Nurturing the Hero to Avoid Death

translator: mii

editor: sleepchaser, ASplashofMusic

Sunday has arrived.

My close friend from the neighboring town invited me to his house today, so I set off from the mansion early this morning.

He is holding a party for his sister’s birthday today.

My friend’s sister is ten years old. She looks cute, and her friends are all lovely ladies too. Even so, they’re no match for my little brother.

When I arrive at the party, everyone approaches me from all sides, faces flushed, and says, “Robert-sama is wonderful!” Hm. That’s right. Of course I’m wonderful.

After the party’s over, I make my way back to the mansion. By this point, the sky has begun to turn red.

When I get off the carriage at the mansion, I see three carriages entering the gate and going toward the front entrance of the mansion. They’re the carriages Lian and his guards took with them. Looks like he’s returned as well.

As Lowendal and several servants greet me, the carriages slowly stop by the porch in front of the entrance.

One escort riding a horse at one of the rear corners of the carriage stops his horse and dismounts it. Judging from the blond hair, it’s Fram.

He approaches the side of the carriage, opens the door, and extends his right hand inside the carriage. Afterward, a fair hand reaches out and rests on top of it. Then supported by Fram, Lian disembarks the carriage.

Hmm. Ever since I heard he’s an orphan, I worry over whether he knows how to bow in courtesy. But it seems like he’s learned at least a bit of knowhow regarding the proper manners and conduct toward one’s master.

“Lian! Welcome back!”

“Ah, Brother. I’m back. So you’ve also just returned?”

“Yes, just several minutes ago.”

“Is that so? Then welcome back too, Brother,” replies Lian, a soft smile crossing his face.

Ahh, my little brother’s so cute. I want to hug him right at this instant. I really want to, but Fram’s still holding Lian’s hand. He’s such a nuisance. Why’s he still holding my Lian’s hand?

Lian bows to me before turning to Fram. “Alfred, can you come to my room for a while before you head home? I’ve finished reading the third volume of ‘The Great Phantom Thief Melone Pan,’ the one I was talking to you about just now. It’s pretty interesting, right? I’ll let you borrow it, okay?”

“Sure. The tricks aren’t very realistic, but they’re strange and unexpected. The battle scene’s different than the usual and flashy too. It sounds interesting.”

“Right? Right? I knew you’d say that!”

They’re immersed in their happy conversation as they pass in front of me.

They both seem to like books. They often discuss the plot of different books and lend each other their recommended books. Lian’s a studious person, so he often goes to the library. And as his escort, Fram also has to follow him.

But… Even if he was chosen by Lian to be his trusted escort because of his abilities… isn’t he a little too close with Lian?

No, I’m not… j-jealous or anything like that. It’s not that. That blond barbarian’s just being awfully overly casual with his mannerism like the commoner he is. Not to mention, he doesn’t need to stick so close to Lian when they’re walking, right? I’m so jea— no, not jealous. Not at all.

As the ladies say, I’m always cool and dashing.

Always cool, always cool… Ughhh.

Then all of a sudden, I spot a red mark at the back of Fram’s neck, underneath his collar.

Hm?

That’s…

“Hey, Fram,” I call out.

In response, Fram turns around.

“Have you finally been bitten by an insect too? There’s a red mark on your nape.”

Are there that many insects in the northwestern part of the village that like to bite? How unpleasant. I better not go there too frequently then.

Well, it’s not like I’ll ever need to go there myself. If I have matters there, I can just send someone in my stead. Easy.

I don’t want to get insect bites, and I don’t want them to prick me. I may not hate insects as much as Lian does, but I still hate them all the same.

As Fram strokes the back of his neck, his blue eyes curve in happiness for some reason.

“Ah, were you talking about this? Yes, this is a bite. Unfortunately, the mark’s too faint. It won’t last for too lo—”

“You idiot!!” Lian suddenly screams, clinging onto Fram, a bright flush to his cheeks. W-what the hell are you talking about?! You should’ve healed it right away like I told you to! Heal it right now!”

“But why? It’s not like I mind leaving it like this…”

“Heal it right now! Damn it, why are you so calm about it?! I’m always the one… Uhh, follow me this instant!” exclaims Lian, before grabbing Fram’s arm and dragging him away. Before they leave, he turns to me and says, “P-please excuse us, Brother!”

“Huh? Wait, Lian. You don’t have to bother about such a matter.”

Treating their escorts isn’t something a master should do. And especially not with their own hands. A master shouldn’t need to worry about his escorts’ injuries. In fact, it’s an escort’s duty to sacrifice themselves for their master.

Yes, even if he was bitten by an insect in his master’s stead. That’s also a part of his job.

Fram shoots me a glance, after which he places his hand on top of Lian’s and slowly calls out to him. It seems like he understood what I was trying to say.

“Please calm down, Lian-sama. I’ll heal the marks later. As my master, you don’t have to do something like that for me.”

Good, good. That’s great.

So he knows his own place, huh?

But I still can’t let this go. Because for some reason, I get the feeling that this Fram’s harboring ill intentions toward my cute Lian…

Well, that’s only my intuition. But you can’t deny that my Lian’s just too attractive! Such a situation definitely isn’t improbable. Just the possibility that he’s fallen in love with my Lian brings me frustration and irritation, but I guess it’s unavoidable. After all, my little brother’s too cute, sweet, and attractive.

I said attractive twice because it’s an important point. No, even saying it three or four times won’t be enough to emphasize its significance.

I won’t be able to forgive this commoner if he really has the gall to fall in love with my Lian. But the bad news is, Fram’s the strongest guy around here. And besides… if he does hold such insolent feelings for Lian… he’ll be more willing to risk his life to protect his master. Right?

The escorts accompanying them have also reported that he really takes great care of Lian.

Since he understands the gap in social status between them and that his feelings have no hope of coming into fruition, then… I can forgive his insolence and allow him to remain as Lian’s personal escort.

Lian slightly widens his eyes, as though he just realized his actions. He looks back at me, looks up at Fram, then lowers his gaze… For some reason, his expression grows a bit gloomy.

“…Let’s go to your room, Lian-sama. You still intend to lend me the book you recommended to me, right?” asks Fram. Then he places his hand on Lian’s back, leans over, and peers closely into his face.

Lian gives him a small nod in reply and walks away with Fram’s support.

…My Lian’s too kind. It’s one of his good points, but it also brings him trouble sometimes.

As I look up at the stairs, I recall that I still haven’t eaten dinner yet. Lian has also just returned, so he shouldn’t have eaten yet either.

“Oh right. Lian! How about eating dinner together later—”

“Today has been tiring. I’m off to rest.”

Hmm… So he’s going straight to his room to rest. His work probably tired him out and left him without much of an appetite.

Lowendal says it’s bad to force him to eat. Since Lian said that he wanted to take a rest, then I should probably go let him. I know that in my mind, but…

It’s a real pity that we can’t have dinner together tonight…

“Is that so…” I say. “Then good night, Lian.”

“Yes, good night, Brother,” Lian replies. Then he climbs up the stairs with Fram.

Note: We’re sorry about the lateness of chapters for the past few months. University has been busy lately. But after these next couple chapters in a mass release, we should be back on schedule with hardly any delay.