—Next day, Velora's room—
'Now that I finally have time to think about it…'
I slowly sit up from the bed while recalling Mira's words from the other day.
"Love admired only from afar eventually fades, but love that is cherished and cared for continues to grow."
I quietly mumble the words to myself.
"…Isn't that something Lord Caelrion originally said to the Female Lead?"
"..."
My eyes slowly widen.
'Don't tell me I accidentally stole another Female Lead scene again!?'
I immediately clutch my head with both hands in horror.
"Ahhh—"
'No wonder that line sounded familiar!'
I begin rolling around the bed, dramatically.
I freeze.
"…Wait."
'Wait but its not like Lord Caelrion said that to me'
'Phew... I'm safe...'
I let out a scoff before burying my face into the pillow.
—knock, knock, knock—
"Lady Velora, you have guest."
—Few minutes later, Living room—
'I have a guest?'
'Who could it possibly be this time?'
They slowly open the door.
'She's here again...'
"Hallo, Lady Velora!"
Mira happily waves her hand at me while eating biscuits from the sofa.
I immediately turn around and begin walking away without hesitation.
"Eh?"
"..."
—BAM—
Rey slams the door open and bolts in.
I point toward Mira.
"Eh?"
Rey lifts Mira straight onto his shoulder.
"Noooo!!!"
Mira instantly begins squirming wildly while kicking her legs in protest.
"Lady Vvveloraaa!"
I simply let out a tired sigh before lightly waving goodbye at her disappearing figure.
—next day, garden—
Ethan and I quietly continue tending the flowerbeds beneath the afternoon sun.
The atmosphere remains peaceful for exactly five seconds.
I slowly lift my head.
In the distance, Kel can be seen panicking while chasing after Mira, who is enthusiastically waving both her hands at me while running across the garden.
Mira beams brightly the moment she spots me.
"Lady Veloraaa!"
'My entire mood is ruined.'
—Later that day, Duke Lucien's Office—
I open the office doors as Kel follows me to calm me down.
"Brother!"
Lucien continues reviewing documents peacefully.
"Why is Lady Selmira Viremont visiting every single day!?"
Only then does Duke Lucien slowly lift his gaze toward me.
"…Oh?"
A faint smile slowly forms on his face.
"Did you not say you wanted a friend?"
'This son of a—'
I force a stiff smile onto my face.
"Lady Selmira is indeed very kind."
I gently place a hand against my cheek before letting out a quiet sigh.
"However, I fear she may be spending too much of her time visiting me every day."
"You cannot simply refuse the goodwill of a Grand Duke's household."
"The Viremont family stands closest to the royal family."
"Does Lady Selmira not have other matters she should be attending to?"
I force out a polite smile.
"Still, I don't think frequent visits are appropriate given my current circumstances."
"You're just under house arrest though."
His voice remains calm and cold.
"How exactly does that make you busy?"
"Still, I believe I should spend my punishment doing something in my own phase."
"Like?"
'Yea like what? I don't know playing like a kid?'
'No he's too much of a nerd freak... maybe... maybeee...'
I force a cough into my hand
"S-something productive."
"Hm."
"So you are asking for another lecture instructor?"
'How in the world did he came to that conclusion?
"…That was not exactly what I meant."
"You mentioned wanting to spend your time productively."
Lucien calmly folds his hands together.
"I heard you excel on your studies and was able to finish it within an instant."
"Therefore, studying would be the most appropriate option."
'Should I just punch him?'
I quietly stare at Lucien while seriously contemplating my life choices.
Lucien slowly returns the stare, coldly.
'Nope I value my life.'
—Few minutes later, Rosethorne Estate entrance—
I sprint through the estate at full speed before finally stopping right in front of the main gates.
'I may value my life...'
'But I also value my freedom!'
I run with full determination.
Kel practically bursts into tears while chasing after me alongside several panicked attendants.
Even Ethan looks completely horrified.
"My lady, please calm down first!"
'If this household refuses to give me peace—'
I place a hand against my chest.
'Then I shall give them a piece of me!'
"My lady, please calm down first!"
"Lady Velora, dont!"
Before I can continue my escape, several attendants finally catch me from behind.
"Lady Velora!"
"Please calm down!"
Two attendants immediately grab both my arms while another desperately blocks my path toward the gates.
I continue dragging myself forward anyway.
"I have human rights!"
"My lady, you are under house arrest!"
"THIS IS FREE WILL!"
Kel quickly clings onto my sleeve in complete panic.
"Please do not make this difficult!"
