10 Night talk (2)

With my agreement Rum goes away, and come back with a company.

"Excuse me then."

With that Reiya figure appeared from the door followed by his butler.

"Did you need something Reiya?"

"Ah yes brother Zein. I wanted to talk to you privately."

He gaze at Rum which standing by the door.

"I understand, Rum please make some tea for us."

"Ah, you could ask my personal butler Sai. Sai lead butler Rum around the kitchen."

With that both butler leave us alone.

"Please have a seat."

I gesture him to take a seat, what bothersome manner.

"Thank you brother."

"So what do you want to talk about? I got a feeling that this invitation to stay the night here doesn't just for us to catch up with each other."

"Brother is correct. I ask father to invite you guys for this."

Seems like my assumption from before is correct. Now the only question left is what for?

"Then what is it?"

He suddenly make a forceful shady smile. Making me frown.

"I wanted to request you something."

"Request me something?"

This seems troublesome.

"Please teach me how to be a bad boy!"

"..."

My mouth twitching when I heard his words. He bow down to me when saying those. What is wrong with this guy?!

"You're a master at being a bad boy, just in a years your infamy could be heard anywhere. People starting to avoiding you and hate you, making you a perfect loner. While making many associate with those badass old noble and merchant. Please teach me how to do those!"

"Are you crazy?!"

I finally flipped at him, after hearing all those things from his mouth.

"I am not! But my sister made me almost crazy! I much more convinced you're the right person to teach me after I heard your story before."

"Don't tell me you want to walk my past path just because Elsa? What did she even do to you? Isn't she a good older sister that nice, caring, kind and sweet?"

"That's all more reason I should thriving to be a bad boy!"

".. have you lost your mind?! That your reason to be bad?"

"Yes, it is, brother Zein I am not lying to you. Sister droving me crazy! She keep protecting me, covering my wrong doing, feeding me from time to time, hugging me suddenly, and many other which.. "

"Spoiling you to death..."

"Yes! I can't even decided which class I took."

Okay, I get it, so that is the reason why Reiya seems like a really spoiled kids. It all because of Elsa. That just over protective! Her rosy headed and bubbliness is overwhelming. This is serious, she basically destroying her brother life. Still it isn't a reason to become like the old me.

"Anyway Reiya, that won't help you."

"It won't? But it working on you."

"It wasn't, did you remember our conversation from before dinner?"

"Hmmm...."

He crossing his arm while thinking hard.

"Ahhh.... You said you were avoiding her for 3 years."

"Correct, that why I said it wouldn't work. I even lied to her about getting cursed. But to no avail, every time we met, she would greet me politely and bubbly."

His face change to grim.

"You understand right? If I didn't avoid her at all, she would sticking close to me even after I got all those bad reputation."

"So that why you said it won't work."

He bitting his thumb nail, as he spill those words.

"Then what should I do?"

"Now, this is a tough question. That rosy headed sister of yours is really hard to be defeated."

"Is it the end for me? My entire life would be spoiled by her?"

"No, it still too fast to give up. There is couple way to make her listen to you."

When I said those he look at me with a bright face.

"Really brother? What is it? Please tell me, even if I need to cross a thousand of sword I would do it!"

"Well there is two options, one is keep fooling her, which I found it kinda easy, and even if she found out she would just forgive you. But could you fool your sister over and over again?"

"That... I can't I guess, even though she would forgive me. I would be driven by guilt."

"That as expected. The other option is make a bet."

"Make a bet??"

"Yes, literally make a bet with her. She is someone that really positive in everything she did, and someone that keeping her promise."

"One of the reasons why I keep avoiding her in those 3 years, is because I failed to get this promise from her. I already fool her about my condition, but the results is she want to stayed with me even more. I failed to get her to promise me to stay away."

"So, that why if you could make a bet with her that she could compromise, you will got her words."

When I finish saying those, Reiya was in deep thought. I guess he searching for a bet that he could won and Elsa would compromise with it. He gulped down before sighing.

"Either way it would be hard to achieve, although I prefer the last one option. Still brother Zein, it hard to find something to bet with. Also I am not sure if she would agree on our bet."

"That where you should you the first option, you fool her to take a bet with you. If you can't fool your own sister, I could help you on that. But I want to know what kind of promise you would ask from her. If it doesn't agreeable with me, I won't help you."

