Thanks to Julios’s efforts, the two children stopped crying.
“Be careful as you get down.”
“Okay, sister.”
The power of tears was truly remarkable. Just a day ago, the two children knew nothing about each other.
Lehira had seen Latil in a dream, but she only felt resentment, believing Latil had taken her brother away.
But now, that wasn’t the case. Even though they sniffled all the way to the clothing shop, they didn’t let go of each other’s hands. Lehira supported Latil so she wouldn’t trip while coming down the stairs. Julios was simply proud of his niece.
Even while choosing clothes together, Lehira’s change was noticeable. She treated Latil, who followed her like a chick, much more kindly than before.
Though they were only a year apart, Lehira pretended to act more mature, and Julios secretly held back a smile.
“Try on this bracelet too. I think it would suit you.”
“But sister, it’s too fancy…”
“Hey! I told you to have confidence! How many times do I have to… No, don’t cry!”
While she still snapped at Latil when she showed a lack of confidence, Lehira quickly pulled herself together and comforted her.
At first, Latil had found Lehira’s change awkward, but she soon got used to it. Smiling brightly, she asked Lehira,
“Riri, where did you come from? Why did you come to the empire?”
“I….”
Lehira hesitated for a moment and looked at Julios with a somewhat nervous expression.
She must have felt guilty about giving Latil a false name. Julios nodded slightly to his niece. His eyes, calm like the blue sky, were full of trust towards her.
Whatever you choose.
You’ll do well.
Encouraged by this, Lehira swallowed hard. She looked at Latil, who was gazing at her with curious eyes. After taking a deep breath, she slowly opened her mouth.
“Latil, actually, I have something to tell you.”
“Huh?”
“I want to apologize to you.”
“Apologize? For what?”
Latil blinked in confusion. What could the apology be for, coming from her newfound sister, Lehira?
“I lied to you.”
“Lied?”
Latil’s lips parted in bewilderment. Riri’s lie. Something came to mind at that moment. The words Riri had said to her in the carriage. The words she’d repeated several times, telling Latil she was a wonderful child.
“Sister….”
Her crimson eyes trembled fiercely. Her heart sank. She feared that the negative emotions she’d been freed from, thanks to her sister, might flood back. The cheerful expression on her face quickly turned anxious.
“I’m not actually Riri.”
“…What?”
“My name isn’t Riri. It’s Lehira.”
With a tense expression, Lehira looked intently at Latil.
“I’m from Genos. From the Genos royal family. Actually, I met you in a dream. I wanted to meet you in person… that’s why I came.”
“….”
“At first, I didn’t want to tell you my real name. I didn’t know what kind of child you were. Besides, I misunderstood you a little. That’s why I hid my name. But not anymore.”
Lehira tightly grasped Latil’s hand, who was staring blankly at her, and spoke with determination.
“I’m sorry for misunderstanding you. I didn’t know you were such a good child. Will you forgive me? If it’s okay with you… I’d like to be friends with you.”
Even though she had mustered up her courage, her voice grew faint. Having lived her whole life as a princess, Lehira wasn’t used to such situations.
Her face flushed from the awkward apology.
She even felt the urge to run away but held it in. She had always been taught by her parents: one must acknowledge their mistakes, and responsibility is the greatest virtue of royalty.
“…Lehira?”
“Yes, my name is Lehira. So if you want to be friends with me, call me Sister Lehira.”
“Oh….”
“Do you not like it?”
Latil, who had been staring blankly at Lehira, snapped back to her senses as if cold water had been splashed on her. She quickly shook her head and, with a trembling voice, said,
“No, I… no, Sister.”
“Then we’re friends now?”
“Yes.”
“Great!”
Lehira smiled brightly and hugged Latil. Though awkward, Latil returned the embrace.
‘So she was Sister Lehira.’
Her heart pounded as if she had just run a race. It was from excitement. She was so happy, she felt like she might even cry a little.
‘Goddess, thank you so much.’
Lehira probably had no idea. How long Latil had admired her.
Everyone in the empire knew that the mad emperor and empress of the Holy Empire were only calm in front of Saint Leticia.
Whenever Leticia visited the empire, the mad emperor and empress would greet her in a far more composed manner than usual.
It was like seeing a ferocious beast, normally dripping blood from its fangs as it tore into live prey, suddenly putting flowers in its hair and wagging its tail.
