Fio followed Leon back to Donghui Kingdom’s capital, the City of Sunrise.

It was far more magnificent than Fio had ever imagined. Seeing such a grand, splendid capital for the first time fulfilled so many of her fantasies.

The streets teemed with people of all kinds of races, and crowds of people from every walk of life filled them.

So this is what another world is supposed to feel like!

And so many pretty girls~ Such a feast for the eyes~ Fio giggled foolishly to herself.

Leon asked, “Fio, do you like it here?”

“It’s got a great atmosphere. I’m just not used to there being so many people.”

“Stay close. Don’t get separated.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Leon led Fio to his home. To her surprise, it wasn’t luxurious at all. It was a simple, cozy place instead.

“I’m home.”

“Welcome home~ It’s been so long since you came back, Leon~”

As Fio entered alongside Leon, she heard a light, lilting voice. A beautiful blonde woman greeted them.

Even her simple house clothes couldn’t hide her striking figure. Her long hair was tied in a low ponytail that fell over her chest—the same hairstyle as Fio’s.

Her eyes were full of warmth. She seemed just like the big sister Fio had always wanted to run up to and snuggle against.

Ooh! What a beautiful big sister!! Fio stared at her, entranced, and started giggling.

The woman seemed to notice Fio. She gave her a gentle smile and said, “Hello. Are you a friend of Leon’s?”

“M-my name is Fio! I’m the ice from the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Mountain—”

Fio answered excitedly, but before she could finish, Leon pinched her waist. She let out a startled yelp.

The blonde woman tilted her head in confusion. Only then did Fio remember what Leon had told her earlier. She had no idea what to make up, so she fell silent.

“Mother, she’s a slave I picked up. She’ll be working as a maid here from now on…”

Leon lifted Fio’s hat, revealing her silver hair.

“How unusual. Leon’s brought a girl home! Have you finally come around?”

Under the blonde woman’s slightly surprised gaze, Fio felt so awkward that she ducked behind Leon to avoid it.

Waaah, can someone teach me how to talk to a sister this beautiful?!

“What a shy, adorable child.” The blonde woman walked over to Fio and crouched beside her. “My name is Alisa. I’m Leon’s mother. You can call me by my name if you like—I’d be very happy.”

“For someone like you to speak to a lowly ant like me… I’m blessed beyond measure!”

Fio clutched her robe, her voice trembling with barely contained excitement.

She had never felt so happy! A beauty like Alisa had smiled at her—Fio could’ve eaten ten whole bowls of rice!

“Oh my, what an interesting child.”

“I-I have something to say, Lady Alisa. Would you listen…?”

“Mm-hmm, go ahead, Little Fio.”

Thinking about what she was about to say, Fio felt so bold and impulsive that she buried her face behind Leon’s back, trying to hide her embarrassment.

Though it came out barely louder than a mosquito’s buzz, Fio let out a cry from the depths of her soul: “Ma’am… I love you!”

……

“Ha~ ha~ ha~ ha~”

Fio sat on the sofa, watching Alisa prepare afternoon tea, and grinned like a fool.

“Fio, remember not to give anything away later. Stick to the story we agreed on.”

Leon suddenly popped into view, blocking Fio’s line of sight. Her expression immediately went cold.

“Got it. Leon, you’re in my way.”

Then Fio shoved his annoying face out of the way.

It was one thing for pretty girls to throw themselves at him, but even his mother was this charming. Where was the justice?

Fio had always longed for girls, yet she’d spent decades single and hadn’t even held a girl’s hand since she was born. And this guy had only been traveling with Leon for two days, yet she’d already seen all kinds of girls throwing themselves at him. It was downright unfair!

At this rate, did this guy even have a little sister too?

“Leon, do you have a younger sister?” Fio asked.

“Yeah! Fio, how did you know? But my sister and I haven’t been getting along lately. We barely talk. Whenever she sees me, she looks away, and if I try to spend time alone with her, she comes up with an excuse to leave. She used to be so clingy when we were kids…” Leon sighed in frustration. “Fio, my sister really does hate me, doesn’t she?”

Damn it, I knew it! You light-novel protagonist—how much of a winner do you have to be?!

Fio was so annoyed that she didn’t want to talk to Leon anymore.

Even an idiot could see what was going on here. His sister had obviously fallen for him, so why was he showing off about it in front of me? Was he trying to blind me after all the other times he’d already dazzled me these past few days?

Damn it! Explode already, you harem-having normie!

“I’m home, Mother.”

Fio heard another lovely girl’s voice and looked up. A girl in a swordsman’s uniform had come home to Leon’s place. She looked so much like Alisa that they could’ve been made from the same mold.

“Oh, Vivian’s home! And Leon came back today too!” Alisa said, setting down the teapot.

Vivian’s blonde hair was tied in lively twin tails. She was in the bloom of youth and had a very lovely figure. She wasn’t as voluptuous as Alisa, but she stood out among girls her age. Given time, she might even become more beautiful than Alisa.

Fio instantly rated Vivian an S-rank beauty.

“Huh? My brother’s back?”

“Vivian? It’s been a long time.” Leon stood up and greeted his sister.

When Vivian saw Leon’s face, her composed expression suddenly turned flustered. Unsure how to react, she shifted her gaze elsewhere.

Then she noticed Fio, and their eyes met.

“……”

“……”

“……?”

“……!”

Fio saw Vivian’s eyes. It was as if she’d thought something over and reached a decision—then the light in her eyes gradually faded.

She was like a leopard from the snow mountain now, radiating undisguised bloodlust.

“Hmm? A little homewrecker?”

Vivian’s strangely icy voice was full of obsessive resentment, making Fio’s teeth chatter.