I Was Reborn as the Female Antagonist's Servant-Chapter 48 - 45 – Journey to My Lady’s Place

My feet step onto the red carpet.

Everyone has dispersed into their respective corridors, leaving only me and Big Brother walking in the same direction.

Big Brother glances back at me.

"...Why are you following me, My Little Brother Touji?" he asks.

I glance at him, a bit confused. "...I’m not following you, Big Brother. We’re probably just heading to the same corridor."

He looks forward again. "...You’re right. Our destinations might not be the same after all."

I keep walking. So does Big Brother ahead of me. I don’t know where he’s headed, nor is it my concern.

The light from the window beside me stretches longer across the floor. The weather is getting hotter. Birds outside flap their wings as they search for food. Trees beyond the fence sway slowly. I pull my personal servant’s collar, feeling a little uncomfortable.

Regarding my clothes, I had gone back to the room to change. Some of them, including Big Brother, saw me enter before the door closed. They waited quite a while. When I came out, my clothes were already changed.

I look up. For some reason, I forgot about that moment.

My goal in this corridor still feels far away. I’ve been on the first floor all this time. I look back at the corridor ahead. A few minutes pass just like that. And in front of me, a large door opens—casting light from outside inside.

I feel a slight happiness seeing it. My destination is near.

I see the person in front of me—Big Brother. He’s still walking toward the same place. I look at the corridor ahead. There are no more rooms to visit. Only a wall indicating there’s nothing else to find here.

I quicken my steps, matching his pace.

Big Brother still hasn’t noticed my presence. I glance at him from the side, smiling.

"Big Brother...," I call softly.

He finally looks at me from the side. There’s a moment of silence before he startles.

"To-touji— I mean, My Little Brother Touji? Why are you still here?" he asks.

"...That’s what I should be asking you, Big Brother." I narrow my eyes. It sounds a little strange hearing that question.

He shifts his gaze forward. "Y-yeah... I was called by Princess Reina to go to the garden," he replies softly. He looks in my direction. "And you? Are you the same as me?"

I nod. "Yes. I am the same as you, Big Brother." I furrow my brow. My gaze lowers slightly. "...But why did My Lady tell us to come here, Big Brother?" I ask.

He remains silent. His shoulders lift. "I don’t know. I have no idea, My Little Brother Touji," he replies briefly.

I fall silent. The expression I show is one of understanding, as if accepting his answer. Really, what can you expect from muscle brains? Nothing.

The garden door is getting closer. I quicken my steps. So does Big Brother. Our steps tread the carpet in unison. The door ahead is already open. I stop my steps. Big Brother follows.

I face the door. A gentle breeze immediately hits my face. The heat slowly prickles my skin. I glance to the side. My brow furrows. Big Brother’s expression isn’t one of enjoyment but more of an attempt to avoid—yet unable to do so.

I look ahead. Inside the white building, protected from the sunlight—someone is waiting—sitting. They are facing away from the mansion. Their hands rest on the table, supporting their chin. Their gaze is fixed on the trees outside the black fence. Their legs swing gently beneath the table.

I fall silent. I look at the person beside me before daring to step forward. Big Brother follows after seeing me. I pass over the flat stones above. Now, I stand in front of the stairs. I wait until Big Brother follows.

I bow, showing respect to her. Big Brother does not follow.

"...I’ve arrived, My Lady," I say.

Princess slowly turns toward the stairs. I straighten again as she notices me.

She gives a slight smile. "Touji. You finally arrived...." The princess looks at the person beside me. Her eyes widen. She stands from her chair and leaps toward Big Brother—hugging him. "Uncle Fukuro!"

I immediately look at the person beside me. "...Huh?"

I see something beyond my thoughts. The princess hugging someone else? That’s something new I’ve seen from her. Especially from the strong embrace she’s giving him. Their relationship should be more than just subordinate and superior.

I glance at Big Brother, my face slightly surprised. He does return the princess’s hug. But his expression doesn’t match his actions. It’s not happiness. Nor fear. Not like my initial speculation. It’s more like a desire not to linger—wanting the day to pass quickly.

"Uncle, Fukuro! Do you miss Reina?" the princess asks, looking at her uncle’s face.

Big Brother nods slowly. He forces a smile, looking at the person he’s hugging. "Y-yes! Of course, Uncle always misses Princess Reina! Hahaha...!" His voice sounds a bit flat, though still with some intonation.

I stare blankly at the person beside me. What a...

I look at My Lady. She’s smiling broadly. Different from the first time she was with me, and also with her own father. Flat and full of dislike. But when I see her hugging Big Brother, she looks so familiar. Even more so than when she’s with me, her own father, or even the Duke himself.

I clasp my fingers under my chin. What kind of relationship do they have that they’re this close?

I try to recall my old memories. The first time I was introduced to Big Brother, I dueled with his eleven little brothers, and when he was late.

...Wait, late? If I remember correctly, he arrived later than he was supposed to. And the reason back then was—Ah, yes. I just remembered.

My gaze narrows. Big Brother was late because of My Lady. And his delay was quite long, so I can speculate that Big Brother was here at that time. Especially when he knew I was always trying to interfere with the princess. Everything begins to make sense.