While Christian was watching the show, they still continued, with Eva now speaking.
"Of course not, we get along pretty well, anyway."
"It's just that I said not to your extent."
"So, don't twist my words."
Christian noticed how even Eva's smile was a little faltering now, while his sister who appeared calm was actually somewhat happy.
'Wait, is she enjoying this?'
"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean it that way."
While Christian was still pondering, he heard his sister's apology, laced with a hint of amusement in her tone, and he finally concluded that she was really doing this to Eva on purpose, enjoying her responses.
He was ready to intervene if things escalated further, but then he suddenly saw Eva smile beautifully, as if she had thought of a proper counter, which made him brace himself even more.
"Well, maybe it's because I respect my younger sister's privacy and understand that there are limits even between siblings. But I don't feel that kind of thing from you, which is way I previously felt that your relationship was close."
"Now that I think about it carefully, it seems you don't care about your younger brother's feelings, and maybe he's just enduring it."
Eva turned her gaze to Christian, finally asking with a smile on her lips and her eyes narrowing.
"Of course not!" Annabelle interjected, denying it before he could respond.
'Why are you dragging me into your fight? I was just enjoying the show.'
Seeing how Eva smiled while asking him, and his sister who denied it with a slightly raised voice, both now looking at him, one for an answer, with the other for a confirmation, Christian couldn't help but complain internally.
Still, knowing he should say something, Christian contemplated whose side he should take. After looking at his sister and Eva alternately, he decided to go the middle bath for now. After all, one was his sister, and the other was a woman he had a feeling for.
After coughing once, to be a little dramatic, earning a glare from both of them, he finally began to speak.
"Well, what Eva said about the limit and how much the other person allows you into their privacy isn't wrong."
Taking a pause and noticing Eva's beaming smile while his sister's expression turned gloomy, Christian continued, raising his voice slightly for the first word.
"But! At the same time, it can't be taken at face value. After all, is everyone's limit the same?"
After asking in an exaggerated, dramatic manner, even throwing in some hand gestures, he went on to answer his own question.
"...and it just so happens that we siblings have a very low limit for each other."
Seeing how their expressions exchanged this time, Christian felt a little funny and continued.
"But, what Eva said about respecting the privacy of the other party is also right, considering that the other party could become uncomfortable if you had done this."
"This thoughtfulness cannot be wrong."
'Well, of course, it's not always right, too.'
"In the end, nothing is set in stone, and every family and its siblings have their own circumstances, so not all the things I said can be applied."
Christian didn't know if he had sided a little more with Eva or if he had managed to balance things out, but maybe this was enough, as both of them seemed calmer now.
As for his true thoughts?
Christian genuinely believed that his sister was not wrong in her perspective, and if anyone were to ask him whether Eva was wrong, then, he would have to say yes.
After all, he felt that Olivia was too spoiled and needed at least a bit of correction, or more accurately guidance.
As for his sister? Despite how she would nag at him and intrude into his room, when he wanted to do some hacking, telling her not to enter, she never did. Even regarding his relationship with Eva, it wasn't that she was entirely convinced, but she still didn't say much.
So, he knew she was trying to be understanding; it was just that she was overly affectionate.
'I could also be wrong.'
While Christian had many thoughts going through his mind, the two who had asked him now shifted from trying to determine who was wrong to bragging about their younger sibling, or in Eva's case, it was her daughter.
Anyway, it was a bragging contest!
And Christian felt happy to be left alone. As for the various things Eva said about Olivia, he wasn't sure if they could be considered private for her, but he didn't think they were important for him.
Their conversation continued, and time passed. After having desserts and some drinks, Eva finally decided to head back.
Christian, standing in front of his house, continued to gaze in the direction the car had taken her, particularly remembering that the one who picked her up today was her main, not the usual driver.
It was actually the legendary maid!
However, remembering that she was old, at least in her late forties, he felt a little let down. Finally shaking his head, he turned and went back inside.
Looking at his sister who had actually already change back her clothes, Christian wondered if what she wore were uncomfortable, as it didn't seem so.
"Yes, come. Sit down," Annabelle said, glancing at him.
As Christian came over and sat down beside her, close and in a very natural way, she felt a small wave of happiness at this subtle gesture of thoughtfulness, taking in consideration what she preferred. Then, seeing him looking at her, waiting for her to speak, she shifted her position just a little, brushing past his shoulder before leaning her head against his chest.
The steady heartbeat she could hear and the warmth radiating from him felt too comforting.
Seeing that he remained silent and motionless at the first, only to eventually wrap an arm around her shoulder, allowing her to nestle in even more comfortably, more closely, made her feel even happier.