“Did you see the view from the castle trees once you finally climbed them?” he asked. “You can see all of Elzeria sprawling out over the castle walls.”
“Elzeria…? No, I was so happy about getting to the top, I didn’t even think to take in the view.”
“I see… Well, I guess it’s the exact same view you see from the second floor or higher in the castle. But when I climbed that tree, I saw it for the first time because of my own strength. That made me realize that I needed to straighten out my act. The last time we played together, do you remember what I said to you from the top of the tree?”
“No, I don’t…”
“‘One of us is going to rule over everything you can see from up here.’ I was really proud of those words. But you just kept crying. You told me you were too scared to rule the country and that you didn’t want to be king.”
“I…said that?”
I had no memory of it, but I squeezed my fists, embarrassed that a member of royalty could ever say something so pathetic. My unwillingness to be king hadn’t changed even after all these years. I didn’t remember saying those things to Big Brother, but I knew he wasn’t lying.
“That’s why I decided to become the king in your place,” he said. “I didn’t want my adorable little brother to go through even more fear because of me, so I decided to be the big brother you needed and make sure you would never have to be king.”
“It was for me…?”
I was completely lost for words. I’d always assumed that Big Brother wanted the throne for his own self-interest. I thought he was after power like she was. Then, once I heard what happened between him and Elder Sister, I decided he probably wanted to make it up to her by working really hard.
But…all of that work was for my sake, too?
“Although that motivation changed once I got engaged to Estellise, so I forgot all about it until now.”
So I got all emotional for nothing… When I scowled, Big Brother smiled at me. It was that same compassionate smile he used to give me when we were kids.
“You asked me if you were unworthy of being by my side, but I didn’t understand what you meant. There’s never been a moment that I didn’t feel your presence here with me, after all. You’ve worked so hard to be my equal and rival me for the throne, I forgot my initial motivations just trying to keep up with you,” he admitted.
“I… I’m not…”
I’m not worthy of praise—not like you make it sound. I was only doing what I had to do to bring more people into my life, hoping to ease the loneliness of being abandoned by my brother.
“I’m the older brother, so I’ve been working hard to take the lead and stay one step ahead of you. But you were always just on the verge of catching up to me the second I let my guard down. You’ve been the rival at my side ever since we were little, always trying to surpass me. I wanted to prove that I was strong, too. That’s why I did so many reckless things, even though I knew they were dangerous.”
With that, Big Brother smiled a bit sadly. It was the same smile he used to get when I carried out one of his absurd dares back when we were kids. I always thought he was just annoyed by me taking so long, but I was wrong. It was an anxious smile—anxious that his little brother would never let him get too far ahead.
Big Brother turned to look at the ocean, so I couldn’t see his face.
“I don’t know what’s troubling you so badly, Rutherford, but you should be more confident. You’re the Adelberd’s little brother. You’re the foe I’ve had to fight off since we were children. You’re incredibly strong! I want you to stand at my side with your head held high, Rutherford Elzeria!”
When he said my name so firmly, I stood up as straight as a rod. I’d felt like I was on the verge of collapsing in on myself, but Big Brother’s words granted me a newfound spine of steel.
“…Big Brother!”
He had been watching me all along. I’d always been there in his life, even if I didn’t feel like it. I wasn’t alone. I was never alone.
Suddenly, my vision started to blur. The sparkling ocean was almost too bright to look at. I desperately tried to wipe the tears away with my sleeve while I cried out in a trembling voice, “You’re right…! Big Brother…!”
“…Would you like my handkerchief?” Siraiya quietly called out to me when he saw me staining my shirt with tears.
“Shut up! I told you, I don’t need your pity!”
“Yes, it is pity this time.”
“You little…!”
I couldn’t grab him by the collar while maintaining my balance on the branch. Fortunately, the anger I felt toward my rival in love made my tears dry up.
“You act as if nothing gets to you, but you see me as your rival for Lady Cynthia’s heart, don’t you?! Why don’t we stop with these games and tell each other what we’re really after!” I challenged him.
“You want me to be honest…?”
“It’s all right, Siraiya. I’ll allow you to show disrespect toward the royal family right now, so don’t hold back.”
Siraiya was conflicted. But when Big Brother interjected, I could tell he was amused.
“All right… In that case, I’ll be completely honest.”
Siraiya knew to behave around royalty. He’d proven that he felt animosity toward me but stopped short of insulting me or putting his anger on full display. But that changed with Big Brother’s permission. I glared at Siraiya, a bit nervous about what sort of venom he would unleash at me.
“Honestly… I don’t see you as my rival, Prince Rutherford.”
“…Excuse me? What the hell do you mean?! Are you saying I’m not good enough to be your rival?!”
“I am. Cynthia isn’t interested in boys as young as you. I’m certain she doesn’t see you as a man yet. When she looks at you, it’s the exact same way she looks at young children.”
“Wh-wh-wh…?”
What do you mean? That can’t possibly be true! I wanted to shout that at him, but I couldn’t do it. Cynthia treated me with compassion and warmth…exactly like she would if I were a much younger kid.
“Urk…!” I let out a grunt and hung my head. There was nothing else I could do. “Damn it… You don’t even see me as your rival…?”
All this time, I’d thought Siraiya and I were fighting each other for Lady Cynthia’s heart. But I was nothing more than a nuisance in Siraiya’s eyes. That newfound sense of confidence was instantly wiped away.
“Well, I do think of you as a threat,” he added.
“Don’t try to cheer me up!”
“No, I mean it. I have to be on guard around you, just like Prince Adelberd. You’ll probably be Cynthia’s type once you’re older. That future scares me so much that it made me jealous for the first time in my life. You’re a menacing man, Rutherford Elzeria.”
“You… You think… I’m menacing…?”
I’d never been called that before. Like a child, I repeated the unfamiliar word.
“That’s a compliment, Rutherford. Siraiya Brooke, the youngest duke in Elzerian history, sees you as a threat. I’d expect nothing less of my little brother. You’re still a kid, but you’ve accomplished great things.”
“Yes, you’re clearly skilled enough to build up an entire faction around you, even at such a young age. You stand out from your peers. Even though you’re still a child, I can’t let my guard down around you.”
“Stop treating me like a little kid! I know you’re doing that on purpose!”
I didn’t know whether they were praising me or poking fun at me, but either way, I was proud to hear such capable men approving of things I’d done. When I looked back out at the glittering ocean, a cool, refreshing sensation swelled in my chest.
“You’ll see. I’m going to grow up in no time…”
I muttered under my breath, realizing that I couldn’t remember the last time I looked forward to the future. A smile had formed on my face before I could even stop it.