Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Raising My Little Sister
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Ariel had been born, and six months had passed.
Taking care of a baby is no easy task.
She cries at the drop of a hat, so there's hardly a night I get proper sleep.
And when she wets herself without a word, only realizing it late and rushing to change her diaper—that's become routine.
On top of that, feeding her milk on schedule makes me wonder if the one truly needing care is the caregiver.
Well, Ariel was different, though.
"Ogu ogu. Good girl."
I slipped the bottle into Ariel's mouth.
My little sister gulped it down with her tiny, dainty lips.
Her expression didn't change at all, so I couldn't tell if it tasted good or not.
She's eating it, so it must be tasty, right?
"Bue."
"No talking while eating, you rascal."
"Bu."
"What? You don't like it 'cause it's not Mom's milk? Mom's too sick to nurse, so give it up."
"......"
Don't give me that interpret it however you want look.
I can't communicate with you either, so I have to talk to myself, don't I?
I'm glad she takes the bottle so well.
Early education is key for everything, right?
In that sense, I'm doing an excellent job as her big brother.
But why am I the one handling all this?
'The servants won't touch her.'
To be precise, they do sometimes. Very rarely.
Just the bare minimum to keep her alive.
It's not that the servants particularly hate Ariel. It's because they mind our Family Head father's gaze.
Even now, Father doesn't look kindly on Ariel.
If she weren't a newborn, he'd have probably killed her right away.
Our father has this intense sense of mission to protect the Empire and humanity.
He probably sees Ariel as some kind of disaster... That's why even I, feeling sorry for her, am taking care of her.
I've practically been her nursemaid since I was six.
Me, so mature despite my young age. Praise worthy.
"Bue."
"Yeah, yeah. That's enough."
I pulled out the bottle and caught my breath.
Ariel stared at me blankly.
Sometimes I wonder if she even looks at anyone besides me.
She's out of the isolation room now.
She's in the family quarters as the Family Head's second daughter, sort of.
But with no servants coming in, she only looks at me.
"Try getting up and moving around. I'm bored."
"Bu."
"You won't play with me? That's cold. You'll get divine punishment if you don't know gratitude."
I muttered idle banter and stared at the ceiling.
Lately, I've been taking swordsmanship lessons from the family knights.
The Leonhart family is the Empire's most renowned swordsmanship house.
As the eldest son, it's natural I've trained since childhood.
Thankfully, it wasn't particularly hard.
Even at six, swinging the sword felt too light.
Maybe I have some talent?
"Is this enough to take a break?"
"Bue?"
"Ah, you wouldn't know. Never mind."
Anyway, I hope things stay peaceful like this.
Ariel turned three.
She's off the bottle now and eats her porridge heartily.
Watching her tear soft bread into bits and dip it in is adorable.
"Oppa."
"What."
"Did oppa eat?"
"I ate before coming. Done."
I'm eight now.
My sword training has progressed nicely.
Instead of just swinging endlessly, I'm learning actual techniques.
Swordsmanship in this world is unique—it values mana-infused sword paths over pure swordsmanship.
Probably the difference from medieval swordplay in my past life.
I'm still learning pure swordsmanship for now, but I'll get to the rest eventually.
"Ja. Oppa."
Lost in thought, Ariel pulls a cute stunt.
She dips bread in porridge and holds it out to me.
Her wide eyes seem to say eat it.
A tsunami of emotion hits me.
"I'm not usually like this, but it's making me tear up."
"Liar. Oppa not crying."
"It's tears of the heart, little sis."
I took the bread and chewed.
Chew chew. I asked how she was, as usual.
"You doing okay lately? No one's being mean?"
"Yeah. Nobody comes. Never did."
"Hmm... That's a relief. Like a 180-degree turnaround."
Anyway, little sis is slowly being accepted in the family.
More like an illegitimate child left out in the open, though.
Even other houses have bastards, but this is bittersweet.
No helping it. The Family Head's will is ironclad. The underlings follow.
"I'll play with you at least. Grateful?"
"Yeah. Thank you."
"Whoa. So straightforward, it's embarrassing me."
One peculiar thing: she really sticks to me.
Of course, I've cared for her nonstop since she was little.
Diapers, wiping spills—everything.
It's natural she'd cling to me.
That's true. But still.
"Can't you get off my lap a bit? Big bro's legs are going numb."
"Comfy. Oppa lap nice."
"Sigh. We're not normal siblings, huh."
"???"
Something feels... off, you know?
Why's she plopped between my legs, munching away?
Hmm... Maybe it's normal? I've never seen other siblings.
Plus, Ariel barely meets people, so her social skills are low. She lives in her own world.
If it comforts her, no harm as big bro.
"Fine. Do as you like."
"Yeah. Oppa do my way."
