Case 12: On the heroine’s sulk.

''My lady, a package has arrived.''

''For me?''

''Yes. The sender is Her Highness, the imperial princess.''

After the first meeting with Racheal, I had been receiving a lot of gifts.

From simple flower bouquets and classy accessories to even useful magical devices. Oh, not to forget dessert as well—a lot of them. Of course, there was stuff for Lyra as well, which, if Racheal sent them to impress me, she was on the right track.

Lyra seemed both happy and bitter when she received a new set of high-quality study accessories, and it was the cutest thing I had seen in a while.

Really, I didn't expect Racheal to be this proactive, but I appreciated her effort anyway.

''Whoa... those are macarons from Meguirine...!''

''Do you want some, Mary?''

''N-No, how could I...''

''Don't be shy. I won't be able to eat all of them either way.''

''...Still, they're Her Highness's gift for you. I won't dare. We can refrigerate them if you can't finish.''

''Mhm... okay.''

In the end, I couldn't make Mary accept my little gift. In a way, she upheld her integrity as a servant, I suppose. I'm also thankful for her sincerity over the past few months. I had Lucy monitor her for a while, and she didn't seem suspicious. Not yet, anyway.

For now, I should bring these to Lyra.

Usually, I was a bit reluctant to step out of the room since the hallways weren't equipped with heaters, and there was no reason to be that wasteful, yes, but the outside was bitterly cold.

However, since Racheal had sent me a magical dress that could provide heat internally, the issue with my weak resistance to the cold had pretty much been settled.

''Lyra~!''

''...Big sis.''

''Studying again? Oh, do you want some macarons? These are from Meguirine.''

Lyra, who had grown to be a bit sharper these days, shot a distant gaze at the box that I was holding before turning to me.

''Did she send you that?'' She asked, a hint of annoyance expressed through her brows.

''Mhm. Rachael is very kind.''

''That woman...''

''Hm? What's wrong with Rachael?''

''I know that type of woman. She's trying to take advantage of you.''

Needless to say, Lyra's expression as she tried to bash Rachael was very cute. I didn't know the heroine could have this... jealousy building up within her mind.

Giggling, I put the dessert on the table before stroking Lyra's head.

''That's not true. Rachael is not a bad person. She's just trying to get along with us.'' I said.

''...''

This time, her flinch had disappeared, but those cutely narrowed eyes were a bit concerning. The more I gauged her reactions, the more confident I became. Maybe it was time.

So, with the brightest smile I could muster, I opened my arms wide, signaling my cute little sister to dive into this big sister's embrace.

''...''

Like a curious kitten, Lyra fidgeted around a bit, a faint blush emerging on her cheeks. After a while, she shyly stood up and came closer to me.

''...!''

As soon as she came into my arms, I shut off her escape and hugged her tightly. The not-so-small, yet still of manageable size, Lyra made a perfect hugging pillow. She wasn't too soft, but she wasn't too hard, either.

Most of all, she was warm.

''You're so cute when you get jealous, Lyra.''

Unable to speak when her face was buried under my chest, Lyra could only grumble... but her arms were obediently wrapped around my waist.

''Don't worry. You are still more important to me than Her Highness. You deserve to be loved, my little sister.''

I whispered as I caressed the back of her head.

''...''

With those words, Lyra finally seemed settled, leaning her body entirely on me.

I was glad that she accepted me.

This much... was my honest feelings. Somehow, Lyra had become one of my priorities in this world. Not just because of her inherent value as the heroine but as a human, Lyra captivated me.

A neglected child. A distant child. A hardworking little girl. A kind, thoughtful little girl.

She was just so... lovable.

Maybe that was the definitive moment, one that made me realize... I wanted to raise this girl properly.

Ah... so that was it.

Suddenly, I felt like my mind was cleared. I felt like I had finally found my purpose in this world. This little starlet in my embrace... I would eventually make her shine above all others... and give her all the love and praise she deserved.

''Ugmp...!''

Oops. Bad timing.

''Excuse me for a bit; I have to go to the restroom...''

''...?''

Leaving the puzzled Lyra behind, I dashed out of the room and quickly went back to my room. It was fortunately not that far, so even with my shaky steps, I was able to come back quickly and get into the restroom inside.

''Ugh...!''

cough—! cough—!

Once again, that burning, charring pain filled my nerves, and my lungs felt like they were bursting. It had been a few weeks, yet this feeling was still haunting me.

Nevertheless, this time, I got smarter and coughed into the sink instead.

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

Even with my blurry eyes, I could see that it was quite bad. Blood still splattered all over the area, and my coat got hit with a bunch of it as well.

''Crap... should I have coughed into a bag...?''

[You should fix your body instead of doing that.]

Lucy's annoyed voice resonated inside the room as I slumped to the ground.

''...I said it before, but—''

[You want to remain a human, was it? How delusional. Do you think your inferior humanity could stand a chance against your body's desires?]

''...''

What Lucy said was probably true. For a while, I could only remain silent.

Still, I...

''I want to give it a try, still.''

Bursting a smile at Lucy, even though blood was trickling down my chin, I firmly took my stance. Perhaps impressed by my tenacity, Lucy actually laughed.

[Even for me... this is the first time. Very interesting. I shall oversee your effort until the very end, Cecilia. At that time—]

''—may we be blessed with a happy ending...''

[—may you be blessed with a happy ending.]

Lucy and I exchanged knowing gazes. For the first time, I thought she was a bit generous.

...contradictorily.

It was a snowy day like any other.

Birds weren't singing, and flowers weren't blooming, but my heart was—even if everything was covered in a layer of monotone snow and the bitter frost was invading my body.

Against the pure white background, a lone shade of deep black intruded.

Lyra sat across from me, sipping her hot chocolate intently, her silhouette resembling the cat, Charcoal Jr., sitting on my lap. As she breathed out a slight sigh, her eyes darted toward me instead.

''...Are you very cold?''

''Mhm... m-maybe...?''

It seemed I put too much trust in this magic dress. No, I probably was just dumb. It heated my body... but what about my head?

So, I was actually shivering out here.

Perhaps sympathizing with this foolish big sister, Lyra stood up and grabbed my hand.

''We should go inside.''

''...Mhm.''

I still wanted to see the cute Lyra relaxing for a while, but I couldn't make her worry either. So, we took our cups and slowly made our way inside.

The cat meow-ed and followed us.

It was a peaceful time.

Along the muted flowerbeds, on the pure white trails.

''Oh.''

Another dark shade I didn't think would appear was there. Perhaps I wasn't paying attention to anything else other than the fact that Lyra grabbed my hand, but... when did she get this close?

''Greetings, ladies of Orleans.''

A dreadful monotone voice sounded.

Flat black hair, dull black eyes, and an unapologetically emotionless face.

Unfazed even with snow piling on top of her head, she was the game's second primary love interest—the cold, calculating merchant

—Penelope de Bourbon.