I heard this restaurant is not well-known for its food.
I heard a customer who bought roses from this flower shop got pricked by a thorn.
I heard the number of customers at this bakery has significantly decreased recently.
“…Alyssa.”
“…Yes.”
“Go back to the inn.”
“I’m sorry…!”
Ah, so frustrating!
Every time I try to go somewhere, there’s constant nagging like a parrot!
“How about this? How about that? This doesn’t work because of this!”
Ugh…
I couldn’t even visit half the places I originally intended.
And now, there’s barely any time left…
“Amy, sister.”
“Don’t call me. I don’t want to talk to you right now.”
“Please trust me this once. I’ll take you to a place you’ll definitely love.”
“…Alyssa, it’s your first time in the capital, too, isn’t it? I’m curious where your confidence comes from.”
Even as I glared at Alyssa with all seriousness, the short, blonde girl maintained her confident demeanor.
Her unwavering blue eyes looking straight at me were so irritating that I turned my head away, but I had already partially relented inside.
“Take me there. I’ll see where my foolish little sister decides to take me.”
“Thank you, sister.”
As soon as I gave her permission, Alyssa grabbed my hand and started walking quickly somewhere.
Her excited figure, looking like a girl her age, made me smile wryly without realizing it.
Come to think of it, Alyssa has never even seen our father’s face.
He passed away while our mother was pregnant with Alyssa…
From her perspective, this must be the first time she’s had a family outing.
Our mother had excessive expectations of Alyssa, and I had my own reasons for envying and disliking her.
…Could Alyssa’s interruptions all day have been her way of seeking attention?
Perhaps her actions were her way of expressing familial affection, now that our relationship had slightly improved.
Alright, Alyssa.
Just for today, I’ll go along with you.
I may not cherish you like Mother before you were born, nor will I be as caring as Father, but I can at least watch over you.
“Here we are, sister.”
“…Are you serious?”
I had just made up my mind.
Why, oh why, would you choose such an old hut as the destination you promised would be satisfying?
Creak…
Instead of answering, Alyssa gave me a confident smile and opened the door to the hut.
The inside, which slowly revealed itself, was as shabby as the exterior, yet it exuded an unusual atmosphere.
Hehehe…
Inside the hut, where Alyssa had dragged me, an old woman’s laughter echoed.
But only the laughter was heard—her figure remained unseen, adding to the tension.
What brings you to a place like this…?
“I’m here to buy a necklace.”
I see…
Feel free to take a look around.
At some point, a desk had appeared before us, with four necklaces laid out on it.
Blue, red, green, and brown.
Each necklace was different in color and design, but they all radiated a mysterious power that made it clear they didn’t belong in such a shabby hut.
“This is…”
The one that caught my eye was the red necklace.
It resembled the ruby I had chosen for the princess previously but burned with a brighter and more intense red.
…No matter how I think about it, this is no ordinary place.
“Show me the necklace that suits me.”
…Oh. Alright, wait a moment.
After the old woman’s voice echoed, she emerged from the dark corner of the hut.
The hunched figure approached us, holding a brilliantly glowing necklace.
“Take this. It’s the one that suits you.”
The necklace was made of plain gold with a single large diamond.
At first glance, it seemed simple, but the sparkling brilliance of the diamond was more beautiful than any elaborate jewel.
“Thank you.”
“Hehehe… Gift it to someone dear. The more you cherish them, the more power the necklace will show.”
As soon as the old woman finished speaking, we left the hut as if spellbound.
After regaining our senses and looking around, the shabby hut was gone, leaving only a regular house in the capital’s back alley.
“Sister, please lean down for a moment.”
“…Why?”
“I want to give this necklace to you as a gift.”
Though I was slightly tempted, I instinctively knew that this necklace was not meant for me.
After all, hadn’t the old woman told us to give it to someone dear?
I’m just the mean sister who bothers Alyssa, not her cherished one.
“It’s alright, Alyssa. I’m content with the rare experience. Save it and give it to someone else later.”
“I want to give it to you.”
“…May I ask why?”
“Because you’re my one and only true family.”
…Mother, who loves you dearly, would be heartbroken to hear that.
“I’ll say it again: I don’t particularly love…”
“No!”
Her unwavering blue eyes pierced through me again, filled with passion and determination rather than coolness.
“I’ve come to realize… how much you truly love me.”
“It’s a misunderstanding.”
“It’s not a misunderstanding. Rather, I must have been far too ignorant. Here, sister… I’ll help you put on the necklace.”
Alyssa, determined to place the necklace on me, seemed unwilling to end the conversation until I accepted it.
Knowing her true strength, I realized further resistance was futile and obediently leaned forward.
“Someday, you’ll regret this decision, Alyssa.”
“I’ll try not to.”
Click.
The necklace fastened around my neck felt as though it was made just for me, its fit almost perfect.
However, the slight heaviness I felt likely stemmed from another reason.
“Let’s head back to the inn.”
“…Ah.”
Alyssa, who had been smiling sweetly, looked disheartened by my curt response, lowering her head in disappointment.
Normally, I would have found the sight endearing, but today, given all I had received…
“…Thank you, Alyssa. I’ll cherish it.”
“Sister…!”
Dodging Alyssa’s attempt to hug me, I quickly started walking toward the inn. I didn’t want to show my face until my lingering warmth subsided.
