Obviously, it wasnât only Mom and Dad who bonded with the twins. Alt-nii and I were also bonding with the twins. We naturally wanted to get along well with our new siblings, right?
I wasnât sure of how Alt-nii saw the twinsâhe might find the twins amusing and wanted to trigger more reaction or expression from the twins. He often played pranks on them. But since he grew up, his pranks were now in moderation.
Meanwhile, I tried to help the twins and guided them patiently to get used to their new lifestyle and home. Even more so when Mom and Dad werenât at home.
For example, when Freyja was fidgeting around like she was holding her pee...
âAh, do you want to go to the toilet? Here, follow me.â
When they were done playing at the garden...
âEeekh, your feet are still dirty, letâs wash them first before going in! Thereâs a water tap over here... Or do you want me to use my water magic? Here!!â
âLyra-samaaa! Keep your magic power in control! Ah, let Niina help the twins, will you?â
âNo, itâs my job as their big sister now that Mom and Dad are away! Niina can just go and do your job as usual!â
...I admit, I felt as if I was turning more childish these days. But I never really had this much fun before.
When the twins tried to peek the book I was reading...
âHmm? Do you want to read this book, too?â
That was how I successfully won over the twinsâ hearts~! During when my parents werenât home, they were mostly following me like baby chickens would follow their mothers, too! Yay~! Mission achieved~!!
Ah, sometimes they also curiously went over to Alt-nii and Rurune.
In no time, I heard the adults gossiping about me... IN MY OWN HOME!!
Yes, things like...
âLook, look, Lyra-samaâs so precocious!â
âShe acts like the twinsâ second mother, how cu~te~!â
âItâs true that girls mature faster than boys, huh?â
âAt this rate, it wonât be that long until Lyra-sama becomes a brideâand a wonderful mother!â
âI WONâT LET LYRA MARRY THAT EARLY!â
The part-time house helpers were all kind and friendlyâand yes, they also participated in gossiping about me! Ah well, but they were praising me... Iâm not even mad, I-Iâm actually... happy!
This time around, I will properly do my role as a good big sister.
I finally got two cute little siblings, why would I take them for granted?
And unlike other kids their age, they were surprisingly obedient and taciturn. I wish they could be more selfish like the other kidsâlike Leti, for example. But hey, I might be able to say this because I have never dealt with noisy kids 24/7, huh?
Soon, the twins turned even calmer and understood that some people would always stay (us), while some would occasionally come and go (the part-time helpers). Their separation-anxiety was still there, but it got better!
Then, my maternal grandparents immediately showed up to welcome their new grandchildren! After they heard the whole story from my parents, they promised theyâd try to visit us every now and then. To show the twins that they were also family!
Looking at their reactions, I decided to try to tease them a bit...
âGrandpa and Grandma want to visit us more often to bond with the twins?â
âYes, thatâs right, Lyra!â
â...So, Grandpa and Grandma love the twins more? Because you didnât say that when it was just me and Alt,â I said as I pretended to be pouting.
âThatâs not it, Lyra!â Grandma panicked.
âListen, Lyra, the situation is different. We love you all the same, but you see...â
...It seemed like a wrong move as it suddenly turned into a mini preaching session by Grandpa!
The first ones to know that there were two new addition to our family were the royal family. As much as the king and the queen wanted to let the twins become Leticiaâs friends, they understood that the twins still needed time to adapt. And before they could go to the Capicastle, they also needed to learn basic etiquette.
âHow does it feel, suddenly getting two little siblings?â Luca asked me when I came over to study and play together.
âItâs fun! They are such good kids! Moreover, they are so cute~!â I didnât hide my fondness of them that quickly and naturally grew in my heart.
âHuh? Why wonât you admit that you feel a bit upset at them in the beginning?â
âWhy would you think so?â I raised my eyebrows at Lucaâs deduction.
âWouldnât you normally think that way at first? Suddenly, your parents are more occupied with them!â
âEeh, I donât mind~ Rather, itâs only natural. Anyway, Iâm much more sensible! More than someone I know, hmm?â I deliberately played the tone in my last sentence as I looked teasingly at Luca.
âHey, youâre the abnormal one! I was told that my reaction was okay!!â Luca argued back.
