After that incident, Mom's smile never left her face—but I started to fear her. It wasn't rational. She just… felt like she was everywhere. Or maybe I was finally aware enough to notice.
The chase training stopped. Now it was just brutal morning exercises.
"At least this makes dying a bit harder," I muttered, sighing.
"I can't believe I have to do this every day," I groaned.
"Ugh, it's been so boring lately," Erelya phased in beside me, her voice like a yawn wrapped in sarcasm.
"How? If anything, it ha—"
"Yeah, yeah, yesterday was fun… would've been perfect if you were the victim," she said, grinning like a devil.
"You know, sometimes I regret making this contract with you. It's only been a few days and I'm already tired of your shit."
"Well, too bad—you're stuck with me," she said, all pride, zero sympathy.
"Young master, your sister has arrived," Reggie announced with a polite bow.
"I never had siblings... hell, I didn't even have parents," I muttered. "So what am I supposed to do now?"
"Hehe, what a sad little life," Erelya mocked, hovering smugly.
"Anyway, I use you, you use me. That's the deal," she shrugged. "So go on, do whatever the fuck you want."
Strangely, that actually calmed me. Her bluntness sliced through the weird anxiety in my chest.
"I'm okay now," I said, nodding.
"You've cheered up, huh?"
"Yeah."
We'd only been together a few days, but it already felt like I'd known her forever.
As I made my way toward the main floor, I overheard voices from the parlor.
"Are you sure they'll be okay together?" Dad asked.
"Yes, honey," Mom said with confidence. "Whether they like it or not, they're siblings now. They'll learn to take care of each other."
Then she spotted me.
"Kael! Let's go greet your big sis," she beamed, grabbing my hand like it was her life mission.
We reached the courtyard just as a black carriage bearing the Virehart crest rolled up and stopped by the fountain.
"That's your sister!" Mom said, stars in her eyes.
'I fucking know that already. But I'm a kid—I can't say that out loud,' I thought, deadpan.
"Time for the big reveal," Erelya whispered beside me, like we were watching a drama unfold.
"Yeah…"
The carriage door opened slowly.
A girl stepped out, her long blonde hair cascading over a pristine traveling coat. Her face looked like it was carved out of ice—beautiful and perfect, but stone-cold. The kind of beauty that didn't feel real.
"Welcome," Mom said with warmth.
"Thanks, Mom," she replied with barely a nod. Then her eyes shifted to me.
"Hmph. So this is the commoner brat that's supposed to be my brother?" she said flatly, then turned away like I wasn't worth another glance.
'The fuck? Nobles are the brats, not commoners,' I wanted to snap, but stayed silent. I had no intention of getting beat up today.
"Lucy, bring him to my room," she commanded.
I'd later learn that Lucy was her personal maid—and probably an ex-assassin in disguise.
Before I could protest, I was hoisted off the ground like a sack of grain.
'W-what the hell?!' My feet left the floor. This was a kidnapping.
"HAHAHAHA! You got kidnapped!" Erelya cackled. "This is better than yesterday."
Mom just waved cheerfully behind us like this was the most wholesome thing she'd ever seen.
We entered her room—a spacious but sharp-looking space with ivory walls, a polished floor that echoed with every step, and a massive mirror that reflected every inch of my humiliation. The scent of lavender and something powdery lingered in the air.
Lilia sat like a queen in the center, legs crossed on a cushioned chair that was probably older than me.
"Bring the clothes."
I was set down in front of her like an offering.
"Put it on him," she ordered.
No question. No shame.
Then came the horror.
They started stripping me.
"What the—STOP! Stop touching me!"
"Gown?!" I shrieked as they held up the pastel monstrosity.
"Damn, what are they doing to you?" Erelya snorted, doubling over. "Actually… it kinda suits you."
"Shut the fuck up—Reggie! Help!"
"Young master, no cursing allowed," Reggie said with a calm smile.
"Then help me, dammit!"
"I'm terribly sorry, but I was strictly instructed not to interfere with sibling bonding," he said, eyes darting to the ceiling in betrayal.
Then—hope. My mom walked in.
"Yes! Finally!"
"Who did this?" she asked, serious.
"It was me, Mom," Lilia said.
'Yes! Snap. Get mad. Save m—'
"Do you have good taste or what?!" Mom gasped, sparkling with pride. "How come I never thought of this!"
I deflated.
The next four hours were pure, distilled hell.
Silk clung to my skin. Some outfits were tight in the wrong places, some so fluffy I could barely walk. Wig after wig itched my scalp. Glitter, lace, ribbons, even heels.
The chandelier above sparkled mockingly as I stood in the center, surrounded by giggling maids.
Lilia—ice queen of doom—was actually smiling. Giggling, even.
Which was worse.
"I give this a 15 out of 10," Erelya grinned, enjoying my descent into madness.
"Can't you save me?"
"Nope. Why would I? And your mom would definitely not let that happen."
My soul left my body.
Just as I began praying for death, Dad entered.
"Honey, let him rest! It's bedtime," he said, walking over with pity in his eyes.
"No way! He's a boy. He's started training. If he's not using that excess energy now, when will he?" Mom countered, already holding a navy-blue nightmare.
Dad gave me a helpless look and sat beside me.
"Don't hate them," he said quietly. "Lilia's usually… cold. This is the first time I've seen her like this."
"This is her warming up to me?!"
"To each their own kind of love," he shrugged.
For once, his scary aura was gone. It helped a little.
"Madam, it is time for dinner," Reggie called from the doorway.
"Oh? Already?" Mom blinked. "Well, one more outfit and then we'll pause for the night!"
"Not gonna lie," Erelya chuckled darkly, "I love your new family."
After all that, I was so tired that I couldn't eat dinner. I just crashed the moment I entered the room. Erelya had already passed out by the time I was out of the bath.
"Damn, tomorrow's gonna suck. Why the shit would people like that be coming here?"