Chapter 154 - 2-36 Louis's Perspective
After parting with Theodore, I headed to the training grounds to meet Count Milicier. However, someone was already there. The figure stood with his back to me, swinging a sword. Each movement caused his blonde hair—the same shade as mine—to sway. As I approached, he noticed me and lowered his sword.
"Brother..."
The person calling me brother was Alberic, my younger brother by two years. He looked at me and furrowed his brow in distaste. "You’re still practicing the sword, I see."
"Does that surprise you?"
Alberic, still scowling, sat down heavily on a bench. He let out a self-deprecating laugh as he removed his glasses, wiped his face roughly with a towel, and put them back on. "Are you finished for the day? Count Milicier is coming soon; why don't you join us?"
"I’ll pass."
As he began to pack his things, I spoke to him again. He stood up and turned back to me sharply. "Honestly... what has gotten into you?"
"What do you mean? Can't a brother want to spend time with his sibling?"
"I haven't the slightest idea what you’re talking about. You’re welcome to go back to ignoring me as usual."
Alberic let out a long sigh and turned away, clearly annoyed. This is the first time I’ve seen Alberic since coming to this world.
My brother was a scholar at heart. I often saw him rushing about with stacks of encyclopedias and documents. Currently, he was a student at the academy while conducting research, and he planned to pursue a doctorate in pharmacy after graduation. In my world, Alberic’s knowledge and advice were invaluable to me, and he often assisted me with administrative duties now that our relationship had improved.
But the relationship between the Louis and Alberic of this world was different. I shrugged at the prickly atmosphere he radiated. "You’ve improved quite a bit. You must be practicing every day."
"What? Is that a sarcastic remark?"
"Sarcasm? Not at all. I’m genuinely impressed by how much better you’ve become."
As a child, Alberic had been quiet and loved books. He used to want to study or practice the sword with me, seeking my attention. But having been raised separately from my siblings, I didn't understand family affection or why he was so fixated on me. Alberic must have felt that, and eventually, he gave up on trying to be close to me. Unlike me, who genuinely enjoyed swordsmanship, Alberic preferred academic pursuits. Yet, until our rift was healed in my world, he never missed a day of practice. I had found that strange and asked him about it once.
He had replied: It frustrated me that you had absolutely no interest in me. To me, you were always the perfect, admirable older brother. I thought if I could get closer to your level, you might finally take an interest in me, so I practiced the sword every day even though I hated it. Looking back, I suppose it was a waste of time.
The Alberic of my world had told me that with an awkward expression. His honesty made me feel both grateful for his admiration and guilty for my past coldness. After assisting you with your work for the past few years, I’ve realized just how much you struggle to understand people’s feelings. But... knowing that you wanted my help and that you have your own flaws made me feel much more relaxed. Because of that, I was able to finally quit the swordsmanship I was so obsessed with.
Recalling the refreshed look on his face then made the Alberic of this world look even more stifled. While the Alberic of my world had quit a year ago, this one was still diligently practicing every day. "If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be going."
I grabbed his shoulder as he tried to leave, feeling the solid muscle beneath his clothes. When I caught his hand as he tried to shake me off, I noticed his palm was calloused and hardened. "These are the hands of a swordsman... You really are a hard worker."
"What are you doing?"
Alberic’s shoulders shook with surprise as he glared at me. Seeing him act so prickly reminded me of the Alberic from my world a few years ago, and I couldn't help but smile. Alberic’s eyes widened in shock. "Are you... truly my brother?"
"Who else would I be?"
"No... I asked a strange question. Excuse me."
He awkwardly avoided my gaze, and I let out a soft breath. This brother of mine really did observe me closely. This time, I watched him leave in silence. Alberic looked back once as if searching for something, tilted his head slightly, and turned to leave the training grounds.
However, at that exact moment, Count Milicier arrived. "Haha! Sorry I’m late!" his booming voice echoed as he entered. "Oh? Prince Alberic is here too? How rare. It’s good to see brothers getting along. Come, let’s begin the training!"
"No... I was just..."
Alberic was overwhelmed by the Count’s unstoppable momentum. The Count threw an arm around Alberic’s shoulder, completely clearing the heavy atmosphere between us. "Ah, it looks like you’ve already warmed up. Excellent, excellent!"
"No, wait... I’m not—"
Alberic practiced every day, but he was clearly uncomfortable around Count Milicier. He looked at me, silently pleading for help as he was pushed around. "Count Milicier, Alberic was—"
"Your Highness, time is limited! Why aren't you ready yet?"
The Count had already shifted into instructor mode, his face taking on a stern edge. I hurriedly prepared my sword. This man, famous as the "Demon Commander," underwent a total personality shift when it came to training. It was wiser to obey in silence than to face his wrath. I made a gesture of apology to Alberic, who shot me a look of pure exasperation. But he seemed to resign himself to his fate, letting out a long sigh as he put his things back on the bench and prepared his sword.