7 My Brothers

"I-I'm sorry... I-I apologize. I exposed an embarrassing sight in the middle of the training ground..."

Crying out in the middle of the training ground and finally regaining composure, I deeply bowed to Serena.

Well, I did cry like a child, so it's embarrassing.

"No need to feel embarrassed. In fact, I am genuinely happy to have touched your sincere feelings."

Even while I was crying, Serena, who had been watching over me, wiped away the tears that remained in my eyes and smiled.

"More importantly, your eyelids seem swollen, so it might be better to cool them down. And after this, there's a dinner party with Lord Chirs, isn't there?"

"Ah... right."

No, I had completely forgotten until she pointed it out. I don't particularly want to go to the dinner party, but if I don't go, it seems like it could be troublesome.

But...

"Elysion, my lord?"

Looking at me, Serena asked with a curious expression.

If I confess that I'm reluctant to part with her, combined with the fact that I cried earlier, it might sound pathetic.

"S-so, um, I'll escort you to the entrance."

"Yes. Thank you very much."

Suppressing my true feelings, I bend down, took her hand, and left the training ground. Of course, because I wanted to be with her a little longer, I walked as slowly as possible.

And then...

"Thank you very much."

"Ah..."

As Serena boarded the carriage, she gently released her hand from mine. 

I felt reluctant and almost reached out to stop her, but I couldn't detain her. I should have just refused the dinner party I didn't want to attend from the beginning. Damn it.

And then...

"Lord Elysion. Well then, I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow..."

Smiling warmly, she waved her hand as the carriage slowly moved away.

Until the carriage was out of sight, I kept waving my hand... That's right.

"Ah..."

Come to think of it, I completely forgot about Mary. What am I going to do now that she has been expelled by Serena?

Well, it's fine.

In the first place, I decided to keep my distance from the protagonist and heroines to avoid a bad ending and live peacefully with my favorite Serena. So, Mary leaving the royal palace actually led to a result of keeping her away. It's better this way.

...Although, with this incident, it seems I might be hated quite a bit.

While making sure not to think about anything else, I hurriedly returned to my room to change clothes.

---

"Sorry to keep you waiting, and pardon me!"

Hastily changing into new clothes, I forcefully opened the door to the dining hall, which was the venue for the dinner party.

"You're late."

The golden-haired man who took his seat, looking at me with the same gray eyes as mine, quietly said.

He is the real brother of Elysion and the first prince of the Silvercrest Kingdom.

—Chris Silvercrest.

In the setting of 'Engage Hundered times ,' he is already involved in national affairs, and his competent work has earned the trust of King Evial. As the first prince, he is considered the most likely candidate for the next king. 

However, his personality is cold and lacks human warmth. For this reason, many voices support the second prince, Raphael, who is popular not only among nobles but also among commoners.

Well, as for Chris's personality, it will gradually improve as he regains his humanity through the struggle for the throne with the protagonist and the heroines. 

In terms of ability, he possesses strength comparable to the protagonist and makes use of the special skill of the royal family, the light attribute skill 'Silvercrest Crest,' to confront the protagonist.

By the way, although I also have the 'Silvercrest Crest,' my attribute is unfortunately dark. Of course, I can't use it, and it occupies a skill slot as a completely useless possession.

And Chris's evaluation of me is 'useless brother.' This word is mentioned not only in the scenario of 'Engage' but is deeply engraved in Elysion's memories.

Still, Elysion, as a loyal subordinate of Chris, flattered him incessantly because he wanted his existence to be acknowledged. Not only by his mother Margaret but also by his brother Chris.

I only knew about the game's setting and scenario in my previous life, but if he had been treated like that from a young age, it's only natural that Elysion's personality would become twisted. I can't help but sympathize.

Above all, because I share such a twisted heart, it makes me even more sympathetic.

However, the current me... is both Elysion and my previous self. I don't intend to follow the scenario leading to a bad ending, and I have the knowledge of game, I understand that Margaret and Chris would never look at me with favor.

So, from now on, I will graduate from being a flunky, and I'll keep my distance from Chris and live quietly.

"Brother Chris. Why did you suddenly decide to have dinner with me?"

I deliberately asked with a hint of irony.

Having dinner with the 'useless brother' was certainly not something that happened even once in Elysion's memories. It's better to provoke him a bit to understand this guy's intentions.

"No, I heard that Elysion is engaged to the daughter of Duke Ravenhurst. So, I arranged a celebratory meal for you."

"I see."

I understand. In other words, the flunky me, engaged to Serena, and thinking that he could get support from the Ravenhurst family, arranged a celebratory event. With the support of the Ravenhurst family, the largest faction, it would greatly assist Chris's succession to the throne.

But too bad.

In reality, the Duke Ravenhurst, who is vehemently opposed to my engagement with Serena, wouldn't support it.

Well, whatever.

Although initially, my goal was to push Mary onto him, without that purpose, I'll just act friendly for now, throw some charm, and withdraw when the time is right.

That's what I thought, but...

"Lord Chris..."

"Yes?"

A steward came to Chris and whispered something.

Although his expression remained unchanged, it seemed that the content wasn't particularly good.

"...Let him through."

"Understood."

Chris solemnly declared, and the steward bowed and headed towards the door.

"Hey, Elysion. Congratulations on your engagement."

As soon as he entered the dining hall, he smiled warmly, with the same golden hair and gray eyes as Chris, and sat down casually in front of me.

—The second prince, Raphael Silvercrest.