The Villainess Enjoys Her Seventh Life as a Free-Spirited Bride (hostage) in a Former Enemy Country

“Oliver, where are the documents on the zoning policy that my brother worked on last year?”

“…Good heavens, Your Highness Theodore.”

Oliver, Arnold’s squire, blinked repeatedly when he heard the question from the Second Prince, Theodore.

He was walking along the corridor from the detached palace to the main castle when he bumped into Theodore.

It was relatively early in the morning, just before 9 a.m. It was also around this time when the old Theodore would have slept in a prominent place in the castle.

“Some things are just rare. I never imagined you would ask me such a question.”

“I don’t like to ask you questions either, but it’s a document that I really need to see in order to do my official work, and my Sister-in-law said I should ask you…”

I see. Rishe-sama suggested it, huh?

This Second Prince had always hated Oliver.

It was because Theodore worshipped Arnold.

However, Arnold had been keeping his brother at arm’s length.

Hence, Theodore kept playing a lot of pranks on him, because he desperately wanted his older brother to care for him.

Although none of them could do any harm, they were all things that could be solved immediately if Arnold himself would take action. However, Arnold was also very thorough and had ordered Oliver to take care of everything.

Theodore’s pranks were all solved not by Arnold, whose attention Theodore was after, but by his deputy, Oliver.

This was why Theodore still hated Oliver, who was nothing but an obstacle.

In the past, it would have been impossible for Theodore to approach Oliver and ask him to inform him of something.

I’ve always been obstinate in treating His Highness Theodore. Since Rishe interceded and reconciled the matter, His Highness Theodore tends to listen to his future Sister-in-law’s advice.

While Oliver was inwardly convinced, Theodore’s neutral face twisted into a scowl.

“I’m telling you, don’t get cocky, Oliver.”

“…Er, certainly.”

“Whatever you know about my older brother is only a part of it.”

When Oliver showed bewilderment, Theodore crossed his arms and raised his chin at him.

“I’m only asking because you probably know more about his public affairs than I do. ―― But other than that, I definitely know more about my brother than you do.”

“Uh, pfft!”

“Hey! What are you laughing at?!”

“Nothing. I really tried to hold it back but…”

Oliver managed to stifle his laughter and instead turned it into a squire’s smile, standing in front of Theodore, a royalty.

“I apologize for my rudeness. Your Highness was just too cute. Of course, Your Highness, Theodore knows a lot more about My Lord than I do.”

“You’re making fun of me, no matter how you look at it! Also, don’t call him ‘My Lord’, it’s disgusting!”

“Hahaha.”

Both brothers said the exact same thing. Theodore frowned as he watched him burst into laughter.

“Why are you acting so normal?”

“Normal?”

“You used to look at me more coldly than now, like a vassal who thought I was ‘in the way’. You never even bothered to hide it.”

“Ahh…”

Oliver nodded, because he got the idea.

“It’s because Your Highness used to be nothing but an obstacle to My Lord.”

“…”

“I usually keep anything that gets in My Lord’s way away from him. ―― Even if it’s his blood younger brother.”

“…..Hmph.”

Theodore, his eyes slightly downcast, made an expression that was a little more mature and calm than before.

“Your loyalty to my brother is a virtue I can appreciate.”

“Oh, your compliment flatters me.”

“Huh, but that merit pisses me off. Just get on with it and tell me where the materials are ―――――― Aaargh!!!”

Theodore let out a short scream and suddenly grabbed Oliver by the waist.

Then he turned around, forcing Oliver to turn with him, facing the training grounds. Oliver wondered what was going on, but when he looked at the end of the corridor, he understood.

“My Lord.”

“…”

Arnold was walking towards them.

When Theodore noticed his beloved brother approaching, he had no choice but to hide behind Oliver, whom he hated.

As an elder, it would be a pity to abandon this one, so Oliver went on to hide Theodore behind his back and smiled at Arnold.

“Welcome back. How was your training this morning?”

“As usual.”

After a curt reply, Arnold stopped and looked at Oliver.

To be exact, he seemed to be looking at his brother, who was hiding behind Oliver. His well-formed face was expressionless, but as his decade-old squire, he understood a thing or two.

