Chapter 104
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: Back to the Empire (3)
Creak—
"...I'm back."
Ariel, who entered after opening the door, didn't seem like the girl I knew.
She wasn't particularly emotionless as usual, nor did she come off as cold or stiff.
Rather, it felt like she hadn't fully mastered expressing emotions yet.
She seemed much more human.
"Sit down, dear."
"Yes."
Ariel took her seat and placed her two fists on her knees.
She looked shy and tense in a way that was out of character for her.
This is something.
I silently pondered the unfolding situation.
This gathering, led by Mother right now, was part of the process to find my future wife.
From Mother's perspective, it was about assessing what kind of girl would become her daughter-in-law.
Adel, Ellie, Yoru... Thinking it over, none of those names in the candidate pool felt out of place.
But Ariel's case was a bit awkward.
I couldn't help but wonder, Is this really okay?
If asked whether I'd ever noticed Ariel liking me beyond family, as a woman,
I could say no.
I had noticed. No, I couldn't not notice.
After all, I'd been the one raising her since she was a newborn baby sister.
To read Ariel's emotions, which she expressed so subtly, I had to observe her carefully.
And in doing so, I realized deep down that Ariel harbored feelings for me.
"Dear, do you know what kind of occasion this is?"
Mother, sitting beside me, spoke with a gentle smile.
Ariel lowered her head slightly at those words.
It's clear. Ariel was embarrassed right now.
That difference from before stood out.
Ariel used to show her affection for me without any hesitation or shyness.
She probably didn't even feel such things, or if she did, she wouldn't have cared.
But now, my little sister was blushing.
So, would she back down here without being honest?
"...Yes."
No.
Ariel didn't run away; she clenched her fists tightly.
Mother nodded toward her, as if urging her to say it herself, and Ariel's tiny lips moved.
"It's... a meeting to see the person who will become Brother's wife."
"Well done. Then, do you also understand what it means that you were called here—and that you're still in this room?"
"Yes."
This time, there was no hesitation.
Ariel answered shortly and firmly.
"Hmph."
Mother let out a pleased hum from her nose.
Father, beside her, had his eyes closed in silence.
Father had no intention of intervening.
He might have his own thoughts, but at least he wouldn't go against Mother's will.
"Dear, as your mother, I'd love to support you unconditionally. But looking at it from a mother-in-law's perspective, I have to test you a bit. You understand, right?"
"Yes."
"When I wasn't around, could you tell me about the things you've been through with your brother? I really want to hear how you ended up falling for Kline."
"......"
Ariel nodded slightly.
Father's eyebrows furrowed even more.
He probably felt a pang of guilt inside.
If Ariel started revealing the past from now, Father was likely to get an earful.
But what could be done? It was his own doing. He should've treated Ariel better.
"...My earliest memory is in some room."
Surprisingly, Ariel said she'd had self-awareness right from birth.
I was honestly a bit shocked hearing that.
Wait, so she knew even when I held her tiny finger and talked to her back then?
"An empty room. I was alone, but Brother came in."
Ariel's lips curved happily as she spoke softly.
Like she was recounting an unforgettable memory etched in her heart.
Mother nodded gently as she listened to each story.
But she didn't forget to nudge Father's side with her elbow.
Get ready.
Father had nothing to say and kept his mouth shut.
"So, does that mean it started back then? When you fell for Kline?"
"Mm... Not entirely from then."
"I see. Love at first sight, huh? How are siblings so close?"
Ariel's stories continued after that.
Stories of me feeding her meals.
Stories of me playing the ocarina for her.
Even the smallest tales became cherished memories, filled with affection and overflowing with love.
Mother kept nodding in satisfaction, and even Father opened his eyes with a slightly surprised expression.
And I—
Was a little surprised too.
Was it that much?
I prided myself on never having done anything to make Ariel feel neglected even once.
It's true I'd tried my best to be a reliable, close brother.
But hearing it from my little sister's mouth—how much she loved her brother—it was a bit embarrassing.
And that's when I finally realized.
Why Ariel liked me.
And how deep and profound that love was.
"The biggest reason was the Lion's Feast."
"The Lion's Feast? It happened even while I was away recovering."
"Yes. Brother saved me back then."
Saved her?
Did I do something that amazing?
I only vaguely remembered playing with Yoru and sparring with Jack.
Ariel slowly recounted the emotions she'd felt at the time.
The duel she'd ended up in because of a proposal from that knight, Ruin.
The anxiety, conflict, and fear she'd felt then.
And how, at its peak, Brother had swooped in like a comet to shatter the atmosphere.
Listening quietly, I blinked.
Thinking back, I realized just how massive an event the Lion's Feast had been for our Ariel.
Ruin nearly caused a disaster.
Dragging a disaster into the arena on purpose to test her?
I thought it was Father's doing, but it was that woman's fault?
I'd give her a piece of my mind next time I saw her.
And—I hadn't realized my praise for Ariel back then meant so much to her.
Hmm.
I hadn't intended it that way.
But if it gave strength to Ariel's heart, then that was good enough.
It meant I'd done my best.
"I see."
Mother nodded after hearing the full story.
