Day 3 Month 6 Year 981.
Time flew by and the 22nd birthday of my ‘little brother’ finally arrived. This birthday was a special one because it would also be the day he would officially assume the title of the duke from Father. Although Father would still be carrying his duty while Domi had to learn and assist for some time first, I guess.
After getting dressed in somewhat a matching dress with my dear little sister, Freyja, a maid helped me in styling my hair in a low twintail. She helped me twirl my hair a bit so it would look wavier, making me have a more mature air, in my opinion.
Contrary to me, Freyja preferred having her hair not tied up at all, so the maid helped to put some accessories on her hair.
Freyr and Alt-nii also had somewhat matching outfits. As expected of males, their preparations were quicker than the females of this house.
Meanwhile, Mom and Dad wore their matching formal outfits.
Since the Grabberton family’s house was located in a totally opposite position to our house, we decided to use the teleportation service available nearby.
Thanks to it, we only spent little time on the carriage: the time needed to move from our house to the teleportation service, then from the Qwasigreynard’s center teleportation service central to the Grabberton family’s residence.
Come to think of it, it had been a long time since I went to this house. After my enrollment to Harmonia Academy and also debut to the noble society, I only tagged along to the nearby important nobles’ parties aside from attending our family members’ and close friends’ parties.
This was the privilege of being born in a duke’s house plus being a child.
There were times when Alt-nii tagged along with Dad while I stayed behind. As Alt-nii was the expected heir of the family, he willingly followed Dad to socialize with other nobles more frequently.
Thinking how awkward it would be to meet my previous self’s family members so often, I tried to reduce the frequency I’d meet with them and so, I hadn’t been coming to their parties.
Yes, not even Nicole’s and Clyde’s.
Ein’s was an exception since it was his debut and being in the same generation as me, I felt more compelled to attend.
The guards in front of the huge and luxurious residence checked our invitation and verified our identities before letting us in.
I glanced at the huge garden that seemed familiar, yet at the same time, it also felt unfamiliar.
When I closed my eyes, I could still remember this residence like the back of my hand.
…If there wasn’t any major change to the residence, that is.
After walking past this front garden, there would be a grand front door welcoming us. Past that door, it would be the huge lobby used for this party.
Usually, during this kind of occasion, the door would be open, enabling the attendees to enjoy mingling in the garden close to the door or inside in the lobby if they wanted.
If the weather isn’t good, the door would definitely be closed and everyone would definitely be inside.
Then, past that room…
Ah, not like it matters anymore.
I can no longer go there.
…I wonder what has my past room become, though?
With such thoughts revolving in my mind, I followed my family all the way until we reached the main hall. There were already quite a lot of nobles gathering around.
I looked to the left and to the right to see the changes to the room. Not much has changed, but this room looks even more polished. Perhaps they have renovated it to look grander and more replenished.
As my eyes trailed above, some familiar figures entered my field of vision.
They were…
“Big Sis Lyra!! You’ve come as well?” An energetic angelic nine-year-old boy with soft blonde hair and blue eyes ran to me, leaving behind his parents who smiled helplessly and slowly approached me as well.
“Hi, Ein! Of course I’m coming. It’s an important event for the Grabberton family,” I said as I smiled.
“Valkyane-san, Ophelia-san. I didn’t really expect you to come with your whole family complete. It’s such a pleasant surprise,” Clyde said as he extended his hand to Dad.
Dad accepted Clyde’s handshake and the two talked for a while.
Meanwhile, Mom talked to Nicole.
The chatty Nicole and my quiet Mom reminded me somewhat of my and Nicole’s past relationship and I couldn’t help but smile.
The Loera main family and the Hartmann main family were together just like that. The other nobles naturally didn’t have the courage to stick their nosy faces in the middle of the two ducal families.
Before long, the royal family arrived. It was to be expected, as this party was very important. The king would have to watch the title of duke being passed to the next heir.
I saw Domi and Father greeting the others from the platform.
The party began with the formal ceremony of passing the duke title from Father to Domi.
Domi was now taller than Father a bit, his body looked robust and sturdy. Pasted on his face was the regular business smile we were so used to put. I could tell as his eyes reflected no emotion.
No joy, no sadness, no nervousness.
It was as if he only did something that was expected, something that was like a formality. A duty.
Once again, I saw my old self in Domi. As expected of full-blooded sibling?
Mother was standing close to the platform as she watched the whole ceremony with unconcealed pride and joy in her eyes.
At this time, even her smile felt so genuine.
Yes, Domi had always been her pride and joy since his birth.
Meanwhile, I…
My gloomy thoughts were soon interrupted by the roaring claps from the audience. I snapped out of my daze and followed suit in clapping.
Following that, the king gave his speech of congratulatory to Domi and declared his wishes of Domi doing his best as a duke.
Once it was over, it was time for pleasantries.
Domi was standing next to the tables of food when we walked to him. He seemed to be taking some light snacks before he had to get involved in the pleasantries.
