“If it’s Kyle……”
“He’s the eldest son of the Cromwell family.”
Zeronin explained further to Nigel, who was tilting her head.
“What’s the big deal about your brother disappearing? He’s a grown adult, he’ll manage fine on his own. If you’re that worried, wouldn’t it be better to contact the security forces instead of me, an academy student?”
– Ars, it’s not such a simple matter. In just a week, now……
“The succession ceremony begins.”
At this point, Zeronin interjected.
– That’s right.
Sid’s response was gloomy.
The peculiar succession method of the Cromwell family was well known.
Age and gender, which other families considered most important, were useless before the Cromwell Count family that valued scholarship above all.
What mattered most to them was not outward appearances but wisdom. They only evaluated one’s ability to lead the family well, and this began when all the children of the head of the family turned 18.
“But isn’t this situation actually good for you, Sid? You wanted to become the head of the family, right? The reason you got angry at me wasn’t because you missed being top of the class, but because you were worried it might affect the succession ceremony.”
– That’s… true. If Kyle doesn’t show up until the ceremony, I’ll naturally become the head of the family. But this isn’t the way I wanted it to happen.
“Don’t tell me… you wanted to win the position fair and square or something like that?”
– Yes, that’s right. Even if you spread rumors at the academy that I’m childish, I can’t help it. I’ve been working hard to surpass Kyle and become the head of the family. I don’t want to get that position without any effort.
An upright voice came through the communication stone.
She had thought nobles were beings who coveted money and power, but for the first time in a while, she felt a purity untainted by even a speck of dust from a person.
“I didn’t know there were nobles like you……”
– What does that mean?
Nigel stared blankly at Zeronin, who was listening silently. Having lived together for a long time, she naturally cared about him.
Zeronin smiled as if to say it was okay.
“It’s a good thing. Like a real noble.”
– ……Ahem.
“Well, now I understand why you contacted me. You want me to help find your runaway brother, right?”
– That’s right.
“On New Year’s Day when everyone’s resting?”
– Yes.
As expected of a noble, a confident answer came back without showing even a hint of apology.
Nigel let out a carefree laugh.
“Empty-handed?”
– …….
This was apparently unexpected, as Sid’s voice went quiet for a moment.
– If it’s money, I can procure some from my personal safe……
“Nigel.”
Zeronin looked at Nigel with a stern face. Nigel swallowed a bit of regret and opened her mouth.
“I’m joking.”
– ……Well, thanks for saying it’s a joke.
Sid said gloomily.
– Ah, I heard you’re in the capital now. Is it alright if I come to where you’re staying? I know it’s rude, but as you know, our mansion is a bit chaotic.
Nigel looked at Zeronin instead of answering.
“Do as you please.”
“The homeowner says do as you please.”
– ……That’s a relief.
A deep sigh flowed through the communication stone.
– Could you tell the homeowner I’m grateful?
Nigel stared at Zeronin again.
“Sid says thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
Zeronin shrugged.
“That’s what he says, Sid. Good, I’ll give you the address, so come over.”
Eventually, the light on the communication stone went out, and Zeronin’s feet didn’t go to the lab as usual. Instead, he put on the navy apron hanging on the wall.
“It’s past lunchtime, why suddenly?”
“Well, your guest is coming. We should offer something.”
“Ah.”
Nigel nodded in understanding.
“Shall I help?”
“No, rest well today. By the looks of it, you’ve got a tough road ahead.”
“We’re looking for a healthy adult male, won’t it be over in a day or two?”
However, Zeronin’s head shook mercilessly, shattering Nigel’s expectations.
“Kyle Cromwell was my junior by 2 years.”
“Ah, right. You were also from Sienia.”
“Don’t pretend not to know. Your life was saved with what you learned there.”
“So, what kind of person was this Kyle?”
“That child was excellent and unique.”
Zeronin chuckled and messed up Nigel’s hair, then spoke again.
“Kyle was famous among all the students for moving too systematically.”
“All day… no, more than Professor Cledian?”
Zeronin’s navy hair shook up and down.
“Yes, incomparable to Professor Cledian. Kyle woke up at the same time, studied at the same time, and slept at the same time, like a precisely made magical tool. Even when Kyle’s physical condition wasn’t good.”
Nigel’s expression darkened.
“For such a person to disappear before the succession ceremony, it must be no ordinary matter.”
“That’s right.”
Zeronin sent a pitying look.
‘Let’s accept it, a difficult path is my destiny.’
Nigel opened her mouth with a sense of resignation.
“……Are there any of those chocolate cookies left from earlier?”
“I’ll pack plenty for you when you leave. Eat them sparingly.”
If a tough road was confirmed, at least she should pack food well. Nigel clenched her fist.
[This is the timeline separator]“Welcome.”
Not long after the communication ended, Sid arrived at Zeronin’s house.
