Chapter 36: Awakening as an Older Sister

It had been several months since the birth of our third sister, Lara, and the atmosphere in our home had begun to change in many ways.

Thanks to both having her very first little sister and Mother Sylphy’s guidance, Lucy had grown remarkably—so much so that she could now speak fluent human language and would soon begin learning reading, writing, and even magic.

Since I, the eldest daughter, couldn’t inherit the family or use magic, I had worried that the burden on her would be too heavy. But growing up in such a bustling household seemed to make Lucy genuinely happy to have something tangible she could work on and understand.

Around the same time Lara was born, Lady Cliff’s wife gave birth as well—to a healthy baby boy named Clive. Lady Elinalise, his long-lived elven mother, was said to have difficulty conceiving, so bearing an heir on her first try was considered great fortune. I can still clearly remember her radiant, blissful smile.

On the other hand, when Mother Eris heard about Lady Elinalise’s news, she began growing closer to Father—almost as if to outdo Mother Roxy’s delivery—with the determined intention of bearing an heir herself.

Mother Sylphy, being a half-elf, and Mother Roxy, being a long-lived demon, both had frail bodies and found it difficult to conceive. Naturally, childbirth was hard for them, and it was unlikely they could have many children.

Considering that all three of us born so far were girls, this wasn’t an issue that could simply be ignored. It made sense that strong, healthy Mother Eris—who had the best chance of conceiving—would be enthusiastic. Still… saying something like "I’ll be the one to bear the heir!" right in front of the other two seemed a bit much.

I had worried that the others might take offense, but surprisingly, neither objected. In fact, both often joined in discussions about Mother Eris’s efforts to conceive a second child.

When you think about Father’s position, it was indeed more proper for the heir to be born from Mother Eris—a pure human of clear lineage. And despite their very different temperaments and roles, our mothers managed to coexist harmoniously, without hierarchy or rivalry.

Incidentally, the reason for Mother Eris’s difficulty conceiving was apparently that she’d been overexerting herself physically. When she laughed and said, "I didn’t realize! Things were perfectly normal when I gave birth to Edith!" I don’t think I had ever been more thankful for her sheer resilience.

Eventually, Mother Eris took everyone’s advice and began resting at home more. Before long, she successfully conceived her second child.

With Father’s work settled and his formal greeting to Lord Orsted complete, Lara was born safely. Mother Eris began her maternity rest, and for the first time in a long while, our once hectic household finally had a hint of peace.

Whether by coincidence or timing, a letter arrived from the Asura Kingdom two days ago—a personal invitation from Her Majesty Ariel herself. Father and Mother Sylphy were to travel to Asura to visit their acquaintances and pay their respects.

Her Majesty Ariel, like Father, served under Lord Orsted. Even after Mother Sylphy resigned from her position as Ariel’s guard, it remained important for both sides to maintain their friendship and mutual trust. Father also noted that Mother Sylphy had never properly said farewell to Her Majesty after the last incident—so this would be a good opportunity to do so.

"Noooo! Don’t goooo! Papa can go by himself!!"

"Lucy, that’s not a nice way to—"
"I’m not saying goodbye! Lucy’s gonna study! Lucy’s staying with Mama!!"

"What should we do, Rudy? I didn’t think Lucy would throw such a fit…"
"Papa…? Lucy doesn’t want Papa to go either, right…?"

At this very moment, Father and the others—ready for their trip and gathered by the front door—were being held hostage by an unexpected protest. Lucy, who had come to see them off as always, had burst into tears the moment Mother Sylphy stepped toward the door.

When Mother Sylphy began staying home more often, Lucy was just becoming aware of the world around her—and her favorite playmate was, of course, Mother Sylphy.

Even when Mother Sylphy was still working as a guard, our home ran perfectly well under Aisha and Lilia. With both of them, plus myself and Mother Sylphy, there were often more hands than needed. Naturally, I took on extra chores to free up Mother Sylphy’s time with Lucy.

Father tended to stay out for long periods after our family send-offs, and Lucy must have realized this in her own way. That was why—when she saw Mother Sylphy among those being seen off—she started crying harder than she ever had before.

Honestly, seeing Father—pushed away instead of stopped—trying to soothe her with a half-tearful, half-smiling face was almost too pitiful to watch.

But if this kept up, Mother Sylphy might feel guilty and decide to stay home again. She had already felt bad about leaving Lucy behind during her work as a guard. If Lucy kept crying, she’d end up putting herself last all over again…

"…Father, Father. I’d like an Asuran fairy tale book as a souvenir, please. Would that be alright?"

