Once I returned to the city, I visited the royal cemetery where countless heroes were buried, holding flowers in hand.
If I were to die in my homeland of Braidea, would I be put to rest here?
Although I would like to think that this is still a long way off, I suddenly thought about the possibility. Thanks to my sister-in-law telling me the exact location, I was able to get to my brother Claude's grave without much difficulty. "It's been a long time, Nii-san. However, I never even dreamed that we would be reunited like this."
I spoke to the tombstone where my brother was resting, regretting my carelessness in not doubting that we would meet again. "Sister-in-law made us some tea and sandwiches, so please enjoy them. The ingredients are brother's favorite." I took out the things my sister-in-law had given me from the basket and immediately placed them in front of the grave.
"It smells nice. Sister-in-law is really good at making tea.''
I said as I closed my eyes and inhaled the delicious aroma wafting from the tea.
"I had nine older brothers, including you." The day I first visited my brother's house comes back to my mind as vividly as if it was yesterday. "My brother Claude was the only one who did things that were typical of a brother." I wouldn't go so far as to say that the other brothers were heartless. There was just too little contact between me and them.
"I had just lost my mother, and I was a crude, brash, mean-spirited brat."
Actually, I don't think I was a very cute child.
"Yet, brother and sister-in-law welcomed me warmly."
Both my brother and sister-in-law were very gentle people.
They lectured me countless times after my mother's death, but never once did they get emotional or scold me without thinking.
It's no exaggeration to say that those days shaped me into who I am today.
"I can't thank you enough."
I show my gratitude not just with my words, but also with a deep bow.
"I couldn't really repay the kindness to you before we parted ways, and although I will never be able to replace you." I stopped there and faced the gravestone where my brother was resting with a serious look on my face. "I'll keep an eye on my sister-in-law and Dia, so don't worry about anything and just take a rest."
After finishing the topic of conversation, which must have been a source of regret for my brother, I decided to talk about his beloved daughter, Claudia.
"Dia has always been a good girl."
I continued while remembering my earlier exchange with Claudia. "Even at that age, she's grown to the point where you can call her a proper lady. She's a lot different from me when I was younger, and she's really strong for her age. Or rather, she's too strong and has a bright future. It's almost scary. Well, I'm happy about it." I continued, thinking of my niece who is a reliable person who adores me.
"I don’t think there are any other girls who are as pretty as my niece, both in personality and appearance. She might think her uncle is foolish, though." I'm sure my brother won't deny it either. "Brother really got a good wife and was blessed with a cute child. To be honest, I'm jealous of you.'' "If you think so, Charles should find a suitable partner as soon as possible and get married."
I can almost hear my brother replying.
"That's exactly what my brother would say."
I continued. "I'm going to be busy for a while, so I think I'll put marriage on hold for the time being. Well, I think I'm paying the price for all the debauchery I've had up until now, so I'm giving up on that." I said with a bitter smile. After that, I spoke to my brother's gravestone for quite a long time. There was a wide variety of stories, from stories that I really wanted him to hear to really innocent small talk.
"I'm going to make you feel lonely for a while."
Having run out of topics, I continued.
"If I go there right away, brother will probably scold me, so I'll just head over there leisurely. I know it's a shame and that it's my own fault, but I have a lot of things left to do, because I've indulged in debauchery for so long."
With that, I finished speaking. "I'll come back again with a souvenir. If it doesn't bother you brother." There's no way that my kind brother would find my visit a nuisance. I completely understood that. However, those were the only words that came to mind for me right now. I left the place with such boring words.
Even after that, I continued to visit the graves of my older brothers, who were the princes of the country and heroes. The tombs clearly reflect the power relationship between the brothers, and as usual, the tombstone of the eldest brother, Ichabod, was placed in a good location. As if to show off its existence even after death. Although there were some exceptions, the younger the prince, the more his tombstone was pushed to a corner it seems. In any case, I visited the gravestones of my eight older brothers.
I didn't spend as much time as I did for Claude, mostly just offering a few words while holding a flower. By the time I finished visiting all my brothers' graves, a considerable amount of time had passed. There was still some time until evening, but I couldn't keep the already busy king waiting. It seems better to go early. Thinking so, I quickly made my way to the royal castle.
Chapter length 2333 characters.
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