Case 103: On different paths.

''Shameless again today, aren't you? Dare to step into the imperial palace like this.''

Round blue eyes drenched in hostility, Valerie glared at me.

The fourth imperial princess was fourteen this year, but perhaps the emperor's excellent genes were truly passed down impeccably; she was quite tall for someone of her age. Still, the slight childishness in her tone was apparent.

''Greetings, Your Highness.'' I bowed. ''How may I help you?''

''Stop that cheesy attitude. I know you don't like me one bit.'' Valerie hmph-ed, getting two steps closer to where I was. ''Don't force yourself.''

''...''

I actually liked Valerie a lot, though.

Truthfully, even I knew that what she did, even if rude, was reasonable. She became so hostile to me because she loved her big sister—nothing more, nothing less. In the game, if the player chose Rachael's route, they would see the adorable little princess sister, but if they went for other routes simultaneously, they would see this kind of a grumpy little sister.

Valerie did nothing wrong in worrying about her big sister's future. In this story, I was the rightful villain, and she was the rightful protagonist.

Though, there was another reason as to why I was fond of her.

''...You visited the auction house again, didn't you?''

She was shrewd.

Rather, she was curious and shrewd—perfect as the 'detective' character in my play. I hoped I didn't have to touch that possibility, but having some cards left to properly go out without hurting anyone was essential.

Leaning against the railings, the little princess lowered her tone, ''Hey, seriously. You only brought elixirs before, so why did you bid on combat artifacts this time? What are you going to do with them?''

''Hm... I'm not sure what Your Highness is talking about...''

''Don't play dumb! Cecilia de Orleans, answer me!''

Clutching my wrist with impressive strength, Valerie directly pressures me to talk, her plentiful mana ramping up. Her face contorted, almost to the point of crying.

''You... you recovered. You have everything now. I was happy for you. I was even preparing to forgive you, accepting your relationship with my sister. So please... please... don't make me hate you again...'' The girl lowered her gaze, trembling.

''...''

Combat artifacts.

I did buy them. Not for something drastic like Valerie was thinking, of course. I didn't have any plan to do a terrorist attack in the capital or anything.

Rather, they were tools for my upcoming expedition.

Once I decided to set out and finish my lingering trouble, it was apparent that I needed some assistance on my journey. It actually had something to do with what shackled me.

Even though the ocean-colored elixirs that my lovers supplied me regularly to this day were able to 'restore' my vitality somewhat, they weren't a definite solution—nothing could be. I felt it myself, that my body was slowly getting numb to this 'medicine,' and that soon, the ravenous shackles would bind me down again should I refuse to satiate its lust.

So, I had to end it myself. Break out of it.

And only I had the power to do it. At this point in time, if not me, no one was remotely powerful enough. Not the hero party, not my lovers, not even Lyra.

Even I wanted to live peacefully, like during the past two years. But... it couldn't be helped.

So, although I felt sorry for this little girl, I couldn't follow her wish.

''I apologize, Your Highness. I truly do not know what you are referring to.'' I calmly replied.

A suffocating silence crushed the breezy wind. Slowly, Valerie let go of my wrist, and when she looked up at me again... her eyes were different. I saw coldness.

''...Understood.'' She said. ''Cecilia de Orleans... I had my hopes up for you. In the name of La Fayette... I will expose you one day.''

With that, she quietly left the balcony.

I couldn't help but sigh. After all, I didn't want to hurt that child. Still... if it meant I could accomplish my goals, then I wouldn't mind being hated. Yes, as long as I could...

''...''

I stood there for a long time, watching the city in a daze.

It wasn't until someone tapped my shoulder that I snapped out of it, ''Cecilia.'' My vampire princess spoke softly.

''Ah, Rachael.''

''Is there something bothering you?''

''...Nothing much. I was just wondering if Lyra is having fun right now.''

As I posed a smile like that, Rachael also sighed somewhat knowingly. She took my hand, pulling me closer into her embrace.

''Let's go somewhere nice.''

''...Mhm.''

That day, I took the first step down an irreversible path.

*****

''Holy cow! What is that cloudy-looking dessert?!''

''I-It's cotton candy! The legendary cotton candy...!''

''Wait, why are you surprised, Ludinia? Are you secretly a foreigner like me?''

''S-Shut up! They didn't have this in my hometown...''

Silently watching the pair of idiots bickering, Lyra wondered about her living purposes.

'Why am I here...'

Out of sheer respect and admiration she had for her big sister, Lyra reluctantly agreed to guide these two strangers around the city for a bit, but there wasn't a moment in which she didn't feel conflicted.

She should be spending time with her sister by this point. That was always her schedule—unchanging. Or at least some form of practice. She wasn't used to this... hanging out type of things.

''Lyra, here you go!''

''?''

But unaware of her internal struggle, Hye-rin shoved a big cotton candy into the heroine's hand, while Ludinia, now a typical country girl in a big city, pulled her sleeve, dragging her into another shop.

''Wait...''

Her words never seemed to reach the two. Rather, she didn't intend them to reach. Wait... and then what?

So, shop after shop, Lyra was led around by the two young girls, who possessed the energy of an excited puppy. Even though she barely interacted with them, they still included her in every activity. It felt somewhat strange... and pleasing.

She remembered her sister's words—the persistence with which her sister urged her to make friends. It was just that Lyra was too stubborn each time.

Eventually, the trio reached a rather noticeable building in the heart of Syrus.

''Heh... so this is the renowned Azure Guild.'' Ludinia coolly hmph-ed, her arms heavy with trinkets, goods, and food brought from the trip.

''Afue Fuuld?'' Hye-rin, whose mouth was still stuffed with a snack, tilted her head.

''It's among the best adventure guilds these days. The guild's head is a popular royal princess, you know?''

''Mghm... phew... right, so what does she look like?''

''Like that person?''

Instinctively, Ludinia pointed to a conspicuous figure, whose presence stood out amidst the loose crowd. Bleach-white hair, azure eyes, beautiful, tall...

''...Wait, it's actually her?!''

Kiara, who was giving instructions to her employees, noticed three girls approaching her. They didn't seem too bold, wanting signatures or pictures like some other people, but their attempt to snoop around failed spectacularly. After all, they all had quite noticeable impressions... and Kiara was even familiar with one of them as well.

''Lyra?'' She called.

''...Mhm.'' The heroine nodded, unsure what to make of this situation. ''Greetings.''

A strange silence fell as the two, both women of few words, stared at one another. While Ludinia and Hye-rin marveled at this new revelation, that the two knew one another, Kiara examined Lyra's appearance.

''You seem to be having fun.'' She remarked, smiling slightly. ''That's good.''

''...?''

At those words, Lyra was perplexed.

'Fun? I am feeling... fun?'

Was she capable of such emotions without her sister? But upon some self-reflections, looking at the things she had brought, even if most were out of courtesy, looking at how she didn't actually mind this 'annoyance' of a trip as much...

''Maybe... I'm having fun.'

That day, Lyra found herself stepping onto a new path.

*****