Chapter 4: Trap

“Amy, this child is your younger sister.”

I first learned about her when I was around five years old.

When my younger sister, three years my junior, was born, I was ill at the time, so I met her later to avoid the risk of infection.

When I finally saw her, she was so lovely—like an angel.

“Mother, is she really my sister? She’s so adorable!”

“Yes. Treat her with care. She’s your one and only sister.”

“Of course! I’ll love and cherish her more than anything in the world. Hehe…”

Alyssa , I promise to protect you no matter what.

From the world’s harsh winds and countless evils, I’ll keep you safe.

You’ll love your sister too, won’t you?

‘…That dream again.’

I woke up abruptly from the recurring nightmare that dredged up memories of the past.

It was still deep in the night, the world outside cloaked in darkness.

This wasn’t the first time I had such dreams, but coupled with yesterday’s events, I felt unusually uneasy.

‘When did it start, I wonder, that I began to hate her?’

I sat up and stared out the window, pondering, but I couldn’t recall.

All I knew was that at some point, I began to despise her.

Hated her, hated her so much that it was unbearable.

Her radiant golden hair, her mother’s blue eyes, her elegant figure—so unlike my plain and shabby body—all of it made me envious.

So I tormented her, and the once-close sisters quickly grew apart—a typical story.

Now, none of it really mattered.

But maybe because I saw a side of Alyssa  yesterday that was so unlike the one I knew, my mind kept wandering back to the few happy memories we shared as children, filling me with melancholy.

Today, I’d surely have to face her. How should I look at her, that girl who wishes for torment…?

A sharp pang一.

Was it because I imagined Alyssa ’s serene smile or because I knew I’d face her today?

My stomach began to ache.

I hadn’t eaten properly yesterday, and it seemed today would be no different.

Clatter, clatter.

I rummaged through the drawer, searching for my usual medicine, but it was nowhere to be found.

I’d forgotten to ask Ameri to restock it last time.

And why?

Because that day, my sister had barged into the bathroom and disrupted me.

…Am I just a fool?

I can’t focus on one thing without neglecting another…

All my energy seems wasted on finding new ways to torment my sister.

Sigh…

There’s no helping it.

I can’t blame anyone now for being born with this dull brain. Tormenting my sister was my choice, after all;

No one else is at fault.

Creak—.

Wearing only a thin nightgown with a cardigan, I stepped outside to look for the medicine.

Our household had only three servants, including Ameri,, and they were all likely asleep, so a little nocturnal wandering should be fine.

‘The spare medicine should be in the kitchen cupboard, right?’

With the mansion’s lights all turned off, I carefully felt my way along the walls, moving slowly.

By the time I’d made it halfway to the kitchen on the opposite side of the house, I glanced out the window without much thought, noticing the moonlight shining through the frosted glass.

‘Alyssa …’

What I saw was Alyssa  alone in the garden, swinging a sword.

So that’s the secret to why Alyssa , who once defeated a royal princess, is so strong.

…Even this, she does differently from me.

No matter how hard I tried, no matter how many efforts I poured into blooming even a single flower, I couldn’t produce even a tiny glimmer of light—a mere commoner, after all.

Alyssa , you’ve become so strong all on your own without any teacher.

How fitting of you.

I couldn’t help but stare at my sister, but the sight made me feel so wretched that I resumed my journey to the kitchen.

The sharp pain in my stomach had turned into a throbbing ache, but my heart hurt more, so I hardly noticed.

‘…If you like training so much, I’ll make sure you have plenty of it in the future.’

Clutching this sudden idea to my chest, I took my medicine and finally managed to sleep peacefully.

“Alyssa , you should go to the capital.”

Breakfast without Mother present meant I sat at the head of the table.

It was a small gathering—just me, Alyssa , and the three servants.

“…What?”

“You should go to the capital and enroll in the academy. You’re skilled enough at swordsmanship to beat a royal princess, aren’t you? Surely, you’d do better there than wasting your time in this countryside.”

I had decided to send Alyssa  to the academy.

Mother had been opposed to the idea before, not wanting Alyssa  to leave me behind in the capital, but now I had a valid reason.

Alyssa , this is my ultimate torment and gift to you.

At least for the three years you’ll be at the academy, I won’t have to see your face.

“I can’t go alone. Didn’t you also dream of going to the capital, Sister?”

Alyssa , my dream has long since shifted to inheriting this household.

“Considering our family’s finances, it would be difficult for both of us to go. Therefore, it’s only natural for you, who has a promising future, to go instead. I’m already a fine lady who has given up on such dreams.”

“But surely Mother wouldn’t allow this…”

“I’ve already sent her a letter. Using a magic correspondence spell, she’s likely reading it as we speak. I made sure to mention everything, including your duel with the princess, so she’ll undoubtedly approve.”

“…Sister Amy. I thought for sure you’d throw a tantrum and insist on following me if I left for the capital.”

