Chapter 22

2.5K 35 5
                                    

If this is the real end – 5

Let’s say there was a painting and a jewel. Then, the painting would be hung out in the most conspicuous place in the mansion, and the jewel would be hidden in the drawer of a dresser. These two items whose fate could be described as quite contrasted, were given to us sisters by our father. In terms of beauty, the object I received didn’t lose. But, there was a heavenly difference in their values. A painting drawn by an amateur, and a rare jewel that didn’t have another match in this world. While its rarity meant a price couldn’t be put on it, the emotions invested into it were certainly not equal. From a third party’s perspective, I, who received the jewel, might have seemed more fortunate. But that wasn’t the case. That’s why I hided the squarely box which contained that gem in the top drawer of my dresser. It wasn’t an object I had desired myself. I didn’t want it. Such a thing.

*
*

Staring fixedly at the necklace adorning my chest, Silvia said “Nice for you, big sister.” To her who pouted her lips in a truly envious expression, I returned a wry smile. I simply didn’t know what to say.

“Are you dissatisfied with my painting?” gently said father who was standing beside Silvia, listening to her voice while combing her thin hairs with his fingers. Enjoying the sensation of gliding his fingers in these smooth hairs, he repeated that gesture many times. Not displaying a special reaction to that father, Silvia accepted his gesture as natural. A daughter approaching marriageable age might tend to dislike having excessive skin ship with her father, but for my little sister it wasn’t the case. I guess they had a harmonious relationship as family members. Outsiders would surely perceive it as such. And in reality too, that was the case.

… … But, only I was not included there. I had never been glued like this to father, as far as I remembered, him stroking my hairs never happened even once. From long ago father and I had been alienated.

“Even thought I took great pains to paint it for your sake ah…” Facing father who said this with a depressed attitude, Silvia became flustered and shook her head. “Ah, no, that’s not it…! I’m sorry father…” Their appearances as only the upper half of her body was lifted of the bed while she clung to father didn’t look like they were lovers, but still gave the strange feeling that you wouldn’t be surprised if told they were a couple. Despite the fact he was supposed to approach the latter half of his forties, the virile looks of my forever youthful father were famous to the point of being at the center of rumors even in the noble society full of good-looking individuals. Seeing the flustered state Silvia was in, father looked over her with affection and shrugged his shoulders with exaggeration. “Hehe, well, it can’t be help that you said that. Because it’s true that the stone I gave to Ilya was expensive.”

His line of sight drifted in my direction when he said my name, but our eyes didn’t meet. Since Silvia had mentioned me, he reluctantly turned his face toward me but it didn’t have any meaning. The profile of father who retracted his gaze back to my little sister eloquently showed how tremendously he loved Silvia. I, who was watching this from a little distance away, was forced to take on the role of a spectator like I was looking at the stage from the sidelines. I wasn’t a character of this story. I wasn’t a supporting character, neither an onlooker. Just a reader. I looked at the two of them cuddling together with this feeling.

“… But, big sister, your necklace is really beautiful. It’s the same color as your eyes.”

Even if we were only a third rank earl family, the estate still boasted of a certain broadness so my little sister’s room was certainly not narrow at all. Because I was standing quite some distance away from the bed, we couldn’t communicate with each other unless we raised our voices. However, I had already received the education of a lady. It was impossible for me to do such an improper thing. Especially in front of father. But for some reason, the charming and lively voice of my little sister didn’t sound like it was loud. I wonder if the soft wind coming from the slightly opened window in order to refresh the air was carrying her voice. Carrying it from the other side of that canopy which I could never approach.

[✓]My Fiancé is in Love with My Little SisterWhere stories live. Discover now