Volume 2, Chapter 5 – A Distance Closed

Facing Liti, who kept her head down like a child admitting a mistake, Fia’s feelings were complicated.

To be fair, Fia didn’t feel disgusted or repulsed; instead, she felt sympathy for Liti’s plight. If she were in Liti’s position, she too would be unwilling to be saddled with a nonsensical marriage and would try every possible way to change her fate.

However, for a Liti who had neither strength nor power, changing her fate through conventional means was easier said than done. Running away would lead to being caught, and she had no capital for rebellion. Her only option was to curry favor with her older sister to turn things around, but her sister turned out to be a block of wood, completely ignoring her affection.

Looking at it this way, she was a bit too pitiful.

Although there were many things that would be embarrassing or even unethical if delved into too deeply, those could be set aside for now. Dealing with the matter at hand was more important.

Fia scratched her black hair and let out a helpless sigh.

“Raise your head. All I need to know is the reason.”

“…S-sister, you’re not angry?”

Liti timidly raised her rose-colored eyes.

Fia deliberately turned her head away, not letting Liti see her slightly embarrassed expression.

“Does Liti want me to be angry?”

“No!”

An extremely decisive answer.

“Then isn’t that fine? Let me ask, you haven’t told anyone else the secret that you’re a reincarnator, have you?”

“Reincarnator…?”

“It means what you said, that this isn’t the first time you’ve been born into this world.”

“Ah… yes, I only just told you, sister. I was worried that if I said it, I’d be treated as a human, an inauspicious elf, and be dealt with by my father. So I’ve been the only one who knows…”

Then you still dared to tell me?

Fia couldn’t help but feel that Liti was a bit of a fool.

—No.

In Liti’s eyes, she had the ‘amnesia’ setting. Since she was unfamiliar with her surroundings, and at the same time showed affection for Liti, even being willing to find a way to deal with the Elf King for Anastasia’s sake, telling her the secret at this time would undoubtedly win her favor and also ensure the secret wouldn’t be leaked.

Was I just schemed against?

Surprisingly, she felt no ill will.

Liti’s secret didn’t seem fake. Before this, she hadn’t told anyone. She had chosen to trust her.

This feeling of being entrusted with Liti’s life was very satisfying to Fia.

Since Liti was still kneeling on the floor looking apologetic, Fia had to change her posture to have a serious conversation. She turned to face Liti—at first, she wanted to sit cross-legged, but realizing it wasn’t ladylike, she switched to a W-pose.

Although it felt a bit late for such considerations, she couldn’t help but complain internally. Sitting in a W-pose in front of someone else felt strangely embarrassing.

Of course, these thoughts remained internal; Fia did not show them.

“You never thought of telling the previous me?”

“The previous sister scared me a little, so…”

“Then what does Liti plan to do now? Let me be clear first, I only see Liti as a younger sister and have no other thoughts. Even if elves can… do that kind of thing with their Mana Surge, I already have Claire.”

In short, Liti could not escape the fate of marriage by becoming the queen’s consort.

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“Mmm…” Liti, who still had a glimmer of hope in her eyes, slumped down, lowering her head and whispering listlessly, “Then… then I’ll think of another way. If it really doesn’t work, I’ll just run away to the Frozen Snow Mountain or the Dragonfall Land. If I go there, father will definitely not be able to find me.”

“When?”

A thoughtful glint flashed in Fia’s eyes.

“When what?”

Liti looked completely bewildered.

“The time agreed upon by the Elf King and the Prime Minister. Before a wedding, there has to be an engagement, right?”

“Elves can only get engaged under the witness of the Holy Tree when they reach their eightieth year. Although the Prime Minister’s son is over a hundred years old, I am only seventy-five, so we are not engaged yet… B-but five years is just a flash for elves, it will be here soon.”

Hearing that they were not yet engaged, Fia let out a long sigh of relief.

“I understand.”

Fia’s statement left Liti looking puzzled, she could only stare blankly at Fia, waiting for what was next.

Fia couldn’t help but find Liti’s bewildered look amusing. Like a real older sister, she reached out and patted Liti on the head.

“I will go discuss it with father and have him take back his words. Since you’re not engaged yet, there’s much more room for negotiation than I thought. Don’t look so worried. I already have the matter of pleading for Anastasia, adding one more thing is no big deal. If it doesn’t work, isn’t there still the method you mentioned? I will hide you, and after I inherit the position of Elf Queen and have the final say, I’ll let you reappear.”

At this point, as if remembering something, Fia’s ruby-like eyes suddenly lit up.

“Ooh! It would be great to have Liti become the ruler in my place!”

