I Don't Trust My Twin Sister

It was Ian who usually liked being called by his first name in private. As if the title of Grand Duke was not very welcome, he tended to keep a little distance. However, Oria was quite knowledgeable, so she called him by title all the time. Each time, Ian smiled and asked her to call his name. But now Ian was not the same as usual. He said to Oria, rubbing his raindrop-streaked eyes.

“Do you see that hill over there?”

He pointed to a tall hill over his shoulder. It was like being on top of a mountain.

“Yes.”

It would probably take an hour just to get there. Ian rolled his eyes and looked at the knights coming up behind him, then looked at Oria again. Oria let out a small breath and defended the situation of the knights.

“Anyway, it seems that a lot of people are having a hard time because of the unreasonable schedule and rain. When I go back, I’ll train my physical strength…”

“That’s fine.”

Although he seemed a bit lighthearted, he was a master who demanded perfection in the performance of duties as he was the head of a warrior family. But was it any good? It was a word that she couldn’t even think of as saying it.

“After taking a short break with the knights, come up to that hill. It will be important to erase the presence as much as possible.”

“Okay. But, Your Excellency the Grand Duke.”

“What?”

“Can I ask who’s up there on that hill?”

Ian lifted him up and looked up at the hill. Hot breath spewed from his cold mouth.

“…Go and see.”

He looked very angry.

* * *

He always thought women were stupid, and it was obvious that they were overdoing it, but they themselves acted as if such an overreaction was natural. They seemed forced. They were like people who knew they couldn’t handle it, but who committed an incident because of their pride. But Lawrence was not that kind of person. Even though it was not the weight and home to bear on her own, she carried the odds. She spoke like the person she could and she should be. He respected that look. He wanted to believe in her and lean on her, but he didn’t. He liked it, and liked her.

Whenever his lovely fiancée wanted his help, he was willing to lend her a hand. Just prepare thoroughly. He believed that she would always be by his side, even if they were a little apart.

All these assumptions were ultimately based on the premise that Lawrence, the wise woman, would never harm her body. But the last page of the letter she sent, the sentence written on her last line, tore away all his assumptions and made his heart rough.

Please be the joker on the gambling table where I risk my life.

He didn’t know what it meant. He couldn’t figure out exactly what to do. However, he was able to grasp at least two words, the word ‘life’ and the word ‘gambling’.

“How stupid…”

Lawrence made it clear that she probably risked her own life and she jumped into any fight. He didn’t know what kind of gamble it was. But what mattered to him was that she brought the situation upon him. It felt like his heart would break. Could it be because his body got wet from the rain and became heavy after running without rest, sleep, or food? No, he knew it wasn’t because of it. His heart didn’t beat like crazy or hurt because of the tiredness of just being caught in the rain. Other times he could keep his composure on anything.

When he was little, he met a bear in the mountains. It was a dream that had not yet matured, but he blankly watched her collapse without strength. Many arrows were flying towards her. What would happen if all of them were stuck in Lawrence? He didn’t even want to think about it. He couldn’t even think about it. He wanted to feel the warmth of her again as he held her hand to eat apple pie while looking at him and replying with her blunt face.

“Lawrence…”

He couldn’t wait any longer.

* * *

‘Ian…’

What would he say if he found out that I was using myself as a piece of chess at random? Would he be angry with me or should he praise me for using it well? If you think of it as a compliment, I always wanted to be praised by Ian. I wasn’t thirsty for praise, but I always wanted to hear better complements from Ian. Every once in a while, I felt good when Ian stroked my hair. My chest tickled with a strange sensation different from when my grandfather stroked it. Maybe that’s why I forcibly avoided Ian’s hand.

If I die, what would Ian do? Would he be sad for me or for the contractor who is dead? Or, as Ersia said, should he be comforted by my younger sister who resembles me? My heart ached when I thought about it. But I was the one who let go of my will and risked my life to commit a stern act. It’s funny to regret it now. Still, I thought this was for the best. I had no intention of giving up my life here. Even if it is a gamble with one’s life, it is not actually enjoyed with one’s life. I always have a means of escape ready. Entrepreneurs have to make the best judgment among numerous conditions and variables to play with.

