I Tried To Be Her Loyal Sword

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36th Chapter

“……This is the greatest disgrace of my life.”

After a moment of heavy silence, Aria let out a sigh and spoke.

“But for Shushu, I must endure this disgrace. Let me be clear, the only true family I have is Shushu. Let’s just say we are partners dedicated to her happiness rather than sisters.”

“Such audacity.”

“Let’s call it bravery.”

A sharp gaze passed between Caesar and Aria. They both seemed to smile at each other, but I couldn’t shake off the feeling that they were in a silent contest.

“Alright then, Kashmir. What about you?”

Caesar’s gaze turned to me, making me flinch.

To be honest, I’m still unsure. Whether I’m someone who belongs in such a place. If this excessively twisted situation compared to the original story is okay.

If I can truly open my heart to someone.

I feared being hurt in relationships. I knew all too well how deep someone could fall for love, which made me hesitant about letting anything precious into my life.

The reason I’ve not formed deep bonds with anyone besides Aria until now is precisely this.

‘But…’

Instead of not getting hurt, I was painfully lonely.

I had to support Aria. I couldn’t lean on the already hurting child. I couldn’t unload everything onto her either. Aria was not just a friend but a younger sister I had to protect.

The emptiness and unquenchable thirst burned within my chest.

Perhaps, what I really needed all along was a support system I could rely on.

“……I’m really an inconsequential person.”

My vision wavered. I felt my eyes getting a bit watery.

I know my self-esteem is frustratingly low, but gaining confidence about myself has always been extremely difficult for me.

“If it’s alright, being someone whose only skill is swinging a sword… But still.”

“I want to be the Duke’s daughter.”

Even I wanted to experience being genuinely happy someday.

“That’s enough.”

Caesar chuckled, ruffling my hair and then hugging me tightly.

“Kashmir Crisis, Aria Crisis. Congratulations on becoming my daughters.”

That winter day was one I would never forget, a day so splendid that even if my entire life were to wear away, it wouldn’t fade from my memory.

Aria Crisis is a genius.

No one could refute this simple statement. She was undeniably a formidable genius.

‘Too easy.’

She never forgets anything after seeing it once. Subjects like math or magic that require application, strategic games like chess needing spatial awareness and tactics, probability, deduction, and essays—anything requiring intellect was exceedingly simple for her.

Among them, the easiest and most proficient skill was reading and manipulating people’s emotions. Aria demonstrated exceptional talent in tasks requiring keen insight, natural sensitivity, and quick situational understanding.

She was cunning, able to deftly recognize when to bend and when to push back. She could read the delicate balance and gauge whether someone in front of her was a wolf ready to harm her or a protector.

In Aria’s eyes, Caesar Crisis was a wolf that could never harm her. With fangs that could tear her neck apart in a moment, he would never attack her.

‘But then, why did the guy who never helped when my sister was in trouble suddenly show up to help us now?’

She had provoked Caesar because she was certain he wouldn’t harm her. She didn’t face the beasts without confidence.

Aria was dissatisfied with the fact that others had invaded the world that was just the two of them. Kashmir was hers alone. Her sister was hers. Even though she had agreed to share their world for Kashmir’s happiness, she despised it.

She knew Kashmir was shining brightly enough for anyone to fall in love with, and she certainly wanted Kashmir to receive love from many. But upon facing reality, the thought of having to share all the love Kashmir had been receiving made her stomach churn.

“Hello, my young lord.”

Aria Crisis’s dislike for Cal Crisis stemmed from these circumstances.

After finishing the discussion in the office, Aria stood in front of the door, holding her sword. Cal, who had been watching her with cautious admiration, smiled with a hint of a smirk on his lips.

“It seems you’re comfortable in front of Shushu, but there’s no need to play that act in front of me.”

“If you say that, I’ll gladly quit.”

The smile that had been on her coral-colored lips vanished in an instance. The swift change in demeanor left Cal chuckling in disbelief.

“When we’re alone, we’re on familiar terms now, right? Our statuses have equalized.”

“Do as you wish.”

Aria twisted her lips. It was too cold and detached between them to be called a friendship.

How many tense stares passed like a silent battle before Aria finally spoke.

“I don’t like either you or your father.”

“Well, I don’t like you either.”

“But you love Shushu, don’t you?”

Cal nodded in silence at the direct hit of Aria’s remark. Though not pleased, Aria fixed her eyes on Cal, ruffled her bangs roughly, and continued.

“……It’s not a light matter.”

“Ha… Yes, sister has always drawn people to her.”

Aria was skilled at reading other people’s emotions. The foreigner before her, who resembled her sister, had a heavy gaze filled with peculiar madness when Kashmir was mentioned.

“I have one question. Do you wish for Shushu’s happiness, or do you just want to keep her to yourself?”

“I want Shushu to be happy.”

“Be more honest.”

“If possible, I’d like her to be in my hands.”

“That’s maddening.”

Aria gave a smile full of displeasure as her eyes twisted, facing Cal.

