I Was Reborn as the Female Antagonist's Servant-Chapter 50 - 47 – The Princess’s New Story Place

The Princess looked at me, before her gaze returned to her Uncle in front.

He cleared his throat softly, reducing his nervousness—his hands clenched, covering his mouth.

"...Un-uncle." She glanced at me for a moment. "The one beside me is Touji. My new place to share my stories," she revealed.

"And it seems Uncle Fukuro already knows Touji. So there’s no need for further explanation."

Big Brother smiled faintly. He picked up the teacup on the table, brought it to his lips to drink. He placed the teacup back on the table. His gaze settled on the half-empty cup. The brownish tea stirred slightly, pushed by a gentle breeze. He looked at me, then back at the person in front of him. Smiling, wider.

"Thank goodness you are no longer alone, Princess Reina. I am happy you have found the friend you always dreamed of."

The Princess nodded, blushing shyly.

Big Brother looked at me. "...Touji. Do not disappoint Princess Reina. You are the one she trusts. So make sure you hold onto that trust forever. I, as your sword master, your Big Brother, and also the Princess’s Uncle, have high hopes for you. Do you remember that?" His tone was not loud. But his words were firm.

I nodded. My body straightened, ready. "I understand, Big Brother. I will do my best as a Personal Servant, and also as a friend to My Lady," I stated firmly.

The Princess’s gaze lowered further. Her hands clenched in silence. And her warm smile was hidden behind the hair that covered her face.

Big Brother laughed heartily at my answer, as was his characteristic. Especially on his unwrinkled face, his expression became even clearer.

"GOOD, MY LITTLE BROTHER TOUJI! I AM PROUD OF YOU!"

He laughed again, stopping a few moments later.

Big Brother looked at both of us, alternating his gaze.

The Princess and I spoke without looking at him.

His sharp chin was raised, his fingers placed beneath it. He smiled faintly, without showing his teeth. His hand lowered.

"...I see you and Touji are already very close, aren’t you, Princess Reina? Has your relationship reached the point of engagement?" He chuckled, trying to joke. His arms were crossed.

I did not respond to his joke. I hadn’t expected Big Brother to joke like that. Usually, he always carried an impression of sternness and high authority. But, on the other hand, I also realized that someone like him had such a trait.

"TH-THAT’S NOT IT, UNCLE FUKURO!" the Princess shouted. Her gaze lowered deeply.

I glanced quickly at her, as did Big Brother.

"WE... We... are not what you think. We are not... engaged... en-ENGAGED!" The Princess’s face turned red. White smoke seemed to billow above her. She covered her face with her palms.

I saw the Princess like this again. Her face was as red as a heated pot. I looked on in surprise, while Big Brother grinned—showing his teeth at the corners of his lips.

"Is that so... Princess Reina. I understand... I understand..." Big Brother acted as if he understood the situation. From his gaze, there was something he would do with what he had just seen.

My Princess’s expression returned to normal afterward. She peeked at me from between her fingers. Her hands lowered when my face looked confused as I stared at her.

"S-sorry...." Her gaze fell back down. Her fingers played beneath the table.

I looked at her hands. That was one symptom of anxiety. I smiled faintly.

"Why apologize? You don’t need to apologize, My Lady. You haven’t done anything wrong. Even if you scold me, I won’t leave you. Because that is my duty as a Personal Servant, and also as a friend for you to talk to," I said.

She glanced at me. Her eyes seemed to ask for the truth. I nodded, smiling more sincerely. Her gaze lowered again. Her hands clenched under the table. A faint smile graced her face.

"...Alright, I understand," the Princess replied briefly. It sounded soft.

Big Brother looked at both of us. He smiled faintly. From his gaze, it was as if he was saying the trust he had given was not misplaced. His trust was now the best decision he had made during his life in the ’Mansion’.

***

In a rather spacious room. Sunlight streamed in from the window, lengthening and displaying an orange hue. The light fell on a long blue sofa facing each other, predominantly on the first sofa facing away from it. One person sat very politely, respecting the guest in front of him. And the other, positioned quite politely but still trying to equalize his position with the person in front of him. His arms were crossed, a faint smile on his face.

