Shattered Boundaries
Whoosh―!!
Cold water burst from the showerhead. It quickly cooled Ardella's overheated body.
"……Haa."
Ardella swept her face dramatically as the cold water hit her head. Every time she recalled what had happened just minutes ago, her cheeks burned and her lower belly tingled. At the same time, she painfully realized just how weak her self-control was.
"Where in the world is there a sister like that?"
Ardella gazed at her right forearm, still marked with traces of what had happened. A sticky, slippery sensation lingered. She knew she shouldn't, but she reached out with her other hand and lightly scooped up the thick remnants.
She brought her fingers, coated in the white glob, to her face. It smelled fishy. But it wasn't unpleasantly so. Instead, it had a strangely addictive quality.
—Lady Ardella. I've prepared fresh undergarments and a towel inside the door.
"……."
Ardella lifted her head at the maid's voice, which she hadn't even noticed arriving. The semen on her hand was swept away in an instant by the gushing cold water.
"Damn it… talking like that……."
If anyone who knew Ardella even a little had heard those words from her mouth, they would have been shocked.
—Follow your heart.
That single phrase from her mother and family head, Ardel, delivered through the family shadow. Those words had today… dragged her long-ignored desires to the surface.
Ardella swept her face with her hand under the cold water.
If only you'd told me a little sooner.
Then she could have approached him as a woman, not a sister.
"……Haa."
Another sigh escaped Ardella's lips. It was the first time in her life she'd felt such bewilderment. She had no idea how to face Smith from now on.
She, of all people, had been the one to first suggest they become sister and brother. And yet today, as a sister, she'd done something she absolutely shouldn't have… crossed the line.
But….
Wasn't getting hard for his sister crossing the line for a brother too? She knew from the start that Smith didn't really see her as a sister. It was just consideration to match her mood. But unlike those blinded by greed, Smith's consideration was purely to make her happy. That's why it pleased her. Even knowing it wasn't genuine, that pure intent felt good.
"……."
Just thinking of Smith brought heat surging back into her cooling body. Shame at having lost her composure and acted on impulse mixed with joy that Smith desired her body. She couldn't even understand herself.
She'd known Smith for barely over a month. They'd spent face-to-face time for less than ten days. And yet….
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
In the bathroom, where only the sound of water echoed, the beat of her heart rang louder in Ardella's mind than ever before. Finally, she admitted it. She could no longer be Smith's sister. She saw him not as a brother, but as a man.
* * *
—Master Smith. Please come to the dining hall.
I'd roughly cleaned up my sticky lower half and was lying blankly on the bed when the head maid's voice came from outside the side room. I jumped up.
"Yep. Coming right out."
I just ran a hand through my hair, then opened the door and stepped into the corridor.
"Oh."
I'd assumed the maid would be there, but I was surprised. Ardella stood there with her head bowed maid, smiling faintly.
"What's wrong?"
"N-nothing."
"Hmm. Your collar's wrinkled."
Ardella reached out and personally straightened my collar. She scanned me from head to toe, nodded slightly, stepped back, and asked,
"Smith. Does it suit me, in your eyes?"
Ardella spread her arms slightly. She seemed to be asking if her outfit suited her.
Her silver hair neatly tied back over her shoulders. A shirt with the top buttons undone, unable to fully contain her ample breasts. Tight pants that revealed her wide hips, firm thighs, and ass perfectly.
My head nodded on its own.
"It suits you perfectly."
"Good. Everyone's waiting, so let's head to the dining hall."
Ardella offered me her pale, pristine hand. I stared at it for a moment, then gently placed my hand atop hers.
Squeeze.
Her long, slender fingers slipped between my rough ones, interlocking. This wasn't the usual handshake grip.
"Uh, um… Lady Ardella?"
"What's wrong?"
I was about to say something while staring at our interlocked hands, but her unchanged expression and gaze made me blink, then shut my mouth and shake my head.
Ardella nodded in satisfaction.
"This way."
The maid nodded, and we followed her to the dining hall.
A long table in the center of an excessively spacious room. Over-the-top decorations. I couldn't tell if this was for entertaining guests or just showing off wealth.
Zing.
As I judged the extravagantly luxurious hall, a sharp sting hit my left cheek, making me turn. There sat Siron, her eyes narrowed fiercely. The curve of her brows suggested she was on the verge of going from moderately angry to full rage.
Normally I'd rush over, pat her ass, and soothe her, but unfortunately, I was held by Ardella right now, with no way to act.
"Looks like Siron's pretty pissed."
"Yeah… haha…."
Ardella pulled our interlocked hands to draw me closer and whispered softly. I nodded awkwardly.
Ardella led me, hand in hand, toward the fuming Siron. Upon reaching her, Ardella sat me in the seat next to Siron and said,
"I won't steal him. I don't have the right to anyway."
Siron's face, glaring hostilely at Ardella, twisted oddly. Like she was about to say, 'Are you insane?'
But Ardella ignored Siron's glare completely, gently stroked my shoulder as I sat, then walked forward.
Ardella sat naturally in the empty head seat. Only then did I take in the surroundings. Second daughter Lenia, Kernax, and even Giena were there. Everyone who should be was seated. Ardella and I were the last to arrive.