"Of course what I am asking is simple brother, I would only ask her to stop meddling with my business. I am already an adult, if I need her help or consultation I would ask her myself. Not getting those by force the entire time."

I smile and nods at his answer.

"I see, then you could consider me as an ally."

I offer him a handshake, after saying those. He grab my hand right away with a smile.

"Yush! Still brother Zein you kinda different?"

He tilt his head while looking at me. I chuckled at his words.

"What do you mean?"

"Hmmm, how do I said it.. before you got all those bad reputation, you're indeed a cheerful and brilliant noble children. But you don't have this relaxed and playful aura around you. You always seems like you're forcing yourself."

"Ah, I got what you mean. It indeed correct to said I was forcing myself. After all I am the oldest son, since I am the only son. I probably thinking I should be responsible and act level headed. Although it was wrong, since at that time I was only a kids. I should've talk to an adult about my problem. Maybe I won't walk those path if talk to my father or mother. I was afraid they would look down on me, or even hating me which making it harder to talk with them. So when you said I was forcing myself it is correct. That is the reason I don't want you to walk my path. I mean Elsa might be spoiling you to death, but I am sure it all because she love you. Also if you are afraid to talk to Duke Rames or brother Ramza, you could always talk to me or Lein. You might even find Lein perspective about how stupid my path was."

He smile wryly at my words. Although I am wondering, was his family never found out about it? Or they just close their eyes? I mean except for that rosy head, why is the Duke or even Ramza never said anything. Since my family definitely realize why I am doing all those things before, and try to stop me. But I shrugged them off until they stop trying, and just helping me to clean my butt.

"I understand, brother Zein. I guess I was to rash before. I would try to talk to brother Ramza."

"Then why don't we goes to his studies now?"

I smile playfully at him, he smile back the same as me.

"That sounds like a plan."

Then suddenly someone knocking our door.

"Young master your tea is ready. Would you like to drink it here?"

We look at each other when we heard Rum. Reiya lean to me and whisper.

"Brother did your butler always knocking on time like that?"

"Yes he is. Sometime I even afraid of him. He always found me sneaking out too, but never said anything."

"Woah... That indeed scary."

We laugh afterwards before I replied to Rum.

"No, Rum. We plan to go to brother Ramza study."

"I understand. Would you like me to bought it over then?"

"Hmm, butler Rum you could just give it to Sai."

Rum look at me for approval, I nods my head.

"I understand young master Reiya."

With that he give the tea set over to Sai.

"Well then Sai, please guide us to brother Ramza studies."

"I understand young master."

With Sai leading us, we walk along the dark corridor. Rum following us from behind, I still wondering how did they know we already finished our conversation. There hardly anyone leave working in the manor, most the servant already back to their lounging. Only those exclusive maid and butler leave inside the manor. Not too long we walk to the second floor of Duke Rames mansion, I could see a couple of medieval decorations along the way. Like those big antique vase, knight armor, or few sword and shield that decorating the wall. There also couple of painting, which I guess the Duke Rames family. Well they're branch of our kingdom royalty. So I could see couple of painting of the royal families before. Duke Rames himself was the second prince which retired his position for the throne. So I guess this kind of painting is as expected. Then after a couple of minute, we arrive in front of Ramza studies. His butler still standing in front of it.

"How may I help you young master Reiya, young master Dageraad?"

"Could we speak with brother Ramza?"

"I would ask young master Ramza. Please wait a moment..."

Then Reiya suddenly opening the door. Okay, that unexpected, I guess this traits for being the youngest, or maybe it because they're sibling. Indeed this noble mannerisms is tiresome. We only want to meet our sibling, but we have to wait for the person agreement? Oh Reiya got those playful smile, I guess he just want to have fun with his brother.

"Brother Ramza! Your youngest sibling is bringing you tea."

I could see Ramza jolted up when he heard the sudden interruption. I could see his pen goes all over the book, whatever he have been writing before, now ruined. Rest in pieces Reiya, may you burn brightly. And yep I could feel the temperature raising as Ramza look over to him.

"Reiya what did I told you about stop barging in suddenly?!"

"Whoa, brother calm yourself. The paper is going to burn! Do you want to burn our manor entirely?"

Hearing Reiya comment, Ramza panicky raise his hands from the desk and looking at his paper. Nothing burned tho, not yet at least. While Reiya laughing in a good mood. I guess his burden was lighter after talking with me.

