3 For my dearest little sister

The cleaning up is done and so is my paperwork. The sun has descended. It's time for dinner with my dearest cute little sister.

My mood has been terrible about the rumours.

They were many, but a lot of them has something to do with our family's reputation. It's weird that a person who is always healthy fainted and was in a coma for 5 years, so people began to speculate lots of things. Some said it was retribution because our family killed a lot of people, and they were also some nonsense ones like the duke's daughter was cursed because the duke and I did it because she was considered 'useless'.

Unlike Carina, the duke and I, we were born with a huge amount of mana with a dark element, befitting of our ducal household. But Carina was born with an average one. During these modern times, a mana is hardly something that is considered an achievement because we no longer rely on magic and alchemy.

But we are Asperas. We are different.

We supposed to be stronger and more influential than others. So Carina is considered to be normal. That is why it is more dangerous for her. She will either be targeted to control our family or be ridiculed because we couldn't be ridiculed. Carina's existence is a double-edged sword.

I should've been worried about her entering the society with that kind of rumours, but there's nothing to worry about. The house is flourishing enough under my care, so she does not need to be in concern about doing her duties. All I want is for her to live normally.

Just thinking about her makes me happy, until my aide brought up something,

"Young master, have you noticed about the young lady?," my aide, Gale, spoke up.

My eyes lit up at the mention of Carina. "Yes? Even though she's all grown up she's still very cute and adorable right? Ah, when she called me brother, I almost fainted," I said, giggling.

Gale coughed, "well yes…that too,". But Gale turned serious, "young master, I am sure you noticed but…young lady became very quiet,".

I sighed. Of course, I am no fool. Carina had always been the reserved and mature child, but her eyes are always full of enthusiasm and curiosity. She became a light for me, who always had to be serious and burdened by the duties of being the next head.

But Carina seems slightly different. She became quiet. She no longer shows any like or dislike, meaning that she has no interests or strong feelings towards anything. Her activities are merely reading, rehabilitating and staying in her room. She talks less and only respond to my stories if necessary, rarely asking any questions.

Her mentality is supposed to be that of a 12-year-old because she missed growing up in those 5 years, but right now her behaviour is equivalent to that of an old woman. It's not much of a deviation from her personality back then, but it seemed to be intensified sort to speak.

It's been 4 weeks. The doctor said she's fine and just need to recuperate. The rehabilitation for her to walk again also seems fine. But I can't figure out why she's a little different. She almost seemed depressed.

"Is it because she has no friends? Or is she bored?," I asked myself.

If her physical health is fine, then it is definitely a mental thing.

"Maybe she needs to do what other young ladies her age do!," Gale suggested enthusiastically.

Gale is a top graduate of the academy. He is also the second son of Baron Guilde. The Guilde family has produced many prominent aides and his elder brother is currently the crown prince's aide.

Not only his talent and his loyalty, but his ideas and interests are also aligned with mine. So I usually agree with his statements and suggestions.

But I doubt it this time.

"No... Gale. While there's certain truth to what you said, it's been years ever since she talked to people her age. She also missed her debut. Pushing her to socialize is like throwing a harmless rabbit into the tiger den. I am terrified for her safety,"

Plus, the fact that she was in a coma for 5 years alone will made her a target. People will think that she is still a child, so Carina is the perfect 'tool' for their schemes to take down the Aspera family and she herself. It's dangerous.

What can I do for Carina? This desperation seemed to make my mood foul, as I have never met with such conflict. If it's for my little sister, then I'll do anything. But we are the Asperas. People are either terrified of us, or secretly hated us. There's almost nothing in this world for Carina.

Is there a harmless friend for her? Or something safe for her to do?