It was Charlotte who exclaimed in shock.
On the other hand, Erika was stunned with her shoulders drawn back.
"As usual, you are as absurd as the breath you take. Look here, Charlotte! Leave him alone and try this one on next."
"But your heart just stopped! Are you all right?"
"It's only for a second or two, there shouldn't be any problem. Now, there it goes."
Handing over a pile of clothes to a flustered Charlotte, Erika quickly pushed her into the fitting room.
Allen was tongue-tied, he couldn't even feel the existence of his tongue.
Thus, only the siblings were left in front of the fitting booth.
"So..."
Erika glanced at Allen.
"What should I do?"
"In the meantime, I'd like to know what's going on in the Kingdom of Neils."
Allen slowly stood up and stroked his chin.
On the other side of the curtain. A whispered conversation was taking place with caution so that it would never reach Charlotte.
He had successfully fought off her pursuers at one point but he wondered if that was enough for them to give up the pursuit, or if they were still actively searching for her. He couldn't tell the situation from the newspapers.
The incident in the Kingdom of Neils, which had been bustling on the front page of newspapers for a while, had recently disappeared from the paper.
It must have been a sensational case, but there was no follow-up report, so the reporters probably had no way to write about it.
Hence, there was little information to be found in papers. He could hit up an informant but... it would be troublesome if they were to get the wrong idea.
"So can you check it out for me?"
"Leave it to me. I'm sure Dad knows some people in the Kingdom of Neils. I'll check them out."
Erika winked back at him.
"I'll check out that prince and her family while I'm at it."
"... Well, it's not the time for that yet."
"What! Are you thinking of letting it go? I think it's important to get information about it."
"If you look up... you'll know."
Allen let out a small sigh.
He would be lying if he said he didn't care. What kind of person that man was, to disgrace and demean Charlotte, and how she was treated in her family home.
But if she found out about it--
"If I knew about it, I wouldn't be able to keep quiet about it. I would march into that country regardless of how Charlotte felt. So, for the time being, it's fine to not look into it.
"Hmm"
"... What's with your face?"
"No, no. Brother has changed."
Erika grinned widely while poking Allen's sides.
"I've never seen brother care so much for someone. That's a good thing."
"... Is that right?"
Allen tilted his head.
It was true that he had never cared or worried so much about other people outside of his family. But... he did not understand why that would be a "good thing".
"Then I'll just check out what you told me. You returning home would be my reward."
"I refuse at all costs."
"Come on."
Erika smiled wryly and then glanced at the fitting room where Charlotte is.
"Well, I'll wait for a while. There's this mischief thing with Charlotte, too. You can help me make my magic tools instead!"
"All right, that's a small price to pay for that."
"Hooray! If brother is with me, then I've got the strength of a hundred people!"
Erika smiled and pated Allen on the shoulder.
She's talented, quick-witted, and a competent sister. He was really glad that she did not turn out to be a gloomy person like him.
"Um--"
A voice called out from inside the fitting room.
Don't tell me she heard the conversation earlier?!
Allen gulped at that thought, but Erika spoke calmly.
"Yes? How is it?"
"Sorry... I'm having a bit of trouble fastening the clasps on the back..."
"Oh, I see! Wait a minute!"
Erika entered the fitting room without hesitation.
Allen had to look away in a hurry. He could see a fraction of skin through the gap, but by casting a brainwashing spell on himself, he completely wiped out all memory of that moment.