âIs that how my big sisters felt when I was first introduced to them?â Kiri pondered.
âLyra-neesama! Leti is still like a cute liâl sister to you, right? Right, right, right? Heyyy?â Leticia asked, her tone was full of demand.
âYes, yes~ Leti is still my cute liâl sister~ Donât worry, my love is endless~ Iâve got plenty of love for you all~!!!â I quickly hugged Leticia to appease her jealousy to the twins she hadnât even met.
I wished from the bottom of my heart. As I imagined them getting along well, my lips reflexively curved up.
Time quickly passed by as I was busy trying to pamper my cute little siblings. When I noticed the holidays were over, I felt a bit reluctant (for the first time!) to bid farewell to my relaxing time at home and to go back to school. After all, it meant that my time with the twins would be reduced!
Unexpectedly, news traveled quite fast.
Right on my first day back to school, I was bombarded with questions about the twins!
At that time, it was just me, Ein, Iris, and Carbuncle speaking. Luca and Kiri were more interested in watching Alt-nii, Harvey, and Clavis sparring.
âBig Sis Lyra, is it true that you have new siblings?â Ein was the first one to ask.
âEhh, really?â Iris was surprised. She spent her last holiday at Harveyâs homeâhaving a reunion with her old acquaintances there, going back to her hometown.
I didnât think it was weird for Ein to know and for Iris to be clueless. News about nobles would travel quickly in the noble society. As for the commoners, it depended solely on their networking.
Moreover, Ein and I were fellow dukeâs children. It was a hard-to-miss news.
âHm? Thatâs too fast, isnât it, Lyr? Do humans breed this quick?â The dragon Carbuncle asked. She tagged along with Iris and Harvey. From how she looked at this timeâa slightly tanned skin, lively expressions, and exuberant body... yep, she definitely had lots of fun.
âYes and noâyes, because I really got two cute little siblings! And no, they are technically my cousins, but since my parents adopted them, they are now my step siblings. Humans donât breed that fast, Carbuncle...,â I explained.
âTwo siblings at the same time? Thatâs awesome!â Iris said.
âYes, my little brother and sister were a pair of twins~,â I proudly announced.
âTwins? Really? How do they look like?â Carbuncle asked, âWhen are you going to show them to us, Lyr? Can we see them?â
Her eyes were full of âcuriosity filterâ.
âBeing part of the Hartmann bloodline, they have heterochromic eyes. They are at the same age as Lucaâs little sisterâbut I think they are still smaller than Leti...? Weâre trying to solve that issue, though! They are quiet and cute! I also canât wait to show them off to you guys, but I think we need to give them more time. Iâll definitely introduce them to you guys first, donât worry~!â
âAww, boo, we canât see them right away?â Carbuncle didnât even bother to hide her disappointment.
âPatience, my dragon friend, patience!â I waved my index finger in front of her.
âThatâs too bad... I understand how Big Sis Kuu feels! I also canât wait to see my rivals!â Ein supported Carbuncle.
âR-rivals?!â I tilted my head.
âYes, I donât want my position in Big Sis Lyraâs heart to be toppled over by anyone!â He said, with fiery eyes full of determination.
âDonât worry, thereâs enough room for everyone in my heart~!â I tried to reassure himâout of my concern towards the twins. I want them to like my friends, after all, and I want my friends to get along well with them.
âI want the bigger spot!â Ein insisted.
âA-anyway, Iâll definitely keep you updated with stories about my new siblings! I donât think I can keep the stories about Freyr and Freyja to myself, but...,â I paused for a bit and looked at Iris and Carbuncle before continuing, âmore importantly now, how was your holiday vacation, Iris, Carbuncle?â
âI really loved it! I missed my hometown a lot... Harveyâs parents were also close to my mother, so they treated me like their own daughter! I wish you could come along too, Lyra,â Iris said.
âLittle Sheepâs hometown is nice. Itâs in a rural area, so I can roam freely. Of course, I was being careful so nobody would spot me when I transformed back to my dragon form!â Carbuncle dropped a bomb.
âWait, you, what?!â I was taken aback. I could imagine a dragon roaming around freely around the rural area that was close to forests and mountains.
