Chapter 17: Oblivious and Hopeless
“Sister, regarding your new idea, I would very much like to help as well.
I have long thought the same.
Recently, we have so many lovely and beautiful dresses, yet the underlayers have hardly changed at all.”
“Indeed.
Personally, I would also like to expand nightwear and loungewear.
Silk negligees are comfortable, but I think we could use more seasonal fabrics, make them more functional, and above all, pure white alone is rather dull.”
“My, what sort of things are you envisioning?”
“In warmer seasons, something more breathable would be nice.
And in winter, thicker, fluffier materials would be lovely as well.
Of course, increasing color options, but also incorporating simple patterns or small accents would be charming.”
Not quite fur, but perhaps microfiber?
Pile fabric?
Soft, fluffy materials are delightful.
Matching room slippers and nightcaps would be charming too.
Though… could such fabrics even be developed here?
Velvet exists, barely, but it is considered a luxury material.
Still, this is precisely where the Latitche family’s wealth shall speak!
…Since I may enter the convent at any time, I intend to invest wholeheartedly now, leaving no regrets.
At present, I have neither framed nor slandered the heroine.
There is not even a basis for condemnation—I have not even met her.
Even the princes’ faces are still hazy in my mind.
For the record, the gentlemen have been asked to step out, and Jibril and I are discussing this new venture.
Julius clearly wished to remain, but Father mercilessly retrieved him.
Under the pretense of “male socializing,” they are speaking in the greenhouse visible from the salon.
Father… you are not interrogating them, are you?
Even if I try to peek discreetly, the distance and angle are too perfect to see their expressions.
“I shall discreetly gather opinions from trustworthy acquaintances about what might be desirable,” Jibril offered.
“That would be most helpful, Jibril.”
Enthralled by this joint enterprise with the sister I adore, I completely forgot why I had come to the academy.
Jibril was so charming that thoughts of the heroine and the princes slipped entirely from my mind.
She truly is adorable.
When I impulsively hugged her, she widened her eyes in surprise for a moment before returning the embrace.
The three young men behind us, who still seemed somewhat wary of Jibril after her earlier iron-fisted discipline, wore expressions I did not notice at all.
I was far too absorbed in doting on Jibril.
With her, there were no flags nor bluffs to fear.
What I failed to notice was that her radiant smile was, in fact, a triumphant smirk directed at the three behind us.
The first to break was Kishtarial.
Previously, Mother Lati had thoroughly scolded him and imposed a prohibition against seeing me.
Though he had returned home, he had barely been able to speak with me.
“…Sister Alber.
Would you speak with us as well?”
It had been quite some time since he had called me “Sister.”
I turned toward him instantly.
Julius looked at me with profound pity.
To counter Jibril, Kishtarial had resorted to using the humiliating “Sister” he had long abandoned—
and yet I, who had once been nearly ambushed by this very brother, wagged my metaphorical tail in delight at the address.
“My, you wish to speak with Sister?
Of course. I have missed you as well, Kishtarial.”
I clasped my fingers beneath my chin, smiling brightly at my rare pleading from my handsome younger brother.
He has grown so mature that he rarely indulges me now.
Kishtarial’s expression twitched faintly, but I, buoyed by delight, overlooked it entirely.
Behind him, Julius looked as though he suffered a headache.
Michaelis struggled not to laugh.
Only Jibril cast Kishtarial a cool glance.
Father smoothly seated himself beside me, securing his position.
“Alber is such a considerate child.”
“Am I?”
“My beloved Alber…
You need not endure anything.
Take whatever you desire.
There is no need for modesty, no need for hardship, no need for purity.
Tell me—what do you want?”
Father, must you ask that regularly?
The atmosphere froze.
He truly is the greatest proponent of Alber’s indulgence.
But I do not wish to become a villainess.
With Father and Mother and everyone, I am already happy.
What I fear is the destruction of this carefully constructed paradise.
If it must be broken, I would rather be the one to draw the curtain gently, so none are hurt.
“Father, please return home properly for your birthday this year!”
“I did return properly, did I not?”
“Yours, Father!
This year I shall prepare a cake with less sweetness that even you will find delicious!”
“…Ah. Mine.”
So he had forgotten.
