(Derisha)
Today, I came to the royal palace because my elder sister, Deloria, has returned back home. Last years, she got married to a baron whose name starts with "L". and I haven't seen her in a year.
I was supposed to visit her last night, but the arrival date got delayed by a day. So I rushed here early in the morning, only to find out she was undergoing a purification ritual. I had to take a nap on a tree in the garden until the ceremony was over before I could meet her.
Finally, the three of us gathered in the enormous bathhouse to catch up. To be honest, the reason I didn't like this bathhouse when I lived in the palace was simply because it was too spacious, which made me feel lonely. If I forcefully dragged the maids in to bathe together, they would only end up getting scolded...
On the other hand, the bathing facilities at the [Dog House] were just right. The water temperature could be adjusted, making it very convenient. It made me realize that the technology in the [Dog House] was even more advanced than that of the palace. It's truly amazing.
Sorry, I digressed. I mentioned earlier that I didn't like bathing in the palace bathhouse, but it's a different story if someone accompanies me.
"So, how is married life for my elder sister? Is Baron Lu something a good person?"
"If you were any person but my sister, I would have been angry. Even if they are nobles from a remote area, it's unacceptable not to remember the titles and honorifics of one's own family members..." With her silver hair, fair skin, and beautiful face, she is my sister, Deloria Teigitan.
I held Nina in my arms, and the three of us soaked in the warm water of the bathhouse.
"It can't be helped. I had a hard time even remembering my own last name, let alone other people's names."
Even back then, it took me a lot of time to remember the names of Father, Stepmother, my elder sister, and younger sister. The most typical case is the butler... what was his name again... Well, it doesn't matter, I still can't remember it after ten years.
But there are certain people's names that I can remember immediately... like Melon... and Walson.
"You entered the palace when I was eleven. It's been ten years, and you still have a bad memory?"
"Ten years... it's been that long."
Ten years ago, an envoy from the old man came to the village of Josephagon and brought me to the palace.
For a ten-year-old child, suddenly knowing that I had an older sister who was one year older than me and a newborn sister... I was brought to the palace in a daze.
A lot of things happened afterward.
"The day before you entered the palace, Father told me that I would have a younger sister. When I saw you for the first time, I thought, 'What is this? Isn't it a monkey?!'" Deloria said and couldn't help but laugh.
My younger sister has changed positions and is now in Deloria's embrace, looking very happy.
Ah, at that time, I caused a lot of trouble while trying to learn all the manners and etiquette of the upper class, or simply put, the rituals. The most notable example was when, in the beginning, I would be beaten by the teacher every time I made a mistake.
...I don't know how, but I thought, "So etiquette is about fighting," and I reciprocated the etiquette teacher with a beating. After that, it seems like I haven't had etiquette classes in the palace.
As a result, Deloria became the one teaching me about etiquette.
"Don't remind me. It's so embarrassing." Seeing my younger sister Nina's laughing expression, I really wanted to find a hole to hide in.
"Oh, and that time when it was hot, we swam naked in the garden pool..."
"Deloria, even Risha occasionally does that now." Nina covered her mouth, trying hard to maintain a steady voice.
Ah, that traitor!!!
"Oh my... and when it rained, I saw the stable leaking, so I climbed up with a hammer, but I didn't even change into proper attire..."
"Deloria, actually, Risha went up there last month when it rained!!!"
"That was... I couldn't resist when I saw it and wanted to repair it..."
"Alright, Nina, don't tease Risha too much," Loria interjected.
Loria paused for a moment, then spoke again.
"Hey, Risha, there's something I've been meaning to ask."
"Hmm?"
"All your scars... they're all gone?" Loria's question caught me off guard.
Oh no... I forgot.
When I was severely injured in the Water City Purgatory... Walson used a potion called MPOH(β) to heal my wounds.
The potion not only healed my injuries but also restored my right eye, which had been blinded from a grievous wound quite some time ago, and eliminated all the scars on my body...
I had been wearing an eye patch to keep it a secret... but I accidentally overlooked it just now. What a blunder.
"Ah! Now that you mention it! Risha's sisterly heroic tales are now gone..." Nina then let out a wail of sadness...
