Chapter 26: Loose Tongue

‘Is he aware that he’s bringing up his brother a little too often?’ Urien wondered. ‘Still, if he cares about him this much, why don’t they have a better relationship with each other?’

To ask or not to ask. Urien wondered if he should show his consideration for Rodrick here, or to satiate his curiosity. After weighing between the two options, he decided that the latter would be better, if only just to get rid of the itching irritation from not knowing. And so, after they arrived at Rodrick’s quarter, he immediately proposed an idea to him.

“You should say that to Lord Theobald, Lord Rodrick. He’ll be happy.”

Of course, Urien didn’t know if Theobald would actually be happy if his brother praised him for being a good shooter. Actually, even he himself realized that those words sounded half-hearted.

Sure enough, a frown appeared on Rodrick’s brows as he asked, “What’s with those half-hearted words?”

“I was only telling the truth. He’ll be pleased hearing compliments from you, Lord Rodrick.”

“Urien, you know that I can tell you aren’t sincere when saying that, right?”

“Huh?”

“Your smile practically tells me, ‘I’m just talking nonsense’.”

‘Is that so?’ This was something Urien hadn’t realized. His expression seemed to show more of his inner thoughts than expected.

“Nope, you’re just imagining things.” Urien said before he barged into Rodrick’s study. “Hey!” The latter’s surprised voice came from behind him, but he ignored it.

Inside, Urien turned his gaze to the desk.

“…”

But, before he could do anything, Rodrick had already grabbed his wrist.

“Don’t barge in without permission.”

“…’Kay.”

Rodrick asked Urien to leave his study and he just nodded obediently. But, it was clear that he wasn’t upset or anything. Without mentioning the fact that Urien had seen what was on his deck, Rodrick entered his study, leaving Urien outside.

After a while, he came back and allowed Urien to come inside. When they got inside again, there wasn’t anything on the desk.

An old coat was hanging on the chair—this and the rest of the room stayed the same, just the desk, which had been filled with various things had been swept clean. Of course, Urien didn’t say anything about it and instead continued what he was talking about before with a, “So…”

“Why didn’t you tell him that? While you’re at it, you should ask him to go hunt together, Lord Rodrick.”

“And why would I do that again?”

“Don’t you want to?”

Urien walked in a different direction from him, so he couldn’t see Rodrick’s face. But, he did hear the sound of the chair being pulled, so he could tell that Rodrick was sitting down as they spoke.

“He’ll feel uncomfortable for sure.”

Rodrick didn’t deny his words, but instead told him what his younger brother would feel.

Urien stopped walking and stared up at the lined up book on the shelf.

“Why do you think so?”

“Because we don’t talk to each other often. It’s been years since the last time.”

“Why don’t you two just talk? Aren’t you brothers?”

Urien couldn’t see Rodrick’s face.

But for some reason, he could imagine his expression turned dark.

“…Long time ago, on the night when I first killed someone… He tried to talk to me.”

Urien’s lips parted slightly as he held his breath.

“But I ignored him.”

Maybe it was because Urien had seen what was on his deck, Rodrick’s lips were looser than usual as he started to recount the past.

Just as Urien couldn’t see his face, he couldn’t see Urien’s either.

Not that Urien wanted to show his face.

After a short pause, Rodrick continued. His voice was filled with resignation and regret.

“I left the household to him and forced him to put up with it.”

Apparently, both their parents died when they were young.

The previous Duke Edel was killed in battle back when Theobald was 10 and Rodrick was 15, while the duchess died when Theobald was 12.

Rodrick was 17 back then.

“Theobald…”

From a young age, Theobald learned how to manage the estate under the chief butler instead of attending the Royal Academy like nobles his age. Though it was wartime and the atmosphere wasn’t exactly that good, the presence of their mother kept the estate’s atmosphere cheerful and bright. Thanks to that, Theobald was still able to smile.

But, after both their parents passed, Theobald was robbed of his childhood as Rodrick, his own elder brother, forced him to mature and grow up.

“I pushed him too hard. I never once acted like an elder brother to him.”

Rodrick went to his first battlefield at the age of 13. By the time the first ceasefire happened, he had already reached the age of 22 and had spent most of his time on the battlefield.

During that time, all household matters were left in Theobald’s hands.

Rodrick recounted his story calmly, in a low and a rather dark tone, but such a tone was normal for him.

“I should’ve ended the war sooner.”

Urien randomly pulled out a book and walked towards Rodrick.

He imagined that shades would be covering Rodrick’s face, but the shades were actually being chased away by the lamplight. His profile was devoid of emotion, but it didn’t diminish his fair face, nor did it made his large stature seem smaller. In contrast to his body, he continued in a small voice.

“I made him lead such a difficult life.”

“That’s good, actually.”

“…What?”

Rodrick looked up.

His expressionless face was gone, replaced by one that was filled with surprise and suspicion.

Rodrick had thought of Urien as a man who’d say ‘nonsense,’ hence why the latter thought that it wouldn’t matter even if he were to say what he had in mind freely.

“It’s good that you made Lord Theobald’s life difficult.”

“…Why?”

“Because thanks to that, you two survived.”

“…”

Rodrick’s expression changed again. His golden eyes quickly turned calm.

Now, his expression became somewhat more relaxed, but also more serious. After a few seconds of silence, he muttered.

“I see.”

At that, Urien said, “I’ll borrow this book,” while shaking the book in front of his chest.

Rodrick nodded with a, “…Mm,” before standing up.

They then left the study, with Rodrick opening the door for Urien. When he closed the door, he suddenly said, “There’s something I want to ask you.”

“What is it?”

“Theobald’s birthday is coming up soon.”

“Yeah?”

“Ask him if there’s anything that he wants.”

‘He should just ask him himself.’ Though Urien thought that, he knew that the other man just couldn’t bring himself to do it, so he had no choice but to nod with a “Sure.”

“But I’ll tell him that it’s you who’s asking.”

“Why?”

Rodrick narrowed his eyes, shocked.

“There’s no need to.”

“But, I wanna say it.”

“Why?”

“Because I have a loose tongue.”

“…”

His shameless answer left Rodrick stunned, but he couldn’t say anything in return. In the end, he just said, “That’s nothing to be proud of…” in a weak tone. Feeling sorry for him, Urien said, “I was just joking,” but that didn’t ease Rodrick’s lips, which had tensed in fear.

Urien then let out a light smile and asked, “By the way, want me to peel that fruit for you?” Rodrick then replied, “I really hope that you were just joking,” and handed the fruit in his hand in resignation.

*   *   *

“Tet, is there anything you want?”

“What’s with this, all of a sudden?”

“Your birthday’s coming up soon, no?”

“Yes, but what’s that have to do with anything?”

“Lord Rodrick’s asking.”

When Urien brought that topic up during the teatime, the younger brother asked in confusion.

“Elder brother is?”