Bel balked and shook her head as Edinburgh again broke into that silly routine—on the busy sidewalk, no less. The onlookers had varying reactions as she danced past them—some pitying, some amused, some confused. But Edinburgh ignored them all. She didn't allow them to give her pause and continued tapping her flats on the pavement to whatever rhythm within her imagination.

And while Bel believed that such an inelegant display was something a Royal maid shouldn't be showing, in and out of duty, she had to admit one thing—Edinburgh sure can dance, and without suffering embarrassing pratfalls like she would usually be prone to.

While seeing Edinburgh doing the jig on the streets was already baffling enough, the fact that Belfast didn't seem to disapprove of how their older sister acted—she even had a big, warm, quite uncommon smile—puzzled Bel even more.

"Were you curious about her?" She turned aside to see Bel growing red and looking away, and Belfast knew right away she was correct.

"Ah…I'm sorry…but yes, I did wonder…why she seemed so…"

"Happy; she's happy," Belfast finished for her. "Happier than she's ever been."

"Hm," Bel murmured as she glimpsed at Edinburgh. There was some truth to that. A few months before, she thought Edinburgh couldn't look happier. She inexplicably began putting more thought into her appearance and would sometimes disappear without explanation.

But whatever joy she had was short-lived. Bel soon lost count of how many beautiful smiles Edinburgh had faked as each day passed, and she couldn't really understand why—something she was regretful for.

But it all changed yesterday. Bel could still recall the moment Edinburgh returned to their room, with ravaged makeup and tear-stricken cheeks—but also with a genuine, satisfied grin. She burst out laughing when Belfast pulled her into a hug. Though she still didn't understand, she joined in anyway when they invited her—and at that time, not knowing the reason seemed so trivial.

"Come on; she's waiting," Belfast took Bel by hand to meet up with Edinburgh, who paused upon realizing she had left her sisters behind.

"Ooops," Edinburgh rubbed the back of her head as her sisters caught up with her, although she knew, from their faces, that they didn't mind.

"It's alright," Belfast's voice was as gentle as her eyes. "It's alright…"

"Oh, I know. Let's get some drinks. I'm buying," Edinburgh exclaimed, and before neither Bel nor Belfast could answer, she had dragged them both to a nearby drink stand and bought them coffee and lemonade.

"This is the first time I saw you drink beer, sister," Belfast remarked when she noticed the can of ice-cold Budweiser. But today, she didn't feel like disapproving of her sister's rather bold choice. After everything that happened, she was certainly entitled to feel and be defiant.

"I just felt like getting one today. Heck, if they got something stronger there, I'd buy that instead," Edinburgh answered, laughing. She proceeded to drain the can of its remaining content in one go.

As she was about to dispose of it, Edinburgh paused before crushing the can—she rather liked the sound of it—and tossing it into the bin.

"Good riddance," she muttered, cold and detached. Something in her scowl had Bel wincing because it was such a striking contrast to how jolly she was before. But, as if she noticed, Edinburgh turned to them smiling.

"Hey, have I told you guys I'm glad I have you with me?"

"Thrice today, dear sister," Belfast replied, smiling back.

"Eh, I'm not going to say it enough anyway," Edinburgh shrugged. "No matter how strong one may become, they will always need someone."

"That's true. Even for someone as strong as you," Belfast chuckled.

"Um, I'm happy that you are no longer sad, sister. Even though I didn't really understand...I was so worried about you," Bel chimed in. Edinburgh blinked at that before ruffling the girl's hair, driving her into a fit of giggles.

"Thanks, Bel. But like Belfast said...I'm strong, you know? Let me show you."

The lemonade cup Bel was holding fell into the ground as Edinburgh hoisted her into the air, laughing.

"S-Sister?!"

"See, I'm strong, am I not?"

"Ye-yes, you are, but please put me down!"

Edinburgh held Bel up for a moment, allowing their eyes to meet—and Bel could see her tender gaze before she was put down.

"Ahaha, it seems I got carried away...sorry, Bel. Just happy I finally got to sock that cheating idiot in the face. Got me feeling all powerful and all, you know."

Bel nodded; she didn't feel like questioning that last bit.

"Oh my, it seems it's going to rain," Belfast remarked, looking up. The sky had turned gray, even though it was sunny just moments ago, and around them, people had begun to scurry.

"Eh, we brought umbrellas, didn't we...?"

"I have mine and Bel with me...but I do not see yours," Belfast pointed out, and Edinburgh realized that she somehow had lost hers. Either that, or she forgot to bring one in the first place.

"Oh...Silly me," Edinburgh slapped her own forehead, although, as Bel and Belfast noticed, there was no hint of distress to her words. They then noticed her starting to walk away, only pausing to look over her shoulder.

"No use crying over spilled milk, so I guess I'll just walk faster," she said, once more grinning.

"Are you sure? Maybe we three could fit under this umbrella?" Bel called out. Edinburgh felt a little guilty because she seemed so hopeful, but realistically speaking, that was simply impossible.

"Nah, Belfast and I barely fit before, so that just won't happen," Edinburgh dismissed. "Well, shall we get moving? The rain's starting to fall."

The sisters watched as Edinburgh set off, with Belfast putting the umbrella up soon after as drops of water began to fall on their shoulders.

When they reached Edinburgh, the rain had grown heavy. But drenched as she was, she continued to walk. No whine nor grumble escaped her lips.

Regardless, Bel was concerned still, even though Belfast, like before, seemed unaffected. When she turned to her sister to voice the concern, Belfast simply motioned for her to take a closer look at Edinburgh.

Even though she was somewhat reluctant, Bel did as told, and only then she realized.

Edinburgh would, on occasion, glimpse at the clouds—or maybe the sun hiding behind them, because her eyes were shining and not even her glasses, covered in a watery veil, could hide it. When she didn't, she would look straight into the road ahead, still with the same shine—as if she knew now where to go.

She was beautiful even if she had abandoned the habit of touching herself up before going out. Everything about her was beautiful, no matter what she had gone through.

She will be alright.

"I'm not leaving you guys again."

She will always be there now.

Bel noticed Belfast running a finger across the corners of her eyes, and she was certain Edinburgh saw it too. Before she knew it, she did the same.

Because they will be alright.