Those who knew the true nature of the emperor and empress were both creeped out by the change and relieved.
They felt that it was thanks to Leticia that the mad couple didn’t go on a rampage.
Some even thanked the goddess, believing that her arrangements were scattered throughout the world.
Latil had never seen the change in her parents firsthand, but she had heard it enough to grow tired of it.
The transformation in Banessa and Dana wasn’t just because they were Wings.
As Wings, they instinctively felt at peace around Leticia, but beyond that, the two had a particular goal they wanted to achieve.
That goal was to unite the royal families of Genos and the Holy Empire through marriage!
To become in-laws, they had to at least appear sane.
In any case, due to her parents’ over-the-top behavior, Latil naturally developed a fondness for Leticia.
As luck would have it, Leticia had a child around Latil’s age. Naturally, Latil became interested in Leticia’s daughter, Lehira.
Princess of Genos, Lehira.
What kind of person is she?
They say she inherited Gilead’s power.
She’s loved by dragons.
So, she must be far more amazing than me, right?
I want to meet her. I want to be friends.
But I…
Unfortunately, Latil, who had such dreams, had no confidence. Even her fierce parents revered Leticia, so a clumsy rabbit like herself had no business looking at such a radiant sun.
That’s what she had thought…
‘But Sister Lehira came to meet me!’
Latil was overjoyed. It felt like her heart was filling up with soap bubbles. She was so happy that she couldn’t stop smiling.
‘I became friends with Sister Lehira!’
Her first ever friend in life. And that friend was none other than Lehira, Leticia’s daughter. The Lehira she had always admired but never thought she was worthy of being friends with… had become her friend!
“I’ll be staying in the empire for the next two weeks. Let’s have fun together.”
Two weeks! Her sister was staying in the empire for two whole weeks! And she said they’d have fun together! Latil felt like she had the whole world. Even drawing pictures on the ground with a rock would be fun now.
‘Could I visit Genos too?’
With that, Latil, who had already become completely absorbed in Lehira, started making plans for after the two weeks were up.
I’ll go visit her country! I’ll play with her! I’ll ask Uncle to make a teleportation scroll to Genos! I’ll ask him to make lots and lots of them!
Without even realizing it, she was starting to dream the same dream as her father.
Only a few people knew that the look in her eyes resembled Dana when she wrote letters to Leticia.
Either way, Callisto would eventually grant his niece’s wish.
The royal palace’s storage would be piled high with teleportation scrolls, and Latil would make frequent visits to Genos.
During that time, Banessa would accuse Callisto of treating their daughter and him differently, and Callisto would retort by asking why he was stating the obvious.
Latil, who frequently visited Genos, would naturally grow closer to Abel, and the pink-colored affection Lehira had seen in her dreams would begin to bloom.
But that was still far in the future.
* * *
Rewinding time, when Banessa was shaking Callisto’s collar as if he was about to rip his clothes apart.
A familiar voice rang in Callisto’s ear.
It was a spirit saying that the Wing of Prophecy was asking for help.
Callisto raised one eyebrow.
‘The Wing of Prophecy?’
The Wing of Prophecy—Julios.
Callisto wasn’t particularly close to Julios. Though they were both Wings, they didn’t have much connection.
Still, Callisto had a favorable impression of Julios.
This wasn’t so much because he knew Julios personally, but more because of Dana and Banessa.
As the two became more and more extreme over time, he naturally became more sympathetic toward Wings who behaved normally. He had even treated Noel and Ahwin kindly when they visited the Magical Empire recently.
Before Lehira came to the empire, Callisto had received a message from Julios.
It was about how Lehira wanted to meet Latil and whether he could help facilitate it.
There was no reason to refuse. Secretly hoping the two children would become friends, Callisto had instructed a spirit to keep an eye on Latil and assist her at the right moment.
But now Julios was asking for help again.
‘Banessa is needed, huh.’
Callisto glanced at Duke Banessa, who was still whining.
He briefly wondered if he should explain the situation or not.
The conclusion came quickly.
“Get lost.”
Callisto immediately broke the teleportation magic stick he had in his pocket. It was designed to remove something attached to the caster without affecting the caster themselves. He had developed it after much deliberation to get rid of the persistently clingy Banessa.
“Brother! Oh, really!”
A moment later, Banessa, realizing what had happened, yelled in frustration. Callisto only chuckled. What difference would him yelling make?
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