I AM NOT THE LOVE INTEREST!

Chapter 110: Acceptance

—LILITH—

"...Absolutely not."

Celia crossed her arms with such stubborn determination that I already knew nobody was winning this argument anytime soon.

Across from her, Aria merely closed her eyes and drew a slow breath, carrying herself with the quiet composure of someone who had long since learned how to remain graceful even when sorely tested.

She was no longer the lonely villainess abandoned by everyone.

Everything had changed after Celia disappeared.

Damien had ultimately relinquished the throne to his cousin before crossing worlds, but before doing so, he exercised every ounce of authority he still possessed to restore justice within the kingdom. Duke Arthur Valen was stripped of much of his political influence after his countless abuses of power and years of blatant favoritism became known throughout the capital. Unable to withstand the judgment of both the royal court and the nobility, he was forced into retirement, leaving the Valen Estate in Aria’s hands.

Sebastian dealt with Cynthia personally.

Rather than allowing her to remain in the capital and continue weaving schemes, he ensured she was sent back to the remote village where she had once lived before entering House Valen. It was not vengeance, but consequence. Every privilege she had gained through manipulation was taken away, and by royal decree she was forbidden from setting foot inside the capital again without the Crown’s permission.

Matthias uncovered the corruption hidden within the knights who had protected the Valen household’s misconduct for years, exposing every official who had accepted bribes to silence the truth. Ezekiel unearthed forged documents, fabricated records, and every lie that had been buried beneath layers of political influence until the entire conspiracy finally collapsed. Even Aelith, despite belonging to another kingdom, stood firmly beside Aria, lending his support, healing the wounded during the turmoil, and ensuring peace returned before he departed.

By the time everything finally settled...

No one remained who could question Aria’s rightful place.

She had become the Duchess of Valen—not because someone had simply handed the title to her, but because every person who had stolen her future had finally been forced to answer for it.

Unfortunately...

None of that dignity seemed capable of convincing my sister to wear a proper dress.

"Celia," Aria began with remarkable patience, "I have had several gowns prepared."

"I appreciate that."

"And?"

"I’m still not wearing one."

Aria blinked.

"...May I ask why?"

"Because they’re heavy."

"They are not."

"They’re emotionally heavy."

I nodded immediately.

"...Honestly, that’s a valid argument."

Both women slowly turned toward me.

"...What?"

Celia sighed dramatically before gesturing toward the magnificent collection of gowns displayed across the dressing chamber. Silk shimmered beneath the sunlight pouring through the tall windows, delicate embroidery decorated every sleeve, and pearls sparkled so brilliantly that I was fairly certain each dress alone cost more than everything inside our apartment combined.

"They’re beautiful," Celia admitted honestly. "But I already spent months wearing dresses like those."

She visibly shuddered.

"I missed pockets."

I gasped.

"...They don’t have pockets?"

"They do not," Aria answered.

I stared at her in horror.

"...That’s barbaric."

Aria tilted her head.

"...Why would a lady require pockets?"

"So where do you put your phone?"

"...My... what?"

"...Never mind."

Celia rubbed her forehead before glancing toward one of the maids quietly arranging garments nearby.

"Do you have something... simpler?"

"Simpler?"

"...Like..."

She pointed directly toward the maid.

"...Her uniform."

The poor maid nearly dropped the stack of folded clothing in her arms.

"...M-Mine?"

Aria stared at Celia in complete disbelief.

"...You wish to dress as one of my maids?"

Celia nodded without the slightest embarrassment.

"It looks comfortable."

"It is a servant’s uniform."

"It has sleeves."

"It is intended for housework."

"It has pockets."

"...Pockets?"

Celia immediately pointed toward the maid’s apron.

"I saw one."

The maid awkwardly demonstrated the tiny pocket sewn neatly into the fabric.

"...She is correct."

I watched the entire exchange with growing amusement before quietly raising my own hand.

"...Can I wear the pretty one?"

Both women turned toward me simultaneously.

"The really expensive-looking one."

