Kyle let out a deep sigh.

“I understand you’re trying to persuade me, but isn’t it a bit much to resort to lying?”

His gaze towards Nigel was merciless, as if looking at a pathetically hopeless person.

“To think that Sid, who frets over every little action that might bring shame to the family, would behave so rudely. If you’re going to lie, shouldn’t you at least make it believable?”

A face devoid of even a speck of fondness looked at Nigel.

“Well… At least try to live up to your reputation as Sienna’s top student.”

As Kyle calmly sipped his tea after speaking, Nigel let out a hollow laugh.

“…This is absurd.”

“Why is that?”

The response came immediately.

“It’s funny how you act like you know everything about your younger sibling, when in fact you know nothing.”

Kyle’s face grew colder at Nigel’s sarcastic voice.

“Shall I tell you something even more shocking? Your sibling, Kyle, infiltrated the temple as a servant, even bowing their head to Jayden Galloway just to see you.”

Huh, Kyle let out a scornful laugh.

“Have you decided to run wild since the person in question isn’t here? Refrain from words and actions that tarnish my sibling’s honor, will you?”

Nigel frowned strangely in frustration.

“You really are… quite noble.”

“I graciously accept the compliment.”

Their cold gazes clashed in midair.

They had said the same words to someone with the same surname. But the meanings were completely different.

Nigel was glaring at him, when suddenly realizing an unexpected fact, she unknowingly burst into a small laugh.

“…Now what’s so funny?”

Kyle, having apparently decided that Nigel was a braggart, exuded annoyance in every syllable he uttered.

“It’s just that while your personalities are completely different, your ingrained behaviors are exactly the same.”

The way they held teacups and their sitting postures. Behaviors like treating women with consideration regardless of personal feelings – the actions of the two were identical as if copied.

“I was curious about Sid’s tutor since their posture was perfect enough to be in an etiquette textbook, but it was you.”

Kyle’s face softened a little upon hearing those words.

Nigel’s nonchalant tone made it clear that her intention was not to flatter him to gain favor.

And this tone of Nigel’s was the same as when she spoke about Sid.

“……”

So, was Sid really inside the temple? Kyle fell into thought for a moment.

Eventually, Kyle stared at Nigel.

“…Even if everything you said is true, nothing changes.”

“Should I thank you for believing my words?”

As Nigel sneered and made a motion to rise from her seat, Kyle’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“I’ll pass on that.”

“Suit yourself.”

Nigel rose lightly from her seat and quickly grasped the doorknob.

“Are you leaving?”

“Yes. I’ve realized that unless it’s Sid Cromwell, I can’t convince you.”

Foolishly, Nigel muttered.

“No wonder your name means ‘sky’. I suppose nothing but a star floating in the sky could ever reach it.”

Kyle showed a surprised expression at Nigel’s words.

“The meaning of the name……”

“I know it, as you said, I’m the top student at the Imperial Academy. It’s derived from ancient language, isn’t it? Sky and star, such cute meanings that don’t seem to suit you and Sid.”

As the usually dignified Kyle became flustered, Nigel’s voice filled with mischief.

‘Kyle!’

Suddenly, a high and cheerful voice characteristic of a young child rang in his ears.

This time, it was a chubby-cheeked Sid, barely holding a book as big as their torso, running towards him with a bright smile.

Though it happened over 10 years ago, it was as vivid in Kyle’s eyes as if it had occurred yesterday.

It was a time when Sid, who loved to imitate him for some reason, frequently visited the library, saying they wanted to read books like their elder brother.

And it was the day before they discovered the family secret by finding a book with the family seal in the library.

Sid, breathing heavily, held out an ancient language dictionary to Kyle.

And happily smiled, saying their names were in the dictionary.

Sky and star.

The meaning of these two words, often used as metaphors, was clear.

The protagonist and the supporting character.

Stars beautifully adorn the sky, but can never leave it. In other words, Sid, unaware of the hidden meaning from adults to just quietly shine in the sky, what did they say then?

…Ah, did they say they would make their elder brother shine brightly?

Those eyes looking at him were so beautiful and radiant, more than the stars, more than the sky, that he decided to protect them.

The next day, the smile disappeared from the face of the young child who quickly learned the reality. Also, those eyes that used to well up with tears at the sight of a kitten separated from its mother no longer became moist.

