“In other words, you can measure their loyalty to Big Brother by their attitude towards me. I am happy to be of service to you, Big Brother, and I hope you will tell me more about the Dukedom during our stay on the ship. I will not tolerate anyone who disrespects the Big Brother, not even those of our own family and certainly not by those who serve our family.” (Ekaterina)
After thanking the captain and crew for their hospitality, Big Brother and I disembarked from the ship.
We have stepped foot in the territory of the Dukedom of Yurinova. The breeze felt colder than in the imperial capital, as we had traveled far to the north. There were buildings lined up along the banks of the tributaries. They looked different from those in the imperial capital. They had an atmosphere similar to Switzerland and Scandinavia in my previous life, with the extensive use of wood and bricks on the exterior.
In the memory of my previous life, the scenery was exotic.
It was also nostalgic.
Although, I had been living a not-so-happy life in the duke’s villa for a long time. Even the wind, the color of the sky, and the greenery of the surrounding mountains felt deeply familiar to my body. It was the first time I had returned to my hometown since the memories of my previous life returned to me, and it was a strange feeling. After all, this was my hometown in this life.
Wow! The discrepancy between the sensations of my previous life and this life could be a dangerous signal, right? I must be careful not to collapse and get myself locked up as I did after the entrance ceremony!
3rd Person POV
“Ekaterina, are you okay?”
Ekaterina came to herself when Alexei gently took her hand.
“I’m fine, Big Brother. I missed the scent of the wind, and I just got a little fuzzy.”
“I see.”
Alexei gently stroked his sister’s hair.
“It takes a whole day by carriage from here to the territory’s capital. We’ll stay overnight on the way and go slowly, but if you’re not feeling well, tell me right away.”
“Yes, um, Big Brother …please hold my hand.”
The similarity between my previous life and this life was my love for Big Brother!
So if I stick with Big Brother and concentrate on helping him and break Big Brother’s overworked flag, there should be no chance of being locked up.
Alexei’s mouth relaxed.
Then he wrapped his hands around his sister’s slender hands.
“I won’t give you a hard time again. I will protect you all the time.”
“Big Brother…”
Oh, Big Brother, no.
This was because of the trauma of my imprisonment or anything related to it.
I’m sorry. Please forgive me for being a pain of a sister, with my past life experiences locking me in place.
“I’m not afraid of anything, as long as you keep doing this. I know I’m helpless, but I’m going to protect Big Brother, so he doesn’t have to go through that pain again.”
“Thank you, you sweet child.”
Alexei chuckled.
Then he looked up and called out behind Ekaterina.
“Looks like you guys have less work to do, my knights.”
“No change for the Young Lady. You are so brave sometimes, even with that delicate appearance.”
An austere-sounding voice replied.
“Eh?” said Ekaterina, turning around wide-eyed.
“Rozen-sama!”
Rozen, a handsome man with iron-gray hair and mustache, Commander of the Knights of Yurinova, stood at attention with a group of knights standing in neat rows.
Rozen marched up and stood at attention in front of Alexei and Ekaterina, straightening his back and bowing with his fists to his chest.
He and the other knights were not dressed in formal attire, but in everyday attire, unlike when the imperial family was on their way to the palace. Unlike formal wear, they were worn, faded, and covered with scratches, making them recognizable as warriors.
“Your Excellency, Young Lady, we congratulate you on your return.”
“It was a splendid welcome.”
Alexei responded briefly.