He looked around. "It’s been ten years since I last came here. Since Princess Reina was one year old, if I recall correctly." A man with white hair, blinding the eyes when a little orange light hit his hair—Fukuro. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"...What is your purpose in coming here, Sword Master Fukuro?" asked a man. His face was slightly wrinkled, worn by age. His long dark blue hair absorbed much of the light from behind him—the Duke. His fingers were clasped below.

Fukuro flinched. Realizing the purpose of his visit to the Duke’s room. "Oh, yes... I wanted to inform you of something, Shachi Karasachi," he revealed.

The Duke’s eyebrows furrowed. "What information?" he asked.

Fukuro leaned forward slightly. His eyes immediately focused on his interlocutor.

"...It seems, flowers will grow in the wrong garden again. Especially now, it’s black flowers," Fukuro whispered.

The Duke’s hands clenched tightly in silence. His gaze sharpened. He sighed deeply, calming his mood.

"...Is that so. I understand. Thank you for the information. Now, you may leave, Sword Master. I wish to be alone," the Duke stated.

Fukuro looked calmly. He nodded slowly, accepting what the person in front of him said. He stood up and left the room. At the open doorway, he passed an old-faced man—Razoru.

Fukuro glanced at the person beside him from the corner of his eye, then left calmly.

Razoru’s gaze followed the person who had just left. His gaze turned back, looking at the sullen-faced person in front of him.

"...Razoru." The Duke looked at the person far in front of him. "I want to tell you a story," the Duke revealed.

Razoru was silent for a moment. He nodded, responding to the Duke’s statement. Razoru walked quickly, heading towards one of the sofas in front of the Duke and sat down slowly.

Upon reaching there, the Duke immediately recounted what he had heard from Fukuro. Although it was quite brief, every word was meaningful. Fukuro nodded slowly, his fingers placed beneath his sharp chin, his gaze deep.

"...So, what should I do? The flowers will die if plucked immediately. Even gently. And it will surely hurt. You understand, don’t you...?" asked the Duke. His tone was authoritative, heavy. But a trace of sadness was hidden in every word.

Razoru could only nod. Responding with "Yes."

He looked at the person in front of him, narrowing his eyes slightly. "For that, Sir. How about we first observe the medium where the black flowers are planted? If it is about to be damaged, can’t we provide facilities so that the planting medium can be good? Don’t worry, Sir. I will try my best to be one of those facilities," Razoru said.

The Duke smiled after hearing Razoru’s answer. His burden seemed to disappear in an instant.

"As expected, telling problems to someone trusted can solve problems more easily," the Duke muttered.

Razoru could only nod, agreeing with his ’Sir’s’ opinion.

***

Four years passed so quickly.

My hands gripped the wooden sword I always used—a Katana.

My sword was thrusting towards a white-haired man—Big Brother. He held the hilt of his large sword with both hands. His gaze was fixed sharply on me.

I returned the look with a small smile, my gaze more serious than his. Our stances were ready on the concrete arena floor, which bore the marks of our attacks. There were thin and wide sword marks deeply embedded there. These were the remnants of our training over the last four years.

My vision was slightly obscured by my bangs. Light fell diagonally from the only ventilation above, stretching across the arena.

The corners of Big Brother’s lips rose, revealing his thin teeth. "OI, MY LITTLE BROTHER TOUJI! MAKE IT MORE SERIOUS THIS TIME! MY MUSCLES ARE STARTING TO WARM UP!" he shouted.

My smile widened, pleased with Big Brother’s statement.

"ALRIGHT, BIG BROTHER! I WILL SHOW YOU WHAT WARMING UP TRULY MEANS!" I shouted back, challenging him.

Big Brother became more animated. He smiled wider. From Big Brother’s mouth, he began to count down. On the third count, our stances were equally firm. On the second count, my sword grip tightened. I pulled my back leg slightly forward, preparing. And on the last count.

"ONE!"

I lunged like an arrow just released from its bow. Big Brother, with his stance, pressed the concrete floor firmly. He raised his sword behind his shoulder.

I drew my sword from the side. As our gazes met, both swords clashed with great force. Wood splinters flew into the air. Neither weapon was damaged. There, only a faint smile adorned the battle.