Moreover, Sid’s gaze towards him grew sharper day by day, and the excited voice of the young child vanished.

“…How tiresome.”

Kyle murmured softly, inaudible to Nigel.

As the painful and regretful memories he had buried deep inside surfaced, his body felt heavy, like cotton soaked with water.

“What did you say?”

Nigel tilted her head.

“Words a child need not know.”

“What do you mean…!”

Kyle opened the door before Nigel, smiling faintly with raised corners of his mouth.

“It’s improper to let a lady open the door first.”

And he gestured towards the door with a slight nod of his chin.

Nigel sighed at Kyle’s resolute face, knowing her words would have no effect.

“…You seem to think you know everything about your younger sibling, but they’re still a student who could change drastically any day.”

“……”

“Don’t underestimate your sibling.”

With those words, Nigel slammed the door shut with a bang.

Once outside, Nigel pulled out a communication stone glowing dark gold from inside her pristine white clerical robes.

“Did you hear everything clearly?”

− …Yeah, I did.

Sid’s voice, tinged with various emotions, was heard.

“I’ve done all I can. Now everything depends on you, Sid.”

For a long while, no words came from the communication stone.

Nigel exhaled softly and turned off the stone.

On the way to her quarters.

Though she desperately wanted to rest soon, just as she was about to reach her door, she was caught by an orange-haired cleric.

“Ah, Nigel! Perfect timing. Could you please do a final check to see if Lord Beselion has any inconveniences?”

And of all people, it had to be Beselion, who was even more uncomfortable than Kyle?

Nigel swallowed a curse and forced her heavy feet to move, arriving in front of Noah’s room.

Knock knock.

She knocked on the door, but there was no response from the guy who usually sensed presence like a ghost.

‘…Could he be sick?’

The momentary thought gripped Nigel’s heart.

Come to think of it, it had been a while since she last infused him with magic.

Nigel flung open the door and entered.

She strode to Noah’s bed and examined his complexion.

Far from looking unwell, his complexion was so good it was troubling.

His deep, even breathing suggested he was in a deep sleep.

Haah, Nigel, tension released, sat down on the bed.

Only then did Noah’s face come into view.

Beautifully arched eyebrows and features more perfect than a sculpture, skin so flawless it was hard to believe he wielded a sword.

He really was beautifully made.

‘This one must have been born with a high nose bridge.’

By the time that thought occurred, Nigel’s hand was already touching Noah’s nose.

Even trying to deny the scene before her eyes, her magic was flowing in smoothly.

Sigh, using magic infusion as an excuse, Nigel caressed Noah’s face with a ‘what’s done is done’ attitude.

For some reason, she felt emotional about his stubbornly handsome face and pinched his cheeks.

‘Even with his face like this, he’s still handsome…’

Nigel, startled by her own rose-colored glasses, withdrew her hand.

“How did I end up liking someone like this…”

Nigel sighed softly while running her hand through her hair, then neatly arranged the disheveled blanket.

Then, she lifted Noah’s left hand, neatly folded, and kissed the ring finger where a faint mark remained.

“Sleep well.”

The door to the quarters closed carefully.

And Noah’s face, who had been pretending to sleep, turned red.

Throughout the deep night, the sound of Nigel crunching chocolate cookies echoed from her room, while groans resounded from Noah’s room.

“…Ah.”

Nigel, awakened by the clear sound of bells, blinked at the window where dawn had not yet broken.

Today was the day of the cleric appointment ceremony.

In other words, it meant she would be disgustingly busy with no time to space out.

Nigel carried unidentified luggage dozens of times, guided someone’s way, and occasionally checked on Noah, who couldn’t meet her eyes today for some reason, and Kyle, who still showed no signs of listening.

Working frantically like that, the time for the appointment ceremony soon approached.

Lilies, symbols of purity, decorated every corner of the pristine white temple.

Guests invited to the ceremony paid their respects to the ancient tree in the north, which maintains all four seasons of the temple comfortably through the goddess’s blessing, before entering the temple.

Inside the temple, elegant and weighty music blending string and wind instruments was played.

Nigel stood quietly in the corridor, listening to that music.

At last, as the bell announcing the exact hour rang three times, the High Priest appeared, signaling the start of the appointment ceremony.