35 Making Up

A few minutes later... after I explained to the Young Miss and her Personal Maid what I was doing:

"Hahaha! So that's what happened? No wonder she was so freaked out~" The Young Miss laughed in delight after dragging me to her personal Training Ground and hearing the full story. Isn't she taking this a little too relaxedly? Where is her shock?

It seems like she was in-the-know about the details regarding Merilin's assassination attempt. Not only was she not surprised one bit about what happened to us, but her eyes seemed to shine with admiration as she now saw me in a new light. I don't know what she was planning, but her tone is annoying...

"Have you never heard of a thing called subtlety? For what reason are you intervening in our family matters?" I couldn't help but ask as I saw how Merilin was using the Young Miss' body as some sort of meat-shield. We were both sitting comfortably in front of a little round table, but I couldn't help but feel a difference of treatment between us, especially when Sylphy dutifully refilled the Young Miss' tea.

"Because you are stupid."

"What...?"

"From what I heard: You came clean with what happened not too long ago, a decision that took a lot of courage to execute no doubt... However, you failed to grasp something extremely obvious due to your lack of empathy. Merilin doesn't see you the same way you do. You have to communicate to each other better or else your actions can be misunderstood." Sapphire smiled knowingly as turned her head.

"Sit down as well. The tea Sylphy makes is very delicious~!" She softly called out to Merilin behind her who was silently shaking her head, but after persuading her for some time, that same fearful little sister of mine reluctantly decided to sit down on a chair which was moved closer to Sapphire's side...

"Merilin, were you scared of him?" She asked with a gentle tone while patting her head. Merilin's shoulders shook at her words, but she was able to respond by nodding her head. I couldn't help but feel a little confused concerning how close they were.

Could it be that they were friends? No wonder Merilin hid behind her as soon as she saw her.

Wait... Now that I think about it, aren't I drinking Sylphy's handmade tea? It's pretty good if I do say so myself. I wonder how I'll express the feelings I now have towards her after gaining a completely new self-understanding of my mind just recently.

Damn, even though there's a serious discussion going on, I couldn't help but secretly steal a few gazes at Sylphy who was working hard for the Young Miss. She seemed to be avoiding me...

Well, back to the topic at hand, it isn't surprising that she was scared of me considering the state of that assassin's corpse. Who would be able to greet a guy like me normally after seeing that?

"Was it because of how calm his voice was after brutally murdering another human being. Did that image of a gentle older brother break upon seeing him kill someone for the first time?" Her voice pricked my ears and brought back my attention.

Merilin once again nodded in response.

Seeing how the conversation suddenly took a strange turn, I lifted a brow in puzzlement. It didn't occur to me that being calm about killing someone could also lead to this. I forgot the assassin was supposed to my first kill after reincarnating into this magical world.

"In this savage world, murder isn't that rare... but finding a natural killer like you who can kill calmly at such a young age is a little disturbing... So I don't blame her for rejecting you this way." The Young Miss stated before taking a look at the girl besides her. She put down her teacup and comforted Merilin with a hug to give her a feeling of safety.

It was at that moment when Merilin was embraced into Sapphire's arms did she seem to calm down her emotions. Her fear and confusion dissipated as she hugged back to reciprocate her kindness.

"Don't blame your brother... He is still the same person who treasured you since childhood. Listen to this friend of yours, alright?" The Young Miss spoke softly in a tone that soothed anyone hearing it.

This is the first time I realised the benefits of acting in a certain way when speaking to someone.

It was only after a long moment did they separate from each other and could finally continue the matter at hand. Merilin's emotions were still unreadable in my eyes as she turned to look at me...

"Big brother..."

"Yeah?" I responded immediately upon hearing her voice. Her eyes stared straight into my own...

"Are you really... you?"

"...Who else could I be but myself?"

"You're wrong. My big brother was nice to me. He'd complain about little mistakes I made and never take anything seriously. He was always smart, could always find answers to things I was having a hard time on, and was always cheerful. But now... You're not acting like yourself. Now your manipulative, self-centred, and only caring about results." There was a rare light on intelligence in her eyes as she accurately spoke about the changes I went through.

"...I just want everything to be perfect."

"Why?"

"Why not? Isn't it only natural that live one's life while making no mistakes. Not big ones at least."

"But... that's impossible." She said with higher rationality than I had been displaying until now...

"I guess your right..." As I reluctantly accepted her statement. She seemed to react as if I had done something unexpected. What? Even I can admit it when my ideals are a tad too unrealistic...

"Big brother, you're scary, but I think you're a good person. Sorry..." She apologised earnestly while bowing her head. Even I was unable to predict her sudden apology. What happened? Wasn't she calling me manipulative and self-centred a second ago?

I wanted some further explanation about her thoughts, but she turned her head and pretended to enjoy the sweets on the table. It's strange... a warm feeling enveloped my heart as I looked at the person who gave a chance for me and Merilin make up.

