Chapter 73 (1/2)

73

Is Michelie my weakness?

The obvious answer is no. The person I love most is my weakness? What a joke. That’s why I’m denying it outright. But I still have not the slightest intention to let Michelie and Endo see each other.

Michelie is my prized treasure, and the greatest treasure in the world. It’s no exaggeration to say that she’s my primary motivation to live, or that she’s the reason I can stay strong. She’s not someone whom the likes of the crown prince can lay their eyes on.

Also, it’s kind of pathetic, but I’m still afraid of fate. Charles and Leon no longer pose a problem, but a part of me is still afraid of hopping onto the rails of destiny by any chance. I suppose it’s a price I have to pay for knowing a part of the future.

And there’s the biggest and simplest reason of all. It’s extremely simple, yet it has the biggest factor for concern.

I don’t want an idiot like the crown prince to get together with Michelie.

But the unexpected encounter happened. I originally planned to send a message to Michelie after escorting Endo to my room, but we’re in the same manor. There are a number of ways things could go wrong.

I’m a genius. It’s exactly times like these when I have to settle the matter calmly. Yes. For example, I could solve everything by digging a hole in the courtyard and burying Endo in it. Yeah. I’ll do that. It’s my house. Even if there are witnesses, I could get rid of them easily. I can commit the perfect crime and get away with it.

Completely committed to my genius solution with my mind as serene as a polished mirror and still water, I bring up my fist, ready to knock out the prince.

“Hm?”

He opens his stupid mouth.

I tilt my head and forget about hitting his incomprehensible, stupid face.

What happened? I know he’s an idiot, but his reaction upon seeing my sister is very strange.

“H-hey, Christina Noir.”

He’s calling my name with a shaken voice while staring at Michelie. He’s planted right in the middle of the hallway, so she can’t just walk past him.

“What, you idiot prince. That stupid face suits you a lot, by the way. You should just use it by default-”

“There’s an angel here.”

“-eh?”

He said something decent for the first time since I met him.

I blink in surprise to his unimaginable iteration of the universal truth.

“Your Highness Endo. It can’t be…… you actually have good eyes?”

“What are you talking about? I have the most refined sense of aesthetics. More importantly, can you see that halo shining from behind her?”

“Of course I can.”

Why is he asking such an obvious question? I’ve constantly been bathing in Michelie’s light since I met her when I was three. Of course I can feel her radiance.

“It’s an overwhelming radiance that spreads in all directions and travels miles away. There’s no way I could miss it. Why do you think I love her so much?”

“Huh, I see. I thought your eyes were merely black holes, but it seems that’s not really the case. ……Hmph. It’s too bright even for a ruler such as I.”

If he didn’t insert his overly egotistical lines, I would have taken him for an imposter. That’s how shocking it is when he’s making such commonplace remarks.

“But you referred to her as big sister, didn’t you? So you’re her younger sister? I heard there was someone like you in the Noir family…… but you don’t resemble her at all.”

“Shut up, you’re annoying.”

It’s obvious since we’re not related by blood. Why is he saying something like that so recklessly?

Then again, he’s the only one to have seen Michelie’s halo. Charles often clashes with her, and Leon tends to avoid talking about her for some reason. Even Surfania said something ridiculous like “I can definitely see an indescribable chaos.” What does she take Michelie for?

While I’m busy thinking about what a certain shut-in so carelessly said, I feel my skirt getting pulled.

“Hey, big sister. Who is that?”

“Hm? Ah……”

Endo is beginning to whisper. He’s probably prepared to die standing. I nod gravely to Michelie as she timidly approaches me.

Now that it’s come to this, it’s no longer possible to conceal his existence from her. I decide to bury the idiot prince next time.

Also, it was Charles who was supposed to be here today, but it’s an obvious idiot who’s here instead. I can’t help it if she has doubts. Even I wasn’t fully convinced when I him.

“He’s our guest. He’s the older brother of Charles.”

“Guest? ………………Charles’ older brother?”

“Y-yeah. I’m Charles’ brother, Endo Edward. I’m in line for the throne! S-so, yo- I mean…… w-who are you? Tell me your- kh! No…… could you… tell me your name?”

It’s the first time I’m seeing him walk with full self-awareness. It’s kind of creepy. He’s moving awkwardly like a robot. Normally he acts all high and mighty, but now it looks like he doesn’t even know how to approach her. I’m having trouble keeping myself from laughing.

Look at him now.

He’s showing his pitiful side for once. It’s my only chance. I’ll plant a negative image of him now.

“Don’t pay attention to his creepy behavior. This guy’s an idiot. Too bad he’s going to succeed the throne…… the future for this country is so dark. But it’s okay. I’ll protect the peace and security of the Noir family with my life.”

“Hey, Christina Noir.”

“And you shouldn’t get too close to him, lest his idiocy infect you too.”

“Hey. What the hell are you saying?”

What am I saying? Only the objective truth. Also, I am under no obligation whatsoever to be on his side. I thought it was enough to make Michelie dislike him, but her response is beyond my expectations.

“Hmm……”

Michelie, whose first reaction to Charles was one of enmity, has been observing our exchange, taking a peek at Prince Endo’s face, then shifting her gaze to me. She must have sensed something from our emotions.

“……Yup.”

Muttering slightly, she looks at Endo and squanders her angelic smile on him.

“I’m Michelie. Pleased to meet you, Prince Endo!”

“Y-yeah! Likewise!”

“Hold on, Michelie. You don’t have to be pleased to meet him, you know?!”

It’s a much more proper encounter compared to Charles. I can’t accept it.

But I can’t find a good reason to tear them apart right now. Michelie is smiling happily, and while Endo’s face is red with panic, he seems to have fallen for her smile.

Never mind. I should tear them apart.