# Chapter 54
Surprised by Luke’s words, Asher stared at him with a face that seemed to ask what he meant. But Luke acted as if the conversation was over, rising from his seat and greeting Asher.
“…Are you leaving already?”
Asher had wondered what would happen if Luke demanded physical contact after not seeing each other for so long, but unlike usual, he didn’t demand anything. Instead, he tightly gripped the box Asher had handed him, his expression still troubled. He squeezed it so hard that the box became unsightly crumpled in his hand.
“I think I’ll return for today. We’ll be seeing each other continuously from now on.”
Despite his clenched hand, Luke’s expression was serene. His smile was as warm as the sunlight streaming through the window. But Asher found that smile eerie and blankly watched as Luke departed.
*
After Luke left, Asher couldn’t sleep a wink. He lightly stretched his body, which had rapidly deteriorated recently, and got up from the bedroom.
“…Why am I so tired?”
He used to be able to stay up all night without feeling this bad, but now his body felt excessively heavy. Asher pulled out the medicine bottle he had placed in the drawer.
Asher had never liked pills. His physician had been considerate enough to prepare herbal medicine for him, which Asher habitually took from time to time. His chest always felt tight, and he often felt bloated. So today, too, without suspicion, he put the medicine in his mouth and emptied a cup of water.
“But maybe I’m relying too much on medicine…”
He might not be able to call a physician for treatment like he had in his life here. Asher called Toms and discretely instructed him to have a physician on standby.
“Your complexion hasn’t been good lately. It seems like you haven’t been eating properly either…”
Toms added, sounding worried. Honestly, lately, just standing up from a sitting position would cause his vision to blur as if blinking out. Even his hands and feet were swelling frequently, possibly due to poor blood circulation, so he thought he should meet with a physician.
“It must be because of the side effects.”
Asher answered, recalling that no pheromone scent was coming from him. Then, when Shaki visited, Asher dismissed Toms and showed him to a seat.
“Didn’t you go to work today?”
“No.”
Recently, Shaki had been spending more time at home than going to the trading company. Asher felt burdened by Shaki’s constant presence around him, wishing he would stay out of sight.
“Father is looking for you.”
Asher maintained a calm expression, as if he had expected this.
“Why did you come personally? You could have sent someone else.”
“I wanted to go with you.”
“…What?”
“I told you. I won’t let you meet Father alone.”
Shaki firmly gripped Asher’s hand. This wasn’t the first time he had made such sudden physical contact, so there was no reason to be surprised, but Asher couldn’t manage his expression at Shaki’s now-blatant emotions.
“Why do you look so troubled? I just thought I’d hold my brother’s hand for once after a long time.”
“Did something happen?”
When Asher cautiously asked, Shaki’s eyes momentarily gleamed coldly. Asher unconsciously swallowed hard and watched his reaction.
“…Brother?”
“Father says he wants to proceed quickly with your engagement to the Grand Duke. You might have the engagement ceremony as early as next month.”
This must have been what Luke meant by his significant parting words. It seemed like he was no longer willing to wait for him. Asher pretended not to notice Shaki’s painful emotions, pushed away his arm, and gave a reassuring smile.
“Really? That’s something to be happy about then. It was an engagement that was going to happen anyway.”
“Asher.”
“Why are you looking so serious? I’m truly happy about it.”
Asher smiled brightly, his eyes curving beautifully. Seeing Asher like this, Shaki let out a small, long sigh and repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fist.
“The promise to wait until spring… I don’t think I can keep it.”
“…”
“You said you would leave on a journey when spring comes, but I intend to inherit the title even if you don’t go on that journey.”
“But… Father won’t easily step down.”
“That’s why I’m going to inherit it. The things Father has been planning.”
“You’re going to inherit what Father has been doing…?”
Asher looked up at him as if asking if he was serious. He wanted to ask if it was really necessary to go that far to inherit the title, but Shaki seemed unwilling to back down.
