The Elaborate Lie

The elaborate lie had already been set. It was a choice between fully immersing herself in the role or being exposed by her sister, revealing an irreparable flaw.

Stella led Mylian to the entrance of a dark alley, where a small, secluded building with surprisingly good natural light stood.

“Miss Mylian, from now on, this will be your base of operations. I’ve already paid a week’s rent for you,” Stella said, pulling a set of keys from her trench coat. “Here, catch.”

“My temporary residence? It’s a bit too large,” Mylian remarked, gazing at the four-to-five-meter-tall building before her. She couldn’t help but wonder if she could truly live well here.

“Tell me if you need anything; I’ll bring it tomorrow. There are some temporary beds and bedding inside that you can use.”

“This is enough. Um… thank you.”

Mylian lowered her head, concealing her expression. She felt an overwhelming debt to Della, especially after having just lost her temper with him. She couldn’t comprehend why he was willing to tolerate her.

Stella scrutinized her sister once more. Mylian’s worn clothes were still too conspicuous; it was time to present the items she had prepared earlier.

“Oh, right, I’ve brought you a few outfits. The Candace family head and his wife should be returning in a few days. You’ll need formal attire to attend the banquet then.”

Stella retrieved the pink and white dress from her trench coat. The moment it appeared, it immediately captivated Mylian’s gaze. It was a dress that any girl would be moved by.

“Th-this is really for me?” Mylian’s mood significantly improved. Her perception of Della shifted from ‘extravagant’ to ‘generous,’ a decidedly positive change.

“Take it, don’t be shy.” Stella cast a few longing glances at the dress before reluctantly handing it over.

“Oh, it must be very expensive,” Mylian murmured, cradling the dress in her arms. Its silky, warm texture felt incredibly good, let alone the thought of wearing it.

“Expensive, indeed. After all, it was personally sewn by the Empire’s chief tailor.”

“What? Personally sewn!”

Mylian’s mouth gaped slightly. Clothes crafted by the chief tailor were no simple garments; they likely possessed special magical effects. Della truly was excessively generous.

“I also have sportswear and cotton clothes for you, but I didn’t get you any underwear. You’ll have to figure out where to buy some yourself.”

Stella instructed, unwilling to give her sister intimate apparel. The moral barrier in her heart simply wouldn’t allow it.

“Of course I’ll buy my own!”

Mylian buried her face in the clothes, but her peripheral vision caught sight of the lonely house, and she felt a pang of fear at the thought of living alone.

“I’ll give you some pocket money. I’ll probably come back around noon tomorrow to return your repaired photo frame and picture. As for that necklace…”

Stella paused mid-sentence, teasingly. Mylian, unable to wait, quickly pressed her.

“You mean the necklace can be repaired too?”

“Yes, but some of the beads are materials produced by dungeon monsters, so I’ll need to hire a few adventurers with [Levels] to retrieve them.”

Stella deliberately brought this up. This world had [Levels], categorized from I to VI. Mylian was undoubtedly destined to be a future Level VI powerhouse, a fact that wouldn’t change even if she were to turn into a bloodkin along the way.

Stella herself, in the best possible ending, only ever reached Level III. She would likely be completely surpassed and crushed by Mylian within a year, making her a perfect ‘plaything’ for the heroine.

“Hiring adventurers costs a lot of money. Can I go myself?”

Mylian asked softly, her heart wavering. She didn’t want to accrue more debt to Della, and she also wanted to personally acquire the materials to repair her necklace.

“If you want to go yourself, you must obtain a [Level] assessment. Otherwise, you won’t even be able to enter the dungeon. The Adventurer’s Guild is very strict; even if you snuck in, you wouldn’t be able to bring the materials out.”

Stella crossed her arms, observing Mylian, who pondered for a moment.

“Where do I get a [Level] assessment? How long will it take?”

“You just need to go to the academy for testing. The Candace family will arrange it for you; it should happen within the next few days.”

“I don’t want anything to do with them.”

“Hmm? You’re throwing away the benefits of noble privilege? Are you foolish? Don’t you understand enduring humiliation for a greater purpose?”

Stella boldly reached out and lightly tapped Mylian’s forehead, simply as a reminder.

“You touched me! You really are…”

Mylian’s face flushed, ready to scold him, but seeing Della’s mask, she swallowed her words. The immense debt of gratitude prevented her from lashing out.

“In any case, just accept the benefits that come your way for free. Can things get any worse when a person is already at rock bottom?”

Stella patted Mylian’s shoulder, causing Mylian to become indecisive.

“I… I actually want to go home for a visit. Not that family, but my original home.”

Mylian expressed her request to Della, subconsciously believing he could accomplish it.

“Where is your original home? What’s its specific name?”

“Laiming Village. I don’t know its location; I was brought to this noble territory.”

“That place is very far; it’s not somewhere you can reach on foot.”

“You really know where it is!”

Mylian, as if finding hope, darted forward and gripped Della’s wrist.

“You didn’t ask before running off. Who told you not to trust me?” Stella shrugged.

“I trust you this time! Can you take me home? I’ll find every possible way to repay your favor!” Mylian asked urgently.

Looking at her sister’s yearning eyes, Stella, beneath her mask, felt a sense of helplessness.

Once my sister is stronger, once she truly has something to rely on, I’ll take her to see it then.

Stella silently affirmed in her heart, then shook her head at Mylian.

“No.”

“Why? Is it because I owe you too much right now? I’ll find a way to repay you immediately!”

Mylian clutched Della’s wrist tightly. She refused to give up any chance of returning home. She detested this land beneath her feet, a place she had lived for five years yet still felt utterly foreign.

“It’s not because of me. Objectively, the Candace family head won’t let you leave. A family with numerous magical treasures can easily find someone, especially a young lady they’ve claimed.”

“Can’t they just let me go… I’m not a noble at all…”

Mylian gritted her teeth, knowing she was pushing Della. Even if he was incredibly capable, there were still limits.

“However, you needn’t be too disappointed. The good news is that the academy you’ll be attending is closer to your destination, which will shorten your journey home.”

“You mean, you want me to go to that academy?”

Mylian’s hope rekindled. She gripped Della’s hand for confirmation, but found the sensation different from what she imagined a boy’s hand would feel like.

“That’s right. During your time at school, the Candace family won’t interfere much with your life. You’ll gain freedom of movement during holidays. Besides, the knowledge you learn at the academy will also help you establish yourself in the future.”

After listing the benefits, Stella spread her hand, prompting Mylian to release it.

“Hmm, it seems I have no other choice; this is the only way,” Mylian conceded, letting go. Yet, a question lingered in her mind.

Della’s hand didn’t feel rough. His hand was as soft as a girl’s.