Category: The Villainous Older Sister Who Loves Her Younger Sister Aims for the Guillotine

64: Measurements After a Long Time

As I stood before “Tailor” for my measurements, raising my arms slightly, her slender, spider-like hands darted out from under my arms—and then Leticia cried out.

“W-wait a minute!”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Tailor,” who had stopped, tilted her head, a movement I could sense even behind me.

“B-but you already took my measurements! And you said you weren’t making any new clothes for Elder Sister…”

“Body lines are constantly changing. I need to check if alterations are necessary.”

If it turned out I only needed alterations to the bust area, I would cry a little.

But I wouldn’t let it show.

“C-can’t you tell just by looking?”

“By the time you can tell just by looking, it’s too late.”

Indeed.

By the time changes in physique were visible to others… it was too late.

Well, with enough effort, it could be fixed.

I believed that, but I also remembered how difficult it had been when I had gained a little weight.

There was a considerable difference between a healthy figure and the ideal figure of a Vanderwaals family head, who couldn’t show any weakness.

“Especially Lady Leticia, who is still growing.”

As for me, my growing days were over.

“Now then, Lady Adelheid… are you ready?”

“Yes.”

I nodded, and she firmly grasped my chest. …Though perhaps not as firmly as she could have.

As always, she was… thorough.

But she had been like this from the moment we met, so I had given up on protesting.

“Um… uh…?”

Leticia, her cheeks flushed, watched intently as my chest was measured.

…This was awkward.

Or rather, I was starting to feel embarrassed.

I couldn’t help but look down.

Being touched by a tailor was a normal occurrence.

When I was a child, perhaps out of consideration for my age, the measurements were taken quickly and roughly.

And when I was old enough to have proper dresses made, the family tailor was an elderly gentleman I knew and trusted.

I had never had my chest… handled so… firmly before.

…Come to think of it, my mother or father was always present during fittings and measurements… I recalled those days.

Perhaps they were walking a tightrope, knowing that any suspicion of impropriety with a noble’s daughter could cost them their heads.

Since becoming the head of the family, and since welcoming my sister, I felt like I was starting to understand my parents’ feelings in a way I hadn’t before.

Because I trusted Ciel and entrusted her with most of my upbringing, it must have seemed like neglect.

Being the head of the family was a busy position, and because of our family’s reputation as the “Coldhearted Vanderwaals,” social engagements, which were easily neglected, had been handled by my mother. I was starting to understand that now.

…Just like now, where Leticia had a higher favorability rating with the [Capture Targets]—the promising young men who would shape the future of Eustasia—than I did.

Our family tailor, already elderly when I was a child, had retired before I became the head of the family.

I had heard it was because his hands were no longer steady due to illness. When I visited him with a get-well gift to express my gratitude, I was startled to see tears in the eyes of the man who had always worn a stoic expression.

The tailoring industry was chronically short-staffed, and most skilled tailors were either employed by other families or running their own businesses.

Of course, I could have used the Vanderwaals name to pressure another family into releasing their tailor, or to acquire a tailor with their own shop, but…

Interfering too forcefully could damage relationships.

Naturally, there was nothing wrong with simply placing an order with a shop, and that was what I had been doing for a while.

Then, I heard about a foreign tailor in the “back alley.”

I went to check them out, and while they were a bit inarticulate and seemed to have some… personality quirks, they were skilled.

I was impressed, so I pulled some strings, took over their debts, and bound them to our service.

While our family name and the nature of our work were a bit… unsettling, being the exclusive tailor for a noble family, especially a ducal family, was a tailor’s dream.

They had apparently run their own shop before, so they must have been quite successful… or rather, they must have been unsuccessful, which was why they ended up in the “back alley” of Eustasia.

In any case, they were now a legitimate source of income.

When “Tailor” opened their shop, I had paid the elderly tailor who had served our family a proper severance and asked him to act as an intermediary for procuring materials, and even he was impressed with “Tailor’s” skill.

After freely touching, grabbing, prodding, and measuring me with a measuring tape, “Tailor” stepped back.

“Are you finished?”

“Yes. It doesn’t seem like any alterations are necessary. Next, I would like to check your closet to see if any of your clothes require maintenance.”

I nodded and gave her permission.

While Ciel would be present, this was a familiar task for our exclusive tailor.

Having an in-house tailor was certainly convenient.

“…Lady Adelheid, you are very diligent.”

I gave “Tailor” a puzzled look.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m impressed that your measurements haven’t changed since last time.”

So that was it.

“That’s only natural.”

“No, it takes effort to maintain your figure. Your waistline has become more defined as well.”

I was a little pleased.

Perhaps it was worth abstaining from unscheduled snacks, aside from the cookies Leticia had given me.

I had reported those to Ciel later, so she could adjust my diet accordingly.

…Once, when Ciel was away and I was swamped with work, I had indulged in snacks during parties and outings, and I had gradually gained weight.

While she didn’t scold me, it was… unsettling to have my former governess, who had been with me since birth, silently scrutinize my figure.

“――Now, Lady Leticia, it’s your turn.”

“Tailor” looked at my sister with a sharp glint in her eyes.

If I didn’t trust her, I would have called for Ciel.

“Y-yes. Please… be gentle…”

“Of course. …As a tailor, I would never harbor inappropriate feelings towards a client.”

Was that true?

――I had to believe it was, or I couldn’t entrust her with my sister.

Leticia raised her hands in surrender, and “Tailor,” approaching from behind, firmly grasped my sister’s chest, which was more ample than mine.

I watched intently.

My sister glanced at me and then quickly looked away.

Her cheeks were slightly flushed.

So, she was embarrassed.

…Come to think of it, earlier, I had been more embarrassed about Leticia seeing me being touched and measured than about being touched by the tailor myself.

However, such expressions from my sister were precious and adorable.

Even as she averted her gaze, she would occasionally glance at me from the corner of her eye, then slowly look away again, which was also adorable.

And the fact that she thought I didn’t notice was even more adorable.

…I wondered what kind of face she would make if I touched her.

Would she push me away, like she did with “Tailor” the first time?

Or…

Perhaps…

…would she accept it?

“There, that’s all. Thank you for your cooperation, Lady Leticia.”

I flinched.

My vision cleared, like a dissipating mist.

I seemed to have been lost in thought.

Leticia had just been released from “Tailor’s” grasp.

“Your bust has grown slightly.”

Mine hadn’t changed.

…It was good that my sister’s nutritional state had improved.

It was a good thing that she was developing well.

I told myself that, trying to maintain my composure.

“And your overall physique seems more toned. Have you been exercising?”

“It’s thanks to Elder Sister, who practices dancing and horseback riding with me.”

“Is that so?”

I wanted to retort something to “Tailor,” who nodded with a smile, but Leticia’s explanation was factual, so I couldn’t deny it.

Since horseback riding required a trip to the countryside, now that the [Horse Riding Event] was over, I probably wouldn’t have time for it.

Though I did want to say goodbye to Lillie.

However, with the [Final Ball] approaching, I couldn’t neglect dance practice, and since I had a suitable environment for practicing at home, I tried to make time for it.

Lately, she hadn’t been getting dizzy after our practice sessions… or so I thought, but even so, it had become her habit to rest her head on my lap afterward.

Since I hadn’t objected the first time, I couldn’t very well object now.

I was concerned about… the smell of sweat, but I couldn’t ask her about it.

While Leticia’s sweat didn’t bother me—I even found it somewhat… endearing, a sign of her hard work—I didn’t know how she felt about mine.

“Since your everyday clothes aren’t too tight, they probably don’t need alterations. I’ll just confirm that later, as I did with Lady Adelheid.”

“Okay…”

Leticia nodded.

As “Tailor” took out her notebook and pen, starting to scribble notes, I sat down on the sofa, resting my arm on the armrest.

Then, Leticia walked over, looking a bit unsteady, and sat down next to me, even though there was plenty of space on the sofa.

And she leaned against me.

Our arms touched.

Even through our clothes, I could feel her warmth.

I glared at her, but whether she noticed or not, Leticia smiled weakly.

“…I was a little nervous, since it had been a while since my last fitting.”

“…I see.”

I was the one who was nervous now.

…What was I thinking, with my sister right next to me?

“I’m looking forward to the trip.”

“It’s not a trip, it’s an inspection.”

…But I was also a little… excited about going somewhere with Leticia.

A little emotional indulgence was… permissible for a villainous sister, I thought. Probably.

As long as I didn’t show it outwardly.

I thought it was… permissible to care for my sister.

“Tailor” looked up from her notebook… then closed her eyes and looked towards the ceiling. She opened her eyes wide, as if suddenly realizing something, and then abruptly turned back to her notebook. Her pen strokes became more frantic.

…It seemed like her pen strokes had shifted from writing words to drawing.

63: Ordering Clothes to Accentuate My Sister’s Cuteness

“So, um… Lady Adelheid…” “Tailor” stammered, trembling slightly. She had been kneeling politely, waiting for our conversation to end.

“About the order. Listen carefully.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“First, I don’t need any new clothes.”

“What?!”

“No!”

“Tailor” looked stunned, and Leticia’s face paled.

“Lady Adelheid refusing new clothes?! This is a great loss for Eustasia!!”

“Tailor” stood up, placing a hand on her chest, and declared dramatically.

Though her words were rather… dramatic.

“I’m going as the head of the family. This is the outfit you made for the head of the family.”

“Tailor,” pressing a hand to her chest—which was surprisingly large, usually hidden by her hunched posture—crumpled like a puppet with its strings cut.

“”Tailor”?”

I was momentarily worried she had fainted from excitement, or perhaps suffered a heart attack.

Then I heard her muttering,

“Oh no, this is bad, this is really bad. This is impossible… I can’t… this is impossible…”

It seemed she had lost her mind.

