I talked for a while, managing to explain everything that Grandfather and Sol had cooked up. I went through the entire strategic necessity: the threat of Viego and Maliketh, the inevitable civil war, and the need for Sistin's legitimacy to unite the feuding Houses.
"...So now you want me to be Empress. Make up your mind, Stivi!" she exclaimed, her face twisting in frustration.
I took a deep breath. "Sisi, I just explained it word for word... never mind. You are correct. Now, Grandfather and I will help you get there. But for now, we wait and see. You never know—Seth might outlive all of us."
"I don't know how I feel about this..." she said, shaking her head, her beautiful golden hair swaying.
"I don't care how you feel about this, it's done. So stop being a brat, okay?"
Seeing her cheeks puff up, she looked utterly adorable. "I am not a brat! I know... I'm just a pawn in your twisted games." She turned her face away, huffing dramatically.
I couldn't keep explaining the obvious to her.
"Sisi, I promise I wouldn't do this unless I believe it is the only course of action. Grandfather is right. We cannot gamble with our family's safety. If we have to kill them all... then let's just do that."
She finally stopped complaining, crossing her arms and turning her face sideways to indicate she was done arguing.
"Fine, don't talk. I'll just have Cily move here with me."
"Oh my God, fine! And he calls me a brat... Hmphh..."
It was 2 AM, and I decided I might as well stay home for the rest of the week. "Yes, yes, Sisi... I'm going to go to sleep. Go wake up Cily and do the same. You're coming tomorrow, right? I'll stay home, and we can visit the town, just the three of us. What do you say?"
Her mood instantly improved, and she nodded enthusiastically.
"Good. Please make sure to explain everything to Mother, or at least let Sol know, and leave the rest to them for now. We'll discuss this further in person. I love you. Good night to you two."
My God, I'm already regretting this.
~
The next day, I slept until early afternoon. I went downstairs and had a late breakfast, where I met Remy.
"My Lord, your sisters arrive in three hours. In the meanwhile, how would you like to spend that time?"
I wanted to go to town later with Sistine and Sicily, but first, I needed intel.
"I'm going to go and ask my friends for some recommendations on what to do here. You can't go wrong with locals. I'm going to get dressed and be back in an hour or so. Let's pick them up from the airport." I said, heading upstairs.
"I'm sure they'll adore that gesture, Lord."
I picked out something comfortable and definitely nothing designer. I was soon ready to go. "Remy, I'm out. Get things ready to leave by the time I'm back."
I walked with light, quick steps toward the school. Kids should be released in ten minutes, tops. Evolved schools were certainly lax; I'd seen several students leave before the last bell.
I waited outside the entrance, occasionally nodding or saying hello to those who greeted me. I was grateful that no one stopped to talk. I deliberately tried not to think about the future, deciding to enjoy these simple times. I wanted to have fun with my friends and sisters, but I also desperately wanted to talk to Ranni some more.
The old man was right; my attention is divided.
Soon, students trickled out, enjoying their early freedom. Evolveds only spent five hours a day in class, unlike regular students.
I spotted among the pouring students two identical white heads and a floating Tetsuya head close behind, talking to them. I was glad he hung out with the twins; his interactions with them would provide tremendous entertainment for years to come.
"Hey man, you played hooky just to come at the end of the day?" Tetsuya asked.
"Nothing like that. I finished my business in Edo earlier than I thought, so I decided to ask for some advice."
I gave a short greeting to Luna and Mya. Amie wasn't with them. Neither were Ranni or her friends.
"Advice? Sorry, Stivanstin, I have no experience with women."
Like I would ever ask him.
"No, no. My sisters arrive in a few hours. I promised them a city tour, but I realized I haven't even been in the town myself... Any suggestions what to do?"
He went silent and awkward. Oh no. I'd seen these symptoms before, primarily from my sisters' adorning fans.
"C-Can I meet them? N-Nothing weird, just to ask for their signature and maybe a picture. Pleaseeee?"
"Not today, but okay. You can come over this weekend for a little while. Just help me now." I gave in.
