Chương 77: Chapter 74-Chosen Sisters

A calm day. Sure, I spent the morning floating through the cold darkness of the frozen lake, but other than that, it's been relatively calm. Classes weren't too intense, lunch was tasty, and even the weather was mild. Even now I [Garden] away in the greenhouse without a care in the world.

"Isn't that right, my legumes?" I ask the legumes. The legumes don't answer back. I would be worried if they did. That's when I know I've lost my mind. Then why do I talk to the legumes? Mom used to say that everything has a Spirit. From the tiniest rock to the mightiest mountain. Everything has a Spirit. It's just a matter of whether that Spirit has matured enough to manifest. So, I guess if the legumes did talk back, it wouldn't be the end of the world, but it would be surprising. I know Spirits exist.

Even though I can't see them, or hear them, or touch them. I know they're there. After all, Mateo can see them. Well, Magena, in general, can see them. Technically, I can't. Even though I'm half Magena. Probably has something to do with the Vashrin half. I wonder what exactly is stopping me from seeing them. Lost in thought, I look back down at my legumes and notice an oddity. One of them is larger and more vibrant compared to the others.

According to [Gardening], this specific legume plant is going to reach maturity much sooner than the others and is going to produce almost double the yield.

"What's so special about you?" I ask as I gently move the pot over to the middle table. [Gardening] is sadly not at the [Level] to give me a full answer, but I can finagle my way to one. Let's see. Water content, nitrogen content, and soil composition are almost exactly the same between the legumes. They should have gotten the same amount of sunlight, and the temperature shouldn't have fluctuated too wildly. The only thing different is the growth rate and the yield. What could have possibly caused this change?

The door suddenly slams open, followed by a heated conversation.

"Stop following me! The conversation is over," Helia says with an annoyed tone.

"Just because you walk away doesn't mean the conversation is over! We still have a lot to talk about," Ruby retorts.

"Talk about? I've made my stance on the matter pretty clear. It's not my fault you won't accept it," Helia snaps back with anger that borders on homicidal.

"Accept? You want me to accept that you're going to step down from being Father's successor?!" Ruby says, slamming her hand into the table, rattling my hydrangeas.

"Yes. It suits you more anyway. Also, now that I'm thinking about it, how did you know? The letter shouldn't have reached Father yet," Helia asks as she faces down Ruby. Ruby slams a letter down on the table.

"That letter won't be getting there at all."

"How dare you go through my mail. What gives you the right?!" Helia asks as the sunflowers in her hair point aggressively at Ruby.

"Oh, I don't know, maybe it's the fact that my slacker sister decided to mess her whole life up because what she's shooting for is 'good enough'?"

"At least I'm actually doing something I enjoy with my life. I'm not so wound up trying to chase 'perfection'," Helia says. The puzzle clicks in my mind as I suddenly realize the situation I've put myself in. They're sisters! Shit! Oh, this isn't good. I've been giving them advice, and it has definitely not been useful for multiple reasons. At the very least, it seems they haven't realized I'm the one giving the other advice.

"Are you an idiot? If you're not aiming for the top, you'll never hit your goal," Ruby says, sending a cringe through me.

"Yeah, and 'good enough' will get you anywhere and everywhere while you're distracted with aiming for 'perfection'," Helia says as I slowly back away towards the window. As I do, my foot accidentally slams into the edge of the table, alerting them to my presence.

"Perfect timing. Tell her what you told me," the sisters say in sync. Ruby looks over at Helia.

"Why are you bothering The Chosen One?"

"Why are you bothering my clubmate?" Helia asks. They both suddenly come to a realization.

"Care to explain yourself?" they say in sync. Danger. I'm in danger. More danger than when I fought that Giant, more danger than when I fought that Krone, and more danger than when I once accidentally spoiled my sister's book on purpose. I need to masterfully turn this around. I got this.

"Yes. I can. I was hoping I wouldn't have to directly step in, but I see that the situation has reached its breaking point."

"What are you talking about, Chosen One?" Ruby asks as she crosses her arms.

"I've been giving you both advice as your friend in the hopes that the two of you would work out your differences," I say as I coolly sit down.

"That makes no sense. You've been giving us contradicting advice. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that you're the reason that things have gotten this bad," Helia says, the truth.

"It depends on how you look at it. Let's put all the cards on the table. Helia, your sister thinks you're not living up to your potential and thinks that you've basically given up," I quickly say. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Ruby turns a darker shade of green.

"I di-""Ruby, your sister finds the role of successor suffocating, and she thinks you hate her," I finish airing out the dirty laundry. Helia goes wide-eyed.

"That was supposed to stay between us."

