"Davina. Sit down."
Killian called my name — his older sister's — with no hint of caution, no trace of reverence. And clearly, no affection left.
It was like plunging into a frozen lake. My whole body trembled, not from fear, but from the cold slap of reality.
This world was merciless. Even blood ties were just pawns on the board.
That sacred thing called "family" had been twisted so grotesquely it made my hands shake with rage.
Was this punishment for my past life? For choosing my duties over my family?
If it was a punishment, I'd take it. Let this broken body carry it all.
I walked forward and sat across from Killian's impassive gaze. I almost laughed. We looked so alike, shared the same blood, and yet we stared at each other like sworn enemies.
I dug my nails into my palm, grounding myself. This wasn't a sibling reunion, it was a battlefield. I couldn't afford to slip. Not while my real enemy hid in someone else's shadow, using others as their blades.
"You called for me. What do you want?"
"Do I need a reason to see my sister?"
Killian sipped his tea leisurely. Though still young, he carried himself with the poise of a ruler. Perhaps it was simply in his royal blood.
Aurora stepped forward gracefully, pouring tea for me. I kept a careful eye on her, not too obvious, but alert.
"Fair enough. Missing your big sister, then?" I lifted the teacup and mirrored Killian's sweetness, veiling the sharp edge beneath my tone.
"Something like that. You're always busy with your… toys. If I don't remind you, I fear you'll forget I exist."
Fifteen. And already wielding words like blades?
My little brother back home was a gaming-addicted gremlin at fifteen. Then again, different world, different rules.
"As if I could forget." I replied with a soft smile. "You're the only family I have left."
Wake up, kid. Blood is the only thing that ever really matters.
Killian's dull hazel eyes briefly flickered with something, maybe recognition.
"Sis…"
His lashes trembled, voice softening, just a bit.
CRASH!
A teacup shattered, cutting his words off. Aurora gasped in pain.
Right on cue.
Scalding tea. Broken china. The classic attention-grab. Always effective.
Killian shot up, kneeling beside her to stop her from picking up the shards.
"Are you hurt? Don't move, you'll cut yourself." His voice, which had just moments ago sliced into me, now flowed like silk.
Oh, for god's sake. Aurora's the same age as your sister, brat.
Your sister just crawled out of death's grip and you throw daggers at her, while whispering honeyed concern for this girl?
"I'm sorry, Your Highness… I didn't mean to…" Aurora's voice trembled with perfect fear, eyes cast down like she expected him to scold her, though she knew he never would.
I'd suspected before, but now I knew.
The so-called pure heroine from the game? Far from it.
She was cunning. Calculated.
The real final boss.
"Seems you've got your hands full, Killian."
I leaned against the armrest, chin on my knuckles, watching this little drama unfold with veiled disdain.
"What, you get to find someone to lean on and I don't?" Killian looked up at me, challenging.
My smile faltered for a heartbeat.
So that's it.
Like a kid sulking over being left behind… he was now gleeful that I'd finally looked back.
His eyes were screaming: "You regret leaving me, don't you?"
Ah, I see.
Underneath the thorns, still just a lonely child craving love. That… must be what Aurora saw, and used.
Not hopeless, then. Still savable.
I hid my grin and observed Aurora's flickering expression. Her lips tightened, but she quickly masked it with a gentle smile.
She saw it too.
"I'm planning a picnic this weekend," I lied smoothly. "I'd love for you to come with me. It's been a while since I made your favorite dessert, hasn't it?"
Memory from the game came in handy. The main quest mentioned that Aurora often made Killian's favorite cake to win his favor.
Killian's eyes widened, a subtle glow returning to his hazel irises. Was that hope? Or maybe… happiness?
But then, snuffed out just as quickly.
"You're always busy." He said, tone heavy with implication.
This brat.
I stifled the urge to flick his forehead. He was still a prince. Not my little punk of a brother from home.
"I've dismissed all the men from my palace." I said instead.
"What?" Killian stared like I was a stranger.
Yeah, that'll make headlines. Good. A clean slate was overdue.
I was about to say more, when I caught Aurora's movement in the corner of my eye, she was reaching toward the shards, even though Killian had told her not to.
She wanted to get cut.
To get sympathy. To be fussed over.
Of course she did.
"Aurora—!" Killian shouted in panic.
She's not going to die from a papercut, you idiot.
I stood, looking down at Aurora's perfectly played scene with no attempt to hide my contempt.
"I'll send you the time and place later. I've got a lot to handle."
"Wait—" Killian reached for me, but Aurora whimpered dramatically, and he stumbled between the two of us, panicked. "Summon the royal physician! Hurry!"
Unbelievable.
My little brother was already under her spell. Dragging him out wouldn't be easy. I'd need a plan, a delicate operation to reclaim his heart and cut out that thorn in the same stroke.
I left the chaos behind and stepped into the corridor where Drake stood waiting, ever the loyal hound.
His mission still bound him to me. Five days left.
And I hadn't even resolved the last mess before this new one hit me like a brick.
Exhausting.
Drake followed behind me, keeping just enough distance, his pace matching mine precisely.
After some thought, I made my decision.
"Drake."
He halted when I called. Curious eyes met mine.
I turned to face him, the setting sun casting a crimson hue over his dark hair, bathing his resolute gaze in soft velvet light.
I met his eyes, clear and sincere.
"You don't need to stay by my side anymore."
His pupils dilated slightly. His lips remained pressed shut. I watched the affection score above his head, no change. A good sign.
I pressed on.
"You should return to the knight's order. The royal knight tournament is coming up. If you win, you can reclaim your honor."
That had been his dream once, to become a royal knight. To bring pride to his family.
Before Davina crushed it under her heel.
"Then… who will protect you?" Drake asked suddenly, voice low and hoarse, like he didn't even understand why he said it.
I blinked at him, just as confused.
But then smiled faintly, brushing it off.
"That's the job of a knight, isn't it? Any knight can protect me."
Besides… the person your heart longs to protect isn't me.
I swallowed that thought, left unsaid.
Keeping Drake close was both a strength and a danger. The mission bound him to me, but I needed to change how he saw me.
Not as the Davina he despised.
But as someone capable.
So I'd let him go. Give him the freedom to choose.
"Good luck out there."
I stepped forward and clapped him on the shoulder, though I only reached his chest.
It was something I used to do with my subordinates. Hopefully it meant something to him too.
I offered him a smile and walked away.
Cassian would be next.
He was tricky, I had no idea where to even place him.
Too wrapped in thoughts of my next move, I didn't see the hand behind me clench into a tight fist.
Nor the affection points above Drake's head.
[-15%]
***