Why is Brother here? (8)
* * *
Aristine shrank back, feeling people’s gazes directed at her.
She had always received stares, but today, they felt especially heated.
‘Ah, this is so embarrassing.’
She never thought that Tarkan’s barracks would appear in the newspaper.
‘Who even took that photo?’
Her bed being broken on the first night already made headlines, so you might wonder why she was so affected by this one.
‘But then and now are different…’
Although they hadn’t officially announced her pregnancy, her face felt hot to simply imagine the rumors that might spread after this.
‘It’s not my fault that the tent collapsed!’
And Tarkan even said that it was always like that.
“Don’t walk too fast.”
As her pace quickened due to the embarrassment, Launelian, who was supporting Aristine by her side, spoke up.
“It’s not so bad that you need to support me this much.”
“Even being ultra careful isn’t enough.” Launelian said firmly and looked at Aristine. “I knew it; it would be better if big brother carries—.”
“Let’s go quickly.”
Aristine pretended not to hear and continued walking.
Launelian followed her, looking sullen.
They were on their way to having an audience with Nephther.
“…Your relationship with Prince Tarkan seems better than I expected.”
Launelian said after a brief lapse of silence.
He thought Aristine would certainly be mistreated. Even in Silvanus, it was said that the emperor practically drove Aristine to her death.
Because of that, he rushed to save his little sister as quickly as possible, but the real situation was different from what he thought.
“I told you, he treats me well.”
“Rineh, do you like him?”
Aristine came to a stop at that question and turned at Launelian.
Seeing the look on her face, Launelian laughed. “You are all grown up, my little sister.”
His laugh was tinged with a hint of pride and regret.
“But won’t it be better to go back to Silvanus? Think of your body.”
At those words, Aristine’s hand moved to her stomach.
The strange wave coursing through her body wouldn’t let her forget.
However, it still didn’t feel real.
The fact that she was pregnant.
‘In my stomach, a child for Khan and I…’
Just thinking about it made her heart feel full.
This feeling couldn’t be explained with simple words like happy or amazed.
‘Idiot, why aren’t you by my side at a time like this?’
She wondered how it would have felt to have Tarkan next to her when she found out she was pregnant.
What would he think?
She felt a little scared of becoming a parent without any preparation.
A sudden, unexpected event that would change her life.
But it was lovely.
The fact that she was becoming a mother still didn’t feel real.
‘But I must already love you.’
Aristine rubbed her flat stomach.
As if in response, a soft wave spread through her body. The wave brought both joy and sadness to her.
Launelian’s words were lodged in her mind.
Since it was child conceived with ‘authority’, there were a few things that she needed to give birth safely.
“I know it too.”
Aristine slowly began to walk.
“But I will feel anxious if I leave without seeing his face, so just until Khan comes back…”
“Who knows when he will return. From what I heard, the demonic beast subjugation is an expedition that takes quite a while to complete.”
“But—.”
“Rineh, I cannot give in on this. It concerns your health. And the child in your belly too.”
When he mentioned the baby as well, Aristine couldn’t remain stubborn any longer.
The worst outcome would be if something bad happened to both her and the baby.
“Alright.”
Her response seemed to relieve Launelian, and he smiled.
He patted his sister on the shoulder, “Don’t worry. I will talk to Prince Tarkan.”
They would have such a good talk.
Launelian smiled inwardly.
The bastard who dared to steal his sister’s heart needed to pay a suitable price.
* * *
“Our Rineh is here.”
Nephther was beaming with smiles as he greeted Aristine.
He was already fond of Aristine, but today, he was especially happy with her.
‘He must be satisfied since I successfully completed my work on the demonic beast plains.’
The situation was parallel to that a General who returned after distinguishing themselves in war.
Aristine returned the smile and greeted him back.
“Royal father, I have returned after completing my work at the demonic beast plains. I apologize for the delay in my report as I was recovering from the travel.”
“Hm? Oh, right.”
Nephther nodded as if he just remembered.
Aristine tilted her head. Wasn’t that why he was so welcoming?
“I’ve already received the report you sent so there’s no need to come in person. Your body must feel heavy as it is. Come, come, have a seat.”
Nephther rose from his seat and helped Aristine with his own hands.
Seeing that, Aristine realized.
‘Ah, he must have heard about the pregnancy.’
It came as no surprise that such news had entered the ears of the King.
When Nephther took Aristine’s arm, Launelian, who had been supporting Aristine, narrowed his eyes sharply.
He tightened his grip around his sister’s shoulder.
Nephther didn’t back down either.
He smiled and tried to quietly shake off Launelian’s arm.
Crackle.
Bright lightning seemed to flash between the two of them.
“…”
Aristine smiled tiredly as his arms were captured on both sides.
Why were they acting like this?
It might be the era of peace, but the battle of pride between nations still existed. Was this how friction between nations was fought?
‘Do as you like but leave me out of it.’
Wow its my first time being 1st😆…thankss for translating ruby💙💙💙..
I don’t understand why to leave the country where many ppl love and adore her heck even worship her and go back to the country that treats her like crap, I don’t think that’s safe for you or the baby, or is she trying to put an end to the king before he wages another war? or help her brother wouldn’t be easier with the help of her husband, then again if he intruded it may be considered war but they could find other ways, I also think if it became known that aristine was a reason for war the point of view of people to her will change so I understand, even if the king likes her the queen will find a way to make it wors like mentioned before (maybe she wants o end this faster and help her bother to the throne so her baby will be born in a better environment
At first big bro just wanted to take her back and she said no, but I think that the reason why she accepted this time has to do with the baby. It probably has powers like rineh and giving birth like the way ordinary people do it is risky hence she needs somethings from silvanus ( I don’t know what tho… like is it a person or a tool) for the baby’s sake…but I don’t like the idea of her leaving without seeing khan first… what if he misinterprets it…. I don’t know if I’ve misinterpreted what you said..bt I do agree that it’s not safe at all.
not me with the worst grammar ever hearts to you if you understand one bit
niceeee
Thank you so much for the update, Miss Ruby❤️
You’re the best Mss.ruby thanks so much for it ❤️🔥❤️🔥
This is probably going to be an unpopular opinion, but I am over/not like this brother. He Infantilizes her, treats her as though she is incompetent and or incapable of knowing whT she wants and needs, treats the people that obviously care for her like enemies even after they show her good will and (to me at least) is using her new pregnancy as a tool to get what he wants and thinks is best for her. If she needs something spacific there is enough time for him to get it from silvanis to her he would not need to take her back to a country where she is hated and her life is in danger. Even if he plans to take her to the north that is loyal to him it would still be easier for her horrid bio father to send assasins there than to send them to where she is now. Cause you bet you bum he’s gonna up his assassination tactics the moment he finds out she is pregnant. That or try to kidnap the baby if he finds out it’s has special powers which would also be easier to find out and take care of in Silvanis
now what exactly do they need from silvanius? regardless of his intentions, he should respect her will. her husband doesn’t even know she’s pregnant!!
hahahaha. i can’t still forget what she did to tarkan and himell when they’re arguing with her in the middle. 🤣🤣🤣
thanks for the chapter.