Half-Sister 6

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Chapter 6: The Ending

We started dancing.

His movements were awkward at first, but after more people joined in the dance, he smoothly led me to move. Perhaps he felt reassured that he was now blended in with the crowd.

But even now, his face became stiff while he desperately repeated his movements. Maybe, he couldn’t smile at all due to all the anxiety or something, but the mood wasn’t poor either.

“You're doing quite well.”

“Stop complimenting me…!”

“But you really are…"

While we had a short exchange, the music had changed. Unlike the previous song that had a slow tempo, this song was light and jumpy. It was a vibrant song.

Sir Juno’s face became stiff again.

People who had been dancing up until now started to leave one by one. They left a space, and the crowd became dispersed.

However, new people joined in almost immediately and filled in those spaces.

Despite that, Sir Juno did not regain his composure like before.

"Ugh…"

He was looking straight in one direction. When I followed his gaze, the Crown Prince and his fiancé were dancing in the middle of the ballroom. Their movements were sophisticated as I expected, just like a refined blade that had never been used. They quickly became the center of attention in the ball.

"There’s no need to compare yourself to someone else."

“Shut up.”

He turned his gaze away from them and took a drastic move. I was confused, but still managed to follow through.

A little bit later, and I messed it up. After I adjusted my posture, he tilted his head downwards to face me, “Sorry, My bad...”

“That’s my job, no worries.” As I replied, he had a deep-in-thought look.

The music changed again.

The tune was gentle, bright and radiant, contradicting what everyone was dancing to before. But it was still a charming, somewhat lonely, and enticing tune.

If the previous song was the beginning of spring’s morning, then this song might be breeze in the Autumn’s dusk?

I wonder who was the composer? Music wasn’t really my strongest subject...

I was surprised that this kind of song would be played at such a grand ball, but I liked it.

Sir Juno also seemed to agree.

“It’s as if this song is prepared just for us. We are the main characters here.”

“So you also have the ability to say something romantic.”

“It’s nice to do it sometimes, right?”

There were times that distancing oneself from daily routine would improve one’s mood. Sir Juno smiled innocently as he pulled on my hands.

He led me to the center of the ballroom, near the Crown Prince, and continued dancing.

I felt that they saw us for a moment. Though I didn’t really know.

As I nervously looked at the sight of the Crown Prince and his fiance, Sir Juno put his hand on my cheek and forced me to face him.

"Where are you looking at? You only need to look at me and dance just for me.”

“Dance just for you?”

“Yes, just for me. I also will dance just for you”

“Aren’t we here just for that purpose?” Sir Juno whispered as he swayed his body.

I only needed to think about Sir Juno.

His navy blue hair fluttered gently, following his movement. His gray eyes which slanted upwards were looking straight towards me. His eyebrows which usually knitted together were lifted in joy. His thin lips were slightly chapped when we met for the first time. His arms which supported my back were thin and boney compared to other guys, but... they were reliable. I had come to accept him as a whole.

I only laid my eyes on him, and entrusted my body to him.

With our hands still connected, I swirled in place.

My yellow dress fluttered as I was twirled and I went back to his arms.

Again, he only looked at me.

It was just like a dream.

However, it ended quickly.

Even when the music stopped, I was still in that dream for a while.

It was the applause and the praise from the audience that made me wide awake.

Their attention shifted to us before I knew it.

When I looked for the Crown Prince who should be nearby, he was already far away. But our eyes met.

Somehow he looked at me with indifferent eyes and turned his back on me. The lady who was with him noticed my gaze and shrugged, before she followed after the Crown Prince

“Sir Juno... it was fun...”

“Yeah it was.”

Sir Juno and I were in a daze as if we just finished a huge event. But, the feeling wasn’t unpleasant at all.

After that, I was severely exhausted being surrounded by the guests who were watching the dance.

After a short break, a new song started to flow, but neither I nor Sir Juno felt like dancing anymore. We agreed that it was enough.

While I was sipping on the non-alcoholic beverages bit by bit, Sir Juno separated from me and dealt with nobles one after another.

Some of them interacted with my father and talked about the past incident. "I was worried because of that incident, but it seems like I don’t need to worry anymore. She danced in joy, after all!" One of them said in a teasing tone, and it made me feel a little embarrassed.

