Chapter 92

92

‘She said she was leaving today…’

I recalled what Liss had told me yesterday.

As Dolph had explained, my sister was quite busy, helping with family affairs from an early age.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t be leaving so quickly after making a big trip to the Holy City.

The reason she made time despite her busy schedule was likely 99% to check on her brother’s condition, which made me chuckle.

‘Well, I handled it well enough yesterday, didn’t I?’

I thought about what had happened yesterday.

I had shown just enough of my true intentions and even apologized.

Her reaction wasn’t warm, but it wasn’t bad either.

You can’t expect too much from the first step.

‘After all, we’re not just going to see each other once.’

We are siblings, sharing the same blood.

We will see each other many times in the future.

Every time we meet, if I show her my changed self, her feelings might gradually shift.

‘Anyway.’

I couldn’t just let her leave without a gift.

It’s only natural for a brother to show some consideration.

After all, I’m not Max.

‘What would be a good gift…?’

Normally, cash would be the best gift, but she’s my sister.

Cash wouldn’t be a very exciting gift for the eldest daughter of the Celtrine family.

So then?

‘Yes, that would be perfect.’

My sister is at the age where she cares about her appearance and loves to dress up.

So, cosmetics would be a great gift.

Of course, not just any cosmetics.

Something she would like.

And that wasn’t something I could choose on my own.

I needed expert advice.

‘Let’s see…’

I thought of the women I knew.

Hiresia?

She belongs to a blessed race that looks radiant even with just a splash of water on their face, so she’s out.

Elaine?

A natural beauty but clueless about fashion and not good at dressing up.

Also out.

Regina?

There wasn’t anyone around me who could do sophisticated makeup as well as her.

She was skilled at dressing up, a testament to her ability.

She did everything while staying on trend, and her nearly perfect appearance was truly impressive.

There was no need to think further.

The person to ask for help was decided.

I got ready to head out.

* * *

“Busy even on weekends?”

I said as I found Regina in the student council office.

“As you can see.”

Regina put down her pen and looked at me.

She was dressed differently from yesterday, in casual clothes.

A white blouse with frills and a blue draped skirt.

With her figure, any clothes looked good on her, but it was clear she knew how to dress well.

She wasn’t at the top of the list of seniors admired by female juniors for no reason.

“What do you need?”

“I need some help.”

“Help?”

I saw a subtle curiosity in Regina’s eyes.

“I want to give my sister a gift, but it’s not my area of expertise.”

“Oh, I see. I can guess. Beauty products, right?”

“Cosmetics.”

“Good choice.”

“Basic sense.”

“But you know that if you choose wrong, it’s worse than not giving anything, right?”

“That’s why I’m asking for help.”

I smiled.

Regina moved her hand to pull out a blank piece of paper.

“You’re in luck.”

“What do you mean?”

“I just met your sister yesterday.”

“Oh.”

I nodded, understanding.

I knew that makeup suited different face shapes and skin conditions.

And the right cosmetics would vary accordingly.

So the fact that Regina had met Liss yesterday was perfect for getting advice on a gift.

Regina quickly wrote something on the blank paper without hesitation.

Then she neatly folded it and handed it to me.

“This should do.”

“Thank you.”

I smiled and took the folded paper.

Regina softly added a comment.

“Take good care of her while you can. Once she’s married, you won’t be able to see her as freely.”

It was an unexpected statement.

I didn’t think she was the sentimental type when it came to family.

‘Come to think of it…’

Even though I had played countless times, I didn’t know much about Regina’s family.

All I knew was that she had an older brother with a significant age gap.

‘Is there something more?’

I felt curious.

Unlike the protagonist, I was her fiancé, so I would have the opportunity to meet her family.

I would find out then.

I organized my thoughts and replied.

“I’ll keep that good advice in mind. Keep up the good work. I won’t bother you any longer.”

Regina waved her hand slightly.

I left the student council office.

* * *

“Did you choose?”

Sana asked with a tired tone.

“Ugh, I can’t decide. I like all of them.”

Liss shook her head.

I could guess from her words.

The prolonged shopping was exhausting Sana, who was accompanying Liss.

“Then… why not buy them all?”

Sana asked hopefully.

“No, no. That’s too extravagant.”

Liss firmly rejected the idea.

Sana’s eyes dimmed.

Ugh, then please decide quickly, Miss!

Her inner cry didn’t make it to her lips.

“Ha… ha… right…”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Liss, engrossed in shopping, didn’t notice her maid’s state.

Sana shed a tear in her heart.

And then came another blow.

“Ah. I think I need to try them on again.”

“Wha… what?”

Sana’s tongue twisted.

Her eyes seemed to lose focus.

The shopping, which felt like a march through hell for Sana, finally ended nearly two hours later.

“That was a good shopping trip.”

Liss expressed her satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Sana’s face showed relief, as if she had just survived.

“Thanks to my brother…”

Liss muttered, then quickly closed her mouth.

Her face turned red.

What do you mean, thanks to your brother?

He just mentioned a famous clothing store.

Why is your mental state like this?

Don’t let such a small favor sway you!

Liss scolded herself and lightly hit her head with her fist.

It was a habit she had when she was self-critical.

Sana swallowed nervously in the awkward atmosphere.

Just then.

“What are you doing?”

Max suddenly appeared, like a tiger at the mention of its name.

“B-Brother?”

Liss looked flustered.

She was speechless.

Why does he keep showing up suddenly and catching me off guard?

Is this intentional?

“Why are you surprised? Have you never seen a person before?”

“…You should give a heads-up before you show up.”

“Haha, if I give a heads-up, you might avoid me. You didn’t even respond when I sent someone.”