Of course, he didn't answer and was busy celebrating. I looked at the sad eyes of the twins and sighed. "Luna, Mya, you can also come by. So can Amie. By the way, where is she?"
""She is sick!""
"Hmm." Their smiles were for the invitation, not for the fact that their half-sister was sick. I was almost certain.
"Tetsuya, stop this silliness and talk to me." I turned back to the still-dancing kid.
"Khm... I'm sorry. That was unbecoming of me. You can always just go along Main Street, man. I'm not gonna lie, there's more to do in most villages. Moira never had deep investment, considering Asuna and all."
That made sense. Why would anyone risk their money so close to a Purple portal, sixty miles or not?
"You could bring them over to Limed Lake. It's nice this time of year, surrounded by mountains. It's very popular with couples, obviously."
"Thanks..." I knew I should just do a web search, but why not ask the locals?
"Why not just throw a party in honor of their arrival?"
I jumped as Ranni's voice came from right behind my ear. I can't believe... I JUMPED?
There she was, leaning forward to be close, with a victorious smile on her face.
"Hey... did you just say a party?"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I heard how you invited everyone this weekend, so why not invite... everyone?"
I could use some downtime. That last party was awful. Having a wild night with Ranni, huh? I almost forgot about my sisters.
"You free this Friday?" I asked her, my voice dropping slightly.
Everyone smiled, including her friends in the background who might as well have been trees. Her smile was exquisite.
"I look forward to it."
~
I walked home, thinking about really letting loose on Friday. I didn't like spending money, but this could be a great opportunity to get closer to Ranni... or Mikeyla... Ugh, I'm the worst. Just pick one, or pick all?
The party would also be a great excuse to invite the whole school and have them loosen up a bit around me.
I went inside to find Remy ready to leave for the airport.
"Young Lord, you look happy. I'm glad to see you so."
"Thanks, Remy. And you're right. I'm going to throw a party this Friday night to celebrate my sisters' arrival. Talking about it... let's go pick them up."
He looked surprised for a change but quickly recovered. "Sounds wonderful, Lord. Should we rely on your Lady mother this time as well?"
"God, no. We leave the planning to her students. Let's go get them."
The airport was busy as always. My soldiers closed down the area where my sisters arrived and swept the rest of the airport. After twenty minutes, they stepped outside the automatic doors: one blonde (Sistin) and one black-haired (Sicily), miniature versions of my parents.
They noticed me and started running. I braced myself and let them take me down in a tangle of limbs and bags.
"You guys missed me? Ahhh! Ouch, st-stop pinching! You're not still angry, are you?"
Cily couldn't hold herself back. "I thought I forgave you, but seeing your face just made me remember it. Asshole!"
I patted her hair. "There, there... let it all out. But don't be too angry. I want to throw a party for your arrival. I want you to meet my friends."
""FRIENDS??""
God, I missed them.
~
After we got back home and ate dinner, I explained to them again, in detail, Grandfather's plan and why his way was our only way forward.
"...But that's enough about that. Let's talk about that party. First thing first... I need you two to plan it."
"Excuse me, sis? Remind me, when you throw a party for someone in their honor, do you usually ask them to plan it?" Cily asked, exasperated.
"No, Cily, that's most unbecoming from a son of the Avesta. Disgraceful, even," Sistin chimed in.
Their back-and-forth was still perfectly intact.
"Girls, enough with the witty banter. You know perfectly well what happens if Mother gets involved. Forget boring; when she hears I'm having a party, she'll be on a plane in an hour. I've never been interested, so there it is: either you help, or we watch movies with junk food over the weekend instead."
"That sounds perfect! Let's do that Saturday or Sunday night... or both!" Sistin, prioritizing comfort, was already shaking her little sister.
"Fine, we'll do that too. Invite your friends and whoever else will make it better for you. I need this done, ladies. Make it happen."
"Stivi... why are you so eager for that party on Friday?" asked Sicily, ever the strategist.
"The real question, Cily, is who is she?!" asked Sistin, her eyes gleaming with genuine curiosity.
Despite this relentless interrogation, I was still so glad my sisters had moved in with me.