Speaking frankly, considering the incident at the Opstein Marquisate, the solution suggested by Big Sister System was quite likely to be effective.
Embracing Mother from behind and acting cute was certainly a cringeworthy solution, but it had worked without fail.
'Respond with a tough, delinquent vibe?'
Even so, I had my doubts about following that solution exactly right now.
'Against someone wielding a weapon?'
Not just anyone, but someone who came prepared with a well-honed knife intent on eliminating a prime heir candidate like me? Delinquent charm against that?
'No, maybe she's weak to cuteness like Mother...'
It was right then, as I frantically racked my brain with a hesitant expression.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Analysis Target: Lilien Nox Belverk Generating related tags... #Problem Child #Prickly Girl #Isolation #Desire for Approval #Self-Loathing #Foul-Mouthed
The system suddenly popped up, analyzing the assailant right in front of me with perfect timing.
'Just as clichéd as expected.'
In romance fantasy child-rearing stories, the third brother is usually prickly or a total delinquent, treated as the family troublemaker and isolated as a result.
Lilien Nox Belverk, who had become my third sister as of today, perfectly fit that cliché for the third brother.
'But then, she doesn't seem like someone who'd fall for something as silly as cuteness.'
Though the system hadn't analyzed it precisely, in my mother Astridje the Duke's case, there was a soft spot for cuteness.
From Mother's perspective, I was the son she couldn't forget, even visiting the enemy family's graves every year, now alive and standing before her.
But Lilien, whom I'd just learned was my third sister from the system's analysis, was a different story.
According to Mother, neither she nor her two Belverk sisters truly carried Belverk blood.
In other words, she had every reason to be wary of me, the legitimate heir who appeared out of nowhere.
Plus, in the romance fantasy child-rearing stories I knew, the 'Monster Ducal House' was a place rife with fratricidal slaughter over the family head position.
"Hey, didn't you hear me? Get out of here right now."
"Uh..."
"Give up your claim to the succession and leave the mansion like nothing happened. This is your last chance."
Right, like my third sister now, brushing back her black bob haircut, her red eyes glaring murderously at me as she slowly advanced.
"Um..."
Sensing the situation turning dire, my body trembling, I glanced hopefully at Schwarz beside me.
"You may have been briefed already, but fundamentally, the Belverk family head and servants do not intervene in heir disputes."
"..."
"That includes me, acting as head maid."
But the response was cold reality. Schwarz apparently had no intention of getting involved.
'...No choice now.'
At this point, I had to go all-in.
It wasn't just blindly following Big Sister System's solution. Mother's advice rang in my ears: never show weakness in Belverk.
And as the saying goes, even a cornered rat will bite a cat.
If not quite that, better to thrash around than die pathetically.
"No."
"What?"
"I'm not moving a single step from here."
With resolve, I glared and opened my mouth. Lilien's eyes flickered sharply.
"Swinging that toy knife around doesn't scare me at..."
Before I finished, Lilien's knife grazed my cheek and embedded in the wall, vibrating.
"Say that again, you little shit."
Fortunately, no cut, but no time to relax.
- Rrrrr...
Just like at the Opstein Marquisate with Mother, an suffocating pressure descended on the ducal corridor.
No matter how much she was treated as a problem child with a rotten personality, Lilien before me was already a fine monster.
Simply throwing a knife could crack the wall beside me—she had terrifying skill.
Her survival despite her precarious position compared to her second and eldest sisters, also called monsters, proved her strength.
But even so, no backing down now.
Folding here would shame any romance fantasy child-rearing fan. Time to pull myself together.
"...Not scared at all."
So, baring my teeth in the most ferocious, savage expression I could muster, I spat out what I intended.
"If anything, you should be scared of me."
A brief silence followed.
"...Kh."
For some reason, I heard Schwarz beside me twitch and stifle a gasp, but now wasn't the time.
"Think you're hot shit just 'cause you're a Belverk?"
Lilien's glare twisted into a scowl.
"Do you know what I went through to get that power...?"
"...?"
"Now even some unknown bastard gets to look down on me...?"
I wondered what she meant, but glancing at the window nearby, I realized why.
'...My eyes again.'
My eyes, white since leaving Opstein, now burned red like hers.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck..."
But the problem was, I still had no grasp on this 'Crimson Eyes' power.
Senses sharpened, skin prickling, but that was it.
If Lilien, now muttering curses, attacked seriously, my bluff would crumble, life in peril.
"...You ignorant little shit!!!"
My fears materialized as she drew a second knife, raising it high.
"Yes, that's quite enough."
Before I could react, someone stepped between us.
"Cease the threats now, Lady Lilien."
Schwarz, who had declared non-intervention, now stood before me with a cold smile.