"It would have if the two of you had actually talked to each other instead of moping about and screaming at each other. So, now that all the cards are on the table, why don't you guys actually talk without yelling," I say with a devilish smile. Helia looks over at Ruby, but quickly looks away. Ruby rolls her eyes as she plays with the roses in her hair. Damn it, I was hoping that last push would be enough for them to open up to each other, but it seems like I'll have to-"I don't hate you," Ruby whispers.

Helia looks down at the ground.

"I… I know, but sometimes it feels like you do."

"I could never hate you. Be angry with you, yeah, but hate you? You're my sister. You taught me how to style my hair and how to fight off clingy people," she says with a hint of a smile.

"Yeah, somebody had to. Your hair was more tangled than a jungle… Do you really think I've given up?" Helia asks.

"It's what it looks like. You used to be so full of motivation. Now, it seems like you're just wasting your life away. A husk of who you used to be." Helia looks over at Ruby with a pained smile.

"That was a lie. I was never really motivated, Ruby. I was just pretending for you. I didn't want you to see me like this. To be disappointed. After all, I'm the Heir to the Aster Archduchy, and your older sister. I had an image to protect. I had to be perfect," she says somberly.

"I don't want perfect. I want my sister… Do you really not want to be the Heir?" Ruby asks.

"No. I never did. I only did it because I was expected to. Everything I've done is because it was expected of me. It's… suffocating, and I've been doing it for so long. I don't even know who I am outside of it," Helia explains as she trails off. Ruby lets out a long sigh.

"You really are an idiot. You'll still be my older sister. It doesn't matter what you decide to do because no matter what, I'll be there with you." They go into a hug as they wipe the tears from their face.

"Are you going to be okay with becoming the new heir?" Helia asks.

"Oh, please. Unlike you, I actually want to do it. I enjoy it even. Plus, Archduke just seems to fit me, and Father isn't going anywhere anytime soon anyway. I've got plenty of time to get ready," she says as she tightens her grip. Nodding in the corner, I slowly make for the window. With one foot out the window, I'm stopped by the sound of Helia clearing her throat.

"I was just checking the seal on the window," I [Lie].

"I'm sure you were. Get over here," Helia commands in an older sister manner. Slinking over, I give them a smile.

"Well, I'm glad to see you guys made up. I'm happy for the two of you. Seems my work here is done." Ruby shakes her head.

"You're nowhere near finished."

"What do you mean?"

"You got us into this mess. Now you get to help us brainstorm on how best to tell our father. Since a letter probably isn't the best idea," Helia explains.

"Fine. When's the next time you see him?" I ask as I give up any resistance. Ruby thinks for a second.

"The Empire should be holding a ball during the Spring Quarter. Father will surely be there."

"Okay. Here's the plan." After a grueling planning session, I crash through the door to my room. Hopper looks up from his book as I find myself sinking into my bed. I [Throw] my shoes off and into their designated corner. Struggling to take my clothes off, I eventually give up and just lie there. Unmoving and fully dressed.

"Rough day?" Hopper asks.

"You could say that. Hopper, are you an only child?" I ask through my pillow.

"Yeah, why?" he answers as he places his book down.

"The power of an older sibling is absolute. Keep that in mind just in case," I say through the grogginess. Hopper hops out of bed.

"Okay. Don't forget to brush your teeth before you pass out," he reminds as he goes to do the same. The moment I'm alone in the room. I'm suddenly not.

"Hi, Abrigon. How's it been?" I ask still face down in the pillow.

"Oh, good. Did a bit of shopping, cleaned the house, and I was reviewing the finishing touches on your background," he says as he sits across from me.

"You usually don't visit unless it's for something important. Is that all you wanted to talk about?" I ask fully knowing there's more.

"I came to reassure you that the only information people will be able to find is the information you want to explain. Including Ashfall." The memories of fire and screams drift through my mind at the very mention of the town. Of course, he knows about Ashfall. He probably knows more about me than I do.

"How sure are you about that?" I ask as I remember the reporter I met.

"If there's going to be a leak, it's not going to be from the paperwork. Does anybody know you lived in Ashfall?" Abrigon asks as he scratches his horn.

"No. As far as I know, everyone else died. Well, actually, I guess the Purists who attacked might recognize me. Is there anything you can do about that?" I ask, hopeful.

"It's unlikely they'll recognize you, but I'll find them either way," Abrigons' glowing purple eyes stare me down.

"What?"

"Have you-" The door suddenly opens, and Abrigon is nowhere to be seen. Hopper steps into the room with a big yawn.

"Did I interrupt?" he asks, truly clueless.

"Nah. I was about to fall asleep," I say as my face finds respite in the softness of the bed.

"Don't forget to brush your teeth," Hopper reminds.

"Ugh. Do I have to?" Hopper thinks for a second.

"I guess you could decide not to-""I'll do that," I say, cutting him off.

"Then you'd probably lose your teeth," he says, the truth. Slipping out of bed, I slam my toe into my desk.

"Why?"