Chapter 61
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Sister is Prettiest When She Smiles
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"What happened at the duke's estate?"
That was the first thing Roselia said the moment she saw me.
She remarked that my complexion looked poor. Even though I'd spent the entire carriage ride back sorting through my emotions, traces of it must have lingered on my face.
"Nothing. They just invited me to join their clan, that's all."
Roselia didn't buy my answer and promptly scooped me up, pulling me right up to her face.
Our breaths nearly mingled at that close distance. Her red eyes bored into me, brimming with unmistakable suspicion.
Roselia glanced over at Sierra for a moment. An unspoken exchange passed between them in their silent gazes.
"...If anything tough happens, you can tell Mom anytime."
But in the end, she gave me a warm smile and gently stroked my hair.
Her fingers slowly combed through my locks. The sensation that had felt so foreign and burdensome just two years ago now soothed my heart tenderly.
I felt a bit childish, finding comfort in something so small.
"Oh, and Bella."
"Yes?"
"You should stop by Camilla's room. She was worried about you."
I tilted my head. I hadn't told Camilla I was going to the duke's estate. She probably thought I was just working at the shop as usual, so there shouldn't have been any reason for her to worry.
"She found out you were invited to the duke's estate."
"...Huh? Who told her?"
Roselia averted her eyes. Her reaction was so obvious that I immediately knew the culprit.
"You're such a sharp kid; I couldn't help it."
Facing Camilla suddenly felt a little daunting.
"Welcome back?"
Her lavender eyes were coldly detached, and her voice held no warmth whatsoever.
To an outsider, she might seem no different from usual. But after two years together, I could tell.
Camilla was extremely upset right now. The subtle puffiness in her cheeks was one telltale sign.
"Sorry I didn't tell you. I figured it was just a clan recruitment pitch. I planned to turn it down quick and come straight back..."
"......"
It didn't take long to figure out why Camilla was hurt.
It had to be Lady Adelin's attitude—inviting only me and leaving her out. Being excluded from a spot you'd always shared with someone was painful for anyone.
It felt like you'd become useless. I knew better than anyone how that emotion could gnaw at you.
Camilla must have been feeling the same. Maybe even jealous that I'd been invited.
"Don't worry, Camilla. The real reason Lady Adelin invited me was to get you to join the clan."
"...What?"
So I told her the truth to comfort her. But unexpectedly, Camilla's gaze grew even chillier.
"She called you over just to invite me?"
"Of course they tried to recruit me too. But she wants you more."
I'd meant to cheer up her sour mood, but Camilla's darkened expression didn't lift.
"......That woman."
A low, deep growl like a cat's. I couldn't help but panic as Camilla let out a soft snarl.
"Camilla?"
"Sister, are you okay?"
She grabbed my hand tightly and asked in a low voice.
"Huh? What's wrong?"
"If something bad happened or you're feeling hurt, tell me right now."
Camilla's hand was as cold as ever. Yet a strange warmth seeped through her fingers.
"No, nothing like that."
"Then why do you look so down?"
It was weird. My face shouldn't have looked much different from usual. Yet first Roselia, now Camilla—how were they reading my emotions from my expression?
"Did that lady look down on you?"
Her tone suggested she was ready to charge off and grab the lady by the hair.
"No, it's not like that."
Worried she might actually do it, I hurriedly added more before the misunderstanding grew.
"Lady Adelin treated me really well. She's a wonderful person."
Someone might say how could I know after just two meetings, but I could say it with certainty.
Adelin was someone with upright, steadfast values.
Sure, her blunt speech might make her seem inconsiderate. But given her life gripping a sword, wasn't it only natural?
Besides, there were still six years until the original story began. By then, Adelin would be an even more perfect person than now.
My favorite, the one I admired most.
"Sister... you like the lady that much?"
Camilla's face soured a bit as she crossed her arms and looked at me.
"Well, I've heard so many tales of her exploits. She's incredibly just. And... she's pretty."
At the word "pretty," Camilla's eyebrow twitched slightly.
"If the lady touched you... would that be okay?"
Camilla glanced up and down my body before asking cautiously. I couldn't grasp her meaning right away.
"What are you talking about?"
"You have that phobia, Sister. If the lady touched you... what do you think would happen?"
"Of course it wouldn't be okay."
Camilla wore a strange expression at my answer—pleased, yet tinged with frustration.
She stared at me with that look for a moment before suddenly doing something unexpected.
She reached out. My body floated into the air and was tossed onto the bed.
"Whoa?!"
While I was distracted by the surprise, Camilla swiftly straddled me, pinning my body down.
With a resolute glint in her eyes, she raised both hands high... and then attacked my sides, tickling mercilessly.
"Eek?!"
The totally unforeseen sensation made my body jerk upward. But Camilla didn't budge, tickling me even more relentlessly.
"Ehehe! Hey, what... what are you doing!"
"......"
"Ahaha! This tickles, I said!"
I tried pushing her away with both hands, but black mana flowed from her, firmly pressing my arms down.
"Th-this! St-stop... I said stop!"
I was pinned flat on the bed, helpless against her fingers.
"Ha... haha! S-sorry! I'm sorry, so please let go!"
I wriggled in resistance, but Camilla's hips pressed firmly on my stomach.
"Hngh!... C-can't... breathe...!"
Only when my face was burning hot did Camilla finally stop.
As I panted heavily, she slowly leaned down, bringing her face close to mine.
*Smack—*
A faint kiss slipped between our heated breaths. Camilla's lips brushed lightly over mine, like a breeze tickling petals, ever so slowly.
"You... seriously..."
I glared at her with reproach. But she met my gaze calmly, unfazed.
"Sister is prettiest when she smiles."
Her unexpected words left me blinking dazedly for a while.
That embarrassingly sweet voice, that cringey line—it would've made me shudder in disgust if I were a bit older.
But maybe because Camilla was still young. Rather than repulsion, an indescribable ticklishness fluttered in my chest.
"...Don't do this again next time."
In the end, I couldn't even get mad and just muttered it while avoiding her eyes.
"So shameless..."
In the family head's office.
Roselia's voice dripped with murderous intent amid the unusually chilly air today.
In her hand was a single letter, sealed with the emblem of a blue lion—Sylveniar's mark.
"She made my daughter cry, and now she dares come asking again?"
Unable to swallow her rage, Roselia spat out the words. Sierra, standing beside her, couldn't hide her puzzled look.
'...She didn't cry, though?'
Sierra had been by Bella's side the whole ride back in the carriage. It was true her sky-blue eyes had dimmed a little, but not a single tear had fallen.
Still, Sierra understood Roselia's anger. She didn't like the lady either.
Calling her talentless and worthless—far too cruel for a mere ten-year-old.
"Should I show this letter to my daughter?"
Roselia murmured quietly, as if to herself. Sierra pondered for a moment before shaking her head.
"The young miss will accept the lady's intentions. She has an oddly strong fondness for her."
Even on the carriage ride home, Bella had nonstop praised the lady as a good person. Like she'd been brainwashed.
Maybe it was Sylveniar's prestigious reputation. Sierra had thought so at first. But it seemed there was more to it.
"My daughter is so innocent; she tries to see the good in everyone."
Of course, Roselia and Sierra didn't share Bella's view.
Above all, what mattered to them now was that Bella had been hurt by the lady.
"Looks like I'll have to reply to the lady myself."
A cold smile spread across Roselia's lips as she held the letter.
Even now, she smiled like the villainess she was.