Aria’s eyes instantly brightened.

"...Of course."

She clapped her hands together.

"I knew at least one of you possessed proper taste."

I beamed.

"Oh, I have absolutely zero dignity."

Celia looked at me as though I’d personally betrayed our entire family.

"Lilith."

"What?"

"You always complained whenever I made you wear dresses."

"I complained because they came from discount stores."

I lovingly reached out and hugged one of the gowns against my chest.

"These..."

I nearly teared up.

"...These are couture."

Aria smiled proudly.

"They were handmade."

I slowly turned toward her.

"...Can I cry?"

"I would consider it a compliment."

Celia buried her face in both hands.

"I can’t believe my own sister switched sides this quickly."

"I’ve been wanting to wear something like this!"

I hugged the gown tighter.

"Do you know how many Chapters I spent describing dresses exactly like these?"

"You exaggerated every single one."

"I called it artistic expression."

Aria laughed softly.

"I believe the sapphire gown would suit you wonderfully."

I gasped dramatically.

"She already picked one for me."

Celia pointed accusingly between the two of us.

"You’ve known each other for ten minutes!"

"We understand each other."

"We’re artists."

"We appreciate fabric."

"I’m the designer here." Celia mumbled to herself.

Aria finally turned back toward Celia, the gentle smile on her face somehow becoming even more determined.

"...As for you..."

She folded her hands elegantly.

"...You are absolutely not wearing a maid’s uniform."

Celia smiled just as sweetly.

"...Watch me."

The room instantly fell silent.

Neither woman moved.

Neither blinked.

The maids quietly exchanged nervous glances, wisely deciding to retreat toward the opposite side of the room before becoming accidental casualties of whatever noble battle was about to unfold.

I slowly picked up my sapphire gown and took several careful steps backward.

"...You know..."

Neither of them looked at me.

"...I’m just going to get changed before this turns into the Second Battle of House Valen."

Without warning, both Celia and Aria spoke at exactly the same time.

"No."

I froze.

"...No?"

Celia pointed at me.

"You’re staying."

Aria nodded gracefully.

"Someone must serve as the impartial judge."

I stared at both of them.

"...I’m the author."

"Exactly," Celia replied.

"You started this mess."

Aria smiled with perfect elegance.

"It seems only fair that you help resolve it."

I looked toward the ceiling and let out a long, defeated sigh.

"...Dear universe," I muttered. "Please send me back."

The universe, apparently, had decided to ignore my request.

A few minutes later, Aria and I somehow found ourselves standing shoulder to shoulder facing the wall like two children being punished for causing trouble.

Neither of us had quite figured out how we ended up here.

Somehow, despite the two of us joining forces, we had still lost the argument.

The victor, meanwhile, stood proudly behind us.

Celia adjusted the servant’s uniform she had fought so passionately to wear before smoothing down the apron with unmistakable satisfaction. She slipped both hands into its pockets, closed her eyes for a second, and smiled as though she had just reclaimed something precious that had been stolen from her.

"...Pockets," she whispered emotionally.

She patted them once.

I slowly glanced sideways toward Aria.

"...She’s talking to the pockets."

Aria remained perfectly still.

"...I noticed."

"I think she’s serious."

"...She is."

Neither of us spoke for another moment.

Finally, Aria let out the quietest sigh.

"...We lost."

"We really did."

"...To a maid’s uniform."

"...To pockets."

Celia looked over her shoulder, clearly hearing every word.

"They’re practical."

"They’re unfashionable," Aria corrected immediately.

"..."

Celia folded her arms proudly. "I’d just like everyone to acknowledge that common sense won today."

I raised my hand.

"I acknowledge nothing." I said and grinned.

The room finally fell into comfortable laughter.

For the first time since arriving, everything felt strangely... light.

It almost made us forget how impossible this entire situation actually was.

Almost.

Because the smile lingering on Celia’s face slowly faded.

She looked down at the simple servant’s uniform she now wore, absentmindedly brushing invisible dust from the sleeves before her expression gradually became thoughtful.