Or rather, she had always been like this.

“But Elder Sister… for a trip, you might want something more… casual…?”

Leticia asked hesitantly.

“It’s an inspection, not a trip. …Well, if time allows, I might go out incognito, concealing my status as the head of the family…”

“Incognito! I love that word! This is where a tailor comes in!!”

“Tailor” revived.

“Since I need to blend in, tailored clothes would be unnecessary. In fact, they would be a hindrance.”

I thought she would give up, but “Tailor” persisted.

“Lady Adelheid, your elegance cannot be concealed! Just hide your noble status and dress as, say, a wealthy merchant’s daughter!”

“I agree!”

Leticia, for some reason, sided with “Tailor.”

Could I mention the time I disguised myself as a boy in old clothes, and even the innkeeper, who knew me, couldn’t see through my disguise?

If I were serious, I could dye my hair, even cut it, there were many options.

However, as the head of a ducal family, such measures weren’t necessary.

While Ciel had taught me about such elaborate disguises, I usually just changed my clothes.

“You’ve already made clothes like that for me, haven’t you?”

“W-well, yes, but… I’d like to make new ones… if you’ll allow me…”

My agreement with “Tailor” wasn’t based on commission.

Her pay didn’t increase with the number of outfits she made.

Or rather, she didn’t receive a ‘salary.’

In exchange for her livelihood—her life—she made clothes as instructed. That was all.

And yet, she always wanted to make more clothes; she was a tailor to the core.

Ah, she must have been terrible at navigating the world… it was no wonder she ended up in the “back alley.”

While someone like me, a villain, was exploiting that trait, I also felt like I was being used by her to make as many clothes as she pleased, so it was probably mutually beneficial.

――A transaction always went smoothly if you offered what the other party desired most.

That, presumably, was what they called a deal with the devil.

Those who offered such convenient deals were usually up to no good.

“”Tailor”, I understand your desire, but I decide what to order.”

“Y-yes, ma’am.”

“Tailor” straightened up.

“Make clothes for my sister. Everyday clothes she can wear from summer to autumn.”

“Yes! Summer and autumn outfits for Lady Leticia! Stylish ones!”

She repeated my order cheerfully—but subtly changed it.

“I said everyday clothes… well, I suppose… there’s not much difference.”

There wasn’t a strict definition for what to call clothes worn when there was no dress code.

“So, what kind of outfits should I make?”

She mused, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.

I vaguely recalled Leticia’s outfits from the [Event Stills].

Should I have her replicate those?

…It didn’t matter.

There was no need to overthink it.

“—Clothes that accentuate my sister’s cuteness.”

“Yes!”

“…Huh?!”

“Tailor” and I both looked at my sister, who had exclaimed in surprise.

However, since she just opened and closed her mouth without saying anything, I turned my attention back to “Tailor.”

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

I didn’t try to describe the outfits I had seen in [Moonlight Liberium] but chose my words to convey a similar image.

“Without compromising Leticia’s innocent charm.”

“Yes!”

“Even for summer wear, keep it modest. Make sure she can adjust with a jacket if necessary.”

“Certainly!”

“Since the materials are high-quality, there’s no need for elaborate embellishments.”

“Understood!”

While her responses were always good…

Only her responses were good…

“…Um…”

Leticia, who had been trying to say something throughout our conversation, finally spoke hesitantly.

“What is it, Leticia? If you have any preferences, tell “Tailor” now.”

“That’s not what I wanted to say…”

She was being evasive.

“If you have something to say, say it clearly. I don’t have all day.”

I spoke sharply.

I inwardly praised myself; that was quite villainous, wasn’t it?

Thus prompted, Leticia spoke hesitantly.

“…Elder Sister, do you… think I’m… cute, innocent, and… made of good material…?”

…Oops.

I had misspoken.

“…………”

I fell silent, my face expressionless.

Help me, Ciel. I had misspoken. A very un-villainous-sister-like slip of the tongue. I needed to fix this. Stat.

Of course, my mental image of my tutor offered no assistance.

However, I had learned from her.

Shortly after I became the head of the family, another family head had made a snide remark, “It must be nice to have such a capable assistant. No, forgive me, was that disrespectful to the head of the Vanderwaals, despite your youth?” Ciel was that competent.

A few days later, that same family head was embroiled in a scandal involving his relationships with women and financial irregularities in his territory, and he was replaced.

I hadn’t done anything.

And, incidentally, a large portion of that family’s hidden assets somehow became ours.

I hadn’t done anything, and I hadn’t even given any orders.

It was so swift and efficient, even by Vanderwaals standards, that I hadn’t dared to ask for details.

However, I did make a mental note to avoid angering Ciel.

――Alright, I would just own it.

“I was simply offering an objective assessment. Do you have some complaint?”

A cold tone, a condescending attitude, and a disdainful gaze—the perfect trifecta of villainy.

While I disliked Prince Konrad, I agreed with his assessments: “You have a nasty personality,” “Your way of speaking is irritating,” and “If you didn’t speak, I might even consider you a lady.”

I felt the same way about him, to the point of suspecting it was a case of “it takes one to know one.”

Besides, I wasn’t pure enough to trust a kind-hearted king.

“…No.”

Leticia backed down obediently.

But there was a smile on her lips, and she truly was… cute, innocent, and made of good material.

“Tailor” approached her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Have confidence. Among all the young ladies, Lady Leticia, you are very healthy and lovely.”

“Oh, I…”

Leticia blushed, which was also very healthy and lovely.

However, objectively speaking, putting aside my sisterly bias, most noble ladies were probably suffering from overconsumption of sweets and lack of exercise.

Especially those who were pampered.

Even though imported sugar had become cheaper, and more milk was being used for cream.

While the combination of butter, sugar, and cream was a flavor explosion…

While everyone had a different constitution, and I found a slightly plump figure cute, gentlemen seemed to prefer the illusion of slenderness with curves in all the right places.

Leticia, along with me, followed a strict diet managed by Ciel and the kitchen staff under her direction.

Personally, I wanted to give my sister more to eat, more luxurious meals and sweets, but we couldn’t afford to show weakness and be underestimated.

I also wanted to indulge in more sweets to relieve stress, but Ciel wouldn’t allow it.

…I understood that we couldn’t be seen as vulnerable.

Besides, my sister was working hard on her dance lessons.

And I felt like my own waistline had become a little more… defined from practicing with her.

However, I seemed to lose weight from my chest first.

The areas I didn’t want to lose weight from were also becoming… less defined.

…I decided it was just a margin of error.

“…Now then, Lady Adelheid, Lady Leticia, if you’ll allow me, I’d like to take your measurements.”

“Very well.”

I nodded curtly.

62: [The Inspection Event]

The next event I would be involved in was, like the [Horse Riding Event], a [Common Event].

An event that occurred regardless of the choices made in the story.

The first encounter with me, her older sister, where she was recognized as a member of the ducal family, and the [Ceremony of Recognition] where that was formally acknowledged by the royal family, were also common events.

However, since [Moonlight Liberium] was a romance simulation game, the highlights were, naturally, the romantic events.

And the next event, like the horseback riding one, was a [Choice-Based Individual Event] where she would choose one of the three [Capture Targets] to become closer to.

The events with the unchosen ones would be erased.

It was an unusual structure, but there were stories with different versions depending on the era or edition, so it was probably similar to that.

There were three such [Events], and the outcome determined the [Ending].

I wondered what would happen if she chose each of them once, but the fate of those who tried to please everyone was well-known.

…However, I wasn’t sure who my sister had chosen in the first event, the horseback riding one.

There were only so many pitfalls I could prepare. Since I couldn’t be seen at the decisive moment, I had triggered the [Falling Event] early, but I wasn’t sure if that was the right decision.

However, my sister was unharmed and well.

As long as she was safe, everything would be alright.

“――”Tailor”.”

I summoned “Tailor” to the same drawing-room where I had previously had her take my sister’s measurements.

She was tall, but, as was the fate of tailors, she was hunched over.

She wore a white shirt, black vest, and black trousers. She wore no accessories, not even a tie, tie pin, or cufflinks. In her breast pocket, instead of a handkerchief or a pocket watch chain, was a fountain pen for noting measurements. The pockets of her vest and trousers held only a measuring tape and a large notebook.

Her simple, unadorned attire, sewn by her own hand, was apparently meant to showcase her skill as a tailor while also allowing her to remain in the background.

Indeed, seeing her tall, slender figure, which wouldn’t fit in ready-to-wear clothing, and her ample bosom, all perfectly accommodated by her clothes, was impressive.

When I called her name, a glint appeared in her pale blue eyes, half-hidden behind her long, drooping bangs.

“Lady Adelheid, your orders? I assume there’s a reason I was summoned, right? Right?!”

She waved her seaweed-like black hair, her long, slender, spider-like hands twitching with anticipation, and I sighed.

“…Calm down.”

“How can I be calm?! ――Is it a travel outfit? For you, Lady Adelheid? Or for Lady Leticia? Or perhaps… perhaps… for both?!”

“It’s for an inspection, not a trip. ――I’ll say it again. ‘Calm down.’”

“Tailor” knelt before me.

“—Yes, ma’am. My apologies. Your orders, please.”

I recalled the day, shortly after I became the head of the family, when I scouted her and made her our exclusive tailor.

Communication had been… challenging.

At first, I thought it was simply because she was a foreigner, unfamiliar with the Eustasian language.

While she could be a bit difficult to handle, she possessed irreplaceable skills, and her loyalty was unquestionable.

I felt like she was more devoted to some divine being of clothing, but the fact remained that I provided her with a budget and opportunities to showcase her skills, which ultimately benefited our family.

Knowing how to utilize people effectively was an essential skill for the head of a noble family.

