Olivia sat at the edge of the bed, her eyes narrowing slightly as she watched Nessa pull dresses one after another from her closet. 'I really wonder if this stepsister of mine is fine in the head,' she thought, half-amused and half-suspicious. Nessa hummed softly to herself, holding each gown up to the light before tossing it aside.
'Does she have some sort of hidden motive?' Olivia's gaze lingered on her, searching for the answer in her sister's overly cheerful smile.
"Olivia, do you like this one?" Nessa asked suddenly, holding out a bright yellow summer dress that shimmered faintly when it caught the sunlight.
Olivia blinked, taken aback. "Yes… can I actually have it?" she asked, her tone a mix of surprise and disbelief.
"Of course!" Nessa beamed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Now then, have them prepare the carriage, we're going out!"
Moments later, Olivia, dressed neatly in the gown, walked beside Nessa down the polished hallways of the mansion. They came to a stop as a tall man in an immaculate butler's uniform bowed deeply. He was fair skinned with dark green eyes and slightly grey hair and beard.
"My lady," Alfred said calmly.
"Yes?" Nessa tilted her head, squinting at him.
'Hmmm… what was his name again?' she thought, struggling to recall. Then, with forced confidence, she said, "Yes, Alfred."
Alfred's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, but he carried on. "Lady Nessa, do you truly wish to miss your martial arts lessons today in order to go out with her?" His tone was careful, but Olivia noticed the subtle emphasis on 'her'.
"Yes, of course I do. Any problem with that?" Nessa's voice was sharp.
"None. You're free to do as you wish, my lady. However… there is a job request for you."
"Job request?" Nessa raised a brow.
"Yes. Your brother was to go in your stead since you were in a coma, but since you are awake….."
"Nah, I'm good." Nessa waved him off with a shake of her head.
"What?!" Alfred's composure slipped before he quickly straightened himself.
"I said no. I'm spending the day with my little sister. Let that brother of mine handle it," Nessa declared, though her thoughts betrayed her calm facade.
'I don't even remember how to use my powers. It's so frustrating… if only it was like a game and some kind of system window popped up…'
Her wish was answered instantly.
[ Hello, master! ]
A glowing window appeared before her, and Nessa's jaw dropped.
'The hell? That's way too quick…'
"Lady Nessa?" Alfred's voice pulled her back to reality.
"I believe I made myself clear," she said firmly, regaining her composure. "Now, please arrange the carriage."
Olivia tugged at her sleeve softly. "Nessa, if you really have work, I don't think you should waste your time with me." Her voice carried a sad tone. Ever since she'd arrived at the mansion, she'd been shunned, whispered about, treated as an outcast. She had secretly looked forward to their outing. She didn't expect that as soon and Nessa woke up she'd want to take her out, but that made her happy as well, however guilt was creeping in.
Nessa stared down at Olivia. "Sometimes… it's okay to be a little selfish," she said quietly. "I want to spend this day with you."
Alfred raised his brow. "Where will you be heading, milady?"
Nessa ignored him and turned to Olivia instead. "Tell me, what kind of clothes do you like?"
Olivia's eyes lit up, her small hands clutching at her chest. "I love frilly dresses!" she admitted with a rare, bright smile.
"You heard her," Nessa said, straightening up and grinning at Alfred. "We'll go to the capital and buy her some frilly dresses."
"That's half a day away by carriage, my lady," Alfred replied stiffly.
"Half a day?" Nessa blinked. "I thought the capital would be much farther from the borders."
"It is. Nearly two weeks, in fact," Alfred said, his gaze sharpening with suspicion.
"Oh, so you mean the air wyverns, right?" Nessa replied, feigning nonchalance.
Alfred froze for a second, then nodded slowly. "Yes, my lady."
"Good. We'll take them then."
'Damn, I'm lucky my guess was right. Didn't I write somewhere that monsters were used for transportation?' Nessa's heart raced.
"I shall prepare your ride as well as the knights who will escort you."
"Tell them to wear plain clothes. I don't want us attracting attention. If trouble comes, they can protect us from the sidelines," Nessa instructed.
Alfred bowed and withdrew.
Nessa turned back to Olivia with a smile. "Are you hungry? Why don't we eat while we wait?"
"Yes!" Olivia chirped, her mood instantly lifted.
They were escorted to the dining hall, where a spread of warm bread, roasted meats, and sweet fruit tarts awaited them. Olivia ate eagerly, her little hands clutching utensils awkwardly, while Nessa watched with an amused smile.
Later, they emerged to find a lovely carriage hovering just above the ground. Two massive wyverns, with dark green scales, were harnessed at the front. And they were separated far apart to give wing space for them. Their wings twitched restlessly, yet they stood disciplined. The carriage itself had wing-like appendages on its roof, almost like it wanted to fly on its own.
"Wow…" Olivia gasped.
'Runes for stability… balanced wings to make the carriage easier from gliding, makes sense,' Nessa thought as she guided Olivia inside.
Ten knights mounted on their own wyverns formed a protective formation around them. With a sharp cry from the coachman, the beasts spread their wings, and the carriage rose into the sky.
Olivia pressed her face to the window, her eyes wide in wonder. Nessa leaned back in her seat, fingers brushing over the Dietz family necklace she held. Quietly, she extended it toward Olivia.
"For you."
Olivia's breath caught. She looked down at the necklace, which was similar to the one Nessa wore, then back at Nessa. "I… I don't understand you."
Nessa tilted her head playfully. "Hm? What was that?"
Olivia shook her head quickly. "No, it's nothing!"
Nessa smiled faintly, though her thoughts were heavier. 'Of course she would feel strange. She was born from adultery, shunned even before she could speak. The world expects me to hate her… but how could I ever hate my little sister?'
"Don't find it weird, alright?" Nessa said softly. "We're sisters. From now on, you can be my friend, and I'll be yours."
Olivia's lips twitched. "…You're too old, sister."
Nessa froze, her eyes wide with horror. Olivia giggled, covering her mouth with her hands.
"Olivia! Don't say that. Even though I'm twenty, I can still be your friend!" Nessa whined, her eyes shimmering with tears.
"Then what would we even do? Don't grown-ups have responsibilities? Or are you just lazy?" Olivia tilted her head, her gaze sharp and teasing.
Nessa pressed a hand to her chest dramatically. 'That judgmental look… it really hurts the soul. I wanted her to open up to me, and now she's judging me instead!'
"I do have a job, alright! Even Alfred confirmed it."
"I see, I see," Olivia replied, chuckling softly.