Chapter 18 - 18

I was curious.

Why do they stay loyal even though he treats them like this? Even Noah there immediately ran to me for Roxidian's sake.

"What's with that unpleasant look?"

"...No, I was just thinking you have a way with people."

Then Roxidian chuckled.

That smile, as he closed and opened his eyes, turned cold and mocking.

"Maybe. But it seems I have no luck with family."

...If he says that with me, his sister, present, is he insulting me?

I listened with a strange expression.

Come to think of it, mentioning family naturally brought another thought to mind.

Wait, this person and I are siblings, after all? And although he's a tyrant, he's the emperor of a country.

'...He must have a lot of money, right?'

I lifted my head.

"I have one question."

"What? What is it?"

"Do you have a lot of money?"

"..."

Not understanding the intent of my question, his handsome face crumpled slightly.

Honestly, after seeing my fiance's face, I thought no handsome man would impress me, but this one is an exception.

As befits a male protagonist, he flaunted his good looks.

Moreover, he was handsome in a raw, rough way, different from my fiance who is divinely beautiful.

"I came, and the madness stopped, right?"

"So?"

"So, since it stopped because I came, pay me a price."

Having stopped the madness, isn't this the perfect candidate to borrow money from?

Based on my formula 'Tyrant = must have a lot of money', I smiled brightly.

"That's a ridiculous thing to say."

"What?"

"Rather, I should be the one charging you, since I had to show an embarrassing side to my vassal because of you."

I was dumbfounded. Vassal? Who saw?

"What are you talking about? Who saw?"

"Him."

"Ah."

Roxidian pointed at Noah, and my gaze also turned to Noah.

Suddenly receiving our gazes, Noah looked briefly troubled.

"You saw last time too. What are you talking about now?"

"I'm embarrassed. Being seen like that!"

"That's too harsh! This is like asking for a reward after saving a drowning man!"

Are you a gangster or what? You are a gangster, right? As my voice rose in frustration, the tyrant glared at me.

I got a little scared and lowered my eyes.

Though I have the necklace as a means, the memory of him pointing the sword at me is still vivid.

"If this is how it's going to be, I won't need your help in the future."

When the tyrant declared this, I was speechless.

But since I was struggling to find a way to get money, I couldn't miss this opportunity.

I insisted that I saved a person, asking if he was going to be petty about saving a precious subordinate.

Amazingly, none of this worked.

'...Is he a tyrant not just because of violence and madness, but because he's impossible to communicate with?'

Instead, Noah looked at me with an apologetic expression.

Eventually, I gave up insisting and changed tactics.

'From what I see, he doesn't dislike me.'

The standard for 'dislike' here is my fiance's attitude towards me.

At least he doesn't look at me with genuine dislike or hatred like that fiance.

"Alright. I'll give up on getting a price. I'll give up, so can you do me one favor?"

For the first time, curiosity tinged the face of Roxidian, who had been stubbornly obstinate until now.

"What?"

"Lend me some money."

Then Roxidian paused.

His face frowned slightly, and a strange look crossed it.

This brother tilted his head.

"Money? What are you talking about? Get money from your rich maternal grandfather."

"...He's your maternal grandfather too, isn't he?"

Then my brother chuckled coldly.

"I don't have a maternal grandfather."

"..."

"If necessary, someone who would discard even their grandson, a backstabber. I don't need such a person."

It wasn't a whining complaint, but a very firm and cold voice.

Feeling I had touched a nerve, I clamped my mouth shut and subtly rolled my eyes.

'I knew the tyrant and the Duke of Altsbeit had a bad relationship, but it's beyond imagination...'

Is it because, despite being family, they are the heads of the Imperial faction and the noble faction?

Judging by this brother's attitude, he doesn't even seem to consider him family.

"What, did you cause another incident and get your allowance cut off from Altsbeit?"

A look of pity crossed Roxidian's eyes as he looked at me.

He seems to have misunderstood that I caused trouble and can't use money.

