Chapter 17 : I knew it, I was stupid

Soon, with a knock at the door, her parents appeared with worried expressions on their faces.

“Trice, you okay?”

“Ah, Beatrice.”

When Beatrice woke up, her mother was gently holding her hand.

“You’ve been doing really well for a long time now, I was so surprised when you suddenly collapsed.”

“I’m sorry, Trice. It’s because I mentioned the Reinalpha family inadvertently in front of you, isn’t it? I wasn’t considerate enough.”

“No, Father, Mother. I’m all right now. I’m just a little.. well, surprised.”

Beatrice has been in love with Leopold since she was a child.

Her father and mother were right to be concerned, as she collapsed immediately after hearing the bad news about the Reinalpha family. Although, they were a little off the mark.

But there is no way Beatrice could tell them that.

Just in case, she told her parents that she was going to rest today, and they left the room with a little disappointment.

Beatrice wondered if her brother and her parents were getting used to her having a good physical condition.

She felt as if their expectations were too high these days, despite the fact that her disease has no hope of being cured.

Five more years.

Five more years until Beatrice dies.

And yet, Beatrice thought that any hope of her being cured someday is not good for anyone.

Everything would be fine if it wasn’t for her. She knew how it ended, and holding onto hope until the end was also an option. But for those who are going to be left behind..

To them, who loved Beatrice so much, cared for her when she often collapsed on the floor, showed her compassion, and allowed her to continue her expensive symptomatic treatment for many years..

She doesn’t want to do something that causes unnecessary grief.

Lost in these thoughts, Beatrice’s ears once again heard a knock at the door.

She answered, and to her surprise, the person who appeared this time was Rembrandt, Beatrice’s brother.

Did he come all the way back from the royal palace after hearing that his sister had fallen ill??That is something my elder brother wouldn’t do.

Well, I’m sorry about that.?Beatirce then invited him inside quickly.

“You’ve been in good shape as of late.”

Beatrice laughed at her brother, who said the same thing as her parents.

“I’m sorry for worrying you, brother. But it’s all right now.”

“I can’t rely on your words.”

Saying so, he poked his sister’s forehead a little, and the expression on his face was slightly stiff.

“He said he’ll be here in five days.”

“Eh?”

Although he didn’t say who it was, she knew who he was talking about right away.

That person was, of course, Edgar, who visited her three weeks ago.

“It’s been a while since you have fallen asleep like this so I told him..do you understand? That’s how he reacted.

Rembrandt chuckled.

“He said he wouldn’t feel safe until he saw Beatrice’s condition with his own eyes.”

Rembrandt, her brother, who was five years older than Beatrice, has one year difference from Edgar.

Rembrandt, who did not like Leopold as much, was often with Edgar and loved him like a little brother.

They were both bookish and studious. Maybe that’s why they hit it off.

..

Edgar chuckled as Rembrandt looked somewhat coldly at Beatrice, who opened her mouth and followed Leopold more adoringly than her own brother.

“Well, there’s no point in rushing here. But you’ll have to start building up your strength again.”

Why was it that her brother seemed more disappointed than the person who collapsed?

“..was brother really that concerned about me?”

Her voice was faint, but it was enough for the person in front of her to hear her words.

“Damn. You’re so rude. I thought you’ve gotten over your stupidity a slight bit recently, but I guess a stupid person is still a stupid person.”

“Please don’t be so ridiculous. It’s hurtful.”

“It’s the truth, well, it can’t be helped. I thought you were finally on the right track when you entered the academy.”

When Beatrice tilted her head and wondered what he meant, Rembrandt snorted.

“I don’t know why, but didn’t you get over being Leopold’s fool when you first started school?”

“..Leopold’s fool?”

“That’s a nickname. I called you that since since you’re all about Leopold.”

“..well.. I used to be all over Leopold-sama in the past.”

Still, her brother’s treatment towards Leopold is still the same as ever, making Beatrice sigh secretly.

“He looks like a prince. And I wouldn’t go so far as to say that he has a bad character, but his bottom line is too shallow. I was amazed at your lack of discernment. There were better men right beside you.”

“..yes?”

“What is it? You still don’t get it. It’s just too sad, isn’t it?”

“Umm, what has big brother been trying to say since earlier?”

“Ha, that’s enough.”

With an exaggerated sigh, Rembrandt brushed his hair back.

Then, he glared at Beatrice.

“..so? You’re still not going to tell anyone?”

“Eh?”

“Edgar told me. He said that you’ve been acting strange for the past year or so.”

“..”

“Edgar said that you were either troubled or stressed.”

Rembrandt stared into Beatrice’s eyes.

Then he chuckled.

“Not even your kind and wise brother could tell you that. If there’s anything I can do to help you, I will.”

“Brother..”

Everything was no longer in her control, at least she understood this much.

There is no harm in staying quiet, and perhaps Beatrice won’t be hurt this time. However, she wondered if that would be the right thing to do.

Someone who would not even consider Natalia’s feelings, who would just be obsessed with her own self, putting Natalia’s happiness second.

The pain of that last moment before her rebirth, the last moment before she went back in time, flashed past Beatrice’s mind.

She thought it was all because she loved Leopold.

It was my fault for loving that man.

But what if it wasn’t.

If it wasn’t because of her infatuation that destroyed their future.

Maybe she could do something about it.

“..brother, you know.”

Her voice trembled with anxiety.

She wondered if her brother would listen to her without making fun of herself to the end.

About her life before her rebirth.

The unusual events in the Reinalpha household, the love between Leopold and Natalia, the developed medicine, her proposal of marriage contract, and the fact that she died being stabbed to death by her best friend.

I wonder if this overly pragmatic brother will believe me.

“..I’m going to say something very strange now.”

“Heh.”

Rembrandt raised one of his eyebrows in amusement.

“However, I want you to hear me out without saying any word until the end.”

Rembrandt stared at Beatrice and eventually nodded.

“I get it. Okay, just say it.”

Rembrandt sat down on the edge of the bed, folded his arms, and closed his eyes.

Then he gestured for her to speak.

Even at a time like this, Beatrice couldn’t help but smile at her brother’s normal response.

Yes, I know. I know that my brother is a very sharp man.

Beatrice exhales a big breath or two. Then..

She started talking.

What happened to Beatrice a long long time before she went back in time.