Bedtime with My Reunited Big Sister (1)
These days, if you had to name the greatest power in the world, it would undoubtedly be the Hero's faction. Monsters and humans now coexist in the same spaces, joining hands to usher in a new era—and those pioneering figures who made it all possible are still among us. As a result, the North's strength has only grown, propelling the status of the Hero herself, Aurelia, the central figure of that faction, to new heights.
She even took the Demon King as her husband and bore him four children. Among the Elion family's second daughter, Serdi Elion—with her eldest sister already graduated from the academy and active in the empire's upper echelons, and her third sister born just a year later...
"Ugh... I don't wanna go in. It's gonna be so awkward."
Inside the carriage rumbling along the well-maintained road, Serdi let out a long sigh as she gazed at the distant mansion. Her eldest sister had long since gained her independence, and her little sister had been under her care at the academy. Back home, there weren't many people she could relax around or chat with freely. The servants, maybe? But after being away for three years, seeing their faces again wouldn't make things feel like old times.
"Being the second daughter is tough enough already. Even if I go, the house vibe's probably still gonna be gloomy. Sigh."
The reason for her sighs was simple: the Elion family's late-blooming youngest, Kael Elion—or just Kael.
His father, the Demon King, had passed away long ago when his lifespan ended. Kael was the last child he left behind. And not a daughter, but a son—a boy. In a family that had only had three girls, a boy suddenly appeared. It was only natural they'd spoil him rotten, feeding him only the best for his health. Aurelia even set aside her cherished creed that "the children of a Hero must always hone themselves for the glory of the world," pouring all her devotion into raising him.
But here's the twist: Kael had been exceptionally frail. The family's sole boy, meant to be their flower, was constantly wheezing away—so of course the household mood sank.
The Aurelia in Serdi's memories was righteous. Always proud, upright, unyielding. But that righteousness never extended to her daughters. As the Hero's daughters, they endured brutal training and drills that bordered on harshness. In fact, Serdi had found academy life far more comfortable by comparison.
"Agh! I hate this. Wonder how Kael's doing health-wise. Is he still sick? They never figured out the cause. Ugh, how am I supposed to face Lady Aurelia?"
Even early graduation wasn't something to brag about—her big sister had already done it. Clutching her head, Serdi muttered sighs and worries. She could still vividly recall the moment Kael coughed up blood, his body cooling rapidly, and the piercing chill that emanated from Aurelia. It was utterly overwhelming—nothing less from someone worthy of the title Hero.
As negative thoughts chained together, the carriage drew closer to the estate. She had no idea then. That she'd witness a side of Aurelia—the one always strict with her daughters, preaching honor, bravery, and "womanly grace"—that she'd never seen before. Or that the strained, distant parent-child bonds would finally click into place, thanks to a single puzzle piece named Kael.
...
Upon arriving home, she exchanged light greetings with the visible servants and headed inside. Some new faces: a half-dragon in a maid outfit, a dark elf in a suit. Though their appearances varied, their familiar demeanor earned a nod, and she made for the family head's office.
"Ah, haha... I'm home. I thought I was gonna die from motion sickness."
The space still felt awkward. Desperate to lighten the mood, Serdi broke into a sweat. Everything was exactly the same. Was Kael still that ill? Had she come for nothing? Should she just turn back? Random thoughts flitted through her mind. Finally tearing her gaze away, she looked at her mother.
"...Huh? That's... Kael..."
"If you're here, look me in the eye and greet me properly. What are you doing?"
"K-Kael... right?! Why is Kael...?!"
Aurelia's usual tone—cool, firm, sometimes bluntly curt. Her words carried a hint of displeasure, instinctively putting Serdi on alert. But the visual that followed stopped her breath cold.
"S-Serdi sis...? That's you, right sis?"
Kael sat on her lap, tilting his head. His blue-tinged eyes blinked innocently, his words mumbled out as Serdi's mind went blank.
"Yes. It's been so long for you that your memories are fuzzy, so you might not remember. I'm your second sister, Serdi Elion."
"Whoa, the real Serdi sis? You look so different, I didn't recognize you. Hehe..."
Her gruff, stone-like voice suddenly softened into something tender and warm. It was Aurelia speaking. The Hero, the head of the Elion house—her voice had transformed. Where had that curt firmness gone? A gentle, affectionate tone flowed naturally now. And there was Kael, beaming innocently, tilting his head repeatedly with carefree laughter. Seeing it, Serdi's composure shattered in an instant.
"Whoa, whoaaa!! K-Kael?! You okay?! How's your body? Not hurting?"
"Huh...? S-Sis...? Why're you suddenly...?"
"You're really Kael, right? You don't have to stay lying down? What if you suddenly cough up blood? You're not pushing yourself, are you?"
"Uh...?"
Dashing over frantically, Serdi leaned across the desk to inspect him. They say people perk up right before death—maybe Kael was in that state, walking around fine for now?
