I Don’t Trust My Twin Sister

The man, whose expression hardly changed, slowly moved his head with a very flustered expression. Was it too much? Maybe, but she had to do that to not be ignored.

“Money is meant to be used. The Ajstain family lives frugality and humility, but there must be times like this. If you only take care of the local people, you will eventually distance yourself from the ruling class.”

“If…”

“This coming-of-age ceremony is for that purpose. As the host of the party, I, the main character, will close the distance with the nobles I’ve been estranged from. Do you understand?”

“All right. I think it’s a wise decision.”

That’s a cool answer. I liked it, too.

“And I will personally send an invitation to the Duchy of Berdian.”

“Is there any reason why you are sending them separately?”

“Ian… no. I want His Excellency the Grand Duke of Berdian to come. I personally need him.”

He should come. Only then I would be able to press down Beralt with a thousand blades. For that I had to be seen with Ian at my coming-of-age ceremony. There was no more time to grumble. The longer I waited, the more Beralt stretched out his hand. Akpensia was a family that could never be ignored. If it gets complicated, it could be embarrassing, so I should seize his hands first.

“Oh, and there’s something in particular I’d like you to do for me…”

“what…?”

I took out the picture I had drawn in advance and handed it to him. I smiled as I watched the butler’s expression grow strange.

“Do you need this?”

“I need it.”

It’s necessary, because there’s nothing like a present to date someone, and since she didn’t want to give money, she should give the guy what he liked the most.

“There were a lot of books in his house. He was not like a warrior leader.”

“He?”

“It’s nothing.”

I put on my clothes again and turned around. The butler quickly understood what it meant to go out, greeted me and then disappeared. I stayed alone in my office and pictured the coming-of-age ceremony in my mind. The paintings painted in the past were very shabby and insignificant. So, Beralt must have bitten and stretched. But this time it’s different.

“Try to feel it.”

How great is the financial power of the Ajstain family.

* * *

Early in the morning, I called Ersia who did not come out of her room. Normally, I would have gone and said it myself, but it had been a long time since I had changed from usual. I stopped, and firmly instructed the butler to bring my sister, and after a while, Ercia entered the office with a tired expression.

It was early in the morning, not long after breakfast, but the office was not crowded at all. It was the result of calling all the managers who were planning a coming-of-age party by talking to the butler yesterday. I said it would be until tomorrow, but people who knew my personality couldn’t help but know that my words meant ‘until I finish my work’. That’s why the 15 managers made a loud noise in the room in the morning and created a crazy scene.

After glancing at Ersia, who entered with a click, I immediately turned away. She ran like this and said, ‘I had a hard time coming’.

‘I’m sorry you had to come…’ If I said something like that, I’d be a good older sister, but I’d be ignored. Now, I wanted to be a sister who was not ignored rather than a good sister.

“…”

“Why is that?”

Knowing but pretending not to know, I turned my gaze to the fingers of the managers pointing at Ersia, who was standing sloppy and unable to attach her words anywhere. I knew she had already come, but acting was a necessity nonetheless. I let out a sigh with a sly surprised face. Then, they applauded to get people’s attention.

Clap! Clap!

The sound rang loudly twice, and all the eyes of the people who were discussing and consulting with each other turned to me. Of course, Ersia’s eyes were also fixed on me. I smiled softly and pointed at Ersia.

“Greetings, everyone. Is this your first time seeing her? She is my twin sister, her name is Ersia.”

The managers in my introduction we saying ‘Beautiful’ or ‘I’ve heard a lot about her’ etc. Everyone bowed and bowed. Perhaps it was burdensome to be greeted with so many stares at her. I felt a flinch.

In the past, I would have felt sorry for this one action, but not now. It’s just disgusting crying.

Gently pushing Ersia, I brought her to the seat where I used to do my work and put her in the middle. Ersia was shrinking her body as if the people’s stares were burdensome.

“It’s okay. It won’t be a big deal. I called you today because I have something very important to say. Ercia, are you upset that your sister called you all of a sudden??”

If I openly treated her badly, bad stories about me would come out. But if I was friendly on the outside, it’s a completely different story.

She pretends to care for others, pretends to be okay, smiles and gives up her footsteps. She also broke her speech and wrote it differently. When the subject of the words became the other person, the situation was simply reversed.

“Ersia, are you upset that your sister brought you like this? If so, I’m sorry. Sia, isn’t it embarrassing?”

I’d learned from all these gunners.”

“Oh, no.”

I gently stroked her hair as she shook her head with her already flushed face.

Same height, same looks, same age. But one was the older sister and the other was the younger sister. It’s only a 3-minute difference, but my attitude toward her would make a difference in people’s impressions.

“As expected, Lady Lorencia looks a little brighter since she is with Lady Ercia. She seems to care and love her younger sister a lot.”

