I Don't Trust My Twin Sister Chapter 10

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The man whose facial expressions hardly changed moved his head with an embarra.s.sed expression. Did I overdo it? However, if I don’t go to this extent I won’t be disregarded.

     “The traditional use of money is to be spent. Although the Aztane family lives with simplicity and modesty there are times we have to spend. If you only take care of the territory you’ll end up distancing yourself from the social ruling cla.s.s.”

          “If…” 

     “The coming-of-age celebration is one of those times. As the main figure of this celebration, I will be the sponsor of the party and my wish is to narrow the distance with the aristocrats. Do you understand?”

          “I understand. I think it is a wise decision.”

A straightforward response. I like it, too.

     “Also, I shall personally send an invitation to Archduke Veridian.”

        Is there a reason why you’re sending it separately?”

     “Ian… no. I need Archduke Veridian to attend. I need him for a personal reason.”

He has to come. He is the only one able to suppress that persistent Barrett from rus.h.i.+ng towards me so recklessly. It would be even better if I declared my engagement with him at the coming-of-age celebration.

I no longer have time to delay. If I wait, Barrett’s hand will reach further. The Acpencias was a family you could never disregard. I need to play my hand before I get tangled in an unbearably complicated mess.

     “Ah, there is something I want you to look for especially.”

          “What…?”

I took out and handed him a pre-drawn picture. I beamed a smile as I watched the butler put on an odd expression.

     “Is this something you need?”

          “Yes, I need it.”

Of course, I need it. You can’t only give one gift to someone you’re trying to get acquainted with. Because giving money would be awkward I am going to give him something he really wants.

     “That person has many books in his home. Unlike the leader of the military.”

          “That person?”

     “No, it’s nothing.”

I smiled again and turned around. The butler quickly understood my meaning and greeted before disappearing.

Left alone in the office, I pushed the current coming-of-age celebration to the back of my mind. In the past, the pictures painted were considered to be very shabby and insignificant. So Barrett was able to take a bite. But this time it’s different.

     “I want you to feel it just this once.”

I’m talking about how great the funds of the Aztane family are.

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In the early morning, I summoned the Erusia who didn’t leave her room. Usually, I would personally go and call her, but it has been a long time since I’ve changed from the usual. Although the butler tried to stop me I had firmly instructed to bring my younger sister, after a while Erusia entered the office with a weary expression.

Although it was still in the morning only a few moments past breakfast there was no complicated work in the office. This was the result of telling the butler to summon the superintendent planning the coming-of-age celebration party yesterday.

Although I instructed to meet them tomorrow, those who knew my character knew that I had meant ‘as soon as I open my eyes.’ Thus starting from early in the morning, fifteen superintendents and I loudly discussed and caused a chaotic scene in the room.

I immediately turned around after hearing a click and the heels of Erusia as she entered. If I were to say ‘You worked hard coming here. Sorry I called you…’ as she hurriedly ran here like this I would appear to be a kind older sister but I would also be disregarded. Now instead of being the kind older sister, I want to be an older sister that can’t be disregarded.

     “I…”

          “Why are you doing this?”

Pretending you don’t know even though you do. I turned my gaze on the fingers of the superintendents that gestured toward Erusia who was unable to speak. Even though I knew it was necessary to act regardless.

Deceitfully, with a surprised face, I let out a sigh. Then I clapped my hands to gather everyone's attention.

Clap clap! With the sound that loudly resounded twice the gazes people that were having discussions fell onto me. And of course, so did Erusia’s. With a soft smile, I gestured toward Erusia.

     “Everyone, please welcome her here. This is the first time you all see her in person right? This is my younger twin sister, Erusia.”

My introduction to each superintendent was done beautifully, and they greeted back saying they had heard many stories while bowing. 

I approached her and placed my hand on her shoulder as she hesitantly stepped back due to being uncomfortable from the sudden attention and greetings. I felt her flinch.

In the past I would have seen her actions to be pitiful, but not now. It was just contemptible.

I tenderly gave Erusia a soft push bringing her the center of where I do work for business. Erusia shrank due to being uncomfortable from everyone’s stares.

     “It’s alright. Nothing is going to happen. Erusia, I called you because there is very important work to do. Are you angry because older sister called you suddenly?”

If I treated her coldly in public bad stories about me will circulate. But if I treat her affectionately those stories will change.

Pretending to care, I smiled a smile telling her everything was going to be alright and stepped back. I had purposely said my speech differently. When the subject matter becomes the other party the situation is simply reversed.

     “Erusia, Erusia are you upset because older sister brought you here? If that’s so, I’m sorry. I had called you because I wanted to show you something…”

 What I’m saying is to fake concern in order to increasingly sour the mood of the other person rather than your own. How does it feel, Erusia? Are you not embarra.s.sed? I learned this all from you.

     “Ah, no…” 

I gently patted her head at the sight of her lowering her head with a bright red face. The same height, appearance, and age. But one is the older sister and the other is the younger. Even though we are only 3 minutes apart, my demeanor toward you will bring a difference to the impression people have.

     “As expected, because you are with Lady Erusia, Lady Laurencia looks a little brighter. She must surely cherish and love her younger sister.”

