Case 86: Before love.

''Because I love them.''

In the most plain, unadorned way, I told Valerie.

''I long not for wealth or twisted obsessions, nor do I desire vain stardom. What matters to me the most is that I love them and they love me.''

This much was true. I believe it reflected in how I usually acted.

I was never a person who fixated on money. I never thought having random people fawning over me was nice. I didn't date my lovers because I was lecherous—I became lecherous because I dated them.

I wanted to be with them.

Taken aback by my straightforward answer, the little princess slightly recoiled, her brows knitting together.

''Do you know how shameless you are being right now?'' She growled. ''This is a disgrace to the imperial family.''

''...''

As she spoke, I felt the surrounding air get a notch colder. Generally, whenever the imperial family was mentioned, the words that followed would not be taken lightly.

Ordinary nobles could only cower, but me... well, I had nothing to lose, and I wasn't particularly afraid of the imperial family in the first place. My opponent was but a child.

She reminded me of Lyra, actually.

...See, one thing I kind of regretted was that I never teased Lyra that much. Maybe I should take this chance and pleasure myself a bit? Besides, I was already planning to have Valerie notice me before this, so it would work out.

As soon as my heart settled on that, I posed a faint smile and responded, ''Your Highness, the law doesn't prohibit our relationship.''

''If your targets are not princesses and Bourbon's heiress, yes. Don't you see the problem in this case?''

Valerie's impressive eloquence aside, it was refreshing to hear my peers' hisses at the princess's reminder of who my lovers were. By the way, 'targets'? Didn't that sound too rough?

''I don't, honestly,'' I replied. ''It is a healthy relationship between consenting adults. What is there to be worried about, I wonder.''

Perhaps that triggered some sort of racy thoughts within the princess's childish mind, but she decidedly blushed, almost stammering and failing around like a broken doll.

''Y-Y-You and your indecent affairs...! You're going to corrupt my sister!'' She pointed at me.

''...''

It was at this point that I realized... ah, my opponent really was a child.

A pang of pity pierced my heart as I got closer and hugged her into my embrace, the sensation remarkably similar to when I used to hold Lyra back then.

''W-What are you doing...!?''

Of course, the child tried to wiggle in my arms, but being raised so nobly must have encouraged her not to hurt me. At least, that was the impression I got as I never got slapped away even with my pathetic strength.

In the end, Valerie angrily stomped away after I committed various acts on her cheeks and head, and the tea party returned to normal. Not really.

I could hear not-so-subtle whispers about how I managed to 'snatch' another princess or something similar, which was just diabolical.

''As expected of Cecily... I'll never dare to oppose you, my teacher.''

''Stop joking, Marina...''

''So... I just pinched her cheeks. They were still so plump and soft!''

''...You did that?''

''Mhm. I also stroked her head. It's like I had gained another little sister all of a sudden.''

''...''

Somehow, Lyra's grip around my hands hardened by a notch. We were peacefully chatting in my room, with my little sister directly sitting in front of me. Somehow, she insisted we should hold hands, and since there wasn't anything wrong with that, I let her be.

It started quite like normal, but as soon as I began to recount the events at Marina's tea party, Lyra's expression became even stiffer than it already was. She especially loathed it when she was told what Valerie did.

''Do you hate that child?'' She asked, as brazen as ever, referring to a princess so fearlessly. ''If so, I can...''

''It's nothing like that.'' I quickly replied. ''I don't think she meant anything serious. Besides, I might have really taken away lots of Rachael's time with the fourth princess. I mean... just imagine someone doing the same thing to you—it'll be annoying, right?''

''Your brilliant lovers already did that.''

''Ah.''

I forgot.

Pouting, Lyra extended her arms and promptly cupped my face, piercing me with those relentless eyes.

''Ahn... wnait...''

Then, almost as if possessed, she began to play with my cheeks wantonly, each movement deliberate and seemingly full of frustration. It would have been easy for her to injure my cheeks. Still, perhaps minding my sensitive skin, she never took it too far.

Up next was some hearty head pats, which made me immediately realize why she even did this—jealousy.

However, wasn't it a bit strange? If she was jealous of Valerie as a little sister, wouldn't she want me to do this to her, not the other way around...?

But my doubtful mind was instantly swept away by a sudden pull—in half a moment, I was inside Lyra's embrace.

''Um...''

And she wouldn't let go of me.

I didn't know why, just that it was Lyra, my little sister, and I wanted to comfort her. So, I reciprocated the hug, squeezing her back leisurely.

''Wah?!''

The next thing I knew, I was pushed onto the bed, my wrists helplessly caught in place. At this point, I couldn't ignore this weirdly evolving situation anymore.

''Um...''

But even as I looked at Lyra questioningly, she never responded. Of course, she didn't let me wiggle out of it either. So, I had no choice but to avert my gaze altogether—I was a coward like that.

Thankfully, nothing too strange happened... maybe. She just slowly collapsed on me and buried her face into my chest. Maybe she was exhausted.

''Heheh...''

Now that the roles have returned to how they were, I felt comfortable enough to pull her closer, my palms running down her long hair. No matter how much she had grown, Lyra always felt like a little sister. Yes, my precious, precious sister.

''...By the way, Lyra.''

''...?''

''It's almost the entrance exam for the academy, right?''

Although it would be another two years until she was officially admitted into the institution, the entrance exams needed to be done immediately since there were so many applicants. For Lyra, who regularly had lessons with the former hero party, I imagined she wouldn't need the school's curriculum all that much, but the atmosphere and social experience were what mattered.

''...Do I really need to go?''

And, as if sulking, Lyra muttered into my cleavage. I couldn't help but chuckle at this adorable sight.

''I understand that my little sister is amazing, but don't you need to make friends?'' I softly asked.

''I don't need friends.''

''You'd be lonely.''

''I have you.''

Like a cat perking up after a nap, Lyra's gaze hit me.

''I-It's not healthy to only rely on your older sister.''

''I don't need to be healthy. I need you.''

''...You speak like you're my lover.''

''I suppose.''

At some point, I realized the conversation had already derailed terribly. My face was flushed, shame washing over my body, I wanted to squirm and curl into a ball, yet Lyra's embrace—like thorns of steel—didn't let me move an inch. Her eyes that were staring at me were unwavering.

'''' ... ''''

For the first time in a while, I didn't like this hug to last too long. After all... I wasn't sure if I wanted to let Lyra hear my racing heartbeats.