Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

This is the second of two consecutive posts for today. "Princess Karappo" is divided into three parts: the first, middle, and final chapters, so please be careful not to miss the middle part.

I was tormented by a nightmare.

A foreign man's rough arms. But it wasn’t me being pinned down—it was my younger sister, Marie.

Marie was crying and screaming. Her red hair was being cut with scissors. Somehow, dragging her injured leg, she wandered alone like a ghost. The place she arrived at was not the workshop of a kind old man, but the Ivory Castle. And there, that man was again, grabbing Marie—and then—

"—Stop it!"

I woke up screaming.

Quickly wiping away the tears streaming down, I murmured the usual "spell."

"Not Marie. The new wife of Count Kyros Granado is not Marie Shadelan..."

Marie is such a common name.

Count Kyros Granado was originally a great noble who couldn't be matched by someone like Baron Shadelan. He could choose any partner for an arranged marriage, and he proposed to me because he liked my appearance.

—So there’s no way it could be Marie. Marie Shadelan does not resemble me at all. My sister should be in the Chadelan Territory right now, living as she always has. Since I was "dead," her mouth has been quieter, and maybe she's eating better food. Our lonely mother might be combing Marie's hair.

"That's got to be it...!"

Telling myself this, I covered my head with the sheets.

Should I just find out? If I asked Norman, I would learn the full names of the count and his bride. If it wasn’t Marie, I’d be freed from this pain. But what if it was Marie... if my sister was taking my place...

"No... that’s my 'role'..."

If I knew, I’d have to leave immediately to save Marie. But if I stayed ignorant, I could at least remain here a little longer.

"I’ll find out for sure tomorrow. Sorry for being late, Marie. Big sister will come to save you."

And then another night of torment would come.

I felt like I was about to break.

—It was two weeks later that I finally couldn’t keep running away.

The prince who had taken the ring to Granado Castle for sizing returned. It was perfect, he said.

That was when I saw the temporarily set gemstone for the first time. While serving coffee, I murmured.

"…Wow, such a beautiful jewel..."

"The Red Diamond. With this size and clarity, there’s probably no other like it in this world."

The prince said proudly.

"It's even rarer and more valuable than the rare yellow diamond... Kyros really wanted to give this. The bride’s hair is the same dazzling red as this."

I packed memories one by one into the small bag. The well-sharpened scissors and small hammer were passed down from Norman. The seven-colored silk threads were bought with my earnings. The swallow-shaped wooden buttons were carved by me.

"Oh right, I mustn’t forget that."

I took the small carving knife from the workbench. It was a carving knife Norman gave me. It felt too precious to just toss into the bag, so I put it in the pocket of my overalls.

—Three months. I thought I had gained so much with my small body, but when I put everything in the bag, it was all so small. To fill the gaps, I squeezed in a pink dress. It was cheap, bought at a secondhand store at the market, but at least it looked like a girl’s dress...

I prepared another splendid makeup box. The male disguise outfit… I finished sewing it in the carriage and tailored it in this workshop. I folded it carefully and packed it.

Holding the small bag and the big box, I called to Norman.

"Norman. I’m going out."

Norman turned around surprised and looked at me with his blind eyes.

"What’s this, Arthur, speaking strangely? Going shopping or for food?"

"…No… just a little far."

"Is that so? Be careful."

"Yes, Norman… please take care of yourself and live long..."

Before I could start sobbing, I rushed out of the room. Opening the workshop door, stepping onto the Artisan District street—I immediately bumped into a small woman.

Though her build was about the same as mine, I was the one who flew back while she didn’t flinch. Maybe a maid, dressed in black attendant’s uniform with braided hair, expressionless... like the grim reaper, she held out her hand to help me up.