Chapter 26

"I'm his sister, so I was prepared for this. But Rane, you didn't have to get involved in something like this. I'm sorry because of what my brother said."

"That's not—"

Leaning over, Rane shook her head and placed a hand on Riene's shoulder.

"If it weren't for Alex saving me, I might have run even deeper into the alley. And the fact that he invited me to be his partner must have been because I looked like I was about to die. He must have stopped to listen to me because I was so desperate."

At that time, Rane was at rock bottom.

Leaving the village was her own decision. But being away from her parents and alone, she even thought that it didn't matter what happened to her.

Alex listened to Rane's story and brought her to meet Eider, recognizing that it was something he was involved in. Although it ended with Eider insulting her, the selfish Eider made her past regrets and wounds disappear completely.

Now, she even thinks it was for the best.

"Being able to talk to Alex and meet Riene, I regained the will to live. So, I'm happy to have met both of you."

Saying that, she hugged Riene.

"To achieve this happiness, I'll do my best to get through the ball at the castle. Besides, I actually like pretty dresses. I'm looking forward to the finished product."

She had been hesitant, thinking it wasn't suitable for her, but she had always liked beautiful things.

When she expressed her feelings honestly, Riene's defiant face twisted as if she was about to cry.

She must have also struggled as the sister of a hero. Moreover, he was the only hero who defeated the Demon King. As his only family, she must have lived cautiously, not wanting to be a hindrance or be used.

Rane could understand that struggle a little.

Clarence and Noah wouldn't have come to apologize if Rane were just a village girl.

"...Thank you. I'm also happy to have met Rane. I should be grateful to my brother for bringing me here."

Riene said that with a smile.

Then, in a hurry, they changed clothes, and Sally made delicious tea. They enjoyed chocolate cake with the female mage who was their guard. The rich sweetness and the perfect bitterness melted away the tension.

Meeting Alex might change Rane's fate significantly.

But she doesn't regret meeting him.

Rane is certain of that.

After that, the days until Alex returned were peaceful.

Rane and Riene practiced embroidery every day. She was a quick learner and a very good student.

When the handkerchief they were asked to embroider was completed, Rane, Riene, and the female mage went to the large craft store to deliver it to the owner, Mary.

"Excellent work."

Mary unfolded the handkerchief and checked the embroidery, praising them.

"Such quality, I'll buy it at a high price. And you finished it quickly. I'm looking forward to the next one."

She was in a good mood, and they received a much higher payment than expected.

"By the way, about the dress I ordered last time..."

Although it wasn't urgent, she mentioned that it might be needed soon, and Mary happily accepted the request.

"Yes, I understand. I'll make it a priority and ensure it's a wonderful piece."

They agreed to inform her as soon as the ball's date was known and returned to the mansion.

There, Alex, who had gone to slay monsters, had returned.

"Brother!"

Riene immediately ran to her brother, hugged him, and welcomed him back. Alex also held her tightly.

"Welcome back."

Rane, a bit hesitantly, also greeted him, and Alex happily replied, "I'm back."

"Brother, you're not hurt, right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. There were many monsters, but they weren't that strong. How about here?"

At Alex's words, Riene and Rane looked at each other.

"Actually..."

When they told him about Clarence and Noah's apology and the invitation to the ball, he frowned.

"Something like that happened?"

"Yeah. But once Clarence apologized, other nobles might come one after another. So..."

"Participating once will be enough, I guess."

Alex sighed deeply and looked at Rane apologetically.

"I got you involved."

"No, it's my fault for getting involved in the conflict with Eider."

She had been thinking about it ever since he left.

Even if the monsters weren't strong, before meeting Rane, he would have surely gone on the mission with a party. With the Holy Maiden's purification and healing magic, it would have ended much faster.

"I'm sorry. It's my fault."

"No, that's not—"

"Yes, that's enough!"

Riene stepped between the two, who were apologizing to each other.

"I regretted getting Rane involved, but Rane said she's happy to have met me. I'm happy too. What about you, brother?"

Rane, who didn't expect to be put on the spot by Alex, blushed and looked down.

"I'm also glad to have met Rane."

Rane's ears rang with Alex's gentle voice.

"If everyone isn't regretting it, let's stop apologizing to each other. Instead, we should think about what to do next. If my brother hadn't given Rane a dress, Clarence would have given one to Rane."

"That's a relief."

Riene laughed, and Alex looked relieved, responding similarly.

Seeing him, her heart inexplicably skipped a beat.