For My Birthday, I Was Gifted Five Husbands - Chapter 149

Alfred, recalling those days, truly felt sad.

“Now that I think about it, it’s a shame. If it hadn’t been for those bastards, I could’ve stayed by your side much longer.”

“…Brother.”

“Maybe then you might have seen me as a man first, instead of just your older brother.”

Overwhelmed by the deepening mood, Eugenie ran her hand through her already messy hair. Alfred gently caught her wandering hand behind her neck and laced their fingers together.

“Eugenie. I’ve realized something—I’m a lot more jealous than I thought.”

“Mm…”

“I don’t want the other four to keep stealing your attention anymore.”

Eugenie fully understood what he meant. He didn’t want to be just one of five husbands anymore. He wanted to be the most special, the only one.

“One day, let’s go back to the beach together.”

“….”

“And when we’re there, I’ll make sure you can do everything you want. I’ll always be there to protect you.”

She lowered her gaze at his tender promise. Her days by the Wilberforce family’s seaside estate were the happiest she could remember.

‘If I went there again with Brother, I’m sure I’d be happy…’

Objectively, Alfred was sixty million times the better person compared to Peregrin.

So why, at this moment, did Percival’s words come to mind?

“I think there shouldn’t be any guilt in a relationship.”

She hadn’t expected those words to take such root in her heart, but now they served as a new compass when making decisions.

“…I’m sorry, Brother.”

Eugenie faced Alfred and answered seriously. Her mouth felt dry, and her heart was pounding the whole time she tried to speak.

But once she’d found the courage, she couldn’t back down.

“If I were to say yes right now, it would feel like I’m doing it just because you’ve risked so much for me, over and over again.”

“Ah…”

“And that wouldn’t be true—to either of us. It would be a lie to myself, and it wouldn’t be honest to your feelings, either.”

Her mother had cynically claimed, “There’s no such thing as love between a man and a woman.”

‘I still half agree with that.’

But she wanted to believe in something different—

That, in the end, honesty matters most, even if it means damaging an important relationship….

Alfred gave a small, bittersweet smile at Eugenie’s response. As her first partner, he’d hoped he might have the best chance.

“If that’s your answer, then I respect it.”

Still, if this was the decision made by the same girl who’d once tried so hard to mend her parents’ broken relationship, he had to accept it.

“Just remember, Eugenie. Your safety will always be my top priority.”

“Mm…”

“Even if I’m not your husband. Even if I’m not your ‘Brother’ anymore.”

“…Thank you.”

Eugenie reached out and took his hand in hers.

‘I thought Brother Alfred might lash out if he felt hurt.’

But even though she could be harsh with anyone else, she just couldn’t bring herself to do it with Alfred. Instead, now that he was being so understanding, she felt oddly relieved.

For the first time, she made a decision not out of guilt, but from a different compass entirely.

She was able to keep the relationship going without running away.

‘That’s good.’

Finally at ease, Eugenie put a piece of sliced meat into her mouth. She’d overtaxed her brain and her hands so much that both sugar and protein tasted like heaven.

Alfred watched her with a satisfied smile.

‘They say people look cute when they eat, if you like them.’

And it must be true, because her plump cheeks and lips looked beautiful—so much so, he found it almost sensual.

Alfred even caught himself unconsciously recalling the time Eugenie’s lips were wrapped around something that wasn’t food. He felt a sudden urge to tease her.

‘…But I have to hold back. Now’s not the time.’

It was his innate patience that had helped him win medals, endure pain after being shot by Tristan, and protect Eugenie. Without it, she might not even be here now.

Alfred slowly wet his lower lip with his tongue.

Anyway, he still had time to win her heart.

He’d continue to be the good, reliable ‘Brother and husband,’ hiding the less savory side of himself for now.

‘Although, come to think of it, it really is strange.’

Ever since surviving Tristan’s bullet, seeing Eugenie had gotten strangely difficult. He’d even failed to stop someone like Peter Lamburg from showing up.

And now, where exactly was that Peter Lamburg?

‘I didn’t kill him.’

He was a soldier, so killing wasn’t something that scared him. But if a body turned up in the river, Eugenie’s name could get dragged into it, so he’d just scared him enough to send him packing to the Lamburg family’s city estate by the river.

That should be punishment enough for cheating on Eugenie.

‘But he still hasn’t turned up…?’

There’d been no word from the Lamburgs, nor any news of a drowned body.

Alfred frowned, unsettled by a growing sense of unease.

‘So where is he now…?