In the training grounds of Selini, the cold air still hummed with the memory of clashing frost.

  Cryssa was now surrounded by her knights, their worried voices a gentle murmur as they fussed over her wounds after her sparring match with Lyra ended in Lyra’s overwhelming victory.

  But away from them, Lyra stood alone.

  She closed her eyes, letting the winter breeze brush against her skin as she tilted her head back. A face she hadn’t seen in twenty years flickered behind her eyelids, warm and smiling, framed by blonde hair.

  It was her mother’s face.

  And with it, the memory returned.

  ……

  Twenty years ago, in a small bedroom warmed by the afternoon sun, a young Lyra clung to her mother’s side, her mother’s belly round with the life of Lyra’s soon-to-be sister.

  “Mom! My little sister and I are going to be the best knight and assassin in the whole country, no, the whole world!”

  Lyra declared, eyes alight with childlike conviction.

  “We’ll protect you and Dad, and we’ll rebuild your family too!”

  Her mother chuckled softly, reaching down to ruffle Lyra’s hair with gentle fingers. Her voice was as soft as the breeze coming through the window.

  “Don’t worry about my family that’s already fallen, dear.”

  “You should do what makes you happy.”

  “If Mom is being honest… Mom doesn’t want you or your sister getting hurt.”

  Lyra puffed her cheeks, crossing her arms.

  “But Dad trains me as a knight, and Mom trains me as an assassin. It wouldn’t be fair if my sister doesn’t train hard like me!”

  Her mother’s laughter was like the chime of small bells.

  “Isn’t that because you wanted to, Lyra? Neither your Dad nor Mom ever forced you.”

  She tapped Lyra’s nose lightly.

  “You told us you wanted to follow our paths, so we trained you properly. We didn’t want you to become a half-baked knight or assassin.”

  Lyra’s lips twitched downward as she looked away.

  “That’s true...”

  Her mother smiled, warm and tired, brushing a strand of hair from Lyra’s cheek.

  “So, let your sister choose her own path too, okay? It’s fine if she doesn’t want to follow either of us. Promise me you won’t force her.”

  Lyra’s face lit up again as she nodded eagerly.

  “Un! Then I’ll protect her instead!”

  “Fufu… you don’t need to worry too much. She’ll be your Dad’s and my daughter too, after all,” her mother said, patting her stomach softly. “When she’s fully grown, she’ll be able to protect herself, just like you.”

  Lyra clenched her small fists, eyes sparkling.

  “Un! I promise I’ll protect her until she can protect herself!”

  “Good girl.”

  “Hehehe~”

  It was the last promise Lyra ever made to her mother.

  A week later, Cryssa was born.

  But it came at the cost of their mother’s life.

  The years that followed were not kind.

  The family hid the truth from Cryssa, that her mother came from a fallen family of assassins. Apparently, it was a request from her mother to her father that she didn’t want her past to stain Cryssa’s future. So, her father erased every record of her mother’s family, and Lyra quietly put away the assassin training she had received.

  Cryssa grew up believing her mother had been a gentle, kind woman who wouldn’t even kill an ant.

  But that well-meaning lie became a chain.

  Year after year, Cryssa grew, looking up to the mother she only knew through stories and paintings.

  She never wanted to wield a sword.

  She wanted to become a gentle housewife like her soft, kind, and gentle mother.

  A dream so pure that it made Lyra’s chest ache.

  But Lyra, who had come of age and seen the ugly politics of the noble world, knew how dangerous that dream could be.

  If the world saw that the heiress of a powerful knight family was weak, she would become the perfect tool for a political marriage, a pawn to trade for alliances.

  And so, for the promise Lyra made to their mother, she stepped forward.

  She gave up her daggers and sword and let the world forget she ever knew how to wield one.

  All to protect Cryssa.

  All to protect her sister’s fragile, gentle dream.

  She wanted Cryssa to find a partner who she truly loved.

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  So, Lyra let herself become the tool instead.

