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For a moment, Keila’s tears felt a bit awkward.

The sight of her sobbing in my arms was just as I remembered, no matter how much bigger she had grown.

Memories long forgotten came flooding back, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“You’re still the same, just bigger!”

Keila wailed, and I patted her back, which only made her cry harder.

It had been ages since I had comforted someone like this.

If there’s one thing that felt different from the past, it was that Keila felt much lighter in my arms now.

Perhaps I had truly grown up—lifting her was much easier than when she was smaller.

Gently swaying back and forth like soothing a child, I slowly turned my body.

Vivian was watching us from behind.

She wore a confused expression.

If I was caught off guard, she must be even more bewildered.

After a good cry, Keila straightened up while still clinging to me.

Then she grabbed my face with both hands and said,

“Huh…! Brother, why have you grown so much? I was scared that I’d get smaller!”

Keila was definitely taller than the women I had seen in Roktana.

Vivian wasn’t particularly short for a woman either, but Keila felt just a tad bit taller than her.

“And you still worry about nonsense.”

“Your body… why does it look so grown-up? I hardly recognize you with all those muscles…”

“Well, I’ll be an adult soon, this is how it should be. Besides, my body is pretty much like Dad’s now, right?”

Keila burst into tears again, but this time with a smile.

She hid her tears behind her hands.

“…I guess you’re right. You look like Dad when he was healthy.”

It was a heavy choice of words.

Though I knew it, seeing it with my own eyes only compounded my worries.

My father, as I remembered him, was no longer there, and I tried hard to mask that bittersweet feeling.

Instead, I pulled Keila back into my arms.

Gently stroking her hair to comfort her, I asked,

“How long has it been since… since Dad collapsed?”

It hadn’t been long since I had heard about my father’s condition.

I first learned of it during Vivian’s 17th birthday at the ballroom.

I had heard vague details, but I wanted to hear the specifics from Keila herself.

“…Right after Mother left us.”

Right after Mother left. Just as I had heard.

A considerable amount of time had passed since then.

“You’ve been hiding it for so long.”

Keila nodded as she sobbed.

“Ah, Dad said he had to keep it from you as much as possible… ugh…”

I squeezed my eyes shut.

Dad must have known that he was my backbone.

My sister continued to shed tears.

How much suffering had she endured all this time?

Now that Keila was closer to being an adult than a child, seeing her cry made my heart ache.

She clung to me, seeking comfort, unable to stop her tears.

She looked just like a little kid finally seeing their parents after a hard time from carrying too much on their own.

“…I’m sorry.”

I apologized to Keila.

“Why are you apologizing, Brother…”

She shook her head but seemed to grasp why I was sorry.

It wasn’t my choice, but I hadn’t been able to protect my siblings.

If Dad collapsed, I should have taken his place.

But not being able to meant Keila had suffered a lot.

The other younger brothers were still far too young to carry the family mantle, leaving Keila to do it all.

She likely lived a life somewhat similar to Vivian’s.

…

Thinking about it again, Vivian’s life had certainly been rough.

Even tougher than Keila’s current situation.

No allies, no siblings, and now no parents.

…She had honestly survived that period well.

Tap tap.

Finally, I patted Keila’s bottom and said,

“Alright, get down. It’s tough. And you need to greet properly now.”

But at that moment, Keila shivered like a proper lady and said,

“Ah…! O, Brother. My… bottom… I’ve grown up too now…”

“…You were just sobbing, and now you’re saying that?”

“That’s different…”

Covering her bottom, she crawled down from my arms, rubbing her eyes and adjusting her expression.

As she took a deep breath, she looked back at Vivian.

Vivian’s expression was stiff and sharp.

Keila, the little sister, had vanished, and the eldest daughter of the Allen Family had emerged.

“I am Keila Allen. I apologize for dropping by unannounced. I have something I must ask of you…”

Vivian’s eyes twitched.

Both she and I had little trouble guessing what Keila wanted.

But that was not a conversation for here.

Vivian greeted Keila with the proper decorum.

“…I am Vivian Rondore. Once again, I apologize for what happened with Kyle.”

“…Kyle?”

Keila seemed perplexed by the casual way Vivian spoke.

Vivian continued.

“Let’s go. It’s not polite to stay here for too long. We will enter the castle, have a meal, rest, and then talk.”

Keila nodded.

It felt strange to see her grow up like this, especially since she used to tail me around annoyingly.

After we accepted to enter the castle, we adjusted a few details.

I spoke to Bester.

“Send the carriage back. The Allen Family emblem won’t be welcomed in Roktana.”

Bester hesitated for a moment and then nodded.

“Those returning go back, and those who follow… wear helmets. We must hide our hair color. Discard the flags and cover any armor emblems with cloth. Sneaking into the castle is easier for everyone.”