"Serdi. You're being reckless. Lower your voice. What kind of behavior is that in front of a boy?"
"Ah, y-yes... Sorry. I got too excited. My manners were improper."
Aurelia's voice filled the room sharply, rebuking her. The usual her—cold and cynical, correcting sloppy posture by handing over objects. That's when it happened.
"Mom. Don't be so hard on sis. It's been forever since she visited..."
"...But as women of the Elion house, she can't act like th—"
"I'm your son, and I'm all better now, so it's fine. If you keep it up, I'll get sulky?"
"...You're right. I was a bit oversensitive."
'Wait, what? Did she just back down like that? So meekly and sweetly? And... Mom? She called her Mom? Not "Lady Head" or anything?'
The barrage of shocks hammered her again. In her memories, Kael was the kid burning with fever daily, vomiting blood, too weak for Elion blood—always leaning on walls. They'd even isolated him, saying it was risky to approach, let alone touch your own sibling. But now he was healthy, flashing a delicate smile. Sitting on her lap, no less—a privilege none of Aurelia's daughters had ever gotten. And in just a loose robe that fluttered, revealing what looked like only simple undergarments beneath.
...What the hell am I even seeing right now?
"Mom, put me down! I wanna go to sis."
"Ah, alright. Down you go."
Kael raised his hand high, looking her way. For a split second, she seemed reluctant, but nodded and carefully set him down from her lap.
*Pitter patter, pitter patter*—somehow, that's exactly how his footsteps sounded.
—Squeeze.
"Hehe. Welcome back? You worked hard, sis. Heard you graduated early—super cool!"
"..."
Kael wrapped his arms tight around Serdi's waist, grinning ear to ear. In that moment, her reason snapped. She forgot the terrifying family head right there, forgot she was an Elion herself.
"Oh my god! How'd you get even cuter while I wasn't looking?!"
"Eh?"
"You're violently adorable!!"
She hugged him tight for a good while, satisfying her urges.
...
"...Serdi."
"Yes, sorry! So sorry..."
"...Act like an Elion. Especially in front of Kael—uphold a woman's resolve. I've told you time and again. Recite it."
"A woman must be like a sturdy pine, yet a tender sprout, a thorn protecting a flower-like man..."
Aurelia had pried the overexcited Serdi away from Kael. Her voice was cold, chilling, cynical. Serdi flinched, shoulders trembling.
"...Lady Head, it seems Kael's condition has improved. But that scene just now..."
"Ah. Kael's still just a young boy. He kept wanting to be held, so I had no choice but to indulge him."
"Um... If I may overstep, but him wearing just that shabby robe, clinging to you like that—if word gets out, it could spark bad rumors for Kael."
Serdi ventured carefully. The academy teemed with ducal heirs and nobles. Rumors there spread like rot, festering endlessly. She'd seen it firsthand—worry was inevitable.
"No need to fret. I only allow it when we're alone, and I've ordered the household servants to silence."
"Even so, he's the Hero's son—he must maintain dignity and modesty..."
"I've been a lacking mother to Kael until now. Couldn't even find the cause of his illness, so I skipped etiquette training entirely. The remnants linger, but time will fix it. It's karma."
"...So that's why you're holding him all cuddly? Still, having him on your lap..."
"He's the son I birthed in agony, sharing my blood—my beloved boy. What's the problem?"
Aurelia shrugged as if it were nothing. A tiny thorn pricked Serdi's heart. Then why'd you treat your daughters—who you also birthed in agony—like that? Isn't that unbecoming of the head?
Just as that bitter flower bloomed—
"Oh, I almost forgot to say this."
She rose, approaching. Slowly, a hand descended atop Serdi's head.
*Stroke... stroke...* A touch so gentle, it was hard to believe those rough, scarred hands belonged to her.
"You've worked hard all this time. Academy life must've been tough, yet you graduated early—you kids always exceed my expectations."
"Ah, ah... Th-thank you... Lady Head..."
"Call me Mother when we're alone."
"...! M-Mother... Thank you..."
"Good."
Her head heated up suddenly. It was just the touch of the Hero who'd saved world peace. Just her blood mother's hand, who'd birthed her.
'Mother... Calling her Mother... Feels so weird...'
Oddly, her chest tightened. For some reason. Deep down, Serdi sensed—even if just a little—that this was thanks to Kael.
...
Dusk slowly fell. Surveying her long-vacant room, Serdi exhaled lightly.
'They must keep it maintained. Not a speck of dust... Nice.'
She nodded, satisfied. Always the most active one, she knew cleanliness's importance well.
That's when—
*Creeeak...*
The door opened. Some rude thing daring to enter the Hero's daughter's room uninvited? Frowning, she turned—and there stood:
"Sis? Serdi sis, right...?"
"Huh? Kael? Why at this late hour..."
"Wanna sleep with sis! Never slept together before. Hehe."
He clung with a small laugh, his warm body heat. Serdi was speechless for a moment. She just gazed down at her adorable baby brother in her arms.