13. Leohardt’s true nature (part 2)

“....what, what?”

Elizabeth tilts her head.

I told her in a simple and direct way, but she is so innocent that she still didn’t get it,.....

“It means he is “Brother-con”.”

“Well, .... con refers to a complex of mental elements. I hear that it often manifests itself as a strong attachment or obsession to a particular person or thing. So, does that mean that Leohardt-sama is .... obsessed with his brother?”

I got the message.

Elizabeth’s bridal education has allowed her to understand the things in a formal way, although she is not familiar with the colloquial slang.

“I’m sorry, who’s obsessed? It is natural for anyone to be captivated by the perfect figure and behavior of my elder brother. I’m just reacting as any human being should.”

“That’s how it is.”

I pointed at Leohardt. Elizabeth doesn’t seem quite sure how to react and so just nods her head again.

“I know exactly how you feel,” she says. “It is the same as when I think of His Highness Vincent.”

“Kyaaah!”

Lars screams and turns over to Elizabeth, who is frowning uneasily. His wings stops working as he falls to the floor, his stomach hanging out. I didn’t think I’d get shot here, either. Hang on, Lars.

“You mean you have a Vincent complex, too?”(Leohardt)

I put my hand on my chest and try to calm my heartbeat, but it seems useless.

Elizabeth has “Vincent complex” or she is Vincent-con in short. The question is running through my boiling brain.

“I think it’s okay because .... we’re engaged and is going to be married in the future. But aren’t you brothers? Although if His Highness Vincent were my brother, I would still respect him.”

“You have a great capacity for logical thought, Lady Elizabeth. I still hope you will come to my country and meet my brother..”

“Wait! Don’t try change the subject now!”

Leohardt’s eyes sparkles even though I rebuked him. They are filled with anticipation as if to say, “Finally! I can discuss the good qualities of my brother with this person.”

Common sense tells us that there is no way Elizabeth would allow herself to travel to praise another man.

“I’m done talking about it. I’ve told you before, Elizabeth is my fiancée. Let’s get back to that.”

“But Vincent, you’re the one who started the whole “I’m a brother-con” thing.”

“I don’t know what your intentions are, but I’ve been doing a lot of research on the situation in the Kingdom of Orion.”

I look at Harold, who crisply ignores Leohardt’s pouting lips, and lays down his brutal logics. The talented milk-brother Leohardt has no choice but to nod.

Since that day in the salon, the information gathered by him has become even more detailed.

“I’m aware of a few things about the Kingdom of Orion. The current Crown Prince is His Royal Highness the First Prince Marius .... but the people’s support is directed towards Lord Leohardt. And because of this, opinions are divided even among the vassals. His Highness Marius is supported by the Marquis of Acteau and other older nobles, while Lord Leohardt is supported by young, up-coming nobles.”

I see, they are trying to redraw the power structure of the nobles as well as his brother’s ascendancy.

Leohardt listens to Harold’s story without saying a word. There is no emotions nor any expression on his face.

“His Highness Marius has been absent from the public eye since his graduation from Orion’s academy, and some have expressed concern about his condition.”

“Well, ....”

Elizabeth sounds concerned – but there is more to this story.

“Earlier, there were rumors that His Highness Prince Marius is ruthless and unsociable. As you can guess, neither of those rumors can be said to be correct.”(Harold)

“Heh,.... to investigate that much in such a short period of time, as expected of the Abakalovs, who are renowned as the right hand of the royal family.”(Leohardt)

“I am honored by your praise.”(Harold)

Harold curtseys to Leohardt, who expresses his compliments, and then shuts his mouth. He knows the truth about Marius, but he is still trying to avoid Leohardt.

Even though the Abakalov family is in charge of our country’s intelligence, it is better if it is told to Leohardt’s from the mouth of his own brother.

Leohardt’s lips lifts in a smirk. It is the same kind of smile when something wicked is brewing in his head.

I’m not sure if this smile occurs when someone insults Marius. But even if we say sorry for unintentionally insulting his brother, we can’t just go back on our words.

“The reason why my brother avoids being seen is very simple. He is intelligent, gentle, and modest. He is also very humble, and he is very shy to appear in public. ....”

Harold pushes the glasses to the bridge on his nose with a proud expression. It seems what Leohardt said is the same information that the Abakalovs have been getting.

There is a good reason for factional strife. But even there is, you can’t just drag down two brothers for no major faults.

The forces that followed Leohardt must have decided that Marius’ character was not suitable for a king.

Uuh. .... not knowing that the Leohardt they are supporting is a superb black-hearted person.

“The people who call him ruthless and cold-blooded are fools who can’t see the true nature of things. He is a shy man. It’s only those who are occasionally hit by his words make a fuss.”

Well, as the Crown Prince, I don’t think that’s false either. Whatever the reason, the vassals will blame you for not behaving the way they expect you to behave.

“So I am helping my brother behind the scenes to punish those people.”

Hey, isn’t that why people call your brother ruthless and cold-blooded?

I sigh loudly, but Leohart doesn’t seem to feel anything. I quickly proceed, thinking that it’s impossible to admonish him for his cognitive distortions.

“The First Prince, who has already reached adulthood and never appears in public aren’t supported by the nobles because the Second Prince, who is approaching adulthood,.... probably has better grades in academia than Marius, and is perfect only in appearance?”

“Maybe they thinks like that, I’m not sure. The most important thing to rule a country is to be kind and just. No matter how good you look, how smart you are, or how good you behave on the surface, you can never match the brilliance of your inside. Don’t you agree?”

Don’t nod your head knowing I can’t comment on that.

Elizabeth is standing next to me, pondering.

Ability or character? Frankly speaking, it’s a difficult question. I’m glad I didn’t get an immediate answer of “Yes,” because, if Elizabeth had declared that inner beauty is more important, my delicate glass heart would have been shattered. Because my inner beauty...well, I don’t think I have any inner beauty.

“I’m so vexed right now. I might have to become the King and hide my brother’s kind and just heart from the eyes of snobs. But .... I want to see him looking down on me from his throne, wearing his magnificent crown and cloak of furry ermine. ....”

“Isn’t that the whole reason?”

I put my hand on my cheek and sigh in annoyance. I can’t do that.

I look at Elizabeth and she has an ironclad smile on her face. Then I look at Harold who he has an icy blank expression on his face. Yeah, they’re both pulling themselves back from lashing out on Leohardt. Elizabeth is especially hard on him because she has no tolerance for someone who tries to harm the country she wants to protect. It seems she didn’t want to answer Leohardt’s question, so I’m happy with the result. Lars is a dragon, so I can’t really see his expression, but his eyes are blue.

Let’s get on with the story.

“So, in order to avoid the appearance of a factional conflict over who will be the next King of Orion, you or Marius-sama, you have requested to study in our academy, right? To show that you have no intention of taking away his right to the throne, nor of having your grades compared on the same level as those of Marius-sama has any hidden reason of gaining the throne.”

“Yes, that’s right. I asked my father and mother to do so.”

“Well, I can understand that much. But I can’t understand one thing, why did you bring...Miss Lisha here?”

I have a somewhat good guess at that too.

“It’s exactly as I said. You know I’m not the one to lie.”

Leohardt also said.

“After all, I’m the the thoughtful brother of your friend.”