A thankful look appeared towards Sapphire as I nodded secretly towards her for helping me.

It's not like I fell for this noble girl or anything... My heart's already set on marrying a mature girl with big... 'assets'... once I was old enough. After all, I'm not some sort of eunuch who doesn't want to experience love and won't stop myself from falling for a girl the same age as my 'current' self...!

Moving on... What surprised me the most was that I had never thought the Young Miss would actually help me in such a way. A smile curved onto on my lips as I got up and embraced Merilin to thank her for forgiving me. The little sister in my arms didn't struggle but still stopped herself from reacting or even looking at the expression on my face.

"Even if you think I'm scary, I'll be content as long as your safe. I'll try to be a better person from now on... and I'm happy now that you see me in a new light." I whispered in her ear before separating.

Merlin seemed back to her usual self as we talked about many things concerning the Mage Academy she was enrolled to. It was surprising how well-taught she was regarding her future path.

Those who usually graduate from the Mage Academy are usually capable Mages or Swordsman that have their own confidence in travelling outside the Drakeyol Kingdom' borders. It was only after finishing my conversation with Merilin did I shift my attention back to the girl who gave me this opportunity to reconcile with my sister.

"Is it a coincidence that we met each other today or were you looking for me?" I asked after giving Merilin permission to play with Sylphy and continued to talk with the Young Miss.

Although it pains my heart I can't join them as they played with magic, my mind was more focused on knowing why she wanted to see me... Especially when I saw the admiration in her eyes.

"Of course I wanted to see the 'Little Hero' of our Noble Household. There are many things I wanted to talk to you about after I heard what happened! I had first thought of asking later but couldn't control my urge to look for you due to my curiosity."

"What do you want to ask exactly?"

"Would you like to be my friend?" She responded with a question of her own with pure and transparent intentions in her eyes. I could detect that there wasn't even the smallest trace of ill-will from her innocent gaze using the strong intuition of my past incarnation. This is very surprising...!

"Yes...?" Although it was an answer, it came out sounding like another inquiring response. My eyes were wide as I was unable to understand her complex thoughts... Did she fall down somewhere?

"Your heart must be jumping for joy now that your first friend is a beautiful girl as powerful and charismatic as myself! Congratulations~" After hearing her narcissistic words, my worries were thrown out the window. I only knew one person who can easily slip in such words without shame... and that was unfortunately the Young Miss before me.

Others would be unable to reply quickly out of shock or reject her out of a feeling of inferiority, but I did none of that. To me, she had always been an unpredictable young girl who just happened to be born with a higher Magical Talent rather than someone I should respect out of fear of her standing.

I feel like the person extending their hand in goodwill towards me wasn't a 'noble' but the daughter of a renowned politician. Although one was a career while the other was a standing in society, I couldn't bring myself to see in any other way than this due to the effects of having a past incarnation.

"I'm honoured to have you..." Nevertheless, there was nothing wrong with being friends with my future employer, so didn't reject her... In fact, I think I would benefit a lot from our friendship. There are many kind of things a servant like me wouldn't be able to do without their "Master's" permission.

"By the way, I find your kindness strange... You're way too nice to me. Is there a special reason?"

"Think nothing of it. Even if I hated you, my actions wouldn't change by much." Her eyes turned gentle once again as she shifted her gaze to Merilin ran off to play around with her Water Attribute with Sylphy who was entertaining her as we talked.

She must have been bored...

"I can tell that you really treasure my little sister. I am happy that you're so open-minded." I shifted my gaze as well to the little girl who was shaping Water Ether in the air using the Wand I returned. The very same one she used to throw lightning bolts at me...

"You should. Only someone as naturally kindhearted as myself would realise how cute Merilin is~!" She praised herself once again in response, but why do I feel like she's doing this to hide her true feelings...?

It's probably nothing special. It was only then that I heard something that seemed out of place in this lighthearted conversation did I realise my assumption was wrong. The atmosphere turned strange as she forced out her hurried emotion.

"I met your sister a year ago after my father made me 'practice' my killing techniques on live targets." I suddenly turned my head to look directly at her expressionless face upon hearing her words...

She didn't turn to meet my gaze, pretending to not have noticed my look, and instead continued to watch over her two childish friends while looking as if THEIR joys mattered more than hers...

"Don't worry. Those guys were convicts sentenced to death by the Royal Family. They were scum who were absolutely destined to die anyway." She then 'sensed' my gaze and responded in a bored tone.

Well... It looks like I underestimated the life of a noble, or is it just the Young Miss' father that's insanely spartan? This stagnant society of Sphera would have at least moved on from the civilisation of the middle-ages if more nobles were to be like her...

Though that's wishful thinking.

"Why do you admire me?" I asked since it was no mystery at this point that she looked up to me.