Chapter 48
I'd just thrown on my outer jacket and stepped out when En Taylor was waiting right in front of the door. He held out a document envelope. Guessing exactly what it was at a glance, I smiled and headed back to Aria. It was precisely the paperwork I'd meant to give her.
"......You're putting me in charge of the entire business?"
Aria, having read through all the documents, set them down with a dazed expression. I took a sip of tea and nodded.
"Yeah. I've already talked to Madam Katrin about it. I told Father you'd be taking over as head of the Harness and Body Chain operations. Starting tomorrow, Taylor will handle your business training."
"S-Sis."
"Don't worry about the 'head' title—it won't be a burden. Everyone will support you, and until you're comfortable with it all, Taylor will oversee things overall. Father said even if you tank the whole venture, it wouldn't put a dent in our coffers. So relax."
"Wait, hold on!"
Aria shot to her feet, looking like she was still piecing it together. Her wide sky-blue eyes scanned the documents again in confusion.
The contents stated plainly that Aria Crisis was now the total head of the Harness and Body Chain business.
"Why me? Wasn't this your thing?"
"As you know, I'm no good at sitting behind a desk shuffling papers. What I'm good at is swinging a sword."
I continued calmly, as if soothing her bewilderment. What I'd always been good at—past and present—was physical work. Things like endlessly swinging a blade or slaying magic beasts. I could manage the mental side if I had to, but with a genius right beside me who put me to shame in that arena, I saw no reason to step in.
......What the hell is this?
Oh, "The Empire's Historical Economic Growth and Its Impact on the Continent"! Borrowed it from the library!
You were reading this......?
No! I already finished that one! Now I'm on "Causes of Business Rise and Fall, and Lessons Learned"!
Does it make sense?
Yeah. Some words were unfamiliar, so it's a bit tough, but I get the gist. I've memorized the whole book.
Aria was, without a doubt, a once-in-a-century genius. My eternal regret was that our lack of funds had kept me from giving her the education worthy of that brilliant mind.
"I've had you in mind for this business from the very start."
I met her wavering, uncertain gaze head-on.
"Sorry for not asking your opinion first. I pushed it through quickly because I really wanted you to take it on."
"No, that's fine, but......"
Aria bit her lip and slowly swept the documents aside. Even though she looked confused, those blue eyes of hers rippled with unmistakable ambition.
"Can I really do this......?"
It was amusing—her eyes burned with fierce ambition, yet her lips uttered self-doubt. I chuckled softly.
Aria's no noble lady destined to fade into the background.
I knew Aria well. She was a girl brimming with thirst for knowledge and ambition to blaze new trails. I wanted her to spread her wings and chase her dreams.
"If you don't want it, I won't force you. I don't want you doing anything you hate."
I looked at her with eyes full of trust.
"That said, I believe you can do it. Not a shred of doubt."
From childhood, Aria had shown keen interest in economics and business, with calculation speeds and cool judgment that defied comparison to ordinary folk. Add her social prowess, and she was a born entrepreneur—I was certain of it.
Why did the original story bury talents like hers?
In the original, Aria's highlighted traits were her fairy-like beauty, her excessively kind heart, and her innate healing as a fairy hybrid.
The typical saintly heroine template.
The original played up only her fairy qualities to mold her into an angelic female lead. In doing so, it buried all her boundless potential as a human Aria.
If you want to live as that saintly heroine of your own volition, I won't stop you. But the Aria I've seen all this time isn't like that.
"If you can't believe in yourself, believe in the Aria Crisis that your sister believes in. Your sis has a pretty good eye for people, you know."
I added it teasingly, gazing at her with a gentle look.
"Of course, the choice is entirely yours."
I wouldn't push. All I wanted was Aria's happiness. The decision had to be hers alone.
Aria stared at me, emotions swirling indeterminately in her eyes, then lifted the documents with a resolute expression.
"......I'll do it."
Her sky-blue eyes, now cleansed of unease and filled with confidence, curved boldly.
"I can do this."
That was my sister.
"This morning, an order came down to bring you two to the palace."
On a winter day with spring just around the corner, Kaiser summoned Aria and me, handing over an imperial invitation.
I stared blankly at it for a moment before setting down my tea.
"What's this about?"
"The emperor wants to meet you girls. I delayed it as long as I could, saying you weren't ready, but...... sorry. Looks like he couldn't hold back that damned curiosity any longer."
Kaiser clicked his tongue, his face full of exasperation. Aria and I had grown used to his casual imperial blasphemy by now, watching him impassively. He scowled.
"You two—don't be interesting in front of the emperor. Under any circumstances."
"......Pardon?"
"No, you both are too interesting as it is—can't help drawing attention. Damn it...... Just don't do anything eye-catching."
Aria, who didn't know the emperor, looked baffled by Kaiser's warning, but I—knowing the original story—could only manage an awkward smile. The current emperor was Helios I, father to the male lead Diego. A sage ruler with sharp political instincts, commanding dignity that captivated the masses, and a hearty personality. But he had one flaw.
A hardcore curiosity addict.
He was a mad enthusiast on par with original Kal. I sighed inwardly.