“Brother, what about me?”

Keila asked me.

I took the helmet I had set aside for myself and handed it to her.

A red bear head helmet.

…

Keila clenched her teeth.

I had long gotten used to it, but I could only imagine how much of an insult it felt to her.

Even though the Allen Family revered the white bear, this beastly helmet crafted for human wearers dyed a bloody red could only feel wrong.

Keila remained silent for a long time, holding the helmet.

Her hands were turning white from the grip.

Vivian couldn’t say a word and avoided eye contact.

After a moment of suppressing her anger, Keila forced a smile and said to Vivian,

“…The helmet is… nice. It matches your hair color, Miss Vivian.”

…

I already didn’t want to see them fighting, so I snatched the helmet from Keila and placed it on her head.

“Wear it. Stop thinking about other things.”

“Ugh!”

The oversized helmet didn’t fit Keila’s small head and sat crookedly.

Seeing that, I laughed, and it seemed to lighten Keila’s mood a bit.

I then placed her on my horse and sat behind her.

Vivian was observing my actions with a distant gaze.

Every time our eyes met, there seemed to be a shift.

I understood.

Ever since Keila had arrived, our dynamic had grown a bit awkward.

…

Vivian quietly put a piece of food in her mouth and watched Kyle and Keila from afar.

The rigid and awkward formalities had faded, and Kyle and Keila were happily chatting in their little world.

It felt like Vivian was lonely at the table.

“Brother, try this too. It’s delicious.”

“You should eat well too. Wasn’t it hard getting here? Am I the one who should suffer?”

“But still. You should eat. It’s delicious, so I want to share it with you.”

“I already ate, you know?”

Keila was eagerly piling food onto Kyle’s plate.

And Vivian could easily see through Keila’s intentions.

It wasn’t genuine concern for feeding him; she was just being cute to get some brotherly affection.

Such behavior must have been part of the many lessons Lady Linne had taught her.

…

Of course, I understood.

After all, it was exciting to meet family again after such a long time.

It became clear that their bond had been close even before, breaking the awkwardness and quickly consolidating.

On top of that, it was funny, but they seemed unfazed by their now-called handsome appearances.

No, rather…

“Say ah~.”

“Why are you acting like this?”

“Just once, come on!”

“…Are we in a home right now? Vivian is watching…”

“…You’re the one who has no manners, Brother. Look at your walk, so sloppy, and your dining etiquette is lacking too. Didn’t you know?”

“…”

Ironically, it seemed like Keila was trying to get way too close to Kyle.

While they both still seemed childlike, they were closer to adulthood now.

This wasn’t just some innocent childlike affection anymore.

She was leaning against Kyle’s arm, smiling sweetly with her face close, coyly feeding him…

If I didn’t know they were family, it would’ve looked like just another girl flirting with Kyle.

…

Vivian thought while chewing on a piece of meat.

Was Keila really that naive?

Was she truly that pure-hearted to get so close to Kyle?

…That couldn’t be the case. Keila was also an Allen.

She knew what she was doing, despite her embarrassment.

All for the sake of being doted on by Kyle as a sister.

To show him how much she had grown.

…Perhaps it was a fundamental trait of humanity.

Nonetheless, deep inside Vivian’s heart, there was a hint of discomfort.

It was a small discomfort that she could hardly ignore, but it was definitely there.

She didn’t like that Keila was stealing Kyle’s attention.

Her longing to converse with him during this meal time was mingled with regret.

While she understood, it was evident.

And annoyed with herself for feeling this way, Vivian wiped her mouth and set down her utensils.

“I suppose it’s rude to interrupt your time together. I will finish my meal and take my leave.”

“Ah…!”

Keila feigned surprise, but Vivian knew this was what she had been waiting to say.

Only Kyle truly asked,

“Eat more. You haven’t had much.”

“I’ve eaten plenty.”

“Two pieces of bread and three chunks of meat is hardly a lot.”

“…”

He had been watching closely.

With that realization, Vivian felt a bit of satisfaction.

She firmly decided.

“You two enjoy your time. I have things to do, so I’ll be heading inside. Keila, please rest comfortably. As for the sleeping arrangements…”

“I’ll sleep with Brother.”

“…But you’re a grown woman now… Won’t that be uncomfortable? The room is spacious enough so it should be fine—”

“-It would be easier for us to talk about the things we haven’t finished if we sleep together.”

“…”

Vivian decided not to stubbornly insist further and nodded.

Then she led the maids as they moved on.

Just as she was about to exit the hall, she looked back.

Through the doorframe, she could see Kyle and Keila chatting away, smiling.

…Why were they acting like this?

Watching Kyle express such fondness for someone was infuriating.

 

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