  Their father had opposed it at first, but after seeing nobles begin to circle Cryssa like vultures, even he could not refuse Lyra’s plan.

  She went to noble parties, spreading rumors that she was tired of the sword and wished for a quiet marriage.

  She showcased her talent in administration, proving herself as a capable steward of Stelluna’s territories, a better asset for marriage than Cryssa could ever be.

  And so, year after year, Lyra built her reputation carefully.

  People stopped seeing her as the promising knight prodigy of Stelluna.

  Instead, they saw a bright, capable heiress who could manage territories and paperwork, but who was too weak to ever hold a sword.

  They saw her as the perfect bride.

  Lyra sacrificed herself so Cryssa could remain a flower.

  ……

  Lyra’s past loosened its grip, fading back into the corners of her mind as the present returned, the crisp cold of the training grounds, the scent of frost and sweat in the air.

  She opened her eyes and turned.

  Cryssa was no longer alone.

  She was surrounded by the knights of her Order, their concern and loyalty clear in every glance, every gentle scolding as they fussed over her wounds. Their voices blended into a warm, steady hum that wrapped around Cryssa like a protective cloak.

  And Cryssa herself, standing there despite the pain, meeting their eyes with quiet strength.

  Cryssa was no longer a child Lyra needed to shield.

  She had become a leader.

  A leader whose knights would follow her into any storm without hesitation.

  And as if that were not enough, Cryssa had found the courage to face Lyra herself, standing tall even when she knew she might lose.

  That was enough.

  Lyra let her gaze drift to the edge of the training grounds, where Chika stood with her arms folded lightly, observing in silence.

  When their eyes met, Chika’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile.

  Of everyone here, only Chika truly knew the weight Lyra had carried all these years, just as only Lyra knew the quiet past Chika had hid.

  In those days long ago, when Lyra’s father was consumed by the endless duties of ruling Stelluna, it was Chika who had overseen Lyra’s sword training. She had been there through every scraped knee and every small victory, watching Lyra grow from a bright-eyed child to a knight cadet ready to step into the world.

  Lyra’s eyes lifted toward the high window, where sunlight streamed down in pale golden shafts onto the frost-dusted earth.

  She smiled softly.

  She could see it clearly, Cryssa standing proud and unyielding, even as frost and blood clung to her skin, proving that she could protect herself now.

  Lyra had fulfilled her promise.

  She had protected Cryssa until she could stand on her own.

  And now… it was time to turn her gaze forward.

  It was time to chase the dream she had once set aside.

  To follow in her parents’ footsteps.

  To rebuild the family her mother had lost.

  Though the world had fallen into ruin, she would still try. She did not yet know how, or where to begin.

  She let her gaze return to Cryssa.

  Even so, even now, even knowing Cryssa could protect herself, Lyra’s heart still twisted with the old, familiar worry only an older sister could carry.

  No matter how strong Cryssa became, Lyra would always see the tiny baby she once held in her arms, the small girl who had clung to her skirts.

  Lyra exhaled, a heavy breath that misted in the cold.

  A way to rebuild her mother’s fallen family while ensuring Cryssa’s safety.

  Killing two birds with one stone.

  She allowed herself a moment of quiet contemplation, her mind already spinning with possibilities she would never have considered before.

  Then, with resolve hardening in her chest, Lyra stepped forward toward Cryssa, the quiet tap of her boots on the frost-dusted stone ringing clear in the cold morning air.

  Cryssa, still surrounded by her knights, wore an apologetic smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

  “Sorry, everyone. I promised we’d travel the world together, but…”

  The knights immediately erupted in flustered protest.

  “No, no, Lady Cryssa! This isn’t your fault!”

  “That’s right! Who could’ve guessed your sister was hiding that strength all this time?!”

  “You’re already stronger than me, my lady!”

  Iori held Cryssa’s hand, her voice loud and earnest.

  “Yes! Please don’t worry, Lady Cryssa! Honestly, I think none of us here could ever beat that monster lord—”

  “Ahem.”