"I apologized for barging in brother Ramza. It was my idea to check you."

He then finally realized I am also here. He finally got a calm face followed with sigh. Although he change to a big grin right away.

"Well, what unexpected visit. I just thinking to visit you later on too Zein."

"Pardon me?"

This smells like trouble, I frown when I heard him. Looking at my frown, he answer me while chuckling.

"I was thinking to visit you later on, but you come here first."

"I am also here brother."

"I could see that Reiya. Since you come here first, there must be something up to discussion."

He still looking at me, I keep get this vibe. He seems like misunderstanding my visit with Reiya.

"Honestly brother, this visit is about me"

Before I could open my mouth, Reiya said it first. Ramza raise his brows as he heard Reiya answer. He got face that telling us, he didn't expect it, he look at us curiously.

"It about you? I really thought it about the magic theories from those book. Then we should discuss what you're coming for first. Solus prepare tea for us."

Before Ramza butler said anything Reiya speak his mind.

"Brother, Sai already bought over our tea set, if you would like brother, please leave it to Sai."

"Ah, I understand. Seems like you already prepared to come for a long chat. Sai please prepare it for us then"

"As you wish young master Ramza, young master Reiya."

With that the butler move along together, and prepare the tea for us. Seriously they work like a magic, before long the table full of parchment and book, change to a nobleman tea table. Did they used a spatial magic?! Or maybe some storage equipment? Then they pour tea for each of us, before moving back to standing near the wall.

"So what is the things you want to discuss Reiya?"

"The things is...."

He hesitate as he speak.

"You know...."

"It about...."

He cross is arms as he collecting his mind. Ramza waiting for him patiently, as he looking at him. I sip my tea as waiting for Reiya... Until he soaking wet with cold sweat. This taking too long, it already my second cup... Ramza starting to lose his composure.

"The things ....."

"Okay, enough. This is wasting our time. Sigh... So Zein, what he wanted to say? He always hesitating about what he wants."

Yep, he finally turn the conversation to me, making me look at Reiya lazily. He flinched at my lazy stare.

"Sigh, oi Reiya. Where is your conviction and decisiveness from before? I am going to help you, but I am not going to wipe your butt."

He flinched, and look ashame hearing my words. I sip my tea once again, as Reiya suddenly look at his brother courageously.

"The things is... I am... Sister.. ahhhh... I am tired of how sister treat me!"

Finally he said it while stuttering, and shouting, making Ramza surprised. Then Ramza laugh while looking at him with a grin.

"You finally said it. I thought you won't ever said those."

"Bro... Brother you..."

"Well, I already realized how worn-out you're with her treatment."

"The... Then.... Why didn't you..."

"As your older brother, and a man, I decided that I won't help you if you never said it. After all you would think I also treat you like a kid."

This time Reiya was the one that got surprised. This as I expected then, he realized how Elsa treat Reiya, his reasoning make sense, but why he didn't said anything to that rosy head?

"That... Ummm..."

"What?"

"Did you..."

"Did I what? Stop stuttering, and man up. I am your brother, there nothing to be afraid or ashame of to say. Took a deep breath then say it.

Ramza smile as he encouraging Reiya, making him calm down. He took a deep breath as how Ramza advised, he finally got a gaze.

"Did you ever told sister anything?"

"I did, and do you know what her replied?"

"Er... I can guess somehow."

They both smile wryly. It Elsa we are talking about. I am sure if Ramza told her to treat Reiya like an adult she would said 'he is my little sister, as her sister I must protect him from bad guy!' along those lines.

"So what are your plans?"

"That... I got a feeling she won't listen to me even if I said it to her."

"Then?"

"Then I heard some advice from brother Zein. He said sister always hold up her promise."

Ramza eyes shone, as he nods his head in agreement.

"Still if she won't listen to your plead, how do you plan to make her promise something to you?"

"That where brother Zein come! He also told me how."

Ramza change his gaze to me. Asking for explanation. I fake a cough, then put down my tea cup.

"By betting. As brother Ramza known, Elsa is also a competitive person."

"Indeed she is, that still doesn't explain how to make her betting with Reiya. If she knows what the bet for, she wouldn't agree."

"We plan to make an offer she couldn't decline."

"Like?"

"Like both of us."

"You?"

"Me?"

They both got bewildered look. Right I never told Reiya the plan. I only told him to fool her.

"You.. did you finally know her feeling?!"

