“Hey, Miss Amy! It’s terrible, truly terrible!”
“Ameri, that’s unrefined of you. A lady must remain composed no matter the situation.”
Only after striking Alyssa’s cheek in the bathroom yesterday did I painfully realize it.
If I had kept my composure then, I could have scolded her more effectively.
Or perhaps I could have even sent her to the royal academy she so stubbornly refuses.
It’s too late to regret it now, but a missed opportunity is still a missed opportunity.
“T-That’s not the important thing right now! Th-The Princess! Her Highness has come to see you, Lady Amy!”
“…What?”
First my little sister yesterday, and now this?
Why is everyone so eager to startle me?
I just want to enjoy a quiet tea time.
Recalling the princess’s rude attitude at the trade association made my head throb.
I hadn’t even seen my sister yet after yesterday’s ordeal, and now a visit from the princess?
“I’ll go myself. Ameri, go to Alyssa’s room and make sure she stays put. No matter what happens, don’t let her out.”
“Understood, my lady!”
With Mother currently in the royal capital for urgent business, it falls to me to handle any visitors to the estate.
Thankfully, someone hired by Mother manages the estate’s administration, or I’d surely be overwhelmed.
“You’re late! I’ve been waiting for over five minutes!”
“…My apologies, Lady Sharen.”
I hurried to the garden where the princess was waiting, but her loud complaint as soon as she saw me made my head ache even more.
Any normal person would’ve apologized for showing up unannounced, but her behavior, regardless of her status, was just too much.
“Well, since I came uninvited, I’ll let it slide this time. However! Next time, make sure you come immediately when I arrive. Understood?”
“I am grateful for your leniency, Lady Sharen. May I ask the purpose of your visit to Rosewell Manor today?”
“I was bored.”
Clench.
I ground my teeth instinctively but maintained a calm exterior and a polite smile.
Stay calm. Stay calm, Amy.
This princess—if she’s displeased, she wouldn’t hesitate to bring ruin to our family. She’s that kind of person.
“Well, that was a joke. The real reason for my visit is you.”
“…Me?”
“Yes, you. The one smiling foolishly in front of me right now. After the jewelry incident, I became intrigued.”
“I’m not sure I understand, Lady Sharen. If I am your interest, do you wish to chat with me?”
“That’s one way to put it. Entertain me with some amusing stories.”
Throb.
Ah, Alyssa, if only you were here, I’d pull your cheek to relieve my stress like I did in the bathroom yesterday.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t risk bringing you here in case I acted rashly.
This princess is far too noble, far too untouchable for me to vent my frustrations upon.
Her blazing red hair is just another sign of how utterly incompatible we are.
“…Though I’m not sure if it’ll be to your liking, I’ll share a simple story. It’s about a young princess who traveled among the stars, a tale told to me by a gypsy who visited our manor when I was a child.”
The gypsy’s dark skin had left a strong impression on me, and her story was so fascinating that even Alyssa had behaved and listened quietly for once.
Such pointless memories come to mind, and it’s all this princess’s fault.
“The young princess eventually realized her mistakes and returned to the star she originally came from. That star held the only lily she had named herself, a flower found nowhere else in the universe.”
Throughout my storytelling, the princess silently listened with an attentive expression.
Did she find it as interesting as I once had?
“Is that all?”
“Yes, that’s the end. Does Lady Sharen have something akin to the lily cherished by the young princess?”
“Something precious…?”
“If you do, I believe you should go and seek it. Time, once passed, cannot be retrieved.”
In plain terms:
Go back to the capital.
Our humble Rosewell Manor is, frankly, a rural backwater.
There’s no need to bother with a lily like me here.
When you return, I’ll even sprinkle lilies along with salt to see you off.
“I have one now.”
“Do you?”
“I just found it.”
“Is that so…?”
A sense of foreboding crept over me, but I ignored it as I raised my teacup to drink the tea prepared by the princess’s maid.
Clink, clatter—
Was it my imagination?
My hand trembled as the cup rattled, but I ignored it and calmly took a sip of tea.
“Amy, you’re too talented to waste away in such a rural estate.”
“No, I find Rosewell Manor more than sufficient…”
“No! My instincts are telling me otherwise! Amy, you are bound to be an asset to my future. Initially, I planned to reintroduce you to my brothers, but I’ve changed my mind.”
Grab.
“Become my maid. If you desire wealth and power, I can promise you a life far more luxurious than what the daughter of a baron can achieve. Marriage won’t be an option for a while, but once I’ve solidified my authority, I’ll find you a husband far better than anyone in this countryside. So, become mine.”
Without warning, the princess clasped my hand, delivering a speech that was essentially a proposal.
A far more tempting offer than her previous one—an invitation to become a close aide to the First Princess.
It was the ultimate path to success that even high-ranking nobles would envy.
The princess wasn’t to my liking, but this proposal stirred my heart like never before.
If I could endure it for just a few years, wouldn’t a rosy life begin?
“I…”
I was about to accept immediately, but for some reason, something caught in my heart, and I couldn’t utter more than that.
If I could just say one more word, I wouldn’t have to see my tiresome younger sister’s face anymore.