"That's where I draw the line, surprisingly."
Let's keep it like this for now.
And finally, Ariel turned five.
She walks and eats on her own now.
No need for me to spoon-feed her constantly, so I've cut back visits.
Focused on my own duties instead.
"Impressive as always, Young Master."
"Huh? What is?"
"It's been three hours of training already, yet you show no fatigue in your swings."
"Alfred, you'd praise me for breathing."
"Hahaha! That's what's so admirable, Young Master."
Our family Knights Captain Alfred heaps praise beside me.
Honestly, that's part of why I train harder.
I have talent, sure, but everyone cheering amazing!incredible!so cool!—who wouldn't?
With less time for Ariel, it's all gone to sword practice. No wonder Alfred's impressed.
"By the way, you haven't visited the second Young Lady lately."
"She can manage alone now. Spoiling her too much breeds bad habits."
"Heh. Talking to you feels like chatting with a sage. But still..."
Alfred trailed off.
He brought up Ariel first, now regrets it.
"Ahem. The Family Head disapproves, so best avoid it henceforth, Young Master."
"Why? Afraid it'll mess up the succession?"
"Kuh! Partly, but as he says, she's ominous. I run into her occasionally... She doesn't feel human. I hope you stay clear."
Thud.
I lowered my sword.
Chatting during practice is fun.
Passes time enjoyably.
But that doesn't mean I tolerate every topic.
"Alfred."
"Yes?"
"Don't insult Ariel in front of me again. Even you, I won't forgive."
"......! Understood. I'll correct myself."
Alfred bowed deeply.
As Knights Captain, he needn't be so formal.
But he knew he'd upset the Family Head's heir.
'Sigh.'
I sheathed my sword and scratched my head.
Our family is great, except they're too cold to my sister.
Blame the Family Head, but there's a limit.
Can't one person treat her kindly?
"Alfred, sorry for snapping. But know this: Ariel is my precious little sister. Even if no one else accepts her."
"At my age, still learning from you, Young Master."
We wrapped up and prepared to leave the training grounds.
Good work today—time for early dinner.
Then.
Thud!
Near the grounds, a 15kg object hit the floor.
"What was that?"
"Strange. Shall I check?"
Even Alfred missed the presence?
Impossible.
A Knights Captain should've sensed it...
"Ah."
I realized.
Who pulled this prank.
"No need. I'll go. You rest."
"But Young Master."
"Don't worry. If I'm right, no issue."
I waved him off and headed inside.
Destination: Ariel's room.
Knock knock.
"Ariel. Coming in."
"......"
I opened the door.
There she sat demurely, like she'd never left.
Sneaky. Anyone less sharp would've bought it.
"Why. Oppa."
Her innocent eyes screamed I did nothing—begging for a forehead flick.
By the way, unlike the original, she calls me "oppa."
Suits her, I guess.
No honorifics either.
Proof I'm different from original Kline. Proud.
"Where were you?"
"In my room the whole time."
"Oh? So the leaf on your hem is my eyes playing tricks?"
"Gasp."
Ariel glanced at her skirt, realized she'd slipped, and frowned faintly.
"Liar."
"Pot calling kettle. Why the pointless lie?"
"To be nice to oppa."
"If you're being nice, don't get caught."
I sat beside her.
Eye level matched, she averted her gaze slyly.
Goodness.
Never with others.
Only girly like this with me.
"Why hide? Voyeurism?"
"No. Don't know what that is, but no."
"Voyeurism is liking to peek at nudes."
"Don't wanna know. Didn't ask. And it's not that. I just watched..."
She caught herself mid-sentence.
Tsk tsk.
Don't try beating me in words, sis.
"......Just. Missed oppa."
She mumbled after biting her lip.
Expression unchanged, but shyness seeped through.
Big bro's observation skills?
"Just look then."
"They hate if I'm there."
"I'll tell them not to."
"No. You'd get bothered."
Oh?
This kid.
So boldly considerate.
Adorable.
"Without oppa, I got nothing to do... So I watched from afar."
"Hmm."
That's the crux.
Ariel has nothing without me.
No one plays with her.
So she tried staying together, even from distance.
Ideally, I'd spend all day with her.
But I have my life.
So, a solution?
'Ah.'
There it was.
-Oppa. Play the ocarina again.
-Get lost. Regret ever playing for trash like you.
In the original, Kline made Ariel an ocarina.
Details fuzzy, but she asked him to play again.
Means he could make one, and she'd seen him play.
Perfect.
"Then big bro will make you something to play with alone."
"Oppa? How?"
"Ways exist."
I smirked and ruffled her hair.
Ariel frowned slightly but subtly pushed into my palm.
Good. Decided.
Tomorrow, make an ocarina for this cute sister.