Lena's knuckles shot toward Illustrious's face—one blow meant to scar her for life.
Girls treasure their looks; aiming there was pure malice.
Yet Illustrious stood calm; when the punch was inches away she simply tilted her head aside.
The fist crashed down, scraping past Illustrious's cheek by a hair's breadth and accomplishing nothing. The instant the blow missed, Illustrious's right arm bent slightly, then snapped out to snatch the steamed bun from Lena's hand; she bit off a mouthful the moment it was hers.
When Lena saw Illustrious dodge her strike and steal the bun in the same heartbeat, she gasped—how had the girl's speed suddenly doubled that of an average grown man? "When did you Awaken? There's no way you could've dodged me otherwise—and you actually ate my bun!" she raged, glaring at the half-eaten bread.
"Only a couple of days ago. Hey—stay back! I've already taken a bite; if you grab it now, we'll be kissing by proxy," Illustrious teased.
"You—" Lena's stomach turned at the sight of saliva glistening on the bun. Disgusting! She wasn't about to swallow some low-born's spit. "Hmph, I wouldn't eat that thing now if you begged me."
With the bun ruined, Lena lost interest in bickering and returned to her corner.
That was Illustrious all over—if she had to suffer, everyone else would too. Once she saw Lena wouldn't fight for it, she led Aircraft Carrier back to their cage. The bun was half-eaten, so Illustrious couldn't offer it to her sister and finished it herself.
"Sorry, Aircraft Carrier. Next time big sis will get you a fresh one. This one's got my spit on it, so I'll finish it so it doesn't go to waste."
As she lifted the bun to her mouth, a small hand stopped her. Illustrious blinked. "You want it? But—"
Aircraft Carrier stared at the bread slick with her sister's saliva—if she ate it, it would be like kissing Illustrious. Her eyes blazed scarlet; she swallowed hard and whimpered, "Uuu, wait! You promised! You can't back out, sis! Liar! Meanie!"
"W-wait, don't cry! Don't cry! It's my fault, okay? Your heart—remember? If you get too excited you'll collapse! Here, you can have it!" Illustrious panicked; Aircraft Carrier had been frail since birth, and any shock could send her into a faint.
Clutching her chest, Aircraft Carrier whispered, "Give me the bun and I'll stop crying."
"All right, all right—just don't cry. Eat slowly, okay?" Illustrious cooed, stroking her hair.
Aircraft Carrier snatched the bun and nibbled like a squirrel, cheeks bulging adorably, melting Illustrious's heart—her little sister was just too cute!
She patted Aircraft Carrier's head. "Slow down, no one's going to steal from you while I'm here."
After the last crumb vanished, Aircraft Carrier licked her lips. Indirect kiss achieved—this was her sister's flavor.
Strawberry-sweet and delicious! If a shared bun tasted this good, what would a real kiss be like? Gazing at Illustrious's moist, petal-soft lips, Aircraft Carrier swallowed—she wanted to find out.
Illustrious, mistaking the longing stare for hunger, sighed, "Sorry, that was the last one. Next time I'll save you two."
She resolved to skip lunch and set aside another bun so Aircraft Carrier could have more.
Delighted, Aircraft Carrier tilted her head. "But sis, how come you've got so many buns?"
Cornered, Illustrious improvised, "The meal-uncle likes me. He sneaks me an extra because I'm cute. I'll beg for one more next time."
"Oh? He looks scary—I thought he was bad, but he's actually nice!"
Wrong—he was scum. Illustrious once saw him barter a bun for a feel of a girl's breast, threatening to withhold food if she refused. Had they been older, she and Aircraft Carrier would've been next.
What slaver hires scum like that? If the merchandise is damaged, good luck getting top coin.
"Sis, where are they taking us? What'll happen to us?" Aircraft Carrier whispered, sensing the danger ahead.
"Don't worry. Whatever comes, I'll protect you." Illustrious hugged her until she drifted off, cheeks soft and warm under gentle pokes.
Aircraft Carrier batted the playful finger away without waking.
Illustrious withdrew her hand, loath to disturb her sister's sleep.
Watching the sun set, Illustrious wondered what fate awaited them. Escape first—then raise her sister, then marry her off to a good man… Wait, marry her off? The thought of some stranger pinning Aircraft Carrier beneath him made her blood boil.
No. Since their kingdom fell and their parents died, the sisters had only each other—neither could live without the other.
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