My Sisters are Strange

“Oh, and thank you for the present.”

 

“Present?”

 

At Theodore’s words, I recalled the gift of a peridot brooch resembling his green eyes.

 

“Why did you send me a present?”

 

Looking rather embarrassed, Theodore asked in a proud voice.

 

“I don’t like that only the first-place winner got a prize. You worked hard to get second place, too.”

 

It was a gift I sent because I knew Theodore was sincere about the competition and I was worried that his efforts might be disparaged.

 

“That’s why I wanted to give you a gift to say you worked hard and that you did a great job. If you felt burdened…”

 

“I felt burdened. But I liked it.”

 

Theodore quickly answered as if to disagree.

 

“I haven’t received a present in a long time.”

 

“Oh, is that so? Didn’t your family congratulate you?”

 

Theodore paused at my words and nodded his head slowly.

 

“It’s a little hard to tell them the news because they live far away.”

 

“Oh, you’re living alone in the capital?”

 

Theodore answered yes and drank his juice.

 

“That’s why I go around alone on my day off.”

 

Behind the bitter voice, the only sound between us was the sound of the trickling fountain.

 

Family must be an unwelcome topic for Theodore.

 

“I am glad that I could be the first to congratulate Theodore.”

 

I smiled broadly as I clapped my hands.

 

“But did you not like the design? No matter how hard I look, I can’t see the brooch.”

 

The brooch decorated with laurel leaves was small, but delicate, and not flashy, so it could be worn in everyday life.

 

But no matter how much I looked at his chest, I couldn’t see it.

 

“Ah, where do you keep looking at?”

 

Theodore held his arm in an X-shape with an embarrassed expression and covered his chest.

 

“Sometimes I think Theodore’s confidence is incredible.”

 

“That’s not true!”

 

“I was just worried that you didn’t like the present. I’m so upset that you distort my worries like that.”

 

He was visibly embarrassed by my expression of disappointment.

 

“Since it’s a precious present, I am going to wear it only in important places!”

 

“Then I’ll look forward to the day you wear it. Please show it to me.”

 

When I answered casually, a look of resentment appeared on his face, perhaps realizing that I was joking.

 

However, he also regained his composure and continued to talk as usual.

 

“I don’t have to show it, do I?”

 

“But I’m sure it’ll look good on you, so I want to see it for myself.”

 

I was determined to see it so as not to waste the time I spent looking for the brilliant green gem that resembled his eyes.

 

Theodore smirked at my reaction and nodded.

 

“I see.”

 

I smiled at the satisfactory answer, but Theodore rested his chin and stared at me.

 

“What is it? Is there something on my face?”

 

“No. I think you’re feeling better now.”

 

Theodore’s eyes relaxed softly and smiled.

 

It seemed he’d been thinking about how I felt.

 

‘I’m truly grateful.’

 

With such good people next to me, I didn’t need to feel depressed.

 

I clenched my fist and spoke in a forceful voice.

 

“That’s right! I’ve felt better! So, I’m going to go to the parade that will be held after the engagement ceremony.”

 

“You’re going to the parade?”

 

Whoops. I guess I was too motivated.

 

Theodore’s surprised expression made me think it was a mistake.

 

“No, um… I thought I should. There aren’t many events held at the imperial palace these days.”

 

I laughed as awkwardly and as vaguely as I could.

 

“That could be. Oh, I’ll be busy again.”

 

I was relieved to hear the grumbling voice didn’t have any doubts.

 

We enjoyed a peaceful conversation, forgetting the incident from a while ago.

 

✲ ✲ ✲

 

“Liviatan has decided not to participate in tomorrow’s engagement.”

 

At Father’s words, I gulped down the food I was eating and glanced at the table.

 

I could see the displeasure on the family’s faces, and I was glad that Grandmother was not here right now.

 

“Viola will participate as an escort in the parade after tomorrow’s engagement, but that’s all.”

 

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

 

At Father’s words, Viola replied in a stiff voice.

 

Liliana must have sensed that I felt intimidated and patted me in a friendly voice.

 

“Daisy. Nothing was your fault, so don’t make that face.”

 

“I understand.”

 

“The streets are likely to be noisy, so I think it would be good to rest at home tomorrow.”

 

“Liliana is right. Daisy, my youngest daughter. Tomorrow, let’s spend time leisurely with Mom.”

 

I nodded reluctantly at Mother’s voice.

 

‘It’s a big deal. I was really planning to go out tomorrow.’

 

I wanted to go out and avoid everyone’s eyes because I needed to make sure what I saw in my dream was really going to happen.

 

As I was thinking about how to sneak out, my speed of eating food slowed down.

