Ch.223Side Story: Big Sisters

“Have you been well… No, that’s a pointless question, isn’t it? There’s no way you haven’t been doing well. Right?”

Diana spoke first as she sipped her tea. Beside her, Nika and Beatrice were quickly filling in the gaps. Normally, Diana’s personal maid would have done this, but since I was present…

There wasn’t a single maid in the Crate household who could refuse if Beatrice, who also served as the head maid, insisted on taking charge.

“I’ve been doing fine, of course, but why ask so suddenly?”

“I heard the news. They say even Lady Aihenhart Lenitus of the Duchy has gotten involved with you?”

“I’m not sure what you mean by ‘involved,’ but if you’re talking about what happened during the summer festival, that’s correct. We had a match to determine the free sparring order. Nothing more than that.”

Seeing such a gentle, composed sister figure after meeting Kang Yuna again so recently gave me an inexplicable sense of dissonance. The only time that woman had shown such a demeanor was when she received an 800% bonus.

The fact that Kang Yuna, whom I’d met again after 20 years, felt more familiar than Diana, whom I’d known for nearly 20 years, made me think that blood ties truly couldn’t be denied.

“You’re impressive, Mira.”

“In what way?”

“How could I not be impressed when my lovely sibling is trying to pull the Lenitus Duchy to their side, as if the Agnes Duchy wasn’t enough?”

“What part of ‘it’s not like that’ did you not understand?”

“Is that not the case? The Lenitus faction has been subtly approaching me, and I thought you were setting something up again. I heard you got quite close with Lady Aihenhart during the summer festival.”

“She’s completely devoted to His Highness the Crown Prince. There’s nothing I could do about that. No, that might cause another misunderstanding. Even if there was something, I wouldn’t have done it. So tell those people to stop talking nonsense and get lost.”

Diana, who seemed to be pondering something after my words, clapped her hands lightly.

“I see. They approached you because you’re close to His Highness, asking you to build a bridge? That explains why the two of you met alone. They wouldn’t want the Crown Prince to find out.”

“That’s all correct, except for one thing. She just openly told me she had something to discuss with me right in front of His Highness and took me away.”

This was quite a sharp deduction. I nodded.

“She asked if I could find out what kind of woman His Highness the Crown Prince likes. She said someone like me could ask such things without issue.”

“Seeing as you’re sitting here having a conversation with me, and our family hasn’t been exterminated yet, she must have good judgment. So, did you ask?”

“I did. Apparently, his ideal type is a modest, gentle woman who doesn’t step forward on her own and can devote herself to family without complaint.”

I gave the same answer that Laura and I had prepared for Aihenhart. Diana mimicked the exact reaction Aihenhart had shown.

“As expected. It seems he wants to eliminate any possibility of others meddling with power from the start. I think that’s right.”

That wasn’t it—Laura had described the kind of wife she wanted to be. But there was no need for anyone else to know that fact.

Diana took another sip of tea and stared at me intently.

“Will you be alright?”

“What is it this time?”

“I’m talking about Lady Aihenhart. Will you be fine leaving things as they are? It’s quite a classic scenario—a relationship that begins as a transaction, only for both parties to forget their original purpose and start desiring everything about each other—”

“Didn’t I tell you to moderate your romance novel reading?”

When I expressed my disbelief, Diana chuckled.

“I’m joking.”

“Making jokes about the future Duchess of the Lenitus family—you’ve got some nerve. Do you have two lives, sister?”

“Even if problems arise, our lovely youngest sibling would protect me. With the Crown Prince, the Hero, the Saint, and the Duke’s daughter by your side, surely you wouldn’t just watch as your sister is dragged away?”

“……”

Her attitude was shameless beyond measure, but since it was true, I found it awkward to argue.

“Well, enough small talk. Have you thought about what you’ll ask for? Are you saving that wish that can grant anything for a critical moment?”

The wish that could grant anything was what I received instead of payment when completing a request related to Io. I hadn’t found a reason to use it yet, but after what just happened, something good came to mind.

Since she started it, I should return the favor in kind.

“No, I’m going to use it now. It’s—”

“LITTLE BROTHERRRRR! It’s been so long!”

—CRASH!

With a booming voice, someone broke through the window and tumbled inside. It was Trisha, my second older sister. Diana grabbed the back of her neck and used magic. The glass shards that had been flying everywhere froze in place.

The very person I was about to mention had just rolled in.

“Brother! I’ll give you a hug this time for sure!”

After landing in a perfect superhero pose, Trisha immediately spotted me and leaped forward.

I easily subdued the brazen intruder, then placed my hands under her armpits and lifted her up like a cat. Her eyes widened in surprise, as if this was the first time she’d been handled this way.

“Huh? Wha-what? Put me down!”

Trisha flailed her arms and legs, trying to break free.

It was a completely futile effort. Even though she was tall for a woman, she was still much shorter than me, and the difference in strength was beyond comparison.

Diana, who had been watching Trisha struggle in my grasp with a look of disdain, spoke up.

“How many times do I have to tell you to maintain some dignity, Trisha? When will you ever grow up?”

