Chapter 6: Brother and Sister
In the morning, Christina, Flora, Roanna, Hiroaki, Rei, and Kouta set out to leave Rio’s mansion.
At the entrance of the mansion, Flora drew Latifa into her arms while sadly bidding goodbye. Latifa responded by hugging her back.
“It’s so unfortunate I have to say goodbye to you, Suzune...”
“Don’t be unreasonable, Flora,” Christina said, gently sliding an arm around her sister’s back.
“Let’s have another sleepover soon! Maybe even tonight! Is that okay, Onii-chan?”
With a carefree smile, Latifa turned the conversation to Rio, who had been watching over things beside her.
“I’m sure they have their own plans to consider, Suzune,” Rio said with a strained smile. He then turned to Christina and the others. “But feel free to visit again at your convenience.”
“I wouldn’t mind tonight...” Flora said restlessly. She must have had lots of fun staying up late talking to girls her age at the sleepover last night.
“Flora... Show some restraint,” Christina said as though she was looking at a disobedient child.
“If too much time passes, you’ll probably feel reserved again, so I’d prefer it if you came back right away. I want to spend more time with my sister! Ehe heh,” Latifa said bashfully.
“Latifa... Me too. Let’s spend more time together.”
Overcome with emotion, Flora hugged Latifa even harder.
“Well, the food at Haruto’s mansion was great, so I wouldn’t mind coming again,” Hiroaki said casually beside them.
“Me too. Please invite us again!” Rei immediately agreed with Hiroaki.
“You need to show more reserve,” Roanna said with a sigh.
“Of course, Roanna will come again too, right?” Latifa asked, looking at Roanna. Flora joined her in staring at Roanna.
Roanna was taken aback by the sudden question, but she folded under the power of Latifa’s and Flora’s stares.
“I-I... If it isn’t a bother, then...” she said, nodding shyly.
“Yay! Let’s chat lots again tonight!”
“Yes!”
Latifa and Flora rejoiced together. Thus, with their next sleepover decided immediately, Christina and the others left the mansion.
◇ ◇ ◇
After seeing Christina and the others off, Rio was summoned by Latifa and Liselotte. He went to meet up with them in the parlor, accompanied by Miharu and Aki. There, he was informed of their plans to go out.
“You’re going to the Ricca Guild?”
“Yup. Liselotte wants to hear our opinions of her new product,” Latifa explained cheerfully.
“I see...” Rio looked over at Miharu and Aki.
Last night, Aki had casually agreed to help without thinking, but she hadn’t expected Rio to come along, so she now looked rather uncomfortable.
“And so, we wanted you to come along, Onii-chan,” Latifa said.
“I’m fine with it... Is it just the five of us?”
“Yup!”
“Are you sure?” Rio asked Liselotte as well.
“Of course. We’re the ones asking you to come. Princess Charlotte has given her permission already, so if you’re not busy, we’d like to leave right away.”
“I see...” Rio glanced at Aki’s face once more.
Could this be...
A look of realization crossed Rio’s face as he noticed how strangely gleeful Latifa was, grinning from where she sat before him.
“Sure, I can go now. But I’d like to talk a little before we leave,” he said with a nod, a look of resolution on his face.
Latifa tilted her head. “Talk?”
“Yes. I’d like to talk to Aki properly.” Rio’s gaze was clearly fixed on her.
“With...me?” Aki’s body shook as though she had been startled, and her expression stiffened.
“Yes. About the memories of Amakawa Haruto that I have. We weren’t able to talk about it during the banquet.”
In contrast, Rio’s voice was awkward but gentle, as though he had noticed her nerves and was trying to keep her calm.
“In that case, it would be best for us to leave,” Liselotte said, believing herself to be an outsider who should excuse herself before they started discussing the details. However...
“No, I’d like everyone here to listen as well. Since you four are the ones who knew Amakawa Haruto directly... Is that okay?”
“Okay.”
Liselotte nodded with a serious look. Miharu and Latifa also gave their silent agreement.
“Is that okay with you too, Aki?” Rio asked.
“I don’t mind...”
Aki averted her eyes from Rio and nodded, squeezing the hand of Miharu beside her.
And so, Rio began speaking. “As you all know, I have Amakawa Haruto’s memories. But as I said during the banquet, I consider myself a different person from him.”
