The Emperor Is My Brother’s Best Friend

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At the corner of her vision, blue hair danced.

Ilya rubbed her chin in contemplation.  

A vision of a blue-haired man with his back slightly bent to reach the beauty, kissing Rose on the cheek.

What had he said before?  

Ah! 

“But my Rose is ignoring me.” 

His voice was as sweet as chocolate, and even if his words weren't directed at her, Ilya pulled the blanket to her nose as her face turned red once more.  

“He's a very nice person, that Duke Proud.” 

You said you were Rose's fiancé, yes? Do you have to be from a family of the same standing to get engaged to such a cool man? 

Rose's words rang in her ears.
Ilya had lost her appetite during the meal out of regret.  

“My engagement will not take place; I'm breaking off my engagement.” 

The Rose of Honeywell was determined to do so.
Ilya could not forget the look in Rose's eyes when she said that they looked good together.  

I don't know if it was directed at myself for my comment or her fiancé, Duke Proud.
It was dripping with mockery.
 

“Are they not on good terms? Duke Proud seemed to really like Lady Rose…” 

I do not know much about the Duke of Proud, but our first meeting was good.
 

“I don't understand.
He has such a handsome face, a good voice, he's tall, and most of all, he's from an exceptional family.
Why would Lady Rose want to break up with such a man?” 

The baron's daughter rolled over and laid on her side, her eyes dimmed.  

“He's the man I can only dream of marrying, but it's not like that for Lady Rose.” 

If only I could have been born into a ducal family.
 

Her excitement over her expectations died down instantly.
With a heavy heart, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.  

*** 

After sending Ilya off to her room, Wells walked his sister to his room.  

His room was the perfect place for their long, complicated talk.  

After dinner, they had tea time.
Now, the two sat down on the couch in Wells' room with nothing to do.  

As soon as his sister sat down, Wells launched into his vault of questions.  

“My Rose, could you please explain your letter to me?” 

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Fingering the hem of her skirt, Rose peered at her older brother, trying to determine his mood.  

“You read the letter, brother.
I want to cancel my engagement to Duke Proud.” 

Wells rested his forehead in his palms and his elbows on his knees.  

“Yes, I know.
What I'm curious about is why you want to suddenly cancel your engagement.
Surely nothing bad has happened after I left for the Tuga Mines?” 

“I thought Older Brother was against my marriage to Duke Proud?” 

“Of course I'm against it, Rose.
No, I feel like cheering for you for making the correct decision.
But Rose, do you know that the marriage approval was gained with His Majesty's permission? Reversing his permission is an important and complicated matter.” 

Rose remained silent.  

How do I tell you, brother? He will kill us in the future.
I've returned to the past, and I can't let it happen again.
 

It was unknown if Wells, who never failed to believe her, would even believe in her return.  

“Brother, I know it might sound strange, but know that I'm not saying this on a whim.
My decision is firm, and I will never love the Duke of Proud again.” 

“Haa, if it was before His Majesty added his seal, then…
but now…” 

Is that a big problem, brother?  

Rose moved closer to her beloved brother and grabbed his hand.
Her tiny hands couldn't fully cover his larger palms.  

“Brother, this is my fault.
If His Majesty gets mad, I'll take responsibility and take the punishment.” 

“You?” 

“Yes, brother.
I'll say it again.
I will definitely break this engagement, and if His Majesty takes offense and wants to punish us, I'll take it all by myself.” 

“It's just an engagement, my Rose.
I don't think His Majesty will punish me for this.” 

“Brother, it's better to assume the worst and prepare for it!” 

Wells lowered his gaze, and his sister, who sat beside him, noticed he was deep in thought.  

Her older brother remained silent for a moment longer before he pulled his hand away and wrapped his arms around his sister's shoulders.  

“My Rose, I will cancel the engagement with Duke Proud.
Don't you worry, trust your brother.” 

He gently ran his fingers over her hair.  

“Thank you, brother.
I'm sorry for asking this of you.” 

I can finally have nothing to do with that scary Duke.

Rose buried her face in her brother's arms.

Could it be so easy? Will we be saved if we move past this engagement and away from one another? Should I stay by Elliot's side and figure out how he is going to harm us?  

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Her complexion, which was once rosy, paled.  

I tried to spend my day peacefully, but Elliot scared me earlier.
He pushed me off the cliff.
I couldn't see any hint of emotion on his face as he did.
 

Rose withdrew from Wells.  

“I'm going to bed now.
I feel tired, brother.” 

“Yes, that would be best.” 

Wells leaned forward and, like a father to his daughter, lovingly kissed her cheek.  

“Sweet dreams, my Rose.” 

“Yes, sweet dreams, brother.” 

Rose returned his kiss on the cheek and left his room.  

In the midst of the cold hallway, Rose tightened the shawl draped over her shoulders and moved slowly.  

*** 

The next day, Wells went to work, as usual, in the Imperial Palace. 

Before boarding the carriage, he met the worried eyes of his darling sister, recounting the conversation they shared the night before. 

They would require a firm will to get the emperor's permission to break off the marriage. 

After her brother left, Rose started her routine, including Ilya.  

I still feel uncomfortable being alone with her, but I can't let the staff know of my fears.
 

Reluctantly, Rose spent the day with the baron's daughter, hoping that her brother would find a tutor for Ilya quickly.  

Then, for the time Ilya studied, Rose would not have to see her.  

Reading in the library, Rose inspected Ilya, who sat across from her, engrossed in a book.  

She looked down at the pages of the book in her hand; the contents had blurred until they were unreadable. 

I wonder where she went that day.
Did she really go to the banquet with Elliot?  

One glance at her book, then a peek at Ilya.
Repeat.  

Rose's eyes met Ilya's emerald-green stare.  

Flinching, Rose saw Ilya smile.  

Looking at that innocent smile, Rose has a sudden hypothesis.  

What if Ilya was also used by Elliot?  

If that's true, then that hypothesis…