That person’s gesture was amicable though, perhaps he was one of father’s close acquaintances.

The dance was over and I finished greeting the others. All that was left was to wait for Sir Juno and return home.

There were some troubles, but it was a satisfying night.

I was still immersed in the feeling when suddenly someone grabbed my arm and dragged me to the balcony. I couldn’t make out the situation yet.

“Just how much are you gonna stir up my feelings until you are satisfied?!”

When I saw her figure who was yelling under the night sky, I finally understood. It felt like all my blood was being drawn out.

My sister glared at me with more malice in her eyes compared to that day.

“I had endured so much and was about to get over it because you meekly live in that remote place! But what was that? It’s completely different from what you said! You… why do you look so happy?!”

“Si..sister…”

“Just who is your sister!?”

She grabbed me on my shoulder over my slipped up tongue and shook me vigorously. Her arms were trembling from anger.

I was lost and didn't know what to say, as I let myself be pushed over the handrail.

“Do you understand how I feel? You were denounced, but the rumors say that you are not guilty and I was just being unreasonable. They even looked down on me! But you are living pitifully compared to me. You are being punished. And I put up with them because of those thoughts. I finally came out here to recover myself, but here you are, being praised by those people!”

It was a bloody scream. The guests were still dancing not far from here, but the air was strange here. It was as if her screams were being sucked into the darkness.

“How much are you gonna make a fool of me until you are satisfied?!”

Her pale hands were strangling on my neck.

Even if I tried to step back to avoid her, the railing was already pressed against my back. It was impossible to step back any further.

She strangled my throat mercilessly while murmuring, “You are a nuisance...”, "If only you didn’t exist...” She cornered me with her absurd strength.

My line of sight naturally looked up. I could see the wide, starry sky, filled with glistening stars all over. Would this… Would this be the last view for me?

No.

I didn’t want to die yet.

I don't want this to be my last view.

I tried to grab my sister’s arms.

But my strength wouldn’t come out. I couldn’t think anymore from the lack of oxygen.

“Stop right there.”

It was a composed voice.

Her strength weakened and I escaped the crisis for the time being.

But it wasn’t the voice that I was waiting for.

“What are you doing Freya? You can’t do that in a place like this. Please forgive my fiance, Lady Sophia.”

It was my sister’s fiance, the Crown Prince’s younger brother.

It was him, the second Prince who together with my sister denounced me at that time.

He smiled amicably with the face that resembled the Crown Prince so much, and pulled away my sister’s arms from me.

“But I was surprised. I feel bad because I heard you were being sent to be Lord Hart’s bride, but it was a magnificent dance. You really are an outrageous actress if you truly are being treated badly at his place.”

When the Second Prince said so, my sister leaned forward.

“What about him is Lord Hart the Math Freak?! From where is he a madman? He is totally different! You…! You truly are lucky...”

Her voice was bitter, it sounded like a grudge that had boiled down to the core.

But I could only agree with that.

I was lucky. I was cherished by so many people, and always received their kindness. This marriage also occurred as my punishment, but it didn’t feel like a punishment at all.

"It’s like I was born under the stars…”

I murmured as I recalled my conversation with Sir Juno. My sister’s pretty face turned nasty as she heard my murmur.

“What the hell? Are you saying that you will be happy no matter what? How funny! That’s not even fair at all!”

“Lady Freya... Are you not happy?”

"You dare to say that!?"

Oops. I slipped up again.

I did so many stupid things today. Why did I do that? I thought I already used to hide my emotions no matter what I was thinking deep inside.

“Hahaha, can you guys stop it? How disgraceful. It sounds like I can’t make her happy.”

The Second Prince was smiling broadly, but I felt chill from the smile.

“Yeah… There’s no way you can be happier than me. I am always much better than you. I have more acquaintances than you. I am also much better at dancing. People love me better. Compared to me, you are only a defective product that seeks for pity...”

My sister took a deep breath and stared at me sharply. She lifted the corner of her mouth, mocking me.

“Sophia!”

I heard his voice.

Almost at the same time, she sneered.

