“A pleasure to meet you all. I am Haru. I am the First Princess of the Dragon Kingdom. My sister has always been in your care.”
She greeted them with a cheerful smile, possessing a beauty that could be called unparalleled. Clad in blue ethnic attire that complemented her slender frame, her hair cascaded down to the ground, and her features were so refined they captivated everyone’s attention. Her voice, like the tinkling of bells, lingered in the ears, mesmerizing even Jared and Pfeil, who did not place much importance on a woman’s appearance.
“What First Princess are you talking about! You are my Older Brother, the First Prince!”
Amidst everyone else captivated by the stunning beauty before them, Rio exclaimed in anger.
“…I’ve told you to call me Older Sister. Shouting so loudly in front of everyone. How unladylike.”
Rio would likely resemble her greatly when she grew up. Though she was a charming girl now, her youth was undeniable. However, once she grew taller and her demeanor matured, she would undoubtedly become like Haru, standing beside her.
“Um… are you Haru-sama?”
“Yes, Olivier Alway-sama. I have heard that my sister has been greatly helped by everyone. On behalf of the Dragon Kingdom, I express my gratitude.”
“This is most gracious. However, no thanks are necessary. Rio is family to us.”
Olivier, having recovered the quickest, managed to exchange greetings, but perhaps due to her agitation, her gaze darted from Haru’s head to her toes, unable to settle. Haru, seemingly accustomed to such scrutiny, simply smiled.
“You say such kind things. To think that this child, who attacked Jared upon meeting, was treated so kindly. As your Older Sister, I am overjoyed.”
“…No, um, excuse me, but didn’t Rio mention that you were an Older Brother? Not an Older Sister?”
“My! You say such delightful things! Yes, I am your Older Sister!”
“I told you! I asked you to stop saying things like that in front of everyone! What do you mean, Older Sister! Dragons do not change their gender during their growth period!”
Rio directed her anger towards Haru, but her Older Sister remained unfazed, as if it were nothing. The group was at a loss as to how to react to these two, whose sibling relationship was so unclear. While Rio’s unusual behavior was endearing, the palpable anger made for an awkward atmosphere.
“By the way, Jared, after so long, is there no greeting for me? I’m a little lonely.”
Amidst the silence, Haru smiled and spoke to Jared, who had been staring blankly, but…
“Huh? Who?”
Jared genuinely tilted his head, showing no recognition of the person before him.
“Oh, how cruel. We fought with our very lives on the line.”
“…No, um, really, who are you?”
“How dreadful, this child truly looks like she doesn’t recognize me. No, you can’t be serious?”
“See! You can’t even be recognized by the one you fought with your life on the line! Serves you right!”
Rio, seeing Jared’s appearance unchanged by Haru’s transformation, puffed out her chest triumphantly.
“Really, it’s only been about two years, and you’ve already forgotten? Remember, we met and fought when I was traveling around, calling it martial arts training. Back then, Jared’s magic wasn’t as honed, nor was his Magic Power as great, but I, Haru—the first Human to defeat me—would never forget.”
“Uh, no, but Haru was a guy back then. He was so handsome it made people envious.”
“Oh, how delightful.”
“I can’t believe you and Haru are the same person.”
“Oh my, oh my, saying such wonderful things. Not only are we reuniting after so long, but you’re making me even happier. What am I supposed to do?”
Haru placed her hands on her cheeks and began to wriggle, and a distinct snapping sound was heard from Rio.
“JARED! ARE YOUR EYES BLIND?! THIS MAN DRESSED AS A WOMAN may look like a woman, but he is my Older Brother, the First Prince of the Dragon Kingdom, HARU, who fought you with his life!”
