Chapter 14 – Call Me Brother Brave
1285 Words
Actually, Yoshua Brave understood that although on the surface it looked like the family had no prejudice about status, the reason they agreed so easily to his relationship with Lan Ya was twofold: the two of them loved each other, and he—Yoshua Brave—had real strength.
Owning a level-nine high-tier magic pet, able to defeat a Great Swordmaster with ease—he was essentially a Sword Saint–level expert. Deep down, they were nobles, after all. Marrying Lan Ya to an ordinary man would obviously make them reluctant. But marrying her to a young man who was already at Sword Saint level? Of course they would be willing.
Forget it—parents everywhere think the same way. They just want their children to be happy. And in this world, an ordinary person truly has no future.
Bolute was one of the Empire’s Four Great Sword Saints. He usually trained in the General’s Mansion’s backyard, leaving everything else to his son, completely at ease.
Although Bolute stood at the very top of the pyramid in terms of power, he still couldn’t see through Yoshua Brave. He couldn’t determine exactly how strong Yoshua was. Based on what he knew, Yoshua was simply a Sword Saint–level expert with excellent cooking skills. That was all. And even though they allowed the two to be together, actually marrying Lan Ya… Yoshua probably wouldn’t get his wish just yet.
Yoshua Brave settled into the General’s Mansion without treating himself like an outsider at all. He lived quite comfortably, spending each day chatting with Lan Ya. To help Lan Ya improve her strength, he taught her his Ice-Heart Mantra, a mental cultivation method more suitable for magicians than anything else.
To avoid becoming the mansion’s exclusive chef, he taught the head cooks much of his culinary skill and even provided them with free seasonings.
But heaven wouldn’t let him relax. Only five days passed before Lan Ya’s younger sister—Lan Qi, known throughout the capital as the Little Devil—returned.
According to Lan Ya, Lan Qi was the family’s precious treasure, doted on by everyone, especially their grandfather. With him as her backing, Lan Qi feared nothing; almost no one in the capital dared provoke her.
When Lan Qi returned, Yoshua was in the back garden, holding Lan Ya as they enjoyed the shade. Lan Qi didn’t see her sister in the welcoming party and thought Lan Ya wasn’t home, but after hearing from her mother that Lan Ya had already returned, she immediately became upset and rushed off to find her.
It wasn’t Lan Ya’s fault—Lan Qi’s return was sudden and she hadn’t informed the family beforehand.
But when Lan Qi made up her mind, reasoning wouldn’t work. Once she learned where her sister was, she stormed toward the backyard. The servants all knew the couple’s habits, so no one disturbed them at this time of day.
A reclining chair sat beneath thick shade, with a small table beside it holding pastries, fruit, and two glasses of juice.
On the recliner, Yoshua took a bite of the pastry Lan Ya offered and let one large hand wander mischievously over her round, soft curves. Lan Ya’s face flushed bright red as she slapped his hand away, while Yoshua only chuckled.
This life was far too decadent… but he liked it.
He swallowed the pastry and asked, “Wife, after cultivating the Ice-Heart Mantra, do you feel anything different?”
Lan Ya beamed.
“Of course! My divine power has clearly grown. My magic output, spell-casting speed, meditation recovery—everything’s improved greatly! The Ice-Heart Mantra is truly amazing. Yoshua, thank you.”
Yoshua hugged her slender waist and laughed.
“Silly girl, what’s there to thank? You’re my wife—this is what I should do. Keep training. Becoming an Archmage someday won’t be difficult.”
Lan Ya nodded happily and fed Yoshua a piece of fruit with her fork, making him feel as if he had reached heaven.
Suddenly he sensed someone rushing toward the garden. He signaled Lan Ya, who quickly moved to sit on the other chair.
A small figure ran in.
“Little sister!” Lan Ya exclaimed.
Yoshua blinked at the little loli running over.
So this is the infamous Little Devil?
The girl wore pale green: short-sleeved shirt, knee-length skirt, golden hair tied back with a light green scarf, matching light green shoes. With her big bright eyes, she looked energetic and adorable.
Lan Ya happily hugged Lan Qi.
“Little sister! You’re finally back. I missed you so much. Why didn’t you tell us beforehand? I would have gone to pick you up!”
Lan Qi clung to her sister for a moment, then glared at Yoshua.
“Sis, who is this guy?”
Yoshua smiled.
“I’m your brother-in-law, little one.”
Lan Qi’s eyes widened.
“Don’t call me little one! And what do you mean brother-in-law? I don’t believe it! Sis, is he telling the truth?”
Lan Ya glanced at Yoshua, then nodded.
Lan Qi was shocked.
“Sis! How could you marry someone like him? Don’t you know Brother Adams has always liked you?”
Lan Ya stiffened and nervously looked at Yoshua.
“Don’t say that, little sister. Brother Adams is only like family to me. I’ve never had feelings for him.”
Yoshua believed her. He walked over, pulled Lan Ya into his arms, and said with a grin:
“I know many people like you. Rogart and Caesar both had improper thoughts about you. But so what? You still ended up with me. Don’t worry—I’m not petty. But if that guy dares to bother you, I’ll make sure he regrets it.”
His mixture of generosity and possessiveness blended perfectly, creating a fierce yet tender charm that made Lan Ya blush, her eyes rippling like water as she stared at him.
Lan Qi snorted.
“Brag all you want! Brother Adams is the top student of his second-year class at Magic-Martial Academy! Even ten of you couldn’t beat him!”
Lan Ya nearly laughed aloud—if anything, the opposite was true.
If Yoshua wanted to marry Lan Ya smoothly, he absolutely could not offend this little girl. He needed her goodwill. What did girls this age like?
Right—dolls.
Yoshua grinned wickedly.
“Lan Qi, since this is our first meeting—and since I’ll be your brother-in-law—I want to give you a gift. I hope you’ll treat me better in the future. How about it?”
Lan Qi’s curiosity lit up.
“I’ll decide after I see what it is.”
Suppressing his amusement, Yoshua pulled a one-meter-tall white teddy bear from his storage space. Fluffy and soft, it looked almost like a real bear—extremely cute.
Lan Qi’s eyes lit up instantly. Lan Ya’s too.
Lan Qi rushed forward and grabbed the teddy bear with delight.
Seeing Lan Ya’s envious gaze, Yoshua immediately took out another one and handed it to her.
“Alright, don’t be jealous. You get one too.”
Lan Ya hugged it and smiled sweetly.
Yoshua turned to Lan Qi.
“So, little Lan Qi… can I hear you call me brother-in-law now?”
Lan Qi instantly changed faces.
“No way! At most I’ll call you ‘big brother.’”
Yoshua sighed dramatically.
“Fine, fine. ‘Big brother’ is already progress. Come on—call me Brother Yoshua.”
Lan Qi looked at the bear in her arms, then reluctantly muttered:
“…Brother Yoshua.”
Yoshua nodded proudly.
“Brother Yoshua… Brother Yoshua… Brother!”
He could hardly contain his glee.
- Writer
