Chapter 350: Side Story — Brother and Sister (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 350: Side Story — Brother and Sister (2)
“You’ve changed quite a bit. Were you trying to reinvent yourself?” Eve Ropenheim asked, her eyes scanning me as if searching for something.
Of course I have.
Even though I was inhabiting Isaac’s body, I still had a tendency to fall back on the habits of my past life. The only family member who loved Isaac unconditionally wouldn’t have failed to sense that something was off.
“I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about it. It’s been a while since we last saw each other, so it wouldn’t be strange if I’ve changed a little.”
“Yeah… I suppose that’s true.”
I glossed over it as best I could.
In the awkward silence that followed, I read Eve’s emotions. She clearly suspected I was hiding something, but her guilt over having once abandoned Isaac overshadowed her doubts.
I felt a pang of guilt myself, but I couldn't reveal the secret—that I was a transmigrator who had taken over this body.
I still don’t know how to handle this…
The only thing I could do was be a good younger brother.
“Oh, by the way, Sis. Do you want to go see a play?”
When I changed the subject, Eve’s face lit up. She nodded eagerly.
Since we had already bought tickets and planned the day out, we arrived at the theater just in time. We sat side by side in the front row to watch a production titled Artè, the Frost Knight.
It was an epic about a fictional hero named Artè—a classic coming-of-age story that turned out to be quite engaging. The stage effects, powered by ice mana, were stunningly immersive.
As the play progressed, Eve seemed to relax, eventually leaning her head on my shoulder. I glanced at her while we shared some snacks. She was staring at the stage with a blank, unimpressed expression.
But the moment she looked at me, she beamed, as if she found looking at my face far more entertaining than the performance.
“Do you remember? When we were little, we didn’t have money for tickets, so we used to sneak around and watch plays like this from a distance.”
“Really?”
“Back then, you said you’d become a knight just to protect me. It was so cute that I hugged you until you couldn't breathe.”
“Did I? I don’t really remember…”
“You did. And I told you that I’d protect you, too. Those were such happy times.”
That was a lie.
As Eve spoke, I read her mind and realized the truth. But to her, that lie was rapidly becoming reality. More accurately, she immediately chose to believe the fabricated story she had just told. It seemed that once a narrative formed in her mind, it became her absolute truth.
“You were so pure back then.”
“If I had known you’d grow up to be this strong, Isaac, I would have asked you to protect me forever. Then we could have lived together every single day…”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know I’d turn out like this either.”
“No… I didn’t say that to get an apology. I’m the one who should be sorry.”
I had no intention of calling out Eve’s fabricated memories. No one was being harmed by her holding onto these false comforts. Memories were often romanticized, sometimes stitched together with lies to create a more beautiful truth. I simply realized that Eve was particularly prone to that tendency.
After the play, we wandered through the vibrant, colorful streets.
“Isaac, do you remember this? You used to tell me I was amazing all the time.”
“Did I?”
“You’d ask how I got so good at magic and say you wanted to be just like me when you grew up. You even said I was the prettiest person in the world after Mom. You said it so often… honestly, it made me so happy.”
Another lie.
“Oh, right. We once promised to go on a trip together someday, just the two of us.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. We said we’d explore the wide world together, falling asleep in each other's arms while staring at the moon through the window.”
And another.
“Hehe, you were such a scaredy-cat when you were little. Every night, you’d cling to me, terrified of thunder or ghosts. But once you were in my arms, you’d act like a brave warrior, vowing to protect me forever. It was so precious.”
And yet another.
“If… just if…”
As we sat on a bench overlooking the lush greenery of Winter Hill, Eve spoke softly. “If I hadn’t abandoned you, what would have happened?”
“…”
“If we had stayed together without worrying about money. If I had never gone to Baron Ropenheim…”
I didn’t have an answer for her.
“Well… what do you think would have happened?”
“Honestly, I’ve thought about it every day. If we had stayed together, you probably wouldn’t have been able to live without me.”
“Huh?”
“Since I would have had to support the family, I would have worked every day. With my talent for elemental magic, I could have found plenty of jobs, even if the pay was low. But when I came home after work, you would have clung to me, telling me you were scared, before falling asleep in my arms. Sometimes, when I helped you study, you’d tell me there was no one else like me and hug me again. Because of that, I probably wouldn’t have been able to attend Märchen Academy myself… but I would have found a way to get you enrolled.”
Eve smiled brightly, lost in her fantasy.
“Or maybe we wouldn’t have bothered with the academy at all and just stayed together. You’ve always been so thoughtful… maybe that would have been the better choice. Once you started working, it would have given me some breathing room. We might have lived our whole lives without even thinking about finding partners. Actually, who knows? Maybe you would’ve said something like, ‘I don’t need a girlfriend because I have my sister…’ Hehe.”