“I’d also like it if my sister was happy in my hands.”

The two pairs of eyes filled with dark, sticky obsession mirrored each other closely.

“You’re sure you want Shushu’s happiness?”

“Yes.”

“And you know I’m needed for Shushu’s happiness as well?”

“……I suppose. It does seem that way.”

Cal spat it out with a dissatisfied expression, barely acknowledging the truth he didn’t want to accept.

Aria smiled. She knew well how significant her existence was to her sister’s happiness.

“I hate to admit it, but it seems I might need you for her happiness.”

“Maybe so. I am someone Shushu cherishes.”

This time, Cal smiled back, and Aria’s face twisted in distaste.

“But the one my sister loves the most is me.”

“We’ll have to wait and see about that.”

Despite differing colors, the temperature of their gazes and the emotions held within were similarly fierce as the two pairs of eyes engaged in a stalemate. How long had they been glaring at each other? With gritted teeth, Aria extended her hand toward Cal.

“We’ll have to face each other frequently, even if it’s unpleasant, for our sister’s happiness. So let’s do well, not as siblings, but as partners.”

To Aria, family consisted of just one. She had no intention of allowing anyone other than Kashmir into that cozy, deep space. Her eyes, pleading for an unavoidable alliance, were filled with displeasure.

“Yes. For Shushu’s happiness.”

Cal’s expression reflected distinct displeasure, as he grabbed Aria’s hand with awkward gestures, shaking it before quickly pulling away.

“Then I’ll be heading in, Cal. See you at dinner.”

In the blink of an eye, the amiable mask of siblinghood was slapped on Aria’s face as she smiled brightly. Cal, who had been scowling moments ago, soon donned the mask of a kind brother and smiled brightly.

“Alright. See you later. Get some rest.”

Then they turned their backs on each other. Their faces, looking in opposite directions, grew cold with an equal chill. Even without a single drop of tension exchanged, they seemed eerily alike.

‘A. ‘

‘Ah.’

In that moment, the identical thought crossed both their minds.

‘How unpleasant.’

‘This is unpleasant.’

The strong distaste felt towards the same kind.

It was a form of xenophobia.

From the day I became the Kashmir Crisis, I became busier than I could ever imagine.

“Miss! What fragrance should we use for the debutante? I’ve shortlisted about five options; could you please choose from those!”

“During the debutante, it’s customary to wear at least one accessory bearing the family’s emblem—should we go for a brooch? A necklace? A hairpin?”

“What color should the lips be? The trending hue in society is a subtle pink, but I think a red shade would suit you well.”

Notably, this was all in preparation for the debutante.

‘For the next week, you and Aria will be preparing for the debutante. Although the timeframe is tight, it’s better to wrap it up this year rather than postponing it until next year.’

The debutante. The stage for noble young ladies becoming adults at fifteen.

Held annually during the Snowflake Ball, the success one achieves at the debutante remarkably influences future social activities.

To prepare for the debutante, five additional maidservants, aside from Maria, were appointed to take care of me: Ren, Dahlia, Cherish, Penny, and Belle—young maids in their twenties but experienced.

“I honestly thought I was seeing a specter when you broke through the door, dear miss. The intimidation and grandeur… our young lady is the most splendid in the world. A woman who wields a sword is the best.”

The maidservants who had initially been a little frightened of me soon grew close, acting as if we’d been friends for a long time.

“The etiquette lessons for young ladies will be conducted by Lady Helena Levito, Countess.”

The following day, Aria and I would have a teacher for intensive etiquette training before the debutante.

A middle-aged woman who introduced herself as Countess Helena carefully observed Aria and me. Our acceptance into the Duke’s family was currently the biggest issue and topic of interest throughout the kingdom, so it was no surprise she was curious about us.

“I understand you both need to learn the basics from scratch. Given the time constraints, I’ll skip the fundamentals and teach you only the minimal etiquette necessary for the debutante. Classes will be a bit intensive considering the time.”

Despite knowing we had lived as commoners until now, Helena maintained a courteous demeanor. I couldn’t help but give her high marks as the lessons began.

“Walk smoothly and lightly, keep your hands elegantly in front of your dress instead of swinging them while walking. When greeting other nobles, bow your head lightly with grace, and only lift the hem of your dress and bow in front of royalty or the Pope. Your feet should not be apart.”

As expected, the etiquette of nobility was complicated. Helena taught countless things in a fast-paced manner, and according to the curriculum, the lessons were to span four hours a day until the day before the debutante.

However, there were two points that her perfect curriculum failed to encompass.

“Young Lady Aria is absolutely perfect. She moves like a graceful swan. Goodness! How can her gait be so flawless! She grasps the essence immediately after just one mention!”

Aria was the female protagonist destined to reclaim her throne as the queen of high society in this world.

“……I can’t believe it. Memorizing everything after just one glance? That doesn’t seem possible… Huh? You’ve memorized all the tango moves? But I didn’t even show them to you properly?”

I was a sword master with a natural talent for everything physical.