A month passed after the meeting with the royals. The sisterly dynamic had established itself as something that could not be changed. Estelle held the power but only sparingly flexed it. She was not too interested in Liandra's deeds so long as they were not dishonourable or malicious. Estelle's only reason for keeping a tight leash was simple: to make sure there are no problems.
On the outside, the two seemed rather close for sisters. Estelle could always be seen walking side by side with Liandra, never more than a metre separated from the latter. Under her constant watch, Liandra couldn't get into trouble. But that also meant that Liandra's movements were heavily restricted and under constant scrutiny.
Their parents were quite satisfied with the way the sisters had been acting since becoming family. Behind the scenes they had both been anxious over the possibility that both girls wouldn't get along and only worsen their moods. Seeing the two sisters so close to the point that some servants had started rumours had a profound effect on their parents' relationship.
Despite what it might seem, Estelle was not a doting older sister and Liandra was not a loving younger sister. Liandra was Estelle's subordinate, a servant.
"Little sister, tell me, what do you wish for your birthday? Tomorrow you will turn 18 and become an adult." Estelle sat on the sisters' bed, twirling a dry fountain pen around her fingers.
"Older sister, the only thing I could ever ask for is your grace and kindness." Liandra made sure to make an extremely reserved request as to not irritate Estelle.
Estelle's eyes twitched after hearing Liandra's request. It was too simple and an obvious lie. How could the villainess only ask for something so little? This was clearly a ploy to get into Estelle's good graces.
"Am I not already gracious and kind to you? Please ask for something else, sister." Estelle coldly grinned, crossing her arms as she halted her pen spinning.
Liandra could not read Estelle clearly as usual. There was nothing behind Estelle's gaze but a fog that covered her true intentions. There was no indication of kindness or threat, only expectation. Estelle expected a prompt answer. Liandra pondered quickly, knowing that any waste of time would incur the wrath of her devil sister.
As she drew a long winded breath, she finally figured out something proper to ask for. "Elder sister, for my birthday, I would like your blessing to marry Julian Evengrad." Estelle specifically made this request as it was something she thought Estelle would sign off on eagerly. After all, Julian was also an heir to a dukes as well as a prominent neutral faction noble, just like the Vermillions. Surely this much wouldn't draw Estelle's displeasure.
"No, pick someone else." Estelle instantly answered with a blank expression. She did not justify it nor did she try to act kind. After reading about the mess that was caused because of this engagement, she wanted no part in it. There would be no issues if Liandra never becomes engaged to Julian.
"Elder sister… I love him… are you sure you can't give me at least this much?" Liandra pressed further.
"Does he love you? Has he even met you?" Estelle raised an eyebrow.
Liandra could not answer that question for she had never actually spoken with Julian face-to-face. She had only ever seen him during social setting, from afar.
"No… but I really cannot think of anything else that I want right now."
"Okay, little sister, let me pose a question. Would you be willing to marry someone that you have never met in your entire life and have no real opinion of?" This was a rhetorical question of course, something Estelle hoped that Liandra would understand.
"Maybe if they were-"
"No maybes. The obvious answer is no. You should never go into a relationship blind. Doing so will only harm yourself. Now do you want sir Evengrad to be harmed by your deeds?"
Liandra made a solemn face, for once agreeing with what Estelle had said. It was a fair point, forcing a relationship would be selfish.
"I understand elder sister. Maybe you could help me think of a present I need?" Liandra gave up for the moment. She had no choice but to acknowledge the logic presented and concede. Perhaps she could find another way that was more conventional later.
Estelle smirked confidently as Liandra finally conceded, pulling a cabinet door open to retrieve a small box before presenting it to Liandra. She nodded her head gently, hoping that Liandra would open it up on her own.
"This won't harm me, right?" Liandra asked, unsure of what to expect.
"Of course not, little sister. Which older sister would ever do such a thing?" Estelle chuckled.
Liandra sighed before opening the box. What she discover inside would almost make her jolt back in shock. Before her eyes were a set of two rings. The craftsmanship was unlike anything she had ever seen before, displaying runic symbols all along the rings with a beautifully carved gemstone embedded in each ring. One contained a dazzling amber like stone while the other was embedded with a blood ruby. Both stones were rare and extremely valuable.
"This is too much! You even got two?! Is this a pair?" Liandra examined the rings with care, engrossed in the craftsmanship.
"The base is platinum and it is indeed a pair. One for you and one for me. The runes contain a tracking spell which uses the gemstones as a medium. I took a lot of time having this made." Estelle had clearly planned this out.
"A tracking spell? Why would you need that?"
"To make sure you don't wander into somewhere dangerous. Take it as a sign that I am always watching you. And make sure not to take it off, I will be quite unhappy if you did so." Estelle sat back down on the bed and grinned.
"Of course… I will never take it off." Liandra actually found herself liking her present very much. Despite its purpose as a tool to spy on Liandra, it could also be seen as a gesture of goodwill. Estelle could have just used a copper ring and give it to Liandra, yet here was a platinum ring.
"Also make sure to wear it on your ring finger, it will deter pesky nobles. You will get into less trouble and make my life easier that way."