I wasn’t sure if I was utilizing “Tailor” effectively, though.

“Um… Elder Sister… an inspection?”

Leticia, who was also present, spoke hesitantly.

“The Vanderwaals family conducts an inspection of our northern territories every year around July. It usually takes one or two weeks, including travel time.”

We also conducted winter inspections, but the transportation was too inconvenient for the head of the family to attend personally.

Summer was the most pleasant season in Eustasia. With a good carriage and well-maintained trade routes, we could travel relatively quickly.

Some nobles apparently spent up to two months there as a summer retreat. How elegant.

“The northern territories… That’s where the Vanderwaals’ exclave is, right?”

“Yes. It seems you’ve been studying. Make sure you’re prepared before we leave.”

The Vanderwaals’ territories weren’t limited to the area around the capital.

Our northern territories, in particular, were the largest.

The first head of the Vanderwaals family was from that region.

However, when the founding king chose the location for the capital and established it as our base of operations, the Vanderwaals’ place became the capital.

While it had been nothing more than a rural village before becoming the capital, it was now a central hub for trade.

The location was well-chosen: a vast plain in the center of what was then the Kingdom of Eustasia, with snowfall that didn’t accumulate excessively, and rivers essential for transportation converging nearby.

Even so, the north was better for wool production, while the south was better for grain.

We couldn’t favor either side.

The scales had to be constantly balanced.

That’s what it meant to govern a nation.

Well, I would leave those matters to His Highness Prince Konrad, the future king.

My role would be over after the [Guillotine Event].

“Um, so, will I be…?”

“—You will accompany me on the inspection. As a member of the Vanderwaals family, as a noble of Eustasia, you should broaden your horizons.”

“Is that… alright…?”

“What do you mean?”

I responded instinctively to Leticia’s hesitant tone.

“I’m… not a real noble…”

I sighed.

Leticia flinched and lowered her gaze.

She was usually so assertive, yet she was strangely timid at times.

“Duty and loyalty. —Have you forgotten your oath? Your words before His Majesty made you a noble. And besides…”

I chuckled.

“…Besides?”

“All nobles are… of questionable origin, if you trace their lineage back far enough.”

“B-Big Sister, you can’t say that!”

“Call me ‘Elder Sister.’”

This exchange also felt… nostalgic.

Lately, Leticia had been more careful with her language.

“Even so, we have our duties—our roles. We pledge loyalty to this country, share responsibilities, and work for its prosperity. That’s what our noble privileges are for.”

There were talented individuals who were denied opportunities due to their humble origins.

And there were foolish individuals who enjoyed privileges simply because they were born into noble families.

Yes, this world was unequal. I had to acknowledge that.

However, it was also a noble’s duty to recognize talent, regardless of origin, to remove those unworthy of their position, and to support those who were sincere, even if they weren’t exceptionally talented.

If there was no perfection in this world, we would bear the burden.

…At least in exchange for enjoying our privileges.

Powerful groups had emerged throughout history, and there was a need to oppose them.

Sometimes forming alliances, betraying each other, shedding blood, fighting, and destroying each other.

We wouldn’t let anyone disturb the peace we had built at the end of that bloodshed.

Not even fate.

But fortunately, fate seemed to be on Eustasia’s side.

And on Leticia’s.

“Someday, you too will play a vital role in this country… Leticia von Vanderwaals, repeat after me—duty and loyalty.”

Fate is on your side.

So, don’t make the wrong choice.

Don’t choose the wrong future.

You can overthrow me. You can send me to the guillotine, and follow fate.

But please…

Protect this country, the one the Vanderwaals… the one I, my father, and the heads of the family before us, have pledged our loyalty to and protected.

“Yes, Elder Sister.”

My sister nodded firmly.

“—Duty… and loyalty.”

The noble’s motto suited her now.

While it was a shame I wouldn’t see her future, I felt a deep sense of pride in my sister’s growth.

“Good.”

I smiled.

I had thought it would be a long time before I had to raise the next head of the family.

Did my father, my mother, and even Ciel, feel this way?

It might be presumptuous of me, since I was only six years older and hadn’t seen her grow up…

But she was my sister.

My pride and joy.

61: A Chance Encounter and a Promise

I’d been avoiding Leticia since the [Horse Riding Event].

To be precise, I was the one avoiding her.

For the past three days, I’d been making excuses to dine out, claiming I had work to do in my room, avoiding her even in the dining hall.

While it wasn’t a lie, I could have made time to eat at home.

Knowing I only had about a year left with my sister, I wanted to have meals with her.

But I was afraid.

I knew that avoiding her wouldn’t solve anything.

While my sister wasn’t injured, judging by the timing and my actions, she probably knew that I had deliberately caused her fall.

However, even after I left, Leticia apparently maintained her stance that the fall was just an accident.

There had been no official or unofficial reaction from the Royal Palace, the Eustasia Knights, or the Royal Medical Corps.

As the head of the Vanderwaals, a young girl’s testimony held no weight.

So, even if my sister tried to remove me from my position, it would have been easy to dismiss her.

However, I hadn’t expected her to defend me.

…That was the kind of girl she was.

She believed in family—and she wasn’t entirely wrong.

Even now, my sister was visiting the Royal Castle.

She was probably accumulating [Individual Events] with the [Capture Targets].

However, according to the reports from her guards and attendants—which I inquired about as casually as possible—she seemed to be meeting with all three of them.

Prince Konrad, Knight Commander Felix, Chief Physician Louis, and even the castle guards, knights, and physicians… a wide range of people.

I couldn’t ask for more specific details, like who seemed to be the most promising.

Since Ciel sometimes accompanied her, I wondered if she had noticed anything… but the matters of [Moonlight Liberium] were mine alone to handle.

I couldn’t rely on my most trusted subordinate, my exceptionally competent assistant head of the family, whom other families envied.

Lost in thought about the next [Event], I turned a corner in the hallway and heard a cheerful voice.

“…Oh! Elder Sister!”

――I had let my guard down.

Running into her in the hallway was a possibility.

We lived in the same mansion; we were sisters.

However, since I knew her general schedule, I should have been able to avoid her if I paid attention to her footsteps and presence.

Even though I couldn’t avoid her forever.

I wanted to take a step back and avert my gaze, but my pride as the head of the ducal family rooted me to the spot.

“—What do you want?”

I put on my bravest face, glaring at her, and my sister lowered her gaze slightly.

My confidence in my glare was fleeting.

“I haven’t seen Elder Sister lately… and I’ve been… a little lonely.”

Lonely.

…Lonely?

For a moment, I thought it was a foreign word.

Even with “Tailor,” who was from another country, I sometimes wondered if she was truly speaking Eustasian.

What was my sister saying?

To an older sister who had put her on a pony and then pushed her into a mud puddle?

I didn’t know how much she knew.

But she must at least realize that I wasn’t a cheerful, compassionate, and kind older sister.

My sister looked up and smiled.

“But seeing you now… I feel relieved.”

Relieved.

Did she say relieved? This time, I understood the meaning more quickly.

But I still couldn’t understand her heart.

I felt like I could relate more to some monstrous demon lurking in the dark abyss.

I couldn’t understand people with pure, beautiful, and kind hearts.

――Until now, I hadn’t needed to.

Nobles didn’t need to consider the existence of such people.

…Come to think of it, the ‘sister in the game,’ while sometimes expressing vulnerability in [Individual Events], never expressed jealousy or resentment.

I couldn’t forgive anyone who would hurt such a sister.

However.

The character I disliked the most in [Moonlight Liberium]…

…was ‘Adelheid von Vanderwaals.’

Because of her, I couldn’t focus on the story.

She had the same name as me, looked exactly like me, and sometimes said things I might actually say.

Everything about her annoyed me.

Of course, introducing an unpleasant character and then eliminating them for a happy ending was a common storytelling technique.

However, for a romance story, where the focus was on developing relationships while overcoming various obstacles, I felt like such an antagonist was unnecessary, a shallow plot device.

Leticia, perhaps misinterpreting my silence, continued.

“Elder Sister, can we have dinner together tonight?”

Yes.

I wanted to answer immediately, but I had to let reason prevail over my desires.

…For the sake of guiding the story along the lines of [Moonlight Liberium], it was a good thing that I hadn’t been avoiding my sister too much.

However, it was emotionally taxing.

“Yes… I suppose… I’m free now…”

It wasn’t a lie to say I was free, since I had completed the [Horse Riding Event] without actually injuring my sister.

I felt a sense of accomplishment, having taken another step towards my goal—the guillotine—and the burden on my shoulders seemed to lighten with each step, even as I prepared for the next event.

“Really?!”

My sister clasped her hands together in delight.

Her reaction was adorable… but honestly, I didn’t understand why I was able to enjoy my sister’s company so much.

I had expected her to dislike me more.

I had imagined that in the unwritten spaces between the [Text Log] entries, my sister and I would have a much more strained, distant relationship, exchanging only the bare minimum of formal pleasantries.

“Oh, and Elder Sister, thank you for the other day, for the horseback riding. It was fun.”

“F-fun?”

I couldn’t help but ask again.

Even ignoring the [Falling Event], she had been made to ride a pony and only walked alongside her older sister, who was suppressing a huge grin behind a stern facade.

And she didn’t seem particularly enamored with any of the three men.

“Yes. But I’m sorry I interrupted it by falling…”

“…………”

No, that interpretation was wrong.

…It would be unnatural for her not to realize what had happened.

Leticia had been about to say something at the time.

She had lowered her head, her shoulders trembling, as if suppressing her emotions.

Hadn’t she swallowed her frustration?

Hadn’t she suppressed her sadness, her pain, to avoid making a scene?

…Was this what she meant by “let’s just say that’s what happened”?

“But there’s something I wanted to ask…”

My sister continued, after a brief pause.

