Case 91: When your guts just don’t know how to read the mood.

There were relatively few times when I felt awkward with my sister.

Maybe it happened a lot when I first met her, but now, even if we did get into a similar situation, it wouldn't be so for long. We were close, and we both knew that things would be better if we stayed together.

However, in this case... I wouldn't be so sure anymore.

As I sat blankly on the bed, vivid memories of yesterday's blunder surged up in my mind. I just vomited blood that morning, I didn't have nearly enough sleep, and I clearly overdid myself trying to deal with that demon scout—of course, I'd slip up at one point or another.

So, those were the excuses I came up with, and none of them could save me from this dire atmosphere.

''Open your mouth.''

''A-Ah...''

For whatever reason, she came in earlier with a nicely prepared breakfast and acted as though nothing happened, which scared me even more. What could she be planning...?

By any chance, my cover was already blown, and she was giving me this as the last meal? If so, I'd feel a little bittersweet. Perhaps dying at her hands wasn't so bad. I couldn't beat her in this state anyway.

But if she chose to selectively forget what I said... I'd be pressed to act.

It might be that she was giving me a free pass, and I had better not mention it at all from this point onward. Maybe our relationship would stay the same.

''...''

...No good.

Something still felt wrong. Sisters don't hide awkward talks from one another. Moreover, I'd already sensed Lyra's complex emotions. If we could just talk it out here...

''...Hey, Lyra.''

''...?''

Gently grasping her hand, I pose a smile, ''About yesterday...''

As soon as I mentioned that, my little sister's face froze. Her eyes darted to the side for a bit, then came back to stare at me. Eventually, a sigh escaped from her slightly parted lips.

She didn't speak for a while.

The suffocating silence had done something to me. Building on the initial nervousness, I was instinctively finding excuses to give.

''You know... I-I often get distracted these days. I was a bit dizzy yesterday after such a long trip, so I said some nonsense...!'' I profusely explained. ''Your sister is not actually a monster, okay? I'm just—mhmp?!''

What came as a response was her hand.

She grabbed my cheeks with her long fingers, blocking the words coming out of my mouth. Although wronged, I couldn't really retaliate. Whatever my fate was... it lay in her palm.

''You...''

But Lyra never made another move. She stared at me blankly for a long while, repeatedly sighing. Even I couldn't decipher the thoughts behind those eyes.

I'd expected her to push me down and interrogate me. To pull out a knife and stab it into my chest. To finally bring this racing heart of mine to a still.

Yet, in the end, Lyra only picked up the handkerchief and gently wiped the corners of my mouth.

''No matter what you say... you're my sister.''

I vaguely heard such mutters, but it might just have been my imagination.

It was around a week after the entrance exam for the academy concluded.

I thought things would finally calm down somewhat. My proud little sister even achieved an amazing first spot among her peers, which definitely warranted a celebration.

Right on cue, all three of my lovers came over for the joyous occasion. On the surface, they were sent by their families, perhaps being pushed even more intensely now that Lyra's 'value' as a marriage partner was so apparent. Deep down, though, I could feel they missed me a lot.

It had been a while since Rachael had tasted my blood, and the perverted Penelope was surely craving some action. Kiara was... well, Kiara. She wanted to see me.

''Hm...''

Quite rarely, I saw an opportunity. All three of them were here, and they seemed frustrated enough. Maybe I could... invite them to my room all at once?

Could I even pull off something like that...?

The atmosphere was pretty good, though. With correct plays, I should be able to.

But first, celebration.

''Congratulations on reaching first place!''

''...''

We had the sulky cat Lyra blow the cake's pretty candles and fed her some snacks. From then on, the party was at peace again, harmonious and family-like.

...For the most part.

''How does the Bourbon family plan to deal with those traitors?''

''Isn't it obvious? Torture them for information... then dispose of their bodies.''

''Without consulting the imperial family?''

''Oh, my. It's the first time I've heard of such an obligation. Thanks to a certain someone, our house is already under stress, but... you're going to steal our prisoners too, Your Highness?''

Sparks were flying between Rachael and Penelope. It seemed they had caught demon spies within the Bourbon territory, too. It would be difficult to pry their mouths for sure, but I'd want to know some intel regarding the other side.

Somehow, I was confident I could get that supposedly confidential content out of my lovers' gullible minds.

While those two were rematching, Kiara took the opportunity to snuggle closer to me. My mind relaxed immediately as I smelled her scent, but riled up again when Lyra's eyes turned dark—if they weren't so dark before.

It was an ordinary afternoon.

I sat in the middle of the ongoing 'battle,' searching for the right moment to speak up. I tried to find every gap there was to lighten the atmosphere, perhaps fueled by the desire for a three or four-some.

If I could just get them to agree... could I make them drink alcohol?

''Heheh...''

However, just as everything was going according to plan—in my head—an unwelcome sensation hits me. It was boiling,

Ugh... my guts... why now...?

''U-Um... I'm going to use the bathroom for a bit.'' I carefully stood up. ''Enjoy the party!''

Then, under their watchful eyes, I slipped out of the room and rushed to a bathroom nearby. Almost uncontrollably, the fire and gasoline in my lungs began to ignite and fuel one another, resulting in heaps of blood violently escaping my mouth.

The wall was drenched in red. So was the floor.

It was so urgent that I didn't even have time to call Lucy. If someone saw me like this without her concealment...

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

How long did I zone out? It was apparent that everything got much worse. The pain was still unbearable, but it took me too long to recover this time around. I leaned onto the wall, seeing my reflection scattered across the mattress of flowing blood below.

My eyes were blurred by tears.

And at the corner of my vision—

''Ah.''

''...B-Big sis...?!''

—was Lyra, who stood at the entrance with a stunned expression, her voice trembling uncontrollably. My own eyes widened, and my heart skipped several beats.

At this point, I could only blame my guts for not reading the room.