Chapter 6

"Are you angry about the miscommunication, Lilianna?"

"No, Father and Mother were probably very busy. Rather, is there anything I should be mindful of as I spend time with Nina as a family, even if it's just in name?"

"Hmm? Well... I suppose so. I would like you to try and get along with her as a sister if possible..."

"I understand. I'll try my best to become friends first."

Those with the Light attribute are often welcomed into noble families and frequently end up connected to some noble house. The magical attribute is often inherited from the mother, so both the young master and his parents, if not already betrothed, would attract a lot of attention. Among them, there are many who would ignore the individual's will. In cases like this, where a guardian family is appointed, they also have the role of protecting the newly born mage from such hands. Therefore, not just any noble family can take on a rare Light attribute. Being appointed by the state is an honor. I understand that much, so if I had been told a month ago, I wouldn't have felt so uneasy.

As I entered the entrance hall, an unfamiliar girl's cheerful voice came down from the second floor. She must be the one who will become my sister.

When I entered the salon on the family floor, not only were my usual companions, Cornelia and Alphonse, there, but also Wilfred and Germain. The girl sitting stiffly next to Mother must be Nina. Mother, who seemed to have been alerted to our return, gently encouraged her to introduce herself. I felt a slight sense of discomfort, as I had only ever been taught manners strictly by Mother, who acted as my teacher.

Although she hadn't been formally introduced, I couldn't help but notice how adorable she was, with her chestnut hair that reached her shoulders and warm hazel eyes. She stood up timidly, almost swaying. Perhaps she had tripped on the thick carpet or was unaccustomed to heels. It was probably both.

"Nice to meet you. I have been granted the Light magic and welcomed into the Ajette family... My name is Nina."

After her greeting, she bowed slightly, almost hesitantly. It seemed like she was used to bowing from the neck down, as commoners do, and her curtsey was more of a quick nod. It appeared that she had lived almost like a commoner in a declining baronial family, as her words suggested.

But her core was strong, and she had bowed deeper than I expected.

However, her words were stammered, and I thought Mother, who had been equally strict with manners as with music, would rain down criticisms. I was prepared to follow up with supportive words.

But...

"That's very good for a first time."

"R-really? Duchess... I mean, Mother-in-law...?"

"Hehe, yes. Of course, there are many things to improve, but you'll quickly become a fine lady, I'm sure."

"Wow... Thank you, I'll do my best!"

"Perhaps you should lower your voice a bit more, now that you're a noble lady."

"Ah... Sorry, hehe..."

What...?

The woman smiling at the blushing girl—was this really my mother? I couldn't believe what I was seeing and froze, even forgetting to breathe.

I... I had never been praised, not even once. Why? Why? Not even when I could do what I was told, or when I won a competition...

And yet, this girl, who had just become part of the family and wasn't even related by blood, was praised for a clumsy greeting right in front of me. Why?

I stood with my hands clasped, the most elegant posture, but under my left hand, I gripped the hem of my uniform so hard it hurt. My back and fingers felt cold, as if the blood had drained from them, and my ears were ringing. My breath was raspy, and I felt like I was losing consciousness. Something rose from my empty stomach, and I pinched my hand to keep it down.

Why? Why does she praise her and not me?

I suppressed the urge to scream and, as the daughter of the guardian family, delivered the most appropriate response.

"I am Lilianna, the third daughter of the Ajette family. I'm sure it must be lonely to suddenly be separated from your family, but I hope you can think of me as a real sister... Would you like to call me Lilianna? And please, call me 'sister.'"

I chose a less formal but still respectful greeting, indicating that I would treat her as family. I thought I had done everything correctly, but...

"Ugh...!"

Suddenly, Nina groaned and looked down.

"Hey, Lilianna... Were you not listening?"

"To what...?"

I was the only one who didn't understand the situation. From Alphonse's words, I understood that I had unintentionally touched on something painful for her.

"No, it's fine... It was just a shock, I'm sorry! I ruined the atmosphere..."

"You don't have to force yourself. I'm sorry, Lilianna."

"No, it's fine. I'm sure Lilianna, who is surrounded by such a wonderful family, didn't know about someone like me, who was mistreated by my family."

Her words gave me a general understanding of her background. She must have had a difficult upbringing, and my thoughtless words had brought it back to her. I felt terribly sorry.

"But I didn't know... I only found out today that we were taking in a foster child with a rare Light attribute."

"I'm really sorry... I didn't mean to, I didn't know about Nina's situation..."

"It's okay. It's hard to accept suddenly becoming a sister to a commoner, and you couldn't be expected to remember all the details."

"That's not what I meant!"

The first meeting with my new step-sister was a disaster, and feeling sorry for her, I excused myself from dinner, citing a sudden illness. I couldn't bear to stay in the tense atmosphere any longer.

Ideally, the whole family should have welcomed her together, but I thought it was better not to overwhelm her further. I hoped we could gradually resolve the misunderstanding. Since we would be attending the same school, I had many opportunities to interact with her.

"Neither Lilianna nor I knew about Nina. We thought you had already been informed. I'm sorry, Lilianna."

"No, there's nothing to apologize for. I just feel bad for hurting Nina without knowing her background, and that's all I'm worried about."

I had asked Father about what to be mindful of, but it seemed the other family members had already been informed and didn't think to warn me. Mother called me to her room after dinner and explained the situation, acknowledging that I hadn't been informed. However, it felt like I was being treated like a spoiled child who was upset about getting a new sister.

But if I was only going to be scolded for bringing up a sensitive topic, it seemed careless of the family to welcome a girl with emotional scars. I knew I was venting my frustration at Mother, but I couldn't help it.

"It's okay. Nina is a strong girl, and she said not to worry."

"In that case, I'm relieved. To prevent the same thing from happening at school, I'd like to ask for everyone's cooperation."

Mother had already informed the school, but she asked me to explain the situation to my friends and seek their help. I was glad she hadn't forgotten to inform the school, as it was a given for a fostered mage to attend.

"If there's anything else I can do for Nina, please let me know. This is my first time having a sister."

"Well, you don't have to be so formal, Lilianna. Just do what your older siblings did for you."

"I understand, Mother."

I forced a beautiful smile while inwardly seething. Was I supposed to do what was done to me, never praising her no matter how well she did and always finding something to criticize?

I laughed to myself. If she were my real sister, perhaps, but if I treated a fostered mage like that, I would be seen as a terrible noble who didn't recognize her efforts.

What a brat. My sisters and brothers have been guiding me, yet I criticize myself for not achieving what they praise.

When I returned to my room, Anna, who also hadn't been informed about Nina, was still waiting and offered comforting words. Feeling exhausted, I was touched by her kindness and, as I got into bed, resolved to do better the next day, even if I wouldn't be praised.