"Impressive."
"...?"
"Frankly, even following the Duke's orders, I was reluctant. No hobby in serving a weak, burdensome master."
She glanced back, whispering to me, but I couldn't comprehend.
"...But you've won me over, Young Master Kairen."
Judging the situation improving with her intervention, I inwardly sighed in relief—
"Hey, maid."
"Yes."
"Are you insane?"
Lilien's rage-filled voice pierced us both.
"You dare meddle in the succession dispute?"
"..."
"Think being youngest head maid makes you untouchable? Know your place."
I didn't know details, but per Schwarz, neither family head nor servants intervened in heir disputes—it was an unwritten rule.
Wait, then hadn't I put Schwarz in a tough spot?
"...Yes, as a mere maid, it's overstepping."
"Good, then get out ri—"
"But as a dedicated maid, it's different."
My worry was misplaced, as Schwarz continued.
"Dedicated maid...?"
"You know, right? A candidate's dedicated maid is their faithful tool and shared fate. Thus, they have the right to intervene in candidate conflicts."
Wait, then Mother's earlier whisper to Schwarz...?
"Acting mansion overseer and head maid Schwarz. As of now, by the Duke's command, I reassign you as Young Master Kairen's dedicated maid."
She'd ordered the acting overseer to become my dedicated maid?
"You... this little shit's dedicated maid?"
"Yes. The Duke instructed me directly just now."
"Directly...? Ha, haha..."
Realizing the same, Lilien let out a hollow, mocking laugh.
"Looks like our esteemed mother is dead set on solidifying the succession."
"Who knows? I wouldn't dare guess the family head's intentions."
Yet the newly appointed dedicated maid Schwarz smiled warmly at me.
"Then, Young Master Kairen. To commemorate our shared fate, shall you issue your first command?"
"..."
"For reference, victory is impossible, but at the cost of my life, I could take one of Lady Lilien's eyes."
Unlike her reliable appearance, she lacked confidence against Lilien.
A head maid capable enough for mansion oversight could only claim one eye at life's cost—what kind of monsters were my sisters?
"Urgh..."
But contrary to my worry, it seemed even that was a painful loss for Lilien.
"Why always just me..."
Tears welled in her eyes as she reluctantly lowered her raised knife.
"Why does this always happen to me...?"
She glared resentfully at me, face full of fury yet voice breaking—
⚔ QUEST CLEARED ⚔Lilien Nox Belverk regards you warily. Schwarz feels strong interest in you. Astridje Nox Belverk takes note of you. Mansion reputation has increased.
The quest clear message and intriguing lines appeared before me.
"...Fine, you dog of a brother."
Relieved at escaping mortal danger, as Lilien clenched her teeth, tears pooling, glaring fiercely—
"Welcome to the living hell you walked into yourself."
Leaving those words, she turned abruptly and vanished down the corridor.
📜 MAIN QUEST [Chapter 1] 📜
Survive in the Ducal House for one month (0/1)
Achieve certain level of Astridje the Duke's maternal love (10/50)
Subjugate Lilien Nox Belverk (0/1)
Yes, as she said, I might have walked into hell of my own accord.
But no regrets.
'Yeah, I'll survive somehow.'
Until recently, I'd lived a life of abuse without purpose. This hell, challenging me to fight for life, suited me better.
So, even if Big Sister System and her bizarre quests were suspicious, I'd use them to survive.
📜 SUB QUEST (Acceptance Recommended) 📜Turn Lilien Nox Belverk into a tsundere. (0/1)
...No, issuing this quest right after that thought is cheating, right?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"That was close. We nearly had a disaster."
"...Y-Yeah."
"No need for formal speech with me."
Pondering whether to accept the hellishly difficult sub quest, I followed my new dedicated maid Schwarz to my newly prepared room.
"From today, I'm your faithful tool."
"Oh..."
"Anyway, once you've calmed down, I'll explain Belverk history, rules, and the abilities tied to the Crimson Eyes."
Incidentally, upon closer observation after things settled, head maid Schwarz was a cute, high-energy big sister five years my senior.
Though her hairstyle was like a shaggy beagle that rolled in dirt, her eyes gave a slightly chilling dead-fish vibe, and her constant smile felt eerie.
Still, for me not yet ten, she was the first in this world I could trust my back to.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Analysis Target: Head Maid Schwarz Generating related tags... #Yandere #Calamity Star #Antisocial #Role Reversal #Handle with Care
...Or so I thought, until the system's tags left me speechless.
"Here's to a good partnership ahead!"
"Ha, haha..."
"...Ah, that smile is kinda cute?"
This might not last a month—no, not even a week before I die screaming?
"Could you show it a bit closer?"
"..."
"...Ah, nice."