"... Err what?!"

Now, Ramza got flustered as he close his mouth. His face change to grim. While Reiya completely open his mouth in shock.

No, no, no.... Don't tell me... I didn't heard anything! I tell you.

"She...."

"I never heard anything! Brother Ramza, please don't say it. Don't suddenly send a letter too..."

"You... Sigh, I didn't agree about it too before, as your reputation is really bad."

"Before?! Don't tell me...."

He scratched his head, with an awkward smile.

"The things is I don't know. There is time when mother considering a ma...."

"No, don't tell me... Just tell me did Duchess Rames sent it to our manor?"

"That I don't know, but she might be soon..."

"Why? My reputation is still as bad as before."

"That indeed true. But she might change her mind after.."

I suddenly reminded of how was tonight dinner.

"Don't tell me..."

"Yes, mother personal maid was there at tonight dinner, so did father butler. Basically they would hear all of our conversation at tonight dinner."

"But I already got fiancee?!"

"That something to be considered too. Although it pretty normal for us to got couple of wife and mistress. It only couple of nobleman like our father and Marquis Dageraad that got only one wife."

Now this a headache... This is really troublesome! Mother would kill me. Also it kinda hard to decline a Duke household marriage letter. How did my douchebag self charm a couple of girl?! In Earth it so hard for me to court a single girl, is it what that say about bad boy charm? The hell?! Reiya finally come back to his sense as he fake a cough.

"Ahem... A-anyway, what do you mean by us brother Zein?"

"Right, we should discuss that first. Since my assumption was wrong, then please explain it Zein."

"A-alright.... It pretty simple, she want me in her circle and she would really wanted Reiya too. So we could make it as a bet that she couldn't decline."

"Ahhh, that a good idea. Still what should we bet at?"

"The competition!"

"Correct, as expected from brother Ramza."

With that Reiya nods his head. While Ramza contemplating something before he nods.

"Then you visit me to ask me a help to figure out which competition she would take?"

"That is incorrect, I want brother Ramza to lead her to a competition that we would take."

"I see, you want me to leak her an information about you both join in partner for a competition, then make a bet with her?"

"Yes."

"I understand now. You would join in a competition that give you an advantage, a two man team competition."

"Indeed."

"Then based on those there is only a couple of competition. But my question is which competition? I can't guess, which one would make the both of you in advantage against her."

"That is simple, the tag team hunt!"

He frown at my answer, while Reiya didn't understand.

"Seriously, tag team hunt? Do you realize that is a pair battle competition?"

"Ummm... What is tag team hunt?"

Reiya cut off our conversation. Right, he going to be a freshman, so he didn't know that. Although our academy competition is famous, but most outsider only know the major one like those interpersonal battle either personal, pair or team, blitz, or castle war. While those minor like magic debate, monster hunt, summon battle, alchemy, maze solving, inscribing, black smithing and few other, they hardly known. Since only minority of people would like to watch those. Like who would love to see a blacksmith pounding a steel for 3 hours? Although monster hunt is raising this couple of years, but those watching mostly an adventurers. Since it more to finding a weakness of virtual monster than a real fights. With that question from Reiya, we explained it to him. At that time we didn't know, that this year monster hunt would change.

"I see, so we gonna fight against one virtual monster which finding it weakness as objective? Team that able to subdued the monster fastest is the winner?"

"Yes, basically like that. If we didn't hit their weakness a couple of times, it still won't die tho."

"Although Zein make it simple Reiya, the real thing ain't that simple. Since your sister is good at theories, she know about most of monster weakness. It would be hard to win against her time."

"That is the reason, if the competition we choose is something she couldn't do. She won't participate in it. Even tho she is a rosy headed person, she is a smart girl that know her own strength. While this competition seems hard, but at least we could fight on the same ground."

"That is true, since the monster is virtual things there is no danger. But remember you can't get hit too many times, since you would be out of the game."

"Relax brother Ramza. I got a plan for it."

"You did?!"

"Why are you the one that surprised Reiya?"

"Uhh... Brother Zein was... Right it in the past. I don't even know how strong brother Zein now."

I chuckled at Reiya words.

"Anyway Zein won't be that bad, since he could do those spell, or maybe his mastery in spell already rivalling me. Anyway I would help you on this, but I can't help you on the bet."

"That is my works, it enough for brother Ramza to help us on that."