“Why was my horse a pony?”

Please don’t ask me that with such a serious expression.

I had thought it was the best option at the time.

I wasn’t sure if I could have successfully caused her to fall if she had been riding a horse of Lillie’s caliber.

If she had fallen, for whatever reason, there was a chance she would be kicked by the startled horse, and the larger the horse, the greater the danger.

“…Riding different kinds of horses… is good practice.”

I did it! That was a surprisingly convincing excuse, considering I came up with it on the spot.

“I see! Then next time, will it be a large horse, like the one Sir Felix was riding?”

“There are… considerations of physique…”

I had received such training from Ciel.

“Oh, right. I’m still a beginner.”

She wasn’t a beginner, since she was able to participate in a long ride.

However, it was dangerous to think you were no longer a beginner, so I didn’t say that.

My sister gazed at me intently with her blue eyes, the same shade as mine.

“—I would be happy to ride with Elder Sister again. Will there be another opportunity?”

――There wouldn’t be.

There were no more official events where my sister and I would ride together.

Things would become busy soon. After summer ended.

I wouldn’t have time.

And I shouldn’t have time.

Going on a leisurely horseback ride with my sister, deepening our bond, would only make things more painful for both of us.

I didn’t want to hurt her.

…And I didn’t want to be hurt.

“…It will be difficult for a while.”

After that ‘while,’ I would no longer have a role to play—or a life.

My sister nodded seriously.

“Yes, even if it’s not soon… someday… definitely.”

Even if it’s not soon.

Someday.

Definitely.

――Someday.

My sister’s words resonated deeply within me.

In the afterlife, perhaps?

…If there was an afterlife, and people were separated into heaven and hell based on their deeds, I would be going to hell.

A noble who didn’t go to hell was a disgrace to the nobility.

While I hadn’t believed in the afterlife, considering the current situation, where unrealistic phenomena like this world being the stage of a romance simulation game called [Moonlight Liberium] were commonplace, I couldn’t completely dismiss the possibility.

My sister took my hand.

I reflexively tried to pull away, but she held on tight with both hands.

“—It’s a promise.”

My sister released my hand.

“See you at dinner!”

She waved and ran off.

I thought about telling her that running in the hallway wasn’t proper behavior for a noble lady, but I didn’t have the energy to yell after her, or to chase after her.

I would scold her later, with a sarcastic remark, as befitting a villain.

I looked down at my hand.

The faint warmth of her touch lingered.

I clenched my hand tightly, and the warmth disappeared.

I opened my hand again and stared at it.

…A promise I couldn’t keep.

I couldn’t even protect my sister.

I wasn’t the one who would protect her.

My ‘role’ was different.

I murmured softly,

“…Someday?”

I didn’t have a someday.

60: A Mud-Covered Saint

Knight Commander Felix, minus three points.

Prince Konrad, minus two points.

Chief Physician Louis, minus one point. (in order of score)

The three men’s favorability ratings plummeted shortly after the [Horse Riding Event] began.

For my sister, it was a heart-pounding romantic event (probably), and for me, it was an opportunity to assess whether these men were worthy of her.

While I was judging them, ultimately, the choice was Leticia’s, so my opinion of them didn’t matter.

However, since I couldn’t just gallop off on Lillie, all I could do was observe and mentally deduct points.

Felix, who showed no concern for my sister on her pony despite his earlier words of caution, was out of the question. He was treating a leisurely ride with a lady the same as a ride with his fellow knights.

Konrad wasn’t much better. He hadn’t made her gallop, but he was far ahead.

Louis… was keeping an eye on us from a distance, but he hadn’t said anything, so he wasn’t being helpful.

…I was starting to worry about my sister’s future after I was gone.

Well, they were supposed to be closer by then…

And my sister was supposed to be able to choose who she rode with during this event…

My sister seemed a little nervous.

Well, she had been expecting a pleasant horseback ride, only to be given a pony as a mean-spirited prank. It was understandable.

“…Leticia, you can ride with those three if you’d like.”

I tried to say it gently, so she wouldn’t feel pressured to stay with me.

However, my sister, riding her pony beside me, looked up at me—since she was on a smaller horse, she had to look up—and smiled radiantly.

“I want to be next to Elder Sister.”

Her cuteness was interfering with my plans!

“…Flattery won’t get you anywhere.”

“That’s not what I—”

My sister’s expression visibly darkened.

Oh, dear! I didn’t mean it like that! I didn’t want to make her sad!

But there was nothing I could do.

…Well, I was supposed to be sent to the guillotine as the head of the Vanderwaals family, not stripped of my title.

Our graves might be next to each other.

It was a long-term plan, since I intended for my sister to live a long and happy life.

Thinking such thoughts, I watched for the right moment.

We were almost at the designated spot.

The moment everyone’s attention shifted away from my sister, I made my move.

“—!”

I let out a dramatic scream, feigning a loss of balance—I slipped my foot out of the stirrup and ‘fell’ towards my sister.

What was I doing falling? Well—the scenario didn’t say the ‘villainous sister didn’t fall,’ nor did it say she had to ‘look down from her horse.’ Besides, when I callously plucked the wildflower and threw it at her, I was on the ground. Doing it earlier wouldn’t change anything.

I ‘fell’ from my horse, bumping Leticia’s pony and causing her to fall as well, while subtly guiding her fall with my hand on her back to prevent any serious injuries.

Bracing myself for some bruises, I landed on the grass, rolled to lessen the impact, quickly got to my feet, and positioned myself to look down at my sister.

“E-Elder Sister? W-what—? Mud?”

My sister, sitting on the ground, looked up at me with bewildered eyes, covered in mud.

I had carefully dug up the soil with a shovel and sprinkled it with water, creating a muddy patch that would both cushion her fall and enhance the visual impact of my mean-spirited prank. I had even meticulously removed any small stones, so while she was muddy, she shouldn’t be injured.

Of course, I had prepared several such spots.

It had been a full day’s work.

I had used all my free time, somehow squeezed out of my schedule, preparing for this day, to safely push Leticia off her pony.

It had been a good workout.

Today’s ‘fall’ and ‘injury’ were meant to showcase my cruelty as the villainous sister to the player.

And to lessen the unpleasant aftertaste of my execution.

But wouldn’t everyone in this world already know that?

That’s why I decided to preempt fate and create the [Falling Event] myself.

And, looking down at my sister, still sitting on the ground, I delivered the [Official Line].

“[Oh dear, Leticia. Despite all my instruction, you still can’t ride properly. Perhaps you’re better suited to tending to draft horses?]”

She was riding a pony, and I was the one who pushed her off.

The line lacked any credibility, but wasn’t being unreasonable part of being a villain?

I wasn’t expected to be reasonable.

My ‘role’ was the [Villainous Sister] of [Moonlight Liberium].

“Um, that was… kind of weird… did you perhaps—”

“—What was that?”

I silenced her with a glare.

“N-nothing!”

My sister lowered her gaze.

“Lady Leticia!”

The prince called out my sister’s name and rode towards her.

He subtly pulled on the reins, using his horse as a barrier. I understood his haste, but what was he going to do if his horse couldn’t stop in time? Minus points.

“—Leticia?! What happened?!”

Minus points for the Knight Commander as well. Leaving the lady he was supposed to be protecting to go off on his own; what a mutt.

While scouting ahead to ensure there were no dangers was important, his first priority should have been to watch me.

“Leticia, are you hurt?”

Perhaps I would give the Chief Physician a pass.

Though just being near my sister warranted a deduction.

All three of them looked at me as if I were their sworn enemy.

“[Oh my, what’s with the scary looks? —This was just an accident, wasn’t it?]”

What a nasty line.

It sounded exactly like something I would say.

Well, it was me, so naturally.

The mutt, I mean, Knight Commander Felix, snapped at me.

“You…! There’s a difference between right and wrong!”

“I didn’t do anything… anything to hurt my precious little sister…”

I smiled seductively.

Well, all I had done today was put my sister on a pony and make her land on her backside in a mud puddle I had diligently prepared the day before.

Thank you, Ciel. Thanks to your rigorous training, I was able to push my sister off her horse while pretending to fall, without injuring her—I sent a grateful thought to my absent tutor.

Lillie, who had suddenly been forced to dismount, was also unharmed. I also confirmed that the pony, which had been similarly forced to dismount Leticia, was also fine.

“I-I’m alright. It was… my fault… I-I fell on my own. I’m not hurt.”

My sister shook her head.

No, I pushed you.

“Lady Leticia…”

“Leticia…”

“Leticia…”

The three men looked at her with concern, seeing her bravely enduring such unfair treatment.

Good, they were all on my sister’s side!

Now, for the finishing touch.

I checked to make sure the [Yamaidome] was at my feet.

――Of course, I had created the mud puddle where it was growing.

A resilient plant that bloomed from spring to late autumn. Its jagged leaves grew in thick clusters, and its small white flowers, while not showy, were… quite pretty.

Harvesting and drying the Yamaidome before the onset of winter… before the snow buried it and it lost its blossoms, to be brewed and used as needed—that was a practice of the past.

Even now, it was sometimes used in herbal teas as a folk remedy, and the Vanderwaals had also been producing it in small quantities.

However, it had a distinct bitterness and was mainly advertised as a stimulant.

I plucked one of the delicate white flowers and tossed it at my sister.

It landed on her ample bosom.

“[Here’s your medicine. Just right for a country bumpkin like you.]”

The prince, the Knight Commander, and the Chief Physician all closed in.

“Lady Adelheid! We will be filing a formal complaint with the Royal Palace about today’s incident!”

“Be my guest. But if you protest over such a trivial matter, it’s my sister who will be embarrassed.”

Villainous.

“Adelheid! Stop disgracing the family name!”

