I hated my younger sister.
Ever since the year she was born, all attention had been stolen away from me. Perhaps it was only natural.
Of course, the power and wealth I enjoyed as the eldest daughter of a noble family remained intact, but losing my parents’ affection was a wound that cut deeper than anything else to my young self.
“Alyssa, you’re filthy.”
Splash.
So, it must be okay to torment my sister a little.
She had already taken everything from me, so this small harassment surely wouldn’t matter.
“…Ah, sister, you splashed muddy water on me!”
“Did you just talk back to me?”
“…No, it’s nothing.”
“Good. As expected, clever Alyssa understands quickly. Now, go and tell Mother to bring me a new dress. You know what will happen if you mention my name, don’t you?”
“Understood…”
Covered in mud, her beautiful dress ruined, Alyssa walked toward the main building with tears streaming down her face.
The sight of my once proud younger sister retreating pitifully filled me with a twisted sense of satisfaction.
That evening, Alyssa did not join us for dinner.
“Mother, where is Alyssa?”
“She’s having dinner alone in her room. Lately, she’s been so troublesome… Amy, as her older sister, please take care of her.”
“I see… If it’s all right, may I take my meal to her room? I don’t want to leave her alone.”
“My, Anna, you are such a kind child. Of course, you may. Please look after her well; I scolded her quite harshly today.”
“Yes, Mother.”
I succeeded in gaining Mother’s permission and smiled inwardly.
Alyssa probably thought her room was safe, but no, it wasn’t.
Creak.
“Marie, leave the food on the desk and return to attend to Mother.”
“Understood, Miss.”
Alyssa, who had been quietly eating alone, looked up at me in surprise, her beautiful, wide eyes staring at me.
The deep, clear blue of her eyes, so pure and reminiscent of the sea, clashed with my murky, dirty brown ones.
At that moment, something boiled up inside me.
Suppressing it in front of the servant, I endured it for now.
But my heart was already darkened, filled with the unbearable urge to torment her.
Click.
Once the servant left, and it was just the two of us, I no longer needed to hide my true nature.
With a twisted, disgusting smile, I slowly walked toward her.
Alyssa, I have always hated you.
I hated those eyes that resembled the sea, so much more beautiful than mine.
I envied how everyone admired you, how you stole the attention and love of the most elegant suitors.
“Alyssa, let’s eat together. It’s lonely to dine alone, isn’t it?”
“Ah, yes, Sister…”
Her plate was nearly empty, but I casually exchanged it with the plate I had brought.
The steak prepared by the chef was undoubtedly delicious and refined, but it was far too rich for me to handle.
So, you eat it instead.
“Sister… I’ve already eaten and am quite full…”
“Alyssa, I’ll feed you. You wouldn’t waste the food your sister brought, would you?”
Slice.
With practiced ease, I cut the meat and brought it to her lips.
Alyssa hesitated, glancing at me nervously, before reluctantly opening her mouth and taking a small bite.
Chew, chew.
Watching her struggle to chew the rich meat brought me satisfaction.
Once she swallowed, I immediately offered her another piece.
For a noble lady, eating someone else’s leftovers was a great disgrace.
Let’s see how much of this humiliation you can endure.
“Is the steak delicious, Alyssa?”
“…It is, Sister.”
“Really? I’m glad. Even though it was something I couldn’t finish, it seems to suit your taste.”
After ensuring the plate was clean, I leaned back, watching her barely suppress the urge to vomit.
It didn’t matter to me.
This was how I spent my childhood—finding joy in tormenting Alyssa day after day.
A few times, Mother almost discovered my mischief, but…
“Mother, Sister has done nothing wrong. It was all my fault…”
My foolish younger sister always stepped forward to take the blame.
What an idiot.
Years passed, and before long, both of us reached the age to debut in society.
I thought I had grown into a reasonably beautiful young lady, but standing beside Alyssa, I might as well have been a weed by the roadside.
Her deep, pure blue eyes sparkled like shimmering water.
Her translucent, flawless skin seemed to glow.
Her golden hair was as radiant as melted sunlight soaked in honey.
Rumor had it that even the Crown Prince, a duke’s heir, and a genius young mage had all fallen for her.
Even as someone who despised her, I couldn’t deny that Alyssa was breathtakingly beautiful.
So, isn’t it natural for me to feel an uncontrollable jealousy? To want to mar that flawless skin, for instance.
“Alyssa, you should have been more careful with the scissors, don’t you think?”
“…I’m sorry, sister.”
“Use the towel to clean it.”
It’s fortunate that it was your loving sister who first saw this.
If Mother had found out, she would have been furious. Here, clean hands, heh…
There was a sharp, straight wound on the soft, delicate back of my younger sister’s hand.
It wasn’t intentional, but it happened while she was cutting fabric with scissors and I distracted her.
I handed her a handkerchief and used another to wipe the tears streaming from her eyes.
It’s not that I felt sorry for her, but I couldn’t imagine what Mother would think if she saw this.
“Now, let’s go to the trading company together today. I hear exotic merchants have arrived, and we might see some rare jewelry.”
“…Finally, they’ve come.”
“What? Alyssa, what did you just say…?”
“Nothing! I said nothing. Shall we go now?”
“…? Yes, we’ll leave now.”
Although I had suggested this as part of my next plan to tease my sister, Alyssa clenched her fists and smiled faintly.
