Cinderella's Brother

Thankfully, it was my brother, not me, who my father called. 

 

“Eugene.”

 

“Dad.”

 

“There are many eyes here.”

 

Ugh. Are you telling me not to be nervous because there are so many eyes watching, Dad? Why are you using such elaborate language that doesn’t suit you at all? Just say to me put on a show of being affectionate siblings in front of my lonely step-sister. Ugh. If it was Levina who was hanging on to my brother instead of me!

 

“Ian.”

 

“sorry.”

 

Even if he was the eldest son of a damned earl, he’d still have a long way to go to beat my brother. Stifling the tiny bit of sympathy that flickered toward Ian, I slowly loosened my arms from around his neck and stepped back. No, I tried to back away.

 

I was definitely going to back away. But why won’t this fearsome brother of mine let me go? Hey, brother, the position of your hands is getting awkward! I’m a girl in the midst of a growth period where the slightest touch on my breasts will kill me, not a boy who can just pick them up and go! Hmph. Dirty world.

 

“Of course, there should be a lot, it’s my birthday.”

 

Instantly it was clear I wasn’t the only one who doubted my ears. Otherwise, neither Ian nor my dad would have worn the same freaked-out look.

 

My brother, who alternated between looking at me in confusion.

 

“Father, are you ill?”

 

“…….”

 

It was clear that my father wanted to say a lot of things, but he said nothing more. If I were him, I’d be hard-pressed to find the words. What can you say to a pretender when he suddenly comes out of nowhere like this? What’s wrong with him, did he eat something wrong?

 

Except for the earlier incident, the banquet went exactly as I remembered. As each and every one of the invited guests arrived, the atmosphere grew livelier and livelier, filled with laughter and loud conversations. I’ve always wondered what everyone was having so much fun about. I can’t hear the music anymore, people, it’s drowned out, did you all come to play? …Oh, you’re here to play.

 

“Why do you get all the cute girls?”

 

“You devil. Go get yourself a birthday cake!”

 

“The heavens are so indifferent! How could a bastard like you be born into this beautiful world!”

 

While my father took Levina to greet the people, I hovered around my brother, who was receiving his birthday greetings.

 

I don’t know why everyone who hangs out with my brother seems to be like that, but I’m most intrigued by the group of young people who sit in a circle to one side of him, chattering away and occasionally sending him glares. Of course, my brother was a bit handsome, but what’s so attractive about these murderous humans?

 

It was then that Ian, who was physically following my brother around, cursing at him with his mouth while simultaneously devouring a very tasty piece of cake, started looking at me as I clung to his side. 

 

“Ray, I used to play with you all the time when you were little, don’t you remember?”

 

….I thought he was just a kid, but he was a fraud. I had a violent urge to punch him in the gap between his gap-toothed teeth, but I resisted. I’m a puppet! I must perform!

 

“Really? I don’t remember.”

 

“Haha, you were just a kid then, I carried you around, from here to there…”

 

“Don’t try to scam her, idiot.”

 

“How many times have I told you that I’m here to see your sister’s lovely face, not your hideous one!”

 

“Look, but don’t scam her.”

 

I send a sympathetic look to Ian, who looks like an out-of-place dead puppy, and his eyes start to glow again, as they always do. He was giving me the creeps.

 

His green eyes glow like a lion stalking its prey.

 

“Ray, do you want to marry me?”

 

…. This guy?

 

“You said you were going to marry me once, don’t you remember?”

 

I don’t remember! Tell me when I said that shit, you lunatic! And even if I did, it wasn’t me!

 

“Ahaha… Me?”

 

“Wow, you’re a dick. Did you really forget that you said you liked me better than your brother and wanted to marry me!”

 

…. brother. Why aren’t you saying anything, did I really say that, it’s ridiculous!

 

I can’t believe my past affair(?) is holding me back when I’m supposed to be seducing my brother somehow, but if I give up now, I won’t be able to build an empire!

 

So I rolled my eyes and blurted out in my most patronising voice.

 

“Even if I did, it’s impossible now.”

 

“Eh? Why? Why?”

 

I threw out the bait, and he bit it hard.

 

“Because I’m marrying my brother!”

 

I exclaimed excitedly, clinging to my brother. It’s very, very embarrassing because I can feel his body going stiff. Why has everyone suddenly turned into a honeyed mute, say something!

 

“Eugene, you… What the hell did you do to her?”

 

“You ignorant bastard, what have you threatened a child with?!”

 

Apparently, these people think there was some sort of blackmail going on between me and my brother. Tsk tsk. That’s what image management is all about. I don’t know what kind of public image I have, but… Brother, why don’t you just give up on your friends? Why don’t you hang out with those pretty sisters instead of these creepy guys? I’d be happier if you did. 

 

“But Eugene.”

 

“Why again.”

 

“What the hell was your father thinking?”

 

I thought he was just a flunky, but he was also a warrior, you. To my brother’s face, asking about my father’s well-being.

 

“It wasn’t me.”

 

“You’d know better than me. He’s your dad, so if I were you, I’d want Ray to….”