 

“No matter how upset you are, you should eat well.”

 

Viola said firmly, putting tender meat on my plate.

 

“No one will blame you, so don’t worry.”

 

‘My family is so nice that it’s too much sometimes. Thank you for taking care of me.’

 

I put the meat in my mouth and ate it fiercely.

 

Viola smiled satisfactorily at my action and began to concentrate on her meal.

 

‘Tomorrow, Viola will go out as an escort… Please, nothing should happen.’

 

The night filled with nervous feelings passed by quickly.

 

✲ ✲ ✲

 

“Lady…”

 

Despite Isabel’s anxious voice, I pretended not to notice and savored the tea in front of me.

 

“You promised everyone that you’d rest at home today.”

 

“But it bothers me.”

 

While Mother was asleep, I was able to escape the house with Isabelle, barely avoiding prying eyes.

 

When I settled down on the terrace I had seen in my dream and looked down at the street where people gathered, I felt a strange sense of deja vu.

 

‘Is it because I saw it in my dream?’

 

I looked at the excited people with a dry gaze.

 

People didn’t seem to care who Ronald’s fiancee was.

 

Seeing them being happy and cheering like they did in my dream made me feel a little upset.

 

‘Tch.’

 

I clicked my tongue inside and destroyed the strawberry cake in front of me.

 

Unless I put in something sweet, I might get stressed and angry.

 

“Lady. Are you sure you want to see the whole parade?”

 

“Yeah. I’m curious.”

 

“Why give so much attention to those who are of no use to the Lady anyway?”

 

“I can’t help it if it bothers me.”

 

“Lady…”

 

Isabel’s eyes filled with tears, as if she was feeling remorseful.

 

I looked outside again with a sad expression, hoping that she would weaken and wait a little longer for this moment.

 

Then I made eye contact with the person staring at me.

 

“Ah!”

 

I was startled and hid my face as if to stick it on the table, and Isabel was surprised by my actions and asked.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“I-I think I just made eye contact with Sister.”

 

Don’t the knight commanders usually stand right next to the Imperial family and escort them?

 

I grabbed my heart thinking of the eyes I just met.

 

The chills of meeting Viola’s fierce shining eyes.

 

‘I hope she didn’t see me!’

 

I made a promise last night not to go out today, so it would be a big problem if I got caught.

 

“No matter where I look, I don’t see Lady Viola.”

 

“Really?”

 

I wrapped my hands around my head and then gently raised my head.

 

“That’s true.”

 

Perhaps what I saw a moment ago was an illusion. There was a knight other than Viola standing there.

 

At that, I swept my chest and breathed a sigh of relief.

 

“Daisy.”

 

“Argh!”

 

But just as I was relieved, I heard a familiar voice from behind and screamed so loudly that I would have had to leave the store.

 

I turned my head squealing like a broken doll.

 

Sure enough, Viola was looking down at me with a cold look.

 

“Yes, Sister.”

 

“Why are you here?”

 

“You see…”

 

I wriggled my fingers and glossed over my words.

 

No matter how hard I thought about it, I couldn’t think of a good excuse.

 

“…How stupidly nice.”

 

“Yes?”

 

I tilted my head and lowered my head at the incomprehensible words, but she stiffened her expression and spoke firmly, as if she had mistaken what she was saying to herself just a moment ago.

 

“Go home now. Daisy Liviatan”

 

“…Yes.”

 

I answered in a sullen voice.

 

But then cheers began to burst out of the window.

 

“S-Sister. It looks like the parade has begun, is it okay for you to stay here?”

 

“No. You absolutely must not stay here, Captain.”

 

At the right time, Theodore ran up here to find her.

 

I was even a little impressed by the fact that he didn’t run out of breath even though he ran up three floors without hesitation.

 

Viola glanced out of the window and sighed a little.

 

It wasn’t like her to be wondering what to do in this situation.

 

“Sister. I’m really just going to look around and then leave, so go ahead. If I hear that Sister is neglecting her duties because of me, I will be upset.”

 

“No. Please go home right now. No, it’s just….”

 

Viola spoke with her eyes fixed on the outside and then shouted to Theodore with an urgent expression.

 

“Sir Theodore! You will protect Daisy here!”

 

“Yes? Captain, what do you mean…”

 

“Sister?”

 

As soon as Theodore and I asked back with a confused look, a loud explosion came from outside.

 

“Argh!”

 

“Help me!”

 

With the painful screams of the people, the building shook with great tremors.

 

“Daisy!”

 

Viola hurriedly wrapped herself around me and uttered abusive language.

 

“Those damn demons. Aren’t they tired of it?”

 

Her face was full of hostility that I had never seen before.