Bonus Short Story
Siblings During Better Days...
The following incident took place three years before Yuuto’s arrival in Iárnviðr, back when Hveðrungr still went by the name of Loptr...
As Loptr was returning home from the palace, his younger sister Felicia ran excitedly toward him, turning around and brushing aside her hair to show her back to him. “Brother, brother, look!” she exclaimed. There was something attractive about a woman pushing aside her hair and revealing the nape of her neck, but what drew Loptr’s eye was something else entirely.
“...A rune, hm? I see it’s manifested in you as well,” Loptr replied with a tone of disappointment. One of his greatest fears had come to pass.
“...You’re not going to congratulate me? If anything, you seem upset by the news,” Felicia said to him, her expression darkening,
“She picked up on my true emotions... Seems I still have a long way to go...” Loptr thought to himself bitterly.
From a young age, Loptr’s father had drilled a particularly important lesson into him—never let others see your true feelings. Loptr knew he had gotten quite good at hiding his emotions from most others, but Felicia, being his younger sister, knew him all too well. She picked up on his disappointment through subtle nuances in his body language. Of course, there was no problem with family members being able to see through his mask.
“As a member of the Wolf Clan, of course I’m pleased. Any and all Einherjar are clan treasures. That said, as your older brother, I’m somewhat conflicted...” Loptr admitted with a thin smile. Ordinarily, women weren’t sent to the battlefield, but Einherjar like Sigrún who possessed exceptional combat abilities were the notable exception.
“As your brother, I would have preferred that you, at least, could live peacefully,” Loptr said.
“Given the danger our clan is in, that’s hardly appropriate. Surely we need every warrior we can spare,” Felicia replied.
“Well, I suppose that’s true...” Loptr conceded.
“Besides, you have a dangerous tendency to let your guard down at the worst moments. I guess you let your attention wander. I’m worried that’ll cost you your life on the battlefield someday. I’ll make sure to keep you safe!” Felicia stated proudly, bumping her fist against her chest.
No doubt having her rune manifest had given her a great measure of confidence. Such behavior was rather unusual for her. Loptr wasn’t able to hold back a chuckle.
“Hah! By you? I hope I never fall that far,” Loptr said through thinly-veiled laughter.
“What’s that supposed to mean?!” Felicia yelled back.
“An older brother, being protected by his little sister is embarrassing. If anything, I’ll be the one who protects you,” Loptr replied.
“No, I’ll protect you! I mean it!” Felicia insisted as she puffed out her cheeks in a pout.
Back then, they were still close as siblings could be...
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