Chapter 6
The Big Bear
“Good morning, Lady Marie! What a beautiful morning it is today! Look at this!”
Ah, Helen… what a perfect morning indeed.
Ah, Helen… my angel.
It’s been two weeks since Big Brother’s Dangerous Operation. Since then, I’ve only shared a bed with Helen once. Of course, I didn’t lay a hand on her. I only kissed her lovely cheek once.
I think we’ve gotten a lot closer. After all, she now calls me “Lady Marie.” That nickname alone is enough to make me blush to the ears.
“Helen… today, too, you shine so brightly. Your smile outshines even the sun.”
“Oh, Lady Marie… then on rainy days, I must always be by your side smiling, mustn’t I?”
“Mmhhf!”
Ahh!! Helen!! What’s with that cuteness! I want to cling to those flushed cheeks!
“If rain means I can keep you close, then I hope it rains every day.”
“Lady Marie… that’s embarrassing.”
Helen… I’m about to get a nosebleed. Yes, I’m a pervert. I’m aware. And thus another ordinary day begins.
“Good morning, Marie.”
“Good morning, Father, Mother, Lord Leon.”
Since then, some things have changed.
When I stopped calling them Papa and Mama, my parents looked a little lonely.
I was finally given permission to use the stairs alone.
The relationship between my parents and Lord Leon has become closer and softer.
Even though our family bond has deepened, for some reason Lord Leon told me not to call him “Brother” anymore.
Am I… being a little excluded? No, don’t cry. Marie is a strong girl…
Another change is the seating at meals.
Before, my parents used to sit on either side of me, surrounding me in case I spilled food or tried to run away mid-meal. But now, they sit across the table, and Leon sits beside me.
It feels like things have fallen into their proper place.
My parents and Leon still chat at a relaxed pace—it seems they were always slow talkers.
After meals, our cozy chat time continues.
At lunch, the happy “Helen & Rufus Time” now includes Leon as well.
At first, the twins were nervous, but now they laugh softly and often. They’re so cute.
Now it’s post-lunch relaxation time in Leon’s room… and I face my current dilemma…
“Hey, Brother?”
“Leon.”
“…Lord Leon.”
“Marie? Listen properly. Come on, say it, Maria. Just Leon.”
“Big Brooootherrr~”
“Are you trying to be silly again? I’ll get angry, you know.”
“That would be troubling.”
“I’m the one who’s troubled.”
And there you have it. For some reason, Lord Leon won’t let me call him “Brother,” or even “Lord Leon.”
When I tried casually asking my parents about it, they gave me a warm smile and told me to just call him the way he wanted. What on earth did that ninja do to my parents…?
Right now he may be my brother, but one day he’ll return to the ducal house and become its heir.
There’s no way a mysterious silver chick like me could call him by name alone.
I get why he wouldn’t want to be clung to as “Brother” once he has a fiancée back at the ducal house. But for now, at least, isn’t it fine? If someone outside sees me calling him without honorifics, I’ll just look like an ill-mannered brat. Can’t I at least call him “Lord Leon” like a proper lady? What should I do…?
“Leon… sama.”
“I can’t answer to that. You can say my name properly, can’t you? You’re already a fine young lady.”
“A fine young lady wouldn’t call her brother by name.”
“Exactly—if I were a brother. But I’m not. You’re surprisingly childish in the most important ways. I’ll have to keep watch so no strange bugs swarm you.”
He sips his tea gracefully, eyes on me like he’s observing a chick.
Lately, Leon’s smiles aren’t the warm kind—they’re kind of scary. Even with that soft atmosphere, his presence is overwhelming, impossible to refuse. Truly, he’s the definition of an oshi—a pushy favorite.
“But… if I can’t call you Brother, then as a lady, I don’t think I should call a man by name either.”
“That’s a good answer. But look—Father and Mother call each other by name, don’t they?”
“That’s because they’re Father and Mother.”
“And that’s the right answer, Marie. I made a promise with them. It’s supposed to stay secret until I turn ten, but I want you to know sooner and become fully aware.”
“What do you mean?”
He’s acting all innocent, but I already know. On his tenth birthday, he’s returning to the ducal house.
“Hehe. Then here’s a hint. Right now, Marie, you’re holding a stuffed bear. But in two years, you’ll be holding something different.”
I tilt my head at the bear plush I’m clutching to shield myself from his gaze.
Nope, don’t get it. What does a duke have to do with stuffed bears?
“Hehe. And a few years later, you’ll be the one being held. Something to look forward to.”
“…Does that mean the bear gets bigger?”
Leon just laughed out loud, like he found it hilarious.
I really don’t get it. Maybe I’ll just get a bigger bear every birthday.
Ah, yes, that must be it. He’s in a Santa Claus mood. With his ninja skills, sneaking a bear onto my pillow would be easy.
“Well, I don’t really get it, but I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself, Lord Leon.”
“…Leon.”
“……”
And again, back to square one.
“You’re kind and warmhearted, Marie. You treat everyone with kindness, without discrimination. That’s a wonderful trait.”
“Eh? Oh… thank you.”
“But Marie, you’re also very beautiful, and your smile enchants everyone. When your eyes meet theirs, they’d all kneel before you.”
…Wait. Didn’t I just say something similar to Helen recently? As expected, blood-related or not, we really are siblings.
“That’s why, Marie. Sometimes you need to make distinctions. Yes, for me. Don’t lump me in with everyone else. Do you understand?”
“You mean… you want me to treat you specially?”
Leon set down his teacup and smiled sweetly.
“You’re very clever. Exactly. And that’s why you must call me by name. That’s non-negotiable. Final.”
“…If I don’t give in, this will never end.”
“Forever, huh… Yes. You and I, Marie, are forever.”
Exactly. Since Leon won’t budge, this isn’t just endless—it’s eternal. He’s incredibly stubborn.
If not as “Brother,” then maybe as a “friend,” at least until he returns to the ducal house, I guess it’s okay…
“…Leon.”
“Good girl, Maria.”
Leon stroked my head with the happiest smile I’ve seen from him in a while.
But… his eyes looked just a little scary.
“Big bro.”
“…Did you say something?”
“…Nope. Nothing.”
“…I see.”
That was seriously scary.
