Then, a sharp pain hit me like my head was splitting—and the next moment, I saw a strange sight.
A large room.
Shelves lined the walls. Countless bottles were neatly placed on them.
Inside the bottles were herbs and their powders.
In the center of the room was a large workbench, equipped with a scale and the tools needed for mixing.
(…What is this?)
As I stood in a daze, there was a knock at the door.
“Lady Cecilia. Let me help you change.”
A maid had entered.
“Yes, please help me.”
“How about this one today? I think it is perfect if you are going to eat your meal in the palace courtyard.”
The maid, who started helping me change, brought out a light blue daytime dress—the exact same dress as that day. Last time, I obeyed without thinking, but I shook my head.
“No. Today, I will wear the rose-colored dress.”
I do not intend to repeat the same fate twice.
When I went to the dining room, my parents were already in their seats, eating a late breakfast. Liliana had only orange juice in front of her. I took only a drink as well, and silently watched my family.
My mother looked at Liliana in her dress and smiled with satisfaction.
“It suits you very well.”
I looked at Liliana’s dress and gasped softly.
(As I thought, she is wearing the same dress as that day.)
My father had a maid bring out his favorite champagne and handed it directly to Liliana.
“I hope you have a fun luncheon. Cecilia, make sure to protect Liliana. You are the older sister, after all.”
“That is right. Liliana is cute, but she can be a little clumsy, right? Cecilia, please keep an eye on her.”
My mother told me to look after my sister—this conversation was the same as that day.
“It is fine. Lord Lucien will be there too. He is my elder sister’s fiancé, but he is very kind.”
Liliana flashed an angel-like smile.
“That is true. Lord Lucien is very kind to Liliana.”
Mother gently patted Liliana’s head.
“He is your future brother-in-law. I like Lord Lucien very much.”
—The last time, I would have answered like this here.
“Lord Lucien is kind to everyone. I love him too.”
But right now, I do not feel like saying something like that.
“If that is so, is it okay if I give Lord Lucien to you? I think Lord Lucien and Liliana make a good match.”
The moment I said that, my parents’ expressions froze.
“…No, I am just joking. Please do not make such surprised faces.”
I smiled brightly to ease the mood. I thought it would be fine to say at least this much.
“My… It is different from usual, so I was just a little surprised. Cecilia, you have always been a kind and quiet girl, right? I never thought you would say something like that…”
Mother said, looking confused, and stared at me.
“Ah. You were a sensible daughter who did not cause any trouble. …Know your place, Cecilia. Even jokes have limits.”
Father frowned unpleasantly.
“Until now, that might have been true. But from now on, I plan to say what I want to say properly. Liliana says whatever comes to her mind, right? Surely I am allowed to do the same, aren’t I?”
I replied quietly, but Father glared at me.
It was then that an awkward silence fell.
“…Sister, you say funny things. But I do not need Lord Lucien. Because the one I like is the Crown Prince. Lord Lucien looks inferior compared to the Crown Prince, and above all, he is the third son of the Marquis of Crocode, isn’t he? He cannot even inherit the peerage, can he?”
Liliana giggled and shrugged her shoulders.
At Liliana’s blunt words, my parents uncomfortably looked away, but she herself did not seem to care at all. Far from getting angry, Father did not even frown.
Before long, Lord Lucien came to pick us up and handed Liliana a small white package.
“Oh, what is that?”
The last time, I would never have asked something like that.
“Ah, it is just candy that children eat. I found something Liliana looked like she would like, so I bought it.”
In cases like this, I often used to keep my opinions to myself. But now, I want to speak up. I will become a different person than before and overturn my fate of being executed.
“Oh, I am your fiancée, am I not? Shouldn’t you buy it for me first?”
Mother turned a look of confusion toward me again, Father glared, and Lord Lucien wore a surprised expression.
(I do not remember saying anything that amazing…)
“Ah, yes… I am sorry. From now on, I will buy some for Cecilia too.”
The moment Lord Lucien said that as if making an excuse—a voice was heard from inside the white package.
No way, I am not candy. I am a me-di-cine that makes you feel a little good when you drink me. You have to be careful not to get the dose wrong, you see.
“Eh? What? This voice… That sounded strange, didn’t it?”
“I am not doing anything. Sister, you are acting strange today!”
Liliana tilted her head.
Pink-blond hair and pink eyes.
Her gesture was as lovely as ever.
As for Lord Lucien, he was staring at Liliana, as expected.
(…As I thought, he is staring at Liliana too much. Surely, Lord Lucien likes my sister.)
I was convinced. Because it is common to follow the person you like with your eyes.
My parents were looking at me suspiciously.
And then, the voice rang out again.
“Over here, over here. Me, the aphrodisiac, is talking. Lady Setsurin—”
(Setsurin…? Who is that? Also, is the contents of that package an aphrodisiac?)