Chapter 81
In both East and West, they say family is a relationship tied by heaven.
They're beings who share the happiest moments in my life and are by my side in the saddest moments too.
However, when issues like power, inferiority complexes towards each other, differences in position, wealth, etc. get entangled, they can instantly become beings who can't live under the same sky.
'Like Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu in the Three Kingdoms.'
"Although my relationship with Albert isn't that of mortal enemies, honestly it's not a good relationship."
I've never disadvantaged Albert in any way.
If I truly wanted to, I could get the Medici baron title right now by asking Duke Visconti or the Emperor, but…
It's not good for me in the long term, and anyway, I held back because I didn't want to take away the title of my brother who shares the same blood.
Moreover, I'm in a state of bestowing unreciprocated goodwill and benefits to the Medici baron family, whether Albert knows it or not.
"It's purely that gentleman being blinded by envy and jealousy and antagonizing me, that's all."
The stupidest thing in this world is trying to become close with someone you can't become close with.
No matter how much money I give them or pour my heart out infinitely, that person will see me as a sucker, or look at me with even more hostility.
They say even for approaching women, if you keep pushing when she's not interested, you'll end up in handcuffs.
"Is Baron Medici in now?"
The mansion's servant politely answered to that:
"He's currently focused on his work."
"His younger brother has something urgent to say, so please relay that I'm asking him to spare some time."
In other families, it's manners to give a few silver coins for such a request.
It's not because money is overflowing and I want to spend lavishly.
Servants who don't receive gifts sometimes insert a bit of nonsense, which can become a problem, so that's why.
'I don't need to do that since I'm Albert's younger brother.'
"Please wait a moment, Viscount."
Not long after, the butler came and politely led me to Albert's office.
Albert welcomed me very warmly as soon as he saw me.
"Oh, Fabio. Yes, seeing you like this is really nice."
Although Albert is the baron of the Medici family, a considerable part of that gentleman's power depends on being close to me.
Well, if you dig around for evidence of that, several would come out.
'My brother's wife is the biggest evidence.'
So he has no choice but to pretend to be close to me in front of others.
"Thank you for welcoming me warmly, Baron."
"Haha, I told you to call me big brother."
He's spouting nonsense like a manager at a drinking party saying to call him brother because the age difference isn't much.
Isn't it more realistic for me to call Duke Visconti father-in-law than to call you brother casually in private?
"No matter how close we are, I should respect your authority as Baron."
"That's true too."
See, your true feelings come out right away.
And after some time passed, the fake smile blooming on Albert's face completely disappeared.
"You must be busy, and I'm busy too, so you didn't come just to have a cup of tea or say let's go out to play like when we were young. What business brings you this time?"
Honestly, I want to get along well with this gentleman.
Privately, he's still my blood-related brother, and publicly, he's the Medici family baron and one of the empire's great merchants.
'Although another uncle holds the real power in the trading company.'
Anyway, if possible, it's unconditionally advantageous to reduce even one enemy, and good to increase even one ally.
"As you know, Baron, this time the spice guild targeted me and ordered not to sell sugar to Cafe Medici. Thanks to that, I almost suffered great damage."
Hearing my words, Albert sighed.
"I heard there was such an unfortunate incident. I should have been of help, I'm sorry."
Elders often say they'll sew shut mouths that speak recklessly with needles.
I think I understand now why they said such harsh words.
If you had any intention of helping me, you should have acted immediately after the sugar sales ban order fell on me.
If someone who's not just another noble but a major shareholder of the spice guild with 1/4 of management rights had stepped up, wouldn't that guild master bastard have lowered his tail right away?
'Even if you lie, do it with some sincerity.'
Still, it's better to say nice things if possible.
We're family so that bastard can't stab me in the back, but I can't carelessly retaliate even if Albert is hostile.
"It's all in the past now, so it's fine, Baron."
"Thank you for saying that."
Arrows that have flown don't return, and there's no way in this world to gather spilled water.
Once time has passed, it can't be turned back.
Since I resolved it well, well, although it feels bad, it can be considered a good thing.
'That's that, but I won't forget you trying to screw me over.'
Albert bowed his head in front of me.
For a moment I thought this guy really felt sorry towards me, but…
His expression showed no signs of regret that something bad almost happened to me.
'It seems he's rather more annoyed that I'm fine.'
"I'm sorry this brother couldn't help his younger brother."
"Not at all. I have no regretful feelings towards you regarding this matter, brother. Surely you must have had some circumstances."
You only feel disappointed if you have even a speck of dust's worth of expectation.
And I've never once expected anything from the person Albert de Medici, Baron Medici, since I became independent until now.
That person has never congratulated me for doing well, nor stepped up to help when I had any difficulties.
Even though there would be things falling to him directly or indirectly if I do well.
If your younger sibling is a judge or prosecutor, the probability of suffering unfair treatment in police investigations disappears, and if a doctor, you can enter the emergency room ahead of dying emergency patients even if you're not seriously ill yourself.
Besides that, if they're an executive at a large corporation or company president, you can secretly receive job solicitations for family members.
'But this bastard only felt jealous even after experiencing how it benefits him?'
What can you expect from someone who can't even judge properly because of jealousy and envy.
Albert grasped my hand tightly.
"Thank you for understanding this brother even though you must have gone through hard times, Fabio. As expected, it seems family is the only thing you can trust."
No, I'd rather believe the nonsense that Koreans will live eating only pickled radish instead of kimchi than trust you.
Do you think I'm crazy enough to trust you, Albert?
Whew, I've endured until now, but I don't need to endure any more than this, right?
No, if we're going to be unable to get along anyway.
"Baron, I have something I want to say privately, so could you dismiss all the servants and attendants around for a moment?"
"There's no one but you and me in the office, what are you so worried about?"
It's because what I'm about to say is blackmail.
I've only given to you until now and never properly received anything in return.
Well, I was going to let it slide even if you just took, considering father.
Honestly, if there's something given, you should at least firmly hold the reins of that spice guild master bastard you can control.
'Who said it? When scolding middle managers, do it where subordinates can't see.'
I honestly don't care what happens to Albert of the Medici baron family.
But I don't want to drive a nail into father's heart, who tried to raise me with as much love as possible for a noble of this era and country.
And if rumors of conflict between me and Albert spread, it would be disadvantageous to me too.
It would be good to completely eliminate eavesdropping ears.
"Please dismiss them. This is a warning I'm giving as Viscount Medici."
Deliberately mentioning the viscount title means statements from now on are happening purely in the public domain, not the 'private domain'.
Understanding that, Albert immediately got up and sent away all the servants outside the door.
After about 5 minutes passed, I sat crossing my legs.
No matter if the other party is my brother, it's an attitude I shouldn't take in front of a baron with a higher title than me.
'It's similar to how the Pereira Trading Company head deliberately used honorifics with me.'
Of course, I'm not coming out so brazenly without thinking.
"Today I want to really speak my mind and express the emotions inside me. Although our families have split, aren't we still clearly brothers with the same surname and family name? We should clear up any misunderstandings."
Misunderstanding, yes there's one misunderstanding between us.
"Baron Medici, do you know whose grace it is that you're sitting in that seat right now?"
Although my title is lower, I'm not inferior to you, you foolish person.