"There's no need to be so downcast. I understand. When sparring, you want to face someone stronger than me. You want to know how much you've improved."
"That's it."
Seria nodded. Sigrid shook her head and said:
"But I feel lonely thinking about you leaving. At least stay until Arkana returns?"
"Of course. I'll probably have to face off with brother to go there anyway."
Seria shrugged. She wrinkled her freckled nose bridge. She knew why Arkana was overprotective of her. She had put up with the discomfort because his embrace was comfortable too.
But now it's different.
She has a dream, a goal, and a path to pursue.
Seria looked with shining eyes at Sigrid, who was tilting her head and muttering, "An argument with Arkana..." She probably couldn't imagine it, but Sigrid was Seria's role model.
A capable woman who uses her abilities and follows her own path.
Yet she never brags or acts superior. She's not exactly humble, but she has a natural confidence. A confidence that comes from absolute skill.
"Seria is practically family to me."
Sigrid looked at her and smiled. At those words, Seria's eyes widened. Seeing her expression, Sigrid wrinkled her nose.
"Is that not right...?"
"No, I... I didn't know you thought of me that way."
"Both Arkana and Seria feel like family to me. Well, I never had a family, so I don't really know, but I think it might feel like this if I did."
"Then, um, that is, uh— can I call you big sister...?"
When she asked hesitantly, Sigrid nodded readily.
"Sure."
"Big sister!"
"Yes?"
Seria beamed. Sigrid found herself smiling unconsciously, drawn in by that smile.
'I should ask Beramund when he returns.'
Sigrid thought, glancing at the calendar.
'I wonder how long it will take him to return...? A month, maybe?'
But much earlier than Sigrid's expectation, exactly five days later, the two returned.
⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱
Now, Alkerto was handling about half of the "playtime" with Awen.
Alkerto was uninhibited in his contact with Awen, doing things that didn't seem like treating a prince — like lifting Awen up and spinning him around, or teaching him how to climb trees.
Of course, Awen came to like Alkerto even more. He enjoyed his time playing proudly, flanked by Alkerto and Sigrid on either side.
Morris, meanwhile, stood guard with a sigh.
As they were leaving in the evening, with Awen feeling disappointed, Alkerto said:
"I didn't know His Highness was like that. He's no different from my siblings."
"Really?"
When Sigrid asked, Alkerto nodded. Sigrid thought, 'Is that so?' and tried to imagine an average child, but found it difficult. Morris said:
"And I'm clearly the disliked one."
"Come on, that's not true."
Alkerto said, patting Morris, and Sigrid agreed.
"That's right. He's just not interested in you."
"Sig, that's not a consolation."
"Oh, is it not?"
"No."
Alkerto nodded deeply. As Sigrid was thinking 'Then what should I say?' she turned her gaze. She stopped abruptly, causing the two men to stop as well.
"Sig?"
When Morris asked curiously, Sigrid started walking again at a faster pace, and with an "Oh," the two followed behind her.
"Beramund!"
At her call, Beramund, who had been hiding behind a tree at the end of the road, slightly revealed himself.
"How did you know?"
"It would be strange not to know!"
At those words, Alkerto muttered, "Well, I didn't know." Sigrid, who had almost run to reach Beramund, looked him up and down. Beramund smiled.
"All limbs intact, all senses functioning."
"Thank goodness."
Sigrid sighed and asked:
"What about Arkana?"
"Arkana too."
"When did you arrive?"
"Just now. See, I haven't even changed my clothes yet."
At those words, Sigrid smiled slightly and said:
"You must be hot."
His northern attire looked too warm for the current capital weather.
"A little?"
Grinning, Beramund took her hand. Sigrid felt an inexplicable urge to pull her hand away out of embarrassment and looked back.
"Um, you three haven't met before, right? This is Beramund. And these are Morris and Alkerto."
The three exchanged awkward greetings. Even Sigrid could easily sense the awkwardness. She cleared her throat lightly and said:
"Uh, I'll talk with Beramund for a bit and then go. You two go ahead."
"Alright."
Alkerto nodded, and Morris stared intently at Beramund before smiling at Sigrid.
"Okay. See you tomorrow."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
After waving goodbye and watching the two disappear from sight, Beramund carefully reached out and embraced her. It was a slow embrace, giving Sigrid plenty of time to avoid it if she wanted, but she didn't.
Because they were lovers.
Holding Sigrid in his arms, Beramund let out a satisfied sigh. In his embrace, Sigrid wondered what she should do, then gently rested her head against his chest.
'Ah, he smells nice.'
Beramund had a pleasant scent. It was probably his natural scent, and she found herself enjoying it as she leaned against him for a moment.
"You came back early."
"We found him faster than expected."
Beramund answered, gently pushing her away. It was a gentle movement, but Sigrid looked up at him with an "Oh?"
The embrace was ticklish but warmly pleasant, and she didn't want to separate. She felt a slight disappointment. Beramund said:
"Let's talk while we walk."
"Ah, yes."
Hesitantly, Sigrid reached out and carefully took his hand. Beramund turned to look at her and smiled broadly. Feeling happy at that, Sigrid asked:
"So is it okay for you to walk around like this now?"
"Yes, for now. By the way, were those two also in the Imperial Guard?"
