"You could also see this as a test from meâto see whether you can stay calm and think rationally in front of the person you care about most."
Minoya wasnât just protecting Mepeilu. She was protecting Liana, too.
I really am being looked after in every way, aren't I? A Grand Princess, yet still so dependent on others⦠how disgraceful.
"Yeah⦠I'm still far from good enoughâ¦"
I nearly made an irreversible mistake. I kept saying I wanted to protect Liana, yet I almost put her in danger again.
"Princess Mepeilu, you donât need to belittle yourself. Youâve done well. Otherwise, so many people wouldnât follow you."
"Youâre only acting irrationally because of your guilt toward Lady Liana."
"Guilt�"
Mepeilu opened the window, breathing in the fresh air. The noise from outside was loud, but her heart had never felt calmer. "Even now, Iâm still being protected by both Liana and Minoya. Compared to Liana, I really do seem like an immature child. And Iâm three hours older than her⦠what a failure of an older sister I am."
"Thank you, Minoya." Mepeilu looked at her.
"I didnât do anything. This was your own decision, Princess Mepeilu."
My own decision? No⦠this was a choice they made together for me.
The evening breeze brushed against Mepeiluâs cheeks, her golden hair swaying in the wind. From here, she could see the light coming from Lianaâs room.
If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.
"When did Liana start to change?"
"After you received Lady Lianaâs plea for help, I came to the Venus estate. But by the time I arrived, she had already begun to change. I donât know exactly when it started."
Mepeilu sorted through the information she had. Liana had started to fall apart three years ago, when Mepeilu was too busy to be there for her. That meant it was likely around that time that Ruth made her move.
But back then, I wasnât with Liana. Her parents and Naibet had all left on their journeys, too. She had been completely alone, while Countess Ruth held most of the power in the Venus estate.
The moment I recovered, I came looking for Liana. But by then, she was like a completely different personâ¦
So why didn't she tell me the truth right away? Mepeilu had so many questions she wanted to ask Liana.
"I think⦠Iâll finally be able to talk to Liana properly." Mepeilu gazed at the light in Lianaâs room.
"I wonder what Lady Liana will do next. Iâm quite curious."
"I donât know what Liana plans to do next. But I⦠I already know what I should do." Mepeilu looked up at the glittering night sky. "I want to dance with Liana under these stars."
"Iâve made up my mind. If Ruth dares to touch Liana again, I will erase her. No matter the cost. Even if I have to give up my position as heir, I donât care."
"Liana has suffered too much these past three years. I donât want to regret anything anymore. Iâve realizedâI care about Liana more than I care about being an heir."
"When the time comes, Iâll steal Liana away. Weâll escape somewhere no one can find us. And weâll live together."
"What if Lady Liana refuses?" Minoya asked.
"If she wonât come willingly, Iâll just tie her up! She canât beat me anyway." Mepeilu grinned.
Minoya didnât dislike this side of Mepeilu. She had been putting too much pressure on herself before.
"Looks like Lady Liana has caught the attention of a very troublesome person."
"Hehe, bullying Liana is a privilege reserved for me as her older sister! No one else is allowed! Iâm super, super, super overprotective!"
Seeing the Grand Princess return to her usual selfâno, even steadier than beforeâMinoya asked once more, "Have you calmed down a little, Princess Mepeilu?"
"Hm? Why? Is there something else important?" Mepeilu noticed Minoya's slightly conflicted expression.
"Itâs not exactly important. Personally, I think itâs quite ordinary. But for you, Princess Mepeilu, it might be just a little important."
"This book was also found in Lady Lianaâs room." Minoya handed over a pink-colored book.
"What is this�!" Mepeilu's eyes widened as she saw the cover.
The illustrations on the book were⦠revealing. And the title was⦠bold. Absolutely not something for minors.
"Ah?!" The moment Mepeilu saw the first page, her entire face turned red. "Minoya! What is this?!"
"Itâs a book from Lady Lianaâs room."
"Minoya, did you take the wrong book?!"
"This book was indeed found in Lady Lianaâs room," Minoya said firmly.
"Ahem!" Mepeilu coughed awkwardly. "Well! Liana is at that age! Itâs normal to have these kinds of thoughts!"
Her flushed cheeks were unmistakable. Mepeilu had never been exposed to such things before. But she never expected Liana to be curious about this sort of thing⦠Did she have someone she liked?
But Minoyaâs next words hit Mepeilu like a punch. And it confirmed one thingâshe absolutely had to meet Liana tomorrow. They needed to have an honest conversation.
"I heard that during the birthday banquet a month ago, Lady Liana made a statement. She said she liked women. And she used that as an excuse to keep Loraviel by her side," Minoya said.
Mepeilu could no longer keep her composure. She had seen Loraviel beforeâshe was cute and delicate. And if there was nothing wrong with Liana, that meant that during tonightâs banquet, when Liana was feeding Loravielâ
"No way! Bring Olivia to my room! Right now!"
Now that she knew the truth, there was no need to stay in this room any longer. "Minoya, return these books."
"This one too?" Minoya held up the pink book.
"Return it! Noâwait! Give it to me! Iâll ask her myself!" Mepeiluâs face burned.