Latil had often come across expressions like “my heart was fluttering as if I were going on a picnic” in books. But until now, she had only vaguely understood what those words meant.
It wasn’t because she had never been on a picnic. She had visited all the nice places in the capital. Banessa, Dana, and Callisto were always eager to give Latil whatever she desired.
In fact, precisely because of that, she hadn’t really grasped the feeling of “excitement.” Her life was one where she could have everything she wanted, except courage. Anything she desired appeared before her with just a word.
Yet today, her heart was pounding. It felt like floating in the sky on a balloon. Just thinking about what might unfold made her excited.
“What will I play with my sister?”
It was such a strange feeling. Today was the first time Latil met Riri. She knew nothing about what kind of person she was. Even so, one thing was certain: no matter who Riri was, she couldn’t be as amazing as her guardians.
There would be no fire spirits smiling and giving her a teddy bear decorated with diamonds, nor magical beasts adorned with flowers singing birthday songs in unison.
Nor would there be an uncle like Callisto, who could display a screen in the air and say, “Just tell me where you’d like to go, and I’ll take you there. How about the magic tower?”
Even knowing that, Latil’s heart fluttered. She felt like an ordinary child her age. Only then did Latil realize she had been weighed down by responsibility.
Though she was grateful for her life as the princess of the Holy Empire, it was still a burden. After all, Latil was still just a very young child.
“This feels strange.”
Her nose tingled for no reason, and Latil quickly blinked. She liked that Riri treated her like a silly little kid. She also liked Uncle Jul, who said Riri was amazing.
[They’re good people. Don’t worry, Latil!]
There was another reason Latil felt drawn to the two of them.
As the princess of the Holy Empire and the daughter chosen by the goddess, Latil naturally received the love of the spirits. Even now, the spirits of the great nature were watching over her.
And yet, the moment they saw Riri and Jul, the spirits had been all excited and chattering. They told her they were good people and not to worry. Some spirits even said they were jealous of Latil.
“Latil, do you see that carriage? We’re going to ride in it and go out. But first, we’re going to wear the clothes Uncle is buying for us. Think about what clothes you want to wear. Sister will buy it all for you.”
“Okay.”
Lehira and Latil, the two children, boarded the carriage with the help of Julios.
Even in the carriage, Lehira still treated Latil the same way. Latil’s reaction was also similar.
Julios barely held back his laughter.
“It’s too precious to watch alone.”
Lehira thought of herself as much older than Latil. But to Julios, both of them were about the same.
In Genos, Lehira could melt those around her with her charm, and here she was acting all grown-up, which made it hard for him to contain his laughter.
The funniest part was Latil looking up at Lehira with admiration.
“As expected, she’s so cute it’s hard to believe she’s Banessa’s daughter.”
Julios could confidently say that he never imagined a more adorable creature could exist than his niece.
But he was wrong.
Apart from his fondness as an uncle, Latil was an incredibly lovable child. She seemed almost too pure.
“It seems my niece feels the same way.”
Before meeting Latil, Julios had been slightly worried. He thought Lehira disliked Latil.
Maybe Lehira’s dislike for the title “princess” stemmed from Latil. He had been concerned that Lehira might say something hurtful to her.
But his worries were unfounded. Even Lehira seemed to be softening toward Latil. The irritation that had clouded her face earlier was starting to fade. Despite her attempts to maintain a stern expression, Julios could see her lips twitch whenever Latil called her “sister.”
“Well, it’s her first time being an older sister.”
Lehira had lived her whole life as the youngest in Genos. It was her first time experiencing someone smaller than her following her lead. Julios fully understood the feelings she must have been going through— the strange mix of responsibility, excitement, and affection bubbling up. He had felt the same way when he first held the newborn Dietrian in his arms.
“Latil, before we start our outing, there’s a rule you absolutely must follow.”
“Okay, okay.”
“First! You have to hold my hand tightly. There are a lot of people outside. You’re so tiny, and if you lose my hand, you’ll get swept away in no time. Can you hold onto your sister’s hand properly?”
“Okay, okay!”
Latil, who had been nodding eagerly, hesitated. She glanced cautiously at Lehira and then carefully spoke.
“But, sister, I’m not really worried about getting lost….”
“You can’t let your guard down! You’re too cute— I mean, you’re so small!”
Lehira almost let her true thoughts slip out and quickly widened her eyes. She glared as if she hadn’t said anything at all.