He never celebrates his own birthday.
“For this year’s cake, I will make it myself.
It may not rival a pâtissier’s, but…”
Securing permission to cook had been arduous.
Even the slightest injury could cost the kitchen staff dearly, Sebas warned.
Yet this is something I can do for Father.
When I finished shyly fidgeting with my fingers, Father stared at me, stunned.
His aquamarine eyes widened.
He covered his brow and looked upward, as though restraining something.
“…Forgive me, Alber.
Father must attend to something.”
“Eh?”
“I shall first crush the eastern barbarians…
And eliminate the minor factions along the border.
The First Prince’s faction may self-destruct, but I should weaken the Princess’s and Second Prince’s groups to maintain balance.
Trade with Goyuran will proceed faster if I handle it.
And I shall tighten the House of Lords and Council of Elders so none interfere.”
Father!?
What are you planning!?
Why does this sound so dangerous!?
Everyone around me merely shook their heads solemnly.
“By ‘attend to something’… what about our father-daughter outing in the capital?”
“…Forgive me. I will make time for my birthday.”
“Absolutely, yes?
A birthday without its guest of honor is lonely.”
“Of course. I will be there.”
“Please do not overexert yourself.
I am happy only so long as you remain well.”
Father smiled like a man undone and embraced me.
Then he departed with Sebas to attend to work.
“I hope he does not destroy a nation in his enthusiasm,” Julius murmured.
“Why would he need to?”
“You truly do not understand what you have set in motion?”
“I only wished to celebrate his birthday.”
Julius adjusted glasses that had not slipped.
Michaelis shook his head.
“For the Duke, that was reason enough.”
I groaned inwardly.
Father is entirely capable of it.
I turned anxiously to Michaelis.
“If Father asks too much of you, please tell me.
Though powerless, I shall help.”
He gently lifted a lock of my hair and pressed a kiss to it.
“Your sentiment alone is more than sufficient.”
I deserve praise for not screaming.
His ruby eyes held mine steadily.
It lasted mere seconds.
But for a hikikomori with zero romantic experience, it was far too stimulating.
Why does Michaelis, only a year older than I, radiate such adult allure?
I nearly fainted.
Why the hair?
He did not even touch my skin, yet the gesture felt…
Am I utterly defeated as a supposed unrivaled beauty?
Is it because my insides are hopelessly incompetent?
While my mind drifted into existential crisis, Kishtarial grasped my shoulders, pale.
“Alber, are you alright?”
“I have returned!
Kishtarial, will you call me Sister again?”
“That is your priority!?”
Then I remembered—
Had he not confessed to me once?
Though that memory had been swept away by Mother Lati’s fury, he is precious to me.
The affection differs, but there is no hatred.
It is not a bluff, is it?
As my thoughts spiraled, I was suddenly enveloped in a tight embrace.
…He has grown taller again!
Before, my eyes reached his shoulder.
Now his shoulder meets my forehead.
Unforgivable.
“Kishtarial…”
“Yes, Alber?”
“You have grown taller again…”
“…That is your comment?”
Why must I be met with exasperation!?
He finally released me, smoothing my hair gently.
When he finished, his expression had taken on the serenity of a bodhisattva.
“I am truly glad you did not attend the academy.”
“In hindsight, I agree.”
“Lady Alber lacks vigilance,” Julius added gravely.
“Sister is very much herself, but I cannot help worrying,” Jibril sighed.
Why are you all nodding!?
“What have I done?”
When I looked up anxiously, they sighed again.
“With that beauty, gazing at men with such an expression invites misunderstanding.
Even if you harbor no intent, it is more than enough.
Some fool may attempt to force himself upon you.
Please understand that every aspect of you possesses the power to enthrall and alter people.”
Julius spoke gently, not in anger, but in earnest concern.
The original Albertina had used her beauty to manipulate and discard others.
But even without intent…
That is terrifying.
Indeed, it is plausible.
I am hopelessly gullible.
Those I know have been shaped by Father’s discipline.
But not everyone is.
Are there many like Dora outside?
I wish to remain indoors.
The outside world is frightening.
As I teared up, Kishtarial, in stark contrast, smiled brightly.
“If you remain at home, you will be safe, Alber.”
Does it always come back to that?