“Sir Hart isn’t that decent either. Today he dressed up neatly, and he can also dance. But you can tell that the dance was clumsy. He can’t do basic nobles etiquette, can’t socialize properly, and doesn't even have any charisma. The only thing he has is his obsession with math. Even if I die, I would never marry someone like him.”

When I noticed it, she was already so close to me.

My sister was surprised.

Was I the one who closed our distance?

“You know nothing about him!”

The words slipped from my mouth before I could even think.

I gripped her shoulders. She tried to let go, but I shook her vigorously.

"If you don't know him, please don't say anything as you like! Your impression is really far from him. He's cooler than the Holy Knight Aviel, more intelligent than the Wise Moonknock, and his figure is better than Emperor Leonis I, but also as delicate as the sculptor Iriah. Despite all that, he still cares and protects me!"

My voice could compare to her scream from earlier. Deep inside my mind, I wondered if people inside the ballroom could hear me.

"No matter how excellent you are or how inferior I am to you, Sir Juno doesn't have anything to do in this matter!"

"What's that! Why are you praising him like you guys getting along so well? What a Good-for-nothing couple!"

"I just said…!!"

As we kept yelling at each other, things started to escalate when someone cut in.

“Enough. Stop right there”

“Sir Juno…!”

He pulled me away from my sister with a stern face and glared at the Second Prince who only spectated our quarrel the whole time.

"What a repulsing hobby."

"Is that so? Ah, I mean, sorry that I'm not a blockhead like my brother. But my fiancé and sir Hart's wife are sisters, so basically I am your brother-in-law. Let's just get along, shall we?"

"I refuse."

"What a quick answer. Ah, but my brother would do well at times like this. For me, it's too bothersome so I can't help it."

"You are similar to him. Even this side of you too."

"Hahaha, I'm very pleased. Freya, let's go now."

The Second Prince's smile quickly disappeared, as he dragged my sister who still scowled at me, along with her disheveled hair. They went back inside.

Looking at her back, I called her out.

“Sister."

“I said, don’t…!"

“I am happy. More than anyone else”

A scream that was more close to a screech was slowly fading away in the distance.

Sir Juno seemed to be flustered to find me who was suddenly gone, looking at his dripping sweat. "If this keeps happening, I have no choice but to hold your hand all the time", he said with a serious face. Which made me laugh, "Only this one time…!", He said again.

“More than that, You… Did you just get angry?”

"Huh?"

I recalled what happened.

She insulted Sir Juno, and I lost it. Blood rose up to my head, and I couldn't control myself. Before I could judge the situation, my mouth already moved on its own.

Ah, I see.

Looking at me who already understood what I feel, Sir Juno bit on his lips curiously.

I look at the complete darkness which enveloped us on the balcony, where the tune of music could be heard faintly. The night breeze felt comforting as it cooled down my body.

After a moment of silence, Juno-sama seemed firm.

"You seemed angry when she said something about me, was it on impulse?"

"I think so… I can't stand to see Sir Juno being belittled..."

If I was the one being belittled, I'd solemnly accept it. Since I thought it was natural to do so.

But as soon as she brought up Sir Juno, my head and my body became filled with anger. Before I knew it, my body moved on its own.

I even threw back unnecessary remarks, of course she was offended. I felt regret on why I said such things, but on the other hand, I felt like it was the right action. It truly was complicated.

His fingers suddenly crept towards my cheek.

When I tried to look up, my chin was already lifted up.

At that moment,

He pulled away his face from mine in a second.

“...What was that?”

“I don’t know…”

Sir Juno turned his face away. His ears which peeked through his hair were red.

“My body moved on its own. Just forget it.”

“But…”

“Forget it.”

Even if he said that….

Heat was gradually spreading from the part that Sir Juno just touched, and the wind which caressed my cheek turned even colder.

He looked up at the sky, but eventually cleared his throat to change the topic.

"I have become crazy ever since I came here. Let's just go home."

"Yes…” I replied vaguely.

After a few steps, he turned around and held out his hand.

I took that hand and once again walked inside, together.

Our interlaced hands were so hot that I couldn't feel them anymore. But… We never did let go of each other anymore during the ball.

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