"Still Zein, what would your bet for her? I already if you lose you would join her circle, but if you win what would you ask?"

"That... I haven't think about it. Maybe the..."

"Declined. She still my younger sister, I won't agree helping you if you gonna broke her heart to pieces."

"... Okay, I would consider other things"

He sip his tea as he heard my answer. Reiya is in deep thought, then he suddenly open his mouth.

"There something I am wondering brother Zein."

"What is it?"

"Why did you seem like hating the idea of marriage with sister? I could see your relationship with her wasn't so bad even after your dark side appears!"

"... Don't called it dark side please."

That seems chuunibyo somehow.

"Well to answer your curiosity, it simple actually. I just never considering to took 2 wives."

"Eh?!"

Although that seems great and, truth to be told I indeed dreaming having harems before... But that is only a dream as a youthful teenager. As I goes older, then graduate from university, I never thought of it anymore. One girlfriend already giving me a headache! What if it two? Or three? How did those player do those?! One is already troublesome enough. I almost got no time for friends before. Also girl jealousy is scary! I sip my tea as I reminded of my ex in Earth. I still remember how much tantrum she throw at me when I choose to play moba with my friend before. Reiya look confused while Ramza nod in agreement with me.

"Well Reiya, just see our parents and family. Zein household isn't different than ours after all. With that kind of harmonious parents, isn't it normal to want those kind of family in the future? While look at those noble family with many madam and mistress. Most of them goes in power struggling internally."

"Ahhh... That is true."

Yup, that indeed correct, although that isn't my reason.

"Anyway, let's change a topic. Since it wasn't proper to talk about other family matters."

"Then brother Ramza, why did you plan to visit me before?"

"Of course it about this thesis and new magic theorem. I need your cooperation."

As expected it about those.

"Can I decline?"

He frown at my question.

"Can I ask for your reason to decline? You do know, it not like I would ask you to work on this thesis with me for free."

"Sure. I could answer that. The reason is sound troublesome for me."

"Pardon me??"

"It troublesome. Since I would work with you on this, it mean I would need to come helping your research. I am still a sophomore, I can't always come to your labs in the castle magic research building. I already in the edge of expulsion. I can't skip classes."

"I can help you with that tho. I only need to send a recommendation to the school for exemption."

... Damn, he won't buy that. If this thesis really work, we would be famous. I don't want that, I just wanted to laze around in my small shop at the edge of our family territory while being lovey-dovey with my future wife.

"Ah, also I need to coordinate with Reiya for the competition."

"We could work afterwards then, even better I could help you both on it."

"... That would troublesome for you."

"Hmmm... It only an hour by carriage tho."

"... I am greedy for money."

"I'll pay you one small gold coin every week."

Danyum... This rich noble researcher! One gold coin is equal as 25000 USD.... It mean my wage would be 100000 USD a month? Anyway there is 8 kind of coin here, which is small bronze, bronze, small silver, silver, small gold, gold, small white gold, and white gold, with every ten coin of the same type equal as one higher coin. Also the average family consist of 4 adult could live with 5 small silver a month in the capital. So that mean I got a wage to feed 80 household a month in the capital.

"Still... I couldn't bother brother Ramza to come everyday to our academy."

He contemplating my words again, before smirking shadily.

"Hmmm.. I guess so."

I got a bad feeling even tho he said that.

"We should talk about this later on. Anyway it already too late. We should rest, after all we will depart to the capital tomorrow. Let's call it a night."

"Thank you brother for listening to our request. I guess it a good night then."

"Good night Reiya. I would give you the good news soon."

"Then I would take my leave to brother Ramza. Have a good night."

"You to Zein."

After exchanging our good night, we go back to our own room. I got a shiver somehow when I left his studies.

"Well brother Zein seems like our talk goes successfully."

"Indeed."

"Anyway brother Zein...."

"Hmm?"

"I would like to join you in the blitz too!"

"Eh? But didn't you already plan your to join other circle? It would be bad if you join me."

"It alright, I already decided to join your circle brother Zein."

"Errr.. I didn't join any circle tho."

"Then let's make one! Or join one together."

... Why is all this sibling like this? Although his offer ain't that bad.

"... Ummm, alright?"

"Then let's make it happen! Ah, my room is that way. Good night brother Zein."

"Nnn, has a good night Reiya."

At that time I didn't realize how troublesome this circle would become. I go back to my room then drift off to dream.