Displeased with Rio’s words, Aki pursed her lips unhappily.
“Can you tell me what you’re thinking, Aki?”
“What do you mean ‘what’? You just said it yourself—you’re not Amakawa Haruto. Why should I have to tell someone who has nothing to do with me what I think of them?” Aki said scathingly.
“I don’t consider myself Amakawa Haruto. I can’t lie about how I feel regarding that. But I realized I shouldn’t be running from his memories either. I want to face the life that he lived, and the traces he left behind.”
“Even if you tell me that, there’s nothing I can do,” Aki said with a frown.
It was at that point that Miharu called out to her with a look of determination. “Surely you have an opinion about it, no?”
“Miharu...”
“I know you’ve had conflicted feelings about Haru-kun this entire time. I’ve been by your side watching you until now. Why don’t you tell him those feelings?” Miharu said in a scolding tone.
“But Haruto doesn’t think of me as his little sister, does he? He already said he’s not Amakawa Haruto. Why should I have to express my feelings to a stranger? Answer me that first,” Aki snapped, her discontent exploding.
“For my own satisfaction, I guess. I’m the one who wants to do this. I want to stop running away from you for my own sake. I don’t want to pretend I can’t see you anymore. If possible, I want to get along with you. I want to move forward together.”
“Get along...”
“Am I being unreasonable?”
Aki didn’t answer. She fell silent as though she was avoiding giving her reply.
“You heard him. Haruto said he wants to get along with you,” Miharu said in a rare show of proactiveness. Perhaps she thought it was her duty to mediate between them as Aki’s older sister figure—or perhaps she had her own opinion about the situation.
“What about you, Miharu? Are you okay with this? Didn’t you love him? You’re still in love with Amakawa Haruto right now, yet the person with his memories is saying he’s not him. What does that mean? Did you fall in love with someone who isn’t Amakawa Haruto?”
It was a clear attempt at diverting the topic, but there was no doubt that was another source of Aki’s discontent.
“Yes,” Miharu said in a clear voice.
Aki was wide-eyed with shock. Rio’s eyes also looked surprised.
“At the banquet, I realized I couldn’t think of Haruto and Haru-kun as different people. I told Haruto that I wanted to be with both of him.”
“So why...”
“I think I understand now—the reason Haruto feels like he’s a different person to Haru-kun. I was told I was Lina in my past life, and I consider myself a different person to her. That’s why I know what it’s like when people ask you to be someone you aren’t,” Miharu said with a bitter expression.
Miharu...
Rio’s eyes widened. He was being told he didn’t have to be Amakawa Haruto by no one other than Miharu herself. It was like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
“What about you, Aki? How do you feel about Haruto having Haru-kun’s memories? I want to know too. So please, tell Haruto properly.”
Miharu looked at Rio as she urged Aki to talk about her feelings.
“I hate Amakawa Haruto,” Aki muttered, averting her gaze.
“Why is that?” Miharu asked gently.
“Because I had to watch mom suffer after the divorce... I don’t know why they divorced, and I know my hatred is misplaced. But I also know he wasn’t there when we needed him—he wasn’t there for me when I needed him...”
Aki was looking downward like a sulking child. Yet even then, she was able to voice her entire heart. Although it wasn’t to Haruto, she was telling her feelings to Rio, who possessed his memories.
“You were lonely,” Miharu said, verbalizing Aki’s feelings.
“No, that’s not what I’m saying. I still get mad when I think about it now... I just hate him.”
Aki pouted without looking at Rio.
“But that doesn’t mean I hate him. I’m grateful for what he’s done for us, and I feel bad for all the trouble we caused him during the banquet,” she added. “I think what he says is right. He isn’t Amakawa Haruto, and I agree with that. But...”
“But what?”
Miharu slowly urged Aki to keep talking.
“But hearing him say they are two different people was also irritating.”
Although she could understand, she couldn’t give a clear explanation. Aki vented her honest but complex feelings. Rio was about to respond with a serious expression, but...
“Why?”
Latifa, who had been listening silently until now, questioned Aki first.
“Huh?”
“Why were you irritated? What did you want Onii-chan to do for you?”
“I don’t know,” Aki snapped with a hint of self-derision.
“Did you want Onii-chan to be Amakawa Haruto?”
“No. I literally just said I hated him, and that I think of them as different people.”
