Published: January 22, 2026
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Early in the morning, having woken up early, I decided to take a walk before the meeting time with everyone from the twilight moonbow. Before I knew it, I found myself atop a hill just outside the usual town where I often go.
“Big sister, I wonder if she’s alright...”
Watching the faintly hazy moon as the sun began to rise, I murmured to myself.
Last month, Selma (my big sister) left for Darane together with the princess of this country.
I had heard from my big sister that she was friends with the princess, but for the princess to rely on my big sister during such a difficult time means that my sister must be a very important person to her.
My big sister really is amazing.
That makes me so proud.
As her little sister, I feel my chest swell with pride.
But I can’t help but worry because the place my big sister is heading to is Darane.
She’s still at odds with Father, and that conflict continues even now.
The cause is because of me.
Though I feel sorry for that, I also feel happy knowing that she still loves me.
Am I selfish...?
Darane is the town governed by the Claudel family, where my big sister and I lived under the Count Claudel, our father. Honestly, my memories of that place are not good.
Especially after my big sister became an explorer, Mother became even harsher with me.
Back then, that house was my entire world, and Mother was like a god in that world.
So I desperately tried to be quiet and not anger Mother.
But my big sister took my hand and led me into a new world.
That world was completely fresh to me, and everything seemed dazzling.
At the center of that world was my big sister, relied on by everyone, and I still remember being deeply moved by her presence.
Unlike Mother, who always brought up the family name whenever there was trouble, my big sister earned trust through her own strength.
I wanted to be part of that world, so I decided to become an explorer.
My big sister didn’t oppose it and respected my decision, which made me happy.
Since then, I learned the basics of being an explorer with the silver rabbits of the night sky. I formed a party with Carole and Log, found a reliable master named Mr. Orun, gained a trustworthy companion called Sister Ru — my days became far more brilliant than before.
Now I can say with pride:
My place to return to is the silver rabbits of the night sky, and my true home is with my friends in the twilight moonbow.
“Ah, it’s already this late. I have to hurry back or I’ll be late for the meeting...!”
Lost in my thoughts, watching the pale moon and the clouds drifting across the clear sky, time flew by in an instant.
Realizing this, I turned on my heel and headed back to the clan headquarters.
As I descended the hill and continued on, a carriage suddenly pulled up in front of me from the side.
“—!”
Curious, I tried to step aside to avoid it, but when I saw the emblem on the carriage, I gasped.
(Why is this carriage here...?)
Frozen by the sudden event, I heard a man’s voice from inside the carriage.
“Finally found you.”
“Why...”
Hearing that voice made my whole body tremble in fear against my will.
A man in his late thirties or early forties wearing a tailcoat appeared from inside the carriage.
“You lowly little girl of mixed blood, making me trouble like this — you sure have gotten big, Sophia.”
The man in the tailcoat — Mr. Aldo — spoke to me with a lewd smile.
Mr. Aldo has been my father’s right-hand man for many years.
I was told he was already in this job when I was born.
He was one of the people who looked down on me back when I lived in that house and had thrown harsh words my way more than once or twice.
Seeing his face brought back all those cruel words from the past, making my legs shake and my heart churn.
“W-why are you here, Mr. Aldo...?”
“Hah... It’s obviously because I have business with you.”
Mr. Aldo sighed and answered my question as if I was too dull to understand.
“Business with me...?”
My mind was full of questions.
To the Claudel family, I was supposed to be insignificant, whether I existed or not — that was the common understanding among those involved with them.