Simultaneously, within another Keystone Gate top-floor structure—La Folia's residential luxury penthouse suite interior.
"Wow, Photos genuinely can't be trusted! The real person is far more adorable!"
Across the living room's plush sofa, Polyphonia currently gripped Kanon Kanase's hands tightly—the white-haired girl having just returned from school—eyes sparkling brilliantly.
"Oh right! Speaking of which, this marks our first face-to-face meeting, Kanon-chan! After all, when I arrived at Itogami Island this morning, you were still attending classes. Come, come—let's capture commemorative photos first,"
Her grip transitioned to single-arm positioning across the adjacent white-haired girl's shoulders. Her freed hand retrieved a phone from clothing pockets, activating selfie mode before snapping one photograph toward the lens.
Click.
The image froze at that instant.
Printed within the photograph: two faces pressed together—virtually indistinguishable.
To facilitate this photograph, Polyphonia had deliberately removed her lipstick beforehand. Currently, she appeared completely as an adult-sized, long-haired Kanon Kanase.
Except within the photograph, her expression radiated considerably more animation, while Kanon—apparently unaccustomed to such suddenly intimate physical contact—hadn't fully processed the situation. Her features registered slight surprise.
Though naturally, family photographs differed fundamentally from formal diplomatic event imagery. No requirements existed for smiles achieving distilled-water-like hundred-five-degree perfection.
"Fufu, After removing lipstick for photography, comparing myself with Kanon-chan makes Mom feel twenty years younger—suddenly experiencing that student-era sensation again,"
Observing her photographic appearance, Polyphonia cupped one cheek with evident satisfaction.
"Come to think of it, perhaps in a few days after Kanon-chan's school break, Mom will get a short haircut matching yours. Then weekends, we'll go shopping together—pretending to be twin sisters."
"Is pretense necessary?"
Polyphonia's statement barely concluded when La Folia emerged from the kitchen carrying freshly-washed fruit. Hearing this prompted somewhat ambivalent expressions.
"After all, truthfully speaking—Mom and Kanon-chan are genuinely sisters already, right?"
"Ah, that's accurate too..."
Her daughter's reminder triggered blinking comprehension from Polyphonia.
Though Kanon's age was younger than her daughter La Folia's, Kanon's biological father was La Folia's grandfather—meaning Polyphonia's father. Therefore, they genuinely constituted blood-related sisters.
Plus, considering daughters typically inherited paternal features, Kanon and Polyphonia sharing virtually identical appearances remained perfectly logical.
"Though speaking of this..."
Mentioning her sisterhood with Kanon—having displayed exceptional excitement since their initial meeting—Polyphonia gradually suppressed her facial smile.
She dimmed her phone screen, placing it on the adjacent coffee table before gently clasping the white-haired girl's hands.
"Kanon-chan, truthfully, beyond visiting La Folia-chan and Bokue-kun, my primary Itogami Island objective involves meeting you."
"Eh? Meeting... me?"
Sudden seriousness momentarily froze Kanon. Small fists clenched reflexively.
"Correct."
Polyphonia nodded.
"I understand. Regarding your original family circumstances, the Rihavein household owes you tremendously—including your mother's death, which we deeply regret."
"No, I haven't..."
Kanon instinctively turned her head aside, attempting topic avoidance.
But Polyphonia maintained her hand grip, continuing vocalization.
"Honestly, concerning your existence, my father concealed everything exceptionally well. Even we only discovered your presence recently. Had my father openly acknowledged his actions earlier, perhaps your mother wouldn't have secretly returned to Japan alone—instead remaining in Aldegian Kingdom, receiving optimal medical treatment... Regardless, truly... I'm deeply sorry."
Completing those final apologetic words, Polyphonia bowed her head deeply toward the girl before her.
"..."
Moments later, she heard the white-haired girl's soft voice descending from above.
"No. You needn't apologize."
Kanon shook her head gently while speaking.
"Regarding this matter, Lady Polyphonia bears absolutely zero fault. Therefore, I won't assign blame toward you."
Won't... assign blame toward her.
Hearing this, Polyphonia understood the white-haired girl had clarified her position.
Certainly, Polyphonia herself bore no culpability throughout these circumstances. Simultaneously, Kanon merely indicated no blame toward "her"—this individual currently expressing apologies.
Perhaps extending further—Kanon bore no resentment toward the entire Rihavein royal lineage collectively.
However.
Regarding the originating perpetrator responsible for everything—the white-haired girl possessed zero forgiveness intentions.
Specifically: Aldegian Kingdom's former king—her biological father, Galliard Rihavein.
Galliard's irresponsibility had directly triggered this tragic cascade. Had that previous-generation king demonstrated even minimal masculine accountability during those years, Kanon's mother wouldn't have died alone from illness in Japan. Moreover, Kanon herself—royal bloodline—wouldn't have been abandoned in foreign nations, nearly transformed into weaponized assets.
On this particular point, the girl would never reach reconciliation.
"Mm, I understand."
Without prolonging this topic excessively, Polyphonia straightened while facing the white-haired girl with gentle smile.
"Also, Kanon-chan, no need for such distant formality. Though our age gap is considerable, we're genuinely sisters. Just call me 'Onee-sama.'"
"Eh? B-but..."
Hearing this, Kanon froze momentarily—reflexively glancing toward La Folia nearby.
The implication was obvious. She addressed La Folia as "Nee-san" already. Calling Polyphonia identically would disrupt generational hierarchies completely.
"Hm? Ah... that's completely acceptable."
Instantly comprehending the logical complications, Polyphonia waved dismissively.
"Everyone maintains their own address systems. Kanon-chan can call both me and La Folia-chan 'Nee-san.' La Folia-chan continues calling me Mom."
Uh...
La Folia experienced renewed forehead-massaging impulses from the sidelines, hastily redirecting conversation.
"Anyway, beyond this—Mom, you just arrived at Itogami Island today. Evening temperatures have cooled pleasantly. Want additional sightseeing excursions?"
"Mm, unnecessary."
Polyphonia shook her head.
"After dinner tonight, I intend meeting Bokue-kun privately."
"...Private meeting? Why?"
La Folia's confusion was evident.
Polyphonia's eyes narrowed with slight smile, index finger wagging gently.
"Secret rendezvous... just kidding! Naturally, discussing future arrangements concerning you and Kanon-chan with Bokue-kun."
"Oh right! La Folia-chan, lend Mom your phone briefly,"
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~ 70 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon
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