I Was Reincarnated As The Older Brother Of A Villainess Destined to Die, So I Want To Change The Future By Raising My Younger Sister With My Own Hands. I Am The Strongest In The World, But My Little Sister Must Be The Cutest In The World - Volume 3 Chapter 6.19
The following events take place approximately two to three months after “Duel (6).”
Since Zex’s emergence into the spotlight, various changes had occurred. My??Orca’s paperwork had increased, external interference had escalated, and Foranada had become more active than ever before. As various intentions entangled with one another, things gradually began to change from the usual.
Among these changes, one in particular had a significant impact: the presence of a new resident in Foranda Castle.
The individual in question appeared before me, Caron-chan, and Nina-chan, thanks to Zex’s introduction.
“So, by the request of Duke Lorambel, Minerva-san will be living with us until she enters the academy. Everyone, please get along,” Zex announced.
“…Nice to meet you,” Minerva-san responded with a slight air of displeasure.
This timing of shared living arrangements, coupled with the fact that it was requested by a Magic Crazed, made their intentions clear. Zex couldn’t possibly have forgotten about it, so they were probably offered sufficient compensation. I should confirm that later.
For now, let’s focus on Minerva-san.
To be honest, I didn’t have a favorable impression of her. It’s envy-inducing enough that she’s engaged to Zex… and yet, she directs her strong attitude towards him. Though she doesn’t seem to mind and claims to be a “good girl,” from the perspective of those around her, including me, she’s not exactly a pleasant person to deal with.
Well, since Zex accepts her, we don’t have the right to criticize, and we should make an effort to get along. We can’t complain about being incompatible when we’re living together.
“It’s been a while, Minerva-san. We’ve introduced ourselves before, but let me reintroduce myself. I’m Orca, Zex’s younger brother. Nice to meet you,” I said, taking the initiative. I smiled as I extended my right hand for a handshake.
“Nice to meet you too,” Minerva-san responded with a faint smile, shaking my hand.
Oh, it’s a more positive response than I expected. I thought she would react more defensively.
After that, Nina-chan and Caron-chan also greeted her, but her response was normal. What on earth is going on?
Curious, I glanced at Zex. He noticed my gaze and could only respond with a wry smile and a shrug.
“I have a question,” Minerva suddenly spoke up after everyone finished their greetings.
Zex responded, “What is it?”
“The girl who introduced herself as Nina, is she related to the House of Haneus… the sister or something of Lina Monou Yu Tari Haneus?”
“Oh…” Zex let out a vague sound in response to her question.
The name Lina was new to me, but I had a vague understanding of the situation. Probably, this Lina is…
“Lina is my twin sister,” Nina-chan answered Minerva-san’s question in her usual expressionless and monotone manner.
In response, Minerva-san tilted her head.
“Twin? I’ve had several conversations with Viscount Haneus, but I’ve never heard about that.”
“I was treated as a disgrace to the family… so I probably never mentioned it to anyone,” Nina-chan replied calmly.
“I see, I understand now. I shouldn’t have asked so directly. I apologize,” Minerva-san responded, unusually sincere. Meanwhile, Nina-chan remained unfazed.
Minerva-san seemed to grasp the general situation from Nina-chan’s responses. She apologized genuinely, while Nina-chan didn’t seem to mind at all, saying it was in the past.
So, the House of Haneus had some connections with the House of Lorambel. Even though they belong to different factions… Ah, it must be because the House of Haneus was also focused on magical supremacy. It’s not uncommon for relationships to form through shared ideologies and principles.
After the conversation came to a close, Zex informed us, “Well then, the four of you should get to know each other better. Sorry, but I still have some work to do,” and promptly left the room.
Wait, he’s leaving only this group behind!?
………
Silence dominated the room.
Well, that was to be expected. It would be difficult to liven up the atmosphere with this group alone.
However, we couldn’t just stay in this stagnant state forever. The only one who could break the ice… was me, right?
Nina-chan was out of the question. Caron-chan wouldn’t be able to handle Minerva-san. So, by process of elimination, there was no choice but for me to take on the role of the host.
“Well then… shall we have a tea party?” I suggested, trying to find a safe starting point for getting to know each other.
Surprisingly, Minerva-san was enthusiastic about the idea.
“Since we’re here, I’ll make the tea.”
Moreover, she offered to make the tea herself.
I widened my eyes in surprise.
“Huh, you can make tea?”
I couldn’t help but blurt it out, but I guess it couldn’t be helped. After all, it’s hard to believe that someone like a duke’s daughter would possess the skill of making tea.
“I-I’m sorry,” I quickly apologized for my rude remark, but Minerva-san just chuckled.
“I understand why you might find it surprising. I only learned recently myself,” she replied, averting her gaze.
“Oh, is that so?” I thought she had been interested in it for a long time.
She answered while looking away.
“Well, isn’t his hobby tea?”
“His…? Wait, could it be!?”
Minerva-san didn’t respond, but her silence was confirmation enough.
It might be the most surprising thing I’ve learned recently. Considering how she always complains about him, I assumed she disliked Zex. But her willingness to learn his hobby… Does that mean she doesn’t dislike him that much after all?
As I pondered this, Caron-chan suddenly stood up.
“You’re just trying to score points, aren’t you?”
“Huh!?”
I was taken aback by her unexpected statement.
Before I could stop her, Caron-chan continued speaking.
“Once she found out that her older brother can handle unknown magic, she learned it just to flatter him, didn’t she?”
“What are you talking about?”
“C-Caron-chan, that’s going too far!”
Minerva-san raised her eyebrows sharply.
I panicked and tried to admonish Caron-chan, but she didn’t stop at all.
“Well, there’s no other way to think about it. Someone who kept making remarks that hurt her older brother suddenly tries to align her hobbies with his. It’s a terrible about-face,” Caron-chan continued.
“G-Geez, that hits hard, but it’s different when it comes to making tea. I’ve been learning it even before his abilities became apparent!” Minerva-san defended herself.
“I don’t know about that. People can say anything afterward,” Caron-chan retorted.
“Then why don’t you ask Zex yourself? After my Ninth Rite, he tasted the tea I made!” Minerva-san challenged.
“W-When did that happen!? That’s not fair, you sneaky cat!”
“What, sneaky cat? I’m his fiancée, so if anything, you’re the one in the position of a sneaky cat!”
“To consider me, a noble lady, a sneaky cat… I won’t forgive you. Meet me outside and settle this once and for all!”
“Fine, I don’t like you anyway. Coming out so boldly as my little sister. I’ll show you the power of your sister-in-law!”
“You’re the one who suddenly appeared out of nowhere. It’s too late to apologize now!”
“That’s what I should be saying!”
The argument erupted abruptly. Caron-chan and Minerva-san didn’t know when to stop and it gradually escalated. Eventually, it escalated into a magical battle in the courtyard.
Of course, both Nina-chan and I tried to intervene, but they completely ignored us.
In the end, Minerva-san lost badly and locked herself in her room, crying.
It was supposed to be a gathering to foster friendship, but it produced the exact opposite result, and I was at a loss.
But… the story didn’t end there.
Afterward, Caron-chan and Minerva-san continued to argue frequently. Every time they met, it seemed like they were fighting. And ultimately, it would escalate into a magical battle.
At first, I rushed to intervene, but eventually, I realized it. “Ah, this is one of those ‘they argue because they’re close’ situations.”
Those two might not get along on the surface, but fundamentally, they’re quite similar.
Sigh… I must have looked like an idiot desperately trying to stop them.
In the end, the arguments between Caron-chan and Minerva-san became a famous spectacle in the Foranada Castle. All’s well that ends well, I suppose.