thud—!

''What the hell is the deal with you?''

Blaire asked in a low, almost growl-like tone as she cornered me into the wall. Her towering height reminded me of when Penelope or Rachael had done the same thing to me, albeit with different intentions.

''My stance is crystal-clear, Lady Dreux.'' I calmly replied. ''Let me set the record straight: you have no relationship with Her Highness, the third imperial princess, so you have no right to pressure me into anything.''

''Oh, is that so?''

Suddenly, her face twisted, and a sarcastic remark was thrown out, followed by a blatant threat,

''Did you really think that now that you had joined the house of Orleans, you could do anything you want?''

''Of course not. This is a matter of basic human relationships that has nothing to do with status, Lady Dreux. I'm sure you are just not admitting it.''

Although it was a bit ironic coming from someone like me, it was true.

At their core, human relationships shouldn't allow someone to be threatened over rightfully winning their mate. Of course, that's what the standard morals say, but someone like Blaire could totally do something else.

''You think you're clever, huh?''

Like angrily grabbing my collar.

More than anything, I was scared she would rip my clothes apart. The dress itself was not too expensive, but the outer coat couldn't be found easily. It was my favorite, too. 

Weird.

Should I have tried something different?

It was confusing. I remembered clearly that she could be persuaded in the game. Was it the difference in the environment or the development of the storyline? 

Or... was it me that didn't fit in the picture?

Whatever.

''Hah... miss.''

''...!''

''You wouldn't want to go down that path.''

The moment I narrowed my eyes and released my mana, Blaire's grip immediately loosened, and the girl frightenedly took a few steps back. Her trembling gaze darted here and there, but soon, she finally gathered enough courage to shoot back at me,

''Y-You... what the hell are you?!''

''Not your business. Just know that if you try to overstep again...''

Walking closer to Blaire, I slightly lifted her chin with my index finger, ''Don't even mention Her Highness or Bourbon's heiress; I will make your life hell first.'' I whispered.

''...!!''

''Well? I hope I won't need to resort to that.''

Leaving the stunned Blaire behind, I quietly headed to the main entrance.

It was time to go home. I missed my cute little sister dearly.

''Ugh...''

As I took my time crossing the hallway, however, a sharp pain surged from my torso all the way to my head. I covered my mouth and clenched my jaw, forcing a few bad coughs to stay inside.

''Hah... hah...''

It felt like my head was split.

I suppose it was only natural. To release an aura strong enough to completely overwhelm someone like Blaire, who was regarded as a top talent within the human world, meant that I would need to exert myself a bit.

Which hurt like hell.

...I really needed to avoid getting into confrontations from this point onward.

''Let's go.''

Once outside, I quickly slipped into my car and urged the driver. The guy, seemingly noticing my condition, cast a worried look through the rearview mirror.

''Are you feeling unwell, Milady?''

''Hm? I'm fine. Thanks for asking.''

''Ah, understood...''

Heh, I thought the servants were all looking down on me internally or externally because of my commoner origin, but I suppose there were also good guys like him.

Anyway, was my complexion that bad?

It seemed I would have to avoid seeing Lyra for a bit lest she get worried. Fortunately, her lesson wouldn't end for a while, so even taking into account the travel time, I'd reckon I would be able to get ample rest.

And that was where I was wrong.

''Um... why are you here...?''

''My lesson ended early,''

Lyra said so, standing right beside the main entrance. At this point, she was still adorably hugging her pet dragon, Amethyst, but perhaps because her height had dramatically increased since we first met, she appeared much more assertive... and a bit scary.

''What did she do to you?''

Especially when she coldly interrogated me with her cold fingers on my cheek and her vold-like black eyes piercing my defense.

I had been feeling this for a while, but there was something wrong with my little sister at times. Yes. Every time her eyes lost their luster, I would be here, trembling my legs. It felt like my entire body was being grasped by an invisible palm, one with sharp, blade-like fingers.

Of course, my genuine affection for her helped negate my fear, but it was odd nonetheless. Could it be that she was infected with something? No, I would have noticed it if—

''Answer me, big sis.''

''...!''

Lyra's utterly emotionless voice snapped me out of it, and this time, she had already caught my wrists at some point. Even though her grip was gentle, I somehow didn't dare to have a thought of escaping.

''C-Come on, Lady Dreux didn't do anything to me, okay?'' I replied, posing a bright smile. ''More than that, we actually resolved our misunderstanding!''

''Big sis.''

''Yeah...?''

''Do you know that it's quite easy to tell whether you are lying or not?''

Saying that, Lyra took a step closer, staring straight up at me. Despite having endless room behind me to back away, a sense of oppression rose instead—like I was being cornered. 

''Your smile is forced. Even your hands are shaking. Big sis, tell me what happened.''

''U-Um...''

I certainly didn't expect the introverted Lyra to be this aggressive, but somehow, I was celebrating inside for just how much she cared about me. It was a proof of our good relationship.

Our sisterly bond.

So, I decided to be a bit honest with her.

''Actually... we got into a fight. But it's all good now! I'm unharmed, and she probably won't bother me again.'' I said.

''Probably?''

''Like, most certainly. Yeah.''

''...''

''...''

''...Come with me.''

Then... I got dragged into Lyra's room?

It was a while since I last went into her room. She would often visit mine instead, after all. It was a pleasure each time she did that, but still, there was something so endearing and cozy about her space that drew me in. Was it the warm light on the table or the tall window overlooking the woods outside?

Maybe the always-sleepy dragon that always curled up on the bed?

Oh, but I guess I was the one curled up on the bed instead.

''Stay still.''

Because Lyra promptly removed my coat and my heels before pushing me onto the soft mattress, then threw on a quilt as well.

All I could smell was her comforting scent.

Before long, Lyra herself would also take off her blazer, slipping into the bed with only her shirt and pants on. I couldn't quite process it yet, but... it was an invitation to sleep together, wasn't it?

''Nn...''

Without saying a word, the girl snuggled up to me, burying herself into my chest, her arms possessively wrapped around my waist. After a bit, I could gradually feel her steady, hot breaths through my dress.

Her nuzzles were a bit brazen, and she might have hugged me too tightly, but all I could think of was the incredible warmth she brought me on this cold day. Slowly, I also embraced her little body.

''Heheh...''

Really, I was backed into a corner.