That day, Rio noticed a massive presence directed at her and almost dropped the teacup in her hand.
“Rio, what’s wrong?” Trane asked, bewildered, as the girl who had been happily munching on tea and cookies suddenly froze.
“…It’s nothing,” Rio replied.
“Is that so?”
“Mmm.”
Though her voice held a hint of concern, Trane’s expression remained unchanged. However, having lived and spent so much time with Rio, she understood Trane was worried about her.
Therefore, she decided to act as if nothing had happened.
“That’s right. I had plans to play with Jennifer next door. I’m going out for a bit.”
“As you wish, but please don’t be too late.”
“I know. Don’t worry, I’ll be back before dinner.”
“Yes. Understood. Have a good time.”
“Mmm. I’m off.”
It might have been a bit too obvious, but Rio stood up without checking Trane’s reaction and headed for the exit of the mansion.
On the way, she met Hannelore and told her she was going out, and Hannelore sent her off with a smile.
Before, Hannelore would have been extremely worried about Rio leaving the mansion alone, even though Rio was a dragon, but that was no longer the case.
Even young Rio knew that Hannelore had once been targeted for death. Jared had even considered eradicating foolish humans if he hadn’t dealt with the matter swiftly.
Once outside the mansion, Rio confirmed that no one was around and kicked off the ground forcefully.
With a leap that no human could ever match, she easily soared over the Capital City. The girl landed in a forest just outside the city.
This was one of her favorite places, rich with the vitality of the trees and an abundance of animals, a place she visited occasionally. It was also comfortable due to the abundant magic power.
However, she hadn’t come today to relax. She had come to meet the “same kind” who had signaled her from here.
She found the person’s appearance immediately. They likely hadn’t intended to hide.
The person was a slender beauty dressed in blue ethnic clothing. With beautiful blue hair like jewels that trailed all the way to the ground, she looked very much like Rio. If Rio were to grow up, she would surely become a beauty who could rival this person.
“It’s been a while, Rio,” the beauty said with a cool voice like a wind chime, smiling.
The next moment, Rio’s face contorted, and she sobbed.
“…Ugh, Brother, you’re dressed like Older Sister and speaking like a woman. This must be a nightmare.”
“…What a rude Younger Sister. I am free to speak however I wish.”
“Brother Haru.”
“Call me Older Sister.”
Rio started sobbing again.
The beauty, looking angry at her crying sister, was Rio’s ‘Brother’ Haru.
Originally, after her defeat at the hands of Jared, this Brother Haru began acting like a woman. She had declared him dead and appeared in the Wethered Kingdom seeking revenge. Knowing it was just blowing off steam, she attacked Jared.
Afterward, Rio was welcomed with surprising warmth and now lives with her family in Olivier’s mansion. Rio also considers Jared and the others as her true family.
It was a secret that she was considering staying in the Wethered Kingdom forever, rather than returning to the Dragon Kingdom with her former brother.
“Brother is still Brother as he always was.”
“Hey, please stop crying. I decided to live honestly. Besides, it seems you call Jared ‘Brother.’ I’m a little jealous.”
“That’s disgusting!”
“Be quiet!”
Haru, who had been met with dead eyes from her sister, changed her expression and turned back to Rio.
The girl also straightened up, facing her former brother who wanted to have a serious conversation.
“Alright, enough fooling around. Let’s have a serious talk. Rio, thank you for telling me about the internal affairs of the Wethered Kingdom. I’m sorry to put you in such an unpleasant role.”
At Haru’s words, Rio made a bitter face.
Rio hadn’t intended to do anything like spying. Reflecting on how she had run away from the Dragon Kingdom, she had sent a letter to her Wet Nurse.
The letter contained many things, such as what had happened at Olivier’s mansion and how she had gotten caught up in it, but she never imagined that the internal affairs of the Wethered Kingdom would be conveyed through her letter.
Of course, the Wet Nurse, who received the letter, was delighted by Rio’s cherished letter, not suspecting anything.
However, Haru, who had learned of their correspondence, heard the contents from the Wet Nurse and ordered her to always inform her when a letter arrived from her sister.
The Wet Nurse must have felt troubled. In her letter to Rio, she discreetly informed her about her brother’s actions.
“I wasn’t spying. I just wanted to convey various things.”
“I know. But I needed information. I’m sorry.”
“…It’s alright. I forgive you. But why? If you want to know about this country, don’t you have spies in the Dragon Kingdom?”
“That’s because they are tracking the whereabouts of the Magician whom humans call the Progenitor.”