“…”

This is the face that says, ‘What are you doing?

Oliver chuckled and wordlessly looked at Theodore behind him.

“Your Highness, Theodore. Look, it’s your elder brother.”

“I know. I know, that’s why I’m hiding, you idiot!! If you let me see my beautiful brother without any preparations this morning, the worst case scenario will be me collapsing!!”

“Oh dear, well, that’s a problem.”

In the past, Theodore had never gotten this close.

This overreaction seemed to have stemmed from the confusion of not knowing how to deal with the brother he reconciled with. And, since he no longer had to hide his adoration for his brother.

As I recall, Rishe-sama also said, ‘If His Highness Theodore is dying because of your brother, please help him.

Oliver put his hand to his chin, Hmm.

“My Lord, in fact, His Highness Theodore habitually sleeps on his bangs, so he is fixing them now by pressing his forehead against my back… Ow!!”

Theodore pinched Oliver with all his might on the waist he was grasping. Obviously, Theodore wasn’t all too happy with his assist.

“Oliver, you really need to stop meddling randomly with everything except taking care of my brother!!”.

“With all due respect, I’ve assigned all my priorities in life to that…”

“That’s the part that pisses me off, but I can trust you! Damn it.!!”

Arnold lowered his gaze, wondering what exactly was going on.

Then he spoke.

“…Theodore.”

“!!!”

Theodore jumped with a start.

“H-Huh? Elder Brother.”

Ya, he’s struggling to look composed.

However, he was still hiding behind Oliver.

“I saw your report last week. It looks like the crime rate in some districts has dropped after implementing your policy.”

“T-That was just a small drop. The only thing that’s declined is theft and pickpocketing.”

“But there’s definitely been an improvement.”

“…”

Theodore grabbed Oliver’s jacket again, squeezing it tightly.

“…Nobody likes to steal food when they have a normal job and make enough money to support themselves, without worrying about what to eat the next day.”

“…”

“So it’s only natural that it worked. I was merely extending a hand that should have been extended to the people as a member of the royal family.”

Oliver understood what Theodore was trying to say.

He thought that his achievement was merely a trivial matter and didn’t warrant praise from his great brother. That was why Theodore was looking seriously embarrassed and uncomfortable.

Nevertheless…

Oliver smirked.

He doesn’t get it, does he?

As Theodore said earlier, when it came to knowledge about Arnold, Oliver had the upper hand in some areas.

“Your Highness Theodore’s deeds are noble…Aren’t they, My Lord?”

“Hmph, Oliver, you idiot! Mind your own business…”

“――That’s right.

“?!”

Theodore gasped.

“You’ve lived up to my expectations.”

“………!!!”

Arnold’s praise also took Oliver aback.

I never thought he would be so frank in his praise.

Speaking of which, he overheard Rishe telling Arnold to communicate more with Theodore verbally the other day.

Is this another example of Rishe-sama’s influence?

Arnold continued, with a gaze that was considered gentle even to his younger brother.

“…Keep up the good work.”

“…Holds his breath…”

Theodore’s hand, which was clinging to Oliver’s, slipped away.

“I will, Brother…I’ll do my best.”

“Hmm…Oliver.”

“Yes, we should get going.”

Without waiting for Oliver to make a move, Arnold started walking towards the detached palace. Oliver gave Theodore a glance before following him.

“Good for you, Your Highness, Theodore.”

“Sh-Shut up!!”

“If you’re going to cry, I can lend you my back for a while longer.”

“Who’s going to cry on your back? Also, I’m not going to cry.”

“Hahahaha.”

However, Theodore, who was facing down, was red up to his ears. It would make him look pathetic if he were to pat him, so he refrained from it.

“I will have the materials you are looking for delivered to your room later.”

“Hmm…That…Please.”

“Okay-okay.”

Honestly, he had really become quite honest.

“Be sure to thank your future Sister-in-law later.”

“I don’t need you to tell me that!!”

Oliver grinned ear to ear, but when Arnold glared at him when he looked back in the distance, he started to walk after him.