“If it’s because of me, I’d prefer you didn’t. As I said, I really like His Majesty, and I have no intention of canceling this engagement.”
This engagement would eventually be passed on when Braden returned. He had no desire to distort the original story because of Shaki’s unexpected feelings. Asher thought of the spring of April that would soon arrive and said to him.
“I don’t want you to inherit the title if it means fighting with Ember. Even if it’s for the family, I don’t think you should inherit what Father is doing.”
“…”
“So, brother… I want you to go back to the time when you loved swords. I really… like the upright and righteous person you’ve always been.”
Asher gave a pitiful look, as if begging him not to follow the path their father was taking. He wished for nothing more than to prevent Shaki from being destroyed. But this atmosphere didn’t last long. As if they had collectively decided to visit his room, Ember arrived, spotted Shaki, and his expression hardened.
“I heard you haven’t been going to the trading company lately. I guess you’re busy with your heir training?”
“What about you, what have you been doing lately? Father has been very worried.”
Despite Ember’s sarcasm, Shaki answered without changing his expression. Ember snorted at Shaki’s demeanor, leaned against the doorframe, and crossed his arms.
“Worried? Was there ever anyone in our family who worried about me?”
“Have you ever thought about us?”
“I did. Until you said you’d inherit the title.”
At Ember’s sharp words that hit the mark, Shaki’s expression sank and he closed his mouth.
“If you had truly thought of me as your brother, you wouldn’t have said you’d inherit the title. You know better than anyone how hard I’ve worked to receive it.”
Ember stared at Shaki, suppressing his hurt feelings. Then he glanced at Asher once and curled his lips crookedly.
“But I wonder if you’re prepared? If you have me as an enemy, everything you cherish will be destroyed. Even if that happens to be the brother I care about.”
Ember seemed to know that Shaki had been skipping work lately and hovering around Asher in particular, leaving a significant remark. It appeared that Ember thought he and Shaki were on the same side.
Asher momentarily flinched at the aggressive demeanor, as if Ember might throw him into the gutter at any moment, but quickly composed himself and said.
“Does talking like that make you feel better?”
“What?”
“Of course, I know how hard you’ve worked. But that doesn’t mean Shaki is unqualified either.”
“What did you just say?”
“What I mean is, I wish you would compete fairly. You don’t want Shaki to get hurt either, not enough to destroy something precious to fight over it.”
This was something Asher had wanted to say if he ever got to talk with Ember. After all, Ember was one of the people who cherished and valued Shaki the most. But Ember let out a disbelieving laugh and narrowed his eyes sharply.
“Why don’t you speak plainly? It’s not me who’s worried about Shaki getting hurt, it’s you, isn’t it?”
“Yes. I don’t want Shaki to get hurt. Moreover, I don’t want you to get hurt either.”
“…What?”
Ember furrowed his brow as if he had heard something bizarre. His expression suggested that hearing such words from Asher was absurd.
“Have you lost your mind?”
“No.”
Asher knew that no matter what, Ember didn’t hate him indiscriminately. If he had intended to do something to him, he would have used force to pressure him long ago. Asher suddenly remembered that after his possession, Ember had visited Luke’s villa.
Ember had said that Luke’s behavior was as good as disrespecting their family, and he had been as angry as Shaki. Perhaps Ember had been annoyed that Asher didn’t approach him. Even now, Ember looked desperately lonely. At Asher’s straightforward gaze, Ember averted his eyes and left the room.
“Haa…”
As the tension he had been holding released, Asher felt his legs trembling. He briefly leaned against the table beside him, then met the gaze he felt on him.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I was just thinking how much you’ve grown.”
“…You’re only realizing that now?”
Asher snickered as if it was silly. It was an attempt to change the mood, but Shaki didn’t laugh, just stared at him blankly and lightly patted his shoulder.
“This confirms it.”
“…Huh?”
“That I must protect you. So, Asher, remember well. That you are my everything.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
