Chapter 4

Abelia is only fourteen years old. It was an age when she should be acting spoiled.

However, Karina, at that age, always had her attention stolen by the sickly Abelia and Ferdon, who came home every day with injuries.

Jealousy and resentment bloomed in Abelia’s clear laughter. It was something that should never happen.

“Sis, really, no? Huh?”

Nocturne looked at her, then grabbed Abelia’s shoulder and pulled her away from Karina.

“Lia, I’m hurt by your words. I came here because the viscount ordered a health check-up today.”

“...But.”

Abelia looked at Karina with eyes full of reluctance.

Karina closed her mouth. She felt that any words spoken now would lead to a slip of the tongue.

“Moreover, I heard that Miss Karina has something important and urgent to do. It would be troublesome if Lia threw a tantrum.”

“...Oh, really?”

Abelia’s regretful gaze turned to Karina.

She tried to reassure her with a forced smile rather than words.

“Sis, it must be nice to always go out...”

Abelia, disappointed, lowered her head, sulking.

A lump rose in her throat.

Abelia clung to Karina, and because of this, she always had to be by the sickly Abelia’s side.

Because of this, Karina couldn’t make a single proper friend.

Tea parties she organized could be counted on one hand, and the ones she attended could be counted on the other. Her tightly clenched fists trembled.

There were times when she wanted to play with friends. There were days when she tried to focus on something else to avoid resenting them.

“In exchange, buy me something delicious from the market! Like skewers or juice! I’ve always wanted to try them!”

Abelia lifted her head, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Alright.”

Karina, eager to leave, answered impatiently, her brows furrowed.

She nodded slightly to Nocturne, who was looking at her strangely, and turned to leave.

‘I feel like I’m going to vomit.’

Her eyes darkened as she descended the stairs.

The guilt she felt towards Abelia mixed with jealousy.

She found herself repulsive and disgusting.

Her steps were unsteady, as if she might fall at any moment.

* * *

“Karina, I’m sorry. Infric fell off his horse, so I have to go to the academy urgently. Our daughter is so kind, she’ll be fine, right?”

“But today is Karina’s birthday...”

“He might be hurt.”

“What about Father...?”

“Father has already gone to the academy. Tell the butler about your birthday gift. We’ll have the party later, okay? It’s fine, right?”

In the darkness, the Countess of Leopold and young Karina conversed, like a lone actor on a spotlighted stage.

It was the story of her fourth birthday.

In the end, the Countess turned and left the mansion without even waiting for Karina’s answer. The young Karina just stared blankly at her retreating back.

The scene changed abruptly.

“Wow, it’s small! Is it my little brother?”

“Yes, Karina’s little brother. Now, Karina is the big sister and the big girl, so you have to take good care of your little brothers. Understand?”

“Yes!”

On the day her twin brothers were born, Karina was very happy.

It was the first time she saw the adorable and lovable babies squirm.

She was happy. The thought of the cute babies following her around made her smile.

However, as soon as the twins were born, all the attention turned to the newborns, especially because Abelia was born with a very weak constitution.

“No! This is mine! Mother made it for me...!”

The tiny fingers of the baby, who was just learning to crawl, were so strong that when Karina’s precious bear-shaped wallet was taken, she stomped her feet.

When she tried to retrieve her item from the tight grip, the twin fell and burst into tears, which was not what the little girl wanted.

“Oh, Karina! What are you doing? You’re a big sister now!”

“But... Ferdon took my thing...”

“You have to share. You’re the big sister! You have to be mature. That’s how your little brothers will learn. Give it to Ferdon first. Be good, Karina?”

“...”

“Hey! Listen to me. Don’t throw a tantrum. How old are you... If you don’t listen, I’ll tell Father, and he’ll give you a big scolding.”

“I don’t want to...”

“Don’t act like a child.”

In the end, the Countess took the wallet from Karina’s hand. Ferdon, holding it, laughed happily.

The wallet was a precious gift made by her mother on her fourth birthday, which she spent alone.

With red, teary eyes, Karina had to reluctantly lend the wallet to the crying Ferdon.

After a long time, it returned to Karina, worn and tattered.

The scene changed again.

“...Mother, my head is dizzy.”

“What? Oh, you have a fever. Abelia also has a fever, and the doctor is examining her now. I’ll ask him to see you next. Let’s go to your room. I’ll take you.”

“Yes.”

Karina, who had been hugged by her mother after a long time, quietly buried her face in her shoulder.

Her mother’s embrace, which rarely met her eyes and held her tenderly, was very warm, but the happiness didn’t last long.

“Madam, the doctor who came for the examination says he has something to tell you about Miss Abelia’s condition. He asks you to come for a moment.”

“There’s a problem? Alright, I’ll be there soon. Tell him I’m on my way.”

The Countess of Leopold put Karina down with a guilty expression.

“Karina, I’m sorry. I’ll call a maid, and you follow her to your room and rest. I’ll come back with the doctor when I’m done. You’re a big sister, so you can stay alone, right?”

“...Can’t Mother take me?”

“You’re healthy.”

The Countess sighed at Karina’s complaint.

“Your little brother is sicker, so as the big sister, you have to be a little more understanding, Karina.”

Everything was not centered around Karina.

“You’re such a good girl.”

Praise was only given when she suppressed what she wanted.

As the big sister of a sick little brother, the big girl of a troublemaker little brother, and the little sister of an older brother living far away.

Affection was not hers.

When she turned ten, she tried not to seek anyone anymore.

Instead, she developed a different hobby.

Whenever she was alone, she drew pictures. When she drew lines and added colors, vibrant images came to life. Only then did a sense of fulfillment well up inside her.

Karina didn’t know that this ability was a ‘miracle.’

She also didn’t know that this kind of power could drain her life force.

The Leopold family had a long history of producing warriors.

There were no famous artists in their lineage. Naturally, artistic talent was a rare condition.

If she had been born into a family like the Athylen or Carlos, which produced many outstanding artists, she might have naturally received that kind of examination.

But she couldn’t.

She was very surprised to see a butterfly she had drawn come to life and fly out of the paper.

The butterfly fluttered around the room and then disappeared. The young Karina immediately went to her parents.

“Mother! Father! I drew a picture...!”

“Karina! Listen, Infric won first place in the swordsmanship competition at the academy. They say he might graduate early.”

“Th... That’s my brother! But, Mother, I also drew a picture...”

She wanted to tell them that a butterfly had flown out of her drawing, that it was very amazing, and to please look at it once.

“Picture? Ah, it’s good.”

Their gaze lingered on the paper for only a few seconds before moving away.

Her drawing didn’t reach the two people who were rereading the letter from her brother.

“By the way, Infric is coming back this weekend, so I thought we’d have a small party. Abelia’s condition is quite good, and I’m happy.”

“...”

The words that lingered on the tip of the young Karina’s tongue eventually crumbled and disappeared. The girl turned around.

As time passed, Karina, realizing that no one cared, became even more engrossed in her drawings.