“Didn’t I just say? A fine lady knows how to give up many things for her dreams.”

Hearing my response again, Alyssa resumed her meal in silence, as if she had nothing more to say.

Even the servants who overheard our conversation seemed impressed, casting me proud glances unlike their usual demeanor.

Ah, this is it.

This thrill, this euphoria.

Fufu…

Poor and fragile Alyssa, why are you looking at me with those eyes?

Just yesterday, you said you were looking forward to tormenting me.

You underestimated me too much, treating this older sister as a mere pushover.

After a delightful breakfast where Alyssa stayed quiet and the servants admired me, I finally got to enjoy a peaceful tea time.

Ah, perhaps it’s my good mood, but the tea tastes exceptional today.

‘…Things are going to get busier.’

Once I drive Alyssa out to the capital, I’ll need to make my debut in society and find a husband.

Not that I particularly want to marry a man, but if I inherit the estate through a husband in name only, I can legally expel Alyssa.

Alyssa, while you’re away, if I bring in a husband and make sure there’s no place for you to return to, that would be my victory.

Ahaha… Ahahahaha! …Maybe I got too excited.

“Miss Amy! A letter has arrived from Madam!”

“A letter from Mother? That was quicker than I expected. Hand it over at once.”

Please, show me the proof of my victory quickly.

Once I see that letter, I’ll take a luxurious bath with my favorite bath salts.

Swoosh.

Amy, I read your letter carefully.

For you, who have always wanted to go to the capital since childhood, to willingly give that opportunity to Alyssa—she must truly have a remarkable talent.

I was moved by your kind heart as an elder sister, thinking of your younger sibling.

It’s truly touching.

Of course, I plan to send Alyssa to the academy.

But fortunately, it seems I can send you as well.

Not long after I read your letter, an anonymous benefactor came forward and generously provided funds for the princess of the Silver Lily family.

Naturally, this money will be used for my lovely daughter, Amy.

I’ll return to the mansion before the weekend.

Let’s discuss the details then.

“Aah… Aaaaaah…!”

I read and reread the contents of the letter dozens, hundreds of times, but they didn’t change.

Who…

Who could have sponsored me like this?

And on the very morning the topic was mentioned?

Even if I’m not the brightest, this must have been one of the four people present at breakfast.

If I exclude the servants I’ve known since childhood, there’s only one left… Alyssa.

It has to be you.

To have the funds immediately sent to Mother in the capital—just who are you, Alyssa?

How many masks are you hiding behind?

“Big sister, you were here.”

“…Alyssa.”

“It’s such lovely weather. Even someone as frail as you should feel refreshed in this.”

“Why are you here…?”

Though I hadn’t given permission, Alyssa moved her chair and sat beside me as if it were natural.

I wanted to run away, but a strange sense of pressure kept my legs from moving.

“I wanted to see your face. To be precise, the face of someone who tried to escape but failed.”

“…You’re not even trying to hide it anymore.”

“I don’t know what you mean. Oh, big sister, did you know? Mother wrote to me too, saying I should follow your kind example.”

Hmm-hmm—

“I don’t mind, but if such a caring elder sister refuses to go to the capital despite the opportunity, Mother’s view of you might not remain favorable, wouldn’t you agree?”

Grinding teeth.

As she said, with the image I’ve already established as a sister devoted to her sibling, refusing the sponsorship and staying in the estate is not an option.

I thought I had trapped her, but it turns out I’m the one ensnared in the hunter’s net.

How foolish of me…

“Don’t worry, big sister. As someone so frail, you can leave everything to me. For my brilliant future, please behave yourself, understood?”

“And if I refuse… what will you do?”

Zap!

“If a frail sister were to fall and break a bone, everyone would believe it without question, wouldn’t they?”

Now it’s outright threats.

You’re not even bothering to hide your true nature anymore. Still, it’s better than wearing layers of masks.

“Amy unnie, even though I might not seem like it, I truly care about you. Ever since that day at the store.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“Even if I told you everything, you wouldn’t believe me anyway. Just know this—until I get my happy ending, I’m taking you along with me.”

The younger sister, still spouting incomprehensible nonsense, leisurely began enjoying her tea as if nothing had happened.

Though still weighed down by the pressure, I somehow managed to move my hand to her cheek.

Squish—

“…Huh?”

“Punishing an insolent little sister is the older sister’s duty.”

Contrary to my expectation that she’d stop me immediately, my sister looked at me with sparkling blue eyes.

Seeing Alyssa look so delighted made me want to stop, but I couldn’t.

If I didn’t do something, I felt like my stress would reach its breaking point.

“As expected, unnie really is Amy herself.”

“I’ve thought this many times, but you’re insane, Alyssa.”

If this unnie isn’t Amy, then who else could she be?

To me, you still look like Alyssa, for now.