The Little Sister in the Shadows
"Here we are."
Sebastian stopped in front of a remote annex building, far from the main mansion and right up against the forest edge.
Vines had overgrown the outer walls, untended and wild.
It was the polar opposite of the main building's grandeur and splendor.
More like a haunted ruin where ghosts might crawl out any second.
"I've had it cleaned in advance, but since it hasn't been used in ages, it might be a bit uncomfortable."
Sebastian explained in his usual dry tone as he opened the door.
Stepping inside, I was surprised to find not the musty stench of dust, but a surprisingly tidy interior.
The furniture was worn but spotless, without a speck of grime, and the fireplace was already crackling with fresh logs.
A scaled-down version of the grand main mansion.
A large living room connected to a single bedroom.
Not bad at all, actually?
Compared to everywhere I'd been stuck so far, this was basically paradise.
"Tomorrow morning, a maid assigned to attend to you for the month will arrive. Tell her if you need anything."
Sebastian spoke with impeccable professionalism.
"And per His Grace's orders, you're forbidden from leaving the annex. Windows or back doors won't help."
"Got it. Not planning to go anywhere anyway."
I waved him off dismissively, brushing aside his stern warning.
What reason would I even have to sneak out? Hell, even if they begged me to, I wouldn't.
"Very well. Rest well."
Sebastian bowed and stepped out.
-Click.
The sound of the door locking from the outside echoed.
"..."
Perfect isolation.
This was the first time I'd been left truly alone since arriving in this world.
I'd always had someone glued to me before.
Which made this solitude feel almost welcoming, honestly.
"Haa..."
I flopped onto the old sofa.
The cushions sank softly under me.
Tension melted away, and drowsiness hit like a wave.
"Finally, I can breathe."
I closed my eyes, listening to the fireplace's steady crackle as I tried to relax.
That's when it happened.
-Rustle.
Not from outside the door, but from deeper inside the annex's hallway—a faint presence.
What the hell?
Sebastian had left, so it should just be me here.
Maybe a rat or some small critter living in the annex.
I bolted up from the sofa and crept quietly toward the hallway.
At the end of the darkened corridor, something lurked behind a massive pillar.
Black hair, just like mine.
Too dim to make out clearly, but something was definitely fidgeting there.
"Who's there."
My threatening tone made the shadow behind the pillar flinch and tremble.
"Come out."
"Eek, eek!"
With a tiny squeak, a small figure slowly emerged from behind the pillar.
A white dress reaching her knees.
And...
Huh?
I froze the moment I saw her face.
Inky black hair like the dead of night.
Amethyst eyes sparkling like jewels.
It was like staring into a mirror.
More precisely, like seeing Elise de Bellaph as a child.
Tiny frame.
The only difference was her droopy eyes, giving her a soft, timid look compared to my sharp, icy vibe.
Like a black panther versus a scared little black kitten.
Who the hell is she?
I'd never seen this face in the game settings or while playing.
Since she was from Bellaph territory, she had to be connected to the family somehow.
Too similar-looking to be just a servant.
Which meant...
It wasn't hard to piece together.
Little sister, huh.
I had no idea Elise even had a younger sister.
"You... what are you doing here?"
At my question, her shoulders twitched.
She kept her head bowed, mumbling in a tiny voice.
"S-sorry... I d-didn't know you were inside..."
"No, what's your name?"
"Ch-Charlotte... Milady..."
Milady.
The formal title threw me for a loop.
We're sisters, aren't we? Most call each other sis or something.
But her demeanor was crystal clear.
Shaking like prey cornered by a predator.
What a fucking psycho the old Elise was.
How badly did she bully this kid at home for her to freak out like this on sight?
This was straight-up trauma territory.
I felt pretty awkward.
I wanted to shoo her off, but kicking out a trembling little girl felt wrong.
"Why are you here?"
-Step.
I took one step closer, and Charlotte jolted back with a whimper.
