Clip-clop, clip-clop.
The carriage adorned with the family crest came to a halt at the front gate, and its door slowly opened.
A figure stepped out with measured movements, one step at a time, revealing someone so strikingly similar to me it sent shivers down my spine.
No, if I were to be exact, I must be the one who resembles her.
“Welcome home, Mother.”
“Amy. I trust there haven’t been any major issues? I believed in you and made a trip to the capital.”
“There were a few minor incidents, but nothing significant. However, I do have a few matters I’d like to discuss with you.”
“If it’s not urgent, let’s talk after lunch. Where’s Alyssa?”
Her gleaming amber eyes didn’t rest on me but darted around, searching desperately for someone else.
Instantly, my blood ran cold, and my heart grew heavy.
“Alyssa… she’s probably still asleep in her room.”
“That child is such a sleepyhead. Hehe, I brought her a gift from the capital. I must hurry and give it to her.”
Mother’s voice, brimming with joy, went up an octave as she clasped her hands together.
Her previously expressionless face now radiated energy, her smile bright and childlike.
Unlike me, who resembled her, Alyssa took after our late father.
Dull silver hair and murky brown eyes.
Brilliant golden hair and beautiful blue eyes.
There was no need to ask who one would love more.
Mother didn’t neglect me, but she didn’t show me affection either.
Her words to me always revolved around Alyssa.
“Amy, you must be a help to your sister.”
Whatever was given to me always prioritized Alyssa, leaving me as an afterthought.
I tried.
I bled and toiled to regain Mother’s love.
But in the end, I am nothing more than a replica.
Who could love a doll resembling oneself?
To her, I was a figure of disdain, never of affection.
“Miss…”
“Ameri.”
Plop, plop.
The sound of rain pulled me out of my thoughts as I stood alone by the carriage.
Ameri approached with an umbrella, shielding me from the rain that had begun to drench me.
“I’ve prepared a bath with plenty of bath salts. You’ll surely enjoy soaking in it!”
“Really? Thank you, Ameri.”
Her warmth melted the frost creeping into my heart.
Among the servants of this house, she was the only one who treated Alyssa and me equally.
She had been with me since my childhood, not just as a servant but as a sister-like presence.
The fairy tales she read to me before bed still lingered vividly in my memory.
“Come, let’s go.”
I grasped Ameri’s waist, bringing her closer to my side as she tried to move away.
Enjoying her surprised gaze, we strolled together through the rain-soaked garden.
“Haa…”
Hisss…
The steam rising from the bath enveloped me as I sank into the tub.
The fatigue weighing on me seemed to dissolve completely.
Alyssa’s clinginess and other circumstances had delayed this moment, making it all the more satisfying.
‘…What could Mother and Alyssa be talking about now?’
Could it be disparaging remarks about me?
Or perhaps praise for Alyssa’s exceptional talents, which rival even the crown princess?
Whatever the case, my request to Mother was already decided: to allow Ameri to accompany me to the academy.
Initially, I had considered asking to bring some furniture from my room, but I realized Ameri was the only true solace in this house.
With her by my side, I felt I could endure the next three years.
Surely, if I offered to pay her salary myself, Mother would agree.
The thought of Ameri as my personal maid brought a smile to my lips.
I imagined asking her to read me stories every night before bed. It would undoubtedly be delightful.
Splash, splash.
Perhaps due to my relaxed state and indulgent fantasies, I failed to notice the sound of wet footsteps and a presence approaching until it stood right before me.
“…Sister, why are you smiling?”
“Alyssa?”
Once again, it was my pesky little sister intruding on my sanctuary.
She was already naked, her usually beautiful face marred by dark circles under her eyes, glaring at me intensely.
“…Didn’t you sleep well?”
Alyssa’s ordinarily pristine appearance was now tinged with exhaustion.
Though her striking blue eyes retained some of their beauty, they seemed dim, like a fading light.
“No. So, why were you smiling, Sister?”
“…Alyssa, leave at once. I let it slide last time, but I won’t forgive you this time, even if Mother permits it.”
“I’m asking you a question right now.”
Swoosh…
Alyssa’s ominous aura disrupted the calm water, causing it to spill over the edges of the tub.
Her usual cheerful demeanor was replaced with a darkness so profound it was almost pitiable, even to someone like me who disliked her.
“Why are you so fixated on my smile…? This sister of yours does smile from time to time, you know.”
“…A dream. Was the dream you had last night a pleasant one?”
A dream?
Was she referring to the dream I had earlier?
How could Alyssa know about it…?
No, it’s absurd to think siblings could share the same dream.
She must have had her own nightmare and come to me for comfort.
Alyssa, after all, is someone who secretly craves attention.
“Alyssa.”
Squeeze–
“Don’t worry. Your sister doesn’t love you, and in fact, she might even hate you.”
