The Kind Older Sister Is No More

Chapter 2: I Want To Stop This (2)

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

A nobles 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 Riels shadow. Even when she wasnt 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 didnt mind about her situation and would even help her with the contents of the class or important notices she hadnt heard.

Although they were a year younger than her, they were really kind. Irene couldnt help but be happy because of this, she was really tired of being Riels shadow. She would often feel really happy as they often talked with each other even when she was with Riel.

I shouldnt have done that I shouldnt have made it so obvious

One day, while Irene took Riel to the nurses 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 didnt you say that you wanted to be treated like youre older than us? You didnt like it when we were with you, right? If you really want to show off about being older, then well treat you exactly like that. Even though youre 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 nurses office and told Riel about what happened. The latter simply smiled and said, I guess they didnt get along well with you. Thats great! Mum was worried about that. Since she says that youre a late bloomer, You shouldnt pay them any mind, youre a good daughter.

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

Yeah, lets just hurry up and graduate from the Academy. Lets only focus on this. She spent each day like this.

But because of a teachers 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.

Youre her sister, how can you be so different from her?

Irenes heart felt painful. Even though she found out about this, Irene simply pretended not to know anything. If she ever lashed 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 Riels shadow, she didnt 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 favouritism. 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 werent 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 Riels shadow.

But the Count and his wife didnt allow this to happen because Gertins family was on the verge of bankruptcy. However, with Irenes insistence, she finally received her parents 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 couldnt hide his disappointment when Irene said it wasnt time yet. Despite this, he sincerely told her that he respected her decision and would wait until she was ready to accept him.

But in the end, it seemed that he had feelings for 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 others eyes like that as they shared a kiss?

Its 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.

Its not like that, Irene.

Thats right Irene! Its just a misunderstanding, its not like what youre thinking of. Boris defended himself.