“Oh, I’m honored that you’re so concerned about our family name. But… you know… our family is known as the ‘Coldhearted Vanderwaals,’ and I am the head of the family…”

Villainous.

“Lady Adelheid…! What were you planning to do if she had been seriously injured?”

“Injured? She’s just a girl, not even the head of the family. What’s the problem?”

Villainous.

“Thank you… Elder Sister…”

Huh?

Leticia picked up the flower from her chest and examined it closely.

“This flower… it’s medicinal, isn’t it?”

She knew?

At this point in the game, there was no explanation; it was simply a scene where the [Protagonist], the player’s avatar, was callously tossed a weed and told it was medicine…

The fact that this plant was once used medicinally was something the player only learned after diligently researching in the library, connecting it to my words.

There was no indication that Leticia had this knowledge… there shouldn’t be.

“You were worried about me, even though I wasn’t hurt.”

Um, no…

This wasn’t going as planned.

The three men reached the edge of the mud puddle, but Leticia stood up and climbed out without any help.

Then, she smiled brightly.

“Are you alright, Elder Sister?”

…My sister was a saint.

I wondered when the guillotine would finally claim me…

Or rather, let’s just skip ahead to the ball.

My sister was a saint.

“Lady Leticia…”

“Leticia…”

“Leticia…”

While all three men’s favorability towards her seemed to be increasing, I was actually the one whose favorability towards my sister was increasing the most.

But this event had to end with the lines from the scenario.

“[This has ruined my mood. I’m leaving.]”

“Whoa!”

As a final touch, I pulled a towel from my pocket and threw it at my sister’s face.

“This rag is all that’s fit for such a dirty face.”

It was clean, by the way.

“Make sure you wash off all that mud. You won’t be allowed back in the mansion otherwise.”

Tossing her the towel under the guise of meanness was… probably within the performer’s discretion.

Ignoring the three men, who were now glaring daggers at me, I gracefully mounted Lillie and nudged her sides.

Without looking back, I urged her forward, picking up speed.

“Elder Sister!”

To outrun my sister’s voice calling after me.

I wiped the mud from my cheek with the back of my hand.

I looked down at the mud smeared on my skin.

…I wish I could have stayed like that.

With my sweet little sister, who still admired me—the head of the “Coldhearted Vanderwaals”—as her older sister, despite everything.

I wanted to walk alongside her on horseback through the refreshing summer fields, undisturbed, enjoying the scenery and each other’s company.

But that was outside the performer’s discretion.

I didn’t want to change the future.

I shouldn’t change it, for my own selfish desires.

――Except for the future where she found happiness.

59: [The Horse Riding Event]

The day of the [Horse Riding Event] had arrived.

Wearing my riding outfit, matching Leticia’s but in a different color, I felt a sense of resolve.

Mine was blue, Leticia’s red. We both wore white breeches, and our vests were light blue and peach, respectively. The riding outfits, courtesy of “Tailor,” didn’t restrict movement at all—perfect for a day like today.

We had changed in a room at the inn, which we were using mainly as a changing room.

After exchanging brief greetings with the innkeeper, pretending my visit yesterday had never happened, Leticia and I headed to the riding grounds.

“Perfect weather for riding!”

Felix, who had arrived the day before and been admiring the horses until we arrived, exclaimed. I understood how he felt.

I paused and looked up at the sky, the early summer sun so bright I had to squint.

However, this was Eustasia, a northern country. The deep blue sky was dotted with clouds, and a cool breeze made the long-sleeved riding outfits just right.

I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the scent of grass—and perhaps a faint hint of horse and cow manure, but it was a ranch.

“Yes, the weather’s wonderful. …Isn’t it, Elder Sister?”

“Yes, it is.”

The weather was so perfect that I was worried it might ruin my ‘preparations’ from the day before.

“Lady Leticia, please be careful in the sun. You brought a water bottle, right? Stay hydrated.”

“Yes, Dr. Louis.”

Including Louis, concerned for her well-being like a good Chief Physician, everyone except Felix had arrived today.

They had come to the ranch by carriage and would now be riding… it felt a bit strange, but perhaps that was how nobles amused themselves.

I, too, had ridden at full speed to the ranch and back on my beloved Lillie.

“I’m so glad to be riding with Lady Leticia.”

“The pleasure is all mine, Your Highness. I’m happy to be riding with Elder Sister and everyone.”

Leticia smiled at Konrad. Her response was… passable.

…Perhaps she shouldn’t have mentioned my name first.

As the horses were led out of the stables, Felix was the first to rush over, patting his horse’s neck and stroking its mane before leaping onto its back. The large black horse, proportionate to his size, was his favorite, its name often mentioned among those discussing fine steeds.

Though our white mare, Lillie, was arguably the finest horse of our time.

…I wouldn’t brag about it. There was no objective standard, and many people likely felt the same way about their own horses, so it was a pointless argument.

Konrad rode a white horse like mine, and Louis rode a brown one.

Only Chief Physician Louis was on a rented horse, and that chestnut mare was a gentle, well-trained horse.

While he had acquired riding skills during his time with the nomadic people, it was a suitable mount for the Chief Physician, who didn’t usually ride.

I, of course, rode Lillie. Since I was on official fate-serving duty today, this white mare was my only source of comfort.

On a day like this, with its mean-spirited event, my sister’s cuteness was more of a stressor.

I reached out and stroked Lillie’s neck, and she happily flicked her ears.

Lillie’s large eyes gazed at me, and when I obliged her silent request for more petting, she swished her tail.

Horses were good. They didn’t betray you.

Humans—humans did betray you.

A stable hand led the last horse, my sister’s mount, out of the stables.

“Um… Elder Sister…?”

At my sister’s bewildered tone, the men, who had been preparing their horses, turned to look at her.

“What is it, Leticia?”

I responded with a neutral expression to my sister’s confused face.

My sister was cute even when confused.

“We’re… going horseback riding… today, right…?”

“Yes. What’s wrong? Do you have some complaint about the horse I prepared for you?”

My sister had every right to be angry.

The horse I had prepared for her was a pony.

While my sister was petite and could ride it… it was still quite small.

Completely different from the elegant riding horses we were on.

“…No. Thank you, Elder Sister. You prepared a smaller horse for me so it would be easier to ride.”

My sister was incredibly sweet.

“Adelheid, even for you, this childish prank is…”

Knight Commander Felix chimed in.

While he had a point, it wasn’t necessary.

What was necessary was to follow the scenario while ensuring a safe outcome.

…The problem was that I didn’t know which of these three my sister would choose.

I didn’t know how she had been spending her free time with them.

“Now, now, Knight Commander, there’s no need for such comments. This is simply an older sister’s consideration for her younger sister… that’s all. —Isn’t it?”

I added a sarcastic lilt to my voice.

And, actually, there was no lie in my words.

Falling from a large horse was dangerous. Absolutely not.

“But…”

“――This is a Vanderwaals family matter. Refrain from interfering.”

I dismissed him sharply, took the reins, and offered them to my sister.

“Well, Leticia? You can ride by yourself, can’t you?”

“…Y-yes, Elder Sister.”

Prince Konrad glared at me.

“Lady Adelheid! …Even as the head of the Vanderwaals family, this behavior is…!”

“It’s alright, Your Highness. This is… Elder Sister’s… consideration…”

My sister’s shoulders trembled as she looked down.

A sharp pain, like being torn apart, shot through my chest.

I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…!

I suppressed the words I couldn’t utter, hiding them behind an impassive mask.

When I was finally beheaded, would that appease her resentment…?

Chief Physician Louis stared at me intently, his expression grim.

“…Lady Adelheid, considering your own beliefs, do you… find nothing shameful in your actions?”

“No. Nothing at all.”

I answered immediately and definitively.

I wish I could say, Direct your complaints to whoever wrote this script.

Well, I didn’t expect them to understand.

“Now, get on. —Oh, it suits you quite well, doesn’t it?”

I smiled faintly at my sister, now atop—well, on—the pony, trying to appear as mean-spirited as possible.

It did suit her. While small and perhaps lacking in elegance, a pony was still a horse.

And its small size actually emphasized Leticia’s petite frame, her delicate features, her adorableness.

Felix, perhaps wanting to show off, had arranged for one of the Knights’ horses, but it was too large.

And it was a stallion, which seemed to have a rather spirited temperament.

For her first riding lesson, I had made sure to provide a small, gentle mare.

Surely he didn’t think bigger was better, did he?

While the stallion part was debatable, the large size and spirited temperament were desirable traits for a knight’s warhorse… and, needless to say, unsuitable for a young, inexperienced noble lady.

Besides, Felix loved horses too much and was too skilled a rider; I suspected he was blind to a horse’s flaws.

“Well then, let’s begin, everyone.”

I declared the start of the [Horse Riding Event] with a bright smile.

58: Piled-Up Trust

A small figure pushed open the door and entered the inn attached to the ranch.

Their hair was silver. They wore a dirty coat and a casquette pulled low, obscuring their face.

The knees of their trousers were patched, one even torn, revealing skin beneath. A rather shabby appearance.

“Excuse me, but we don’t accommodate walk-ins. Do you have a referral?”

The innkeeper, alone at the reception counter, politely asked the ‘boy’ to leave, seeing no reservation and noting their attire.

The ‘boy’ chuckled softly.

“—I’m not a ‘walk-in.’”

“…Excuse me?”

The figure removed their hat, revealing beautiful, moonlight-silver hair tied back in a bun.

This was clearly not the shabby—almost “back alley”—boy the innkeeper had imagined.

His eyes widened, and he straightened up.

“Lady Adelheid…? M-my apologies!”

“No, it’s fine. It’s good to know my disguise skills haven’t gotten rusty.”