In the original, there was even an episode where Helios I met Aria and, finding her amusing, pushed her toward becoming crown princess. He was that hooked on novelty.
Getting tangled with him spells headaches, but for my future plans, he's someone I inevitably have to cross paths with.
I pressed down the rising headache and brainwashed myself: No matter how crazy the emperor gets, I have to play nice.
"Aria, Shu-Shu, get ready. We'll head to the palace this afternoon—quick in, quick out."
Kaiser declared it with a solemn face, like he was marching to battle.
"I don't love our house much, but I'm so happy that Sis can wear outfits like this now."
Aria murmured in rapture. I scratched my head sheepishly.
The black suit and dress shirt, embroidered with ornate Baroque patterns in silver thread, fit perfectly with the double-strap Harness layered on top.
If she likes it this much, maybe I should've worn stuff like this more often.
Remembering my days draped in just a black dress shirt and cloak, I smiled awkwardly. I'd been so stubborn about dark, gloomy clothes that someone once asked if I was a child of darkness. I had nothing to say to that.
For me, as long as it's comfortable, that's enough...... but it's great that Aria can wear things like this.
I proudly eyed Aria in her bright mint-green dress.
"My second daughter has some nerve, badmouthing the family right in front of her father."
"Oops. Were you there, Your Grace? I was so focused on Sis that I forgot you were here."
Kaiser burst out laughing beside me, and Aria grinned innocently from across the way. Watching their bickering, I smiled.
Considering it was their first real interaction...... they've come a long way.
Remembering Aria choking Kaiser made the back of my neck prickle. He saw her as a fearless pup undaunted by tigers; she viewed him as an annoying beanpole #1. But after months living together, they'd at least developed some grudging fondness.
"The imperial palace."
I pointed out the window. True to the Sun Empire's name, the palace glittered in dazzling gold, radiant and opulent. Thanks to our carriage bearing the Crisis Ducal crest, we passed through the checkpoints without a hitch.
Following the guide to the audience chamber, I took in the lavishly decorated palace. It contrasted sharply with our estate's emphasis on clean simplicity—the palace prioritized splendor.
"His Imperial Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince await."
The elderly servant who led us to the grand doors bowed. I startled and glanced at Kaiser.
"The Crown Prince will be there too?"
"Yes."
Damn......
I bit my lip. It hadn't been long since he'd asked me to dance, and Diego had seen me as Mir, so it felt awkward. Aria glared, sensing my discomfort.
"Don't tell me the Crown Prince is bothering Sis? He even asked you to dance last time......"
"Ah, that was......"
"The Crown Prince asked Shu-Shu to dance?"
Kaiser widened his eyes like it was news to him. He'd been swamped with the emperor's decrees during the debutante ball and hadn't seen Diego's request. When he'd asked how it went afterward, I'd brushed it off as fine. With no interest in high society, Kaiser was oblivious to rumors, so he'd been in the dark about the whole affair.
I sweated bullets, avoiding his scorching, demanding gaze.
"He did ask, but......"
"I knew it—His Highness has been eyeing Sis strangely. It was definitely the look of a man in love!"
"......That little vixen was bound to stir trouble someday. Maybe I shouldn't let Shu-Shu out unchecked...... So, did you dance with the Crown Prince?"
"No, she danced with some guy in priest robes. Might need to look into his description later......"
"Once we're back at the estate, his face and outfit—"
"Both of you, stop."
I hurriedly cut off their whispers, lest the bewildered old servant overhear. Despite my worries about their relationship, they synced up scarily well.
"Please open the door."
If I let this go, Aria would spill every debutante detail to Kaiser. I ordered the panicking servant, who shot me a grateful look and swung the doors open.
"Duke Crisis and the young ladies have arrived."
The golden reception hall dazzled the eyes. After taking in the interior briefly, my gaze locked onto the one man whose presence outshone even the ornate decorations—a lofty figure who refused to be dimmed.
Lounging languidly on an extravagant throne. Despite being in his fifties, he looked young enough to pass for late twenties. Golden locks cascading past his waist, and lazy predator's eyes gleaming with deep azure intensity. The emperor of the eternal sun empire, Solatine—Helios I.
Hard to believe this is the guy who winked at me during the debutante.
I marveled inwardly, feeling like the sun itself blazed before me. Even Diego couldn't hold a candle; the emperor exuded a heavy, ruler's pressure that fit his title perfectly.
Avoiding Diego's prickling stare, I deliberately fixed my eyes on the emperor. He turned from the window, bored, and our gazes met.
Helios and I locked eyes for a long moment. His sharp scrutiny dissected me. Though his aura pressed uncomfortably on my shoulders, I didn't look away. Experience told me never to cower first with types like him.
Wondering how deeply he'd probed, I watched as Helios slowly withdrew his piercing gaze and lifted the corner of his mouth.
It was a radiant smile, like the sun illuminating all nations.
As I stared at that artwork of a grin—
"Oh."
I realized it watching his vermilion lips part.
"So you're the lady Kashmir Crisis who kicked my son's ass?"
The emperor's dignity lasted only until he opened his mouth. Helios was solidly unhinged.