“I am terribly sorry. Lady Melissa’s birthday falls on the same day as the anniversary of Lady Amelia’s parents’ passing. By the lord’s decision, this year, being the first anniversary, we will observe mourning out of consideration for Lady Amelia’s feelings.”

As spring arrived after the long winter, Melissa, who was about to turn eleven next month, learned that her birthday party would not be held after handing over a list of friends and acquaintances she wished to invite to the housekeeper.

Until last year, her father had held a grand birthday party for her as the candidate for Prince Christopher’s fiancée, but now he didn’t even bother to maintain her status as a fiancée candidate for the prince.

Reflecting on the year that had passed, during which her relationships with her father, brother, and grandmother had changed, Melissa wondered what she could do to make them love her again like before, but she couldn’t find an answer.

Even though Prince Christopher and Amelia were often seen going out together, and it was talked about how well the handsome young prince and beautiful young lady suited each other, Melissa’s princess education had not changed in the slightest.

One day, needing a book only available in the library within the royal castle for a homework assignment, Melissa found herself back in the library for the first time in a while and happened to spot Amelia studying alone. Amelia, deeply engrossed in a thick medical book that was not allowed to be checked out, noticed Melissa’s gaze, gave a mocking smile, laughed disdainfully, and walked to the back of the library without a word. Only one maid, who knew Amelia’s hidden side when she had once been Melissa’s attendant, was with her.

It had almost been a year since Amelia came to the Duke’s house, but this was the first time Melissa had seen such blatant behavior from her. Amelia, who had managed to isolate Melissa without showing any overt hostility, was now so confident in her actions that she felt no need to hide them. Melissa, feeling defeated, realized how bad her situation was and grew disheartened.

Amelia, who was quick to learn and absorbed knowledge at an alarming rate, had even been praised by the strict tutors hired by the Duke’s family for her intelligence and excellence. Melissa had once seen her grandmother and father boasting to guests about how intelligent and capable Amelia was. Melissa was genuinely impressed by Amelia’s ability to understand such a thick medical book.

A few days after her encounter with Amelia in the library, Melissa finished her princess education at the royal castle and returned to the Duke’s house, heading to her room. Passing by the lobby, she saw Amelia with her father, brother, and grandmother, laughing together while holding a large bouquet of anemones that blocked her face. Just as she was about to walk past them, Amelia unusually called out to her.

“Older sister! Perfect timing. Could you please use light magic on these anemones for me?”

Melissa, who had become accustomed to a lack of conversation with her family, was surprised by the sudden call. She even wondered if it was the same as the tea party where Amelia had set her up, and that made her slow to react.

“…Light magic?”

Magic is passed down through the bloodline. Only most nobles and some commoners possess magic, though magical tools are available for those without magic, so it’s not inconvenient to live without it. Those who possess magic begin to leak their power from around ages ten to twelve, when their bodies undergo physical changes. By using this magic, they can perform spells without needing magical tools.

Melissa’s magic overflowed at the age of nine, and now she can use light magic to heal minor cuts. Light magic is a rare attribute that only females possess, though it is not considered particularly special. Her late mother had also used light magic.

“I received so many anemones from Chris-sama, but I was so happy that I held them all the time, and some of them wilted. I haven’t yet reached the point where my magic overflows, so I can’t use magic without magical tools, but I heard from the magic teacher that you can already use light magic!”

Amelia, hinting at using a familiar nickname for Melissa’s fiancé and flaunting the bouquet of red anemones given to her by Prince Christopher, had made sure her father and others, who believed in Amelia’s purity, would not notice anything odd. Amelia was underestimating not only Melissa but also her father.

Amelia likely spoke to Melissa only to boast about her close relationship with Prince Christopher. With a sigh, Melissa reluctantly used her light magic on the anemones Amelia was holding.

―――――Boom!

The magic erupted in a burst from the bouquet, and with a loud sound, the red petals of the anemones scattered throughout the room. Both Melissa and Amelia were hit directly by the powerful magic and were unable to avoid it.

Her father, brother, and grandmother rushed toward her with surprised faces, but their movements appeared slow, as if time had slowed down. The three of them went straight to Amelia and hugged her. No one looked at Melissa. As the petals continued to fall, her vision gradually descended, and she could only see the feet of those around her, feeling the cold floor on her cheek as she heard someone call out, “Mel!”

She wished that “Mel” referred to her… She thought to herself as she lost consciousness.

When she woke up, she found herself lying in her dark bedroom. It was already late at night, and she was alone in the room.

When she called for a maid to ask about what had happened, she was told that after the incident, Amelia had woken up immediately, received a doctor’s examination, and now her father, brother, and grandmother were in Amelia’s room. Melissa herself had also received a medical examination while unconscious. The magic backlash had caused a shock, and Melissa had hit her head, resulting in a concussion. Amelia had sprained her left hand.

“I’ve been told that Lady Amelia’s sprain has already been treated and healed. As for Lady Melissa’s concussion, it seems that light magic can’t be used to treat it, so she needs to rest for the day tomorrow.”

One of the two maids, who had been attending to Amelia, left, but the other, Rose, remained with Melissa as her maid. Rose, who never hid things from her, just as her mother did, gently patted Melissa’s head.

It was a comfort, and Melissa almost burst into tears as she felt the warmth of a human touch for the first time in a while. She fell asleep once again.

The next day, her father visited her in her room. After expressing concern for her health, he explained what had happened.

“The magic explosion yesterday was an accident caused by the incompatible magic of you and Amelia. It’s a rare phenomenon that sometimes happens with twins, but it hasn’t been seen with cousins. It is theoretically possible, however. Since Amelia’s magic has now started overflowing, the doctor says that the two of you should stay apart until you both learn to control your overflowing magic.”

Melissa, already anticipating the next part of the conversation, felt a wave of frustration and wanted to block her ears.

“It would be unfair for Amelia, who has just come to the Johnston family after losing her parents, to move again, don’t you think? So, as you probably understand, Melissa, can you go to the territory instead of Amelia?”

Melissa didn’t respond with either “yes” or “no.” She remained silent and stared at her father’s hand, but he seemed satisfied after speaking and left her room.

Just a year ago, he had patted her head with that same hand… What should I have done? How can I make him love me again? I don’t know.

Without waiting for her 11th birthday, Melissa’s departure to the territory was decided, and the packing began the next day. The only consolation was that Rose, her maid, would go with her to the territory.

Before boarding the carriage to the territory, Melissa bid farewell to her father, brother, and grandmother.

“Father, brother, grandmother, I will work hard on my magic control so I can return to the royal capital soon.”

She hadn’t seen Amelia since the magic backlash, so there was no need for a farewell. But as she looked up at Amelia’s window, she saw Amelia staring down at her with a mocking smile, just like in the library.

As she rode in the carriage to the territory, Melissa remembered that Amelia had been reading a forbidden medical book. She realized that the magic backlash might not have been an accident but something Amelia had intentionally caused, using her medical knowledge to disguise it as such. If it had truly been a backlash, the magic would not have exploded from the bouquet.

When the royal family learned that Melissa was leaving for the territory and would no longer be able to attend the castle, they easily removed her from the list of fiancée candidates. Melissa realized that this was Amelia’s goal all along.

Now that she had been ousted from the Johnston family, there was nothing Melissa could do.