“I wasn’t planning to see you today.”

“Do as you like. But at least let me see you off.”

“Why are you trying to do something you never do?”

Liss glared at Max, raising one eyebrow.

Max laughed it off.

“I told you. I made a decis—”

“Stop with that phrase already!”

Liss shouted, looking like she was about to have a nervous breakdown just from hearing that phrase.

“Alright, just give me some time like a normal person.”

Even seeing Max talk like a normal brother gave her goosebumps.

Max had always been as far from a normal brother as heaven and earth.

In short, her rejection was based on experience.

She wanted to kick him with all her might.

“Hmm.”

Liss hesitated.

If it weren’t for what happened yesterday, she would have refused outright.

But yesterday’s events had significantly impacted her psychologically.

At least enough to decide to give her brother another chance.

‘Well… if he’s insisting this much, I might as well hear what he has to say.’

Having made up her mind, Liss spoke.

“Alright. It won’t take long, right?”

“Of course not. I won’t keep you long. Shall we go then?”

Max smiled.

* * *

Cafe Monica.

It was my regular cafe.

We took a seat on the scenic second floor.

“What do you want to drink?”

“Hmm… you order first.”

“I’ll have an Americano.”

Liss looked at me with puzzled eyes.

“What? You hate bitter things.”

Well, this girl.

She didn’t even know how to appreciate the bitterness of life.

Well… tastes vary.

“Once you understand life, you start to appreciate the bitterness.”

I tried to sound profound.

“…What are you talking about?”

“Life is bitter, like the taste of bitterness.”

“You’re a silver spoon, though?”

“Even silver spoons have their hardships.”

“No, that’s…”

“That’s life, sister.”

I didn’t even know what I was saying anymore.

Liss seemed to choose to ignore me.

She stared intently at the menu before finally speaking.

“I’ll have a hot… no, a cafe latte.”

Liss quickly changed her order mid-sentence.

She probably wanted hot chocolate but changed to a cafe latte to avoid looking childish.

I could see right through her, and I smiled inwardly.

Cute, very cute.

“You heard that? One Americano, one cafe latte.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Dolph went downstairs to place the order.

Now we just had to wait leisurely.

“When are you leaving?”

“I need to leave before it gets dark.”

“I see. But isn’t your security a bit lacking? I’m a bit worried.”

“Huh? There’s no problem.”

Liss looked completely unconcerned.

Seeing her expression, I remembered something.

‘Oh, it’s a time of peace.’

This was the last period of peace before significant problems started cropping up everywhere.

Since the public order hadn’t deteriorated yet, there was no real issue as long as she stayed on the main roads.

“And even if something happens, Sana is a mage.”

Ah, so that maid is a mage?

No wonder she seemed capable.

“Then it’s fine.”

“Yeah.”

The conversation ended there, but I felt like I had scored some points.

I saw Liss’s eyes waver slightly when I expressed concern earlier.

Time to get to the main point.

I spoke again.

“Actually.”

“Huh?”

“I prepared a gift. I wanted to give it to you, so I asked for some time.”

“A g-g-gift?”

Liss’s eyes widened in surprise.

She looked like she had experienced a cultural shock.

It was clear.

Liss had never received a gift from her brother, Max, in her entire life.

…What kind of half-sibling is she?

No, even a half-sibling would receive a gift at least once.

What did he do to make her show such a pitiful reaction?

Even I, who had been keeping my composure, felt a bit emotional.

This wasn’t something to just laugh off.

I was glad I had prepared a gift.

“Yes, a gift. Other brothers give them on special occasions, and I realized I’ve been neglectful… quite a bit.”

“Oh… I hadn’t really thought about it… but if that’s the case…”

Liss tried to act nonchalant, but I could sense her surprise and happiness.

It was her first experience, so she couldn’t hide it well.

I smiled warmly.

“Here.”

I placed the gift on the table.

“What’s this?”

“Open it.”

“Oh… okay.”

Liss awkwardly unwrapped the gift.

As they say, practice makes perfect… Max, you bad guy.

“This is…?”

Liss’s eyes widened as she finished unwrapping.

“…Cosmetics?”

“Yes. I thought it would be a good choice.”

“But you don’t know much about cosmetics.”

Just as she was about to feel a bit disappointed, I spoke.

“Your sister-in-law picked them out. I specifically asked her to choose ones that would suit you.”

“S-sister-in-law?”

Liss’s face lit up immediately.

From her perspective, Regina was an impressive adult woman to admire.

Especially since her style was impeccable.

Knowing that Regina had personally chosen the cosmetics made Liss’s eyes light up.

A smile naturally formed on my face.

“So, it’s essentially a gift from both me and your sister-in-law.”

“Please thank her for me. And thank you, too…”

“Hmm?”

“…”

Embarrassed, Liss couldn’t finish her sentence.

Cute little sister.

Well, I understand her feelings even if she doesn’t say it.

“…Thank you.”

Liss mumbled in a very small voice.

It was probably the first time she had ever thanked her brother.

A miracle brought by the first gift… could I call it that?

“No problem. It’s something I should have done. I actually feel a bit sorry.”

The atmosphere was warm but somewhat awkward.

Dolph arrived with the coffee, seemingly to break the awkwardness.

“Here you go, my lord.”

“Thanks.”

We sipped our coffee in a much more relaxed atmosphere than our first meeting.

* * *

“Take care. See you next time.”

“Yeah.”

I saw my sister off.

I felt it.

Initially, we didn’t feel like siblings, but now we were starting to.

I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

My sister probably did too.

I stood there for a while, watching where she had disappeared.

“…My lord?”

‘I think I did well this time.’

With that thought, I turned around.

“Let’s go.”