CH 21

Liliana smiled and nodded.

“Ask me anything. If you have any questions, I can even tell you the family’s secret.”

“Wouldn’t that be a little dangerous?”

At my words, she laughed, saying it was a joke, but somehow, rather than being flustered by the situation, she seemed delighted.

I decided to take this opportunity to ask the question I was currently most curious about.

“I wonder what Sister wants to do.”

“What I want to do?”

I nodded vigorously at Liliana’s response.

She stared me in the eye and scratched her cheek, a little embarrassed.

“I must have kept you waiting without saying anything. I lacked consideration again this time.”

“It’s not like that.”

Liliana looked up at the sky and went silent for a long time, apparently lost in thoughts.

Then she slowly opened her mouth.

“I want to study demons.”

“…Y-Yes?”

While I was taken aback by the topic of conversation that was beyond my imagination, her explanation continued.

“To be exact, the relationship between humans and demons… Let’s just say that I want to study history.”

“History …So may I ask why you want to study that?”

Liliana spoke in a voice full of determination, unlike a moment ago when she hesitated.

“I want to explore and find out the hidden history and let everyone know.”

The more Lilliana uttered her resolution, the more confident her voice gradually became.

“I want to explore all the history so far. I want to build a great future based on that. I thought it is right to walk this path to do that.”

As Liliana’s pledge was over, her eyes were shining with hope for the future.

“Are you hoping to become a scholar with this path?”

“Yes. Actually, this time, the person who is said to be the biggest expert on history subject has returned from being dispatched to the periphery. There’s a rumor that he is recruiting students.”

“Then are you going to be his disciple?”

“I hope so, but I will definitely become his disciple. In order to do that, I have to become an Imperial scholar first. I have an exam soon. So I’ve been studying alone.”

At Liliana’s words, I couldn’t hide my confusion and asked.

“By the way, will the Imperial family allow you to study demons, even if only its history? They regard demons as heretics and reject them as enemies.”

At my question, Liliana smiled faintly and patted my head.

“Are you worried?”

“A little, no, I am very worried.”

Liliana spoke in a calm voice.

“Under him, it is possible. He used to be a scholar of demon research a long time ago. There are probably more people who don’t know.”

“Is research on demons possible?”

“It’s possible with the Imperial permission. Currently, he is the only person in the Imperial family of Odphelia who is allowed to research that.”

Liliana’s words made me break out in a cold sweat.

‘Actually, I guessed that she was studying something after seeing her go to the library…’

Liliana had a more special reason for her path than I thought, and it contained her goals and dreams.

“You turned down the engagement because you can’t become a princess if you want to be a scholar.”

“That’s right. The Imperial family won’t allow a princess to become a scholar.”

“Then does Sister have no feelings for the First Prince?”

Liliana’s expression hardened at my words, and soon she shouted firmly.

“Of course!”

“I see.”

Perhaps embarrassed that she had raised her voice, Liliana cleared her throat and said,

“Hmm. I have no feelings for him, and never will.”

I widened my eyes and nodded.

With this answer, I no longer had to worry about my dream and considered it as a precognitive dream.

“I didn’t know Sister has such a dream.”

The conversation before made it clear to me that I really didn’t know anything about Sister.

‘Somehow, I’m a bit ashamed. I thought I knew everything about my sisters. I was just being conceited.’

As much as my sisters tried to be considerate of me, I felt the need to get to know them too.

Somehow, I felt a little better because I felt that the time when we talked and listened to each other’s stories quietly was precious.

‘It was right to listen to Sister’s stories instead of talking about them outside.’

I didn’t want to be swayed by other people’s talks in the future.

After hearing the story, not only did I have no reason to step forward and oppose it, but I also wanted to support her move.

“It’s really cool.”

She smiled pleasantly as my eyes sparkled with sincere admiration.

“You were bothered by the rumors circulating in the social world, right? Don’t worry too much, I’ll take care of it after everything is resolved.”

Liliana’s sweet words made me laugh.

“It’s okay. It’s fine if you ignore all those words.”

Now that Liliana’s story was over, it was finally my turn to say what I wanted to say.