If Liti became the Elf Queen, she wouldn’t have to marry anyone, nor would she have to depend on her. The best of both worlds.

However, while saying this, Fia knew that the feasibility of this idea was quite low. The prerequisite for taking the throne was to be a “capable person of royal blood.” Currently, in the royal family, there were not only her and Liti, but also a younger brother she had never met, as well as various uncles and aunts. Adding the children of these uncles and aunts, there would be dozens of people.

Although Liti was smart, her own strength was too weak, and because she was born too late, she lacked the advantage of time. Never mind the impossibility of taking the throne, even if she did, no one would listen to her commands. She could easily die in a power struggle.

Fia could predict this, and so could Liti herself.

Seeing Liti’s troubled expression, Fia subtly changed the subject.

“Ahem, I was just saying. If Liti doesn’t mind, I can give you the position after I become the Elf Queen. Although you’d be my puppet, as long as I’m standing behind you, no one will dare to defy your orders or bully you for being weak.”

“Th-that’s the throne! Sister, how can you so easily say you’ll give it to me!”

As if hearing something unbelievable, Liti placed her hands on the floor, leaned forward, and widened her eyes.

Fia couldn’t help but spread her hands.

“I’m not interested in the throne. Well, that being said, the throne is something to consider a long, long time from now. Before that, I will find a way to make father cancel the engagement, so Liti won’t have to worry about the future anymore.”

“But sister, you still have to plead for Anastasia. You’ll definitely argue with father then. Adding me to the mix will make it even…”

“You don’t need to worry about the process, Liti. That’s my business—it’s my responsibility as an older sister.”

Fia gave Liti a brilliant smile.

Liti had misunderstood a premise. The marriage alliance was not just the Elf King’s business, but also the Prime Minister’s. She just needed to intentionally or unintentionally convey her thoughts to the Prime Minister, and he would take the initiative to withdraw.

The reason the Prime Minister wanted his son to marry Liti was simply to strengthen his relationship with the royal family. A transaction based on interests can be reversed by a greater benefit or a greater loss. As long as she showed an extremely firm attitude on Liti’s matter, the Prime Minister would naturally know how to choose. Offending someone who was highly likely to become the future Elf Queen, for the so-called strengthening of relations with the royal family through marriage, would be too ridiculous.

In the ancient times of Earth, Fia’s actions would have been undoubtedly foolish. As someone second only to the ruler, offending the faction represented by the Prime Minister would greatly reduce the chances of obtaining the throne.

However, this was another world where a single person could change the tide of battle. The existence of magic highlighted the power of the individual. When an individual’s strength was so great that an entire faction could not match it, and they could even destroy a city of tens of millions with a wave of their hand without breaking a sweat, the positions of power could easily be reversed. Just as Liti feared the Prime Minister, she was actually fearing the power he represented. Strength was the foundation of authority; rules were built on violence.

“Then… thank you, sister.”

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Even though her biggest worry had been resolved, Liti didn’t seem as happy as Fia had imagined. Her charming face, illuminated by the moonlight, looked exceptionally conflicted.

Fia couldn’t help but ask with concern.

“Is there anything else? I will keep your secret for you, Liti. The past is in the past, you don’t need to dwell on your previous life. You are an elf now. I won’t distance myself from you just because your last life was as a human.”

“No…” Liti became shy, not daring to look Fia in the eye. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her, and her toes inside her white over-the-knee socks curled restlessly. “Can’t… can’t Liti be the second queen consort after Sister Claire…”

Huh?

Why are you still hung up on that?

So Liti has already figured out my relationship with Claire. It’s a bit embarrassing.

At first, Fia wanted to say, how old are you to be thinking about this. But on second thought, Liti had a past life as a human, so her mental age was already that of an adult. That sentence wouldn’t be appropriate.

Fia waved her hand helplessly.

“No, absolutely not.”

“But Sister Claire doesn’t even mind! She even joked about Sister Ana!”

The joke probably referred to what Claire said before leaving Aurora City to cheer Anastasia up, about Anastasia being the “second queen consort.”

Fia’s eyebrows furrowed at a cute angle.

“It’s true that Claire said that, but it was just a joke. We are biological sisters, from the same father and mother. Biological sisters.”

“So what! It’s normal for blood relatives to marry! As the Elf Queen, it’s normal to have several wives and concubines. Father has seventeen wives.”

Noticing that Fia wasn’t angry, Liti began to wriggle closer to Fia. Like a pouting child, she leaned against Fia, clinging to her shoulder and swaying gently, looking up at Fia with pitiful eyes.

