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The name of the Hiden County wasn’t one to be taken lightly. Receiving the title of Imperial Count from Emperor Amanca II, the second emperor, they had lived as the shield of the emperor and the imperial family for about 300 years.

They lived in the shadow of the Livnomans for the sake of the Mandate of Heaven, attributing all glory to their sole master, the Livnomans. This was the pride and honor of the Hiden County.

From the moment I was born as the firstborn of the Hiden County, 300 years of pride and honor were placed on my shoulders. Little did I know I would be both the first and the last.

“I’m placing a heavy burden on you.”

My father would sometimes say that while stroking my head. While the name of an Imperial Count must be shouldered by the firstborn, siblings could help the head of the family. However, I am alone. I had no older brothers or sisters to trust and follow, and no younger siblings to cheer me on.

Still, I didn’t show it. If I appeared weak, my father would be sadder, and our vassals would waver. Those who underestimate the County of Hiden would also start plotting. That was why I always had to appear dignified and cool-headed. It was my duty as one who bore the Hiden name and lived a peaceful life.

So at first, I disliked Erich… Just a tiny bit.

“These are the children of the Krasius family. The older brother is two years older than you, and the younger one is two years younger. What a coincidence.”

At a social gathering for Imperial families, it wasn’t strange for the heirs who would lead these families to meet. And since the Patriarch of the Krasius family had been close to my father since childhood, we were introduced to the Krasius family first. It was natural for the parents’ relationship to extend to their children.

I exchanged greetings normally with Carl. He seemed to be attending out of obligation and I understood the burden on his shoulders, so I didn’t mind. Why bother someone who was just in the same situation?

“Hello, noona!”

But Erich was different. Unlike Carl, he was cheerful and full of energy, and also much less formal. I was quite surprised when he suddenly called me ‘noona.’

My surprise was followed by annoyance. Firstborns like me and Carl had to bear heavy burdens, while this clueless younger brother was just being a nuisance. He could smile like that because he enjoyed rights without obligations and lived comfortably.

Of course, that was nonsense. I was too young when I thought that, and as I grew a bit older, I became ashamed of myself. There was no way a noble had no obligations. Even if there weren’t, that was no reason to dislike Erich.

“Do you practice swordsmanship too, noona? Hyung and I do.”

“Wow, you ride horses so well! Will I be able to ride like you someday?”

“This is a gift! It’s cheesecake! Our chef makes these really well!”

But back then, I didn’t know shame. So, I kept Erich at a distance—strangely, no matter how much I pushed him away, he kept coming back.

While Carl, the actual heir, never thought of leaving Tailglehen County, Erich would come all the way to Horfeld to play and act friendly. Looking back now, I’m so grateful for that.

“What are you doing, noona?”

“Breathing.”

I’m truly thankful. Despite my blatant displays of annoyance, he didn’t come to hate me.

Anyway, Erich persistently came to play, and I mercilessly pushed him away. This odd relationship changed due to a trivial incident.

It was the story of a child who wasn’t particularly talented in martial arts trying to make up for it with effort, but ultimately reaching their limit and falling into despair. The story of a child crying in fear of not being able to live up to their father, who had made a name for himself with the sword. Wasn’t it such a trivial and common story?

This story, which could have ended so ordinarily, took a different turn when Erich visited as usual.

“Nanny says that important people don’t need to be good at everything. Just showing that you’re not giving up and improving is enough for others to respect and follow you.”

“When I look at hyung and you, I think you’re amazing! I could never do that.”

Honestly, it wasn’t particularly helpful advice. It sounded like he was telling me to accept my limits and to conform to my talents.

But why? Somehow, hearing those words made me feel at ease. It felt like the endless road had finally come to an end, like shade had appeared on a path that had only known scorching sunlight.

“If I’m lacking, my vassals will worry.”

So for the first time, I voiced the anxiety I had been keeping inside. It wasn’t something I should say to someone younger than me, but I wanted to.

“Then you can help each other among nobles without your vassals knowing. I’ll tell hyung to help you!”

I couldn’t help but laugh at those words. If anything, my vassals were under my command, but nobles were my equals, so I shouldn’t show weakness to them even more.

Still, I didn’t mention that. I just smiled at Erich for the first time and spoke.

“Could you help me instead of Carl?”

“Sure, you’re my friend, noona! I’ll help you by your side for life!”

His promise made my heart flutter. Of course, I knew that it was just a child’s casual remark. I had no intention of cowardly using those words to force Erich into marriage.

