Ti passed by as I tried to put that matter to the back of my mind, although I was constantly trying to find a chance to see Father, Mother, and Domi. Even so, I couldn’t be too suspicious. I was too oblivious at first and tried to follow my parents whenever they wanted to go to Capicastle on the pretense I’d like to play with Luca, Leticia, or Kiri in hopes I’d bump into Father or Domi at least, but after it was too much…
“Lyra, you’ve been coming to the royal castle for too many tis. Is there anything you want to do there, or the house is too boring? If you want sothing that only exists in the castle and if Dad can get it for you, I’ll do that,” Dad said in a concerned face.
“I—”
Before I could answer Dad, Mom said teasingly, “Don’t tell you fancy Luca or Kiri?”
Dad’s face changed quickly and I was surprised that Mom would tease like tha—or was she teasing Dad?!
“Lyra, you’re still too young—”
“Mom, Dad, that’s not the case! I… I found so interesting books in the royal castle’s library and I went there often to finish the books… I’m now finished, so I will co there less!” I quickly retorted.
Dad was speechless although he was still doubtful and looked like he wanted to say sothing to . However, he held back and I could hear Mom’s chuckle.
Perhaps Mom thought I’d soon have my coming-of-age ceremony and thus she wanted to sohow let Dad loosen up and start to think about my marriage, therefore she brought up this kind of a joke…?
Either way, I tried to calm myself and told myself that there would still be ti, there was no rush.
Yep, even during Clyde’s birthday, I couldn’t see my old family because… Normally, and my siblings would attend to the parties of nobles in the sa age or generation, or those with important occasions and if our school and other stuff aligned with the parties. It was rare for us to follow our parents during their generation’s celebration parties unless the parties were important. In that case, Mom and Dad would be the ones to ask us to co, not the other way around.
To not arouse suspicion any further than this, I gave up on the idea of asking to follow them to Clyde’s birthday party.
And then… It was soon Luca’s 12th birthday.
Day 33 Month 2 Year 982. One year before the crown prince has the coming-of-age ceremony.
Finally, this is my chance!
For an event as important as the crown prince’s birthday, most nobles would definitely co. Especially nobles like Father and Mother who loved to take care of their images the most. And because Domi is now the head of the family, he will inevitably be there, too.
With the help of the maids, my preparations were quickly done. I was wearing an excellent dress dominant of blue in color and the family emblem stitched to the dress. Perhaps because I would soon turn twelve too and then thirteen—thus getting acknowledged as an adult—the dress picked was sohow cute.
Most noble ladies her age would try and insist on wearing dresses with more mature designs as they thought they would be adult soon, so they wanted to emphasize that. However, they forgot to realize that after they turned into an adult, they would have no choice but to wear dresses with mature designs. If they were to wear cute dresses after they beca an adult, it would invite ridicule. Therefore, while one wasn’t yet an adult, it was the ti to enjoy wearing cute dresses as much as to one’s heart content.
Even if their parents understood that and deliberately picked cute dresses for them, if the children weren’t willing, then what could they do?
I knew this quite well, so I didn’t object my parents’ choice of dresses at all. Mom worried that I held back for her sake, but I quickly said that I liked the dress as well.
Cherish your ti as the exact sa ti won’t co twice. I wanted to do this too.
During the birthday party, after so words of opening, I quickly went and gathered with my friends to greet Luca. It was the sa as always. But this ti, I tried to not wander too far from him, even when so of my friends didn’t follow. Only a few of us chose to stay close to Luca, and they were , Kiri as Luca’s aide, and Ein who was reluctant to part from . Leticia and my younger twin siblings went around to play. Alt-nii and Clavis wanted to stay, but they were quickly swept away by the other nobles their age. Carbuncle dragged Iris away to do as she liked. Briar and the miracle twins didn’t dare to be close to Luca as they didn’t want to attract useless attention.
Kiri would naturally stick to Luca. As for … I was known as Luca’s close friend, so it wasn’t strange. Beside, I was also a duke’s daughter. Ein was a duchess’ son. It wouldn’t incite any trouble. We weren’t necessarily sticking close to Luca, we were only so distance away as Luca greeted the others coming his way.
I saw so familiar faces, but my mind was entirely focused on waiting for Father, Mother, and Domi. If the familiar faces were to greet , I would nod and greet them shortly in return.
Eventually, my eyes caught the sight of Domi approaching.