“Besides us elves, the royal families of humans and beastmen all intermarry among close relatives. Only dragons care about blood relatives not marrying. In the Alfrieg Kingdom, there was even a king who married his own mother and grandmother!”

The elf princess’s father actually has seventeen wives…

In an instant, the majestic image of the Elf King in Fia’s mind crumbled a little.

“No means no.” Fia maintained a firm exterior, avoiding looking at Liti who was shaking her arm. In a stern tone, as if lecturing a junior, she said, “Marriage is not a one-person affair, it’s for two people. It’s no use if only Liti likes me. I’ve already said, I just see you as a cute little sister.”

“Can’t I become a cute wife? Everything I said about my secret just now was serious. I like you, sister. I just want to be with you.”

“You can’t.”

Fia refused decisively.

—Although she was actually troubled by Liti’s words.

Without Liti emphasizing it, Fia knew she was serious. Both her tone and her expression told her so. Confessing face-to-face required immense courage, something Fia, who had experienced it recently, knew all too well. For Liti to cling to her even after being rejected meant her feelings were quite strong. This feeling both troubled and pleased Fia a little.

However, putting aside the fact that her heart already belonged to someone else, and that Liti’s feelings were on a romantic level, there was another problem before Fia.

She raised an eyebrow and asked, feigning indifference.

“I have a question. Does Liti like the me of the past, or the me of now? If I didn’t have a taciturn past, would Liti’s feelings be weaker?”

This question was very important. Although the current Fia, with the help of Anastasia and Claire, had chosen to accept and become the elf princess, no longer struggling with her identity, she couldn’t help but want to know the answer—anyone would care.

Unable to perceive what Fia was really asking, Liti blinked, puzzled, and answered without thinking.

“I like both. But I like the current sister a little bit more. You’re smart, strong, and you care about me. Most importantly, you’re willing to talk to me! You probably didn’t notice, sister, but the way you opened the prison gate was super cool! Just like the person of my dreams!”

“…”

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Liti’s answer was indeed sincere, but Fia was at a loss for words.

Is my cheap little sister addicted to her older sister?

She couldn’t help but sigh.

“Hah, forget I said anything. I asked a stupid question.”

Liti had gradually become obsessed with the elf princess while observing her in the past. If not for the foundation laid by the former elf princess, her relationship with Liti would probably not be as close as it is now. Liti saw her and the former elf princess as the same person, which was why she could innocently answer that she liked the current her.

This was a real headache.

If it were she who had just arrived in this world, the words she had said to Anastasia in the past would probably be repeated, such as telling Liti, “I’m actually not the original elf princess anymore.” But now, Fia had a slightly different perspective.

It wasn’t that Fia had lost her principles and become hypocritical or dishonest, but some facts made it impossible for her to be as certain of her thoughts as she was at the beginning.

The unchanging Mana Surge, Anastasia saying her habits were no different from the former elf princess’s, and her body’s complete lack of reaction to the Key of the World Tree—these three things combined made Fia question the existence of “I.”

Was she really the amnesiac elf princess? But if so, what about those memories that shouldn’t belong to the elf princess?

Such questions quickly brought the topic back to the starting point.

If she wasn’t the elf princess, she couldn’t explain the complete Mana Surge, the body that didn’t react to the Key of the World Tree, and the habits consistent with the past.

Perhaps she should consider the conjecture Anastasia had mentioned. That is, when the elf princess was hit by the Unsinkable Moon, something else got mixed into her soul.

If that was the case, it would explain her current behavior well. In other words, she was indeed the elf princess, just with some extra memories and amnesia, leading to a strange sense of self-identity.

Of course, this understanding leaned towards self-comfort, and Fia didn’t really take it seriously. After all, the original elf princess was only at the Seventh Tier, while she possessed a ‘Nanomachine Body’ and could casually cast Tenth-Tier magic.

It was more appropriate to think of the current herself as both the elf princess and not the elf princess.

“Sister’s expression… Are you thinking about something hard to understand?”

Peeking carefully at Fia’s face, Liti, who was a head shorter than Fia, asked weakly.

The concerned way Liti poked her head out made Fia smile.

“It is indeed a bit hard to understand, but if the subject is you, Liti, it might be easy to understand.”

Fia told Liti about having memories that didn’t belong to the elf princess, shaking her head as if there was nothing she could do.

“…So I’m a bit confused about who I am. That’s why I asked you just now if you liked the old me or the current me. Well, I’ve said the same thing to Anastasia. This is a secret known only to us, plus Claire, the four of us.”