Ardella, at the head, looked to Lenia on her left and said,
"Begin."
"Yes."
Lenia glanced at the maid by the door. The maid took a small bell from her apron and rang it. A clear chime echoed softly through the hall, and soon butlers entered in sequence, pushing trays laden with appetizing dishes. They placed the food neatly on the table, set our utensils politely in front of us, then exited together.
Only the head maid, who had been waiting from the start, remained to pour wine into our glasses—uncertain when she'd brought it.
With preparations complete, Ardella raised her glass of pale purple liquid and said,
"Dig in."
As Ardella sipped her wine, Lenia reached for the food, and the others followed.
I was pondering what to start with when Siron beside me scooped some meat dish I liked onto my plate.
She was clearly uncomfortable about me arriving hand-in-hand with Ardella—her face still showed lingering sulkiness—but even so, Siron pretended otherwise and took care of me first.
I grinned at Siron's profile as she avoided looking at me.
"What're you staring at, you little shit… just eat already…."
"Heh, got it."
Siron was peeking at me sidelong despite pretending not to. I happily filled my belly only with what she served.
The meal progressed smoothly without much chatter.
Lenia, who had neatly downed her wine, looked to Kernax beside her and said,
"Lady Kernax. Could you spare a moment after dinner to discuss the territory war?"
"……Me?"
Kernax looked slightly flustered at Lenia's question. She glanced at Ardella in the head seat.
Ardella, who had been dabbing her mouth with a napkin, turned at Kernax's gaze.
"Kernax. Before we left, didn't the lord tell you this? 'Command of the troops is entirely yours.'"
Ardella set down her napkin and continued,
"My knights and I won't participate in the territory war. Only you and the soldiers you brought will. So talk freely with Lenia without minding me."
Kernax blinked blankly at second daughter Lenia, who stared back. Lenia had apparently known this beforehand.
Kernax looked back at Ardella and asked again,
"Then… what of the knights?"
"To handle cases where someone refuses the results and crosses the line, or if monsters or beasts rampage—contingencies on behalf of the royals. The palace is flooded with territory war declarations from all sides and lacks dispatchable officials and mediators."
As Ardella finished, Lenia, who had listened quietly, took over.
"That's why I ask for a moment of your time."
"……Yes. Of course."
Kernax nodded with a reluctant expression, clearly displeased at some secret between Lenia and Ardella.
Ardella eyed her briefly, then stood and said to Lenia,
"Tell her everything, no holding back."
"Understood. I'll ensure no misunderstandings."
Ardella nodded lightly and looked at me, sitting quietly. She smiled faintly.
"No plans today, so how about sightseeing the city?"
"……I'd love to."
I'd been curious about the city's developments anyway. With the territory war not starting yet, I was basically a bum with nothing to do, so no reason to refuse.
Zing.
Ah, a reason popped up. I glanced over to see Siron crumpling her silverware like paper, glaring at Ardella insolently.
"No need to glare. You'll be coming too, of course."
"……Huh?"
Her face twisted weirdly again. What the hell does that expression mean? Gotta ask later.
"Lenia, we'll head out first."
"Yes. I'll have the rooms cleaned spotless by your return, as instructed."
"No need to rush—don't push the maids too hard."
"……Y-yes."
Lenia blinked slowly and nodded. Ardella approached me, stroked my shoulder softly, and said,
"I'll cover the money, so if you have nothing to grab, let's go."
"……Sure."
I stood only after seeing Siron nod slightly. Giena, naturally seated beside Siron, rose too.
Ardella stroked my shoulder again and led the way.
"Smith…."
I turned at the call to see Kernax looking at me with complicated eyes.
She stared silently for a moment, then sighed shortly.
"……I'll visit tonight if not too late."
"Yeah. I'll be waiting."
Kernax nodded, and I left the dining hall with Siron and Giena.
Only Ardella, who had exited first, stood in the wide corridor.
Ardella looked at Giena, who had come out with us, and said,
"You're Smith's lover too?"
"Lover…… no."
"I see."
Ardella nodded as if relieved at Giena's reply.
"Smith has two hands, but three people—I was wondering if I'd have to yield. Good."
Ardella smiled faintly and naturally reached her pale, slender hand for mine.
Just as her soft hand was about to touch my rough one—
Slap!
A hand as pale and slender as Ardella's blocked hers.
"……."
"……."
The smile vanished from Ardella's lips. She glared coldly at Giena, who had intercepted her hand.
"What is this?"
"I believe you're not Master Smith's lover either."
Giena stepped forward, glaring at Ardella. I was suddenly like, what the hell?
I glanced sideways—Siron looked just as baffled as me. Their stares at each other were indescribably insolent.
The two glared silently. Watching them, Siron said with utter disbelief,
"Fuckin' fight over it then…."
Their gazes snapped to Siron. She flashed her signature fierce eyes back and said,
"Why the hell are you non-girlfriends eyeing my man's hand? Huh?"
Siron snorted, snatched my hand, and interlocked fingers demonstratively, all prim and proper.
"Let's go."
Siron shook our linked hands once and turned. I meekly stuck to her side and walked. Her lips twitched in satisfaction.