Chapter 2: I Want to Stop This (2)

What was it again? Oh, yeah. The Academy.

A noble's child of the empire was obliged to attend the Imperial Academy when they turned 16 years old. However, Irene entered the Academy a year later, this was so she could take care of Riel. This was only possible because the Academy provided them with an exception.

Irene stayed with her like she was Riel's shadow. Even when she wasn't interested in a subject, if Riel chose to attend it, she had to follow her. Even during the class, she had to be ready in case something happened to Riel.

Because the Count and his wife managed to get permission from the Academy, Irene had to be in the same class as Riel, she even had to sit beside her for four years.

Fortunately, Irene still made friends even while she was taking care of her sister. They didn't mind about her situation and would even help her with the contents of the class or important notices she hadn't heard.

Although they were a year younger than her, they were really kind. Irene couldn't help but be happy because of this, she was really tired of being Riel's shadow. She would often feel really happy as they often talked with each other even when she was with Riel.

I shouldn't have done that I shouldn't have made it so obvious

One day, while Irene took Riel to the nurse's office, she was packing up her textbooks, her friends suddenly came up to Irene. Irene greeted them with a smile, however, their faces towards her were cold. Suddenly, they spoke in a harsh tone, Why didn't you say that you wanted to be treated like you're older than us? You didn't like it when we were with you, right? If you really want to show off about being older, then we'll treat you exactly like that. Even though you're her sister, how can you be so different from her?

With these words, they went away. Irene left the room in a daze, but she never thought of catching up to them to try and explain things, she just endured it.

Irene went to the nurse's office and told Riel about what happened. The latter simply smiled and said, I guess they didn't get along well with you. That's great! Mom was worried about that. Since she says that you're a late bloomer, You shouldn't pay them any mind, you're a good daughter.

Irene thought that Riel would have at least said something like, Are you all right?, Riel's words disappointed her. On the other hand, Irene felt quite guilty because she made her mom worried.

Yeah, let's just hurry up and graduate from the Academy. Let's only focus on this.

She spent each day like this.

But because of a teacher's call, Irene, who came back from a brief visit, discovered something shocking.

Riel and a group of people, who were once her friends, were smiling merrily together. She suddenly remembered what they told her.

'You're her sister, how can you be so different from her?'

Irene's heartbeat felt painful. Even though she found out about this, Irene simply pretended not to know anything. If she ever lashes out to her sister, Riel would just simply grab her own chest and fall down. Irene would be portrayed as a horrible sister that way.

While Riel was surrounded by her friends. Irene graduated from the Academy while still being Riel's shadow, she didn't have a single friend.

Even after graduating from the Academy, Irene was unable to leave the mansion because she had to take care of Riel, since she might get sick anytime. Then one day, a man approached Irene at a banquet.

His name was Boris Gertin, he was the second son of the Gertin family. He comforted Irene with soft and friendly words.

He would frequently be by her side and would even quietly comfort her whenever she was sick of her parents' favoritism. This was how their relationship grew.

I wish I could always be by your side. Shall we get married, Irene?

Irene felt shocked at the proposal. She never thought that the two of them would have this kind of relationship. They weren't even dating.

However, if she hesitated and missed her chance to get engaged with him, she would probably be left alone in this world while under Riel's shadow.

But, the Count and his wife didn't allow this to happen because Gertin's family was on the verge of bankruptcy. However, with Irene's insistence, she finally received her parent's approval for them to get engaged. The both of them quickly held the engagement ceremony as soon as possible.

On the night of the engagement, Boris asked about her feelings towards him. Then, he couldn't hide his disappointment when Irene said it wasn't time yet. Despite this, he sincerely told her that he respects her decision and will wait until she was ready to accept him.

But in the end, it seemed that he had feelings for her Riel, her sister.

It was like the world collapsed on me. Why was he touching Riel and holding her hands? Why were they looking at each other's eyes like that as they shared a kiss?

It's merely a misunderstanding, sister.

Riel shook her head with a sad expression all the while Boris was hugging her. Irene could only gaze at the two with a tired look on her face.

It's not like that, Irene.

That's right Irene! It's just a misunderstanding, it's not like what you're thinking of. Boris defended himself.