The Story of a Modest Young Lady Who Formed a New Engagement the Day After Her Engagement Was Annulled - Chapter 30

Brother Fels is an absolutely wonderful person. Above all else, his muscles.

He is the person I, Livia Larkspur, fell in love with, and in the kingdom, he is called the “God of War” for his lion-like ferocity and heroic exploits on the battlefield. My first meeting with Brother Fels was over ten years ago.

The Larkspur Earldom and the Lotus Frontier Marquisate had become deeply connected families after the heads of house several generations ago hit it off well. Perhaps they found common ground because the Lotus Frontier Marquisate protected the kingdom’s vital border strongholds, while the Larkspur Earldom produced many military officers. The current heads, my father and Brother Fels’s father are also on good terms, so our families frequently visited each other. Naturally, when the parents get along well, the children tend to become close too.

Ten years ago, in the main residence of the Larkspur Earldom, I—I think I was ten years old at the time, had slipped out of my room and escaped to the spacious garden because my studies were boring. I remember crawling on all fours through the bushes so no one would find me, heading toward the source of a pleasing, rhythmic sound.

Emerging from the bushes, I saw my eldest brother, shirtless and holding a wooden sword, facing another shirtless boy also holding a wooden sword. I later learned he was Brother Fels. I was used to seeing my eldest brother’s form; sometimes after training, he’d even stroll around the mansion shirtless. I used to find it strange when the maids would get flustered seeing him half-naked, but the half-naked form of the boy facing my brother, his muscles were incredibly beautiful.

The silver-haired boy—he was older than me, probably around the same age as my eldest brother, so about sixteen—when he took his stance, his collarbones stood out elegantly, and the muscles from his shoulders to his arms bulged powerfully as he exerted force.

His chest muscles were substantial but not excessive, and his abdominal muscles were cleanly defined into a perfect six-pack. He must have trained his lower body too, as the thighs of his training pants traced a beautiful, streamlined shape.

Then, someone from the mansion shouted “Begin!” and my eldest brother and the silver-haired boy began exchanging blows with their wooden swords. Clang, clang, clang went the satisfying sounds, punctuated occasionally by a deeper, louder THUD! when a powerful strike landed. Standing nearby were my four other brothers, from the second eldest down to the youngest, watching the sparring match intently.

I hadn’t learned any swordsmanship, so I didn’t understand the details, but I got the feeling the silver-haired boy was better than my eldest brother. Then, the silver-haired boy swept my eldest brother’s wooden sword upwards from below, sending it spinning away in a parabolic arc before sticking into the ground. The mansion official acting as referee shouted loudly, “Halt!” My eldest brother looked dazed for a moment, then broke into a genuinely delighted smile. I remember thinking at the time that I’d never seen my eldest brother make a face like that before.

“Fels, you’re amazing!” “Not at all, your swordsmanship is splendid too.”

My eldest brother laughed heartily, baring his teeth, and slung an arm around the shoulder of the silver-haired boy, Brother Fels. The muscles on his sweaty skin seemed to pulse with life.

“So, beautiful!”

My eldest brother’s muscles were nothing special, but Brother Fels’s muscles were incredible. I didn’t know how to describe it, but they had the beauty of the muscles on a marble statue carved by a famous master. But marble statues don’t move, whereas Brother Fels was in motion, his muscles moving vividly, alive with blood flow. He was a hundred million times more wonderful than the stone statues I’d seen at the museum when my parents took me.

From that moment on, I couldn’t take my eyes off Brother Fels.

You could tell he had muscles even through his clothes. The smooth, powerful movements that were only possible because he was so muscular. The muscles around his neck were taut, his glutes were firm, and the muscles from his ankles to his calves were beautifully shaped. I felt disappointed in my own limited vocabulary, unable to properly express the beauty, elegance, and strength of the muscles Brother Fels had honed.

And then Brother Fels was…

After finishing his spar with my eldest brother, Brother Fels seemed to notice me in the bushes. His expression shifted from curious to a small smile as he raised one eyebrow.

“What are you doing over there, little one?”

The voice that asked the question wasn’t the rough one I’d heard during the fight, but incredibly soft and warm. Even as a child, I sensed he was a completely different kind of man from my father and brothers.

The Brother Fels I saw for the first time was younger and slimmer than he is now, but even then, he was more solidly built and taller than my eldest brother, with long limbs. His voice was low and pleasant to the ear, and his silver hair, like fine silk strands, swayed noticeably in the breeze. Beside him, my eldest brother approached me with a wry smile. I squinted my eyes at the faint, starting-to-smell scent of sweat, but my eldest brother didn’t seem to notice at all.

“She’s my sister. My adorable Livia. Did you run away after angering your tutor?”

My eldest brother explained to Lord Fels who I was, then knelt on the ground and reached out an arm to help me up. But I was utterly captivated by Lord Fels’s divine form and his muscles; my eldest brother was the last thing on my mind. I brushed aside my approaching brother’s arm and, still looking up at Lord Fels, asked:

“Brother, who is that person over there?”

I hadn’t run away because I was scolded. The lessons were just boring. I didn’t care one bit about my eldest brother, who didn’t understand me at all. I was just unbearably curious about Brother Fels.

“…That is Lord Fels of the Lotus Frontier Marquisate.”

At my voice, one of my brother’s eyebrows twitched violently. My brothers and father always doted on me and constantly told me I mustn’t approach men who weren’t family.

Whenever male guests came to the mansion, I was asked not to leave my room, and in exchange for obeying them, I’d wheedle dresses and sweets out of them. That day, I just wasn’t in the mood for dresses or sweets, so I’m sure I ran away from my tutor and headed for the garden. And meeting Lord Fels there, I simply had to call it fate. So, wanting to be seen as a proper young lady by Lord Fels, I stood up, took the hem of my skirt daintily, and performed a curtsy.