"And even if I give you money, you'll probably just waste it."

"What do you mean?"

"It's obvious you'd spend it on luxury and never pay it back. I won't be fooled."

"How do you know when I've never borrowed from you before?"

"Last time your allowance was cut off, you seduced one of the high priests, extorted money, and ran away. Do you remember the Imperial Family cleaning up that mess?"

"..."

That's a bit unfair. It wasn't me...

But with this body, I obediently closed my mouth.

'He's stubborn.'

Anyway, the purpose of calming the madness for which Noah brought me had been achieved. I was about to leave, but...

"You need to be sent somewhere where the concept of money is properly ingrained. Since the Child family is the most decent among those who have sent marriage proposals, go there instead."

'If my lie to Grandfather is discovered, he'll definitely find me a new, wealthy fiance.'

Then it's obviously a death ending. My grandfather's words came back to me, and I couldn't move.

Regrettably, this brother in front of me was the lifeline I could hold onto.

"Then what if I have collateral?"

I grabbed the necklace around my neck.

"I'll give you this necklace as collateral, so lend me some money."

Roxidian's expression hardened.

No, his characteristic playful mischief vanished.

He stared at me intently, as if finally realizing something was strange.

"Did you kill someone?"

"No?"

"Well, even if you killed someone, Altsbeit would probably cover it up."

"I didn't kill anyone."

As befits a tyrant, even his example is grim.

I lightly shook the necklace in my hand.

"So, will you lend it to me? Isn't this really necessary?"

"..."

I took the necklace off completely and shook it.

Roxidian, who had been staring at me, gestured.

"Hey, Noah. You grab that."

"Pardon? Yes. Your Majesty."

"And try doing what she does."

Noah muttered the keyword quietly with a somewhat serious expression, but nothing happened to Roxidian.

'When I recalled Charlize's memories, I expected only I could use it.'

Roxidian seemed to have expected it too, as he didn't look disappointed.

I got the necklace back from Noah.

"Why give it back? Even if not Noah, couldn't you just hold it and shout yourself? Not sure if it'll work."

"Even if I take that necklace, will I be able to see it when the madness strikes?"

That's true. Since the madness makes you completely lose your mind.

"Then leave it with Noah. He's your aide."

"...Would I entrust something like this to someone else? And seeing that only you can use it, are you stupid enough to say that? Are you really stupid?"

"Why do you sound so confrontational?"

"You try doing state affairs. You're constantly on edge."

I was speechless. I didn't expect such a sensible remark from Roxidian.

Maybe because of these words, his face seemed a little tired, too.

But that aside, Roxidian continued to mock my suggestions as stupid, and eventually, my anger flared up.

After rejecting my repeated requests, Roxidian brushed his hair back.

"Don't you know that you shouldn't do money transactions with family?"

My mouth, which had been asking, paused.

Perhaps because I saw him drawing a firm line just moments ago, saying the Duke of Altsbeit isn't family, my mood became subtle.

At the same time, I was dumbfounded.

So you do consider me family?

"...Alright, since you put it that way, Brother."

I straightened my posture. Deciding to see it through since it had come this far, I bowed my head deeply.

The surroundings became quiet.

"I'm asking you, I desperately need money right now."

Seeing my fiance change like this would be like suicide.

I don't regret helping the flood victims. But I can't just die like this, can I?

"Please, lend it to me."

"...What do you need it for?"

"It's a secret."

I answered that if the reason for needing money was necessary for lending, I'd tell, but no answer came. I quickly added.

"I'll tell you if it's necessary for lending."

"No, it's fine."

Breaking the brief silence, Roxidian spoke.

"I'll lend it to you."

I lifted my head.

"But, there's a condition."

"...What condition?"

Not cool. But feeling grateful, I composed my expression.

Roxidian held up his fingers.

At the same time, his rough, handsome face broke into a ferocious smile.

"Abandon Altsbeit and become an Imperial."

"...Huh?"

I blinked. Because it was a condition I hadn't expected at all.