Chapter 23 Home Picnic
As Elder Brother started to take a nap, I was dozing off too, and time quickly passed.
Growlll, my stomach growled, waking me up.
I realized it was already lunchtime and stifled a yawn.
"I should wake Elder Brother up..."
"Isn't it okay to let him sleep a bit longer? It's rare to see Neil so defenseless; it wouldn't hurt to admire him a little longer."
"Sure, Elder Brother is cute, but that's a bit... huh?"
Wait, who am I talking to?
With a creaky, rusty movement, I turned around and felt dizzy at the sight of the boy right next to me.
"O-Oh, Prince!? What are you doing here... I mean, why are you here!?"
I managed to swallow my surprise and shouted.
Prince Sigurt looked at me with a cheerful smile.
"I came for a little job; I wanted to borrow some help from Granbell. Then I heard you guys were here, so I came right away."
"Came right away, huh..."
Prince, please do your job.
I silently pleaded with my gaze, but the prince seemed completely unfazed, as if he didn't hear me at all.
"More importantly, was that your usual way of speaking just now? I'd like to see more of it if possible."
"..."
Of all people, the prince found out my true self...!! Even Elder Brother hasn't noticed...!!
"...What are you talking about? Maybe you heard things? You know, I'm good at that kind of magic?"
For now, I decided to use the power of a smile to cover it up as best as I could.
When in trouble, this is the best way!!
"Hahaha, well, let's just say that's what it is."
He accepted it with a look that said he understood everything.
I felt like I really lost this round.
"You really change your expressions a lot. It's interesting."
Seeing my sulky face, the prince's expression became even more cheerful.
For now, I slapped my cheeks with both hands to deflate the puffiness from holding in my dissatisfaction, and finally, the prince burst out laughing, holding his stomach.
That wasn't meant to be funny, you know! I just unconsciously did it because I'm too aware of my cute behavior in everyday life!
"I'm looking forward to the future."
Saying that, the prince started to pat my head.
His gentle, smooth touch felt so nice that I almost let myself relax... but I quickly snapped back to reality.
"Even if you are a prince, I don't think it's right to touch a girl who isn't your fiancée so casually!!"
"Oh, sorry about that. I heard from Neil that you like having your head patted, so I thought you'd be happy."
"Elder Brotherrr!!"
What kind of ridiculous information is this idiot brother spreading to the prince!?
Plus, this prince is actually really good at patting, and I was almost falling for it! Just being patted and falling for it, what kind of easy target am I!? Well, I guess that's me!
"Hmm... what's wrong, Yumie? Did something happen...?"
While I was making a fuss, as expected, Elder Brother woke up.
Still lying down, he looked at my face, then at the prince's face, and Elder Brother froze.
To that frozen Elder Brother, the prince cheerfully spoke.
"Good morning, Neil. Did you sleep well on your sister's lap?"
"Shut up, Sigurt!!"
Shouting loudly, Elder Brother sat up.
His face was bright red from embarrassment, which was cute...
but as punishment for spreading weird information to the prince, I thought I'd tease him a bit.
"I offered my lap so Elder Brother could rest a little... was it a bother...?"
I looked at Elder Brother with glistening eyes, pretending to be downcast.
It was a blatant fake cry, but it seemed to work wonders on Elder Brother.
Forgetting all his previous embarrassment, he hugged me tightly.
"That's not true! I felt great on Yumie's lap!! I'd want to sleep on Yumie's lap every day if I could!!"
"Hehe, is that so? Then please continue to sleep on my lap."
"Eh?"
At my words, Elder Brother's face twitches.
It's clear he's thinking, "But Sigurt is watching, right?" but I pretend not to notice and ignore it.
"Well, well, it's almost lunchtime, right? You can sleep later..."
"I'll feed you, so it's okay. Look, Elder Brother, you often feed me, right? So today, I'll do the 'ahh' for you!"
See? I give Elder Brother an expectant look.
Feeling embarrassed in front of the prince and caught between my expectations, Elder Brother, after a long, long struggle, finally...
"Okay, I get it... I'll let you do that..."
With a resigned expression, he rests his head on my lap.
"Hehe, then here we go, okay?"
Seeing Elder Brother embarrassed, I smile along with the prince as I pick up the lunch box I brought... or rather, the sandwich.
"Okay, 'ahh'."
"Ah, ahh..."
I bring the sandwich to Elder Brother's mouth and feed him.
While he chews, I gently pat his head and ask the classic question.
"Is it delicious?"
"...It's delicious."
"Hehe, I'm glad to hear that!"
Being a bit spoiled is nice, but sometimes this is fun too!
Thinking that way, I happily feed Elder Brother when the prince takes a sandwich from the side.
"Since we're at it, should I feed you too?"
"Don't mess with me, Sigurt. It's fine because it's Yumie. Why would I want to be fed by you?"
Elder Brother quickly retorts with genuine dislike, and the prince shrugs, saying, "You're so cold".
Instead, he adds a little more.
"Well, for now, just enjoy your time with your beloved sister and recharge. We have an important talk later, so keep that in mind."
"...Got it."
An important talk? Is that about the manpower thing they mentioned earlier?
"Not saying anything here means it's a secret from me, huh? Hmm, it feels like I'm the only one left out, and it's not very fun."
"Don't worry, I won't let anything bad happen to your brother."
Once again, the prince gently pats my head.
As I feel my dissatisfaction being absorbed by that touch, Elder Brother squints his eyes in a very obvious way.
"Hey, Sigurt, I never said you could touch my sister. I'll come later, so for now, shoo shoo."
"Seriously, you're the only one who can talk to a prince like that."
"You told me to do it, right? If you don't like it, should I use honorifics? Prince."
"Hehe, give me a break."
While exchanging such casual conversation, the prince enters the Granbell mansion.
He said he wouldn't let anything bad happen, but... just the fact that those words came up makes it seem like it's not a very peaceful situation.
So, with a vague sense of unease, I enjoy an afternoon picnic with Elder Brother.
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