Thank You For The Confinement, Grand Duke! - Chapter 62.2

— Why must my brother step down? He’s the eldest son!

In reality, everyone had long known this unspoken truth. That Enfrise couldn’t become the crown prince. That the next emperor would undoubtedly be Barca.

Because everyone regarded Barca as the true heir apparent.

Despite knowing this, Elmare was furious.

And Enfrise said.

— No one thinks of me as the heir. You know it well. It’s an undeserved title for a filthy blood thief. I’m grateful to Father for allowing me to live quietly.

Even a man like that.

Even though he knew his eldest son was being tormented, he did nothing. Enfrise still called him Father. If that was the case, he might as well have expelled him from the palace. Was he averse to the dirty rumors attaching to the Empress, or was it due to his own pride?

That man spoke lies he didn’t even believe himself. Enfrise was undeniably his son.

Yet, he took no action against the insults Enfrise suffered. Instead, he seemed pleased when Enfrise was insulted, and Barca was praised. Consequently, the nobility eagerly joined in insulting Enfrise.

Ultimately, that man was the source of all those wounds. And still, his brother called him Father?

How kind he must be.

Even ten-year-old Elmare was seething with anger. His brother, on the other hand, had a calm face and even a faint smile. However, people did not let Enfrise be, despite the late Emperor’s wishes. The peaceful life Enfrise sought only made him more resentful. Sometimes, even Elmare couldn’t serve as his refuge.

Then, she appeared.

The living saint. The incarnation of an angel. The flower of society.

There were many titles, though they all meant one thing. She was loved by everyone and treated everyone equally.

Even Enfrise.

— How about making a proposal?

— How could a filthy blood thief dare to hope for anything? Besides, she is already engaged. How could she possibly choose someone like me over her fiancé?

Enfrise’s self-inflicted barbs were the sharpest.

And now,

“Brother… you’ve changed.”

“Do you think so?”

“Yes. You look much better now.”

Enfrise smiled shyly. Even that seemed almost foreign to Elmare.

“I heard from Zaha. You two are quite the lovebirds these days.”

“….Why bring up such stories?”

He didn’t deny it. Elmare smiled mischievously.

“Not long ago, you were saying that someone like you could never be with her.”

“…I still think so. Surely, if Chaperil hadn’t lost her memory, I would never have tasted such happiness.”

Enfrise closed his eyes. His expression looked troubled. It was a face mixed with happiness and anxiety.

“That’s why I’m afraid. I worry that if she regains her memory, it will all come to an end.”

At the sight of his brother murmuring this and smiling bitterly, Elmare recalled Zaha’s words.

— Whether it’s amnesia or a personality change is hard to determine. Either way, it’s likely due to extreme stress. Currently, Lady Chaperil seems content with her condition. It’s not certain, but the possibility of her returning to her original self is very low.

Should he be reassured that there was nothing to worry about? But what if, by some miracle, her memory returns or the original Chaperil comes back?

Then,

Things would become complicated.

Or maybe, would that actually be better?

As Elmare thought, Enfrise spoke again.

“So, I intend to take Chaperil out of that mansion.”

“Pardon?”

It was an unexpected statement. Why would his previous anxiety lead to this decision? If he was anxious, wouldn’t it make more sense to keep her hidden and close?

“If I stay like this, I’ll live in fear of her memory returning for the rest of my life. Every time she says something sweet to me, I’ll be tormented by guilt.”

“Brother.”

“Chaperil’s memory loss is my fault. It’s wrong for someone like me to be loved by her… yet, despite that, I…”

Enfrise squeezed his eyes shut, his face contorted in pain. His trembling fists revealed his fear.

“I want to be by her side.”

It was the first time Elmare had seen his elder brother so resolutely demand something. Enfrise, who had once given up even seeking what was persistently denied to him.

With such a firm tone…

“If Chaperil chooses to stay with me even after remembering everything, I’m prepared to devote my entire life to her. However, if she decides to leave me after knowing everything… I’ll accept that as well.”

His golden eyes, once wavering, now focused intently on one point. Elmare offered a gentle smile after observing his brother’s gaze.

“If that’s what you want, Brother.”

This was troublesome.

Enfrise needed to cling more to Chaperil and yearn for her love. And he must harbor the resolve to never send her away.

That’s how it was supposed to be.

“I will do whatever it takes to help brother.”

Because what I want will come true, only then.

He buried his own wishes deep within his heart and smiled brightly.