Inside the carriage heading to the base of the Holy Knights, Ria sat restlessly.

“Are you really not going to wear the bracelet?”

Sitting across from her, Livian said worriedly.

Ria had made up her mind. She would use the Eye of Truth to confirm Lil’s true feelings. If Lil resented her, she would disappear from her life forever.

But if Lil welcomed her, Ria would do her best to remain a good sister for her.

Livian was concerned about Ria’s seriousness and the clumsiness that came with it.

He wanted to say something about how extreme her resolve was, but the stubborn Ria probably wouldn’t listen.

If Lil really did resent her, Ria would likely break.

Livian sighed. All he could do was pray that Lil would genuinely welcome Ria—how frustrating.

When they arrived at the base, Livian got off the carriage first.

“Uncle Livi! Good morning!”

Hearing the voice from outside—so similar to her own—Ria froze.

She knew she had to get out quickly, but her body wouldn’t move.

Seeing this, Livian lifted Ria out of the carriage himself. The moment she was outside and saw the face so much like her own, she froze again.

Lil approached Ria, her eyes sparkling.

“Nice to meet you, Ria onee-chan! I’m so happy to see you!”

There was no lie in those words. Seeing her twin sister—smaller and thinner than herself—Ria couldn’t stop the tears. She didn’t even know if she was happy or sad; she just couldn’t hold them back.

“I’m sorry, Lil. I’m so sorry I couldn’t save you.”

Ria sobbed as she apologized again and again. Lil was startled.

“It’s okay, onee-chan. I’m fine. I’m not mad. Please don’t cry.”

Panicking, Lil rushed over and gently rubbed Ria’s back.

Ria cried for a long time. Once she finally calmed down, she looked straight into Lil’s eyes and asked,

“Lil… you don’t resent me?”

Seeing Ria’s serious expression, Lil widened her eyes.

“Why would I? You didn’t do anything wrong, onee-chan.”

Ria smiled, as if a burden had been lifted from her.

Before she knew it, small animals had gathered at Ria’s feet.

“They’re worried because you were crying,” Lil explained.

“I’m sorry. I’m okay now.”

As she said this, the animals backed away a bit. Seeing the divine beasts for the first time, Ria was moved. They really could understand human speech.

“Hey, I’ve been preparing a welcome party for you! Come on, this way!”

Lil took Ria’s hand and pulled her toward a warm spot. Since the divine beasts wanted to join, they had made it picnic-style.

Lil began chattering away about everything she couldn’t put into a letter, overwhelmed with excitement at meeting her sister. Ria smiled gently and listened, nodding quietly. The scene between them was so natural, you’d never think they had only just met today.

Watching silently nearby, Livian and Ian both let out a quiet sigh of relief. The two of them would be just fine now.

“Honestly, what a long detour this was. You have no idea how worried I was,” Livian said with a sigh.

“There’s been a lot going on. It can’t be helped,” Ian replied.

“But now that it’s all come together so perfectly, I can’t help but comment on it.”

“As long as they’re getting along, that’s all that matters.”

With that, the two of them walked over to join Lil and Ria.

“So, what are you going to do now, Ria? Will you become Ian’s adopted daughter and live here?”

Ria froze at the sudden question just as they arrived.

Lil’s eyes sparkled as she tugged on Ria’s arm.

“Let’s do it, onee-chan! Let’s live together!”

It didn’t seem like Ria could resist that kind of Lil. She looked to Ian for help, but he simply smiled, as if to say that if it made Lil happy, he was all for it.

Unable to find any reason to refuse, Ria ended up becoming Ian’s adopted daughter, just like that.

“Um… I look forward to living here… Father?”

The way Ria said it made everyone burst into laughter.

It seemed it would take a little more time for Ria to get used to Ian.