“Sister. I will cheer for your dream even if everyone else opposes it.”

“…”

Liliana didn’t respond to what I said.

She opened her eyes wide and looked at me for a long time, but I hurriedly added something because I thought it was probably a pointless remark.

“Although my support may not be of much help to you…”

“What are you talking about?”

Liliana dyed her cheeks crimson and smiled, her eyes crinkled.

Liliana hugged me while I was flustered by the small tears in her eyes.

“There will be nothing more encouraging than your support.”

“S-Sister?”

“Thank you, Daisy. It really cheers me up.”

Liliana repeatedly thanked me with tears in her eyes.

“I’m going to make it somehow.”

I lowered my arm which was slightly raised and patted her on the back.

‘Is this what sisterhood is?’

After listening to Liliana’s innermost thoughts, somehow my complicated head cleared out a little.

‘I’m glad that Sister doesn’t want to get engaged, but I’m still worried.’

In order for Liliana to study what she wanted, she had to become a disciple of that scholar who was said to be an expert.

‘It won’t be easy, right? Is there anything I can do to help?’

I was worried that I was meddling for no reason, but at least I wanted to help since I had decided to support her.

‘If she asks for it, I have to help.’

✲ ✲ ✲

After breakfast, Liliana and Viola left to go out.

Until yesterday, I went back to my room right after I finished eating, but starting today, I decided to change my mindset and take action.

I followed my sisters to the door to see them off.

Then, before they stepped out, I shouted vigorously.

“Do your best today too, Sisters!”

My sisters made blank expressions with their mouths slightly open in surprise, as if they hadn’t expected me to see them off.

To put it mildly, they seemed silly.

“Daisy…”

“…”

Liliana covered her mouth with her hands with a touched face, and Viola looked at me softly without saying a word.

“Thank you. I will do my best today.”

“Thank you. I’ll be back.”

Liliana and Viola said at the same time as if they made a promise.

‘Who says they’re not twins?’

I laughed hard when they looked at each other as if wondering how the timing could be the same.

Then I heard a familiar voice behind me.

“Daisy. You have never seen Father off like this before…”

“Ah, Father.”

When I turned around, Father, dressed in a uniform, was looking at me with a sad expression.

“It’s definitely a good thing that you and your sisters got along, but somehow I also feel upset.”

“You look great, so why are you being like this?”

At Father’s sullen voice, Mother next to him poked him in the side with her elbow.

“Is it not enough that I see you off?”

“That can’t be, ma’am.”

Father’s sad voice quickly died down.

Looking at our parents who fell into their own world, we met each other’s eyes and laughed lightly.

‘It’s so peaceful.’

This moment was so pleasant because the family had never been as harmonious as it was now.

“P-Please wait!”

At that moment, the knight’s urgent voice breaking this harmony was heard from beyond the door.

We stopped laughing at each other and turned our heads toward the door, and as soon as we turned our heads, the door swung roughly.

“Liliana!”

A high, clear voice echoed through the lobby.

At the figure of the person who entered through the open door, everyone looked shocked.

Because she was a person who shouldn’t be here.

Everyone in the lobby stiffened at the appearance of the woman with blonde hair that had faded with the passage of time.

She entered, shouting Liliana’s name, and found the crowded lobby, looking more displeased than before.

“What kind of commotion are you gathering in the lobby in the morning? So undignified.”

I didn’t even make eye contact with her, but my body started to tremble with fear.

‘W-What should I do?’

Thoughts that it would be better to leave this place immediately filled my head.

She slowly looked around the crowded lobby and eventually made eye contact with me and clicked her tongue loudly at the same time.

The sound of the tongue clicking made my shoulders shrink and my eyes turned to the floor.

“Mother. What brings you here without contacting me?”

“Don’t say anything useless when you already know why I’m here.”

Even without raising my head, I could feel her gaze still fixed on me.

“I’m not in a good mood, so let’s get rid of that child in front of us first and talk.”

A person who could come to the Duke Liviatan without an appointment, a person who dared to open the door without hesitation and shout out the names of the family members.

And someone who really hated me.

My paternal grandmother had come to visit the mansion.