That sister, hiding a face unknown beneath her lovely and detestable mask.
…Would it be better if I didn’t have to see her anymore?
Even though I had the chance to be separated from her, my heart was engulfed by thoughts of her, trembling foolishly.
“Lady Sharen.”
“Who dares disturb me? I’m in the middle of a conversation with Amy.”
“I am Amy’s younger sister, Alyssa Roswell.”
The answer to the proposal was decided the moment Alyssa made her sudden appearance.
Until that very moment, I didn’t know what I would say, but seeing Alyssa’s annoyingly blue eyes steadied my wavering heart.
If I were to leave for the capital, it would feel like I was running away from Alyssa.
It’s not about casting her out; my pride wouldn’t allow me to run away from her.
I must drive Alyssa out of this house.
I will succeed Mother and carve out a peaceful life for myself.
That’s my answer and my resolve.
“Alyssa? Ah, yes, you were by Amy’s side back then at the guild. So, what reason do you have to interrupt this important conversation of mine? If it’s trivial, even I cannot predict the whims I might act upon.”
“Your Highness takes pride in your swordsmanship, does she not?”
“…Swordsmanship?”
“Yes. I’ve heard rumors carried by the wind. That your swordsmanship, more than your famed fire magic, surpasses even the royal guards.”
“And who is this wind you speak of? I am most curious to know.”
“I can certainly tell you, but only if you defeat me in swordplay.”
Alyssa, you’ve finally lost it.
Where did you hear such nonsense and dare to disrespect the princess?
I’d anticipated something like this might happen and had Ameri keep watch, but what was Ameri doing?
I appreciate her helping me steady my heart, but this will bring disaster to the household. Sigh…
“Lady Sharen, Alyssa is naive and…”
“No, Amy. Your sister speaks no lies. Indeed, I am confident in my swordsmanship.”
Clang.
The princess placed her hand lightly on the table and drew a striking red-bladed sword from who knows where.
“However, only my close friends know this truth. Naturally, I am quite curious about who dared reveal it.”
As soon as the princess unsheathed her sword, Alyssa also drew one from who knows where.
Just like that, the absurd scene of the princess and my sister crossing swords in the Rose Mansion garden began to unfold.
I wanted to stop them somehow, but the air around them was so heavy that even breathing was difficult.
How could someone as frail as me intervene between the two of them?
“Your Highness, if I win, may I make one request?”
“Speak.”
“Please do not take my sister away. She may mean little to Your Highness, but to me, she’s indispensable.”
“…What’s this? Are you a sister-obsessed fool?”
“Let’s call it that.”
Alyssa, you’ve definitely gone mad.
I no longer intended to leave with the princess, but… did this sister of mine despise me so much that she wanted to stand in my way?
I suppose I can’t blame her.
I tormented her endlessly, day after day.
If I hated her, she must have hated me just as much.
It was inevitable.
From the moment we were born, we were destined to be enemies.
Clang!
As if on cue, the princess’s maid activated a protective barrier around me.
In an instant, the two began exchanging strikes at a speed I couldn’t even follow.
While it was no surprise for the princess, I had never seen Alyssa practice swordsmanship, not even once.
I found myself unintentionally mesmerized by the dazzling sight of my sister.
Alyssa.
You could have easily brushed off my petty bullying all along, couldn’t you?
Just like you did in the bathroom yesterday.
Someone as fragile as me could be taken care of at any moment.
Blessed by the gods, someone like you would naturally see someone cursed like me as insignificant.
Have you been laughing all this time, reveling in my jealousy?
Clatter.
The fierce duel ended quickly, and the sword that fell to the ground was the one with the red blade.
“I’ve won.”
“…Impressive. I was quite serious as well.”
“Had Your Highness not held back, I could never have won. But a win is a win. Will you keep your promise?”
“Alright. Let’s pretend Amy’s suggestion never happened this time. I shall take my leave.”
The princess turned her back, so I could only see her retreating figure.
However, her voice was as calm as ever.
I debated whether to immediately apologize to the princess or let Alyssa deal with the consequences of the spilled water, but the princess ended my worries by patting me on the shoulder as she approached.
“Amy, I will formally send word and return at a later time. I hope you’ll have another intriguing story to share with me then.”
“…Understood. If Lady Sharen visits again, I will make sure to offer you a grand reception next time.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
It was fortunate the princess left without saying much, but I still had a task ahead of me.
Alyssa approached me with a relaxed yet somehow oppressive gait.
“Sister.”
“Alyssa.”
“Did you wish to follow the princess?”
“…No.”
“It’s you, Sister Amy.”
To avoid shrinking before her, I stood up, but as Alyssa came closer, I found myself stepping back involuntarily.
“The princess’s route is over, but there are many routes left, and all of them need you.”
“What… are you talking about?”
“So until then, please remain the bad sister who torments me. Though, I may have slightly adjusted my mindset.”
Another nonsensical remark.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how you’ll torment me tomorrow.”
Alyssa whispered as she left, walking back to the mansion at a leisurely pace.
I saw Ameri rushing toward Alyssa from behind, but my mind was blank.
Mother.
What on earth have you brought into this world?