"For the love of—Lucy-tan… Wait, a souvenir? Sure, but why so sudden?"

"Thank you, Father! Now then—Lucy, what would you like?"

"…Souvenir?"

"Yes! A souvenir! Would you like sweets, or maybe a doll?"

While Lucy blinked in confusion at the sudden question, I glanced at Father to signal my intent—apparently with what he calls a "wink."

"R-Right! So, Lucy—what do you want?"

"Um, um… a dolly!"

"Got it! Then be a good girl and hold down the fort for us, okay, Lucy?"

"Huh?"

"We’ll be back before you know it!"

With that, Father and Mother Sylphy gently peeled Lucy off them and headed out, leaving her with a puzzled look.

"…Papa? Mama…?"

The thud of the closing door snapped Lucy back to reality, and she froze in stunned silence.

Had she been older, we might have talked it through and helped her understand—but right now, she just wanted them to stay. In that case, it was better that they leave quickly rather than drag out the farewell.

…Though of course, doing it that way meant—

"Waaaahhhh!!! Noooo!!! I don’t want this! I don’t want this!!! Uwaaaahhh!!!"

Lucy stomped her feet and pounded the door. Then, realizing she couldn’t reach the handle, she threw herself to the floor and sobbed. Even lying face-down, which must have made it harder to cry, she kept thrashing and bawling all the same. What a strangely talented child…

I could understand how she felt. Staying behind is lonely—and scary. When someone you always assumed would be there suddenly isn’t, of course you’d cry.

I remembered doing the same thing myself as a baby in this life—when Ghislaine had to leave for a while. It was right after I’d finally gotten used to my new body and the strange appearance of my mothers, especially Mother Eris.

Lying there on the floor, unable to do anything but crawl… it reminded me far too much of my previous life.

『Ka…gh…Jiiya… why… why would you…』
『If you were to pass away, we could adopt an heir! We could protect the house! Please—please hate only me, my lord…! Young Master…!』

"If you wanted me to hate you, you could’ve just strangled me right there instead…"

"Edith—hey, are you listening?"

"Ah—Aisha? Sorry, I spaced out for a moment."

"Waaahhhh!!!"

"C-Calm down, Lucy!"

"Nooo!!"

"Yeah, I can’t handle this. Edith, I’m counting on you with her, okay?"

"Of course… Mother Eris isn’t doing much better anyway."

For reference, after Mother Sylphy, I was the next one entrusted with watching over Lucy. Mother Roxy was busy with Lara, and Mother Eris—well, she didn’t handle crying children very well. Even now, she paced around the sobbing Lucy in a panic.

At times like this, only Grandma Zenith or I could soothe Lucy. I gave a small, helpless smile at our poor, flustered mother and gently gathered Lucy into my arms.

"Edie… hic… Mama’s… gone… waaaahhh!"

"It’s okay, Lucy. It’s okay. They’ll both be back before you know it."

Lucy buried her face into my stomach, crying as if the world were ending.

This was bad. If this kept up, she might start hating being left behind entirely.

I understood how she felt—it was only natural. What child wouldn’t be sad when their parents left? Especially a child like Lucy, who rarely interacted with anyone outside our family.

But Lucy wasn’t like me. In a few years, she’d go outside to play, study under a teacher, make friends, maybe even meet her betrothed. I didn’t want her to grow up fearing the world because of a memory like this.

"Lucy, how about we go to the garden?"

"sniff …Garden?"

"Yes, let’s help Grandma with the gardening. Will you lend us a hand?"

"…Okay."

"Thank you, Lucy. You’re such a good girl. Come on, Mother Eris, you help too."

"O-Of course!"

Father and the others would likely be away from home more often from now on.

When that happened, I’d be the one to keep the younger ones company. My chores and training could wait.

In my previous life, I’d had no one but my mother by my side. After what happened with the old retainer, I’d been forbidden from being alone in a room with anyone but my parents.

I won’t let the younger ones feel that same kind of loneliness.

"Edie?"

"…It’s nothing, really."

At that moment, as I felt the faint warmth of realization, I couldn’t help but smile, gently patting Lucy’s head and Mother Eris’s belly. Later, I’d go see Lara’s face too.

Even when Father and Mother were away, I’d show them that there were still many happy things to look forward to.

I’d show them that they had many people around them who cared.
Because now—I truly was their older sister.