Because the incident of crying in Anastasia’s arms was too embarrassing, Fia skillfully skipped over it. In Liti’s eyes, she was a mature older sister; she couldn’t reveal her shameful dark history.

“Eh? Then didn’t I choose correctly just now? Liking the current sister.”

“Shouldn’t the point be that I have extra memories?”

“I don’t think it matters. Sister Ana is right, your habits are exactly the same as before. Especially that dignified and cold expression when you were staring at me just now. I thought the old sister had come back. It scared me so much my soul almost flew out of my body. I thought I had done something to be disliked by you again.” Her right arm still around Fia’s, Liti patted her chest with her left, a look of lingering fear on her face. “But now that I know what you’re thinking, I’m not scared at all. The current sister is definitely cuter, mhm hmm.”

At the end, Liti hummed a tune Fia had never heard, resting her head on Fia, not at all bothered by Fia’s recent rejection.

“Even Liti says I’m the same as before…”

There were now even more questions.

Continuing to think about it wouldn’t lead to an answer. As if to vent all her troubles, Fia took a deep breath, then switched back to a subtle expression, looking down at Liti who was pressed against her, wearing only over-the-knee socks and underwear.

Although it had been less than an hour, the distance between her and Liti had closed significantly. She no longer felt an indescribable barrier, nor did she struggle with her identity anymore. As for Liti, she no longer had to worry about being disliked by her as a sister and had become more honest.

All of this was thanks to the two of them exchanging their secrets.

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Realizing this, Fia couldn’t help but frown and ask.

“You… even though I rejected you, you still look so happy.”

“Ah,” like a kitten being patted on the head, Liti suddenly looked up, her mouth pouting upwards, her whole body exuding an unyielding atmosphere. “I haven’t given up yet! As long as I persist, you’ll eventually see my charm, sister! One day, I’ll make you fall at my feet and say to me, ‘Liti is my cutest wife’!”

That’s impossible. That day will never come.

Fia responded in her heart.

However, seeing Liti remain energetic was better than her being pale-faced and silent with grief. Thinking this, Fia glanced at the moon outside the window.

It was about time to switch shifts with Anastasia.

If she didn’t go find Anastasia, given Anastasia’s personality, she wouldn’t come to wake her up for her shift.

With this in mind, Fia was about to stand up, but at that moment, she discovered that the carriage curtain had already been lifted from the outside.

Anastasia’s calm face appeared in Fia and Liti’s view. Perhaps having just pulled back the curtain, Anastasia’s expression was a bit dazed.

Then, in the next second, Anastasia’s expression gradually froze, her movements becoming stiff. Her gaze fell on the kneeling but closely pressed Fia and Liti. At this moment, Liti’s charming face still wore a look of pure happiness.

Anyone could see that the atmosphere surrounding Liti was not that of ordinary sisterly affection.

Their eyes met.

The air was extremely quiet.

The first to react was Fia. She immediately pushed Liti away and tried to get the conversation back on track.

“Anastasia, I—”

“I apologize, Your Highness. I just wanted to come in and get a flint. Perhaps… perhaps I came at a bad time.” Living up to her name as the second captain of the Royal Guard, Anastasia’s expression quickly returned to calm. As if she hadn’t seen anything, she said in a serious tone, “Next time, I will knock before entering.”

Then, Anastasia turned her gaze to the stiff Liti.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness Liti. Please forgive my mistake. If you please, continue. Don’t mind me.”

What do you mean, ‘please continue’?!

Anastasia had definitely misunderstood the situation as something romantic. Two people, not sleeping late at night, hiding in a carriage pressed closely together, one of them with her arm around the other’s shoulder, looking blissfully happy. Anastasia might have even heard Liti’s declaration, “I’ll make you fall at my feet and say to me, ‘Liti is my cutest wife’!”

Anastasia would definitely misunderstand.

She had to clarify.

She had no such thoughts about Liti at all.

Since Anastasia had already dropped the curtain and turned away, embarrassed but polite, Fia had no choice but to get up immediately, take off her nightdress, quickly change into a black dress suitable for walking outside, and head straight for the curtain.

Then, the hem of her dress was gently grabbed.

Although Liti was blushing so hard she could boil water, she still managed to look up and say stubbornly.

“I-isn’t it fine just like this? Me and sister being all lovey-dovey.”

“Lovey-dovey my foot. I’ll deal with you when I get back.”

Poking Liti’s forehead with an indignant finger, Fia lifted the curtain and jumped out of the carriage.

Translator Note

/Bonk Liti!

/bonk /bonk

anyway this volume chapter seems become long and longer so i need time to translate it… its hard to do 10chap like before in a day :3