His face was as flat as I could rember. He looked calm and composed, as if nothing really mattered to him. Even so, when he greeted the crown prince, his gesture was flawless. Like a machine.
My heart shuddered because this Domi reminded of my old self way too much. Perhaps it was because Domi was my full-blooded siblings, and that he was personally brought up by the sa thod as mine.
Even though Luca was much younger than Domi, I saw that Luca’s domineering aura didn’t lose out and it was clear that he was the superior, while Domi was the subordinate. And even if Domi was much older than Luca, he didn’t dare to show any hint of underestimation. He was full of respect. As expected of the head of the Grabberton family.
Luca and Domi exchanged a few words before Domi bowed to Luca and was about to excuse himself when his line of sight t mine.
Even if he didn’t see my eyes on him, I was sure he would notice , Kiri, and Ein, and would at least co over to greet us shortly. And that was what he did.
“Greetings to the Duke Hartmann’s daughter, Duchess Loera’s son, and the young prince’s aide. How do you do,” Domi saluted.
I absolutely admired how he didn’t falter a bit even in his expression, as he greeted and my friends respectfully like an equal—because our statuses could be said as equal, although in terms of age, we were all inferior to him.
We all returned the greetings respectfully.
From the corner of my eyes, I saw how Father and Mother caught up and were now talking with Luca.
As Domi didn’t seem to be interested in talking too much with us, he seed to want to leave after a few words, but I quickly grabbed the corner of his coat and tugged it slightly. With that, Domi stopped and looked at .
Truth to be told, it was exactly at this ti that I planted Fenrir’s mark on him. There was no reason for to tug on him, but I needed to co up with sothing to say to him, so in my very genius mont, I blurted out, “Domi-san, how is Adel-san?”
…because the only thing that ca up to my mind was Adel, who was Domi’s fiancée. Speaking of which, I didn’t see Adel sticking to Domi even though I rember I saw Adel sowhere here… That also reminded of the incident that happened during Domi’s birthday. And how there was another woman who tried to approach Domi. But that woman was nowhere close to Domi, so I guess… It was sohow resolved.
Even so, wasn’t it stupid of to ask Domi about his fiancée, when I knew that things didn’t seem to go very well between them…?
Domi looked surprised hearing my question. And perhaps since he was facing a child like , his facial expression turned gentle as he slightly bent down to talk to .
…I was confident in my height since I was considered quite tall in school, yet it was incomparable to Domi. The Grabberton family’s tall height gene was indeed… running in his veins, and no longer ran in mine.
“She is doing well. We are going to marry soon. May young miss wait on our invitation,” Domi said.
I was surprised as I didn’t expect to hear this information about his marriage…
He would be married soon?
Although Domi was my younger brother (in my past life), my first concern wasn’t towards Domi, but towards Adel. After being raised in the house full of love like my current family’s, the importance of love in a marriage and in forming a family was even more deeply ingrained in my mind, and Adel was a good person, so I… hope she would be able to smile in the next half of her life.
I wonder how Domi feels about his fiancée?
With the example of his own family, I wonder if Domi would just repeat that…? Though I knew Adel wouldn’t turn out to be like Mother, and would be more like Clyde’s mother instead… I couldn’t help but sigh in my heart. With Mom as comparison, Clyde’s mother seed rather pitiful.
Would that cold house of the Grabberton main family continue in the hands of my younger brother, or…?
“…Big Sis Lyra?” Ein was the one to call out to , breaking my train of thoughts.
“Ah, I was so surprised to hear the news. I can’t wait to attend your wedding, Domi-san!” I quickly said in response to Domi.
“Uncle, I can’t wait too! At that ti, make sure the flower bouquet be thrown to Big Sis Lyra, alright? Big Sis Lyra and I will soon follow!” Ein said enthusiastically.
Domi was surprised by Ein’s words that a light chuckle escaped his mouth. Unexpectedly, he patted Ein’s head as he said, “Sure, sure.”
Domi was quite gentle towards Ein, who was Clyde’s son… I think he was sincere, so I couldn’t help but think about his relationship with Clyde.
But I had to applaud his gentleness with children. That was a good sign. At least Domi didn’t seem to be as cold as I thought…?
My goal was reached, so I didn’t retain Domi and Domi left afterwards.
I wasn’t sure it was a coincidence or it was tid, but Mother quickly approached not too long after Domi left. Luca and Father’s eyes followed Mother too.
Mother stood in front of with her asuring gaze as shocking words ca out of her mouth.
“And this would be the future spouse.”
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