episode_0032

“Ouch!”

Chris grabbed her forehead and glared at me with resentment.

“Lady Chris!”

“Assaulting someone in front of everyone—how bold!”

“S-So, the talk was a lie from the start! You had ulterior motives all along!”

The moment I flicked Chris’s forehead, royal guards swarmed in from all directions.

“Oops.”

“Sigh… Think for a second.”

Chris waved her hand dismissively at the guards, reassuring them with a smile. As if nothing had happened, they promptly retreated.

Watching them, I muttered,

“Scary, scary.”

“You should watch your actions. Even if words don’t reach you, your actions are very noticeable.”

“You’re one to talk.”

True to my words, Chris was struggling just to hold her utensils.

Of course, I couldn’t rule out the possibility that the food simply didn’t suit her taste, but the main issue was undoubtedly that hand of hers.

Trying to move her hand while hiding its injury must have been exhausting—like drawing a circle with one hand and a triangle with the other. Not impossible, but nearly unsustainable to keep up.

“Why go to such lengths?”

“Hm?”

“Your hand. Just say you got hurt—blame it on a failed magic experiment or a botched potion. You’ve got excuses to spare, don’t you?”

“I can’t do that.”

“Can’t? Why not?”

“I can’t show weakness.”

“…Just for that?”

“I know you’d laugh at me.”

Her voice was self-deprecating, but her expression was resolute.

“I have an obligation to play the flawless Christine Grail in front of the others. Controlling my emotions, maintaining perfect grades, combat training—if I slip up even once, they won’t stay under me anymore.”

“Aren’t you overthinking it? Sure, some might wanna exploit you, but not all of them are like that.”

I thought of Ruby, who always chattered excitedly beside Chris. A little noisy, yes, but her magical energy shone almost pure white.

Someone like her could easily be Chris’s ally.

There were others, too, driven by genuine loyalty toward her.

“Okay, maybe some truly care about me. But even they follow me because of who I am now. I have to stay perfect.”

“And this is your idea of perfect? Barely managing to hold a spoon? Fine. Open your mouth.”

“My mouth?”

Confused, Chris obeyed.

“Nom.”

“Gwah—?!”

I swiftly scooped food from her tray and stuffed it into her mouth.

“At this rate, lunch’ll last till dinner. I’ll help, so hurry up and eat.”

“What are you—?!”

She swatted away my hand as it reached for another bite. Though not choking, her face flushed red.

“Have you no shame? I’m not a child!”

“Picky, huh? Can’t feed yourself, won’t let me feed you. What do you want?”

“There’s a time and place for things! Even if—”

I raised my hand and began manipulating magic. Annoying as it was, having decided to help, indulging her tantrum was nothing.

Whirr.

Again, her utensils floated from her grasp into the air.

Except this time, I wasn’t holding them.

“Happy? If questioned, say I lent you magic—apology for earlier or whatever excuse suits you.”

Hands are the easiest conduit for magic. With hers injured, I figured I’d flaunt my skills a bit.

“…Thanks.”

“If you’re grateful, smile while saying it. You’re way too suspicious.”

“I-I can do this much! Just ’cause my hand’s hurt doesn’t mean I can’t chant—”

I quietly admonished my stubborn little sister.

“I know what you’re thinking—why you believe it—I get it.”

Chris was desperate.

The more I acted, the fewer moves she could make using her future knowledge. Her options shrunk, and she feared that if she became useless, she’d no longer be my sister.

“Even though you know—”

“It’s pointless.”

She knew better than anyone how hollow that relationship was. Yet she clung to it—why?

Maybe some lingering trauma from her orphaned childhood.

Chris shook her head, unwilling to listen.

“Whatever you say, I won’t stop. I’ll ensure nothing troubles or burdens you again.”

“Yeah, right.”

“I mean it.”

She met my gaze squarely.

“I’d rather die than live as a coward, turning blind eyes to the truth again.”

“Sure. Can’t even hold a spoon, barely eating hand-fed meals—that’s your proud life now?”

“Eek…!”

“Whatever. Just don’t get hurt pulling reckless stunts for my sake. Makes me worry, you idiot.”

“Huh?”

Chris stared dumbfounded.

“However much you fuss, I won’t feel grateful. If problems arise, I deal with them.”

“Yeah, I know—”

“Then. Take. Care. Of. Yourself.”

With each word, I lightly tapped her forehead.

“Got it?”

“…Yeah.”

Chris mumbled obediently, head lowered. Was it my imagination, or did she seem… pleased?

Soon after, I stood with both our emptied trays.

“Shall we?”

“Understood. Everyone, see you in class later!”

Amid the chaotic meal, Chris excused herself to “give me a tour,” and we left the cafeteria together.

“Ah, Lady Chris… Ugh.”

“Endure it! As students of Phyendor Academy, we must withstand such trials—Eep?!”

Her royal guards were… adjusting to the academy’s cuisine.

“A tour? You lie surprisingly easily.”

“Living here teaches you that naturally. Besides, it’s not a lie, right?”

True enough, Chris smoothly explained the facilities before my afternoon classes began.

“If you crave an ordinary life, learn excuses suitable for occasions.”

“Excuses? Doubt I’ll need them much.”

“You chose to live as Eric Grail, not Madman Eric. Even with me and the others covering for you, trouble will find you.”

“’Cause I’m a Grail now?”

“Yep. Your madness was your greatest flaw—but it spared you countless obligations. Now, everyone’s weighing the new Grail heir’s worth.”

“Ugh…”

Grumbling, Chris seized the moment.

“Though… there is a way everyone stays happy.”

“Spit it out sooner.”

“Live as you please.”

“I do.”

“No—do nothing. Whatever you desire, indulge freely. We’ll handle all duties and consequences.”

“…What?”

“Our wealth, prestige… and ourselves—all yours. No objections. How’s that?”

“…Hard pass. I’ll just live earnestly.”

“Too bad.”

Her casual delivery chilled me.

Had I not already faced consequences via Chris’s “quest,” I might’ve missed how warped everyone’s feelings toward me were.

My daily life now balanced on a razor’s edge.

And as if testing me, a familiar figure appeared ahead.

“Hey, isn’t that—”

“Go straight to class! I’ll contact you later!”

Before I could speak, Chris strode forward, seized the approaching figure’s wrist, and vanished from sight.

“Chris! What’s this?! Even as fellow student council—”

“Enough. Just come.”

Cecilia, of course.

—–

Only after Eric was fully out of sight did Christine release Cecilia’s wrist.

“Chris. Are you sane?”

“Drop the fake honorifics. You explain what you’re doing.”

“It was coincidence. Must you interrogate me?”

“Coincidence? Don’t lie. Not from you.”

“But what other explanation is there?”

“…That’s…”

Stumped, Christine faltered—letting Cecilia strike back.

“You’ve grown bold. Dragging Eric around, yet protesting me? Still hung up over the places you couldn’t take him while he was alive? Must sting, seeing me give him that tour.”

“Shut up.”

Christine’s growl held no threat—Cecilia feared only one person now.