It was just then that I realized Carbuncle might not be as âfreeâ as I thought she was. Even so, she didnât seem to be so bothered by it.
âDid you see Big Sis Kuuâs dragon form, Big Sis Iris?â Ein asked.
Contrary to our expectations, Iris shook her head.
âNo, Kuu came and went around as she saw fit. At first, we were quite worried as she frequently disappeared without a word. But she also returned safely without any warning, and we got used to it over time. I think she transformed back to her dragon form during one of her âfree-roamingâ session?â
âThatâs right~,â Carbuncle put her tongue out and smiled mischievously.
âHey, you shouldnât bother your host like that!â I protested.
âItâs fine, itâs fine~,â Carbuncle just waved her hand.
âWell... we managed to convince Harveyâs parents to not mind her, somehow...,â Iris smiled with a troubled expression.
âI want to go and see Big Sis Irisâ hometown one day!â Ein suddenly announced.
âYes, yes, you should come there one day!â Iris smiled.
âEin, is there something that wonât pique your interest?â I asked.
***
When Alt-nii and I returned home after our first day back at school, we were greeted by the twins who were running over to us with their anxious expressions.
âYouâre back!â
âWhere have you been?!â
They asked as they jumped at us.
âWe were just at school,â Alt-nii explained nonchalantly, âand we will be gone like this for 5 days in a week from now on.â
âEeeh?!â Hearing the shocking news, the twins shouted in disbelief.
âDonât worry, Freyr, Freyja, we will definitely get back soon to play with you two~!â I said as I patted their heads, âin the meantime, you can go and play with Niina, Chloe, Vince, or the other house keepers, right?â
âBut we want to play...,â Freyja tightened the hand that she used to grasp my uniform.
â...with Onii-chan and Onee-chan,â Freyr continued, he also tightened the hand that he used to grasp my uniform.
...Yep, the twins used one of their hands to grasp to my uniform and the other one to Alt-niiâs.
âSorry, but we must go to school...,â I could only apologize to them. After all, I couldnât fulfill their wish and ditch my classes, right?
âThen, can we go, too?â Freyja suddenly asked.
âYes, but you can go after you turn 6,â I answered with a smile.
âSix...? How many more sleep...?â Freyr tilted his head.
âItâs... still quite a long way to go...,â I couldnât bring myself to answer them as they gazed expectantly at me.
âEeeeh...,â the two of them said, with voices full of disappointment.
âAh, how about this?â Alt-nii suddenly pointed his index finger.
âI will let Rurune stay at home so you can play with her at times, how about it?â
âRu?â Rurune quickly turned her head to look at Alt-nii... in disbelief? Like, I could hear her thinking, â
But seeing how she didnât seem to protest any further, it seemed like she agreed.
âWe can play with Rurune?â Freyr quickly turned his head to look at the fluffy monster that was wrapping her tail around Alt-nii, nestling on his shoulders.
âRuru?â Freyja tilted her head as she looked at Rurune with sparkling eyes.
âRuru~!â Ruruneâs tone was affirmative.
Alt-nii and I looked at each other as we breathed in relief.
One more problem solved!
After that day, the twins gradually got used to us being away for school. At first, traces of anxiety were seen in their faces when they came running to us right after we stepped at the front door. But after getting used to it, they only came running to welcome us after school.
âAww, how cute! Alt-nii, arenât you glad that we got Freyr and Freyja as our siblings? Look at how cute they are, always welcoming us home like this!â
âWell... Itâs true that they excitedly welcome us home... But Lyra, if you use that standard, then you werenât a cute little sister, you know?â Alt-nii decided to pick on me right at this time.
âBut Iâm a good and sensible sister, right?!â I couldnât argue against that as I didnât remember welcoming Alt-nii back from school like what the twins did. But in terms of sensibility, nobody could beat me!
âRiiiiiiiight,â Alt-nii answered in an irritating tone.
âFine! Hey Freyr, Freyja, letâs leave Alt-nii here~,â I decided to ignore Alt-nii as I pulled the twins inside, without waiting for Alt-nii.
Letâs pretend that I didnât hear the part time house helperâs chuckle upon witnessing this scene as she opened the door for us!
