Case 92: When things spiral out of control.

*****

''...I'm going to use the bathroom for a bit.''

Posing a nervous smile, Cecilia quickly slipped out of the room.

She always did this.

At first, it wasn't such a big deal, yet over time, this behavior was conspicuous enough to catch the girls' attention. They began to notice Cecilia's little tremors, the paling face, and cold sweat faintly glistening under the light. She'd looked as though she was in pain.

Clearly, there was something going on.

There were times they barely contained the urge to follow Cecilia, knowing it wasn't appropriate. But if being 'appropriate' could somehow blind them from Cecilia's suffering, was it even worth it anymore? Every time she used this same excuse to slip out, every time she came back seeming paler than before, they asked themselves the same question.

And perhaps it had reached a breaking point.

''I'll also use the bathroom.''

Lyra de Orleans, who witnessed her sister's behavior countless times, stood up first. The other three also began to volunteer in one way or another—everyone was just as worried as they were curious.

''Don't.''

But before any of them could speak, Lyra coldly shut them down, ''It'll only frighten her. Let me do it alone.''

She wasn't trying to hide her intention one bit. Although bitter, the three could only sigh and let the little sister go in their place.

Tiredly massaging her temples, Lyra waited a minute before opening the door and following her sister's trail. At this point, her senses were adept enough to feel Cecilia's familiar presence even if they were far away.

It wasn't that hard anyway, seeing that Cecilia had chosen a bathroom not too far away.

''...''

But somehow, as Lyra walked along the stretching hallway, her intuition rang some worrying tunes. The steps she took felt sluggish and unsteady; the fleeting scents left by that person were feeble—she had a bad premonition.

Slowly, as she approached the bathroom, her heart raced.

The door was loosely closed, leaving a slight gap from which the cold light leaked out, paving a streak amidst the sunset's shower. Lyra couldn't help but pick up the quiet whimperings from beyond the door.

Her hands trembled.

But what made Lyra finally pushed it was the unmistakably metallic scent of blood lingering in the air.

''...Ah.''

And, as if someone had squeezed Lyra's heart, her breaths shortened. A terrible surge of adrenaline filled every cell of her being, and a subtle anger embraced her will.

It was Cecilia, with her head drooping as her scrawny body leaned against the wall. The entire lower section of her white dress was soaked in blood; some even stuck to her favorite sky-blue cloak.

Tick.

A drop of blood slipped through the woman's mouth.

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

She looked motionless. Her eyes were cloudy and unfocused.

Lyra couldn't hold back her emotions. The bubbling feelings that used to stay dormant within her exploded with vigor, dragging her toward that figure. She held Cecilia, unfazed by the warm blood staining her hands... and almost screamed.

''Sister!!''

''...''

Cecilia gave out a weak jolt at the sudden sound, her eyes, staring at Lyra, regained intelligence somewhat, ''Jeez, you're so loud...'' She weakly muttered, smiling forcefully.

Only when Cecilia's hand reached Lyra's cheeks did the heroine realize the reality she was facing.

''Y-You...''

''Lyra—''

''Is anyone there?! Doctor! Call a doctor!''

In an instant, Lyra sprang up and ran out of the bathroom, holding her sister closer than ever. Cecilia, who had recovered somewhat, belatedly tried to stop the rampaging sister, but when she saw the bewildered servants scurrying away with the order, she felt as though the situation was spiralling...

''Cecilia!''

And when even her three lovers ran over with horrified expressions, she couldn't help but curse in her head.

'I'm fucked...'

*****

''...''

''...''

''...''

So, there was a situation.

It spiralled out of my control. Maybe I didn't have any control in the first place. I had vaguely guessed that I screwed up—I couldn't call Lucy in time. Even if Lyra wasn't there, Rachael would surely notice the scent of blood.

''...How is she, doctor?''

''A-As I said before, Lady Orleans... I mean... her immune system might just be too weak...?''

''Why is it that you can't exactly tell why she is unwell?! Aren't you one of the best doctors in this country?!''

Talk about Rachael, she was currently terrorizing the bald doctor, who looked like your typical middle-aged salaryman for some reason. Look, I, too, would love to tell her to cut him some slack, that I had already hypnotized him, but then again...

His reputation would suffer. I felt bad.

''N-No, I'm...!''

I also felt bad that what was left of his hair would probably fall off sooner or later, especially when two princesses and two high noble ladies were pressuring him like this.

Poor guy. I suppose I could calm him down a bit...

''Ah.''

But right when I was about to inject my power into his wrinkly hand that was holding mine, he suddenly relaxed on his own. The effect was almost unusually strong... and hard to detect, too.

I sweated bullets.

What was even tenser than having Lyra and my lovers cornering me was the sole presence of Lily, the woman with a face strikingly similar to mine—Cecilia's mother.

She quietly stood on the side like a statue, but her intent gaze on me felt heavier than ever.

Maybe I really screwed up.

Lily was an enigmatic figure, be it in the game or in real life, but as her 'daughter,' I faintly knew how she would usually act. Like how it was during these two years, she would quietly slip away and lie low most of the time. It was to say that if she didn't have anything to say, she wouldn't be here.

...Should I be grateful that at least she wanted to talk...?

''Stand by. We'll call you again.''

''Ah, y-yes, Your Highness.''

But I had to deal with these girls first.

After chasing the doctor out, Rachael turned to me, her eyes burning intensely. Penelope still wore her killer frown, and Kiara had returned to her icy, cold expression.

By far, the most terrifying was Lyra, who was no different than a black hole glaring at my soul. Given another life, would she be called the God of Nihility instead...?

''So.''

''...!''

''Care to explain?''

Lifting my chin, Rachael asked in her low voice, sounding almost like a lion growling. There it was. Fortunately, I had rehearsed the response in my head numerous times. I should be able to do it.

Yes...

''W-Wow... I didn't realize that I was so unwell... heheh... it seems I'll have to pay more attention to my health from now on...?''

'''' ... ''''

No...?

It seemed they didn't buy it...?

''Cecilia, my dear.''

''Yes, Penelope...?''

''Did anyone ever tell you that your acting is terrible?''

''...Eh?''

All of a sudden, I could hear Lucy's childish voice ringing in my head.

[It's always me who has to cover for you! All the time!]

So that was really true...?

N-No good. This was a strategic failure! How the hell should I deal with it now—

''Ladies.''

Unexpectedly, it was Lily who broke through the suffocating silence. Of course, all attention was now on her. With a melancholic look on her face, my 'mother' gingerly spoke,

''May I have a moment with my daughter?''

'''' ... ''''

She was Cecilia's mom. No matter how powerful one was, going against a mother would be a sin.

And so, I was left alone with Lily.

Ugh... I had never felt so stressed before.