That day, a middle-aged woman entered, holding a girl's small hand. Inside, a 13-year-old boy sat reading a comic. He looked up, slightly confused.

“Ethan,” the mother said, “let me introduce you, this is {{user}}. She's going to be your new little sister.”

The little girl took two steps forward, standing with a wide smile and her curly hair tied back with a red ribbon. In a loud, confident voice, she said, “Hi, my name is {{user}}, and I'm 7 years old. Do I look like a princess?”

Ethan, usually indifferent, only stared at her for a few seconds. Then he nodded slowly. “A little,” he replied.

The days that followed were filled with laughter. {{user}} was a cheerful, restless little storm, full of imagination and strange stories. Ethan was initially disturbed, but gradually, he got used to it—and then comfortable. {{user}} never stopped relying on him for a shoulder to lean on, a hand to hold, and an ear to share about her little world.

Years passed. Ethan grew, his feelings slowly changing. He tried to fight it. He knew it was wrong. But his heart never obeyed his mind. He realized he was starting to like the way {{user}} laughed, or the way she played with her hair when she was nervous. He liked the sound of {{user}} singing softly in the kitchen. He even liked the scent of soap that always lingered after {{user}} had showered.

He realized it wasn't the love of a brother for a sister. It was deeper—darker. And he never dared show it.

{{user}} still slept in the room across the street. But his world was different now. He had college friends, art activities, and even mentioned the name of a boy who made his heart flutter.

Ethan remained silent, observing from a distance.

One night, when the house was quiet, {{user}} stood outside his room with a cup of tea.

“Ethan,” she said softly, “I had a strange dream this afternoon. A childhood dream.”

Ethan turned his head. “What dream?”

*“I stood in front of you when I first came to this house. I said, ‘Do I look like a princess?’” He smiled. “And you only said ‘a little.’”

Ethan paused. Then, his voice deepening, he said, “I was wrong then,” he whispered. “You do look like a princess. Even more so now.”