A Sister’s Request and a Glimpse of the Abyss

At the dining table, Delilah suddenly put down her fork. She smiled, looking at Stella, whose face was beaming with joy.

“Stella, how have you been taking care of your sister? You seem quite happy.”

“Sister is even willing to eat what I bring her. She’ll definitely be better the day after tomorrow.”

“The day after tomorrow, it will be time for you to leave. You’ll travel with Teacher Raphael’s carriage, so pack your luggage tonight.”

Delilah raised her right hand, giving instructions to a maid. Understanding her mistress’s intent, the maid brought a newly packaged set of clothes to Stella’s side.

“Mother, what kind of outfit is this?” Stella felt the style of the dress seemed somewhat familiar.

“‘Misty Whisper’—I asked the tailor to make a matching set. It’s a sister outfit, just like the one Stella already has.” Delilah’s intention was clear: she wanted the two sisters to appear before everyone as equals.

“…Mother, can my sister and I swap them?”

Stella planned to give her own dress to Mylian, presenting it as a gift from Della. If they didn’t swap the day after tomorrow, her identity would surely be exposed.

“Stella, the new clothes should be given to your sister. Besides, isn’t your current dress still as good as new?”

“Uh, Mother, I think swapping clothes with my sister would show how close we are.”

Stella didn’t want the hassle of explaining to Mylian why they needed to swap dresses. All she needed was Delilah’s approval.

“That could work, actually, but you’ll need to get your sister’s permission.” Delilah still favored Stella somewhat, so she made a concession, especially since both ‘Misty Whisper’ dresses were top-tier garments.

“Okay, I’ll go talk to Sister right away.” Stella quickly shoveled the food from her plate, then ran upstairs with puffed cheeks.

“This child… she’s so impatient.”

Delilah propped her chin in her hand, sighing with emotion. Bertrand, who sat opposite her, finally spoke, a hint of loneliness in his eyes.

“They’re leaving the day after tomorrow… I’ll miss them.”

“Then why didn’t you talk to your daughter more just now?”

“I needed to be strong. It’s rare for Stella to be so sensible and willing to get along with her sister. I couldn’t cause any trouble.”

“Then visit them often at Twilight Academy. The war has settled down for a while, anyway. Spend more time with the children.”

Delilah and Bertrand made this agreement.

Returning to the second floor, Stella once again opened the room door. Mylian was lying on her side, facing the window, perhaps asleep.

“Sister… are you awake? I need to discuss something with you.”

Stella whispered, but Mylian didn’t react.

Is she really asleep?

Stella bravely stepped forward. However, as soon as she drew within half a step of Mylian, Mylian awoke as if equipped with a sensor.

“What are you doing?”

“Ah, you were awake after all.”

“You woke me up.”

“I’m sorry. I wanted to discuss something with you.”

Stella held up the clothes in her hand, displaying them. Mylian turned her head and glanced at them.

“Are you showing off your new clothes to me?”

“No, Sister, do you have your own Western-style dress?”

“Me? Oh, I remember. Della gave me a very beautiful pink dress.”

“Then, would you like this one, Sister?”

Stella asked tentatively. Mylian found it unnecessary; she could see that the style Stella held was very similar to the one Della had given her. There was no need for another nearly identical dress.

“No, I don’t need it. By the way, are you planning to give this dress to me?”

“Yes, Mother gave it to me. It looks like a matching sister outfit, doesn’t it?”

Stella unfolded the dress and held it against her chest, demonstrating. Seeing her sister playfully posing with her slender waist, Mylian, having regained some strength, had an idea.

I should test her limits.

“Stella, you’ll be wearing this dress when you leave the day after tomorrow, won’t you?”

“Yes, Sister will be wearing one too.”

“Then why don’t you try it on now and see how it looks?”

“Now… Sister wants to see?”

Stella hesitated, but Mylian nodded emphatically, a smile of unknown meaning playing on her lips.

That smile doesn’t seem right.

Stella felt a shiver, retreating slightly until her hand found the doorframe.

“I’ll change outside and come back in. Sister, please wait for me.”

“You need to go outside to change? Change in your own room.”

“Ah, but—”

“But what? Am I bothering you?”

“No, no, no! Not at all.”

“Then change, in front of me.”

Mylian’s gaze was like an invisible cage, trapping Stella. She dared not refuse, only comforting herself internally that it would be fine.

Fine, if she wants to look, let her. It’s not like I’ll lose a piece of myself.

Stella took a deep breath and unfastened the buttons on her back. The golden, warm Western dress floated gracefully from her shoulders, revealing a hint of her daisy-colored bra straps. Her tender, pink skin shivered slightly under the light.

Her trembling wasn’t from the cold, but from an intensely heated gaze she felt upon her.

Mylian was watching, more intently and carefully than she ever studied an exam paper. The aura emanating from her purple eyes completely monitored Stella.

No, I really do feel ashamed changing in front of Sister.

Stella felt a pang of regret, but Mylian wouldn’t let her off easily.

“Continue,” Mylian commanded mercilessly.

“Sister, I suddenly remembered that this dress has a troublesome zipper. I need a maid to help me take it off.” Stella tried to walk towards the door, but Mylian immediately called out to her.

“You don’t need a maid. I’ll help you.”

“Oh, wouldn’t that be bad? Sister is still sick.”

“I’m almost better.”

Mylian sat up in bed, her complexion improved. She waved her hand, signaling Stella to come closer.

“Mm… Sister, please pull gently. The zipper is right in the middle of my back.”

Stella reluctantly turned around. She didn’t want to look at Mylian’s expression, knowing it would only increase her panic without changing the situation.

“Little sister, you’re so obedient.”

“Yes, Sister, you know I care about you the most.”

“Since you care about me so much, I should treat my little sister equally.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Stella felt that the word “equally” sounded strange. However, the ominous sensation on her chest confirmed it.

Her bra suddenly tightened, the straps digging slightly into her flesh, as a force pulled backward!

“Little sister, your zipper is a bit tight. I’ll help you loosen it.”

“Sister, it feels like you’re not pulling the zipper.”

Stella blushed and turned her head. Mylian happened to look up, meeting her gaze.

Even though Stella was standing, when she saw the sick, abnormal glow in Mylian’s purple eyes, her world instantly collapsed.

It was the same look Mylian had in the standard CG ending where she imprisoned Stella—that superior gaze, filled with the thrill of revenge.

Sister’s look… doesn’t it mean everything I’ve done is meaningless?

Stella felt as though she had been struck by a blunt object. All strength drained from her body, and she collapsed backward onto the bed.

Bang!

“Stella? Stella!”

Facing her sister’s sudden collapse, Mylian panicked. She could only tightly embrace Stella with both hands, anxiously patting her face.

Perhaps Mylian herself didn’t even notice that her first thought wasn’t about the Duke and Duchess’s reprimands, but genuine concern for Stella’s well-being.

Stella’s efforts had not been in vain.