“Miss, I wish you the best of luck!”
“Ameri , don’t worry too much. Even if I fail, you can always work as Alyssa’s maid.”
“I want to remain your maid, Miss Amy…”
“That alone gives me strength. Well, I’m off.”
At the academy entrance, with numerous students filing in, Alyssa and I stood ready.
Though she had reassured me last night that I would pass without a hitch, I couldn’t help but feel nervous.
“Sister, it’s time to go in.”
“…Understood.”
Holding my pounding chest, I stepped inside.
From the outside, it looked like an ordinary door, but the interior was a vast auditorium, larger than even our mansion.
This must be the test venue for new students.
Apparently, results are determined immediately.
I have to do well—for Ameri ‘s sake, if nothing else.
Kyaa!
As I scanned the area for the magic department’s test location, a cheer-like scream drew my attention.
Curious, I looked over to see…
“Ahaha! Amy, you’re finally here!”
“…Lady Amy.”
Standing proudly in the “Top 2 People I Least Wanted to See Right Now” were two familiar faces.
“…The Grand Duchess Flora? Why is she here at this moment?”
“Alyssa, do you know Lady Flora?”
“Ah… yes, of course. She’s incredibly famous as a master of water magic.”
“You certainly have many connections. But that’s not the issue right now…”
Rustle.
As Lady Marybell, dressed elegantly in a deep blue gown, approached, my heart shrank.
What if she reveals what happened in the bath yesterday?
An insult from the daughter of a baron to the imperial duke’s eldest daughter…
Ugh…
“Lady Marybell Flora, I greet you.”
“…What?”
Lady Marybell’s actions were far beyond anything I could have imagined.
Reaching me, she gracefully knelt on one knee, placing her hands on the ground and looking up at me—a gesture of utmost deference and respect.
The sight of a prominent duke’s daughter kneeling sent shockwaves through the previously noisy crowd, plunging the room into silence as all eyes focused on us.
Amidst the intense tension, the first to break the stillness was the blazing, fiery voice of the princess.
“What is this, Marybell! You said you didn’t know Amy, yet here you are pulling such antics? Amy is already claimed by this princess! Even if you ask, I won’t give her up!”
Before I knew it, the princess had approached, firmly holding my left hand and intertwining her arm with mine.
Her other hand was around my waist, creating a scene that looked like a lover’s intimate gesture.
“…I just want to take the test already.”
Any anxiety I had about the exam had long since evaporated, replaced by exasperation at the absurd antics of the two most influential figures in the land.
I only wanted to escape this situation.
“Lady Amy, do you even need to take the test? Someone as strong and beautiful as you doesn’t need to. I’ll inform the examiners, so let’s enjoy some tea instead.”
“What nonsense are you spouting? Amy, take the test quickly, then come to my chambers. I’ve been longing to hear your sweet voice!”
Both options were a dead end.
In this ultimate dilemma, my eyes instinctively turned to Alyssa.
“Step aside, everyone.”
Sensing my silent plea, Alyssa stepped in between me and the princess, gently pulling me away to safety.
The intense gazes of the two naturally turned toward Alyssa, but the small knight stood firmly in front of me, undeterred.
“Alyssa…! At least for today, you’re my proud little sister!”
“My sister is in trouble.”
“…You. I knew you liked her, but has your condition worsened?”
“Step aside. Lady Amy’s beauty is being obscured.”
“No matter what you say, I won’t step aside. In the academy, status differences are meaningless. What matters is ability.”
Though the abolition of the class system was merely nominal, Alyssa’s words carried a strange conviction.
Perhaps it was because words spoken by the powerful carried more weight.
The fortunate thing was that in this situation, the one with power was my sister, who was determined to protect me.
“…Ha! Well, causing more trouble here wouldn’t please Amy. Hurry up and take the test so you can formally enroll.”
Unlike the princess, who stepped back quietly, Marybell refused to back down and approached Alyssa.
Towering over her, Marybell exuded an overwhelming presence.
“So, you’re Amy’s sister?”
“That’s correct.”
“Ha! I see now. I made a huge mistake comparing someone like you to Lady Amy.”
“Think what you like. However, I will not move.”
…What should I do?
Though Alyssa was reliable, Lady Marybell seemed determined not to leave until she had spoken with me.
Perhaps the memory of me losing control and displaying inexplicable power had left a strong impression on her.
“Alyssa, it’s fine now.”
“Sister…”
No matter what, if I was the cause of this, I needed to resolve it.
Hiding wouldn’t solve anything now that the situation had escalated this far.
“Lady Marybell.”
“Lady Amy…”
“I deeply apologize for my previous rudeness. Allow me to once again express my sincerest apologies here.”
“Rudeness? I didn’t take it as—”
Step. Step.
“We agreed to keep it a secret, didn’t we?”
“Gasp…”
“Go back quietly. Otherwise, I won’t spoil you.”
“…As you wish. I’ll do as you say.”
Hearing my whispered words, Lady Marybell blushed and obediently returned to the princess’s side.
The surrounding onlookers seemed curious about our conversation, but I had no obligation to explain.
…I’m glad I retained memories of my outburst.
I’ll leave Lady Marybell to the future me.
Now, the remaining challenge was the sky-high expectations placed upon me.
…I still struggle to properly launch a single orb—
How am I supposed to meet those expectations?