"Yes, I was surprised too."
Beramund made an "Hmm—" sound, openly examining her attire, then grumbled:
"Blue suits you better."
At his comment that the Imperial Guard uniform suited her better, Sigrid looked at her clothes and said, "You think so?" Now that he mentioned it, it did seem that way.
"Ah, right."
Sigrid let go of his hand.
"We shouldn't let people know we're dating."
"Why?"
"Because I'm infiltrating the Imperial Guard."
"Ah."
Beramund lifted his head, then gritted his teeth with a "Damn it." He grumbled:
"Not being able to meet my lover freely, isn't that too much?"
"We just have to wait until the infiltration is over."
"The three months will be over by then."
Muttering, Beramund sighed deeply and pulled his hood over his head. He asked:
"When's your day off?"
"Pardon?"
"Your day off. I owe you a date from before, remember?"
"Ah, yes, yes. My day off is— in two days."
"Good, then keep that day free for our date."
"Alright."
"I'll send a carriage."
"Understood."
"Good."
He pulled her hand and bent down to kiss the back of it.
"Then I'll see you that day, my lady."
And then he melted into the shadows of the shrubs and disappeared. After staring at where he had vanished, Sigrid looked at the back of her hand. His lips had been hot.
'A date...'
What should she wear?
Sigrid agonized over it. But the conclusion came easily.
'I'll consult with Marie-Chez.'
There was no one else she could discuss clothes with. After all, Marie-Chez was at the forefront of fashion.
'Come to think of it, Arkana must be at home now.'
The thought made her steps quicken automatically.
Before going home, Sigrid stopped by a pastry shop and bought an expensive, small roll cake.
'We'll eat it together.'
Seria would like it, and Arkana seemed to like sweets too.
Happily, Sigrid entered the mansion gate, and before she could open the front door, she heard raised voices from inside. Sigrid opened the door in confusion.
"Arkana?"
As she appeared, the argument stopped abruptly. Arkana's eyebrows were raised high, and Seria's face was red with anger.
"You're back?"
"You're home?"
"Uh— yes. Are you two alright?"
As she entered, asking, Seria said sharply:
"No, we're not."
"Of course we're not alright. She's saying such absurd things."
Arkana's voice was equally sharp. Seria turned to him and said:
"Absurd things? Ask big sister! She agreed to write me a letter of recommendation!"
At those words, Sigrid looked at Seria with an "Oh?" and then at Arkana. Arkana approached quickly and asked:
"What are you talking about? What letter of recommendation?"
"Well—"
"Please don't tell me you're going along with Seria's foolish plan. Going to work as an apprentice cook in another house, and a noble's house at that. It's too obvious what will happen!"
"Well—"
"What's so obvious? Do you think I'm that stupid, brother?"
"You're saying stupid things, so yes, I do think you're stupid!"
"But—"
"Oh, so you're smart because you're a magician, and I'm dumb because I'm ordinary? Wow, what a great dichotomy. Then I guess big sister must be empty-headed because she's a knight?"
"I—"
"Stop belittling others. I don't know what you said, but once Siri knows your plan, she'll obviously oppose it too."
"Arka—"
"Big sister heard my plan and agreed! You're the one who needs to come to your senses, brother!"
"Agreed?!"
"Yes!"
"Sigrid!"
"Big sister?!"
Both of them turned to Sigrid simultaneously. Sigrid thought, 'Ah, is it finally my turn to speak?' and looked back and forth between them before saying:
"Arkana, Seria wants to become a chef."
"Fine, let her become one. I can cover the ingredient costs, and she can cook as much as she wants. When did I ever say she couldn't?"
"Well, she says there's a limit to learning from books, and she wants to learn from someone else."
"Then I'll hire that chef."
At Arkana's words, Seria's mouth fell open, and Sigrid tilted her head and said:
"And after that, would it be okay for her to get a job elsewhere?"
"Why does she need to get a job? Seria can learn as she likes, then meet a good man and get married."
"That's absurd! Why are you deciding my future on your own?!"
"Because I'm your guardian!"
"What does that have to do with anything!"
"I'm trying to make the best choice for you."
"Don't you mean the best choice for you?"
"Seria!"
"Anyway, I'm going! Big sister Sigrid agreed to write me a recommendation letter!"
Seria shouted, pushed Arkana's chest with both hands, and dashed upstairs. Arkana watched her retreating figure in bewilderment, then swiftly turned his gaze to Sigrid.
"Sigrid, you're not going to listen to her, are you?"
"Arkana, just listen to me first."
"There's no need to listen. You're my friend, aren't you?"
At his growling words, Sigrid looked at the ceiling once, then back at him and said:
"I'm saying this because I'm your friend."
"You know what Seria means to me."
"I know. But that doesn't mean you can keep her in your protective cage forever."
"Why not?"
"Uh— Arkana? First of all, Seria is an adult, and she has her own dreams and goals."
"I'm not saying I won't cooperate. I said she can do what she wants."
"But only within your palm, right?"
"That's right."
Arkana answered firmly. Sigrid looked at him with astonished eyes. Of course, she knew he had lost his entire family before his eyes and cherished his younger sister dearly, but she never thought he would react to this extent.
"Arkana, that's not protection, it's captivity."