Chapter 05
I strolled slowly through the mansion, taking in my surroundings.
My original goal had been to scout the grounds, but as I walked and observed, all I could do was marvel.
The manor, steeped in deep history, was itself a work of art.
Not a single stone laid in the corridor or column standing in the arcade seemed carelessly made.
So you killed me and lived in such luxury, you foolish wizard.
My urge for revenge on Pamel seemed to spike another ten points.
While wandering and poking around the mansion, I encountered many people.
Whether they had already heard about me or were simply kind by nature, everyone greeted me with gentle smiles and polite bows.
When I visited the kitchen in particular, they even gifted me an enormous pile of snacks, enough to overflow the basket Marina had given me.
I could never carry this with my current body. Good thing I handed the basket to Hedin.
Continuing my not-quite-exploration with that heavy basket in tow, a painting suddenly stopped me in my tracks.
It was a portrait of my father.
He looks so much younger than I remember.
I’d already heard the story that Father was the son of a Grand Duke, but it had never really felt real.
Maybe because the father I remembered was just an ordinary country farmer…
Since recovering the memories of my previous life, I’d felt more like my “past-life self” than my current one.
Perhaps it was because that earlier life had been longer—and far more intense.
But regardless, the man in the portrait looked unmistakably like the son of nobility.
So Father really is the Grand Duke’s son.
Which made me, his daughter, the Grand Duke of Asinov’s granddaughter.
The reality of my status sank in with a fresh weight.
I was quietly gazing at my father’s portrait when a distraction appeared from down the hall.
A striking blond-haired, blue-eyed young man was walking with a book in hand—Sishe, who on paper was my third older brother.
He glanced at the painting I was staring at and addressed me in a blunt tone.
“What’s with that ridiculous look? Don’t tell me you’ve been wandering around like that?”
He’s handsome enough…
…but his tone was the complete opposite—annoying.
Even without a blood tie, an Asinov is an Asinov. That irritating attitude is just like Pamel’s.
But seeing Sishe dressed in perfectly tailored, dazzling clothes left me unable to retort.
When I first met Hedin I thought he sparkled, but…
Sishe shone even more.
Compared to this picture-perfect young man, I was roaming the mansion in an ill-fitting loose dress and a pair of slippers.
The only shoes that fit me were slippers; the pretty ones Marina had prepared were too big.
“It’s not that ridiculous. The clothes are just a little big,” I said.
“Yeah. People call that ridiculous,” he shot back.
“But nobody said that to me.”
“Of course not. Who here would say that to you? Only I would.”
Sishe strode over on his long legs and stopped in front of me, frowning as he looked me over.
“What happened to the clothes that were prepared for you?”
“These are the clothes that were prepared.”
“Aren’t you thirteen? I thought they’d have clothes in your size.”
“As you can see, I’m smaller than average for my age.”
I lifted my scrawny arm as proof, and Sishe’s frown deepened.
“What have you been eating to end up like this?”
“Whatever food the guests left behind. And when there wasn’t any, nothing.”
“What? Leftovers from guests?”
Didn’t he hear about how I lived?
I shot Hedin a quick glance before explaining to Sishe.
“Oh. My foster parents ran an inn. I worked there. So I ate whatever food the guests left—”
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
Sishe raised a hand to stop me, rubbing his forehead.
The look he gave me was a complicated mix of emotions.
“Hey.”
“Yes?”
“You sure answer quickly.”
He sighed, then suddenly scooped me up.
“Whoa!”
Despite his delicate appearance, Sishe was surprisingly strong.
He held me easily in one arm without showing any strain.
Surprised, I blinked at him.
Catching the meaning in my insolent stare, he flicked a finger lightly against my forehead.
“I do have enough strength to carry a little straw doll like you.”
“Did I say otherwise…?”
“Your eyes did.”
He was spot on. Embarrassed, I averted my gaze. He gave a short laugh.
“Let’s go. I can’t allow my ‘little sister’ to wander around looking like this.”
“Where are we going?”
“Would you even know if I told you? You’ll see when we get there.”
Sishe didn’t set me down until we reached a huge room of unknown purpose.
Aside from a few paintings on the walls and a sofa with a table in the center, it was an oddly empty space.
I sat beside Sishe on the plush sofa, nibbling on snacks from the basket.
He rested his elbow on the armrest, chin in hand, regarding me with a bored expression.
Eating alone feels a little rude…
I took an almond cookie—my least favorite—and held it out to him.
Hedin, knowing my dislike, stifled a laugh behind a fake cough, but I ignored him and asked:
“Would you like a cookie?”
“No thanks. I’m not about to steal a flea’s liver. You eat.”
“It’s fine. There’s plenty.”
“That’s why you should eat them all.”
“…Okay.”
What a shame. That was my chance to offload a flavor I don’t like.
When I slumped in disappointment, Sishe scratched his head and snatched the cookie from my hand.
“Fine, fine. I’ll eat it.”
He popped it into his mouth and crunched loudly.
Behind him, Hedin let out another disguised laugh, earning a sharp glare from Sishe—eyes like a predator ready to strike.
Since Hedin had once saved me from drowning, it was my turn to rescue him.
“So, Sishe!”
My sudden question brought his gaze back to me.
“How old are you?”
I’d asked just to change the subject, but realized I genuinely didn’t know their ages.
Sishe looked at me as if to say You really didn’t know? before answering.
“Didn’t I mention? Baratheon and I are eighteen. Lucas is twenty. We were all adopted ten years ago.”
“Eighteen?”
He was only five years older than me, yet he seemed completely adult.
Well, eighteen is an adult, I reminded myself.
In the Empire, people had their coming-of-age at eighteen.
No wonder he seemed so grown up.
It’s just me who looks like a little kid.
I stared down at myself, dejected, until Sishe tapped my forehead lightly.
“So eat a lot, got it? We don’t need rumors that we brought home a perfectly healthy child only to starve her.”
Just as he said that, a commotion arose outside the door.
“Ah, they’re finally here,” Sishe said.
At his signal, Hedin nodded and swung the door wide.
What’s going on?
Before I could figure it out, a crowd of people poured in.
They pushed in racks packed with clothes and carts stacked with huge boxes.
With practiced motions they arranged the racks and boxes neatly.
When the boxes were opened, they revealed hats, shoes, gloves, and other accessories.
Sketchbooks with dress designs and a light tea spread were swiftly laid out on the table.
I watched, slack-jawed.
Am I dreaming?
It felt surreal.
But Sishe’s voice beside me reminded me this was real.
“Hey, wipe the crumbs off your mouth. It’s embarrassing.”
He clicked his tongue and, with elegant fingers, pulled out a handkerchief to gently wipe my lips.
The newcomers, clearly summoned by Sishe, froze with their mouths agape.
“What are you staring at?”
Noticing their looks, Sishe quickly withdrew his hand and glared at them.
“Well? Get to work.”
“Y-yes, young master!”
They hurriedly set about their tasks, and I blinked in confusion.
Sishe chuckled and tilted his chin with a sly grin.
“Didn’t I tell you? I was going to show you how it’s done.”
But seriously… what on earth does that mean?
