Watching the Neck Collar swaying in Xie Yier’s hand, Aier noticed that it even had a fist-sized Brass Bell thoughtfully attached, ringing out with a crisp sound as it moved.
Just looking and listening was enough to make Aier feel a profound sense of dread—tenfold, even twentyfold.
Her scalp tingled.
“Um, M-Mistress… You’re not thinking of…” Her voice even trembled a little.
You’re not thinking of playing pet play, are you?!
No way!
Wait, I thought you saying I was like a cat was just a metaphor, just a joke.
So you’ve been plotting this all along?!
Her face was now as red as a ripe tomato.
Xie Yier chuckled softly and said, “Oh my, what strange things are you imagining, little Ai? Mistress just wants to see what you look like wearing it~”
“B-but… wait…”
But I’m supposed to see Xiqi in a bit!
No way!
I really can’t handle these peculiar noble PLAYs!
“Just imagine, little Ai with this tiny Bell—wouldn’t you look even more like a cute golden-shaded kitten? Just thinking about it makes Mistress’s heart melt~ Shouldn’t a little Ai this adorable be shared with your little sister too?”
Imagine it? Of course I can imagine it…
Pah! Of course not!
How am I supposed to act like an older sister in front of Xiqi like that!
As it turns out, there’s no fighting back against someone stronger; an A-cup can’t win against an F-cup.
Under Xie Yier’s gentle gaze, Aier gave in.
Well… it’s just a Neck Collar…
It’s not like I’m going out for a parade…
Anyway… anyway, Xiqi won’t know where this thing came from when I see her…
I’ll just… I’ll just pretend it’s an accessory!
Yes, that’s it!
Aier’s powerful self-consolation skills kicked in again.
She put on the Neck Collar as if she were putting on a noose.
It really was high quality, with a soft lining that made it comfortable to wear. The only issue was that every slight movement made the Bell at the front jingle, drawing the attention of anyone nearby.
As a result, her cheeks heated up uncontrollably—Aier felt like her face was hot enough to fry an egg.
Xie Yier seemed very satisfied, even taking it a step further by pulling Aier onto her lap, really stroking Aier’s golden hair over and over like she was petting a cat.
Yes, just like this. Even if so many people covet her little cutie, in the end, her little cutie would only belong to her. She simply couldn’t be separated from her.
The carriage finally arrived in front of the familiar white building of the Royal Hospital.
“Little Ai~ However long you want to stay inside this time, it’s up to you~ But… don’t make Mistress wait too long, okay?”
This time, Xie Yier didn’t seem interested in seeing Xiqi. Her little prank was complete, her goal achieved; there was no need to go to the ward and declare her claim in person.
Aier practically fled from the carriage, hurrying into the hospital building.
Only when she stood outside Xiqi’s hospital room did she take several deep breaths, trying to suppress the heat on her face and the awareness of the leather collar around her neck.
The two Guards at the door looked at Aier strangely, as if she were about to engage in high-level diplomatic negotiations.
But the Duchess had already ordered them to withdraw for now; there was no need for them to hang around.
She pushed open the door to the hospital room, and warm sunlight filled the space with brightness.
Xiqi was sitting up in Bed, holding a book in her hands, her golden hair shining softly in the sunlight.
The Nurse from last time was nowhere to be seen—she must have left early.
Hearing the door open, Xiqi looked up, her deep blue eyes landing precisely on Aier.
Her gaze, which had been wary, softened and filled with delight the moment she saw that adorable face.
After so many days apart, the sisters were finally reunited.
“Big Sister!” Xiqi called out in surprise and joy.
Aier did her best to make her voice sound natural, calmly saying, “I came to see you, Xiqi.”
As she entered the room, a faint floral scent lingered around Aier’s nose. It felt like the whole atmosphere changed when she was with her little sister.
Aier noticed a vase of flowers on Xiqi’s bedside table.
“Those are lilies, right?” Aier immediately recognized the flowers.
“Wow, you’re amazing, Sis! You recognized them right away. I specially asked the Nurse to get them for me. I was hoping you’d guess, but of course you figured it out—because you’re my sister.”
Xiqi spoke with a special look in her eyes, as if hinting at something.
Aier didn’t pay it much mind. She smiled and said, “They’re lovely. Lilies can last a long time in water.”
Looking at Xiqi’s vibrant smile, Aier felt her heart melt.
She remembered how Xiqi used to always look pale, speaking weakly, nothing like the lively girl she was now.
Her complexion was clearly much better than before—her cheeks rosy, her voice steady.
Although Aier often asked Xie Yier about Xiqi’s condition, she still couldn’t help but worry.
Now, seeing her little sister’s recovery with her own eyes, Aier could finally relax.
Although she was still lying in Bed, it didn’t look like it would be long before she could get up and move around—maybe she’d recover completely in the future.
It proved that Xie Yier really was fulfilling the Contract properly.
“How do you feel? Is your body any better?”
Aier paced into the room, pulled up a chair, and sat beside Xiqi, pretending to ask casually.
However, she noticed Xiqi was staring directly at her neck.
Those eyes were as intense as a yandere character in an anime.
Aier suspected she could read four parts shock, three parts anger, two parts envy, and one part regret in those eyes.
Of course, she knew what Xiqi was looking at, but as long as she didn’t say it, she wasn’t a pet!
“Xiqi, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing at all, Big Sister~”
Xiqi seemed to come back to herself, her expression showing nothing unusual.
But inside, Xiqi was already boiling over like a volcano!
That wicked woman!
She actually made Sis wear something like that right in front of me!
Is she trying to declare her claim?!
So infuriating! I wanted to put a Neck Collar on Sis ages ago!
How could she beat me to even this?!
Suppressing the storm inside, Xiqi calmly said, “I feel much better now. Although the doctor says I’ll need at least another six months of treatment, I don’t think it’ll take that long.”
“But more importantly, Sis, you must have started school officially, right? How’s life at the Academy?”
“Uh… well… it’s, it’s good.” Aier replied unconvincingly, “There are upperclassmen who kindly show me around the Academy, and classmates who are always willing to help. The teachers are all very friendly…”
But Xiqi’s mind drifted off again as soon as she heard the first half of that sentence.
After living with Aier for over ten years, how could Xiqi not see her big sister was lying?
Heh…
Stuck here, while the number of sneaky cats around Sis keeps growing.
It’s only been a few days, and there are two more…
How infuriating, I was clearly here first!
Whether it was the first to sleep with Sis, or the first to kiss her…
Oh wait, Mother kissed her before me…
Anyway, why are you all so skilled at this?!
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