There was nothing wrong, per se, with Lilienne’s explanation. In fact, everything she’d just said was so reasonable that it made Sedrick even more suspicious.

“Why now, all of a sudden?” he asked.

“Well... I guess while I was really sick, it gave me a lot of time to think over my life, and I felt the need to apologize for all my actions up till now.”

“Ah.”

Sedrick knew the girl had been unconscious for the better part of a week. He decided he could accept that answer.

“The Islar family has vowed to protect Turine and everyone living in our land, and I know that, as part of this family, this is part of my duty to them.”

His sister kept unwavering eye contact with him as she spoke. Her light blue eyes were so familiar—they both had their father’s eyes.

“Having great privilege like this also comes with an accepted responsibility,” she finished.

Sedrick disliked emotional speakers, preferring words that were spoken plainly and directly, having no need to devolve into hysterics. Their father had shared this inclination as well, and evidently so did his sister. He couldn’t help but laugh quietly at this.

“I guess it’s in our blood,” he mused.

“Pardon?”

“Ah, nothing.” The logical side of Sedrick knew he couldn’t wholeheartedly trust his sister’s words. After all, she’s only a child. She had shown him a surprisingly mature side today, but it was possible that she would just revert to her old childish tantrums. But this feels different...

He really wanted to trust her. Both his father and himself had fought as soldiers, leading the Turine army in various battles. Lilienne’s words were exactly what they used on the battlefield to inspire their men. Soldiers needed to know that they could trust their leaders to take action as well as take responsibility for them. If she truly meant these words, then he would be immensely proud of her.

I’ll have to wait and see whether her actions follow her words. Sedrick tried not to feel too pleased with his sister preemptively, steeling himself to remain distrustful.

“That’s all I wanted to say, my lord,” she added, breaking the silence.

“I see,” he said, still feeling lost in his many thoughts.

“Did you have anything you wanted to say to me?”

Sedrick shook his head, taking in the sight of this poised, collected little girl in front of him. Lilienne smiled, relieved that her brother didn’t have anything more to say.

Phew... For Lilienne, this was a chance for her brother to begin regarding her differently, and she was so caught up in her own thoughts and plannings that she didn’t realize her brother was carefully studying her already. This was a good start, she thought. I should end it here.

She stood up abruptly, knowing she shouldn’t keep a busy person occupied needlessly.

“You must be busy, so I’ll excuse myself,” she said, turning to go.

Already? The thought flashed through his mind, and Sedrick was surprised at himself. Am I actually upset that she’s leaving?

“Yes, brother?” she said, pausing when she saw his mouth open as if about to speak.

Sedrick hesitated, uncertain. What could he say to the sister he’d kept at arm’s length while growing up, disparaging all her childish behaviors and severely distrusting her mother? After some quick thinking, all he could think to say was, “You don’t... have more questions?”

Lilienne blinked, not understanding what he meant.

“Don’t you want to know about your betrothed?”

“Ah.” Lilienne remembered then that she technically didn’t know who her fiancé was. Right...

Sedrick had a strange expression on his face as he watched her. Nervous beads of sweat began to form on her hairline, but she smiled, trying to look as if she were still calm.

“I didn’t know if I was allowed to ask,” she responded.

Their father, the late Prince-Elector of Turine, and Lilienne’s mother had died in a carriage accident, but it had been under fairly suspicious circumstances. It was not a coincidence that her engagement had happened so swiftly after their death.

It was clearly an alliance, formed under the utmost secrecy to protect the high nobility against mysterious forces who were beginning to target them. So, Lilienne hadn’t asked. She knew what all was happening behind the scenes, of course, having read the novel in her past life, but she had known that her brother wouldn’t tell her all this.

“I expected that you wouldn’t be able to tell me much,” she said carefully. “I know that I’m too young to be trusted with delicate political issues.”

“Ha...”

Ironically, this was the most unchildlike thing Lilienne had ever said, now in this strange conversation where she seemed more adult than child, though still only twelve years old. Sedrick was both confounded and amazed. She’s grasping the situation, reading the other person, and also knows how to protect herself from dangerous information.

It was impressive. He felt that even if information eventually got leaked, it would not be from the mouth of his sister. Then...

“I... can at least let you know his name. This will have a great impact on your life, after all.”

This time, it was Lilienne’s turn to be surprised. Is he... showing concern for me?

“If you don’t want to know, however...” he said, pausing to give her an out.

“N-no, I do!” said Lilienne, shaking her head hurriedly.

“I do want to know. Please, tell me.”