Zeronin also stood next to Nigel, raising his gloved hand in a dry greeting.
“The person next to me… you probably already know.”
As if Nigel didn’t need to introduce him, Sid’s eyes sparkled looking at Zeronin.
“……So the person I communicated with was Zeronin Silvas. It’s an honor to meet you. I really enjoyed reading your recent paper on the magical tool market.”
Zeronin grinned and grabbed Sid’s shyly extended hand.
Usually, even people who know Zeronin make the mistake of calling his surname Galloway, but Sid accurately said Zeronin Silvas. From the point of being polite, Sid received a high score from Zeronin at first impression.
“I like you better than your brother.”
“Thank you for the compliment!”
The two became instant close brothers and entered the house.
Nigel, left alone, trudged along.
Nigel blinked seeing Sid enjoying refreshments and chatting warmly with Zeronin.
“Zeron.”
“……This is why I reached this conclusion.”
“Zeronin Silvas.”
“……Indeed! As expected of a researcher, your perspective is different.”
“Zeronin Galloway.”
“What is it?”
“Ars, why are you being so rude?”
Only then did the two turn their heads towards Nigel.
“I should be the one asking you, Sid. Didn’t you say we were going to look for Kyle Cromwell? Are you just going to keep chatting with Zeron?”
“Sorry, I met Zeronin whom I respect, so I got carried away……”
Hearing the word respect, Zeronin’s gray-blue eyes sparkled.
“Sid, no need for ‘Mr. Zeronin’. Call me Zeron.”
“Yes.”
Before the two could fall back into their own world, holding hands affectionately, Nigel quickly shooed Zeronin into the kitchen.
Not long after, a savory aroma wafted from the kitchen.
“But why did you come to me instead of your political science classmates? Asking them would be better in terms of quality and reliability of information.”
“Ars, you’re right, but you have a slightly different meaning.”
“Don’t tell me you’re going to say you like me?”
Nigel crossed her arms and sneered.
“Wh-what nonsense are you talking about? Of course I came to you because you’re a reliable friend, I have absolutely no feelings for you. I mean, rather than a rough person like you, my ideal type is a mature lady with many respectable qualities.”
Sid’s face suddenly turned red as he stammered.
“You’re making a big fuss over a little joke. How are you going to find your brother like this?”
“Th-that’s different from this.”
“Well, I’m honored that the second son of a count family thought of lowly me as a friend first.”
When Nigel laughed playfully, Sid slightly furrowed his brow.
“So, since when has Kyle been missing?”
“……Since yesterday.”
Sid avoided Nigel’s gaze, embarrassed.
“It might sound strange, but my brother absolutely never stays out overnight without planning. Especially not at a time like this before the succession ceremony.”
It seems Zeronin’s words, which she thought might have been a bit exaggerated, were actually the truth without even a hint of falsehood.
‘It looks like this might really turn into something big.’
Nigel let out a faint sigh.
“I’m sure the top student in political science didn’t come unprepared, do you have any clues? Any hints about where he might have disappeared to?”
“I found this in the drawer of my bedside table last night.”
Sid rummaged in the pocket of his light blue, fine-textured coat and handed a piece of paper to Nigel.
[Live comfortably without any worries. -Kyle]Nigel’s eyes narrowed at the short but meaningful message.
“……Did you tell your family members?”
“No. Even with this, it didn’t seem like it would be much help, so I didn’t bother mentioning it.”
Sid said with a bitter smile.
“Um… I’ve always been lacking compared to Kyle in our family. Seeing that he left even such a letter when leaving, it seems I was an untrustworthy younger brother to Kyle until the end.”
“……”
Nigel couldn’t carelessly add any words, and time passed carried by the scent of butter and chocolate cookies.
That’s when it happened.
Ding dong, a bell sound came from the direction of the front door.
“Um……”
“I’ll go. It might be an urgent telegram.”
Ignoring Sid’s gesture, Nigel sprang up from her seat and opened the front door.
“……It’s been a while, Nigel. I missed you.”
The silver-blue hair that Nigel wanted to avoid most was smiling brightly right in front of her.
My Step-brother Is Obsessed With Me (Female-dominant)
A gentle female protagonist vs pitiful in the early stage, and a sick male protagonist in the later stage
Cheng Songer transmigrated into the body of a vicious cannon fodder female supporting character with the same name as her in a female-dominant novel.
In the original story, the cannon fodder female supporting character was inhumane, committing domestic violence, gambling excessively, being lustful, and even wanting to sell her stepbrother to a brothel for money.
As luck would have it, she just happened to transmigrate at this time.
Seeing Cheng Qingzhi biting his lip, enduring the tears in his eyes, looking pitiful, her heart softened.
She stuffed the money back into the Madam’s hand and reached out to him.
“Brother, come home with me.”
