Smiling at the people, Ekaterina noticed a group of people clustered near the grand staircase out of the corner of her eye. They did not join in the applause, but instead cast hostile glances at the siblings.

Count Novadine and his daughter Keira were among them.

Miss Keira, today too, was in a firm, vertical roll.

Oh, it looks like a willow.

Ekaterina inadvertently smiled.

Keira saw it as a smile of amusement and raised her eyebrows in anger, but Ekaterina’s gaze had already shifted to the other side.

Alexei’s closest aide, Novak, Mine Chief Aaron, Forest Farmer Forli, and other familiar executives from the school’s office were already waiting for Alexei and Ekaterina with smiles on their faces.

Everyone was there. Above all, Big Brother will be standing next to them.

We are not afraid of Vertical Roll and her father’s henchmen.

***

It was customary for the duke to stop at the landing of the grand staircase to thank those gathered to celebrate his succession to the throne.

Naturally, Alexei also stopped to look around at the crowd gathered in the grand hall. His tall, slender figure appeared even larger, and his neon blue gaze, which seemed to radiate its own light, made the people quiet down as if they were overwhelmed.

Silence fell.

“First, I would like to thank you all for being here today.”

A resonant, clear voice spreads through the hall.

“I, Alexei Yurinova, have succeeded to the Dukedom of Yurinova. I may be young, but I am willing to risk my life and fight for the stability and development of this Yurinova territory.”

For a moment, the light in his eyes became even stronger as he looked at some people in the audience.

But they soon returned to a calm, cool-headed color.

“…I hope you will all work hard with me. And I will introduce you all to the one who will inherit Yurinova with me.”

Alexei’s expression changed as he turned his attention to the side of the room. Smiling gently, he took Ekaterina’s hand.

“This is my sister, Ekaterina Yurinova. This will be her first time in front of everyone, as she has been resting with our mother for a long time.”

Alexei raised Ekaterina’s hand.

Ekaterina smiled, and the hall cheered.

“This wise sister will now support me and help me rule Yurinova, and all who are associated with Yurinova will give Ekaterina the respect she deserves.”

Alexei’s words were greeted with a resounding “At your will!” and the hall was once again filled with applause.

–as expected of Big Brother.

It was concise, precise, and sophisticated.

This reminded me of the entrance ceremony at the magic academy. At that time, he could make the whole school quiet with a single glance.

At that time, I was on the side of the audience, but now while standing next to him and seeing everyone’s reaction, I was reminded once again how amazing Big Brother was.

He was unfazed by the large crowd in front of him, which was large enough to fill this spacious hall. On the contrary, everyone was more overwhelmed by Big Brother’s spirit.

When I stood in the same place as Big Brother, I learned for the first time. Facing the crowd like this, I could somehow feel the emotions of the people.

The smiles on many faces were not always so obvious, but when Big Brother spoke, a tingling tension crept up on me, and I could feel their expectations and desires welling up in my mind.

Big Brother was born to be the heir to a duke.

He was destined to stand in this place eventually, and he has lived to be so.

Little did I know how lonely it would be to stand here.

Big Brother was no longer alone with my arrival. I think I realized how important it was for Big Brother to have someone by his side.

Once again, I promised that I would not let go of Big Brother’s hand.