It was difficult for her to pretend that she didn’t already know, but she knew this was a good opportunity to get the information organically from her brother.

“The name of your betrothed is...”

With the weight of delivery that her brother was giving this, it suddenly struck Lilienne just how impressive it was that this man was grand enough, and formidable enough, to be joined with the Prince-Elector of Turine’s family.

“...Imperator Leyangrad, Damien Valmieras Ernst Rupenwein. The Knight in Gold.”

After a pause, Sedrick continued, “He is the son of the former emperor and the younger brother of our current one. He is the only grand duke in our empire.”

A person honorable enough for their family could only be royalty.

“Are you surprised?” he asked.

“A little,” she admitted, nodding.

She wasn’t actually surprised, of course, but she did feel the weight of reality hitting her. Although each of the electors held their own domain, the royal family still ruled over them all.

The Rupenwein family had declared themselves the rulers of the empire after ending years of turmoil between the many regions and subjugating each regional elector, making them bend the knee in service of the greater empire. Among them, Damien Rupenwein, Lilienne’s newly betrothed, was known by all as the most warlike of all the Rupenweins. He was regarded as the closest embodiment of the militaristic spirit of his family line, and he was feared by everyone.

He is certainly imposing, my husband-to-be... Although the thought of him was unsettling, it was a relief that the storyline was continuing along as she’d anticipated.

Meanwhile, from Sedrick’s point of view, it was incredible to watch his younger sister maintain such composure in the wake of this news.

“Please, if you require anything, don’t hesitate to come to me,” he said, breaking the silence.

“Huh? Oh, no, that’s all right,” she answered quickly, broken out of her reverie.

Sedrick was a little taken aback at her brusqueness, but he also understood. He knew that she’d never been especially greedy. However, a small part of him felt disappointed that she’d refused his offer so decisively, and he couldn’t help but respond, “Well, fine then.”

For a man who was normally very level-headed, it was strange to hear him speak petulantly like that.

What’s up with him? Lilienne tilted her head in surprise, observing him carefully. For the twelve-year-old girl, her brother, who was nine years older than her, had always been an object of fear and apprehension.

However, the Lilienne of today, who’d seen what her life might look like, now was able to see things that she’d never noticed before. She realized that he had dark circles under his eyes, low and pronounced, obviously from lack of sleep, and that he looked both haughty and unsure of himself. It was the conflicted discomfort of a young lord still finding his way as the new leader of a historically powerful family.

Ah. Lilienne realized that she wasn’t the only one who had lost her parents. Sedrick had also lost his father. Also, without even having the proper chance to mourn him, he’d hurriedly had to assume the mantle of leadership, immediately becoming the protector of this realm and all those who lived in it. He’d even been the one who’d had to organize all the financial details for his own father’s funeral.

At twenty years of age, he was still more a boy than a man. Lilienne saw how young he was, and how incredibly stressful and burdensome his responsibilities were that now lay upon him.

I imagine he must feel even more pained by the effort of hiding from everyone how afraid he is.

That was why he was opening his heart so readily to his little sister, who’d trotted into the room just to say a few words that told him she understood his burden. She felt bad for him, but she also knew that saying it outright would only make him feel worse. “Brother... When’s the last time you rested?” she asked carefully.

Sedrick paused. Normally, he would cut her off immediately and claim that it was none of her business, but today... Today he felt so tired. And Lilienne, he was beginning to realize, was not an outsider from whom he had to shield all of his thoughts and feelings. She was his younger sister, after all. They had shared the same father.

Sedrick slowly said, “You don’t need to concern yourself about me. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Lilienne knew what he was trying to hide.

“You didn’t sleep at all, did you?” she said, deciding to call him out on it.

“I... closed my eyes.”

“For what, three hours?”

He didn’t want to answer.

“Two?”

Actually, it had only been one. Sedrick avoided her gaze, suddenly feeling like he was being chastised, which was incredible, considering that the accusing glare was coming from the tiny form of his younger sister.

“That’s not good for you, brother. You need to think of your health.”

“It’s nothing to be concerned about,” repeated Sedrick, but he had to laugh at himself.

If he hadn’t wanted her to worry, he shouldn’t have allowed this conversation to start. He’d basically egged her on by giving her the tacit admission that he was tired and wanted her sympathy.

“Besides, you don’t need to—”

“How could I not worry?” she said, cutting him off. “If you keep pushing yourself like this, then I’m going to end up a complete orphan.”

His expression hadn’t changed, but from the way his breath halted, it was clear that Sedrick had never considered that possibility from her perspective.