Ekaterina calls this the “siscon filter.”

“Even if everything in this world were to break and crumble, as long as you smile, I am happy. You are more beautiful than anything in this world.”
“Onii-sama…”

He might be slightly more powered up than before.
She thought that for a moment—then immediately corrected herself.

No, my brother’s siscon filter has always been this strong. Yep.

.

“So then, what exactly happened? Something frightening must have occurred. You’re not feeling unwell yourself, are you? You’re so gentle, always putting yourself last—it worries me.”

Ah! He’s asking for a report now!
But this needs to be said first.

“The one who always puts himself last is you, Onii-sama. While I was away, did you properly eat and get enough rest?”
“Yes, of course.”

Aleksei answered instantly, but Ekaterina stared up at him intently. Somehow… suspicious.
At that moment, a voice spoke up.

“My lady. I’m glad you’re safe.”
“Oh—Yvan!”

Yvan, Aleksei’s valet, turned his usual friendly smile toward Ekaterina. If he managed to keep up with Aleksei riding at full speed, then he must possess horsemanship on par with a knight.

“You came too, Yvan. You’re always with my brother, aren’t you?”
“It’s my duty to protect His Grace. By the way, my lady—the knight has returned. He says the arrangements for lodging in this town have been completed.”

Ah, so the advance knight is back.

Thinking that, Ekaterina looked around for him—and was surprised. At some point, a lot of people had gathered nearby.
Well, this town is a logistics hub, so of course there are many people. But why is everyone looking this way? And why are they all smiling? No—some are even wiping away tears. Why?
Ah. My brother charging in earlier must have been quite conspicuous. So they watched the whole reunion between us.
Did they think we were two people reunited after a very long separation…? Sorry, it’s only been a few days. And sorry again that it’s not lovers in a grand romance, but a siscon–brocon sibling reunion.

“Your Grace will be staying as well, won’t you? You’ll finally have time to talk at length, just the two of you.”
“Yes, let’s do that.”

Aleksei nodded, seemingly unconcerned with the surrounding gazes.

“I’m so happy to be able to speak with you at leisure, Onii-sama.”

Yes, truly happy.
It’s only been a few days, but come to think of it, since my brother came to Jurnova Castle to take me to the academy, this is the first time we’ve been apart for so long. Just having him within my field of vision makes me happy.

And in this situation, he won’t have any work and can genuinely relax.
…Still, I can’t shake the suspicion that faithful, perceptive Yvan spoke up at exactly this moment partly as a rescue operation for my brother. Onii-sama, you didn’t overwork yourself while I was gone, did you? I’ll have you rest for today! Absolutely!