          “I have also heard about this. That Lady Laurencia takes care of Lady Erusia every day. Even though she meticulously runs a business and has great abilities she has time to be thoughtful. As expected the next head of the Aztane family is different.”

Even though we have the same appearance, I am better than my younger sister. For the sake of my younger sister, I made sacrifices. Despite my sacrifices I was not careless with my work. That was the kind of impression I gave.

This is something Erusia could never have.

An external beauty? Our appearance was the same. If she was considered to be beautiful, than I would be too. It doesn’t matter.

Gentle? Am I the only one that has to work hard for my younger sister?

A heart full of consideration toward others? So someone with only with consideration in their hear or someone with consideration in their heart and bearing gifts. Which would you prefer? The answer has already been set.

     “Everyone please stop staring at Erusia. My younger sister will get worn out. Anyways, isn’t hers a face you see everyday through me?”

Laughing out ‘ho ho’ I rested my face between my hands. Everyone nodded as they laughed at my wordplay.

The only one who wasn’t laughing was Erusia. In this office you and I have the same appearance, other than that there is no relation. If you’re smart, carve that image into your eyes.

     “Before that, Sir Dale. Did you bring the sketch I requested?”

          “Ah! I’m sorry. I forgot that I was going to hurriedly show it to you.”

Sir Dale hastily brought out large drawings and slowly spread them out on the desk. I scanned them with my eyes.

     “It’s alright. I was planning to look at them with Erusia anyways.”

Gently, I stroked her head. Beautiful black hair, I worked hard in order to protect the beauty with obsidian in her hair. Yet my hard work resulted in my throat being grasped and my blood cruelly sucked dry.

      “Lady Laurencia?”

I turned my head towards the voice calling me. Sir Dale was waiting for my response. I beamed a smile.

     “I was thinking of something else. Hmm, let’s see.”

Amongst the drawings, there was a sketch that I had seen before. Though it was for the coming-of-age celebration the clothes were quite revealing and fierce.

Because of this dress I had privately called for Sir Dale. The man was the designer who had created this dress.

In the past I wasn’t fond of this dress, that problem was due to my disconcerting eyes. Four years later, the third daughter of the Safeldric family had come out wearing this dress.

Although the exposure has caused an impact, because the figure of the design was so beautiful it became popular. Although it was embarra.s.sing for the neckline to have a dangerously deep dip, what could I do? It was beautiful enough to become fas.h.i.+onable.

However, I did not directly choose the sketch. Because an attentive older sister doesn’t pick first,

     “Erusia, which one do you like?”

          “Eh, pardon?”

She was fl.u.s.tered. The appearance that Erusia wore was one of a very pa.s.sive child. Without desires and extremely low self-a.s.sertion. Candidly following the orders of others.

Most of the time people would comment that Erusia’s image was kind and gentle. However, that wasn’t the truth. She wasn’t gentle, it just a charade. Actually, I didn't know if that was her personality or if she was treacherous, but right now that’s not important. 

     “Are you not able to pick?”

          “That…”

I was able to see her eyes twirling round and round. Yeah, you can’t decide even though you look. It’s not like you had gone to many parties, and there are not many dresses to choose from. Furthermore, you had to know the distinct characteristics of a coming-of-age celebration dress. It can’t not be difficult. (kind of like the double negative lol)

     “That, there… I.”

I quietly watched Erusia mutter out the words she couldn’t say properly. In the past, you were accepted as a kind and timid child. I’m saying that the you I know now is completely different.

n.o.body thought that that image was a pretense. The Erusia of the past was more manipulative and calculating than I was. This child accurately knew how to utilize people.

      “Are you tired?”

So this time I will truly become the ‘kind’ older sister. Starting now.

     “For now, older sister will pick for you.”

With a smile I reached out my hand. It stood out as it was plain and simple. At this time, these outfits were on trend.

     “Uh huh… I think this one is pretty.”

I nodded my head and looked at Erusia while smiling. Are you really speaking the truth? I examined the corners of her mouth.

Her secret to act as if she didn’t know was to smile. To find out the truth from Erusia, I had to find the thorn hidden in her kind and friendly looking smile. That thorn was precisely the corners of her mouth.

When she sincerely smiled she didn’t smile like this. The corners of her mouth would bent a little more upwards and her lips would part. All her other smiles were false.

I didn’t know about the Erusia who was a little older and disrupted my work, but now, Erusia was a little child dancing in the palm of my hand. So I knew her better than anyone. Where else would that habit go?

     “Mmm, then let’s go with this one. Erusia will wear this one and I will…” 

          “W, wait, older sister.”

I was caught.

     “Why? What’s wrong?”

          “Will older sister not wear a matching dress with me?”

     “Matching dress? Why?”

At the sight of her embarra.s.sed figure I had to swallow down my laughter. Erusia wanted to stand out more than me at important parties and other places.

Rather than a dark and dull color, she favored a bright and vibrant color. So Erusia had worn a yellow dress during the coming-of-age celebration.

Thinking of Grandfather’s consideration, I had followed those words. Nevertheless, I easily understood what Erusia had requested from Grandfather. Unlike Erusia who never make contact with people, the people around me were my friends and allies.

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