 

Ian’s words faltered as he rambled on in an uncharacteristically serious tone.

 

I looked up at my brother in confusion, but he was silent, his eyes downcast, his face stony. What the hell, if you start a conversation, you should finish it! What did I do?

 

Did that creep know about my aphasia because my brother told him? That’s weird enough as it is….

 

“Ray, come here for a second.”

 

It was my father, calling me over. I looked up at my brother for a moment, then quickly walked towards him. Ugh, that skirt was killing me, and my feet were killing me even more. Sigh. Wait, but….

 

The surroundings suddenly became quiet, and I looked around to see that the attention of the people who had been milling around, sampling the drinks and food, was now focused on us. My father, me, and Levina, who were standing in the centre of the ballroom to be precise.

 

The noise slowly dies down, replaced by the sound of the band’s music.

 

“Sis.”

 

Staring at Levina, who stands across from me, shaking her head innocently, I instantly realise why my father has called me: to give her a gift, now.

 

I blinked and looked up to see my father watching me with quiet impatience in his eyes. When I looked back at Levina, she seemed to realise that she was about to receive something from me, and her eyes were glowing with an unspoken pressure to hand it over.

 

Ahhh, damn these sea glazes.

 

Do you think I’m just going to hand it over?

 

With so many eyes on me, I might as well turn public opinion into my favour and run away in the middle of the ball, rather than stubbornly refusing to give it to them. You know, like those unfortunate young people who run away in tears in the middle of the ball. Then I’ll have to choose between pleading with my brother or hiding behind that creepy Ian.

 

I close my eyes for a moment and take a deep breath, my pulse pounding. Calm down, I’ve got to play it right if I want to turn public opinion on my side. Whatever happens to my father afterward.. I wish that bastard of a brother would help me. It’s a gamble, it’s a gamble, and I’m a gambler!

 

“Levina…”

 

“Yes, sis.”

 

“You know, I really want to welcome you to my house.”

 

“Thanks, sis! I’m so glad to have a sister like you!”

 

Swallowing hard, I lifted my trembling hand and slipped it into my inside pocket. That’s where I kept the necklace.

 

I could see the irritation in Levina’s round eyes as she smiled at me. Heh. No matter what, I’m glad she was annoyed.

 

“Sister?”

 

“So I, I, I…”

 

The easiest way to fake crying was to recall the most embarrassing memory I don’t want to recall. I’ve practised this hundred of times, so I was not entirely without confidence. As embarrassing as possible, as sad as possible!

 

…By the way, Dad, could you stop looking at me so strictly, it’s scary! Oops. I have to admit, I was grateful for that because it allowed me to look very naturally cowed.

 

There was a small stir amongst the crowd as I fidgeted with my locket necklace and extended my hand. A murmur, like a questioning whisper. Guys, you know this is all a lie, and if you don’t, well, that’s great.

 

“I… to give you…. I mean, to give you this…..!”

I had barely finished my sentence when I turned around and prepared to run, when a hand shot out of nowhere and grabbed my shaking hand, almost making me jump halfway to my feet. Holy shit, brother, if you’re here, at least give me a sign that you’re here!

 

But why does he have that scary look on his face again? Surely you’re not planning to beat my eardrums like you did then?

 

My father coughed in vain. My brother, who had been staring down into my wet eyes, slowly turned his head and glared at my father. The sight of two identical human beings glaring at each other from overhead made my skin crawl.

 

“What do you think you’re doing?”

 

“And what is my father doing? There must be something else going on in this house that I don’t know about.”

 

His voice was barely audible, even to me. It’s an unbelievable situation. How could he be so blunt with his father? Will the sun rise in the west tomorrow?

 

“You can’t stay out of it. there are many eyes.”

 

“Who doesn’t know that?”

 

Correction. He must be ill, otherwise he would have no reason to speak in such an inappropriate manner.

 

He lowers his head again, slowly, this time looking at Levina in front of me. After a moment’s puzzlement, Levina tilted her head in an adorable expression of puzzlement.

 

And then… My brother finally spoke.

 

“Levina.”

 

“Yes, brother.”

 

“I can’t tell you how good it is to have you in this house.”

 

“Hehe, thank you…”

 

“Because Ray’s been so lonely lately. You two are sisters now, so I hope you’ll take care of each other and get along well.”

 

What is he talking about? Isn’t he really sick? Maybe he’s had too much to drink? Maybe he’s caught some weird germ from Ian. I don’t even know what it was.

 

“What? Oh, yeah. Yes, of course!”

 

After a moment’s hesitation, he nodded quickly and gazed softly at Levina, who exclaimed excitedly, before turning his head once more, this time fixing his gaze on the audience. The hazel eyes beneath the pale silver hair curved gently to form a smirk. Oh, I can hear the little girls gasp all the way over here!

 

“Well, then, ladies, let’s keep the party going.”

 

I could see the blood draining from my father’s forehead. That’s how he raised my brother. He may have hit me, but he never hit him. I’m sorry I’ve been calling you Brother, but I’ll call you Brother from now on. Only in private, of course.

 

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