“But at least, she considers you her one and only sister.”
I hugged the anxious Alyssa tightly, letting her bury her face in my needlessly large chest.
I could no longer see her face, but seeing the bathwater calm down, I wanted to believe her heart had also eased, even if just a little.
Prickling.
Maybe it was because I was imitating a kind, nurturing older sister that didn’t suit me.
My stomach, which had been fine for a while, started protesting intensely.
Even so, I didn’t push my sister away.
After all, no matter what, I still had to see this girl for the next three years.
Building goodwill now would surely benefit my future.
This wasn’t for her at all, absolutely not.
“…Sister.”
Squeeze-
“Are you really Amy Rosewell?”
“If I don’t look like Amy Rosewell to you, go see a doctor immediately. Does this scared, fragile younger sister, who came to find her sister after a nightmare, need me to explain everything to her?”
“I don’t know anymore. Everything seems so… different from what I know…”
“Sigh… There you go again, spouting incomprehensible nonsense. Enough now… Alyssa?”
I gently shook her shoulders, but Alyssa didn’t respond.
For a moment, I wondered if she was dead, but feeling her faintly trembling body, I realized she was breathing fine.
…No way, did she fall asleep like this?
As much as I wanted to dump my useless sister and leave the bathtub, I couldn’t. If she fell into the tub, I wouldn’t be able to pull her out by myself.
What a truly irritating sister.
“…I feel like this happened before.”
When was it again? It felt like a long time ago, back when Alyssa could barely talk.
I think she snuck into my room after a nightmare back then too.
What did I do at the time?
Did I ask Amery to lift her onto the bed for me?
…Ah, that’s right.
“Alyssa, this sister will protect you no matter what. From the cold of this world, from countless evils, I’ll shield you.”
The corny words I once said to Alyssa suddenly came back to me, so I quietly murmured them.
It was something I said the first time I met her and repeated a few times afterward because I liked it.
Now, they’re just meaningless words, but back then, they were close to my true feelings.
Because, at least outwardly, Alyssa was endlessly adorable.
Prickling, prickling, prickling—
Ah… ow…
I shouldn’t even think about such unfitting words.
They just stress me out, and now my stomach hurts.
This is all Alyssa’s fault for suddenly showing up and disturbing my peace.
Even though our mother is here, why does she insist on coming to me?
Surely, she knows I resent her for all the trouble she’s caused me.
…She’s such an idiot.
I finally got a break from Alyssa thanks to Amery, who had come to check on me after noticing how long I’d been in the bathroom.
After hurriedly drying Alyssa and handing her over to Amery, I dressed neatly and walked to my mother’s study.
I had to inform her that I would be taking Amery with me, so I needed to speak clearly and convincingly, leaving no room for objections.
“Amy, Alyssa didn’t look well.”
“…She seemed very tired.”
As soon as we sat face-to-face, Mother brought up Alyssa, as expected.
It’s fine.
I had anticipated this much. Mother sees Father’s image in Alyssa, after all.
“I’m starting to wonder if sending Alyssa to the capital is the right decision… Will that tender-hearted child be able to get along with others? Surely, many people will gather around the lovable Alyssa.”
Clap—
“So, I’ve thought of a good idea. Amery has been taking care of Alyssa for a long time, so if I assign her as Alyssa’s maid, Alyssa will surely feel more comfortable. Don’t you think so too, Amy?”
“I…”
I couldn’t breathe.
My chest hurt, so much that I couldn’t even muster proper words.
Mother, do you not worry about me at all?
My body is frail, barely able to manage on its own.
Even though I’ve hidden my sorrow and pain, how can you tear my heart apart so mercilessly…?
Creak—
The door opened, but I didn’t want to turn around.
My heart darkened, but for some reason, my frail body felt invigorated.
If only I could act on my emotions.
Then maybe my heart wouldn’t hurt this much.
“Alyssa?”
Step, step—
“Mother, it’s okay if you don’t assign Amelie to me.”
At the sound of a voice that was contrivedly beautiful yet repulsively insincere, I instinctively lifted my head.
The frail demeanor she had displayed in the bathroom moments ago had vanished, replaced by my younger sister’s resolute figure standing tall, vividly clear in a distorted world.
“Ameri will be essential for you, sister. She has been solely responsible for preparing all the medication you take, and with your frail health, there’s no one as capable as Amelie to support you.”
Why?
“Will you be alright? Alyssa, you’ve also relied on Amelie’s help a lot, haven’t you? For Amy, we could arrange for another maid from the capital…”
“I’m fine.”
She helps me.
Yet, she said she hated me.
She doesn’t love me.
“Because my sister will stay by my side.”
“…Thank you, Alyssa.”
As a lady, I will repay today’s kindness someday.
For now, let me endure with gratitude alone, my sister, Alyssa.