Sister-in-law of the Heroine in a Childcare Novel - Chapter 92

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Chapter 92

It felt like ages since I’d last seen Bibi Lutein El Castrain, and she was as lovely as ever. So lovely, in fact, it was becoming a problem.
All this time, Bibi had always presented herself as beautifully and delicately as a fine porcelain doll. It was only natural—there were plenty of members in the Castrain Ducal House who took delight in adorning her.
But today was different.
The Hair Strands she normally kept meticulously groomed and pinned with ribbons and clips now hung limp and disheveled. The clothes she wore were soft, almost indistinguishable from pajamas. With no trace of her usual careful appearance—fresh from bed, as it were—her eyes were red-rimmed. It was plain she’d wept the moment she heard the news.
Bibi’s blue eyes met mine, which were trembling. I cried out reflexively.
“No, no—I’m the one who’s sorry!”

Bibi made a small whimpering sound as she rubbed her eyes roughly. I felt like a mother bird sending her chick out of the nest for the first time—anxious, frantic. Where was that former assassin-turned-maidservant who lived and died for Bibi? If she rubbed her eyes like that, she’d scratch them! I should give her a handkerchief! And where did she go now, that woman who couldn’t live without Bibi? Why did she leave Bibi’s side when I said I needed to talk to her? I glanced around desperately, as though asking someone what I should do about her.
Deby saw me and grinned.
“Bibi the young lady is so cute, and Titania the princess is so beautiful—it’s wonderful! I want to record this on a Preservation Magic Stone! Surely the Ducal House has one, and maybe we could get a special discount for servants?”
No.
“Oh, right, Bibi—you feel the same way too, don’t you? I’ve heard that she says one thing but does another?”
Lisianthus opened his eyes wide with interest.
…This one’s taking it even further!
“Your young ladyship speaks wisely. As a mere servant, my opinion carries little weight, but surely the princess would heed the words of one so noble as a young lady of the Castrain Family?”
And Barbara was still mad at me!
I grabbed the Emoticon Sword beside me. Then I rolled up my sleeve, exposing my bare arm in the way bodybuilders show off their muscles. My grip slipped slightly as I did it—almost dropping the sword—but I hid it as best I could and looked at Bibi as I spoke.
“Look, Bibi. See this? Your sister is perfectly fine! Really! So healthy I might float away! It doesn’t hurt at all! The High Priest Illian you sent is the best!”
The High Priest Illian, standing right beside me, smiled enigmatically and drained his teacup in one shot. The loud slurping sound made me desperately fix my gaze on Bibi alone.
……
Bibi’s eyes still glistened with tears, those lake-like pupils regarding me with reproach. Her lips pouted like someone genuinely upset. Cold sweat beaded on my skin.
-Master~ You’ve lost so much weight that your arms look even thinner than before! If you’re not trying to brag about going on a diet, I’d suggest you stop! ( 乂˙-˙)
The Emoticon Sword in my hand exposed my outfit. I don’t need follow-up criticism, you bastard! You’re like parents who sigh “Oh, when we get old, we might as well die,” and you answer with “But the doctor said you’re in perfect health—he thinks you’ll live another twenty years!”
‘Are you actually on my side?! More importantly, how do you even know modern terms like diet?!’
-Hehe, I was made for you, master! (*´□`)ゞ I’ve been studying hard! (･`◡´･)ゝ
I’d tried a pose I normally wouldn’t just to comfort Bibi, but even I had to admit it was overreaching. Looking at my own arms—too skinny, almost certainly about to drop the sword—I quietly set the Emoticon Sword down.
Bibi asked, her eyes still brimming like a lake with tears.

“Goodness. I’ve had to treat Her Highness the princess twice now. Mercy me, even frontline soldiers in wartime don’t usually come close to dying twice in such a short span. Ha-ha-ha!”
I shot the High Priest a meaningful look: isn’t it thanks to your treatment that I can eat and chat without a care right now? The High Priest smiled back warmly.
“My bonus depends entirely on the young lady Bibi, you see. Ha-ha!”
……
This overly honest capitalist priest! While I ground my teeth inwardly, Bibi spoke in an infinitely sorrowful voice.

A single tear rolled down her round, squirrel-like cheeks. I stammered out an urgent response.
“That’s not—that can’t be true!”

Watching Bibi’s shoulders slump, I desperately tried to explain myself.
“There’s no way Bibi wouldn’t be helpful! Where else in the world would you find a young lady as capable as our Bibi?”
It wasn’t flattery—I knew it! I couldn’t speak for others, but I knew this: Bibi was an incredibly competent childcare story heroine! But I couldn’t exactly open my chest and show her my heart. Bibi just blinked her eyes listlessly and asked back.

“Really, really, really!”
I nodded my head three times urgently. Thanks to the High Priest’s careful treatment, my stomach didn’t even pull tight from this vigorous motion—I was completely fine.

“Of course! Look! Lisianthus is here too!”
I pointed at Lisianthus beside me, the way a parent gives toys to a crying child—whatever toys are at hand, whether they have them or not. Lisianthus stared at me with his bright red eyes for a moment, then turned his gaze to Bibi.
“Bibi, look at this one making excuses. I don’t know what audacity she has to keep acting fine in front of you every time. I almost burned both my hands this time, and because I couldn’t save her, I had to come get her.”
Lisianthus held up his perfectly unburned palms in front of Bibi’s eyes and complained. Seeing those burning red eyes flick toward me, I shouted with genuine anger.
“Hey!”
“Did I say something wrong? Why are you angry?”
“Bibi’s been worried sick by herself from far away! Don’t you ever think?”
“Yeah, I don’t! I burned up my brain cells along with it!”
As we bickered loudly back and forth, Bibi’s eyes gleamed knowingly. I was about to grab Lisianthus’s cheek or kick him in the shin, but then I thought it wouldn’t look good in front of these Castrain siblings who were normally so close, so I held back my trembling hands.

Seeing Bibi’s face brighten into a radiant smile, abandoning her earlier whimpering, I smiled back. Ah, she’s softened. She feels a bit better now… don’t I? I watched Bibi carefully.
Come to think of it, I felt sorry toward Bibi. How worried she must be! Bibi was capable and sharp—it wasn’t as though any major problems would arise without her two brothers. And yet, this family was still so deeply attached to one another. Shouldn’t they spend more time with each other? And here I’d sent both her brothers into this dangerous place because of me… Such thoughts welled up in my chest. That was when it happened.

Bibi dropped a bomb with that smiling face. My smiling expression cracked like broken ice. I cried out, nearly screaming.
“Absolutely not, sweetie!”

Bibi’s voice was genuinely indignant. Oh, didn’t you just say “Bibi is always papa’s baby”? I grabbed my head in distress and tried another approach.
“Then, um, our adorable… royal blue sapphire-eyed darling!”

“Young Lady Bibi!”