Chapter 64: Sisters’ Feelings
“Otilia used to be amazing. I really admired her.
But after Mom died, she cut off all contact with the outside world. She locked herself in her room and never came out—not even on Mom’s memorial day.
I know she’s feeling guilty. She’s running away—running away from reality.
She’s just a coward.
She’s no longer the Otilia I admired, no longer the powerful sister I used to know.”
“But didn’t she come to the Imperial Capital with you this time?”
“Hehe, do you know how she was convinced to come?
My dad had to talk with her all night in her room just to persuade her.
Even during the carriage ride, she stayed inside the whole time and didn’t dare show her face.
And once we got to the Imperial Capital, she shut herself in her room again.
I’ve had enough of her. That’s why I came here too—to join Wode Academy.
If she can do it, so can I!
What ‘Queen of Snow’? I can do that too!”
As she said this, Isana suddenly stood up. Her cheeks were tight—she was suppressing her sorrow.
“What she doesn’t dare to do, I’ll do it!
Those hateful people from the Cage organization—I’ll get revenge.
I’ll make that cowardly Otilia understand that you can’t keep running from reality!”
For the first time revealing her innermost thoughts, Isana’s tear-glimmering eyes looked at Erika. Yet her expression also seemed to carry a sense of relief, like a weight had been lifted.
Feeling she may have said too much, Isana calmed herself. She pursed her red lips and softly asked:
“I… I must look really weird, don’t I?”
Erika gave no response. She just quietly looked at Isana in front of her, saying nothing.
“Right, I must look weird to you now. I say I hate the current Otilia, but why do I still have these thoughts…
Why…
Maybe I’m just someone who’s easy to dislike…
Since I was little, I’ve had this obsession with art. To the girls I forced to model for me, I must’ve seemed like a complete villain.
And Erika… probably hates me too…
Maybe to Otilia as well… I’m just someone she despises…”
Her voice carried a note of gloom. As she spoke, tears once again welled up uncontrollably in Isana’s eyes.
The two of them sat in the elegant seat. A cold breeze blew in from the window, brushing against the girl’s figure.
The tears streaked down her cheeks, as if they softened the heart she had held back for so long.
Erika understood—there was no specific reason, the girl simply wanted to carry this sisterly bond on her own.
Looking at the girl before her, Erika blinked. She could sense what Isana was feeling. She also understood—this was the first time Isana had shared her inner thoughts with someone else.
Words could lie, but the sincerity in someone’s eyes couldn’t be hidden.
……
……
“You’re amazing, Isana.”
After a while, Erika whispered softly. She got up slightly and took Isana’s soft white hand.
Usually, Isana was the one clinging to Erika. But this time, Erika took the initiative to hold her.
With her other hand, she gently wiped the tears from Isana’s cheeks.
“Eh?”
Staring blankly at Erika, Isana just stood there, stunned. Even she hadn’t expected Erika to wipe away her tears.
“Sorry, Erika, I wasn’t crying—it’s just sand from outside blowing in through the window, I…”
“Keep that feeling in your heart. I understand.”
With a faint smile, Erika said gently, “You just want Otilia to go back to the way she used to be.”
“I don’t, I just want to prove to her…”
Letting Erika wipe her tears, Isana still tried to make a quiet excuse.
“Don’t lie to yourself. If you want to cry, then cry. The emotions on your face are impossible to hide.”
The emotions on your face are impossible to hide…
That line seemed to strike a chord deep in Isana’s heart. Her eyes began to moisten again.
Erika could clearly feel Isana’s body trembling slightly.
In that moment, the tears she had tried to hold back were finally released.
She cried again.
“Erika…
Otilia… she used to take me out to eat delicious food like this too…
Once when it rained and I was cold, she took off her clothes to give to me and said she wasn’t afraid of wind or rain. But I saw her body shaking—I knew she was lying…
She used to teach me magic, take me hunting in the mountains. Every time, she’d deliberately drive the prey toward me, and then let me take the final shot. She’d laugh and praise me for being amazing…
Once, I was being naughty and secretly broke our father’s favorite vase. Otilia stepped forward and took the blame, and got punished by being sent to guard the Southern County border…
She always used to protect me…
But after Mom died, she changed. She locked herself in the house and stopped doing anything. I know she blames herself for Mom’s death.
I tried persuading her. I tried comforting her.
We ended up arguing…
She used to be so strong…
I admired her so much…
I just want to see that sister I looked up to again…
I just want her to come out of that room…”
She poured out her heart to Erika.
Tear after tear fell. Isana had lost her usual cheer, lost her usual strength. Now, her eyes red and swollen, she was just a helpless girl.
Who would have thought that the sisters who had a big fight the last time they met shared so many stories.
Moving closer to Isana, Erika gently patted her back with her hand, as if trying to comfort her.
After easing Isana’s emotions a bit, Erika turned around.
“Wait here for a moment, Isana.”
Saying that, she tiptoed over to the bard waiting inside the snack shop.
Lotran Snack Shop was a well-known place in the northern city. It attracted many nobles and officials, and of course also bards and singers.
Especially during afternoon tea, bards would come here to wait for customers to request songs.
Lotran also welcomed bards and gave them a dedicated stage for performances.
“Big sis, how much for one song?”
“20 silver coins, little miss.”
Hearing it cost 20 silver coins, Erika awkwardly pulled out the 10 silver coins she had—she was still 10 short…
As expected, a place like this wasn’t for poor people like her.
“But, little miss, if you’re requesting a song to comfort your friend, I can give you a discount—just half price.”
“Then great! I’ll take one!”
Erika cheerfully handed over the 10 silver coins.
She knew that the best way to soothe someone’s heart was often through graceful songs and beautiful melodies.
The music was magical. It always brought people endless imagination and unique experiences.
When someone is sad, a good piece of music can help them forget the pain, and following the melody can take them to a different, dreamlike world.
“What song would you like, little miss?”
Hearing that, Erika pointed at her own nose.
“A song that someone about my age would probably like.”