119: Escort Etiquette
“How do I look today?”
Should you ask your older sister that?
Well, she might wear the same outfit on her upcoming date.
Then, I needed to assess her attire critically, to ensure my sister wouldn’t be judged unfairly.
I looked her over again.
My sister was wearing the same light red checked dress as before.
While she had looked like a summer fairy with the straw hat, I had to amend that assessment.
It was now autumn, and she was wearing a light pink, long-sleeved jacket over the sleeveless dress.
If her question was about whether the outfit suited her, it was foolish.
She was undeniably adorable.
I decided to give “Tailor” another bonus.
She was no longer a summer fairy, but an autumn messenger.
I wanted to hug her, whisper in her ear how lovely she looked.
…But that wasn’t what my sister was looking for.
I pretended to assess her outfit, a finger on my lips, my expression serious, trying to find the right words.
――“[It suits you.]”
A voice, like the buzzing of insects, a jarring, unpleasant sound, yet also strangely… intoxicating, like the feeling of being drunk, a pleasant dizziness that made it impossible to think clearly… echoed in my mind, amidst the noise of the city.
Having just been complimented by my sister, I was tempted to follow my heart and say, “It suits you,” but I chose different words.
“…You look like anything but a noble.”
Leticia’s eyes widened… and then she looked down.
Seeing her dejected expression, I felt a pang of guilt. Did she want me to say it suited her that much?
“…Well, it suits you. Yes, it suits you.”
I tried to backpedal, but after saying, “You look like anything but a noble,” it sounded like sarcasm.
Well, perhaps that was appropriate for a villainous sister.
However, my sister’s face brightened.
“You just said it suits me!”
There was no need for that triumphant, satisfied expression, as if she had caught me saying something I couldn’t take back.
“Y-yes, well… I suppose I did.”
“I’m so glad you said that! Come on, Elder Sister, let’s go!!”
Leticia’s energy visibly returned.
What had I said that pleased her so much?
However, I couldn’t let her get too carried away. I had to remind her of her position.
“—Don’t get too excited. Always be mindful of your status.”
“…Yes, I’m sorry.”
I offered Leticia my hand.
“…You lack experience in being escorted. Today, we’ll practice.”
My sister tilted her head, looking puzzled.
This excuse was… weak.
However, I couldn’t retract my hand now, so I maintained a neutral expression, as if stating the obvious.
After a moment, Leticia smiled.
“…Even if it’s just practice, I’m happy, Elder Sister.”
She placed her hand in mine.
Her hand was slightly smaller than mine, warmer, softer… gentler.
Then, she linked her arm with mine.
“Let’s go, Elder Sister.”
And she pressed her chest against my arm.
That was a lethal weapon.
…Right. I had forgotten.
I had realized, during our bath together, that my sister hadn’t been taught the proper etiquette for being escorted.
“…That’s improper.”
“What? We’re both women, and we’re sisters.”
She had a point.
She did have a point.
But my feelings for my sister were beyond logic and propriety.
How else could I face the guillotine without fear?
I knew my love was… intense.
…And I didn’t want her to know.
“…I said today is escort practice. Do you intend to behave like that with gentlemen as well?”
“No, of course not. There aren’t any gentlemen like that.”
Leticia shook her head, her expression serious, which was unusual for her.
Her words bothered me.
…There weren’t?
Despite being so adored?
She was supposed to… have feelings for the three [Capture Targets].
Perhaps she hadn’t chosen anyone because she liked all three equally and was equally close to them…
In the game, she ended up with one of the [Capture Targets].
Konrad, Felix, or Louis… one of those three.
I only had the [Memory Log] for the linear paths, where you chose one character and followed their route. I didn’t understand the game’s ‘rules’ for choosing all three equally.
…What would happen if Leticia didn’t choose anyone?
If my sister had someone she wanted to be with, someone beyond the confines of fate, I, as her older sister, would want to help her…
“So, Elder Sister, what is the proper way to be escorted?”
“It depends on the situation. If someone offers you their hand, simply accept it. Sometimes, it’s just a formality.”
Like when Konrad offered me his hand as I boarded the carriage.
“If they offer you their arm, lightly hold onto it. And don’t press your chest against them.”
While it might be an effective seduction technique…
…I didn’t want her to learn such things… was that a selfish desire as an older sister?
“Understood, Elder Sister.”
But my sister simply nodded with an innocent smile.
Even as she said that, her arm remained linked with mine.
The feeling of her… closeness… was eroding my reason.
“And… they might kiss your hand…”
My sister’s expression became serious again.
“Um… do I have the right to refuse?”
“…If it’s someone you dislike, and they are of lower or equal standing, simply pull your hand away. You even have my permission, in the name of Vanderwaals, to slap them.”
My sister nodded.
“I see.”
“…Or rather, regardless of their status, gently pull your hand away if you’re uncomfortable. If you don’t want to cause a scene.”
I had a feeling my sister would actually slap someone.
While I could use the Vanderwaals’ influence to smooth things over, I should be the one handling such… violent matters.
“Understood.”
My sister nodded again.
“Then, why don’t we practice?”
“…What?”
“Like, what to do if someone kisses your hand, or… escort practice.”
What was my sister saying?
“I already explained that…”
“My tutors always say that review and practice are important.”
Leticia said with a serious expression.
What a waste of a serious face.
I sighed and, changing my approach, took Leticia’s hand and lifted it.
Then, I leaned closer and brought my lips to the back of her hand—
I clicked my tongue lightly.
“…Wait, you’re not actually going to kiss it?”
“I’m just mimicking a kiss. I wouldn’t actually kiss it unless we were lovers or married.”
What was my sister—
“I wouldn’t mind if it were Elder Sister.”
…Were there really… such people?
Where did she learn such techniques?
…The terrifying possibility that it was from the extensive collection of romance novels in the mansion library, funded by our family’s wealth, crossed my mind.
Those were fantasies. That was what romance stories were.
If anything, they were for… inspiration.
I wanted to question my sister’s views on romance and then tell her to stop using me as a practice partner, but for that, I needed to be able to talk to her calmly.
And then a more terrifying thought crossed my mind: what if this was just… my sister, being herself…?
This was how she acted with her older sister.
What would happen if she got serious? What kind of villainess would she become?
I silently returned her hand.
“Next is escort practice.”
“Okay.”
Leticia nodded, smiling.
I took her hand and placed it on my arm.
…My sister obediently followed my lead, and I stopped mid-motion.
“Why aren’t you resisting? I told you to pull away if you’re uncomfortable.”
“There’s nothing Elder Sister could do that would make me uncomfortable.”
Leticia’s tone was firm.
I thought this was practice for when an unpleasant person offered to escort you.
“…Let’s go, Leticia.”
“Okay!”
I resumed the escort practice.
Leticia lightly held onto my arm, as instructed.
That was the correct posture.
But…
I couldn’t help but think…
…that I had also… rather enjoyed it when she had linked her arm with mine earlier…
Just a little.
