Chapter 43 The Royal Family Siblings' First Meeting
"Are you really coming? Brother?"
"Yes, I promised."
Three days after I made that promise to Sigurt, I was venturing into the underground with Rifine.
Following the map Sigurt had given me beforehand, we navigated the passages toward the meeting point.
Rifine was clearly uneasy the entire time.
She clung to the hem of my coat, her eyes full of worry as she glanced up at me.
That protective instinct flared up inside me—I wanted to pull her close and reassure her.
But doing that in the middle of these passages would have been completely inappropriate, so I settled for lightly patting her head.
"Don't worry. Trust me, okay?"
"...Okay, I understand."
Her face lit up with a bright smile, showing off her small teeth.
She looked so much better when she smiled like that.
With newfound determination sparked by our shared smile, we pressed on.
After what felt like an eternity, we finally reached a door.
Exchanging a nod, we pushed it open together, and beyond it—.
"Hey, welcome. I've been waiting for you."
The room was nothing like what you'd expect in an underground passage.
The air was so clean, it didn't even feel like we were underground.
The walls were decorated beautifully, and at the center of the room was a pristine white table, set for tea.
And there was Sigurt, sitting calmly, waiting for us with everything ready.
Rifine and I froze in place, jaws slack in disbelief at the scene in front of us.
"...What's wrong with you two? I tried my best to prepare, but did you not like it?"
"No. No, no, no! You went overboard!? This is a basement, right!? Why is it so beautiful!?"
"I spent 3 days making it nice. I couldn't have anyone help, so I did it myself."
"You did it yourself!?"
This guy... He's insane.
Seriously, what kind of prince has such incredible cleaning and decorating skills? Does he have some kind of hidden genius?.
There were a million things I wanted to say, but before I could, Sigurt's next words stopped me cold.
"This is the first time I've been able to create a calm place to talk with my only sister. Of course, I had to put in the effort."
"...!!"
Rifine stood frozen, her expression shifting as tears welled up in her eyes.
Then, trembling slightly, she took a step forward and dashed straight to Sigurt.
"Brother, you idiot!!"
"Ggh!?"
She clocked him, sending him flying into the wall with a sickening *thud*! While I stared at Sigurt in shock, Rifine burst into tears, her voice shaking as she yelled at him.
"I've always... always wanted to see you! But you never came to the Detached Palace! Even when I saw you at the Royal Palace, you ignored me! I thought you hated me, brother... and now this? You idiot!!"
"...I'm sorry, Rifine. Really, I'm sorry."
Sigurt staggered to his feet and gently pulled Rifine into a hug.
It was a touching reunion for siblings separated by political complications, but...
Sigurt was clearly bleeding from his mouth and forehead.
The way his face was turning pale, I wondered if he'd make it out alive.
Then he looked at me—his eyes begging for help.
Yeah, I get it.
"Lady Rifine, I understand you're happy, but if you keep that up, Sigurt will be crushed."
"Sniff... I wish my brother would just be crushed by me."
Even as she said that, Rifine let go of him.
Sigurt looked like he'd barely escaped death.
I almost felt bad for him.
Then again, it seemed like this was going to be their dynamic for a while.
Good luck, big brother.
"Now, now, since we've finally met safely, let's start the tea party! ...Sigurt, do you think you can manage?"
"I'm fine, I always have defensive magic on my clothes for times like this."
Yeah, that was probably meant for assassins, not his sister, but I kept that thought to myself.
As we started the tea party, there was an awkward silence.
They hadn't had a proper conversation in years, and neither seemed to know how to start.
What should I do...? As I sipped the tea prepared on the table, surprisingly, it was Rifine who spoke first.
"By the way, Yumie calls me 'Lady Rifine,' but she calls you 'Sigurt'."
"Buuh!"
I choked on my tea.
Why was I suddenly being dragged into this conversation? And how was this the same complaint Sigurt had made to me recently?
Clearly, these two were siblings through and through.
As Rifine puffed her cheeks in irritation, I couldn't help but smile.
But before I could enjoy the moment, Sigurt seized the opportunity.
"Ah, Yumie and I share a bond deeper than anyone else. It's only natural."
"Eh?"
I thought we were close, but was it *that* deep?
Before I could clarify, Rifine's frustration boiled over.
"That's unfair! Yumie is my best friend! If you get to be called that way, then I should be called 'Rifine' in a friendly manner too!!"
"That's fine, but Yumie is my number one, so I can't give that up, even for my sister Rifine."
"What!?"
The two of them were practically shooting sparks at each other.
How had this tea party turned into a showdown over me?
"If you're going that far, then let's settle this with a duel!! Let's make it clear who is Yumie's number one, me or you!!"
"Hehe, sounds good. But let's keep it simple, since making too much noise isn't good. Let's have Yumie decide."
"Eh?"
Why were they making me the judge? I just wanted them to have a peaceful tea party, not fight over me.
"Alright, Yumie, who's number one!?"
"Let's keep it fair. No hard feelings. So, what's your decision?"
Caught between Rifine's desperation and Sigurt's smirk, I muttered something I never thought I'd have to say in real life.
"Well, both of you... please don't fight for my sake..."
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