When the Villains Unite - Chapter 5; Part 1
As I was playing with Damian, Bellamy, who was not expected to arrive until later, burst through the front door of the annex. In his hand was the magical key the servant carried. I instinctively knew the servant was dead.
As we walked to the ducal residence, it felt different. The two men on either side were trustworthy. I felt a sense of pride. It was only the three of us, and I had helped them back to their rightful positions with minimal blackening. Now, we could all enjoy a normal life.
I was bubbling with excitement on the way to our house, yet once we stepped inside, I was left speechless.
“What is this…”
Why is all the furniture gone?
The Count was imprisoned, but there wasn’t a single servant in the mansion. When they said Bellamy was going to clean up, did they mean this?
“He totally cleared it out. That’s our brother.”
“I don’t like other people’s stuff.”
Why did you get rid of all the expensive furniture? Not only did he throw it all away, but the smoke outside the window made me believe he burned them.
“Hah… do you have salt?”1 through our lovely other salmon translators, i found out that this is basically just a tradition to chase away bad ghosts. still personally confused on context, but this is the actual translation
“Salt? Why?”
Oh, this isn’t Korea…
“Nevermind… By the way, since there’s no furniture, where do we sleep? On the floor?”
“No, here.”
There was a sudden ‘thump’ sound.
No way…
“Did you bring a bed from the annex…?”
I inferred he held it in the air as we walked over here earlier. That must be why I didn’t see it. But why only one…
“I only brought one because I ran out of magic power. I won’t be able to use magic for a while…”
“It can’t be helped. We’ll just have to sleep together.”
“No… wait.”
“You don’t mean to sleep on the floor, do you, sis? Nobles never sleep on the floor.”
“Were you uncomfortable sleeping with us last night?”
No… it was more warm than uncomfortable, and it felt nice…
“No…”
“Then, problem solved. We should sleep together.”
Okay, since Rose is fine.”
No, Belle, Dami… I never said it was okay…?
I feel like I can’t stop them. I can’t believe how close they are since they didn’t seem that way in the annex. Maybe they are acting because it feels like they are hiding something from me.
Still, they seem happy to be out of that stuffy building. It might be the first time they’ve relaxed in their home since the Duke and Duchess passed.
When they laughed, I couldn’t hold back my smile. Well, maybe a few nights will be okay.
After all that cleaning, no wonder Bellamy didn’t have any magic left. In the original, he was like an overlord, but since he’s been working before the sun rose and cleaned the mansion, he must have been exhausted. He probably used more magic than he ever had before.
It can’t be helped… I’ll let this one slide.
But I didn’t expect to share a bed with them for another two years.
* * *
Before I knew it, time had flown by and Bellamy was already an adult. According to the original story, he should have remained locked up in the annex and become a beast, alongside Damian. However, as I promised in the beginning, they grew up well.
All because of the sacrifices that I made!
Instead of announcing we were mistreated by the Count when we appeared in society, we went with the Count’s alibi. We had been living at the Carmel Estate and returned to the main residence. It would be social suicide if the nobles found out the truth after such a long absence.
Today was the first official appearance of the grown-up Orca brothers after eight years.
At the New Year’s Ball, Bellamy will be knighted by the Emperor himself and come of age. As he receives the dukedom, I will make my debut in society. As the celebration of one of only two Dukes in the Empire, it’s only natural that the nobility will gather.
If I do well today, I’ll be able to see the Crown Prince, Aria, and Ashik. I only read about it in the novel, but I remember the scene where all the characters met was beautiful.
The Crown Prince is mesmerized by Aria’s youthful beauty, but he’s also puzzled that his friend, Bellamy, hasn’t shown up. It was an unwritten rule that all nobles of the Empire had to celebrate their coming of age in the capital, even if they lived elsewhere. Since then, Kane had been investigating the Duke of Orca, and it was thanks to him that the brothers were rescued.
It must have surprised him, too, that the brothers had evolved into maniacs who raped the woman they loved.
Now that the Orca brothers have changed, will they compete with Kane for Aria’s love? I’m even able to enjoy the full story from the point of view of Princess Orca. The only catch is…
“Hey, Damian. I’ve got to get ready, can you please-”
“The main character can show up late. Let’s do this a little longer.”
