Case 124: Upon an adolescent little sister’s curiosity.

I decided to follow my little sister's wish.

Even though I truly didn't want to be confined in this room forever, I also understood her feelings. Since I could access the news, I had long realized that every force in the world was hunting me down.

Rumors of my appearance at the Heart of Demons that day had spread far beyond its origin.

The demons sought me out as their leader, hoping to ignite a long-lost dream of world domination. The peaceful races treated me as a wanted criminal, promising handsome rewards to anyone who could bring me to them, dead or alive.

In a way, my impulsive action that day propelled the world into chaos, which was perhaps inevitable in the first place.

''Phew...''

I let out a long sigh.

Was there no other option but to put my hopes on Lyra and my lovers? Could they... break the curse for me?

Something just didn't sit right. I didn't want them to plunge into danger for me. Not at all.

Still... I was powerless for the moment.

I remained in a daze for a few more days. One morning, Kiara and Penelope visited me. They both seemed busy, yet repeatedly apologized for not coming sooner. Their words warmed my heart.

We sat and chatted for a while. Once the gifts were given and the mood settled, the two's demeanor turned solemn.

''Cecilia, you have to be careful,'' Kiara said.

''Huh?''

''The organization under the emperor... you know their existence, right?'' Penelope interjected, her tone cautious. ''I heard they were looking for your traces in the empire. Those people are dangerous.''

My mood was ambiguous as I listened to their warning.

Having played the original game countless times, I naturally knew who they were. Just as people suspected, the emperor had several squads of powerful soldiers under her control. They didn't have a name, but insiders called them 'The emperor's swords.'

Typical.

And... well, they weren't a match for Lyra, of course. I wasn't particularly worried, as I trusted my little sister wholeheartedly.

Still, I nodded at my lovers' warning, ''I'll keep it in mind.''

Afterward, since it had been some time since we last met... I answered their desires. Perhaps it was the pent-up lust, or perhaps it was the novelty of sleeping with a royal succubus, but their vigor was unmatched.

The three of us fought for a few hours.

Being considerate, they also stayed behind to clean up the mess and bathed with me as well.

''Then... we'll visit again.'' Penelope bid her farewell, a hint of melancholy apparent in her tone.

''Text me whenever you like.'' Kiara nodded.

I replied to them with a smile, ''See you again!''

The door once again closed, leaving a lonely darkness to embrace the room. The smile earlier gradually faded from my face, but at least my mood wasn't bad.

As expected... I still loved them.

This love was pure and heavy. I wouldn't trade it for anything else. And... it was righteous love. It was.

So... how come I also felt the same palpable excitement when facing Lyra? Something in my head was seriously wrong. I took a deep breath and tried to calm down, but my body vividly recalled Lyra's scent, her heat, her smile, and even... her kiss.

''Ugh...''

I struggled on my bed.

Who raised her to be so beautiful!? Who raised her to be so dependable and cool?!

Right, it was me!

I raised my sister wrong!

''Did those two do something to you?''

''Wah?!''

Speak of the devil.

As the curtains were pulled, I saw Lyra calmly walk toward me, and in her hands was my lunch. She sat familiarly beside me, then gently stirred the hot soup, the scene unusually tranquil.

''...''

Even my earlier panic was gone. Speechless, I got closer to her, dragging the metal chains along.

''So?'' She glanced at me.

It took a bit for my slow brain to realize what she meant, ''A-Ah, it's fine. Kiara and Penelope didn't do anything weird.''

''Really?'' Lyra grinned teasingly. ''I didn't know a threesome didn't count as 'weird.'''

''T-That...!''

I was about to retort, saying that a kid like her should utter those words... but Lyra wasn't a kid anymore. Unable to fight back, I could only look away in shame.

Having this kind of conversation with my little sister was really too much.

''So... did it feel good?'' Lyra continued, ignoring the cue.

''What are you asking...?'' I replied, baffled. ''Let's not talk about this anymore—''

''No. I want to talk about it. I want to discuss my curiosity with you. Is that not okay?''

''But...''

Knowing that I was weak to her, Lyra closed in and nuzzled her head onto my neck, ''I have no one else to confide this matter. Would you help me?''

''...Alright.''

In the end, I lost.

Once the meal was finished, we sat in front of one another, but I felt uneasy, while Lyra seemed amused.

''You see, I don't have the extra piece of genitalia like those lovers of yours do.'' She spoke clearly, unfazed. ''But I'm still attracted to you. Do you know why?''

Momentarily stunned at her bluntness, I soon regained my composure. This was, after all, a serious matter for her.

''Love transcends gender. As much as it sounds cheesy, it is the truth. It doesn't matter who the other person is... as long as you love them. That's my view on it.'' I answered.

''I see.'' Lyra gingerly smiled. ''But for the sake of maintaining the Orleans lineage, I suppose I'll have to find a way to grow that thing.''

''W-What?! No way! You're not allowed to do that!'' I crashed out. ''My cute little sister can't possibly have...''

Before I could finish my sentence, Lyra leaned forward and caught my cheeks, ''I'm not your little sister anymore, remember? You are my only candidate for a lifelong partner. Even if I have to conquer the world to get you, I'll still do it. And as a couple... considering having children is important, am I right?''

Somehow, I felt as if I had made a grave mistake. Facing the deep possessiveness and jealousy in Lyra's pitch-black eyes, I shuddered.

''W-Wait...''

Like a dragon toying with its prey, Lyra slowly pulled me into her embrace, sitting me on top of her lap. Her hands crept from my nape down my back as she buried her face in my chest. They showed no sign of stopping, yet I was paralyzed by her burning adolescent desires, too weak to resist.

Her fingers lightly sank into my butt as I sealed my mouth shut, fearing the noises.

An expression of victory fell onto Lyra's face, ''For now... I think I'm content with enjoying my future wife's body first.''

''That's... not...!''

My eyes widened further as Lyra's right hand pressed firmly onto my chest. I was sure she could feel my heart jumping. But... this felt nothing like when my lovers did it.

And I hated myself for not disliking it.

That afternoon, Lyra groped me for a while, and worse, this activity soon became a routine from that point onward.