  A single, deliberate cough cut through the chatter.

  The knights froze, turning stiffly to see Lyra standing there, scratching her head with a heavy sigh.

  “Geez. What do you all take me for? Even I can get hurt, you know, being called a monster.”

  “U-Ugh… S-Sorry, Lady Lyra…”

  Iori stammered, bowing her head in a small, quick apology.

  Lyra waved her off, ignoring her as she strode toward Cryssa.

  Cryssa’s eyes dropped to the ground, shame and frustration twisting in her chest, unable to meet Lyra’s gaze.

  Lyra stopped in front of her, silent for a moment before speaking, her voice low but clear.

  “If a knight lowers their head, it should only be to help someone stand after they’ve fallen.”

  Gently, she tilted Cryssa’s chin up with a single finger, forcing their eyes to meet.

  “Otherwise, a knight should face forward to challenge their enemies, and look up to grow stronger.”

  Their gazes locked, Lyra’s cool, steady eyes meeting Cryssa’s wavering ones.

  Then, without warning, Lyra flicked Cryssa’s forehead.

  “Ow—!”

  Cryssa winced, rubbing the spot with a small glare of confusion, but before she could speak, Lyra’s voice cut through.

  “You have my permission to leave this territory.”

  Cryssa’s eyes widened, shock stealing her breath.

  “B-But… I lost…”

  Lyra tilted her head slightly, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.

  “Hmm? Did I ever say you had to win to get my permission?”

  Cryssa stood there, stunned.

  Lyra was right. She had never once said Cryssa needed to defeat her. The only condition Lyra had ever spoken of was that Cryssa needed to be on par with Iori if she wanted to leave Stelluna.

  But since she fought against Lyra instead of Iori, everyone, including Cryssa, had simply assumed that she had to win against Lyra.

  Though the truth was simpler.

  Lyra had only wanted to see her sister’s determination, to know Cryssa would not step into the world beyond their walls half-heartedly.

  She hadn’t expected Cryssa to actually hit her, let alone draw blood.

  That moment, that single cut, had been more than enough.

  But Lyra, ever the prideful older sister, kept that truth to herself.

  Seeing Cryssa’s bewildered face, Lyra reached out and ruffled her hair roughly.

  “What? Did you really think you could beat me? Don’t get cocky. You’ll need another hundred years before you can even hope to win.”

  She only added the rest to herself.

  Without waiting for a reply, Lyra patted Cryssa’s head once, softer this time, before turning to leave.

  The knights parted to let her through, watching her go in silence.

  “Mama! Wait for me!”

  Roxy’s small voice rang out as she dashed after Lyra, who scooped her up easily, settling her on her arm before continuing to walk away.

  Cryssa stepped forward, voice cracking as she called out.

  “S-Sis! You still haven’t answered me! Why did you stop being a knight?!”

  Lyra paused, glancing back over her shoulder, her eyes glinting with amusement.

  “What? You barely passed my test and now you’re demanding extra rewards?”

  She didn’t give Cryssa a chance to reply, turning away again as she continued to walk.

  Cryssa clenched her fists, lifting her chin as she shouted after her.

  “Then answer me next time! When I beat you, you have to tell me!”

  Lyra didn’t look back. She simply raised a hand, waving it lazily over her shoulder as she left the training grounds, Roxy’s laughter echoing softly in the cold air.

  Cryssa stood there, breath misting as the wind brushed against her face.

  She wasn’t foolish. She could guess the truth.

  If her sister, with talent that could rival any knight in the kingdom, had chosen to abandon the sword, it could only have been for one reason.

  Her.

  Cryssa didn’t know the details, but in her heart, she understood, Lyra had given up everything to protect her.

  And if she wanted to hear that truth from Lyra’s own lips, then she would have to earn it.

  She would have to grow stronger.

  Strong enough to face her sister again and win.

  Cryssa clenched her fists, determination flickering in her eyes.

  In between them, the frost shimmered under the morning sun, a promise that the next time would come.