Ariane Olgren.
I was born the eldest daughter of House Algren. The eldest daughter of one of the Three Great Noble Families. I understood early on that my position made me a special existence.
Even so, I believed I would simply remain as I was.
I thought that the "me" I knew would never change... yes, that is what I believed.
"Amelia! Let’s play together!"
"No... I won't be playing anymore..."
At some point, Amelia began to pull away from me. We had been together since we were old enough to understand the world, and I had always assumed we would be friends forever, but we drifted apart.
As I stood there, left all alone, a certain emotion took root in my heart. However, I pretended not to see it, and as if hiding it away, I began to move forward from that point on.
At first, I wanted to be someone Amelia could look up to. I thought that if my voice couldn't reach her directly, perhaps I could show her a path to follow by becoming a model of excellence. It was with that motivation that I began to hone myself.
But in the end, I was alone too.
Because I was the eldest daughter of one of the Three Great Noble Families, the children around me looked up to me with eyes full of worship.
"As expected of Lady Ariane!"
"The eldest daughter of House Algren never disappoints!"
"Lady Ariane! That was magnificent!"
My days were spent constantly rising to meet those expectations. I understood how Amelia must have felt as she was worn down by them. I, too, felt it was truly unbearable... and yet, I kept those thoughts to myself.
Still, I ignored the pressure and continued to face my own reflection.
All alone, I piled effort upon effort.
I lived every day in a manner befitting the eldest daughter of House Algren.
It’s not that I have any grievances with House Algren.
My father and mother are wonderful, as is my older brother. Moreover, my younger sister, Tiana—born some time later—is absolutely precious. She is truly the apple of my eye.
And yet, why did it feel as though there was a hole in my heart?
Because I didn't want to acknowledge those feelings, I buried myself in my work. When I was working hard at something, I could forget.
I could forget, if only for a moment, the weight of being a daughter of the Three Great Noble Families and the constant need to meet the expectations of everyone around me.
Truthfully, I knew.
People said that Ariane Olgren was a truly dedicated worker. But the truth was, I simply didn't want to face reality.
I ran and ran, and the result of that flight was the person I am today.
But as long as Amelia was there... I would be fine. Surely the two of us could support each other. We were separated now, but I believed that one day, Amelia would need me.
I had been working hard so that I could be her strength.
That... was what I had hoped for.
But then Amelia met him, and she changed.
"Guhehe... Ariane, you’ve grown, haven’t you...?"
"Wh-Wait! What are you doing!?"
A sleepover.
After our training with Ray ended, I stayed over in Amelia's room. Since it was the first time in ages that just the two of us were spending time together, we decided to take a bath... but Amelia was mercilessly poking and prodding my body.
"Oh! They really are big and soft...! Guhehe..."
"P-Please stop!"
Her technique was that of a seasoned expert. I wanted to demand where she had acquired such skills, but it was clear that she had truly changed.
She had become so bright, and it felt as though she had finally become honest with herself.
All of that was surely thanks to Ray.
After getting out of the bath, the two of us crawled into bed. It was a bit cramped, but the proximity felt just right. I wanted to be close to Amelia right now.
"Hey, Amelia."
"Hm?"
"What part of Ray were you attracted to?"
"Whaaaat!!?"
She let out such a strange shriek that I was a little startled, but I had already noticed. Amelia Rose was in love with Ray White.
"Um... is it that obvious?"
"Well, at the very least, I noticed. But Ray is a bit slow on the uptake, so I don't think he’s realized yet."
"I-I guess so... ahaha..."
Amelia let out a dry laugh, but then she began to talk passionately about him. She told me that thanks to him, she had been able to change. That from now on, they would find a reason to live together.
She spoke... looking so happy.
Ah. What was this sharp pain piercing my chest?
"That’s why, you see. I love Ray..."
She wore a look I had never seen before—and it wasn't one I had inspired.
Even though I had intended to be Amelia's support someday, that role did not belong to me.
But I couldn't help but wonder—if I had taken that role instead of Ray, would I have been able to change Amelia the way he did?
No. It would have likely been impossible for me.
Just because we share the same pain and the same emotions doesn't necessarily mean we can be each other's salvation.
And if it were Ray, he could do it. He had an aura about him that made one believe in him.
"Hey, Amelia."
"Hm?"
"I'm happy for you."
"Yeah... I guess so. But you know—"
She reached out and squeezed my hand with her own.
"It wasn't just Ray. It was because everyone was there. Because you were there too, Ariane, I think I’ve been able to change little by little."
"..."
"So, thank you. For staying by my side."
"Honestly... you're such a fool."
I turned my back to her.
I knew that if I faced her now, I would burst into tears.
Complex emotions swirled within my heart.
But most likely, I was simply envious of her.
She had gained many friends, and more than anything, she had found someone she loved. Just by doing that, Amelia had become a radiant existence.
I was envious of her. I looked up to her. She had become the object of my adoration.
I realized then that I had been under the illusion that Amelia and I were the same. But that wasn't true. Everyone is different. No two people are identical.
Even if we share the same background, the paths we take lead us to such different destinations.
"Zzz... zzz... zzz..."
I heard the sound of steady breathing. Exhausted from all the talking, Amelia had fallen fast asleep.
On the other hand, even though I should have been just as tired... my mind was strangely sharp.
My thoughts turned back to Ray.
What made him so different?
Certainly, the fact that he was the Ice Sword Sorcerer set him apart, without a doubt. However, I didn't think that was all there was to it.
There was something more to him.
If there weren't, none of this would make sense. That was why I had gone to Ray. Because I, too, wished to change, just as Amelia had.
Because this time, it was my turn to chase after her.
"Amelia..."
I softly brushed the hair away from her forehead. She didn't stir at all, sleeping peacefully.
It had been since our childhood that we had shared a bed like this.
I thought we would be together forever. I thought we would walk the same path for the rest of our lives.
But Amelia hadn't just walked ahead of me.
She had begun to walk a completely different path.
Then what about me? Where should I go next? Will I be able to find a path that isn't just a shadow of hers?
"I am..."
I whispered into the dark.
Where exactly am I heading?
Will I be able to find the answer during this tournament?
I was plagued by these anxieties.
I am a weak person. People call me noble and strong-willed, but I don't believe that’s true at all.
I was only ever playing a part.
But, believing that even that performance would eventually become my strength, I...
Before long, I followed Amelia into the depths of sleep.
I only hoped that I, too, could find my own path—