“I also heard that Lady Laurencia takes care of Lady Ersia every day.

We looked the same, but I was better than my sister. I made sacrifices but never neglected my work. That was the impression I wanted them to have of me.

That was something Ersia could never have.

Outward beauty? we had the same appearance. If she was beautiful, then I was also beautiful. It did not matter. Gentleness? Was I the only one struggling for my sister? Was she considerate of others? Which one would they prefer, consideration that was completely done with the heart, or consideration that was filled with material and mind? The answer was already decided.

“Everyone, stop looking at Ercia. My sister will wear out. Isn’t she the face you see every day anyway? Through me.”

I smiled and cupped my face. Each one burst into laughter at my pun and nodded their heads. While everyone was laughing, Ersia was the only one who couldn’t laugh. In this office, she had the same appearance as me, but she was a person with no connection.

‘Make it clear in your eyes.’

“Rather than that, Sir Dale, did you bring the sketch I asked for?”

“Ah! I’m sorry. I forgot to show you in advance.”

Sir Dale hurriedly took the large pictures and spread them slowly on the desk. I scanned them with my eyes.

“It’s okay. I was going to watch it with Ersia anyway.”

I stroked her hair gently. I tried hard to keep the fine, fine black hair, this softness that shined beautifully as if it were polished with obsidian. Until the result of that effort gave birth to the horror of grabbing my neck and sucking my blood.

“Miss Laurencia?”

I turned my head again at the voice calling me. Sir Dale was waiting for my reaction. He seemed to smile.

“I was thinking about something else for a while. Uhm, let’s see.”

Among the several paintings, there was a sketch that I had overlooked before. Even though it was a coming-of-age ceremony, the clothes were quite revealing. Because of that one dress, I pointed out Sir Dale and called him aside. Because he was the one who made that dress.

I didn’t really like it at the time, but it was a problem with my eyesight. Four years later, the third daughter of the Duke of Safeldrick would appear wearing that dress. Because of the exposure, it caused a stir, but the figure was so beautiful that the design became popular. It was burdensome to see her breasts cut deep and dangerous, but what could I do? Something beautiful enough to become fashionable was needed for my coming-of-age. However, I did not pick and choose the sketch right away. A caring older sister didn’t choose these things first.

“Ersia, which one do you like?”

“Eh, yes?!”

Embarrassingly, Ersia made up her appearance as a very passive child. She wanted nothing and her assertiveness was minimal. She obediently followed what others told her to do. Most of them commented that Ersia was kind and gentle. But no. She’s not docile, she’s just pretending. I didn’t know if she’s actually like that or if she really approved of me, but that’s not the point.

“Can’t you choose?”

“…”

I could clearly see her eyes rolling round and round. Yeah, she didn’t even know. She hadn’t been to many parties and didn’t wear many dresses. Moreover, she had to be aware of the particularity of the coming-of-age dress. It’s bound to be difficult

“That. Hey… I am.”

I looked at Ersia, who was mumbling and unable to follow her words. In the past, she was only accepted as a timid and good child. The you I knew wasn’t like that at all. I didn’t even think that all of her would be fake. Ersia in the past was cleverer and more calculating than I was. This kid knew exactly how to use people.

“Is it hard?”

So this time, I would be a really ‘good’ sister.

“Then let your sister choose.”

I smiled and stretched out my hand. I stood out for being plain and dark. This type of dress was popular at the time.

“Eh… I think it’s pretty.”

I looked at Ersia, who nodded her head and smiled. Was she really sincere? I checked the corners of her mouth. The secret I knew but pretended not to know was laughter. To know the truth of her Ersia, I had to find the thorn hidden in a smile that seemed kind and warn. That thorn was the corner of the mouth.

She didn’t laugh like that when she laughed sincerely. The corners of her mouth curl up a little more and her lips part. All other laughs were lies. Maybe it was Ersia who got older and interfered with my work, but now she was just a child dancing on the palm of my hand. That’s why I knew it better than anyone else. Where would she go with that habit?

“Um, then let’s do this. Ersia will do this, and I…”

“Now, wait a minute, sister.”

I got her.

“Why?”

“Don’t you dress like me?”

“Same outfit? Why?”

A laugh flowed from her visibly embarrassed look, but she held it down. Other times Ercia wanted to look more glamorous than me at an important party or a place where she needed to stand out. She prefers bright and clear colors rather than dull and dark colors. So she must have worn a yellow dress to Ercia’s coming-of-age ceremony. I believed and followed her words, thinking it was my grandfather’s consideration. However, I could easily see that Ersia had asked our grandfather. Unlike Ersia, who had no contact with people, the people around us were my allies and friends.

—————————————————————

Translator Note:

Want to read more?