It was different from her reactions to the previous three.
A bittersweet, regretful, sorry yet proud expression.
Ariel was her daughter first, before being a daughter-in-law.
The family history during Mother's recovery.
Only now, hearing it from her daughter's mouth, did she learn about it.
"...Is this enough to pass?"
Ariel asked cautiously.
In truth, the stories she told weren't qualifications for dating.
They weren't about her abilities or how secure a future she could provide.
She'd just earnestly conveyed why she liked me.
And how much.
"Of course."
But Mother nodded readily, as if such things didn't matter.
She looked ready to draw up marriage papers right there.
"As a mother, there are many things to consider. But for our daughter's happiness, those are unnecessary. I just want you two to be happy."
"! ...Really?"
"Of course. What about you?"
Mother turned to Father, her smile fading slightly.
Father met her sharp gaze with a reluctant expression.
Probably the face of the empire's premier noble wondering if he could condone his children marrying.
But Father could never win against Mother's piercing stare.
He'd always been utterly devoted to her. Especially after finally returning home from recovery, he wouldn't want to oppose her.
Above all, Father was largely responsible for suppressing Ariel's happiness.
"Do as you like."
He could only sigh and accept.
Mother nodded in satisfaction.
And finally, she turned to me.
"Kline. What about you?"
"......"
I couldn't answer easily.
I knew what Mother was hoping for.
But Mother wouldn't force me.
She'd respect her son's will.
Which meant, in the end, this was my choice.
Let me think.
Do I love Ariel?
I do.
As family, I cherish her more than anyone.
Since Ariel was born, my life had revolved around my little sister.
I cared for a sister who couldn't blend into society and did everything to make her a normal girl.
If that failed, I'd take responsibility and live with her.
Honestly, not the best motivation.
Ariel is the strongest. No one in this world can beat her.
At the same time, Ariel is abnormal. A child who can't fit into society.
Yes. In a way, I'd treated Ariel like a sister born with a disability.
I never thought of her that way consciously, but my actions had been just that.
Because she seemed like she couldn't live without me.
Because it felt like Ariel needed me to survive.
So I'd planned to take responsibility and live together.
But—
Well.
What if Ariel became normal?
Laughed, cried, got angry, apologized like other girls.
If she could grasp ordinary happiness—shouldn't I step aside?
Ariel wasn't a monster anymore.
She could live without me.
Then... there's no need for me to accept her love.
And above all, one thing to address.
What if Ariel's love for me was inhuman from the start?
I'd heard in my past life: cases where mentally unstable people dependent on someone develop romantic feelings too.
Even psychiatrists and patients could have such dynamics.
Yes, that's what worried me.
If Ariel loved me just because there was no one else to rely on.
If I was the only one in her life.
And if even that taboo emotion of loving her brother was embraced only because she was inhuman.
Would it be right for me, her brother, to permit and accept that love?
Such thoughts crossed my mind.
"I'm not keen on it."
So I said clearly.
The moment the words left my mouth, I saw Ariel's face tremble.
Mother said nothing, just listened silently.
"I'm happy that Ariel likes me. And that it's deep enough to be romantic—well, as siblings, that's pleasing."
"Then?"
"Maybe in the past, I would've accepted. It's awkward saying it myself, but I'd resolved to take responsibility for Ariel's life. Even if others pointed fingers."
"So not anymore."
"Yes."
Ariel's body began to tremble bit by bit.
Her silver eyes shook like there was an earthquake.
She panted as if she'd run a marathon.
Seeing that, I felt sorry.
Wasn't there a better answer as her brother?
A way to comfort her without hurting her?
But no matter how I thought, there wasn't.
"I want Ariel to have ordinary happiness."
My true feelings had always been the same.
Take responsibility for Ariel?
That was just because there was no choice.
My wish since her birth until now
Had always been for her to become normal.
"Grow up normally. Make normal friends. Meet a normal man. Start a normal family. Have normal children... And become a normal person."
"......"
"But marrying me wouldn't be normal. Even if our family allows it, the world won't. Everyone will point at Ariel as abnormal. ...I never want to see that."
Silence fell over the room.
Father nodded wordlessly, agreeing with my feelings.
Mother pondered silently, thinking about what to do.
And—Ariel hung her head.
"...Why?"
A retort.
"Because I want you to be happy."
My response.
"Marrying Brother would make me happy."
Another retort.
"Not for me."
My response.
"...!"
Bang!
Ariel shot up from her seat.
Everyone was startled by her uncharacteristic outburst.
Ariel was crying.
The expressionless, emotionless sister from before was gone.
Only an emotional child shedding tears remained.
"Why, why, why...! Why say that! I just need Brother! If Brother just looks at me, that's enough—why!"
"That's the problem. I want you to live without needing me."
"I don't need that!"
It was the first time.
Ariel yelling at me.
It had never happened before.
"Idiot. Idiot. Idiot. You bring other girls but say no to me. You say I'm the best, but you're lying!"
"No, Ariel. Calm down a bit—"
"I don't care!"
Ariel bolted toward the door.
She flung it open and shouted at me.
"I hate Brother! I don't want to see you anymore!"
Then she ran off.