My Replacement Fiancée, the Saint’s “Failure” of a Sister, Is Acting Strange – Chapter 3

Chapter 3
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ㅤThe next day, Chelsea was also eagerly taking care of me. Thinking that she was like a child enthusiastically taking care of a pet dog for the first time, I let her do as she pleased. She hesitated for a moment when she brought soft bread for breakfast, but when I opened my mouth, she happily tore off a piece of bread.
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ㅤAccording to the servants, she apparently came to this house with practically nothing. She was carrying a trunk with the bare minimum of luggage in both hands, without even a single maid accompanying her.
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ㅤI still think it’s strange. To begin with, it was only about three days from when the letter arrived to when she came here. Leaving aside the fact that I’m annoyed by the disregard for my convenience, it’s too unnatural. I can’t help but feel like she was conveniently driven out.
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ㅤ”Chelsea.”
ㅤ”Yes?”
ㅤ”You haven’t been attending social gatherings, have you?”
ㅤ”……No, almost never.”
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ㅤWhen I asked her that during dinner, she stopped eating and looked down. I’m not trying to blame her, though.
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ㅤ”……What did you do at home?”
ㅤ”Huh?”
ㅤ”Taking care of me all the time must be boring. You can have hobbies or do whatever you like.”
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ㅤExcept when she’s feeding me, she spends her time alone in her room. She eats alone too, and there’s nothing in that room to keep her company or entertain her. The butler apparently asked her around noon if there was anything she could help with, like cleaning or laundry, but she apparently refused, saying that a future wife shouldn’t be doing chores.
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ㅤPerhaps she can’t relax unless she’s doing something because that’s how it was at her family home. If she wasn’t allowed to attend social gatherings and was treated like a servant, she might not have anything that could be called a hobby. Such thoughts kept swirling in my mind, making me feel bad. Even though she’s only been here for two days, I’m already starting to think of her as someone I need to protect.
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ㅤ”……I like embroidery.”
ㅤ”I see. Then let’s prepare the tools.”
ㅤ”Thank you.”
ㅤ”Did you learn embroidery from Lily?”
ㅤ”Huh?……Uh, well, no……My sister, she……”
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ㅤShady. I think that as I look at Chelsea, who turned pale the moment I mentioned Lily’s name. The somewhat relaxed atmosphere we had during the three meals seems to have returned to yesterday’s state. Chelsea looked around nervously and said in a small voice,”My sister doesn’t seem to be very good at it.”
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ㅤEmbroidery sounds nice, but mending is a servant’s job. I don’t have the hobby of questioning people, but it seems pitiful to give her something that I don’t even know if she truly likes.
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ㅤ”Anything else?”
ㅤ”O-Other……Ah, I also like reading.”
ㅤ”What kind of books?”
ㅤ”I read anything. Ah, but there’s a story I’ve loved since I was little, and I brought that book with me from home.”
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ㅤThe moment we started talking about her favorite book, Chelsea’s expression brightened. Her genuine reaction made me chuckle involuntarily, and she blushed.
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ㅤ”I-I’m sorry……It’s childish, isn’t it?”
ㅤ”No? Well then, how about you read that book to me tomorrow?”
ㅤ”Huh? B-But, it’s really a children’s story.”
ㅤ”It’s fine. I’m bored anyway. I want to hear your favorite story.”
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ㅤI don’t know who’s the child in this situation. But come to think of it, I don’t have any memories of being hand-fed like this or having books read to me. Since I’m just lying in bed anyway, it might be good to enjoy playing the role of a child in this pretend play.
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ㅤ”I-I’ll bring it tomorrow……!”
ㅤ”Okay.”
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ㅤLooking at her cheeks flushed with excitement, even tomorrow, confined to my bed, seemed something to look forward to.
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ㅤ”—And so, the two continued their journey. The end.”
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ㅤChelsea closed the book with a snap and looked at me with expectant eyes, as if asking”How was it?”…….Well, I didn’t expect it to be a story about close siblings helping each other as they travel the world. It’s not even ironic.
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ㅤ”I’m surprised at how good of an actress you are.”
ㅤ”I-Is that what you noticed?”
ㅤ”I’m half-joking.”
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ㅤChelsea has an indescribable expression, a mixture of joy and bewilderment. As I thought yesterday, this girl has very genuine reactions. Quite a contrast to my past self, who always had a plastered-on smile.
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ㅤ”The story was interesting too. It’s certainly for children, but the setting is surprisingly elaborate.”
ㅤ”……! Right?!”
ㅤ”Also, your acting when reading the monster’s lines was very convincing.”
ㅤ”W-Well……I’ve been reading it like that since I was little, so it’s a habit.”
ㅤ”Hehe.”
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ㅤAs I was chuckling to myself, Chelsea suddenly put on a serious face.
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ㅤ”Are you tired?”
ㅤ”Yeah. Well, I think I’ll sleep for a bit.”
ㅤ”Okay.”
ㅤ”I might have a dream about monsters now.”
ㅤ”Oh, you!”
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ㅤI laughed again, seeing Chelsea raise her voice in a playful manner. This time, with an exasperated look on her face, she slowly stood up, still holding the book.
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ㅤ”I’ll come back around dinner time.”
ㅤ”Okay.”
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ㅤToday was a lively day. For her, and probably for me too.