“My name is Livia Larkspur. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

When I raised my head, I saw that Brother Fels had somehow already put his jacket back on and was also performing a bow, one hand placed over his chest.

“I am Fels Lotus. I heard your brother talking about you. It seems you ran away from your tutor.”

Being told the truth, I was struck speechless. I remember feeling so embarrassed that this incredibly wonderful person’s first impression of me was as ‘a child who ran away from her studies.’

My face flushed red at his words, and I was at a loss for how to respond. If I admitted I ran away, I might get scolded. If I went back, my tutor would surely reprimand me. Father and my brothers wouldn’t get angry, but Mother would definitely come down hard on me.

“Do you dislike studying?”

In response to Brother Fels’s question, I shook my head silently. I didn’t dislike it, but I wasn’t good at sitting in a chair at a desk for long hours.

“Is it boring?”

Lord Fels asked again. He wore a slight, wry smile, and I felt like I was being treated like a child. Well, I was a child.

“…A little bit.”

The tutor just droned on and on about what was written in the textbook. When I asked if such things even had any meaning, the tutor’s face turned bright red, he got angry, and resigned.

“Then, what things are you interested in?”

“Eh?”

It was an unexpected question. Until that very moment, no one had ever asked me what I was interested in. I was only taught the necessary studies, embroidery, and dancing so I wouldn’t bring shame to myself as a noble lady.

Meticulous embroidery didn’t suit my temperament, and I could understand the studies just by reading the textbook, so I didn’t need a tutor. I applied myself seriously to dancing because I liked moving my body. Other than that, things I was interested in. Ah! There is! Something I just discovered!

“If there is something, why not discuss it with your father? I’m sure your studies would become more enjoyable.”

Brother Fels smiled, his eyes narrowing, and his gaze firmly captured mine. I felt too embarrassed to look directly into his silver eyes and averted my gaze. Then, realizing that looking away was rude, I became flustered and performed another curtsy to Brother Fels.

“I’ll try talking to Father!”

No sooner had I said it than I ran off from the spot. I thought I heard Brother Fels say, “Your sister is quite fast,” and I glanced back. When I turned, I saw my five brothers surrounding Brother Fels.

“Lord Fels. Are you planning to lay a hand on our adorable little sister?” “Huh?” At my eldest brother’s voice, Brother Fels made a confused sound, and then my second brother spoke up as if to say ‘me too.’

“Livia is still too young to be married off!” “Excuse me?” At my second brother’s voice, Brother Fels’s eyes widened further, and he raised his wooden sword into a stance. Then my third, fourth, and fifth brothers also raised their wooden swords and faced Lord Fels.

“Lord Fels is a good man, but our sister is still at that adorable age!” “Sending her off to a man’s household is utterly unthinkable!” “That’s right! We cannot allow our pure Livia to even think about men!”

Brother Fels looked bewildered by my five brothers burning with jealous flames, but he deftly handled the five wooden swords coming at him. Having put some distance between us, I stood at the edge of the garden, recalling his physical beauty. It was truly so beautiful it was seared into my eyes and wouldn’t leave. And besides that, Brother Fels had spoken to me, properly considering my feelings.

After that, time passed with various things happening, and I began to frequently hear stories of Lord Fels distinguishing himself on the front lines.

As expected of Brother Fels with his beautiful muscles. He displayed unparalleled strength as a military officer, bearing the responsibility of defending the Lotus Frontier Marquisate. Brother Fels didn’t have a fiancée, so I asked Father if he could arrange for me to become his fiancée.

Father was reluctant, but he agreed, saying if it was Brother Fels, it would be acceptable, and sent a marriage proposal inquiry to the Lotus Frontier Marquisate. Not just once, but over and over again. The reply was always, ‘As one who does not know when death may come, I am not seeking a fiancée or spouse.’ Which meant there was no woman standing by Brother Fels’s side. In that case, I thought, if I could become a suitable person to stand beside him, it would be fine, so I volunteered for the military.

Father and my brothers were strongly opposed, but there’s a part of them that can’t defy me, so they ultimately gave their permission. And so I entered the military, finished my training, and the time came for me to be stationed on the front lines. Finally, finally, I was overjoyed to catch a glimpse of Brother Fels’s back and then the war ended. In a fiercely contested area that was a vital stronghold, Brother Fels presented the surrender recommendation to the enemy commander-in-chief.

—And now, that very Brother Fels is looking at me with an exasperated expression. There are other people here too, but oh well.

I must have let my guard down and muttered, “I won’t be able to see Brother Fels’s wonderful muscles from now on,” and it seems my voice reached Brother Fels, sitting right in front of me, and his fiancée, Eleanora Narcissus.

I had been plotting to at least get in some petty harassment, but in the end, it just concluded with me spouting sarcasm at her. But well, maybe crying a little made me feel a bit better. To properly convey it to Eleanora Narcissus, who has a question mark floating over her head, I declare once more.

“Brother Fels’s muscles are incredibly wonderful. Yes, even more so than the marble statues displayed in the art museum.” “Eh?” Eleanora Narcissus’s eyes widened in bewilderment, and Crown Prince Heinrich, who had been listening to our conversation by the wall, let out a “Pfft!” sound. The Princess Consort is scolding him, saying “Your Highness, you mustn’t laugh,” but it seems to have little effect. However, I won’t let anyone deny my feelings that Brother Fels’s muscles are beautiful and wonderful. So, I’ll state it clearly.

“Brother Fels’s muscles are the best in the entire world!”

And you, you’re going to monopolize them!! I exclaimed jealously, and Eleanora Narcissus looked utterly at a loss for how to respond.