Sylvia thought for a moment.
She nodded.
“Okay.”
She really didn’t want to be alone.
Avira happily picked her up.
She strode toward her own room.
Aromatic candles were lit in the room.
The faint scent of lavender brought a sense of tranquility.
Avira gently placed Sylvia on the bed.
Then lay down beside her.
The soft silk sheets gave off a delicate fragrance.
“Sis, come here.”
Avira opened her arms.
Her eyes were full of tenderness.
Sylvia obediently nestled into her sister’s embrace.
The familiar warmth and scent allowed her to fully relax.
“You had a hard day today, little sister.”
Avira gently stroked her silver hair.
“It’s nothing.”
Sylvia rubbed against her in her arms.
“As long as you’re here, I’m not afraid.”
Hearing this, a gentle light welled up in Avira’s eyes.
“I will always protect you, little sister.”
She pressed a gentle kiss to Sylvia’s forehead.
“Sis, do we have to go out again tomorrow?”
Sylvia asked in a small voice.
“There are still a few places we need to go.”
Avira answered truthfully.
Then she hugged her tighter.
“But don’t worry, I’ll stay by your side the whole time.”
Sylvia nodded.
Though she didn’t want to face those fanatical people, it wasn’t so scary with her sister beside her.
“Let’s go to sleep early, then.”
She let out a small yawn.
Her eyelids began to droop.
“Alright.”
Avira hugged her even tighter.
She whispered softly in her ear.
“Good night, my dearest sister.”
“Good night, sis.”
Sylvia closed her eyes.
Soon she drifted into a deep sleep in her sister’s arms.
Avira looked at the quietly sleeping Sylvia in her arms.
Her eyes were filled with doting affection.
Moonlight shone through the lattice window onto them both.
That night was especially peaceful.
***
Morning.
Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains into the room.
Sylvia slowly opened her blood-red eyes.
Her silver hair was spread messily across the silk pillow.
The spot beside her was already empty.
Avira had gotten up early.
Sylvia stretched lazily.
Her little face still tinged with the blush of sleep.
She’d slept very soundly in her sister’s embrace last night.
That feeling of being protected had let her whole body relax.
“You’re awake, little sister?”
Avira came out of the bathroom.
Her damp white hair was still dripping with water.
She was only wrapped in a bath towel, her snowy shoulders exposed.
“I’ll go prepare breakfast for you.”
Sylvia rubbed her eyes.
She sat up slowly.
Her silver hair fell like a waterfall over her chest.
“Do we have to go out and face those people again today?”
Just thinking about those fanatical knights and scholars from yesterday made her head ache.
Just remembering those burning gazes made her feel uncomfortable all over.
“That old man said he has urgent matters to deal with today.”
“There aren’t any arrangements for now.”
Avira walked over and sat on the bed.
Her fingers gently combed through Sylvia’s messy silver hair.
“What does little sister want to do?”
Sylvia’s eyes lit up at once.
Not having to face those people who would treat even her sneeze as a miracle?
That was the best news ever!
“I want to lie in bed all day.”
Sylvia said honestly.
This was her ideal life.
Avira let out a soft laugh.
“My little sister’s ideals really are adorably simple.”
She reached out and pinched Sylvia’s soft cheek.
“But if you stay in the room all day, you’ll get bored.”
“How about we go out for a walk?”
“Just the two of us, without those eyesore tin cans.”
A glimmer of anticipation flashed in Avira’s eyes.
She also wanted to spend time alone with her sister.
Sylvia hesitated for a moment.
She didn’t want to face crowds, but going out alone with her sister was acceptable.
And after being stared at by so many people yesterday, she did feel stifled.
“Where to?”
“Just stroll around the streets.”
“Let’s see what’s so special about this city.”
There was a touch of disdain in Avira’s tone.
“Maybe we’ll find something interesting to pass the time.”
Sylvia thought for a moment and nodded.
“Alright, but let’s avoid crowded places.”
“And if anyone recognizes us, we leave immediately.”
“Of course. Sis will protect you.”
Avira hugged her happily.
“Whoever dares make my little sister unhappy…”
“I’ll show them the meaning of regret.”
A flash of killing intent crossed her eyes, but it was soon replaced by gentleness.
After a simple breakfast, they changed into low-profile outfits.
Sylvia chose a pale blue dress, paired with a white shawl.
Avira wore a black robe that allowed for easy movement, a sword hanging at her waist.
They both wore wide, hooded cloaks.
The brims were pulled very low, hiding their distinctive hair and most of their faces in shadow.
Unless someone came very close, it was difficult to see their expressions or eyes clearly.
Ophelia watched her daughters preparing to go out.
A faint smile flickered in her blood-red eyes.
“Go on, be careful.”
The Queen spoke calmly.
“Contact me if you need anything.”
“Got it, Mother.”
Sylvia nodded obediently.
Avira took Sylvia’s small hand.
The two of them quietly slipped out the back gate of the annex.
The streets of Dawn City were wide and tidy.
White buildings reflected gentle light in the sunlight.
The streets were lined with blossoming trees.
A faint floral fragrance drifted on the breeze.
“It really is brighter here than the Eternal Night Empire.”
“But it’s a little too dazzling.”
Avira squinted her blood-red eyes slightly.
The sunlight made her a little uncomfortable.
“As expected, Bloodkin aren’t suited for places like this.”
The two of them walked slowly along the path.
Avira was constantly alert to her surroundings.
Her hand never strayed far from her sword hilt.
Soon, they arrived at a relatively quiet market.
There weren’t many stalls here.
Most were locals selling homemade trinkets.
The air was filled with the aroma of bread and spices.
“Doesn’t look too crowded.”
Sylvia breathed a sigh of relief.
She could handle a market of this scale.
“Yeah, let’s go see if there’s anything interesting.”
Avira held her hand as they walked toward the market.
The first stall sold various handmade accessories.
Delicate necklaces, bracelets, and earrings covered the whole table.
They sparkled in the sunlight.
Sylvia’s gaze was drawn to a delicate necklace.
The pendant was a blue flower, carved from some kind of crystal stone.
The petals were layered and lifelike.
Under the light, it glowed with a dreamy blue radiance.
“This one is so pretty.”
Sylvia said softly, her eyes shining with fondness.
The stall owner was a middle-aged woman.
Seeing customers interested in her goods, she immediately introduced it enthusiastically.
“You have a great eye, miss.”
“This is made from Glacier Snow Lotus Stone, symbolizing purity and eternity.”
“There’s only one like this in the whole city. It’s absolutely unique.”
Avira glanced at the price tag.
Ten silver coins was not cheap for ordinary people, but for them it was nothing.
She took two heavy gold coins from her purse and placed them lightly on the stall.
The weight and shine of those coins stunned the stall owner.
This was enough to buy half her stall.
“There’s no need to spend so much…”
Sylvia said a little shyly, her face slightly reddening.
She just thought it looked pretty.
She hadn’t expected her sister to be so generous.
“As long as you like it, money’s not an issue.”
Avira picked up the necklace and personally put it on Sylvia.
Her slender fingers brushed lightly over her snow-white neck, the gesture gentle and careful.
“It suits you.”
The blue flower pendant lay on Sylvia’s chest, perfectly matching her cool and graceful aura.
“Thank you, Sis.”
Sylvia looked down at the necklace, her eyes full of joy.
The stall owner put away the gold coins, her face filled with gratitude.
“You two young ladies are so generous.”
“May you sisters share deep affection and everlasting happiness.”
When Avira heard this, the corners of her lips lifted slightly.
She was delighted to be praised for her bond with her little sister.