“I…I’m going to buy some magi…um…”
Floria nervously stumbled over her words, her tongue tied in knots, almost blurting out her true purpose.
But to Sophia, this stammering only perfectly matched the image she had of Sylvie’s personality.
“It’s okay, I’m not an outsider. Little Sylvie, you can tell me anything—otherwise, I can’t just let you sneak out so late at night~”
Sophia bent down seriously, raised a finger, and spoke in a coaxing tone:
“After all, there are King’s Laws and House Rules. Kids your age aren’t allowed to sneak out at night without permission from elders—it could be dangerous—
“I’m the one who brought you here, so I’m responsible for your safety. If you want to go out, at the very least, you need to tell your sister the reason, alright?”
As she spoke, Sophia tilted her head slightly, her eyes curved into a gentle smile that only appeared when she was with children.
…This kind of caring smile she had never shown before stunned Floria.
A warm current subtly surged in her heart, and she couldn’t help but press her lips together, using the back of her hand to secretly wipe the cold sweat on her forehead as she brushed aside her bangs.
Actually, Sophia… as long as she didn’t lose her mind and bother her… seemed pretty serious and reliable after all…
No wonder Sylvie said from the very start that “she doesn’t look like a bad person”…
“Um… I…”
Floria cleared her dry throat and imitated Sylvie’s shy tone with a slight quaver:
“Actually… Teacher Floria was hungry, so she sent me out to buy a midnight snack she likes… Yeah, that’s it—”
“Oh?”
Sophia’s eyes flickered with surprise.
She suddenly stood up, murmuring softly:
“I see… I see… So big sister’s real name is ‘Floria’… hehehe…”
“Uh…”
Floria was momentarily stunned.
Could it be… Sophia didn’t even know her real name before?
She suddenly felt a bit regretful.
Damn it, such an important detail… accidentally slipped out just like that—!
“Hohoho… Good… Thank you, little Sylvie.”
After a moment of self-excited delight, Sophia turned her gaze back to the girl before her and reached out to ruffle the hair on top of her head.
Huh… this texture…
Sophia suddenly froze, hesitating as she withdrew her hand and stared at her palm.
Why does it feel… different from the Sylvie she remembered before…
“Sophia sister, can I… can I go now?”
Floria blinked her big, watery eyes adorably, filled with innocence, cutting through Sophia’s doubtful thoughts at the perfect moment.
“…Since big sister sent you out, then… um…”
Sophia paused and sighed lightly.
“Alright, but don’t let this happen again—next time, just tell her directly. Whatever she wants, you can come find me and I’ll help her buy it.”
“Okay, I got it~”
Floria nodded obediently on the surface, but inside she snorted proudly:
…Hmph… ask you, a traitor, for help? You might get the job done, or you might end up dragged back to bed yourself—
“By the way, want me to send a knight sister along with you?”
No sooner had Sophia straightened up than she asked with concern:
“Sylvie isn’t very familiar with the roads here, right? If you go out alone and get lost or run into bad people, that’d be troublesome—”
“No need.”
Floria waved her hand decisively.
“Teacher drew me a Map, and she said… said… that this trip is also a test to train my courage, so I don’t need anyone’s help.”
“Is that so…?”
Sophia hesitated, then gave a knowing, reminiscent smile.
“So that’s how it is… as expected, she still likes to make things difficult.”
“…”
Floria pouted silently.
Sophia placed a hand on her shoulder, gently patting it as she said:
“Alright then, off you go. But remember, don’t go into dark alleys. Just stick to the main roads with street lamps. The Night Market in the capital is pretty lively at night.”
“Okay, okay, got it!”
Floria answered somewhat hastily, then avoided Sophia’s gaze and hurriedly left her side, quickening her pace.
Carrying the relief of escaping danger by a hair’s breadth, Floria let out a long breath in her heart.
Thank goodness… the disguise makeup on her face was smudged when she wiped her sweat just now… almost thought she was about to be exposed.
Luckily, her acting skills were solid…
“Wait, stop—!”
But she hadn’t gone more than ten meters when Sophia suddenly called out from behind in a deep voice.
“Sigh, big sister…”
“Ugh…!”
Hearing the soft sigh, Floria stiffened on the spot as if struck by lightning, her body tense, and a short strangled sound escaped her throat.
Could it be… she was recognized?!
Her stiff neck creaked mechanically as she slowly turned her head, her pale face full of panic, eyes wide open, watching Sophia stroll leisurely toward her.
Wha-what to do? Is this perverted traitor sister going to drag me into a dark room and rough me up ahhh—!
Within a split second, Floria’s frantically working brain had already composed the excuses she would make about her outfit once on the bed.
“—Big sister… you’re really careless~ You didn’t even notice little Sylvie’s tie was crooked and sent you out like that.”
Sophia chuckled lightly, shaking her head, then bent down, reaching out to grab the tie on Floria’s chest.
“As a future trainee knight, your appearance is an important part of the assessment~”
She patiently explained while untying Floria’s bow tie, then carefully retied it with neat precision.
The delicate fingertips and smooth arms brushed lightly before Floria’s face, carrying a fresh, elegant scent that was soothing to the senses.
“Mm…”
Floria kept her head bowed the entire time, too afraid to speak or meet Sophia’s eyes.
…But this thoughtful, gentle side of Sophia was one she had never seen before, making her heart inexplicably warm.
…Looks like Sophia hasn’t completely turned into a rogue after all… seems my teachings from back then still had some effect.
“Thank you… Sophia.”
After finishing with the tie and standing up, Floria sincerely whispered her thanks.
“Hoho… You’re welcome~ Now hurry off, be careful on the road—”
Sophia affectionately patted the top of her head.
“…”
Floria didn’t hesitate any longer and quickly turned to walk toward the manor’s gate.
“Hey, stop! What are you doing? The captain ordered no unauthorized comings and goings—”
“Let her through.”
Sophia cut off the protesting young knight.
“Captain…?”
“This little sister doesn’t need supervision. Just block the big one.”
“Yes—”
Hearing this, Floria grinned triumphantly at the knight who was trying to stop her, then swaggered boldly past her toward the gate.
Sophia turned and headed back inside the villa toward her workspace but stopped a few steps later.
She looked down with doubt, rubbing her palm.
Recalling how she had retied Sylvie’s bow tie earlier, Sophia felt something was off.
Right…! Although she hadn’t paid much attention before… Sylvie’s development… was it always this pronounced?
She couldn’t help but feel suspicious.
Now that she thought about it, Sylvie’s face was also a bit strange… always hiding and avoiding eye contact with her.
Even the feel of her hair when touched was…
Wait, no…!
Suddenly realizing a certain possibility, Sophia’s eyes widened, pupils trembling.