27: My Treasure
I could replay his words to my sister, word for word, in my head.
No, that’s not right. They’re in the [Text Log].
His previous line, “[Leticia, would you like me to teach you how to ride properly?]” was the ‘other option.’
The continuation of choosing [2. “Yes, I like horses too.”] in the first choice.
The option to become closer to Knight Commander Felix.
…Ah, I see.
This world was progressing according to fate’s script.
My sister had chosen—regardless of her true intentions—the option to become closer to him.
That’s why he said those words.
No matter how different the journey, he would say the lines that led to the next choice.
My sister had two options.
The first was [1. “No, thank you.”].
The second was [2. “Please teach me how to ride.”].
If she chose the second option, they would become closer.
After that, she just had to keep choosing the Knight Commander in the subsequent choices.
…Objectively, he was a good catch.
He was the Knight Commander of the Kingdom of Eustasia, the strongest nation on the continent.
While his apparent inexperience with women was a concern, this… well, let’s say wild, or perhaps just rough-around-the-edges, man would cherish the one he loved.
I knew that.
I had seen it—the [Event] where my sister, originally a commoner like him, but now with a noble’s perspective, stood beside him, the symbol of military might in this country.
No matter which of the three [Capture Targets] my sister chose, this country would become better than it was now.
However, I wouldn’t see that new Eustasia. That was all.
Because I was the villainous sister.
Just a nuisance, destined to be beheaded regardless of who my sister chose.
That was how it was supposed to be.
So, my sister’s lines were also predetermined.
She had more options than I did, but they were still limited.
“[No, thank you.]”
My sister firmly refused the Knight Commander’s offer with the [Official Line].
――I didn’t know if it was decided by this single choice.
However, for now, the prince was in the lead.
And there was still a chance for the ‘third’ Capture Target, whom my sister hadn’t met yet.
“…Besides.”
Besides?
If she refused, the event would end here. The rest would be narration, and the day—the horseback riding event—would end.
That was how it was supposed to go.
As I waited with bated breath for her next words, my sister turned to me.
“…Elder Sister and Ciel are teaching me.”
She smiled brightly, and I was flustered.
Ciel aside, why bring up my name?
All I had done today was ride with her, following Ciel’s instructions, until she got used to it, and lead the horse by the reins.
“Is that so? Teach her well, Adelheid.”
“…Yes, our Ciel is an excellent teacher. Leave it to her; there won’t be any problems.”
Ciel bowed silently when I looked at her.
My sister seemed somewhat dissatisfied.
“—Leticia.”
Knight Commander Felix called my sister’s name.
“Yes, what is it, Sir Felix?”
“[Leticia, I like you. If you ever need the power of the Eustasia Knights—no, my power—don’t hesitate to ask. If you call, I will be your strength.]”
…Why did he say that?
That was supposed to be the concluding line of the riding lesson—the ‘Knight Commander [Event].’
Was it [Favorability]?
――Did his favorability towards my sister increase as much as completing the original event, just from this conversation that wasn’t in the original scenario?
…It was possible.
My sister was adorable, after all.
It wouldn’t be surprising if this rough-around-the-edges, arrogant knight commander fell for her after just a brief conversation.
I hadn’t expected him to say such a line to a noble lady, with a straight face, on the day they met.
I had suspected that, tired of being fawned over, he had become a misogynist… or perhaps even preferred men.
Taking the young ladies who pursued him on long rides was probably his way of rejecting them.
If they could keep up, he might have actually started dating them.
He lacked consideration for a maiden’s heart, but the young ladies themselves didn’t seem to consider a man’s feelings either, so it was probably a case of tit for tat.
――In the riding lesson event with the Knight Commander and Leticia that didn’t happen, they were supposed to ride together, ostensibly for her to get used to horses.
I, as the head of the “Coldhearted Vanderwaals,” had endured with all my might, but could this inexperienced Knight Commander withstand the situation of having such a beautiful girl in his arms, relying on him and looking up at him?
While my sister had skipped the [Event] with him this time, her wonderful qualities—including her unexpected ones—must have made an impression.
It was only natural that he would say such a line.
The uncertainty of Leticia’s favorability towards him was what made me anxious.
Even though it was still early in the game… things were progressing at a rather rapid pace, so I couldn’t let my guard down.
The in-game time was a little over a year. However, the number of [Events] that occurred during that time was limited.
It was problematic that it was now harder to predict how the story would unfold, since favorability could be earned outside the original scenarios, as in this case.
――As long as Leticia was happy, that was all that mattered.
I reaffirmed my purpose, engraving it in my heart.
I would eliminate any and all obstacles.
I wouldn’t let anyone change the storyline that led to my sister’s happiness.
Not even myself.
Don’t hesitate. Don’t waver. Don’t falter.
If I strayed from the path, what would happen to my sister?
My life was as the head of the Vanderwaals.
This was my first and last chance to follow my own will without straying from the path laid out for the head of the family.
I wouldn’t let it slip away.
Opportunities to have fate as an ‘ally’ were rare.
Though I was concerned that fate’s support was weak and that the unseen playwright who wrote the scenario was a bit… incompetent.
As an older sister who loved her younger sister, I aimed for the guillotine.
I would fulfill my role as the villainous sister.
My sister smiled and brushed off the Knight Commander’s “I’ll always be your strength” declaration, a line that would make any young lady swoon.
“Yes, if I ever need your help, Sir Felix, I’ll be sure to ask.”
“Of course.”
Felix smiled cheerfully.
I didn’t know he could smile like that.
…Come to think of it, Prince Konrad had also shown expressions I had never seen before.
Well, I suppose there were expressions one only showed to loved ones or romantic partners.
But I didn’t know he was capable of such smiles.
…Come to think of it, Leticia too—
“Elder Sister! Thank you for today!”
Leticia said, wrapping her arm around mine as if clinging to me.
She was so close.
Flustered, I was captivated by her smile.
…Come to think of it, I often saw Leticia smile.
In the story of [Moonlight Liberium], she smiled at her lover.
That smile, depicted in the event still, was something I longed for.
I wanted to see Leticia smile.
But I thought that I, the villainous sister, wouldn’t be able to see my sister’s smile… and yet.
Even now, yes.
Her lips curved into a melting smile, and she gazed at me with her blue eyes, the same shade as mine.
“Will you teach me again tomorrow?”
A carefree smile, like the one she would give to a close lover.
She was giving me the smile she would give to ‘family.’
A warm, fuzzy feeling filled my chest.
I had a sister.
We wore matching riding outfits, albeit in different colors—navy blue and vibrant red—and took riding lessons together… I had a sister.
At least for now… I could have this.
I wanted my sister to find happiness as soon as possible.
And yet, I was looking forward to the journey with Leticia.
But I was aiming for the guillotine.
These feelings only brought pain.
If she simply came to hate me, that would be the end of it.
――I wouldn’t lose.
I was Adelheid von Vanderwaals.
The head of the “Coldhearted Vanderwaals,” the single wall lizard watching over the darkness of this country.
I would walk my path.
To the inevitable end. To be beheaded on the guillotine.
I wasn’t afraid of that.
The only thing I feared was Leticia’s unhappiness.
My adorable sister.
My treasure.
I wouldn’t let anyone tarnish it.
I wouldn’t let anyone change fate.
I took a deep breath.
I looked at my sister, clinging to my arm like a gecko, with as cold a gaze as I could muster.
“…Now that you can ride, I’ll be strict with you tomorrow.”
Leticia beamed.
“Yes! Please be strict with me!!”
My sister wasn’t reacting as I expected.
Felix chuckled wryly.
“…She really likes you.”
“…It’s a bother.”
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