Me and my family congratulated him on his birthday and succession one by one.
However, my mind was a bit distracted by the question of what Domi was enjoying before we talked, other than the usual questions that I couldn’t bring myself to ask… Mainly questions as his elder sister.
How is your life? How do you feel after becoming the duke? How is Mother and Father?
Perhaps my mind began to question what Domi just ate to distract myself of such questions.
…Come to think of it, I don’t even know Domi’s favorite food. The same goes with Clyde. Even though I was supposed to be their sister.
Thanks to that, I glanced at the snack that was on the table nearby.
I saw a plate of small brown sponge cakes with shell-like shape. It was the plate most nearby to Domi, so was he enjoying this snack before we greeted him? Is this his favorite, perhaps?
“Lyra-san, perhaps you would like to try the madeleines?” Domi seemed to be perceptive enough to suddenly ask me.
“So, they are called madeleines? They seem delicious!” I tried to hide my embarrassment and said out of courtesy.
“They are my favorite,” Domi said with a smile.
For some reason, I felt like his expression just turned a bit gentler when he spoke of it.
…Is Domi such a foodie and he gets happy from talking about his favorite food?
What a coincidence, then. In the past—and perhaps in this lifetime too, I am a foodie.
Alright, I understand, then.
“May I try it?” I immediately asked.
“Go ahead.”
Then, it ended up with how all of us tried the snack. It was indeed a delicious one!
After the short pleasantry that suddenly turned into a small food tasting session, we left Domi and let him be with the other nobles.
In the end, I couldn’t ask other questions that would pry his life more. Yes, what position do I have now to ask those questions, anyway?
As I moved around, my eyes kept tailing Domi, who was immediately approached by a beautiful woman younger than him.
I stopped walking and suddenly thought to myself.
Domi is already twenty two years old this year, but I haven’t heard of his marriage yet.
Is he going to get married soon?
Is the lady next to him his soon-to-be wife?
Come to think of it, I have no idea who his fiancée is.
Going by the custom of the Grabberton family, I know that he’s gotta have a fiancée. Unless he’s aiming for a member of the royal family, but I don’t see anyone that’s suitable to become a candidate.
The lady next to Domi possessed such elegance, noble air, and beautiful figure. Her long blonde hair was curled at the bottom and her onyx eyes were looking at Domi wholly.
…As expected, is she his fiancée?
She seemed to be talking to Domi familiarly. While Domi’s responses weren’t so positive, he also didn’t dismiss her.
So… Is she, or is she not?
I tilted my head in curiosity.
But as far as I saw it, there was no other woman sticking to Domi.
Perhaps Dad would know more, so I walked to Dad quickly.
“Dad, is Domi-san already engaged?” I immediately asked him after I found and grabbed his attention.
But Dad froze up instead, causing me to realize that my words sounded off…
“Lyra, why did you ask? You couldn’t possibly be…,” Dad said with a trace of panic in his voice.
“Eh, no, no, no, Dad! I’m just wondering who his fiancée is and when will he get married? He’s already a duke now, after all,” I quickly explained myself.
In the first place, I saw Domi still as my ‘little brother’, so there was no way I’d have that kind of feelings towards him, okay?
Dad sighed in relief.
“Yes, he’s been engaged since young. His fiancée is the only daughter of Marquis Sanseylvester.”
“I see. Is she the lady sticking next to him?”
Dad turned his head to look at Domi’s direction and then frowned.
“…That is Viscount Bruns-Mayer’s eldest daughter.”
His answer caused me to frown as well.
“Why is she…?”
Before I finished my sentence, Clyde—who was standing next to Dad—answered.
“Ah. It’s true that the eldest daughter of the Bruns-Mayer family has been trying to approach Domi for quite some time already. There’s a rumor that she would soon be engaged to Domi as well, seeing how the Grabberton family didn’t really reject her. It may have something to do with Viscount Bruns-Mayer’s high contribution in the previous war. Although their title wasn’t lifted, they were bestowed with military power.”
I tried my best to keep my poker face, even when my heart wasn’t so calm after listening to Clyde’s explanation.
Being a patriarchal clan, it wouldn’t be surprising for Domi to have more than one wife eventually. Aside from gaining more power and connection, the Grabberton family would benefit the more they could spread their branches.
Especially if the branches came from the male heir with strong [Oracle1OracleSpecial power bestowed upon an individual. Some Oracles even run in the family! ], with the hopes of increasing more offspring with strong [Oracle] power as well.
But still, I couldn’t help but frown with the way it is handled.
Domi hasn’t even married his current fiancée yet. The thing with the eldest daughter of Bruns-Mayer family should be kept in a low profile first.
Speaking of Domi’s fiancée, I was also curious about her.
Where is she now? How does she feel about this?
Although I knew that some nobles won’t have a choice in their marriages… Some might not even care as long as they could live their life well, since it wasn’t a marriage of love at all.
