Chapter 4

"Indeed. Appointing Reia as Prince Eric's guard... I believe that would be quite difficult in reality. This girl regularly performs the maintenance of the barrier."

Father, after receiving Prince Eric's proposal, gave a very practical answer.

Yes, I am acting on the request of the royal family.

Eric is, of course, a member of the royal family, but it would not be appropriate to adjust the schedule just for his protection.

"Ah, right. In that case, I will accompany her. As part of the duties of the Holy Maiden."

"Accompany? Your Highness will accompany Reia in her work...?"

"Yes. I also want to assess whether Reia is suitable as the Holy Maiden of this country. I plan to observe her work. I have already obtained permission from my father."

Do you mean to continue this observation from today onwards?

It's unusual for the person being protected to do such a thing...

"Obtaining permission from the King... I understand. In that case, Reia will go to the palace—"

"Father!!"

"——!?"

It was a loud voice.

A firm and clear voice, the kind that requires you to tighten your abdomen to produce.

It was my younger sister, Jill, who interrupted Father, who was about to agree to Prince Eric's proposal, and put a stop to it.

"Jill, what is the matter? More importantly, it's unusual for you to raise your voice like that. This is in the presence of His Highness. Be careful."

Father scolded Jill, who had raised her voice, with a puzzled look.

Jill, who had a displeased look on her face, returned to a calm expression after a startled expression.

What could be bothering her so much...

"Father, if Reia goes to the palace... I will be lonely."

"Hmm? Jill, didn't you say earlier that it would be better if Reia wasn't around?"

"Wh-What!? I never said such a thing! Sister is kind, and I always want her to be by my side."

I was taken aback.

My sister, who had been complaining about being mistreated by me every day, was now saying she wanted me to be by her side.

Does this child realize the contradiction in what she is saying?

"You are Jill Westeria. I am also a friend of Philip Gilbert... He told me that you had complained to him that your sister Reia was bullying you."

That's right.

Eric is Philip's friend and had heard from him that I was bullying Jill.

That's why Eric found Jill's behavior strange and asked her about it.

"I-I never said anything bad about Sister to Philip. I was just feeling down because I am a failure compared to Sister, and he was just listening to my complaints."

With teary eyes, Jill denied that she had told Philip that I was bullying her.

She exuded an atmosphere that made it seem like it was all a misunderstanding.

"Then, either Philip misunderstood your words and imagined a non-existent bullying, or you used a way of speaking that could easily be misunderstood. Which one is it?"

"S-Such a thing. Eric, that's so mean~. Sniff..."

Jill, with tears streaming down her face, refused to answer Eric's questions.

Jill has a habit of crying when confronted with contradictions.

She's good at playing the tragic heroine, but when things don't add up, she immediately cries to avoid the issue.

What's more troublesome is that Father and other men tend to stop further questioning and apologize to her—

"Your Highness, I don't know what Philip said about Jill and Reia, but Jill is crying... Can we leave it at that?"

As expected, the lazy Father tried to help by asking Eric to stop the questioning.

Jill is still sniffling, shedding large, beautiful tears that are impressive to behold—

"Hahaha, if tears could twist reality, how much easier life would be for me! Besides, I was almost stabbed in the back by a crying woman the other day. To be honest, I find this situation unpleasant."

"Sniff, sniff... Fweeeeen... Eric, that's too much~"

Seeing Jill cry, Eric laughed.

I'm not sure, but it seems Eric has a strong dislike for Jill...

"One thing is clear: the Holy Maiden Reia has never bullied her sister Jill. I have taken a statement from Jill herself, so there is no mistake. In that case, I can go to the palace with peace of mind—"

"Wait, Prince Eric. Reia is bullying Jill. Jill, being too kind, doesn't realize she is being cornered. Therefore, if you take her to the palace, it will surely cause trouble. Moreover, she does not have the qualities to become your wife!"

Stepmother Ekaterina, in a rapid-fire manner, denied Eric's conclusion that there was no bullying.

Jill not realizing the bullying... Do they really want to stop me from going to the palace so much...?

"Hmm. Then, let's put the bullying issue on hold for now."

"Phew... I believe that is for the best."

"In that case, it would be better for the two sisters to live apart. Don't you agree, Lord Westeria?"

"Hmm. That is true. If it is acceptable to Your Highness."

"——!?"

Seeing the surprised expressions of Ekaterina and Jill, I couldn't help but smile a little.

I had never seen those two so flustered before.

"The matter is decided. You should leave this house..."

"Eh, Prince Eric...?"

Suddenly, Eric took my hand and led me to the royal carriage, taking me to the palace.

From that day on, my new life began—