You want to act? I can act better!

The results of the hunting competition would be announced a few days after the competition. The one with the most hunts, or the one with the rarest animals hunted would be declared the winner. The winner would either receive some expensive ornament or a minor title from the Emperor. The local people would participate in the competition for the ornament prize and the nobles would be vying for the title. A title meant establishing a foothold in the court business, so all the nobles wanted that.

The same was for the Silcia family.

Azer had his daughters participate so that if they received the title, it would be helpful for the decision of their marriage. He chose Aria and Athia because these two were the ones who would participate the most in the hunting and were the most likely to have a chance to win. The presence of Iris was all thanks to her grandmother's insistence. He naturally didn't really care about Iris, nor did he expect anything from her.

But, the less they expect, the greater the shock, thought Iris.

So, she made absolutely no comment on her hunts or her total number of hunts to anyone at home. Not even her own mother.

Listening to Aria's constant shy and coy bragging at the dinner table and her father's beaming face, she calmly sipped her tea, not saying anything. He he, let her ascend to the sky. The harder she falls, the better!

While eating her food, Athia quietly glanced at Iris. Seeing her not say anything about the competition, she didn't speak either.

After talking to her father, Aria smilingly turned to Iris.

"Iris, how did it go for you? You must've gotten a lot of hunts, right?" She asked, feigning expectation.

Iris sneered internally. As if she didn't know her cheap little tricks. In fact, she was using the same trick as her. The higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment.

Aria was trying to embarrass her in front of her family. Should she reply positively, the result would leave intense disappointment. And should she answer negatively, she would be shamed on spot.

Thus, after hearing Aria, Iris sadly lowered her head, not saying anything.

"Iris?" Aria asked confusedly. What was she doing?

"Sister, i-if I did anything to offend you, p-please forgive me..." Iris stuttered fearfully. Slowly, tears formed in her eyes.

"What are you saying? Iris, what's wrong?" Aria acted even more confused.

"Sister, I know I just came here. I understand if you t-think I'm an outsider. I won't bother you, so p-please don't..." Halfway through talking, she raised her head and glanced at Aria. As soon as she saw her, her entire being quivered from fear and she bent her head lower, as if she was really scared of Aria. "Please don't bully me like this!"

As she was lowering her face, no one could see the evil smile that blossomed on her face.

You want to act? I'll act better!

Who doesn't know how to act?

"???" Aria didn't know what was happening anymore. She just wanted to raise everyone's expectations of Iris, so that her failure would further brighten her own success. She didn't understand, why was she claiming she bullied her?

But, as she turned her head to look at her father and grandmother, she could visibly see a frown and questioning look on their faces. Sensing the situation was getting worse, she hurriedly put on a wronged face and turned to Iris.

"Iris, is there some misunderstanding? When did I bully you?"

Instantly, Iris's tears streamed down her face. She spoke up stuttering, "Th-then why are you trying to raise everyone's expectations of m-me? Sister, I-I just came here, how could I have done well in the competition? Why are...are you asking me this? Is it t-to raise everyone's expectations of me? I'm really s-sorry if I did something wrong, please don't do things like these! I don't want father to be disappointed in me!" She spoke between sobs, as if this action of Aria really hurt her.

Being exposed on face, Aria's face turned red.

"Ha...ha ha, what are you talking about, Iris? I had no such intention! I was just simply..." she tried to explained herself.

However, her desperate attempts to explain just gave birth to more doubt in everyone's heart. Both Azer and the Matriarch felt there was some truth to Iris's words. They turned to look at Aria with a frown, as if they didn't expect her to be like this.

Witnessing that, Aria became flustered. That was when Libera spoke up for her, "Aria! Is that anyway of speaking?! You almost made everyone misunderstand your words! Look at your sister, you scared her with your open way of talking! Hurry and apologize for the misunderstanding!"

Seeing that her mother was giving her a way out, Aria hurriedly said, "I'm sorry for making you misunderstand, Iris! I didn't mean it like that!" She even turned her tone apologetic.

"A-ah...You don't n-need to apologize. I-I-I...Please excuse me!" She bowed flusteredly to everyone and ran off in a hurry. It seemed that she was still afraid of Aria, as if Aria would hurt her again for apologizing.

This just gave off a bad impression of Aria as an older sister who bullied her younger sister.

"Continue eating." Azer spoke. They all started eating, but the atmosphere had turned cold and awkward for Aria. Indeed, Iris had succeed in delivering a blow to her image. She clenched her chopsticks tightly.

Athia stared at Iris's retreating figure silently. Her eyes glinted, but she said nothing and started eating again.

Meanwhile, after running back to her courtyard, Iris laughed to herself. Remembering the tomato that was Aria's face, she couldn't help but giggle.

Ah, that felt so good.

But, she couldn't help but want more.

More...so much more!