She—Adelheid von Vanderwaals—smiled, and the innkeeper inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

The simple act of removing her hat made it impossible to understand why he had mistaken her for a vagrant just moments ago.

Come to think of it, he had seen glimpses of her silver hair.

Even so, perhaps it was her clothing, or the aura she projected… everything about her had screamed back-alley dweller.

But now, regardless of her attire, she looked every bit the young head of a powerful ducal family.

Adelheid put her hat back on, concealing her hair, and approached the counter, facing the innkeeper.

“I have some business here. I came on a rented horse, so I’d like you to take care of it. I won’t be staying, but I’ll need a room and a bath. And could you pack me a lunch, something I can eat outside?”

“Certainly. Right away.”

He bowed respectfully, mentally repeating her requests—no stay, room, bath, packed lunch—and committing them to memory.

Then, she took a small leather pouch from her pocket and emptied its contents into her palm.

While it resembled a coin purse, it was probably a divided pouch for making specific payments smoothly, different from a regular wallet.

The innkeeper was slightly surprised by this display of commoner-like behavior, considering he had never seen the ducal lady—no, the head of the family—pay for anything herself.

However, the color and the clinking sound of the coins she produced were anything but common… they were all gold.

“By the way, congratulations on your youngest daughter’s engagement.”

“Ah… yes. You’re well-informed.”

He nodded.

“Allow me to offer my congratulations. I heard her fiancé is much younger. She waited for him to come of age, didn’t she? He seems like a sincere young man.”

“Thank you. I was against it at first, but after meeting him, I realized he was quite mature for his age… It’s a relief to have her settled.”

She placed the gold coins from her palm onto the polished wooden counter.

“Um… is this…? There’s still a considerable balance remaining in the Vanderwaals’ account…”

Large clients like the Vanderwaals and the Eustasia Knights paid a lump sum in advance. The inn would deduct charges from that, and when the balance ran low, they would contact the client’s accountant for replenishment.

This saved the clients the trouble of paying for each transaction and allowed the inn to manage its finances smoothly.

However, it also created opportunities for the inn to commit fraud, and for clients to skip out on payments.

――Of course, clients who would tolerate unfair charges didn’t enter into such agreements with nobles or organizations.

Conversely, attempting to evade payment would not only violate kingdom law but also expose a weakness to political rivals… The few instances of attempted fraud had invariably resulted in the downfall or effective absorption of the offending family.

“It’s a congratulatory gift.”

A slender, white, delicate finger picked up a gold coin and placed it back on the counter.

Then another, stacking it on top of the first.

“Speaking of which, you spared no expense on the wedding dress.”

A third gold coin was added to the stack.

“Well… she’s my precious daughter, so…”

“I envy your daughter.”

Chuckling, she added a fourth gold coin.

The innkeeper recalled her history: how she had lost her mother at a young age, and then her father suddenly due to illness, becoming the head of the ducal family.

He remembered her as a charming, fairy-like child, visiting the ranch frequently and learning to ride from her governess… Ciel. The two of them, riding together, looked like true sisters.

――However, seeing her riding bareback and even practicing mounted archery, he had wondered what she was aiming for.

Working in hospitality, you met a lot of people.

And some guests left a lasting impression.

The former fairy picked up a fifth gold coin.

“I hear the shop you commissioned is quite reputable.”

“Yes. She’s a foreign tailor, but very skilled. I hear she’s the exclusive tailor for a certain noble family… The fact that she’s a woman was also a deciding factor.”

While he understood it was simply a tailor’s job, as a father, he was still hesitant to have a strange man touch his daughter’s body.

While the female tailor’s touch seemed a bit strong, and his daughter had been flustered, he doubted she would do anything inappropriate with the father present.

Besides, even the initial fitting was clearly top-notch work, impressive even to him, with his discerning eye, accustomed to dealing with nobles.

The fifth gold coin was placed on the stack.

“A pure white dress… the lace will look beautiful.”

“Yes.”

She nodded with a smile.

“It cost fifty gold coins, didn’t it?”

“Yes…”

She nodded with a smile.

And then she froze.

“…Lady Adelheid.”

He finally managed to speak, and she laughed, adding a sixth gold coin to the stack.

“Yes?”

“…How did you… know the price of the dress…?”

He hadn’t told anyone.

No, it must have been the design.

While pure white was a standard color for wedding dresses, he hadn’t told anyone about the extensive use of lace. That was meant to be a surprise on the day.

And certainly not the price.

He hadn’t told anyone, as he didn’t want to be seen as the kind of vulgar person who bragged about how much they spent.

While he had dismissed the lace as a common detail, the fact that she had guessed the exact price suggested she was certain.

She chuckled softly.

Like a fairy—the kind that played tricks on people.

The tailor he had commissioned for his youngest daughter’s dress was from a country famous for its fairy tales—stories of fairies sometimes helping people, sometimes leading them astray.

The image of a tiny, beautiful girl with butterfly wings was only one aspect of fairies.

They were different.

Creatures that operated on a different logic than humans.

A seventh gold coin was added to the stack.

She leaned on the counter, clasped her hands, and smiled.

“Geckos are everywhere.”

Yes, they were.

They were at the ranch, and they weren’t uncommon in town either.

The people of Eustasia were practical and generally tolerant of geckos. They were considered beneficial creatures, as they ate insects.

However, some people disliked them, and it wasn’t unusual for them to be chased out of houses.

This inn also had guests who disliked geckos, so they tried to remove them from the premises.

He felt like he had encountered a ‘wall lizard’ indoors.

As if a pair of ever-watchful black eyes were staring at him.

The innkeeper cautiously looked up and met her gaze—deep blue eyes, like a clear yet bottomless lake.

She toyed with an eighth gold coin and spoke.

“I have a request.”

“…Yes. Please, tell me what you need.”

There was no other answer.

The Vanderwaals were valued customers.

They had been patrons since the previous generation, and both the family members and their servants were well-mannered, paid well, and never caused any trouble.

He had never been subjected to any unreasonable demands.

He had even thought that the “Coldhearted Vanderwaals” were just a nasty rumor…

And yet, now, with summer just around the corner, a chill ran down his spine.

The eighth gold coin was added to the stack.

Two more remained.

“First, as a matter of course, I ask for your discretion… I’m here incognito. You understand?”

“Yes, of course.”

He nodded respectfully.

“Especially… make sure my sister, Leticia, who has been a frequent visitor recently, doesn’t hear about this.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

He hung on her every word, his entire body straining to listen, nodding emphatically to show he was paying attention.

“Keep this from the ‘Vanderwaals family’ as well.”

“E-excuse me? …Yes, understood.”

He almost asked her to repeat herself, then quickly corrected himself.

“Don’t record any of this. The payment… is here.”

She gestured to the neatly stacked tower of gold coins.

It was clearly excessive for a single day’s use. The innkeeper braced himself for the coming request… the ‘favor’ she was about to ask, taking it as a silencing fee.

She added a ninth gold coin to the tower and spoke.

“I need to borrow a shovel and a bucket.”

“…Excuse me? I… don’t quite understand…”

A shovel. A bucket.

What kind of code was this?

Sensing his confusion, Adelheid clarified in a calm tone,

“Take it literally. A shovel for digging, and a bucket for carrying water.”

“Of course, we can provide those immediately. This is a ranch, after all.”

As he responded, the innkeeper mentally reviewed his inventory, deciding to provide a brand new set to avoid any offense.

“And then…?”

She held the tenth gold coin in her hand and blinked.

“That’s it.”

“Huh?”

――He didn’t understand.

A shovel. Was she going to bury a body? —No, even if he was being paid for his silence, no one would be foolish enough to borrow tools for such a purpose here.

And what about the bucket? Was she planning to plant trees and water them?

Seeing his bewilderment, Adelheid, who had been acting so confidently, chuckled self-deprecatingly.

“…Perhaps it’s an occupational hazard… that I can’t feel at ease unless I do this, even with someone I’m familiar with.”

She moved away from the counter, and the sunlight from the window, no longer obstructed, illuminated the tower of nine gold coins, making them gleam.

“…But why such a large sum…?”

――Intimidation and bribery.

Intimidation alone should have been enough.

…Especially for such a… trivial request.

Perhaps this was the only way ‘Adelheid von Vanderwaals’ could operate.

However, he still felt the amount was excessive, and he inwardly puzzled over it.

It might not be a significant sum for a noble, but the ‘request’ itself was… surprisingly… mundane.

“Didn’t I tell you?”

She picked up the tenth gold coin and gently placed it on top of the stack, completing the golden tower.

As she shifted her position slightly, perhaps coincidentally, the sunlight caught her eyes, and she squinted.

Her face was momentarily cast in shadow by the backlighting.

Even so, he could tell from her voice that she was smiling.

“It’s a congratulatory gift.”

――Come to think of it, she and her governess, Ciel, had once helped his youngest daughter, still a child then, learn how to care for horses.

He had seen them many times since then.

His youngest daughter, entrusted with the care of Lillie, the prized horse gifted by the previous head of the Vanderwaals, had been so enthusiastic.

While his eldest daughter had married early and his second daughter helped with the family ranch and inn, Adelheid had only been around for a short time.

Aside from the innkeeper himself, his youngest daughter was probably the one most familiar with her.

“…Your generosity is greatly appreciated.”

Out of respect, not fear, the innkeeper bowed deeply.

Then, he carefully picked up the tower of gold coins, almost reluctant to dismantle it, and quickly stored it in the safe.

“Allow me to show you the way.”

He came out from behind the counter and led the way.

She followed, her attire boyish, yet her movements graceful.

“A shovel and a bucket, you said. Leave everything else to me.”

“Yes.”

The Vanderwaals had a reservation for tomorrow. Two of their horses were to be prepared…

And—the First Prince, the Knight Commander, and the Chief Physician had also reserved or requested horses…

A distinguished group.