Ah, now that I think about it, whenever I told stories about my adventure to Nina, I always told the story while pointing at the scars on my body...
I hugged Nina again and ruffled her hair.
"Well, I drank a very rare healing potion... And actually, it's not just the scars..." I decided to be honest with my sisters about this matter.
I smiled and lifted the eye patch, then put it back on.
In just a few seconds, both Loria and Nina had expressions of disbelief.
"Risha... your eye is..."
"Risha's eye has golden flames in it!!!"
Hmm... after surpassing the 75th level of the Water City Purgatory, as evidence of being blessed by the First Queen of this nation, my right eye started emitting these golden flames.
It's not actually flames but the magical fluctuations of the Draconic God.
After merging with my own magic, it appears as golden flames.
I can feel a significant increase in power, and this right eye also gained a special ability to see half a second into the future.
It can penetrate through the currents of time and read the endless branching streams… (Tn: Basically, low level future vision, only able to see a few seconds into the future)
It's called the "Dragon's Eye - Vision of Flowing Waters." That's the name of the ability.
It should be very useful in battle.
The eye patch I'm wearing now is not to conceal facial scars but to suppress this ability.
By the way, I can still see with my eye while wearing the eye patch, but the vision is the same as usual.
It's... an impressive ability...
"I'm sorry, I can't tell much about it.." I apologized to Loria and Nina about this matter.
The details of my abilities must remain confidential. If they were to be leaked... I can't guarantee what the consequences would be.
Even the fact that we broke through the Water City Purgatory must continue to be kept a secret.
Walson probably thinks the same...
Even though I've left the party, the strong bonds I had with Walson at that time... I can't forget about it... I even want to experience it again.
But... the adventure has already ended... What reason do I have to continue that relationship?
At this point... I know what this Meloncholic feeling is... It's just that I don't want to leave his side...
"Big sister Risha, you look so cool!"
"...Well, you must be joking, right? Oh well... But I still have to remind you, be careful in everything," Loria sighed and shook her head.
"By the way, you're already twenty. What do you plan to do?" Loria spoke again.
"What do you mean?"
"At your age, it's time to get married, Risha." Loria's words made me break into a cold sweat.
I've been deliberately avoiding thinking about this issue all along.
That's because...
"Aren't you at the age where people should be trying to court you, Risha? Do you not have anyone in mind?"
"...No." I lied.
What comes to my mind at that moment... was Walson's mischievous smile.
Although he's a [Commoner] he has a special charm that surpasses anyone that I have ever met. That boy is five years younger than me, but he is so reliable that I felt like I could just leave everything to him.
But... despite what he has gave to me, he probably doesn't see me in any romantic way.
"Ah! Risha, you must choose your future spouse carefully! I can't accept it if your partner is also an idiot! The world will be in chaos with two idiots together!" Nina exclaimed.
"Hey!? That's too much!" I tried to say in the same tone as Aure, that elf friend of Walson, as a joke.
"You probably haven't forgotten about the marriage proposal ceremony among our country's nobility, right?"
...Yes, I remember.
But I've been intentionally avoiding thinking about it since receiving the Anti-Melon Spear Prototype 1.0
Among the nobility of Teigitan, the marriage proposal ceremony is very unique compared to other nations.
The courting process goes along like this.
The man who tries to court a girl must present a weapon to the woman's family.
If the woman accepts it, she has agreed to the man's proposal.
It's a subtle and romantic tradition that was supposed to be like that...
"If it's someone who's only interested in your status, you should definitely return it! I won't let you marry someone who just seeks power!" Loria admonished me.
Return the Anti-Melon Spear Prototype 1.0... Ugh... just the thought of it makes me reluctant...
But... if I accept it, doesn't that mean I have to marry Walson... and be with him forever...
Forever...
Being embraced by him, holding each other's arms... watching his sleeping face while laying down beside him at dawn...
That would definitely be a very sweet sight, right? Just imagining it is suffocating...
...
...
...
"Nina, why is Risha blushing!?"
"I'm not blushing! There's nothing i'm embarrassed about!"
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