By the way, we are a family that loves treasuring the moments, so after a while, here it comes... Family photo session!
The stars of the photo session this time--the twins took several pictures of themselves. It was a bit hard convincing both Freyr and Freyja to not enter the shooting area when the other one of the twins was taking a picture of themselves alone.
For example, when Freyja was posing alone, Freyr would stare at her for a moment before finally approaching her and posing next to her.
"...Freyr, wait here first, okay?"
"Take photos of me, too!
"Freyja is taking a picture or herself now. Your turn is coming next!"
When their position was reversed...
"Ah, Freyja, it's Freyr's time now!"
"I want photos too!"
"Didn't we just take photos of you before?"
"Moreee!"
Luckily, we managed to handle that hurdle and the situation turned better when they finally had to take photos together. Afterward, we gradually joined, too.
There were pictures of my parents with the twins, me with the twins, Alt-nii with the twins, four of us siblings, female family members, male family members, all of us together, with the addition of Familiars...
In short, we took lotsa photos I quickly fell asleep right after I touched my bed that night!
Later on, Mom and Dad picked the best photo that contained all of us to be printed in a large size, put it on a frame, and display it in the family room. Then, they decorated it with other pictures such as a picture from their wedding day, Alt-nii and I in our toddler forms, even Mom and Dad's pictures with their parents in their child figures... It was fun sitting in the room while looking at the vibrant pictures one by one. I saw sincere smiles and felt the love in the pictures.
I compared it again with my previous family's family portrait. Though we portrayed such elegant and refined figures there, the lack of familial bond and love showed there. It was just for formality.
The things I could boast from my previous family was their strict upbringing and discipline, the family honor and prestige, and... Wealth that exceeds my current family, though not as wealthy as the Loera family, let alone the royal family.
But I'm fine. Each person to their own preference, but I prefer having familial love. So, I consider myself lucky now.
That night, I woke up in the middle of my sleep. I... Probably drank too much, I had to go to the toilet, haha. It wasnât a problem as each bedroom was equipped with a bathroom inside, but... After emptying my bladder, I felt my throat dry.
I didnât expect that I would meet my parents in the dining room when I was just going to grab a glass of water then go back to sleep! They seemed to be talking while eating some snacks... in the middle of the night.
âArenât you glad that Altaire and Lyra quickly accept the twins? I was prepared for the worst case scenarioâin case they expressed their dissatisfactions or objections. Though I doubted it would happen.â
I happened to hear Momâs voice before I could show up.
Unsure of what I should do, I just stood there on the spot.
âYeah. I have already expected them to welcome the twins wholeheartedly. Alt and Lyra are good kids, after all. They arenât small anymore,â Dad answered proudly.
âWe are really blessed with good children. The twins are obedient, too. And more importantly, we donât have to go through another baby or toddler stage!â Mom said in happiness.
Then, I heard Mom and Dad laughing together. Since it seemed like their conversation was more or less overâ
âI decided to show up just right then.
âLyra, why arenât you sleeping?â Dad asked in surprise upon seeing my face.
âI just woke up and felt thirsty, Dad,â I answered as I passed my parents by to get the refreshing water.
âNext time, you can actually use your magic to get you some water to drink, in case youâre lazy to walk all the way here, you know?â Mom asked me.
âEeh... But I forgot to bring a glass anyway,â I answered back as I gulped several sips of water.
âThereâs a way, Lyra. I want to ask you to think about it for a while, but itâs already so late at the night, so letâs save it for later.â
âHmm...?â I was still a bit sleepy, so my brain wasnât working that well.
âIf youâre done, go back to sleep directly, okay?â Dad reminded me.
âOkay, okay~â
When I was about to say good night, I stopped. I just remembered something I wanted to ask my parents, so I turned around.
âHey, Mom, Dad, when do you think is the right time to start introducing the twins to the others?â
I asked as I felt like they were already getting used to their new life, and they had already viewed us as family.
âAh, about that. Come here, Lyra,â Mom suddenly called me back.
She then told me something.
I opened my eyes wide after listening to her words.
âReally?â
Yep, that's it, to be continued in the next chapter ^^
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