“Sis, I came in at the crack of dawn last night, I’m so tired.”
They won’t let me out of bed. This has been going on for months.
When I first slept in bed with them, their reasons made sense. As the days went by though, their excuses grew more and more absurd. First, it was no magic, then no energy, and now Damian is insistent he’s scared to sleep alone.
Usually, Bellamy would restrain him at some point, but now, his silence was frustrating.
“If you don’t let go now, I won’t sleep with you in the future.”
Now it has escalated to the level of threatening to not sleep with them.
At first, I thought it might not work, but once I said it and they let go of me, it’s been the most useful defense.
They’re adults now and this is spelling trouble. Isn’t it a strange idea? Siblings sleeping together…
Suddenly, their grips loosened and I jumped out of bed.
“I’ll see you later, young master Damian.”
“Yes… Princess Rose.”
Damian’s voice, filled with longing, bothered me a bit, but I knew it was his favorite trick.
I left him and closed the door behind me. In front of the room were the maids that Bellamy had assigned to me. As they were restlessly fidgeting, I felt guilty.
“Ah… well… You have a lot of work to do, hahaha.”
“Princess, I’m sorry, but we have to move.”
As soon as Mary, the most strict of the maids, said that, she picked me up and ushered me to the bathroom.
I didn’t know my maids were this strong and fast…
Mary must have been in a hurry. It was so unlike her to carry me.
From there on, I was washed, dressed, and groomed from head to toe by the maids. I realized once again how difficult it is to be a young, noble lady.
How many hours had passed with me in their hands?
After hours of scented baths and massages, I was now dressed in a white gown with gold trim. May was debating whether to let my hair down or tie it up.
“Since you are not of age yet and can’t show your neckline, shall we leave your hair down, Princess?”
“Mmmm… that would be best, please.”
After that, they applied makeup and I picked out a pair of matching earrings and a necklace.
It’s been six hours…
I thought I was going to collapse from exhaustion, but all the other noble ladies seem to love this. When the maids were done, their dead eyes came to life again.
“Princess… you look so beautiful!”
“No, what… It’s all thanks to you.”
When I looked in the mirror, I was surprised to see that I, too, had grown up. Though I had gained weight from all the good food I have eaten here, I still had a perfect figure. Not to mention my resemblance to Ceria…
I stayed in the ducal residence because I didn’t have anywhere to go, but when I was dressed to perfection, I looked like a beautiful noblewoman. I’ll have to give the maids a bonus later for dressing me up.
By the way, are the boys preparing well? We don’t have much time…
“Rose, can I come in?”
Bellamy’s voice came from outside the door, making me jump away from my thoughts. It was good timing, too. How did he know to show up just as I finished dressing up?
“Yes, come in.”
The maid opened the door and both Orca brothers entered the room, followed by a line of maids.
Dressed in white banquet suits with golden embroidery like mine, they were dazzling. If there was a prince on a white horse, I thought, wouldn’t it be them?
Wow, they both look so gorgeous… I almost fell in love…
“Sis, why don’t we just skip the banquet and be alone?”
“A few nobles missing won’t ruin the New Year’s party. Do you have somewhere you want to go?”
“Didn’t you say the other day that you wanted to see the sea? How about Yamok Beach?”
As I stare at them in pure admiration, the two of them give predictable responses: no, we aren’t going to the New Year’s party.
Why shouldn’t we go? The guest of honor is Bellamy, officially receiving his title from the Crown Prince.
When I made a dumbfounded face, Bellamy grinned and threw his arm around me.
“You’re so pretty, I’m afraid I’d be upset if anyone else saw you.”
I blushed at the compliment.
It’s not fair for him to say something like that. I should have gotten used to the excitement I felt when he did this, but it always felt like the first time. Most of all, it’s best to have a handsome man tell me I’m pretty.
This is where I raise the white flag… No, I can’t let them win. I haven’t seen the Crown Prince and Ashik yet.
I ignored their protests. As Bellamy escorted me, Damian grumbled that he wanted to do it, but when I held his arm with my other hand, he clamped his mouth shut.
It was so cute.
With that, the Duke of Orca’s activities was now officially underway.
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