I Already Know That My Magic Power Is Ridiculously High! Now I Just Need To Get A Lovely Bride - Chapter 5:

It might seem odd to see a brother groveling before his half-sister. We used to speak much more casually, but somehow our relationship naturally settled into this formal tone.

“Yes. After all, I am destined to stand above you one day, Shalka, aren’t I?”

“Of course, Lady Elmia.”

“Hmph. As your superior, it is my duty to keep track of everything you do. You understand that, don’t you, Shalka?”

Elmia makes no effort to hide her superior attitude toward me. If she is treating me like I’m the greatest rival to the next head of our family, it makes me feel a little sad as a brother. Still, she is such a lovely little sister that I can forgive her everything.

“Lady Elmia, what exactly do you mean by ‘keep track of everything’?”

“Keeping track means exactly that—every single detail. You must inform me each day about when, where, and what you do, and whom you plan to meet. For instance, if you are approached with a marriage proposal, you must consult with me first. I have many things to consider as the future head of the family.”

Even the most skilled professional project manager would not impose such a strict reporting duty. Just how wary is she of me?

“Elmia-tan, that really is a bit much…”

“—’Tan’?”

I suddenly realized that I had accidentally called her by the overly familiar nickname I used in the past. Elmia immediately reacted, shooting me a sharp look.

“S-sorry, Lady Elmia.”

“Indeed. Since I am your ‘superior’, you must not speak to me so familiarly! Be sure to mind your manners from now on, Shalka.”

By stressing the word “superior,” Elmia makes her position clear. It may not be a huge issue, but whenever I use overly casual language, she corrects me immediately. And when she does, she seems animated and even a bit exhilarated—though perhaps that’s just how I, as her brother, see her.

“Yes. Um, about the reporting you mentioned earlier—I really do want to keep you informed of everything, but it’s hard to find an opportunity to do so, Lady Elmia.”

Elmia and I are nobles of opposite genders. Because our daily lives rarely overlap, it’s difficult to report everything even if you demand it.

“I see. In that case, from now on, come to my bedroom at the earliest opportunity.”

“Your bedroom, you say?”

“Yes. Is there a problem with that?”

Elmia tilted her head as if to say, “If there is a problem, then speak up.” As her brother, I felt compelled to give her a small reprimand about proper conduct.

“Well, I mean, isn’t it a bit improper for an unmarried lady to invite a man into her private room?”

“If I say it is acceptable, then it is acceptable. Besides, Shalka, you are my ‘big brother’, so it shouldn’t matter, right? Or are you planning on doing something untoward?”

Elmia teased me with a playful smile. Hearing that, I found the idea of sneaking into her bedroom rather tempting. After all, she is not only my beloved sister but also an incredibly lovely girl. Refusing such an invitation would go against my very principles.

“No, if that is the case, then I understand, Lady Elmia.”

“Yes. All you have to do is follow my instructions. My Shalka.”

Elmia then gently stroked my cheek. Her flushed expression appeared almost entranced, and the young noblemen standing behind her scrunched up their faces in disapproval at the sight of our physical affection.

“Understood.”

I gave an Ortenos-style salute, barely glancing at those disapproving young nobles.

“Since it’s you, Shalka, I’m not overly worried about your first battle. But do be careful. The eastern lands are perpetually aflame with conflict, and I’ve heard from the Raanekki that the western regions are starting to look a bit suspicious as well.”

“The western part of Raanekki—do you mean the Darbonny Marquis family?”

“Yes. It’s rather odd that they would start moving just as the east becomes so noisy.”

When Elmia said that with a puzzled look, one of the nobles who had been standing behind stepped forward.

“This is quite uncalled for, Lady Elmia.”

The speaker was the young noble with orange hair I hadn’t noticed earlier. Of average build, he still managed to seem taller than both Elmia and me, who are still in our growth years.

“Oh? Did I say something wrong, Lord Dino-ren?”

“No, we in Darbonny have no intention of becoming enemies with Ortenos or Raanekki. There were some minor misunderstandings, but now that we are here at the Ortenos noble meeting as a junior member of Darbonny, let us foster a friendly relationship, both personally and professionally.”

Lord Dino-ren spoke as he took Elmia’s hand. Seeing this, a wave of disgust rose from deep within me, and my eyelids twitched ever so slightly.

“No, I see no reason for me to meet Lord Dino-ren. After all, you hold no significant title in Darbonny.”

Elmia smirked lightly as she waved away Dino-ren’s hand, as if to say, “Don’t let a mere guardian get in the way.”

“Oh my, you do seem rather cold, don’t you?”

Even though Dino-ren’s hand was brushed aside, he maintained a casually composed manner, though his expression revealed a hint of irritation that he couldn’t quite hide.