While she wasn’t staying and didn’t plan to enter the ranch itself, he had been informed that the Eustasia Knights would be securing the perimeter.

Something was going to happen tomorrow.

Today’s preparations were likely for that.

He honestly had no idea what she was planning.

But if it was something she was doing…

…no matter how ‘unconventional’ it seemed…

He felt it was worth cooperating.

57: Preparations for Horse Riding

“Horseback riding…?” Leticia echoed Konrad’s words.

“Yes. We’re planning to go to the outskirts of the capital. It will be a little later in the year… probably around early summer.”

He paused.

“[Would you like to join me?]”

“[Of course, I’ll be there too, right?]”

“[Then allow me to accompany you as well.]”

――Three distinct [Official Lines]. Three [Choices].

She would choose between Prince Konrad, Knight Commander Felix, and Chief Physician Louis.

While the unchosen ones would also participate, the events—or rather, the main conversation partner and the content of the conversation—would change depending on her choice.

This time, in the game, it was just a matter of selecting an option. There was no dialogue.

It wouldn’t make sense for her to say anything about choosing someone here and now.

Simply accepting the invitation would conclude today’s tea party and its role as the introduction to the next event.

Leticia glanced at me.

I nodded.

My sister smiled and turned back to the three men.

“I’d be delighted, if Elder Sister comes too.”

…I had intended to find an excuse to tag along.

While having a parent chaperone would be overprotective, I was her older sister. I thought I could manage it.

More importantly, that was how the script was supposed to go.

I, the villainous sister, had a role to play in this [Horse Riding Event].

Today’s tea party was just a connecting scene, almost like narration.

Therefore, what my sister said to accept the invitation wasn’t described in detail.

…However, it probably wasn’t like this.

“…Lady Adelheid, is that acceptable to you?”

Konrad looked at me expectantly, and I nodded.

“Yes. It would be rude to refuse an invitation from the First Prince, especially with such distinguished company. Will you send me a formal invitation with the date and time later?”

“Of course.”

While Konrad would prefer I wasn’t there… he had other rivals to contend with, and, more importantly, ‘with Elder Sister’ was my sister’s ‘condition for participation.’

He must have realized it was easier to agree. The matter was settled smoothly.

I was relieved that the event was proceeding according to fate’s scenario.

I would re-strategize when we got back.

…Until then… I could indulge in admiring my adorable sister, who was enjoying the sweets and tea with a cheerful expression.

That evening, back at the mansion, I sat at my desk, elbows propped up, hands clasped, lost in thought.

I closed my eyes and replayed the [Text Log] in my head.

I opened my eyes, and my reflection in the mirror on my desk stared back.

I had practiced my ‘smile’ in this mirror since learning about [Moonlight Liberium].

The villainous expression I deemed essential for the easily recognizable villain, the [Villainous Sister].

I had already used it on my sister several times, but next time, I would have to put even more effort into it.

――The next [Horse Riding Event] was crucial.

I had a major role to play. It was arguably the peak of my villainy.

Besides the significant developments in the romance, it was also the event where a key item for the story would appear.

First, I, Adelheid von Vanderwaals, the head of the “Coldhearted Vanderwaals”… would be invited, along with my sister, to a horseback riding event hosted by the royal family.

It was clear they had only intended to invite my sister.

It was ostensibly an opportunity for the younger generation—the young prince, the young Knight Commander, and the young Chief Physician—who would shape the future of the country, to bond.

…They were all young, powerful, and handsome.

While I was still unsure about the concept of a [Romance Simulation Game], it seemed the convenient tropes of romance transcended worlds, which was reassuring.

Anyway.

I would deliberately crash my horse into Leticia von Vanderwaals—my precious sister—causing her to fall, and then declare,

“[Oh dear, Leticia. Despite all my instruction, you can’t even ride a horse properly. Perhaps you’re better suited to tending to draft horses?]”

…Did I really have to say that?

I probably did…

But the real problem was the ‘fall.’

My sister was… supposed to be injured.

Of course, it wasn’t a serious injury. It was only briefly mentioned in the text, and while it might require first aid, which would be the Chief Physician’s domain, it wasn’t a significant event.

I wanted to yell at the unseen playwright, “Don’t underestimate falls!”

And then, I would say this, plucking a weed from the ground and tossing it aside.

“[Here’s your medicine. Just right for a country bumpkin like you.]”

This wasn’t a lie; it was actually a medicinal herb called ‘Yamaidome.’

It was said that simply crushing and applying the raw leaves was effective for bruises and cuts, and brewing it into a tea could soothe coughs and relieve pain—but that was during the era of war, when medicine was scarce. Now, it was often considered a weed.

While herbal medicine was being systematically studied in these peaceful times, with many herbs being reevaluated, Yamaidome wasn’t considered particularly important, as there were many more effective herbs.

Since it grew everywhere, it was a familiar remedy, with children often told, “Just put some Yamaidome on it,” when they got minor scrapes while playing outside.

It was also edible and had been used as emergency food during famines.

Conversely, it had also been considered a nuisance in fields, and it was surprisingly rare to see it now.

However, it would later become a key item in the story.

This scene served both to reinforce my negative image as the villain and to foreshadow the importance of the item—that was the scenario.

“…Okay. Be mean, make the herb memorable… that’s the important part, right?”

And the ‘fall.’

“…That’s within the performer’s discretion.”

I began to make preparations.

A real fall was too dangerous.

She could seriously injure herself, even die, if she landed badly.

I started to mentally select personnel… and then stopped.

――Information could leak from anywhere.

I trusted my subordinates.

I knew their personal information, including their backgrounds and hobbies, I held enough leverage to discourage betrayal, and I rewarded their loyalty with appropriate compensation, including hazard pay… or so I thought.

A powerful figure who brought them benefits as long as they obeyed, with no incentive to disobey.

…As long as that was true, I could call myself the head of the Vanderwaals family.

I was used to giving orders.

As long as I had the budget to buy loyalty and the resolve to bear responsibility—giving orders was easy.

But even so…

…there were times when the head of the family had to act personally.

I formulated a plan.

I would clear my schedule completely for a day, a little later in the year. And then, I would prepare.

That should be… sufficient.

Even so, I couldn’t shake off a growing sense of unease.

I wondered if the future… was truly immutable.

Perhaps I was… just a woman obsessed with a delusion.

A woman who had thrown away a potential happiness, only to repeatedly inflict meaningless ‘meanness’ on her one and only sister.

But I knew the future.

I knew my sister would come to me, even though I hadn’t known she existed—I knew, without anyone telling me.

That wasn’t a delusion.

Therefore, all I could do was try to prevent the future from changing.

Within the performer’s discretion.

“…It is within my discretion, right?”

Sometimes, I wasn’t so sure.

56: A ‘Pleasant’ Tea Party

“Leticia, while the meat is good, how about some sweets and tea? It is a tea party, after all.”

Louis had a point.

While I was enjoying myself, it was strange to have meat at a tea party.

A subtle tension crackled in the air between Knight Commander Felix, who had offered the meat, Prince Konrad, who had likely chosen sweets he thought my sister would like, and Chief Physician Louis, who had smoothly inserted himself into the conversation.

I felt relieved at the return of this familiar tension.

While it was questionable to find comfort in such an atmosphere, it at least meant that these men weren’t willing to concede when it came to my sister, which boded well for her future.

Leticia nodded with a smile.

“That sounds lovely! —Elder Sister likes sweets too, don’t you?”

“…She does?”

“This one?”

“…………”

Konrad and Felix looked at me as if they had never heard of such a thing, and Louis fell silent again with that… indescribable expression. What was with that look?

“…Yes, I do.”

I did like sweets.

The burden of being the head of a ducal family weighed heavily on my shoulders.

So, food, especially sweets, was one of my few comforts.

Bathing, one of the few times I could relax, was another.

And my sister’s existence also motivated me.

However, that was also a source of heartache, so it was complicated.

But… how did Leticia know I liked sweets?

As I was wondering, Leticia continued.

“Elder Sister’s expression softens when she’s having tea or dessert. It’s cute.”

She didn’t have to say that out loud… did she?

All three of them were making strange faces.

Stop with the lukewarm stares.

It seemed my training hadn’t been thorough enough.

Well, I wasn’t actively trying to maintain a constant frown.

Since she was always watching me to learn proper manners, it wasn’t surprising that she noticed such details.

…But… cute?

It was a word I wasn’t used to hearing, so it made me a little happy.

Perhaps my mother and Ciel had said it to me when I was younger.

I had heard it as a social nicety, but it usually meant something like, “You’ve grown up.”

It was nothing more than flattery, to curry favor with my father—with the Vanderwaals’ power.

But my sister’s ‘cute’ didn’t sound like flattery.

However…

I chuckled.

“You’re much cuter than me, Leticia.”

“…Huh?!”

My sister made a strange sound.

“N-no, I’m… not even close to Elder Sister’s level…”

Leticia blushed, holding her hands out in front of her and waving them back and forth.

That gesture was also cute.

No, wait, it was unusual.

My sister’s actions united the four of us in thought.

It was the other way around.

I was the one who wasn’t even close to her level.

Well, thanks to Ciel’s efforts, I was… presentable.

But was cuteness solely determined by appearance?

――Of course not.

Cuteness was determined by one’s heart, actions, and demeanor.

In that sense, my sister was genuinely cute, through and through.

Universally loved—she was someone who should be loved, who deserved to be loved.

A world where someone like her couldn’t find happiness was wrong.

That’s why I followed fate.

Because in this world, where those who lived honestly and righteously weren’t always rewarded, I wanted righteousness to prevail.

“Come on, Elder Sister, let’s go!”

Leticia took my hand and pulled me along.