Julios had to pinch his waist to stop himself from laughing. He couldn’t let his niece’s newly assumed dignity as an older sister crumble so easily.
“Sister, you think I’m cute…?”
Unfortunately, Latil had very sharp ears. She looked at Lehira, as if she were in shock.
Lehira’s face turned bright red, like a tomato. Julios quickly turned his head away, avoiding his niece’s gaze, and stared out the window, counting sheep in his mind. He was holding back his laughter so hard that tears were forming in his eyes.
“You, you heard wrong!”
As expected, his proud niece couldn’t bring herself to admit the truth. Lehira started snapping, putting in all her effort.
“What’s so cute about you? You’re clueless! All you do is giggle foolishly! And you’re so tiny!”
“Oh….”
“Hmph. Stop talking nonsense and focus on remembering the outing rules. What did I say earlier? You have to hold my hand, right? And after that… wait, are you crying?”
At the sound of her niece’s startled voice, Julios couldn’t resist. There was no way he could miss out on this much fun.
He braced himself for his niece’s inevitable wrath and, pretending not to care, sneaked a sideways glance.
His rarely flustered niece was standing there, staring at Latil, whose head was now hanging low.
“I’m sorry, sister… I know I’m not much… but just in case…”
“Huh? Are you really crying?”
“Sniff, I, I know I’m a mess too. But I ran away from class today, and there are important guests from Genos… I ruined everything.”
Lehira flinched and looked at Julios. Having been thoroughly enjoying the spectacle of his niece’s predicament, Julios quickly composed his face. Lehira, now pale, mouthed her words silently.
‘Uncle!’
She was asking for help.
Julios considered it for a moment.
To intervene or not to intervene?
The decision came quickly.
Julios shook his head slightly.
Though there was no ill intent, Lehira had hurt Latil’s feelings. She needed to learn how to comfort someone. He definitely wasn’t doing this because his niece’s flustered expression was adorable.
Yes, of course not. Julios put on a stern face, and Lehira looked even more flustered. Seeing Latil continuing to berate herself, Lehira suddenly grabbed her small shoulders.
“What are you talking about? You *are* cute!”
“…Huh?”
“I just said you’re cute! You’re super cute! The cutest little kid I’ve ever seen!”
Latil lifted her head, her expression one of disbelief. Her amber eyes were brimming with tears. Lehira, her gaze determined, raised her voice.
“Come on, repeat after me! I am cute!”
“I-I…”
“Hurry! Say, I am amazing! Repeat after me! I am pretty! I am cute! I am smart! I’m good at my holy studies! I’m the best!”
“Ah….”
“Hurry, repeat it! This is the second rule of our outing. Now, say it! I am amazing!”
“I-I can’t….”
“What do you mean you can’t? Hurry up and say it! You’re even better than your dad! You’re cuter and prettier! So say it already! I am cute!”
“I-I….”
“Hurry up, say it already!”
“I-I am cute….”
“And now say, I am smart! You have to say that too. I am amazing! I’m good at my holy studies!”
“But sister, I really don’t have any talent for the holy studies….”
“Hmph! How would you know? Maybe the priest teaching you is the problem! And so what if you’re not good at the holy studies? Does everyone have to be good at everything? Oh, repeat this too! People don’t have to be good at everything! It’s enough to just be good at what you love!”
Latil blinked in surprise, not out of fear of Lehira, but because the idea of saying she was amazing felt… daunting. It felt wrong, like she was committing a sin. But Lehira was relentless. It seemed like she wouldn’t let go of her until she repeated the words.
“Why would you think you’re not good enough? You’re this cute and kind. I have high standards, you know. I don’t play with just anyone!”
Latil’s eyes trembled as she looked at Lehira. Slowly but surely, Lehira’s words began to seep in.
Could it really be true?
Am I really… a good kid?
She still wasn’t sure.
But slowly, she opened her mouth.
“I….”
She felt like if she didn’t, Lehira might swallow her whole.
“I….”
But for some reason, as she tried to say the words, her nose stung, and her throat tightened.
Something that had been weighing on her heart started to melt away.
Tears suddenly welled up in Latil’s eyes, and large drops rolled down her cheeks.
“S-sister….”
And then she burst into tears. Lehira gasped, startled.
Before she knew it, she had pulled Latil into a hug and began patting her back.
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