At these words, Alexei suddenly put his hand on his chest.
“I see. I have felt pain here…”
Was that loneliness?
Ekaterina tilted her head and placed her hand over Alexei’s with a concerned look.
“You have been lonely for so long that you don’t even know how lonely you are.”
“Yes…perhaps. I feel like I’ve been holding it here ever since Grandfather passed away, that is, until I met you.”
Muttering, Alexei looked around. The world that had been gray and hazy was taking shape in the evening darkness and the faint light of the stars.
“So this was the Imperial Castle.”
“The Imperial Castle?”
Ekaterina, who had never been to the Imperial Castle, looked disappointed. It was a far cry from the image of an imperial castle, so it was understandable.
This was the shadow of a staircase in the Imperial Castle.
“I had a friend a long time ago. This was where I first met him…”
Ekaterina gently grasped Alexei’s hand as he muttered.
“You must have really cared for him because Big Brother is not a person who cares for others very much. For that reason, once you have put your trust in someone, no matter how the relationship changed, you won’t ever truly abandon them.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, I know. I would go further and say that Big Brother is very selective in his choices. From a very young age, he was surrounded by a well-distinguished entourage that Grandfather recruited. It is no wonder that children of your age are no match for you. If such a Big Brother considered him a friend, he must have been an excellent person.”
Perhaps because she was in a dream, Ekaterina seemed less reserved than usual. It was hard to argue with her when he was told that he was very judgmental of people.
“Yes, maybe. He was called a prodigy. Even then, he always had a shy expression and felt insecure… and his personality made me want to protect him, which I did.”
“Big Brother is one who protects the person he puts in his mind by adoring them with everything he got, right? Mikhail-sama is also an excellent person, but he is a ruler. He knew since he was a child that he should not let anyone into his heart. That is why Big Brother was the first person whom he let into his mind…”
“Now I have you already. It was foolish of me to look for him when you are the one I should love and protect with everything I have.”
“You used to come here all the time, when you were lonely. It’s the way your heart works.”
Alexei smiled.
“You seem to understand everything.”
Ekaterina then pouted her lips a bit.
“That’s because this is Big Brother’s dream, and he thinks I’m like that. I’m not really this perceptive.”
“I see.”
Alexei broke off and touched Ekaterina’s lips with his fingertips.
“Still, you seem to be the real Ekaterina. I have never seen such a lovely expression on your face. You have shown me your pouty face before, but your face is even lovelier now. My dear Ekaterina.”
“Oh my, Big Brother!”
Ekaterina smiled broadly.
“How’s your trip? Any dangers or inconveniences?”
“Nothing at all. Nothing unexpected, but I’ve learned a lot from Sir Forli, seen and heard some unusual things, and had a good time along the way. How has Big Brother been? You must have had a hard time, for you must have missed me.”
Alexei smiled, placing one hand on her sister’s cheek as her face turned worried.
“I wonder how you’ve been. I’m so happy now that I can look at you, I forgot.”
“Oh Big Brother.”
Alexei hugged Ekaterina, who smiled again.