Then she quietly lifted her head.

"Aria."

Her voice had changed.

There wasn’t even a trace of humor left.

Aria immediately noticed and both of us turned to face her.

"...Yes?"

Celia met her eyes.

"What happened..."

She hesitated for only a brief moment.

"...after I disappeared?"

The cheerful atmosphere vanished almost instantly.

Even I straightened without realizing it.

Celia continued softly.

"Did you know..."

Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the fabric of her apron.

"...that all five of them crossed into my world?"

Aria didn’t answer immediately.

She simply looked at Celia for a very long time, as though the question had carried her back to memories she had buried.

"...I knew," she finally whispered.

Celia blinked.

"...You knew?"

Aria nodded slowly.

"I knew the moment they completed the reverse summoning circle."

My eyebrows immediately shot upward.

"...Hold on."

I pointed between the two of them.

"A reverse... summoning circle?"

Aria nodded.

"After you disappeared, none of them accepted that you were truly gone."

Her eyes softened as old memories resurfaced.

"They searched everywhere. They questioned every mage they could find, even Ezekiel began studying forbidden records, and even opened archives that had remained sealed for generations."

She smiled faintly.

"It was Ezekiel who eventually found an ancient theory."

"A summoning circle can call someone into your world..." she explained, "...but if one truly understands the laws that govern it, it can also be reversed."

Celia listened without blinking.

"They gathered everything that still carried traces of you. The room where you once lived. Your belongings. Even the places you frequently visited."

Aria lowered her gaze.

"In the end... they found several strands of your soul."

She looked back at Celia.

"Ezekiel believed they still contained enough of your mana to serve as an anchor."

"The five of them used those remnants as the center of the reverse summoning circle. They weren’t trying to summon another person. They were trying to follow you."

Silence settled over the room.

My mouth slowly fell open.

"...That’s... actually insane."

"It was," Aria admitted with a small laugh. "Every royal mage opposed the idea. They warned it had never been attempted before and that failure could erase them entirely."

"But..."

Her smile became warmer.

"...they proceeded anyway."

Celia lowered her eyes.

"...They really crossed worlds..."

"They did."

She remained quiet for a long while before a small, helpless smile slowly found its way onto her face.

’Huh, weird... I really thought I was the one who brought them here. I guess some things play differently.’

Before either Aria or I could respond, Celia suddenly lifted her head. The sadness in her eyes had already been carefully tucked away behind a sad, familiar smile.

"Anyway..."

She inhaled slowly.

"It doesn’t matter anymore."

Both Aria and I looked at her.

"I think..." she said quietly, "it’s better that I stay in this world."

The words instantly sank in my head as I nervously looked at Celia.

"I’ve already been given another chance here." She looked around the Valen Estate, her eyes lingering on the gardens, the manor, and finally on Aria. "This place became my home too."

A faint smile curved across her lips, though it failed to reach her eyes.

"And besides..."

She looked down at her hands.

"They’ll be fine without me."

I frowned.

"Celia..."

"They’ve already started building their own lives."

She laughed softly, though there was something painfully hollow about it.

"Sebastian has his company. Damien has his business. Ezekiel has his research. Matthias has his career. Aelith has his research. They’re all extraordinary people."

Her fingers slowly tightened together.

"They sacrificed everything just to find me..."

She paused.

"...but now they’ve finally found lives worth living."

Her smile grew gentler.

"They deserve that."

The words sounded calm.

Reasonable.

Almost convincing.

"So..."

She looked back at us.

"I’ll continue my journey here. I’ll help you and work for you here at House Valen. I’ll finally open that boutique I’ve always wanted. And they’ll continue theirs."

She nodded once, as though sealing her own decision.

"...Maybe that’s how our story was always supposed to end."

Aria quietly watched her and said nothing.

Because she recognized that smile.

It was the same smile Celia always wore whenever she was trying to let go.

And standing beside them, I suddenly had the overwhelming urge...

...to tell my stubborn big sister that she was lying.

Not to us.

But to herself.