8. The Carriage to the Royal Castle
The letter from the Royal Castle arrived three days after Leticia’s audience dress was completed.
The deliberation was over, and Leticia was to be recognized as ‘Leticia von Vanderwaals.’
Along with this, she was granted an audience with His Majesty the King.
I wondered if it couldn’t have been handled with just paperwork, but it wasn’t a bad excuse to showcase my sister’s dress.
Besides… it was also the [Capture Target]’s debut.
I knew him, but for my sister, it was an important meeting.
I didn’t know if he would end up with my sister. ――The probability, simply put, was one in three.
Even so, the prospects offered by the title of ‘First Prince’ were significant.
He wasn’t a bad person, but… we weren’t compatible.
He had a political cleanliness complex, unable to accept a family like the “Coldhearted Vanderwaals,” whose livelihood was a shady business that completely disregarded the ‘official’ laws of the land.
Conversely, perhaps he wouldn’t be a bad partner for her in a future without the Vanderwaals.
This country was reaching a point where it no longer needed our family.
――It was my sister’s choice to make.
“Leticia. Are you ready?”
I knocked lightly on the changing room door.
“Yes!”
“You may enter.”
The reply came immediately. From both my sister and Ciel.
Ciel opened the door inward.
“…………”
“…How… do I look?”
Leticia, shy in her dress, looked so lovely I almost wanted to keep her all to myself.
A violet color, brighter and more vivid than the navy blue of my usual jacket and skirt.
Trailing skirts had long gone out of fashion in the Kingdom of Eustasia, but vestiges of the style remained, with skirts that almost touched the floor considered formal.
Probably due to the cold.
It was common to add layers under a dress skirt to create a natural fullness, but in this country, fur lining was often used for warmth.
It was also a way to flaunt one’s wealth, demonstrating the ability to heat one’s home. In contrast to the long skirts, bare shoulders paired with long gloves seemed a contradictory display of modesty and extravagance.
But it suited her, so it was fine.
“…Are you wearing your usual outfit, Elder Sister?”
“Eh? …Ah. It’s not mandatory, but it’s a practical outfit for the head of the family.”
The ‘me in the game’ also seemed to wear the same outfit all the time, except for special occasions.
“Tailor” seemed to want me to add more variety to my everyday wear—in other words, to commission more clothes from her.
“I see…”
For some reason, Leticia seemed slightly disappointed.
“…Will there ever be an occasion… for Elder Sister and I to wear dresses together?”
However, regaining some of her cheerfulness, she asked me that.
“…Perhaps there will be.”
…Perhaps there would be such occasions at social gatherings.
For tea parties, lighter dresses were sometimes worn, but everyday clothes were also acceptable.
However, formal attire was required for evening events.
But the only official event where Leticia and I would attend together in dresses…
…was the [Final Ball].
The day that would irrevocably separate our paths and end the history of the “Coldhearted Vanderwaals.”
The day of parting, yet to come.
The day the ‘Villainous Sister’ would meet her demise was still far off.
“Let’s go, Leticia.”
“Yes!”
I left Ciel, who had been helping Leticia dress, in charge while I was away.
“Ciel. I leave things in your hands.”
“…Yes.”
Unusually for her, she had offered to accompany me when I told her to stay behind, but I insisted.
Going to the Royal Castle to meet His Majesty the King—while sounding like an important event—was routine for our family.
For the “Coldhearted Vanderwaals,” one of only three ducal families in Eustasia, and the ‘officially unofficial’ watchers in the shadows.
Of course, today was special.
However, having Ciel come along would be… problematic.
For one, it wasn’t in the game.
Another reason was—having a capable maid like Ciel present might cause the following [Event] to fail.
The scenario was somewhat… forced.
Of course, when actors perform on stage and immerse themselves in their roles, such minor details become insignificant.
Even so, there’s a limit.
…Flaws in fate were probably everywhere.
If we simply lived our daily lives… this world would surely deviate from the scenario of [Moonlight Liberium].
That was unacceptable to me.
As the head of the Vanderwaals family, I judged that not changing this fate was in the best interest of the majority—at least, of Eustasia.
Therefore, I would thoroughly eliminate any possibility of altering fate.
I accepted this because my sister’s happiness was guaranteed, and at the same time… it would bring happiness to many more people.
That’s how I was raised.
The established order of priorities was unshakeable.
Peace for Eustasia. That is the Vanderwaals’ raison d’être.
I am Adelheid von Vanderwaals.
The current head of the “Coldhearted Vanderwaals.”
The single wall lizard, protecting this country.
…And a single older sister, wishing for her sister’s happiness.
As I boarded the carriage, Ciel offered me a wrap.
“Here. It’s cold today.”
“Thank you, Ciel.”
There was also a lap blanket on the carriage seat.
Both the plain gray wrap, the lap blanket, and the carriage itself were warmed with heated stones.
She was capable.
I deliberately took only one of the two blankets provided.
Without even looking at my sister, I got into the carriage.
…I didn’t have the courage to look at Leticia’s face, so I pretended to look out the window.
Then Leticia boarded the carriage—
And, despite it being a four-seater carriage, she sat next to me.
“…Leti… cia?”
Unexpected.
I couldn’t maintain my ‘I’m not interested in you’ pose, pretending to be fascinated by the scenery outside, any longer. Turning to her, my sister smiled.
“It’s cold today.”
And she leaned against me.
I couldn’t help but glance at Ciel, but she simply watched us, her expression unchanged.
…Was she saying this wasn’t unusual?
Then Ciel lightly nudged the accompanying maid’s shoulder.
“…Excuse me, Lady Adelheid.”
Bowing her head, the maid moved past me and sat opposite Leticia.
The door was closed from the outside, and the maid locked it from the inside.
The small window connecting the driver’s seat and the passenger compartment opened slightly.
“Lady Adelheid. May I depart?”
“…Proceed.”
I nodded, giving the driver permission, even though he couldn’t see me.
The carriage started with a creak and lurched forward.
Leticia, unaccustomed to carriages, lost her balance and reached out instinctively.
I caught her, and our eyes met.
Her blue eyes, the same color as mine, were wide.
Then, she narrowed her eyes slightly, her cheeks softening into a smile.
“…Thank you, Elder Sister.”
Leticia settled back into her seat, leaning against my supporting arm.
And, as she had done before, she gently leaned against me again.
“It’s… cold today, but… I’m warm.”
“…………”
Is it really… not okay to hug her…?
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