It felt unusual since she usually hated going out with me.
Could she really have an interest in jewelry?
It didn’t seem like her;
She always rejected the gold and jewels brought by suitors.
Puzzled, I boarded the carriage with my sister.
But throughout the journey, she kept a faint smile on her face.
Normally, I wouldn’t have cared, but for some reason, it bothered me.
“Alyssa, do you like exotic jewelry?”
Unable to suppress my growing curiosity, I asked her.
I hated engaging in personal conversations with her, but this was for my sake, after all.
“Oh, no! Not at all!”
“…Is that so? You seem unusually cheerful today for someone who doesn’t care.”
“Sister! I’m just excited to go out with you today.”
…What a lie.
Alyssa, gently rubbing her wounded hand as she spoke, was clearly lying.
There’s no way she’d enjoy an outing with me, the one who constantly torments her.
What could she possibly be happy about?
Could she actually like jewelry?
I know her better than anyone, yet I’ve never seen her wear even a simple necklace.
Clip-clop, clip-clop.
The carriage carrying the two of us soon arrived at the trading company.
After being escorted by the ever-dedicated old butler, we moved inside.
“Lady Amy, Lady Alyssa! Welcome! You’ve grown even more beautiful since your childhood. Truly, the fame of the Golden-Silver Sisters is no mere rumor!”
“…You flatter us.”
Baxter, the owner of the grand trading company and a friend of Mother, called us by a title I loathed.
However, as the eldest daughter, I was trained to hide my emotions.
The Golden-Silver Sisters.
It was a nickname that had spread among the nobles, and though it seemed like a term of endearment, it was practically an insult.
The dull silver hair of the elder sister and the radiant gold hair of the younger one.
The implication of who was superior was painfully obvious.
“This way! We’ve gathered items that perfectly suit such beautiful sisters!”
With a cheerful smile, Baxter guided us to a dazzling display of jewels and accessories.
Frankly, I wasn’t fond of jewelry myself;
They all looked the same to me.
Still, I commented politely, “As expected of your trading company, Baxter. Everything here is so stunning it’s almost blinding.”
“Ha-ha! Hearing such praise from the Silver Princess is an honor. Please, take whatever you like—your mother has already covered the cost!”
I glanced through the display but found nothing that caught my eye.
Overly extravagant jewelry doesn’t suit someone as plain as me and feels unnecessarily heavy.
I decided to pick something simple for myself and then focus on finding a gift for Alyssa.
Ideally, something dark and gaudy to embarrass her during her debut in society.
“I’ll take this one.”
“Are you sure about this piece? There are far more dazzling options available.”
I had chosen a plain silver bracelet with no decoration.
It wasn’t beautiful or extravagant, but its simplicity resonated with me.
“It suits me perfectly. Now, I’d like to pick something for my beautiful sister Alyssa.”
“…Such touching sisterly love.”
After thanking Baxter, I approached Alyssa, who was intently gazing at a display, so much so that she didn’t notice me coming.
“Alyssa. Did any of the jewelry catch your eye?”
“Sister…”
I had asked out of formality, but I had already decided long ago on a gift for Alyssa:
A large ruby necklace with a ridiculous pattern.
The ruby necklace, gaudy and gloomy, didn’t suit Alyssa at all.
If she wore something like that, she would undoubtedly feel humiliated.
“If it’s something you’ve chosen, sister, then anything is fine…”
As Alyssa finished speaking, she wasn’t looking at me but rather at the entrance we had passed.
She glanced sideways at the display stands while repeatedly looking toward the entrance, as if waiting for something.
I was about to present her with the ruby necklace, but my curiosity was piqued.
What could she be so fixated on?
“This is…”
“S-Sister! Wait… just a moment…”
Ignoring Alyssa’s attempt to stop me, I picked up the accessory she had been staring at.
A dazzling, beautiful necklace that shone brightly, even under the bright lights of the shop.
A necklace adorned with a large blue diamond, so stunning it seemed as if it were made for Alyssa.
Receiving something like this from someone you love would surely make any woman feel like her life was a success.
“…Did you… want this necklace?”
“No, I was just… looking for a moment.”
Even as she said this, Alyssa bit her lip nervously, her signature habit when she was being honest.
It was clear this necklace had truly captured her heart.
Normally, I might have taken it for myself, but…
“Mr. Bax, I’ll take this necklace.”
“A-Are you serious? This necklace is a special item, so even for you, Miss Amy, there will be an additional charge…”
“It’s fine. I’ll cover any extra cost.”
A sudden whim overtook me, as if I were atoning for all the times I had tormented her before.
“Here, Alyssa. This is your sister’s gift to you.”
I fastened the purchased necklace around Alyssa’s neck as she stood frozen.
The necklace suited her so perfectly it felt like it had always belonged to her.
But Alyssa…
“…The scenario… the scenario…” she muttered quietly, her voice so faint I could barely hear.
“Alyssa? No words of gratitude for your sister?”
Annoyed by her lack of response, I moved to take the necklace back when—
“Miss Sharen! There are still customers inside…”
“Step aside! Who dares block my way when I decide to enter?”
The unfamiliar voice drew everyone’s attention.
At the source of the voice was a stunning girl with fiery red hair, walking toward us.
“A…ah… It’s over… What is this…”
While Alyssa mumbled something incomprehensible, I locked eyes with the red-haired girl approaching us.