The older guard standing before us shook his head slightly, his face etched with resignation.

"Miss Violet is always so willful. My apologies," he said, giving us an apologetic glance.

The girl who stepped out of the carriage trotted over quickly. She wore a plain dress, her flaxen hair cascading to her waist. Full of spirit, her lively eyes scanned me eagerly—as if she’d found a one-of-a-kind treasure.

But that gaze... it made me feel like a creepy uncle eyeing an unsuspecting little girl.

The older guard turned, blocking her path. She pouted and stepped back several paces.

"Move aside, Uncle Gry!" she said unhappily. "You know I haven’t slept well for a whole month."

Gry scratched his head awkwardly but explained patiently, "Miss Violet, the master ordered your safety must be guaranteed, no matter what."

"Safety?" Her face darkened with displeasure. "You’re overcautious. This sister poses no threat at all."

Though eager to rush over, she kept a three-step distance from the guard. Gry tried whispering objections, but I heard every word clearly.

Our sudden appearance must seem suspicious.

I planned to explain we were lost travelers and ask to join them. Stepping forward, I cleared my throat softly—but the flaxen-haired girl stopped arguing. Pouting angrily, she lunged straight at me.

Her soft, youthful body knocked me to the ground, crushing the low green grass. Violet grinned triumphantly, burying her head to rub her hair against my face. Our bodies pressed tightly together, not even paper-thin space between us. Her arms locked around me while I lay utterly bewildered.

"Miss Violet!" Gry’s startled cry rang out. I couldn’t see his face, but shock radiated from his voice.

I ignored him, staring blankly at the bright blue sky. Slowly, I turned to Eunice, who’d stood beside me.

Eunice: "..."

Her eyes held no light, no readable emotion. Was she bewildered too? Unsure how to react to this chaos?

Eunice, having your body knocked over by a girl... I didn’t want this either.

"Miss Violet, that’s terribly rude! Come back now!" Gry urged anxiously.

"No," she snapped back, her sky-clear eyes wide. "Uncle Gry, I want this sister to come with us to Bluewater City! It’s on the way—just take them."

"Well... your father must personally agree."

I snapped out of my daze, pressing my hands on Violet’s shoulders to create a small gap. I exhaled quietly.

"Um, could you let go first, Miss Violet?" I murmured.

"Yes, yes, Miss, please get up," Gry chimed in hastily.

"Fine, I’ll get up," she pouted, rising reluctantly. "But sister, tell me your name."

I stood, brushing grass from my clothes. "My name? I’m Ke—"

"Her name is Miroa," Eunice interrupted.

Huh?

I looked at her. She met my gaze with dark eyes, then looked away at Violet and the guard.

"She’s Miroa Aranxiene. My... sister."

Wait—what did Eunice just say?

My gaze froze. Sister? Me? Miroa Aranxiene?

"Sister? She’s actually your sister?" Violet covered her mouth, eyes blazing with delight. "A sister! Wonderful! I thought you were a couple."

"Actually, I suspected the sister you’re carrying was the third wheel," she added, biting her index finger lightly. "My mistake. Sorry."

Speechless, I waited for Eunice to continue—but she fell silent, gazing coolly into the distance. She glanced at me once. Her eyes stayed flat, yet I sensed her meaning clearly: *I’ve said my part. You handle the rest.*

Damn it! Since you started, finish it!

Casually throwing a sister identity at me and abandoning it?

For a second, I wanted to grab Eunice’s shoulders and shake her until her eyes swirled dizzily—that look of being utterly toyed with.

But I lacked the courage. And the strength. I swallowed my frustration.

Fine. Sister it is. Our identities are swapped anyway—I’m the older brother. That thought eased my heart.

As the elder, I’d clean up my willful sister’s mess. To Violet and the guard, I said, "Our companion was accidentally injured and is unconscious. We can’t treat her. Meeting you was fortunate. If Miss agrees to take us to the nearest town, it’d be a relief. As for payment..."

Payment? I had little. That rose emblem belonged to Rosalynd—I couldn’t give it away.

I’d blurted a troublesome word...

Violet rescued me. She shook her head quickly, grabbing my arms with hopeful eyes.

"No payment needed, Sister Miroa. We have enough. Your companion’s hurt—asking for payment would be stingy," she pleaded pitifully. "Just... stay with me on the way to Bluewater City. And sleep with me at night... okay? Please, Sister Miroa. I can’t stand it anymore."

Wait—something’s off. No, everything’s off. I yanked my arms free. Violet’s face crumpled, tears welling in her eyes.