◆ Chapter 16: Little Sister and Princess
“…SIS…TER. Big…ter…”
Someone is talking to me. My brain comprehends that much, but it sounds like it’s coming from a mile away. The last “Big Sister” finally snaps me out of it.
“Hm? What was that? Sorry...I zoned out for a minute.”
I’m combing out Cia’s hair in front of a mirror. We just got out of the bath and are getting ready for bed. The mirror reflects our matching thin nightgowns—pink for me, aqua for Cia.
“Uh...what were we talking about again?” I ask.
“I was asking about your plans for tomorrow...?”
“Oh, right! I remember now. Let’s see, in the morning I have to attend a meeting about where the next expedition should go and talk with several of the nobles. Then in the afternoon…”
“Are you all right? You seem lost in thought a lot lately.” Cia directs her worried look at me through the mirror. “Is the matter with Cladorca still bothering you?”
“…You can tell?”
“Yes. Your gloominess started then.”
“I guess so. But...that’s not the only thing on my mind—nothing has been going well for me lately. Or maybe it’s more accurate to say I can’t pull anything off the right way. I thought I’ve matured, but I keep getting reminded that I’m still just a kid.”
There’s no denying that I’ve become capable of doing more than when I was a little kid. But I don’t know how to use these powers I’ve obtained. What’s the right way to use them? What are they capable of? So much of it is still a mystery to me.
“You aren’t just some kid!” Cia suddenly speaks up in a strong voice, overpowering my tireless sighing. “You are doing a marvelous job fulfilling your duties as the Holy Priestess. And not just as the Priestess, but as a woman.”
“Cia...”
“I want to grow up to be just like you, Big Sister.”
Cia is significantly younger than me, so it’s a given that I look like a grown-up to her. Setting our age difference aside, she views me as a role model, which sounds more appealing than just being older.
“I love you, Cia!” I exclaim.
“B-Big Sister!”
I’m already hugging her from behind before I can think twice. Her startled face reflects back at me in the mirror.
“You are my one true happy place, Cia!”
“I-I don’t really understand what that means, but…I’m glad to be of service to you.” Cia gently rests her hands on my arms. Right now my chin is snuggled into her shoulder. My smile grows even bigger when I see our beaming faces in the mirror together.
“Oh, but a word of warning, I’m happy you want to be like me when you get older, but I don’t recommend it.”
“Wh-Why not?”
“Because I’m not very ladylike. I don’t mean to, but I do run around screaming a lot. Grantz will be disappointed if you become like me. You might be dubbed the Tomboy Princess.”
“No! There is no question the Big Sister I see is a wonderful woman! If becoming like you means I will be called the Tomboy Princess, then I will take pride in that title. They can bring it!” Cia declares without any hesitation whatsoever.
Cia is the last person I expect to turn out like me with how graceful and ladylike she is, but I hate to see what happens if she does grow up that way.
I try to follow basic etiquette, but that’s the etiquette among common people—I definitely haven’t fully assimilated into my current environment. I can’t stop worrying my commoner traits will rub off on Cia. Aah, my king, I apologize if your daughter develops strange habits. Then again, she might have already started to develop them since she wants to be like me.
I let go of Cia and take a deep breath to chase away the fog that’s been hanging over me. Surprisingly, it helps.
“I can do this!”
“D-Do what?”
“You helped me get over a lot of things that were on my mind. Thanks!”
My sudden change seems to have alarmed her. But after seeing how refreshed I look, she happily responds, “That’s good then!”
“I guess I’d better start with the king. I’m no good at persuasion, so my best bet is to take him down with my feelings. Time to go for broke!”
“...Try not to break anything.”
“I won’t! At any rate, I’m going to move things forward.”
“Then I will do what I can on my side to help,” Cia says, standing to face me. I’m thrilled she’s going to help, but I’m afraid she wants to join us during the dangerous parts too. She must’ve seen the worry on my face because she forces a smile. “Please don’t worry. I understand I will only be a burden if I go with you, so I won’t ask the impossible, even though I really want to…” She purses her lips.
I fear my tomboyish nature has already rubbed off on her. I’m sorry, Your Majesty. It might already be too late for you to make a difference.
“I am going to help you by leveraging my authority as Princess,” she says, her expression becoming regal. It appears the girl before me is not just my little sister, but the princess. “I shall ask my father to set up a forum to discuss the purification of Cladorca.”