Why me, though?

She could have chosen any of the three.

…After gaining freedom of action, she should have been accumulating [Individual Events] and favorability points…

The next event was a [Common Event].

While it wasn’t the event where she chose her ‘final partner,’ it was an important event where all three appeared simultaneously, and a ‘choice’ had to be made.

Only the events with the chosen partner would become ‘canon,’ and the events with the unchosen partners would be erased.

This was the first of only three such [Choice-Based Common Events].

As her older sister, I was anxious about who she would choose.

…Though the three men behind me were probably more anxious than I was.

The three exchanged glances and followed us.

I was relieved to see that the table laden with sweets and tea was a standard tea party setup.

While this prince could be foolish sometimes, he was also, to give him credit, flexible.

Though he could be foolish sometimes.

Glancing at Prince Konrad, he seemed somewhat dejected.

He had probably intended this to be the main event.

He had been disrupted by Knight Commander Felix, and Chief Physician Louis had seized the opportunity to invite Leticia. Poor guy.

Well, I had stolen the spotlight from Chief Physician Louis during the [Sickbed Event], so perhaps this balanced things out.

“There are so many delicious-looking treats; it’s hard to choose.”

I was too captivated by Leticia’s cuteness to be concerned about the sweets.

Even so, this was familiar territory for me.

Choosing tea and sweets based on my mood, while admiring my sister, was easy.

The other three, naturally surrounding Leticia—and me—casually made their selections.

Once everyone had chosen, Konrad spoke.

“[Lady Leticia, shall we have our tea at that table?]”

While today’s event was a stand-up reception, tea parties sometimes had tables and chairs for those who were tired or wanted to have a more private conversation.

Usually, there weren’t enough seats for everyone due to space limitations or to avoid creating a desolate atmosphere, and those of lower rank would offer their seats to those of higher rank, and so on.

However, since everyone present was among the highest-ranking individuals in the kingdom’s power structure, such considerations were irrelevant.

Besides, this prince had a reputation for being competent. While the courtyard didn’t look empty, he would have ensured there were enough seats, and he would have prepared a suitable spot to invite Leticia.

“Yes, I’d be delighted.”

“This way.”

As expected, an elegant white table had been placed in the center of a gazebo, the hedges providing a pleasant sense of privacy.

The maids, prompted by Prince Konrad, brought three additional chairs.

It seemed he had hoped to be alone with my sister. That sneaky…

…However, I found his efforts almost… endearing.

As her older sister, I wasn’t entirely comfortable with his intentions towards my sister, but his clear desire to treat her well made my feelings complex.

The tea party proceeded pleasantly.

While there were occasional sparks of rivalry and subtle power plays, it remained within the realm of ‘pleasant.’

The initial struggle for the seat next to my sister ended when she helped the maids arrange the chairs so that we were facing the three men, with the maids assisting. It resulted in a configuration where she and I were side-by-side.

I felt like I was being subjected to resentful glares, but I decided to ignore them.

Since the guests included family members, it wasn’t unusual for us to sit together.

Konrad, the host, took the center seat, with Louis next to him, subtly closer to Leticia, and Felix stuck next to me.

When it came to conversation, Konrad definitely had the upper hand.

While my sister’s manners were still a little rough around the edges, they were passable.

Well, everyone here was biased towards her, so even her mistakes were likely seen as endearing, which allowed me to relax.

And then, I suddenly realized.

…My sister was starting to resemble me.

To be precise, she was acquiring the graceful demeanor of a noble.

But since she had learned by watching me… perhaps it meant she was becoming more like me.

I felt a surge of happiness.

Even after I was gone, the knowledge, education, manners, everything I had taught her, wouldn’t be wasted.

They would protect her.

Sensing the warming atmosphere, Konrad spoke.

“[Lady Leticia, would you care to join me for a horseback ride sometime?]”

…It was the lead-in to the next event.

55: The Girl I Want to Make Happy

“Leticia, how are you feeling?”

“Oh, Dr. Louis! I’m fine!”

The gentle voice addressing my sister belonged to Louis, the last of the three [Capture Targets].

The Chief Physician of the Eustasia Royal Medical Corps, he was a fine young man, highly trusted by His Majesty and well-regarded by his patients.

He wore the white coat with black trim of the Royal Medical Corps, along with a matching round cap. On his chest was a brass badge bearing the corps’ emblem of holly. The round cap was adorned with the same emblem and a raptor feather, signifying his position as Chief Physician.

Short black hair, kind black eyes behind his glasses.

Of unknown origin, he was from the nomadic people, scattered across the continent, and it must have been incredibly difficult for him, someone with no roots here, to gain trust within the Royal Medical Corps.

He glanced at me after greeting my sister… and narrowed his eyes.

“Lady Adelheid, it’s been a while. …Have you… reconsidered your treatment of Leticia?”

What a way to start a conversation.

Everyone was far too fond of my sister.

The Chief Physician, known as a champion of the weak, was naturally an adversary of an absolute power like myself.

“—Reconsider?”

I smirked.

The [Capture Targets] were all, arguably, my equals. While Konrad was currently the least powerful, he would surpass me once he became king.

However, I was the current head of the “Coldhearted Vanderwaals,” the ‘villainous sister’ of [Moonlight Liberium].

Being disliked wasn’t a problem, and I didn’t need to hold back.

“What is there to reconsider?”

“That would be—”

I closed the distance between us, shoulder to shoulder, and placed my hand on his shoulder, gripping it like a raptor seizing its prey. The fabric of his coat crumpled under my hand.

“Isn’t it inappropriate to interfere in another family’s affairs? …Don’t you agree?”

He averted his gaze, looking uncomfortable under my intense stare.

While he had experience dealing with difficult people, he was still a small fry compared to me.

Averting your gaze was a sign of defeat.

I sensed Prince Konrad and Knight Commander Felix behind me, hesitating about whether to intervene, but they were too slow. I wasn’t afraid of those spineless cowards.

“It’s alright. Elder Sister has been very kind to me.”

A carefree voice broke the tension.

Of course, it belonged to my beloved sister.

I didn’t know if she was completely oblivious…

Either way, she was incredibly thick-skinned.

My grip on Chief Physician Louis’s shoulder loosened as I defused the situation, and he turned to my sister.

“…Leticia, if you say so… But are you sure you have no complaints?”

“None at all.”

Leticia answered immediately.

That was also… questionable.

I was quite frequently mean to her.

“There are difficult times, but it’s the same for everyone, in every family, isn’t it?”

The four of us—the Capture Targets and I, the villainous sister—nodded vaguely in agreement.

First Prince, Knight Commander, Chief Physician, and the head of a ducal family—positions many would envy.

However, with position came responsibility.

If you became intoxicated with power, even your life wasn’t guaranteed.

While the era of war was long past, the logic of power still prevailed.

That was the world we lived in.

“…Every day has been… truly enjoyable.”

We all straightened our backs.

My sister hadn’t changed her tone. There was nothing unusual about what she said.

And yet, all four of us…

“Incredibly so.”

I wanted to give her happiness.

I wanted her, who seemed to have such a difficult past, to believe in her current happiness.

And I wanted to do it myself, with my own hands.

I wanted to make this girl happy.

All four of us must have felt the same.

…I didn’t know who my sister would choose.

No matter who she chose, the others would also work for her sake—for Eustasia’s sake.

A slightly better future.

A happy future where my sister smiled.

I had already ‘seen’ it.

The ending of [Moonlight Liberium].

I had already seen all three happy endings.

In every route, I was a minor character, my death mentioned briefly in the reused guillotine event.

I was the only one of the four with no route where I could be chosen by my sister.

But even I could be a foundation for my sister’s happiness.

Louis looked at me intently.

As if to say he wouldn’t avert his gaze this time.

“…Lady Adelheid, while every family has its circumstances—even so…”

He paused.

Konrad and Felix also looked at me silently, but their gazes were stern.

Good. Their gazes were good.

Having a common enemy united people.

While I wasn’t bothered by their animosity, since I didn’t care if they disliked me, it was… reassuring to think that they would support my sister and the Kingdom of Eustasia after I was gone.

My sister, having gained three allies, however, took my side.

“Elder Sister is strict, but she’s even kinder.”

“…Kind?”

“Who are you talking about?”

“…………”

Prince Konrad and Knight Commander Felix furrowed their brows.

Chief Physician Louis also had a complicated expression.

There were several words that didn’t suit me, and ‘kind’ was probably at the top of the list.

“Just the other day, we took a walk together in the garden. She let me sleep on her shoulder on the bench, and even gave me a blanket!”

Leticia looked happy.

The three men all looked at me.

What uncomfortable stares.

“…Ciel gave you the blanket.”

Damn, was it a trap?

Should I have woken her up?

My sister was just too cute.

Leticia, resting her head on my shoulder, was just too adorable.

I couldn’t help myself.

My sister smiled.

“Let’s just say that’s what happened, okay?”

What did she mean, “let’s just say that’s what happened”?

That was exactly what happened.

I was about to retort, but my sister simply continued to smile at me, saying nothing more.

…What an…

What an uncomfortable stare.

Trust… perhaps even affection… from someone I didn’t want to dislike, but had to dislike.

I was used to animosity, to malice.

I knew how to deal with hostility, how to crush enemies.

I knew how to forge alliances, how to make deals, how to grant favors.

So, I had allies, not just enemies.

I had people I could trust, people who wouldn’t betray me.

That was the position I had built for myself.

But Leticia didn’t want anything from me as the ‘head of the Vanderwaals family.’

Unable to meet her blue eyes, the same color as mine, I averted my gaze.

Averting your gaze was a sign of defeat.

If you looked away from your enemy.

But she wasn’t my enemy.

…And my sister, being the protagonist of [Moonlight Liberium], had plot armor.