“Then did you want him to think of you as his little sister even though he’s not Amakawa Haruto?”
“Wh-What? Where did that come from?” Aki said, turning red at Latifa’s question.
“That’s what I got from what you were saying.”
“No way. I’d never want that,” Aki denied vehemently. “Besides...”
She was about to say something but stopped.
“But what?”
“I don’t think I’m suited to being a little sister. It’s happened twice now. Two people who became my older brother chose to leave me. Probably because I’m annoying and dishonest?” Aki said, scorning herself sadly.
“That’s not true!” Miharu said immediately. “We may not be related by blood, but you’re my adorable little sister who I wouldn’t trade for the world.”
Aki smiled happily. “Thanks, Miharu.”
“What about you, Onii-chan?” Latifa asked Rio. “What do you think of Aki? What kind of relationship do you want with her?”
“What kind of relationship, huh? I...”
Rio thought carefully without giving an immediate answer. Everyone waited for his words without interrupting.
“I think you’re very important to me. It’s my wish to live happily with everyone, so I want you there too. That’s why I’d like us to join hands and live through both the tough times and fun times together,” Rio said, revealing his true thoughts.
“Onii-chan...” Latifa smiled happily and turned to Aki with a look of expectation. “What do you think, Aki?”
“What do you mean ‘what’?”
“Onii-chan is saying he can’t be happy without you, so he wants you here.”
“I-I don’t need you to spell it out for me!” Aki raised her voice in embarrassment.
“Do you hate being with him?”
“I don’t... I’m glad he includes me when he thinks of everyone. Though I do wonder if it’s okay for me to be accepted when I’m like this...”
“It’s fine. Of course it’s fine! Onii-chan is saying even if you whine and waver, we’ll carry those anxieties with you and overcome them together. Right?”
Latifa looked up at Rio.
“Yeah. So you can keep hating Amakawa Haruto if you want. You can vent those feelings at me without holding back.”
“Why?”
“It may be convenient for me to say I’m a different person, but it’s unfair of me to pretend I can’t see you suffering over him when you’re right next to me. The memories and emotions of Amakawa Haruto definitely exist within me. That’s why as the person who inherited his memories and feelings, I want to face you properly.”
Rio stared straight at Aki without any hesitation in his eyes.
“Isn’t it a nuisance for you to have to deal with these irrational feelings of mine?” Aki asked, averting her eyes timidly. Was she refraining from venting her feelings? Or was she feeling guilty or afraid?
“I don’t think you’re a nuisance,” Rio said to Aki gently.
“Why not?” Aki asked in disbelief, eyes wide.
“Like I said just now, Amakawa Haruto’s memories and feelings definitely exist within me. That’s why I can’t think of you as a stranger, and don’t want to treat you as one. You might not like it if I said I considered you my little sister, but that’s how important you are to me. I guess that’s why?” Rio said, looking a little bashful.
Aki’s entire body flinched.
“Yeah. That’s why I want you to tell me if you’re feeling lost or want to whine, without holding anything back. Let’s worry over things together. That’s what I think, anyway...”
Rio was doing his best to express his emotions in his own clumsy way, when he suddenly stopped and looked surprised.
“Wah...” Aki had started crying, tears running down her face.
“A-Aki? What’s wrong? Are you okay?!” Latifa asked in a panic.
“Y-Yeah. I don’t know why the tears won’t stop... S-Sorry.” Aki turned red all the way to her ears. She looked down and wiped her tears.
“Aki... It’s okay to cry,” Miharu said, hugging her lovingly.
Rio scratched his cheek awkwardly, wondering if he was the one who had made her cry. “Did I say something weird?”
“I don’t think so,” Liselotte denied gently, giggling beside Rio.
“Yup, as your little sister, I’m proud. You’re the best big brother!” Latifa agreed happily.
Then, several minutes later.
“Um, I’m sorry for suddenly crying...” Aki apologized embarrassedly, eyes still red.
“No, there’s no need to apologize... I’m the one sorry for saying something you hated to the point of crying.” Rio bowed his head at her in return.
“I-It’s not that I hated it...” Aki looked away from him while she fidgeted.
“Onii-chan, what Aki is saying is...”
“Wah! Stop, don’t say anything weird, Latifa!” Aki shouted, stopping Latifa from finishing what she was saying.
“Hee hee.”
Miharu and Liselotte laughed in amusement.