"S-sorry! I did wrong! I'll leave right now! Don't hit me!"
She curled up on the floor, arms shielding her head.
Pure instinct.
Eyes squeezed shut, bracing for the pain.
I swallowed a sigh and tried again.
"Not gonna hit you. Just curious why you're here. It's a long way from the main house."
Charlotte peeked up hesitantly.
"Um... Sebastian..."
"Sebastian?"
"Y-yes... He kept coming to the annex lately, so I got curious and followed secretly..."
She sniffled, on the verge of tears.
"I r-really didn't know you were here, Milady! Sorry! I never would've come if I knew! Please forgive me!"
Ah.
She tailed Sebastian out of curiosity and ran smack into her worst nightmare—me.
How terrifying was I that she'd swear off coming if she knew?
"Okay, okay, got it. Get up."
I tried to calm her down.
That's when I noticed the glass jar clutched in her tiny hand.
"Hold on. What's that in your hand?"
"Eek!"
She yanked it behind her back.
"Lemme see."
"Eek, eeeek..."
I stepped closer, and she reluctantly held out the jar.
A crude label read Wound Ointment.
"Th-this is nothing! Just for me, I..."
"Says wound ointment right there."
"W-well... I fall a lot, so I always carry it..."
She trailed off in a whisper.
Falls so often she carries it everywhere.
The way her small hand gripped it so tightly was just pitiful.
I crouched down to her eye level.
She squeaked again, hunching smaller.
"Hey. Charlotte."
"Y-yes, Milady?!"
"Look up."
She peeked up timidly.
"Eyes open too."
Her teary amethyst eyes met mine.
Finally looking at me properly.
For the first time, straight into Charlotte's gaze.
Fragile as a glass bead about to shatter.
I reached out without thinking.
She flinched, eyes clamping shut again, bracing for pain. It was heartbreaking.
But instead of striking, my hand gently settled on her raven hair.
-Plop.
A feather-light weight.
Her body went rigid as stone.
I didn't pull away, stroking her hair slowly.
-Pet, pet.
Silky strands tickled my fingers.
Smooth as satin.
"Huh...?"
Expecting pain but feeling warmth instead, Charlotte's eyes flew wide, staring at me in disbelief.
I masked my awkwardness with a flat tone.
"Not gonna hurt you. No need to be scared for no reason."
"B-but... You've always..."
"Dunno what the old me was like."
I gave a wry smile and continued.
"But I'm not like that now. I'm reflecting on it."
Elise de Bellaph, four-time felon. Always reflecting.
"..."
Charlotte dazedly accepted my touch.
The warmth of my palm on her head—probably the first time she'd felt it from me.
I gently tucked her hair behind her ear.
Her pale earlobe flushed red.
"Up close like this, we really look alike."
"D-do we...?"
She replied shyly to my murmur.
-Pet pet.
After a few minutes of stroking, I twirled a lock of her hair around my finger and let go.
Her face was beet red now.
I gave her head one last quick pat.
"It's late. Time to head back. Don't want Father or the servants catching you."
"Oh! R-right!"
She scrambled to her feet, suddenly alert.
She glanced at me, then bowed at a perfect ninety degrees.
"Th-then... Good night, Milady!"
She bolted down the hall like she was fleeing.
-Pat pat pat pat.
The tiny footsteps faded away.
Wait, that's not the exit—where's she even going?
I stared at where she'd stood for a moment, then sank back into the sofa.
Too exhausted for deep thoughts.
But my mood felt lighter, somehow.
I closed my eyes and drifted into deep sleep.
///
The next morning.
I woke to find a maid had arrived at the annex.
"I-I'm Marie. P-please take care of me for the month."
"Uh, yeah, sure..."
"Kyaa, kyaaack!!!"
The maid named Marie screamed the second I reached out.
"Please, just spare my life!"
"..."
I was speechless at her reaction.
Why does everyone I meet freak out like this?