Three days, even if it was a little later than the date Ian answered, I needed a way to buy time. Getting naked in the rain of flying arrows would be an act of suicide. But at least I would be able to buy some time. Among the collection of ancient artifacts, which was my grandfather’s hobby, there was a mysterious object that defended against external attacks. When activated, it was possible to defend against any attack for a certain period of time. I didn’t know, but now I was glad I brought it. It was activated and maintained for 10 minutes, so in the meantime the knights would be able to deal with those who attempted a surprise attack.

‘Ian, don’t be late’

* * *

The knights, Benson, and even Ersia opened their eyes wide at my sudden action. Just when I had no idea what the heck I was about to do, all the arrows rained down on me. It was before I could even shake my hands without opening my mouth. It was such a fleeting moment that Ersia couldn’t even react to my reckless action.

‘Lawrence is sacrificing her life to save everyone.’

I didn’t know if everyone thought so. But contrary to what everyone thought, I didn’t lose my life. It was a hot fire. Suddenly steam seemed to rise, and then the hot fire drew a line on the floor and started to burn. The fire that started without any warning rose in an instant like a sheep wall trying to envelop me. The flying flesh couldn’t pierce the fire. As if touching a wall, the moment it touched the fire, it suddenly disappeared. Even in the middle of the rain, the wall of fire remained intact. Rather, the raindrops evaporated before reaching the fire, giving off thick vapors. It was a tremendous heat, but I was fine inside.

I got up from my seat and sat there blankly, admiring the miraculous thing that had happened to me. My body, which was wet with muddy water, felt uneasy. The knights struggled to get closer to me, but the wall of fire burned with even greater momentum, as if not allowing anyone to enter. Dozens of arrows flew, but the wall of fire did not allow them to pass through. However, the wall opened the way to the master and did no damage. I sat blankly and watched the man coming through the flames.

The man took off his clothes to me with his back to the fire. His eyes were staring at me silently, as if the others were invisible.

* * *

I didn’t consider myself to be a laid-back person. I was definitely aware of that part. I had always lived as if I was being chased by time. I had to save time and run more and more to get ahead of those who tried to take advantage of me by ignoring me because I was young. Viewers said they were tired and stopped them, but they couldn’t stop their legs. Otherwise, it would be on my side to be eaten. After returning to the past, I tried to change my personality. I tried to suppress my nervousness, and I also thought I had relaxed. But the moment I heard that Ian would be taken from me, did I lose my temper?

I always tended to avoid risky gambles, but this time I didn’t. It was a gamble with a lot to gain, so I thought it was okay to overdo it. Besides, there were a few credible cards. On the one hand, I hoped that Ian would rescue me. I didn’t want to lose my life, because I wanted to achieve revenge. I had to protect my grandfather, and I had to carry on the family line. I wanted to get rid of my twin brother who fucked me and the damn Beralt. It seemed that even if he died, there would be no time left.

“I know I will be very scolded when this is over.”

But the moment I saw his face stained with worry about me, I couldn’t think of that anymore. The thought of dying, and the thought that there would be no time to die, had disappeared. The hand on my shoulder, Ian’s palm, was warmth itself. Ian’s hand moved and caressed my cheek lightly. It must have been ugly because it was full of dirt. My eyes twitched as I became aware of the rough soil. Ian smiled.

“I’m very angry, Lawrence.”

His laugh seemed to somehow move my heart. Where was this man for me? His mouth was slightly open.

“You won’t forgive me, then?”

“Yeah. I’m going to scold you a lot.”

“Even if I cry?”

“That’s cowardly. I can’t scold you if you cry.”

His playful voice penetrated my ears. It seemed that his cozy whispers were ringing in my ears, even though the sound of the rain was clearly raising the entire forest.

“But I’ll postpone that until later. For now, stay here.”

I stretched my arms toward his back as he rose from his seat and strode towards the wall of fire. I tried to dissuade him by saying it was dangerous, but he managed to get out through the fire very leisurely. How was such a thing possible? I just blankly stared at his back.