CHAPTER 46 - A Sister’s Truth

The girl bowed her head slightly, her voice soft but firm. "May I speak with you privately?"

Hataki's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Who are you… and how do you know about us?"

She raised her head, meeting his gaze without a trace of fear. "I am the daughter of the King of Sirocaan," she said calmly. "And the younger sister of Hayato."

The room fell into stunned silence.

Kaito's mouth hung open. "For real?"

She stepped into the home with quiet poise. They guided her to the hall and offered her a seat at the long table. Someone handed her a glass of water, and everyone took their places opposite her, their eyes locked onto her with unsettling intensity.

Kaito sat across from her, glancing around at the others. He didn't understand what was happening—only that their reactions had taken a turn into something odd. Of course it's a shock for everyone, he thought, but why are they all staring like hungry predators? She's clearly getting uncomfortable, you idiots!

the girl glanced at them nervously, the silence stretching unbearably. She finally spoke, her voice awkward. "Uhm… why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?"

Eiji leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "We just didn't expect Hayato to have such a beautiful sister. Honestly… you're the most stunning girl I've ever seen in this world."

A chill shot down his spine the moment he finished speaking. He turned slowly and saw both Akemi and Yushin glaring at him with enough intensity to shatter stone.

I did it again, Eiji thought in horror. I'm dead. I'm going to get killed for real this time. Why does my mouth always run wild whenever I see a beautiful girl? I thought I was in love with Akemi, but… but… His fear melted into a goofy grin. Hayato's sister is seriously beautiful though…

Trying to steer the conversation back on track, Yoto spoke up. "May I ask your name, miss?"

The girl straightened, her voice more composed now. "I apologize for my sudden arrival, and for my lack of formalities. I am Misaki, daughter of the King of Sirocaan. I am… the princess of Sirocaan."

Eiji's mind reeled. Princess, huh? he thought, still staring dreamily. That explains her beauty…

Misaki noticed him gazing at her. Hesitant at first, she asked, "Um… are you okay?"

Eiji beamed. "I'm good! Actually, I'm great."

Akemi's expression hardened. "Misaki, you don't need to pay any attention to him. He's just a pervert—ignore him."

Eiji blinked, stunned. "A pervert? Oi, Akemi! Don't say stuff that makes people question my character!"

"Oh? I thought you didn't have one. Sorry," Akemi said coolly.

His face twisted in outrage. "Akemi, youuuu… meanyyyyy!"

Hataki raised his voice. "Enough, all of you. This isn't the time to bicker."

Akemi smirked. "You hear that, Eiji? Be silent. You're making the princess uncomfortable."

Eiji slumped forward, teary-eyed. "I apologize for being born…"

Misaki laughed nervously at the absurd scene. Yoto, sensing her discomfort, asked gently, "Misaki… how is Hayato?"

She smiled fondly. "He's doing well. He talks about all of you often—your missions together, the things you've done."

Hataki leaned forward. "Misaki, may I ask you something?"

"Of course," she said.

"I raised Hayato since he was six. The Novare Organization took him in from an orphanage in the Vyralis nation. How is it possible that he's the prince of Sirocaan?"

Misaki paused. Her eyes lowered, shadowed by memory. "He is my brother… that much is true. But he was born to the king's second wife—who was not of royal blood."

A murmur passed through the group.

"Then why was he in an orphanage?" Hataki asked. "Why the sudden declaration that he's the returning prince?"

She nodded solemnly. "My father had an affair with a woman in the castle. When she gave birth to Hayato, they lived with us in the palace. His mother worked in the castle.

My own mother died when I was young, so I spent most of my time with the staff. That's where I met Hayato..., starting We would just play casually but when the time passed we felt a lot closer, and Hayato would follow me everywhere, calling me 'big sister.

' But my elder brother despised him—he bullied him constantly. I protected Hayato when I could."

Kaito leaned forward. "What happened after that?"

Misaki's tone darkened. "My father didn't like Hayato mingling with the royal blood as if he were one of us. One day, he ordered Hayato's mother to leave the kingdom. She had no power to defy him. So she left… likely placing Hayato in the orphanage you found him in, hoping he would at least survive with some care."

A heavy silence settled. Everyone sat in grim reflection.

Yoto broke it. "Misaki… is it okay for you to be here? Won't the king be angry that you contacted us? He might think you're helping us."

"He won't know," she replied. "He left this morning for the Ice Nation and won't return for five days. Most of the guards are with him. I covered my face with a scarf so no one would recognize me."

Kaito raised an eyebrow. "Do the people of Sirocaan hate the royal family that much?"

Misaki nodded. "Not all of it. The people adored the former king—my father's older brother."

"What happened to him?" Yoto asked.

"He died of illness," she said. "After his death, the royal council appointed my father as the new king."

Kaito frowned. "Didn't the previous king have a family? Usually, the heir would inherit the throne."

"Yes," Misaki said. "He had a son. But after his passing, the queen and her son vanished from the kingdom. Some say they fled. Others… say they died. No one knows for sure."

Yoto leaned in. "So that heir… is he still alive?"

Misaki shook her head. "No one knows. But as I said, the castle is empty right now—everyone went to the Ice Nation with Hayato."

Kaito blinked. "Why didn't you go?"

"My father doesn't pay me much attention," she said, voice tinged with bitterness. "He only left a handful of people behind to watch over me."

Yoto asked, "Then… why take Hayato?"

Misaki hesitated, then delivered the blow. "Because he's attending an engagement ceremony."

Eiji perked up. "Whose engagement?"

She looked around, her voice quiet, but clear. "His."

The room froze.

Kaito forced a nervous laugh. "Misaki… I think we heard that wrong. Could you repeat that?"

She nodded. "Hayato is going to be engaged to the princess of the Ice Nation. The ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow night. He's on his way there now."

For a long, breathless moment, the room remained silent.

Then everyone shouted in unison—

"WHATTTTTTTTTTTTT?!"