Chapter 68

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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Older Brothers
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Tucked away in an alley was a small brunch cafe.

Inside the charmingly decorated cafe, a group of large men were gathered.

Not only were they all wearing swords, but one even had an enormous greatsword casually slung across his back.

The cafe owner, nervous they might cause a ruckus, kept glancing their way.

“Leo was such a good guy…”

“Poor guy.”

Lellia listened to the praise for her other self as she stuffed a piece of bread into her mouth.

She was happy to see her friends again, but she was so hungry she couldn't bear it any longer.

Perhaps because she had starved so much as a child, Lellia found hunger the hardest thing to endure.

While the four men sat with gloomy faces, Lellia was the only one diligently moving her fork.

“From the sound of it, you've had quite a tragic life.”

Calix said, looking at Lellia. She merely nodded.

A moment ago, prompted by a flood of questions from her friends, Lellia had shared her story.

It wasn't the story about Emperor Perseus, but rather the reason she had fled the imperial palace as a child.

“After my brother Leo died… a rebellion broke out while I was grieving. Emperor Perseus hated me, and so did the princes… I ran away because I was afraid of being forced into a political marriage with some old nobleman.”

Hearing this, the four men spent some time cursing Princes Cedric and Damian.

As Lellia was finishing her meal, Calix, who had been lost in thought, spoke up.

“Alright. The fact that our leader left your name as his last words must mean you were precious to him. He clearly wanted us to protect you.”

“……”

When Lellia glanced at him hesitantly, Calix scanned his friends' faces, as if seeking their agreement.

Romeo, Griffith, and even Oscar gave a slight nod.

Calix said, placing a large hand on her shoulder. It was so heavy that her shoulder felt like it might collapse.

“If you're Leo's little sister, then you're our little sister, too. We'll allow you to call us your older brothers.”

“……”

A vein throbbed on Lellia's forehead.

*What…? What did he want me to call them?*

The touching emotion of reuniting with her friends was short-lived.

Lellia was struck by a shock so great it felt as if she'd been hit over the head.

“No need to be so moved. We gathered here for Leo's sake, after all.”

“……”

Lellia swallowed hard.

Yes, it was touching. It truly was. But…

“Go on, say it. ‘Older brothers’!”

“……”

Calix urged her on. The others shot him a look that clearly said, *‘What’s gotten into you?’*

Trembling, Lellia slowly opened her mouth.

“O… Older… brothers…?”

“Excellent! From now on, you're our little sister!”

Calix clapped Lellia heartily on the shoulder.

*I was their leader…*

For some reason, her pride felt utterly crushed.

Lellia lowered her head with a grimace and finished the rest of her meal.

Griffith watched her, his gaze sharp and observant.