Chapter 5: My Sharka
Having an older brother who fawns over his half-sister might seem like an odd relationship.
I think we used to talk more casually, but at some point, we naturally settled into this dynamic.
“Yes. After all, I’m going to be in a position above you in the future, right, Sharka?”
“Of course, Elmia-sama.”
“Ufufu, as someone in a superior position, I must keep track of your movements at all times. You understand, don’t you, Sharka?”
Elmia clearly tries to act as my superior.
If she’s behaving this way because she sees me as her biggest rival for the next head of the family, it’s a little sad as her older brother.
But she’s such a lovely and adorable little sister that I can forgive her for anything—perhaps that’s my karma.
“Elmia-sama, when you say ‘at all times’…?”
“At all times means at all times. I want you to inform me of everything you do, where you go, and who you plan to meet every day. For example, if there’s any talk of marriage, you must consult me. As the next head of the family, I have to consider various things.”
Even a highly skilled female project manager wouldn’t impose such strict reporting obligations.
Just how wary is she of me?
“Elmia-tan, isn’t that a bit much…”
“–Tan?”
Oops, I realized I called Elmia by her old nickname out of habit.
Elmia quickly picked up on it and gave me a sharp look.
“M-my apologies, Elmia-sama.”
“That’s right, I am in a ‘superior’ position, so you mustn’t address me in such a way! Be careful from now on, Sharka?”
Elmia’s emphasis on the word “superior” shows her particularity.
It’s not exactly a landmine, but Elmia immediately corrects me if I use a familiar way of addressing her.
However, when Elmia corrects me, she seems somehow lively and elated—but perhaps that’s just my brotherly bias.
“Yes. Well, about what we were discussing earlier, I’d love to report to you at all times, but I rarely have the opportunity to present myself to Elmia-sama…”
Elmia and I are male and female nobles of different genders.
Therefore, our living spaces hardly overlap, making it difficult to report even if I’m told to.
“I see. In that case, come to my bedroom every night at dusk from now on.”
“Your bedroom, you say?”
“Yes, is there a problem with that?”
Elmia tilted her head as if daring me to say there was a problem.
As her brother, I couldn’t help but worry about my sister’s sense of chastity and offer a word of caution.
“No, well, isn’t it unseemly for an unmarried young lady to invite a man into her bedchamber?”
“If I say it’s fine, then it’s fine. Besides, you’re my ‘older brother,’ Sharka, so it shouldn’t matter, right? Or does Sharka intend to do something untoward to me?”
Elmia gave me a teasing smile.
If she puts it that way, I wouldn’t mind sneaking into Elmia’s bedroom.
She’s my beloved sister, but before that, she’s a lovely young girl.
Refusing this invitation would go against my principles.
“No, if that’s the case, then this Sharka understands.”
“Yes, you just need to listen to what I say. My Sharka.”
Elmia said this as she stroked my cheek.
Elmia’s flushed expression seemed almost enraptured.
The young nobles behind her contorted their faces as if they were grinding their teeth at the sight of her touching me.
“Understood.”
I gave an Ortenos-style bow, ignoring the young nobles.
“Given it’s Sharka, I’m not too worried about your First Campaign. But be careful. The East has been in constant conflict, but according to Lanecki, things are getting a bit fishy in the West too.”
“The Lanecki’s West, you mean House Darbonny?”
“Yes, it’s a bit strange that they’re making moves just as the East is getting noisy.”
As Elmia said this with a dubious look, one of the nobles behind her stepped forward.
“That’s unexpected, Elmia-dono.”
The one who spoke was the orange-haired noble youth I hadn’t acknowledged earlier.
He was of medium build, but taller than Elmia and me, who were still growing.
“Oh, did I say something wrong? Dinoren-dono?”
“Yes, we of Darbonny have no intention of antagonizing Ortenos or Lanecki. There have been some minor misunderstandings, but we were able to participate in the Ortenos regional noble gathering as a junior member of Darbonny, so let’s foster a friendly relationship. Both publicly and privately.”
The noble youth called Dinoren said this as he took Elmia’s hand.
Seeing this, I felt a surge of aversion from the depths of my stomach, and my eyelids twitched for a moment.
“No, there’s no point in me meeting with Dinoren-dono. Especially since you don’t hold any particular title in Darbonny.”
Elmia smiled thinly and shook off Dinoren’s hand.
She was implying that he, a mere “guardian,” shouldn’t be so presumptuous.
“Oh my, you’re so cold…”
Even after having his hand shaken off, Dinoren maintained a nonchalant demeanor, but his expression betrayed a hint of irritation.