Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

And on that very day, the hellish bridal training began. Anastasia was so busy she couldn’t even take a deep breath. She was drilled in the manners of the upper nobility, proper speech and letter-writing etiquette, singing, dancing, and playing musical instruments.

To prevent any possible injuries, she was strictly forbidden from going outside, not allowed to see her six-year-old younger brother, and even stepping onto the balcony was banned to avoid getting sunburned.

One night, I was called to Anastasia’s room. It was about three times larger than mine, furnished in a lavish style. In a corner of this big room, my sister looked as if she had shrunk smaller.

“...I’m getting married, you know. To someone whose face I don’t even know. I can’t really feel it, but the talks are moving forward rapidly—it’s terrifying...”

“Don’t worry. I’m sure your fiancé—no matter who he is—will surely cherish you, Elder Sister.”

I couldn’t bring myself to say “he must be a good person.” I hardly knew this man named Cyrus. My sister trembled again.

“...I heard rumors in high society—Count Granado. They say he’s terribly difficult, a recluse who hates women.”

“Hates women...?”

“Yes. That’s why he hardly ever appears in social events. No matter how many beautiful ladies invited him to dance, he brushed them off. He’s as strict as a demon, and apparently the Granado family has only a few attendants.”

Only a few attendants... That actually sounded comfortable to me. The Shadelan Family, being poor nobles, had no servants to fuss over things for us like ordinary nobles did. And as an ‘unattractive child,’ I even mended my own socks. Since I’d lived like that all my life, I was more used to it than sad. Maybe life wouldn’t change much at the Count’s household.

More appealing than a gilded marriage... I briefly indulged in such daydreams, then shook my head. It was Anastasia who would be married off.

“He’ll probably be strict with his wife too. Sigh, I don’t think I could manage it. This training alone is tough.”

“It’s alright. Even if you’re a little clumsy, Elder Sister, I’m sure he’ll forgive you with a smile. You can learn more slowly even after you get married...”

“I hate studying! More than that—wait, look at this, Marie!”

My sister grabbed my hand and took me to the closet. It was as big as my own room, lined with dresses of every color. From the back, she pulled out a wooden box. Inside were various outfits that looked like knight’s uniforms.

“W-what’s this? You don’t mean, Elder Sister, men’s clothes!?”

“No, these are ‘women’s male attire.’ I made them myself. Look at this one—it has a sternness mixed with a splash of elegance. Isn’t it wonderful?”

As she spoke, she held it against my body. Narrowing her eyes, she let out a delighted squeal.

“Lovely! Marie, you’re tall, so it suits you. It’s beautiful!”

“W-what is this all about?”

“Hehe, maybe it’s wanting what you don’t have. I just adore women who are as cool as men—beautiful women in male attire! I love it, love it, love it!”

Hugging the clothes and looking up to the sky, Anastasia was radiant.

I murmured in a drained voice,

“Elder Sister, you had such a hobby...”

“It’s a secret from Father and Mother. They found out once and threw everything away. They told me to quit such a quirky and disgusting hobby, and gave me boring lacework and embroidery instead. It was so dull!”

Anastasia laughed. Seeing her so happy, I impulsively suggested trying the clothes on. She was delighted—and then closed her eyes.

“Once I’m married, I won’t be able to play like this anymore. I’ll be a countess.”

“...Elder Sister.”

“...You know, if the Shadelan Family really falls apart and I have to work, I’ve been thinking I’d like to open a shop in the royal capital.”

She shoved the clothes back into the box, hid it deep in the closet again, and closed the door.

“Hey, Marie. You should use your talents to do what you love.”