I suddenly lean forward and lick one attendant's arm.
"HIYAAAAA!?"
The attendant nearly lose their grip in complete panic.
"Lady Velora!?" Kel screams in disbelief.
Meanwhile, I continue forcing my body toward the gates inch by inch while everyone desperately drags me backward across the ground.
My fingers claw dramatically against the pavement.
"LET ME GOOOOO—"
—Few hours later, Velora's room—
'In the end, I failed to escape.'
—Few minutes ago—
I desperately reached both hands forward toward freedom while Rey dragged me across the floor by my ankle without mercy.
I twist around, trying to stand back up midway.
It fails immediately.
I begin squirming dramatically trying to bite him instead.
That also fails.
—poof—
'Back to my room, I went.'
I now lay lifelessly on the bed after being thoroughly cleaned by Kel and Erisa.
I stare blankly at the ceiling.
Not knowing how much time had passed, the door suddenly creaks open.
Rey walks inside before stopping near the doorway.
He casually leans against the doorframe with his arms crossed.
"She won't be coming anymore."
My mood brighten up.
"Eh!? Really!?"
"Yep."
"I talked with brother Lucien."
"What did you say?"
Rey grins proudly.
"I told brother Lucien your mental health was declining."
"…What?"
"You tried escaping through the front gates while liking them off."
Rey lets out a scoff.
"I can't have my little sister suffering every day."
'You mean my dignity is already suffering.'
"So Lady Selmira won't be visiting anymore for now."
'Should I punch him and prove the mental illness part right now?'
Rey suddenly looks at me expectantly, like a dog.
'A retard.'
"Did I do well?"
I stare at Rey with the most disappointed expression I can do.
"As expected from the greatest older brother alive."
I begin clapping like a broken machine.
"You're."
—Clap—
"The."
—Clap—
"Best."
Rey grins proudly.
"Does that mean I can go outside now?"
'No more house arrest?'
Rey immediately looks away.
"You're on your own for that."
—crack—
My face breaks apart.
I slowly point toward myself in disbelief.
"Shouldn't that ALSO apply!?"
"You literally told people I was mentally unstable!"
Rey tilts his head slightly while looking at me with visible judgment.
"Are you?"
"…No."
"Then no."
"I can't lie anymore."
Rey fold his arms.
'Didn't he just tell both Duke Lucien and Lady Selmira that I had mental problems!?'
My eyebrow immediately twitches in annoyance.
Without hesitation, I grab the nearest pillow beside me and throw it straight at Rey's face.
"YOU ALREADY DID!"
'You already lied you siscon bastard!'
I immediately point toward the door while Rey still leaning against the door frame.
"Kel, Erisa lock the door."
"Eh?"
Rey quickly wedges his arm between the doors before they can fully close them.
"W-Wait, what did I do!?"
"Nothing."
Erisa and Kel immediately begin pushing the doors shut with all their strength.
"Oi! I literally helped you deal with Lady Selmira!?"
"No."
I continue staring at him with complete disappointment while crossing my arms.
"Hey Im her brother why're you only following her!?"
Erisa calmly continues pushing with terrifying strength despite her expression remaining completely blank while Kel practically hangs onto the door while trying to force it closed.
"You are not my brother anymore."
I cross my arms.
"In fact."
"You are no longer my favorite one."
Rey's entire expression visibly shatters.
"Velly!!!!"
—Next day, Velora's room—
I quietly sit by the chair, while Kel places a fresh stack of letters onto the table.
"Letters from Elie?"
"Nope from Lady Selmira."
'This is more than Elie's...'
I stare blankly at the mountain of letters before me.
'…Deja vu?'
—Few days later—
I quietly stare outside the window while laying on the bed.
"..."
"Every day has been boring..."
Since I finished all my lessons far earlier than expected, I was apparently rewarded with several months of free time.
'So I do get free time.'
'Like actual vacation.'
—knock, knock, knock—
I immediately stare toward the door
'What if I pretend I'm not here?'
—knock, knock, knock—
"..."
—knock, knock, knock—
"..."
—BAM—
'AH!?' I jolt upright in shock.
"Velly!" Rey slams the door wide open before storming inside furiously.
"Did you promise someone something!?"
"...Wha?"
"Did you agree to something!? Promise someone!? Sign anything!?"
'…Why does this suddenly sound like a crime investigation?'
—Few minutes later, living room—
I quietly sit on the sofa in disbelief.
Across from me, Cassien calmly drinks tea with a peaceful smile on his face.
"We meet again, Lady Velora."
'Ah... That's why...'