Chapter 64: Softer Than Expected

After nearly half an hour of reading aloud, Xiqi’s latest Short Story was finally finished.

Miss Aier let out a long sigh, feeling tormented especially since the older sister character was essentially herself, making the dialogue particularly embarrassing to read.

In contrast, Xiqi wore an expression of pure enjoyment…

That must have been the attitude of someone very satisfied with their own work.

Outside, the sky had already been dyed red by the setting sun.

Aier knew she had to leave.

If she stayed any longer, she didn’t know how Duke Sheiyl would feel about it.

“Xiqi, sister has to go now.”

Aier set the manuscript down and was just about to stand when Xiqi suddenly grabbed her hand.

“Sister, who knows how long it’ll be before we meet again… Let’s do something we used to do when we last saw each other?”

Something we used to do?

Right… when they lived together, they did have brief… um, cheek-to-cheek kisses in the mornings when parting and at night before sleep.

She had somehow forgotten about this little habit.

Seeing her sister’s expectant eyes, Aier’s heart softened a little.

“You really leave me no choice~”

Aier agreed and leaned in, intending to gently press a kiss on Xiqi’s smooth cheek like before.

Just as Aier turned her head to approach, Xiqi’s hand softly touched her own cheek.

Xiqi slightly lifted her face, her warm lips pressing precisely against Aier’s.

!!!

Sis, did you kiss the wrong place?!

Maybe it was because she had become somewhat numb after the “training” Duke Sheiyl had put her through these past days, or maybe it was her feelings for her sister deep inside that made her unable to pull away immediately.

She simply froze on the spot, letting Xiqi’s lips linger.

After only a few seconds, Xiqi pulled back on her own initiative.

“Thank you, sister.” Xiqi’s voice remained calm, but a faint blush colored her ears.

YA☆DA☆ZE!

The first step of Operation Take Back Sister was complete!

Aier stammered, her mind in a jumble: “Xiqi… why did you suddenly kiss me…”

“A goodbye kiss. We’re family, right? Isn’t this normal?”

Xiqi thought to herself: I can’t reveal everything just yet. I have to play the family card first, so sister lowers her guard…

“Uh… okay then… I’ll go now. Goodnight, Xiqi.”

Aier reluctantly accepted that explanation. After a formal farewell, she walked out of the hospital room.

Along the way, she glanced back twice, but Xiqi remained quietly seated on the bed, her face filled with reluctance.

The secret “face-changing” moments often seen in comics or anime never happened.

Aier finally relaxed, telling herself she had overthought things.

She didn’t linger any longer and left the ward.

Inside the room, Xiqi stared at the closed door, silent for a moment.

Then she picked up the Writing Notebook again, flipping through several pages.

She murmured, “This part… isn’t right… sister’s lips… are much softer than I imagined…”

…

“Done chatting?” Duke Sheiyl asked as he looked at Aier, who had just gotten into the carriage.

Aier responded softly, “Yes.”

Back in the carriage, Aier leaned back against the seat, trying to empty her mind to avoid overthinking Xiqi’s actions and drawing any frightening conclusions.

Sheiyl observed Aier’s expression, detecting a trace of something: “What’s wrong? Finally seeing your sister and you’re not happy?”

“No, no, I’m very happy. Xiqi’s health is getting better and better. Thank you, Master, for taking care of her.” Aier quickly switched to a sweet smile.

She couldn’t let Master suspect anything.

Sheiyl nodded and didn’t press further, only smiling as he asked, “What do you want to eat tonight?”

The sky was darkening, and it was nearly seven o’clock. Returning now meant they could arrange for some extra dishes in the kitchen.

“Hmm… I want to eat fish.” Aier said without thinking.

Sheiyl raised an eyebrow slightly. “Heh, really think you’re a cat? Even your taste matches?”

Only then did Aier realize she had forgotten about the Neck Collar!

Her face instantly flushed red, and she instinctively reached up to remove it.

“Ah, Little Aier~” Sheiyl’s hand was quick to catch hers, a mischievous smile on his face. “I think you’ve gotten used to it. Why not just keep it on~”

N-no way!

Wearing the Neck Collar and Brass Bell like this—what would she look like?!

And she still had to go to school later…

Aier definitely didn’t want to become famous throughout the entire school.

Just as she was about to refuse, Sheiyl added, “At least keep it on just for tonight~”

“Ugh…”

Aier bit her lip. Compared to wearing the collar and bell forever, just one night didn’t seem so unbearable.

Could this be the infamous broken windows effect?

Although the castle and villa Maids would see her embarrassing state, the news of how Sheiyl had her screaming must have already spread in the Maid Group. So a simple Neck Collar and Bell didn’t seem all that shameful anymore.

“Well… okay then…”

Aier resignedly lowered her hand.

“Good girl~” Sheiyl was pleased and pinched Aier’s chubby cheek. “I’ll take it off for you tomorrow.”

That promise comforted Aier greatly.

Finally, the carriage slowly started moving.

Sheiyl slightly turned his face and looked through the rear window toward the hospital ward.

For some reason, a meaningful smile curved at the corners of his lips.

Watch closely, this is how your sister’s body is supposed to be used~

I’ll take good care of your sister like a little lamb, feeding her three meals of grass a day~

So, just stay in the hospital and don’t come out anymore.

Meanwhile, standing by the ward window, Xiqi clicked her tongue at the departing carriage.

Her blue eyes, without any highlight, darkened like storm clouds before a tempest.

…

Just like on the way to the hospital, on the way home, Aier lay sideways on Sheiyl’s lap, letting him stroke her hair.

After about ten minutes, the carriage carried the two back to Iron Eagle Fortress.

The cold stone fortress bore a special majesty in the twilight.

“Master, you have returned. Any orders?”

When the carriage stopped at the villa’s entrance and the two stepped down, the little Maid Annie was the first to appear in the foyer to greet them.

Sheiyl brushed back his black hair. “Notify the kitchen: besides the usual dishes, add two extra fish dishes tonight. Make sure to remove all the bones.”

“Yes, right away.”

Annie answered promptly and quickly headed toward the kitchen.

Sheiyl didn’t lead Aier inside, instead taking her to the large Flower Garden beside the house.

Although she had lived here for some time, Aier hadn’t fully explored the entire villa layout, usually staying between her bedroom and the dining hall.

“Master, aren’t we eating in the dining hall?”

“Sometimes a change of scenery is needed to lift the mood.”

The garden also had a matching open-air dining area.