“But you know, I have a problem that I’d like Aki to answer properly too,” Latifa said to Aki with a slight pout.
“What?”
“Do you want Onii-chan to think of you as his little sister? And do you want him to be your Onii-chan?”
Aki reddened. “What? That again?”
“Yes, again. Because if you become his little sister, that makes you my sister. I’d be so happy if that happens,” Latifa said with a bright smile.
“Huh? Me and you?”
“Yup! That’s how it works. Even though the three of us aren’t related by blood.”
“I see...”
Aki blinked. She hadn’t considered that possibility.
“That’s why I want to hear your feelings about it. What do you think of Onii-chan?”
“I-I don’t care...” Aki mumbled inarticulately.
“What about you, Onii-chan? Since you’re the person with Amakawa Haruto’s memories, I want to hear how you feel about Aki.”
“That depends on how Aki feels...” Rio shrank back at the direct question from Latifa.
“I think Aki will be able to be honest if you just tell her you want her to be your little sister.”
“E-Enough, Latifa! I’m already being honest!” Aki yelled in a fluster.
“Fine. What did you call Amakawa Haruto when you were young, Aki?”
“I-I called him Onii-chan...”
“Then can you still call this person here that?”
“You mean this Haruto? No way, I’d never!” Aki said, shaking her head in a flurry.
“What about ‘brother’?”
“Wh-What? What are you even going on about?!”
“About what you could call Onii-chan.”
“What do you mean... I said I don’t want Haruto to be my big brother!” Aki yelled, face red.
◇ ◇ ◇
After that, Rio and the others boarded a horse carriage and left the castle. Their destination was the branch of the Ricca Guild located in the capital.
As guests of President Liselotte, the group was given VIP treatment by the store attendants. That being said, they weren’t there to spend money today. They were first led to the office to assist with the development of the new products. A wide range of women’s clothing being designed by the Ricca Guild lined the large table in the room.
“Hmm. I think this one needs more volume in the frills.”
“I really like the tiered tulle skirt. It’s so cute.”
“I think this one is cuter.”
Latifa, Miharu, and Aki all gave their opinions here and there. Rio and Liselotte sat on some chairs a slight distance away, watching over the three of them.
“Thank you for today, Liselotte,” Rio suddenly said to Liselotte beside him.
“For what?” Liselotte tilted her head like she had no idea what she had to be thanked for.
“I’m guessing what happened today was because Latifa came to you, right? So that I could talk to Aki.”
Liselotte’s eyes widened slightly before she smiled somewhat shyly. “You saw through me. But there’s no need to thank me for it. I did want to gather opinions about the new product line in development.”
“Thanks to you, I was able to have a proper talk with Aki.”
“Not at all. Even if I hadn’t done anything, you would have approached Aki yourself. I have nothing to take credit for.”
“No, I was able to gather the courage thanks to you setting the table for me. If you hadn’t done so, I would have taken much longer to do it.”
“I think you were very cool, just like an older brother should be.” Liselotte praised Rio with a giggle.
“Aha ha. I’d like to buy you something as thanks... But now that I think about it, this store is yours. You can get anything you want here.”
“In that case, please buy something for Latifa instead. She was really worried about you and Aki.”
The gaze Liselotte watched Latifa with was filled with affection. But after hearing that, Rio decided he had to thank Liselotte properly even more.
“All right,” he said with a peaceful nod, grinning broadly.
◇ ◇ ◇
Meanwhile, at the Galarc Castle, Stewart was rushing to Duke Gregory’s office in a fluster.
“Enter.”
“Excuse me.” Stewart entered the room, panting, with a tense look on his face.
“Take a deep breath first. Those clothes look good on you, by the way.” Duke Gregory paused with his pen in his hand and welcomed him calmly.
“Th-Thank you very much...”
Stewart looked down at his uniform and thanked him with a pleased look. His badge was that of the Restoration’s but the knight uniform he was currently wearing had been loaned to him through Duke Gregory’s connections. At a distance, it was easy to mistake him for one of the Galarc Kingdom’s knights.
“So, I’m assuming there was movement regarding what we discussed before?”
“Yes. He’s left the mansion.”
“Oh? And is he on his way to the castle?”
“No, he boarded a horse carriage headed for outside the castle.”
“How interesting...”