What mattered was that his words had freed me from a life of self-imposed constraints and that I had fallen for this younger brother of mine. It was a precious memory I’d keep to myself.

Holding that memory close, I worked hard to become a strong, confident sister Erich wouldn’t need to protect—

“Hello, Countess. You’ve come again today?”

I prided myself on becoming such a sister, but why was there something bothersome next to Erich?

“It’s Erich’s booth, so I should help boost sales. We’re not strangers, after all.”

I smiled slightly at the uninvited guest who had suddenly approached, and the little blonde girl’s eyes sharpened.

How rude. Did she think a chick like her frowning at me would change anything?

…A Baron’s daughter.

I tried to ignore the chick in front of me, but in fact, her position as the young lady of a Barony wasn’t a weakness for her, but rather a poison that threatened me.

If the chick bowed down to me, I might even consider accepting her as Erich’s wife as a gesture of goodwill from the victor. But if I lose, then it was over—if Erich married the daughter of a Baron, I’d have to let him go completely.

So, I couldn’t back down even more. Unlike that child who had a future even if she lost, one loss for me would be the end.

I can’t lose.

His nanny’s daughter? A childhood friend? I’m Erich’s childhood friend, too. My father was also close to Erich’s father.

The conditions were the same. No, I had an overwhelming advantage. Compared to a girl who just sickly laid in bed, I had built connections in various fields and inherited the title of an Imperial Count. I lacked nothing.

Erich just needed to come to me. Then, I could provide him with a life that lacked nothing.

What can you offer?

A frail young lady and the daughter of the Trimara Barony, who was serving the Krasius family. Given that she was in a position to receive Erich’s care, what could she possibly do for him?

Of course, I wasn’t saying that she should leave because her family’s status was lacking or because she had nothing to offer. Love wasn’t a strict transaction, but a symbiotic relationship where just being together brought happiness.

“You two seem to get along so well. Anyone would think you’re siblings.”

“I don’t know about that. Erich and I don’t look alike at all. If anything, you two look more like siblings.”

It was just that it would be wise of her to gracefully yield if a better match appeared.

***

They’re fighting again.

Maybe I should come back later.

I felt the urge to moonwalk away as soon as I returned from meeting Marghetta. Sarah and Countess Horfeld were staring at each other with smiling faces but unfriendly eyes, while Erich was casually munching on cake between them.

While other club members were holding their breath, he was even enjoying dessert. Was this guy’s stomach made of steel, or was it his head? Judging by his recent record, it seemed like the latter.

“Oh, oppa. You’re here?”

Just as my urge to moonwalk threatened to take over, Louise, who had been huddling in the corner in fear, came rushing over as if she’d found an oasis in the desert.

I nodded quietly, realizing that my escape plan was doomed.

I’ll have to intervene.

Seeing Louise’s anxiety-filled face, I had no choice. The catfight—or whatever you’d call this no-holds-barred stare-down—had to end for Louise to start breathing normally again.

Actually, considering they somewhat restrained themselves in front of me, their potential brother-in-law, they should also restrain themselves in front of Louise, their potential sister-in-law. If you think about it that way, Louise shouldn’t need to be scared, but—

If only she wasn’t his first love.

Unfortunately, while the ‘potential’ sister-in-law was just ‘potential,’ the title of ‘my man’s first love’ was still ongoing.

Because of this, Louise gets scared and hides in a corner when those two clash, and with the potential sister-in-law out of sight, those two engage in an even fiercer verbal battle… It was a terrible, vicious cycle.

Damn that bastard.

I glared at Erich, who was still eating cake. In the end, wasn’t it Erich’s fault for first: enchanting those two, second, for being oblivious despite enchanting them, and lastly, for falling for Louise only to be rejected? It was a miraculous grand slam.

…Still, I guess we should be grateful it hadn’t escalated to physical conflict yet.

***

I decided to stay glued to the booth like a totem for the rest of the club fair. It seemed like the other club members, not just Louise, secretly wanted this too. From the perspective of those who were engaged in their own peaceful yet hopeless love races, this fierce verbal battle must have been terrifying to watch.

At least the Mage Duchess didn’t care whether these youngsters fought or not, but conversely, she couldn’t intervene on my behalf because they were too young. It wouldn’t be appropriate for a 120-year-old to get involved in a fight between 19 and 18-year-olds.

Please, let it end soon.

So, I prayed desperately. Please, let this club fair end even a day earlier.

A natural disaster like a sudden typhoon or a hailstorm would be a perfect reason for an early closure.