“…”
“I’m sure we would’ve relied on each other for everything. When you felt lonely, you would have sought out my embrace, and when I felt lonely, I would’ve leaned on you for comfort. I think… we would’ve lived as two people who were everything to each other.”
Eve’s cheeks flushed a faint red.
Suddenly, Luce came to mind. She often envisioned a similar future with me. However, there was a stark difference between them.
Eve was longing for an unattainable illusion, trapped by her regrets of the past. Luce, on the other hand, looked toward the future, hoping to build a life as my wife.
Perhaps that was why Eve’s words carried such a subtle, lingering sorrow.
“It’s not possible, is it? Not even close…”
Every so often, Eve’s regret seeped through her hollow eyes and trembling voice.
I nodded slowly.
“…It’s not. I’m not the kid I was back then.”
“Yeah…”
“You were overprotective to begin with, and I’m not someone who needs that much protecting anymore.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
Eve looked straight ahead and forced a smile.
“It’s something that will never happen now.”
“But there are still plenty of other things I can do for you.”
“Huh?”
I leaned back against the bench and looked up at the night sky. The stars were scattered across the darkness like grains of salt.
“What’s the point in dwelling on the past? Baron Ropenheim is finished, and there’s nothing left to come between us. So, let’s just… get along from now on. Even though I’ve been busy lately, I can make time for days like today. We can stay up late chatting, or grab a drink together.”
Eve, I hope you can break free from the shackles of the past.
“So, don’t think about those things anymore. There are so many happier days ahead of us. Just think about the future and live it with me.”
I wanted her to start dreaming again. I wanted her to live for the future. That was my sincere wish for her.
Eve stared at me intently for a long time before finally lowering her gaze.
“Isaac.”
“Yes?”
“Actually, I don’t have any confidence in myself when I'm around you… none at all…”
“Why do you need confidence? As long as we get along, that’s enough. You really worry about the most useless things, Sis.”
Eve raised her head again, a genuine, bright smile finally breaking through.
“Can I hug you?”
“You don’t need my permission for that.”
“My little brother…”
Eve pulled me into a tender embrace, stroking my hair for a long, peaceful time.
*
The next day.
“Senior Dorothy!”
“What is it, President!”
“I came here for a break!”
“Then come here right now!”
Swoosh!
Dorothy laughed boldly and spread her arms wide. I didn't hesitate, burying my face in her soft chest. I wrapped my arms around her slender waist and held her tight. Dorothy let out her signature chuckle, stroking my hair as she swayed gently from side to side.
I had come to her completely exhausted after finishing a grueling stretch of tasks.
Ah, this is true happiness.
The sensation was soft and cozy. Every time I shifted my head, the plush warmth beyond the fabric of her clothes enveloped me.
This must be paradise.
“Aww, President, you’re so cute…”
“I’m staying like this for a while.”
“You can stay as long as you want! I love it when you’re like this!”
Dorothy giggled softly.
“President, you didn’t forget, right? Our trip is in two days.”
“Of course I didn’t forget.”
In two days, I’d be going on a trip with Dorothy. With all the urgent matters settled, I could leave the remaining paperwork to Grand Regent Richard. All that was left was to enjoy a vacation with the lovely Dorothy.
“Ugh… your breath tickles.”
As I exhaled against her, Dorothy shuddered and giggled. Her reaction was so adorable that I couldn't help but keep doing it.
As I held her, a stillness settled over the room, and a subtle tension filled the air. I liked this awkward atmosphere. It was a moment where we both became keenly aware of each other as a man and a woman.
“Oh, President.”
“Yes?”
“There’s a disruptor behind us.”
A disruptor?
I used [Clairvoyance] to look behind me, unwilling to lift my head from Dorothy’s chest. Standing in the open doorway was a beautiful woman with rose-gold hair, her arms crossed as she glared at us sternly.
It was Luce.
“Luce…?”
Since I was still buried in Dorothy’s chest, my voice came out muffled and echoing, as if I were speaking from inside a cave.
“Friend, why aren’t you coming in? Oh, are you jealous? Is it because the President only comes to me?”
Dorothy squinted her eyes and covered her mouth, a sly, provocative smile on her lips.
A vein bulged on Luce’s forehead.
“Haa…”
Luce closed her eyes and let out a deep, weary sigh. Then, she finally stepped into the room.
Suddenly, I felt a pair of arms wrap around me from behind.
“Luce, joining in.”
She offered nothing but those few cryptic words.
“Huh? Friend? Wait a second!” Dorothy’s voice turned flustered.
I felt the pressure of Luce’s chest against my back and her warm body enveloping me from behind.
“I’m already heavy enough…! This is getting in the way!”
“Shut up. Isaac, it’s time to turn around. Come to me. I’ll make you more comfortable than she can.”
Blissful sensations surrounded me from both the front and the back.
Oh, this is…
I said nothing and simply surrendered to the moment. The feeling of being surrounded by the women I loved was deeply, profoundly satisfying.