“Excluding attendants, another four residents of the mansion boarded the carriage with him. I assume they’re either going shopping or to meet up with someone.”
“I see. In that case, this is our chance. If it’s outside of the castle, we can run into him without guilt. Now, shall we go scout things out and give our greetings?”
Duke Gregory’s eyes glinted ominously at the chance that had fallen on their laps right away.
◇ ◇ ◇
Two hours later...
“The Ricca Guild’s pasta was delicious!”
The group had finished eating lunch at the Ricca Guild’s restaurant. But before they returned to the office to resume their assistance with product development...
“I’d like to do some shopping,” Rio said.
“What are you buying?” Latifa asked, tilting her head.
“That’s up to the four of you to decide. It’ll be a gift of gratitude.”
“Of gratitude? For who?”
“For Latifa and Liselotte, who planned all of this. And for Aki and Miharu too.” Rio shrugged lightly to hide his embarrassment.
“You say that, but...”
“Me too?”
Aki and Miharu were bewildered, as they thought they had no reason to accept a gift.
“I said I was fine without one...” Liselotte said reservedly.
“I’m in the mood to give gifts to you all. Please accept it. If you don’t think you have a reason to do so, then think of it as a show of appreciation for always thinking of me,” Rio said bashfully.
Latifa looked up at him hesitantly. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, of course. Thank you for acting as the bridge between us.” Rio gently patted her head.
“Tee hee. Then I want clothes! Something I can wear whenever. Oh, but won’t the others get jealous if we’re the only ones who get gifts?” Latifa asked, worrying about the others waiting back at the mansion.
“In that case, we can always come back with the others another day. Maybe even tomorrow or the day after,” Rio said.
“Okay!”
That’s right. It didn’t have to be today. The fun days would continue tomorrow, the day after, and further into the future. Latifa nodded happily.
“I’ll lead you to the section for women’s clothing then,” Liselotte said with a warm smile.
Thus, Rio and the girls moved to the women’s clothing section of the Ricca Guild. While Liselotte showed Miharu and Aki around and chose clothes with them, Rio kept Latifa company in her clothing selection.
“Say, what do you think of this one?”
“It’s cute.”
“What about this one?”
“That’s cute too.”
“And this?”
“Cute.”
The other three had tactfully created alone time for the two siblings. Latifa stood in front of a mirror, bringing various outfits up to her body while seeking Rio’s opinion.
“Onii-chan, that’s the only thing you’ve been saying. Do you really think they’re cute?” she asked with an unimpressed glare.
“It’s what I truly think. You’re cute no matter what you wear,” Rio said with a slightly guilty grin.
“I see. I guess I can forgive you.”
Latifa gave an unnaturally arrogant reply to hide her embarrassment.
“But still, I want to wear the one Onii-chan thinks is the cutest,” she added pleadingly.
Rio scratched his cheek awkwardly. “I’m not very good at choosing clothes. Especially when it comes to women’s clothing.”
“But it’s a thank-you present for me, right? That’s why I want you to choose.”
“I see. That makes sense. I’ll do my best then.”
After that, Rio started taking clothes into his own hands and seriously considered what suited Latifa the best. The sight of the two siblings chatting harmoniously brought smiles to the faces of the store attendants and passing customers. However...
“If it isn’t Amakawa.”
The alone time between the siblings was suddenly interrupted by the arrival of an outsider. It was Duke Gregory.
“Good day, Duke Gregory. It’s been a while. And...”
He was a duke, so Rio greeted him politely, despite the strong sense of wariness he felt on the inside. But what was more troubling was the man beside him.
“Stewart Huguenot. Long time no see.”
It was a confident, high-handed voice. He was staring at Rio with unnatural intensity, to the point of rudeness. Although he was the eldest son of a duke, a disinherited child had no business taking that tone against an Honorary Knight.
“Long time no see.” Rio immediately moved forward and hid Latifa behind himself.
“Yes, it’s truly been a long time.”
Fortunately, Stewart paid no attention to her, as he was busy staring hard at Rio.
He really does seem similar. When I look for the resemblance, I can definitely see it.
Whether it was hostility or scorn, either way, there was a blatant negative emotion in his eyes. Stewart had already tried to mess with Rio in the past at Amande, and Duke Gregory was also someone who tended to pick fights with Rio.
What’s going on? What are they trying to do?
Rio immediately sensed something was odd, increasing his wariness further.
