The Strongest Brother Lost His Memory
Chapter 88

In an instant, his consciousness blurred, and everything went dark.

“Whew, they said the injury was serious—and they weren’t wrong... Who would’ve thought I’d be the one to take down Julian Noart? Unbelievable. Gotta write a long diary entry about this tonight...”

A clear and slow voice. Julian tried to open his eyes wide, but his legs gave out beneath him.

“Just sleep for a bit, until you’re no longer able to interfere. It’s not like I have many days left anyway.”

He eventually collapsed, and through his hazy vision, he saw a familiar glint of gold.

That brilliant light he had been chasing for so long.

“I’ll tell your sister not to worry—that you suddenly discovered your talent for thievery and set off on a long training journey to become the legendary Phantom Emperor of the Back Alleys.”

What kind of utter nonsense is that?!

“Don’t worry, I am on your side, so I won’t hurt you...”

Then why the hell are you spouting nonsense like that?!

“D...Don’t...”

“Oh, you don’t like that one? Noted. I’ll come up with a more creative and considerate excuse. I’m a communicative kidnapper, after all.”

That’s even worse!

And wait—I have to be at my little sister’s birthday party!

Julian tried to shout his protests, but he lost consciousness before he could.

* * *

The Weight of a Fiancé

The moment I arrived at the Count’s estate, my jaw dropped open.

“W-What? Huh? Grandpa, what is all this...?”

“Rosie! Isn’t your birthday coming up soon?! Wahahahaha!”

Grandfather burst into hearty laughter the moment we stepped foot inside the mansion.

“Theo’s coming back in time for it too! Says he got permission from that unreliable senior of his! Wahahahaha!”

From the very entrance, the Count’s estate sparkled with gems and glittering lights.

There were even loud, obnoxious banners strung across the garden that read “Happy Birthday.”

“Birthdays should be celebrated for a whole month! Wahahahaha!”

Oh no.

Grandpa must’ve looked up my birth records!

But the Temple’s official record was different from the one the orphanage gave me—my actual birthdate.

As I made a reluctant face, Zahid leaned in to whisper.

“But how do you know the record is wrong?”

“Ah... I didn’t, really. I just remember my brother telling me a long time ago. It’s listed that way in the Temple, right? Maybe the orphanage messed up when they sent the documents...”

Who would care about the paperwork of a wretch like me? Mistakes happen.

I hadn’t paid it much attention either.

“Thank you, Grandpa.”

Still, I couldn’t ignore his kindness, so I gave him a big grin and threw my arms around him.

“Thank you so much!”

I’ll tell him the truth after the birthday celebrations. He’d be disappointed if I said it now.

Zahid seemed to read my mind and quietly gave me a nod.

“Anyway, what the hell is Julian doing...”

Julian had told us to go ahead without him at the Academy, but we hadn’t heard from him since.

I wasn’t too worried, though, because I eventually received a message from Yuta.

Lord Julian Noart requested hypnosis treatment at my lab, saying he desperately wanted to recover his memories.

He got a little too excited about the results and, despite my objections, downed a heavy dose of medication. He’s currently unconscious.

But don’t worry—he’ll wake up soon.

As proof of his safety, I’m sending a photograph. Please make sure he receives proper education at home about substance misuse.

It doesn’t seem like he’s regained his memory. He’s still spewing all kinds of curses in his sleep. Don’t get your hopes up.

Julian, shown in the attached photo, was sleeping peacefully in a bed that looked like it belonged to Yuta’s dormitory.

“Tsk tsk, foolish boy. Still... I suppose he’s safer this way.”

Grandfather clicked his tongue and muttered.

“The Temple bastard even sent photographic proof. If they don’t return him safely after that, they’ll be in even bigger trouble.”

To Grandfather, Yuta was already “that Temple bastard.”

If Julian had disappeared without a trace, we’d be panicked. But since we knew exactly where he was, it actually felt safer.

It was unlikely the Temple would make any reckless moves under these circumstances—especially not while he was still at the Academy.

I nodded in agreement.

Because... somehow, I didn’t think Yuta was a bad person.

That was just my gut feeling.

Anyway, we arrived at the dazzling estate and unpacked our things.

“Now that guests have arrived, we must host a proper dinner feast!”

It just so happened to be dinnertime when we got there.

Grandfather clapped and laughed heartily.

“Look, you Dyfenril brat! This is the scale of nouveau riche! Throwing money around like it’s nothing!”

It was the kind of spectacle that made you want to crawl into a mouse hole and disappear.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Inside the luxurious dining room stood Uncle Murlock, Aunt Monica, Roystan, and Monica, dressed to the nines.

“Aha...”

Roystan gave a clumsy smile and stepped up to Zahid first.

“Roystan Noart, Your Grace.”

My jaw dropped in shock.

Wait, he knows how to speak politely?

He acted like a total thug, pushing and ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ hitting me and Ethan like a street punk!

“I’m glad you’ve recovered. I hope you enjoy your time at the Noart estate.”

Despite being well over fifteen, Roystan was already groveling to Zahid, who was younger than him.

“Spending time with fellow boys is the best kind of fun, don’t you think? Starting tomorrow, I’ll show you a great time.”

He emphasized “fellow boys” and slyly tried to exclude me from the picture.

Ugh. Typical Roystan—meek in front of power.

He really never changes.

Zahid stared blankly at Roystan before replying.

“I’ll ask Rosie first and decide.”

“...Pardon?”

That caught even me off guard.

Wait—he needs my permission to hang out with someone else?

As I blinked at him, Zahid calmly continued.

“Rosie, tell me later—how I should behave while I’m here.”

“Ah.”

I nodded and responded without hesitation.

“Easy. Don’t play with anyone else. Just stick with me, and we’ll build a bunch of sweet memories. No one else allowed. Just the two of us, happy and close. I’ll take care of Grandpa and my brother—you just focus on not blocking your feelings for me.”

“...That’s a little more specific than I asked for...”

Roystan could only step back with a bitter expression.

‘But... where’s Felide?’

Ethan was still probably at the Magic Tower.

And Uncle Felide—who never missed gatherings like these—was nowhere to be seen.

“Aha! Sit, everyone! Sit!”

I quickly looped my arm around Zahid’s and grinned.

“Sit here, sit here.”

I pointed to the seat next to mine—Ethan’s usual spot.

“Sit beside me so we can be all sweet and cozy. Our food here is really good!”

“U-Uh... okay...”

Zahid took his seat beside me, and just as the grand dinner began—

The dining room’s massive doors slowly opened.

Everyone’s attention naturally turned toward the person entering.

“Apologies for being late.”

It was Felide, dressed more fashionably than ever before.

‘Why does Uncle look so smug...?’

Grandfather also frowned, clearly surprised.

“I was delayed bringing an important guest. I ask for your understanding.”

An important guest?

As I blinked in confusion, a girl around my age stepped out beside Felide.

Light brown hair. Golden eyes.

Her clothing was exceptionally luxurious, her posture perfectly poised—like a textbook noble.

I was certain I’d never seen her before, yet something about her rubbed me the wrong way.

“Everyone, listen up. We have a joyous announcement.”

Felide declared with a broad smile.

“I have a thirteen-year-old daughter, Father! I only just found out myself!”

Everyone stared in stunned silence, their eyes wide.