“I’ve already grown up plenty! Do you have any idea how well Kingdom of Heaven is doing? In just a few more years, I’ll surpass your trading company’s sales!”

Trisha continued to struggle but laughed triumphantly.

She was right. The gambling hall that Trisha had slyly taken over in the absence of its owner was doing much better than before. It was so crowded that they were simultaneously expanding four buildings.

“…What matters is net profit, not sales.”

“As if you’ve ever said the opposite. How ugly, our sister Diana.”

Diana bit her lip tightly, looking unsure whether to praise Trisha or not, then changed the subject.

“What were you going to say earlier, Mira?”

“I’ve decided what to ask for with that ‘anything you want’ wish. Can I say it now?”

“Um… yes. I’m ready.”

Diana took a deep breath, looking slightly tense. I smiled and put Trisha down.

“Spend the entire day with our second sister and praise her no matter what she does. How about that?”

“……”

Her face turned ashen.

“Really? You’ll praise me no matter what I do?”

“Yes. Feel free to torment her as much as you want.”

After receiving confirmation, Trisha’s expression changed to that of a bald fifty-something extra who had just seen a hypnotized woman. Realizing the target had changed, Diana cried out pitifully.

“No! I refuse! Ask for something lewd instead! Rather than being stuck with Trisha, that would be better!”

“Oh, then can I throw away all those romance novels in your room? Don’t you have quite a few limited editions and out-of-print copies there?”

“……”

Realizing that I absolutely wouldn’t back down, Diana dejectedly lowered her head. Trisha sat down triumphantly beside her and draped an arm over her shoulder. Diana’s body trembled.

“Ugh… kill me…”

“Kill you? On such a wonderful day!”

Laughing like some kind of villain with a “kuhahah,” Trisha suddenly reached into her inner pocket.

“Oh right. Brother, want to see something good?”

“Something good?”

A deck of cards appeared in her hand.

“I learned some techniques there. Want to try? Oh, Diana got completely cleaned out by me and was so upset she wouldn’t talk to me for a while.”

“Hey! That’s—”

“Ah-ah, mind your language. Isn’t this an order from our youngest, using his wish that must be granted? So, what were you saying?”

“…mmble, grmmble…”

A sound of gritted teeth escaped through her lips. Diana’s eyes blazed. Seeing this, Trisha’s mouth curved into a smile that reached her ears. I wonder if she’ll be able to handle the aftermath properly.

“So, Mira? Want to try?”

Well, she’ll figure it out herself later.

“I’m fine, but if you’re confident, go ahead and challenge me.”

“Oh? Really?”

“But playing for nothing would be boring. How about a wish that grants anything, like our eldest sister’s?”

“Our youngest has finally grown up! Indeed, gambling is only fun when the stakes are high! I’ll go all out!”

“……”

The fate of Trisha, who had diligently planted her own defeat flag by saying she would “go all out,” was obvious.

She was completely cleaned out by me, and along with Diana, who had to endure Trisha’s forceful side-hugs after each loss, she wandered off with a dazed expression.

That’s what happens when you challenge someone with petty tricks.

If she had bet on luck instead, I would have played fairly, and the odds would have been around fifty-fifty. But when she openly declared she had learned techniques and wanted to compete with those, I had no reason not to use magic.

“You seem to be in a good mood, young master.”

“Well, yes. How’s Io? Is she doing well?”

“Yes. I heard she was quite disappointed that she couldn’t see you directly because she’s overseeing the security detail for Diana’s trading company. It will take at least a week for her to return, even at the earliest.”

“Tell her it’s fine since we have plenty of time. It’s not like I’m only visiting for today.”

After saying that, I pulled a smartphone from my pocket. Beatrice remained unfazed at the sight. This was thanks to her promise to keep the personally crafted magical tool a secret from others.

Beatrice was quite pleased to have another secret, following the revelation that Nika was a succubus. Nika, who inevitably knew about the smartphone, kept her mouth shut quietly.

I turned on the screen and checked my messages. The conversation history with my sister from the other world, exchanged a few hours before returning to the family mansion, appeared.

—Hey

—Mom’s asking when you’re coming home

—When are you really coming back? It’s getting tough

—If you’ve taken so much money, shouldn’t you at least make up a good excuse so she won’t worry and think you’re not coming back today? Tell her you’ll be gone until next week

—You bastard, at least tell me how the date went

—I put my soul into helping you set it up, and now that you’ve got what you wanted, you don’t need me anymore? Huh?

—How many times do I have to tell you it went well? Stop asking

—You should tell me HOW well it went, you conscienceless jerk

—We’re still seriously dating

—Did it work out?

—Oh, then introduce her to me later

—Why?

—So I can ask how far you’ve gone

—You crazy woman

—🖕

—🖕

Looking at the conversation that ended with both of us using the Korean vowel that symbolizes the middle finger, I realized anew how kind the sisters on this side were.

“Beatrice.”

“Yes, young master.”

“Don’t you think Trisha is actually quite an excellent sister?”

“Pardon…?”

While Beatrice was bewildered, Nika was quietly trying to hold back her laughter beside her.