“What a coincidence meeting you here,” Duke Gregory said.
“Yes, a coincidence.”
Rio immediately thought he was lying. There was no way this was a coincidence. It was also strange for two men to come to the women’s clothing section of the store—not impossible, but he couldn’t see these two coming here to shop.
“Are you here shopping with your sister?” Duke Gregory asked, gaze going to Latifa hidden behind Rio’s back. His words also directed Stewart’s attention to her. Rio was standing in a way that obscured their vision, but...
“Does your sister have no manners at all? Ignoring a noble of higher ranking without so much as a greeting,” Duke Gregory scoffed.
Rio glanced over his shoulder behind him.
Latifa’s face was pale, and she was understandably trembling like she was afraid.
This isn’t good...
Rio opened his mouth to wrap up the conversation as quickly as possible.
“Hey, stop being rude to Duke Gregory. At least show your face!”
But Stewart angrily walked around to the other side of Rio to look at Latifa’s face. At his sudden appearance before her and the sound of his voice, Latifa was clearly frightened.
“Eek!”
“Hey, Latifa! Show me your face.”
“What am I to you?”
“Your dearest big brother, right?”
The trauma of her days as a slave that had been sealed deep in her heart came flashing back.
“N-No! Don’t come near me!” Latifa crouched on the ground, protecting her head with her hands.
“Huh?” Stewart was taken aback.
“Excuse me! What are you doing over there?”
Just then, Liselotte noticed the abnormality and came running over.
“Y-You’ve got it wrong. I haven’t done anything! She just started acting out all of a sudden!”
Stewart pointed at Latifa, who was cowering on the floor, and asserted his innocence.
“No! No! Nooo!” Still cowering, Latifa trembled from head to toe.
Rio had a sour expression on his face. He had realized that the trauma hidden behind Latifa’s smile was more serious than he thought.
What’s with this girl? And where have I seen her before...?
Stewart was feeling an indescribable feeling of déjà vu. Didn’t he know a little girl that feared him like this? The moment Stewart had that thought, a certain girl came to mind.
“Eek! D-Don’t come any closer!”
“S-Stop— Stop hitting me! Please!”
“Y-You’re my big brother.”
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! Forgive me, please!”
Back when Stewart was attending the Royal Academy, there had been a rare werebeast slave kept beneath the Huguenot estate in the capital. Stewart didn’t know if his father had been doing anything to the girl, but he had often visited her for his own amusement. Whenever something unpleasant happened at the academy, he would dote on her to release his stress. That little girl had been his toy.
The girl on the floor before him had none of the traits of a werebeast. But for some reason, he was sure it was her—you could even call it an instinctual sense. Yet at the same time, he was confused. Why would she be here? How did she end up becoming this man’s little sister? It made no sense at all.
But the greatest emotion Stewart was feeling was excitement. An intense feeling mixed with joy and anger overwrote any other feeling he could have. Stewart swallowed his breath and opened his parched mouth.
“Hey, don’t tell me... Are you Latifa?”
◇ ◇ ◇
Roughly half an hour later, Duke Huguenot visited Christina’s office in the guest house of the Galarc Kingdom.
“May I have a moment of your time? There’s something I wish to discuss in private. If you could please clear the room.”
Vanessa was in the room with them, but Duke Huguenot bowed his head and requested her dismissal from the room.
“Very well. Vanessa, you wait outside the room. Do not let anyone through until we’re done,” Christina ordered. She presumed there was something important to discuss.
“Understood.” Vanessa bowed respectfully and left the room, leaving the two of them alone.
“Now, what did you want to discuss?”
“I agonized over this all night. Sir Amakawa is at the root of the matter, but please allow me to confess my own sins first.”
“Your sins? That sounds ominous,” Christina said, observing Duke Huguenot’s expression.
“I’m afraid it’s a fairly grave matter. If I said it has to do with the outdoor drill that was held around five years ago, I think you would understand, no?”
Christina’s face turned grim. Just then, someone knocked on the door in a panicked manner.
“My deepest apologies for the interruption. I’m coming in.”
Vanessa entered the room.
“What is it?”
Entering despite the clear orders not to let anyone in meant something unavoidable had occurred. And sure enough...
“King Francois has summoned both of you. An incident has occurred, and he needs both of you present immediately,” Vaneesa reported with a panicked look.
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