Still, the only daughter of the Sanseylvester family, huh?
The Sanseylvester family is a marquis family of knight lineage that has been standing stable for quite a long time. With their history as a good knight family, it is no wonder the Grabberton family would request a daughter from their house.
Though I wanted to come to her, I didn’t know how she looked like at all.
I guess I should just tag along with my family or friends…?
But then, I saw that my parents were talking with the other noble adults. I probably wouldn’t want to get involved in their talks.
Meanwhile, Luca was together with his parents, talking to Domi, Father, and Mother.
My twin siblings were with Leticia, Kiri, and Ein.
I guess I should probably join with Kiri and the younger ones.
Alright, after I grabbed some drinks, maybe.
As I walked to take some drinks, I accidentally bumped into someone.
“Ah!”
The two of us exclaimed as we tried to hold our voices down.
I almost lost my balance, but the one I bumped into immediately helped me to stand up well.
“I apologize for getting distracted in the middle of the way…,” a sweet voice timidly said.
“No, I also apologize for not being careful…,” I also apologized as I bowed.
“No, I should be the one who apologize…,” the other party—a young noble girl that seemed to be around 16-19 years old, also bowed and insisted.
“No, Miss, it was me…”
“No…”
Perhaps the two of us felt that it wouldn’t be good to continue this pathetic conversation any longer, we fell into silent before bursting into a small laughter.
“Hehe… You lifted my mood, really. And you are… the Hartmann family’s daughter, I suppose?” The noble lady with soft honey brown curly hair asked. Her honey colored eyes were looking at me gently. There were some freckles on her face, adding to her loveliness.
“Yes, I’m Lyra. How should I call you, Miss?” I introduced myself. I somehow liked this lady already. She seems like a nice girl.
“Lyra-san, is it? Just call me Adel.”
“Adel-san? Nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too,” Adel smiled as we shook hands before adding, “I apologize for being so sudden, but if you don’t have anything else to do, would you please accompany me?”
“Pardon?” I was surprised at her sudden request.
“I know this is very sudden of me. But I just… don’t feel like staying alone in this party. And just when I felt stuffy, I happened to run into you and you managed to lift my mood in an instant. Perhaps we may have some fate?”
Well, it is true that I feel like it’s easy to connect with her. Perhaps we are in the same vibe? I’m not sure, but when I looked at Adel’s somewhat lonely smile, I decided to agree to her request.
Just like that, I accompanied Adel as we ate and drink together.
After having some light chat with her, I tried asking what might trouble her mind.
“By the way, Adel-san… May I know what might be troubling your mind? Perhaps talking it out can lift some of your mind’s burdens. Furthermore, since we just met each other now and don’t really know each other’s relatives and friends well, you can talk it out more easily with me?” I suggested.
Once again, she showed a sheepish smile as she answered.
“You’re really nice, Lyra-san. There is actually something troubling my mind, and I feel quite ashamed to admit this to someone younger than me. …But I also think that if it’s you, I can consult this.”
“Hm?”
“Ah, it’s just… Despite being younger than me, you seem more confident and your etiquette and gesture seem to be more polished than me. Perhaps it’s since you’re a duke’s daughter? I feel more inferior…,” she gloomily said.
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, before she finally told me her story.
“I was born with a weak body and when I was younger, I got sick easily and more often than children my age. Due to it, coupled with how I felt like I didn’t want to burden my parents with my getting sick, I developed a timid personality. I am a person who holds her own feelings back especially to my dear people, so it is true that I find it easier talking about this to you rather than my close friends and relatives.”
“You see, there’s something that has been bothering my mind a lot. But I can’t tell it to anyone else yet. I’m just scared. So, Lyra-san, can you tell me your opinion about the thing that has been troubling my mind?” She asked.
“If you’re fine with my opinion, then I’ll definitely tell you,” I nodded.
“Hehe, it’s weird. You’re just a young girl, but you seem more mature than your age. I feel defeated having to ask you about this, but perhaps I really need an opinion from a younger woman. That way, the answer will come from the heart more. As you get older, it’s getting harder to listen to your heart’s voice without getting mixed with your brain,” Adel said.
“So, here’s the problem. Someone I’ve been close to… I feel like they’ve changed recently. I’m not sure if it’s just me, but I feel like our distance has been increasing. It’s like they have changed, while I’m still the same. I hate the way they’ve changed, but I can’t really tell my honest feelings to them…”
As Adel told me her story, I felt myself sympathizing with her on how she felt the other party had changed, while she herself felt like she hadn’t and she hated the change.
As I felt like I hadn’t changed a lot and I hated some changes in others that I saw. I felt like I couldn’t keep up with them. In the end… I was afraid to be left behind.
Adel was exactly the same as me.
Perhaps that was what made us feel connected and it was really fate bringing us together?
“Truth to be told, I really want to be honest with myself and to them, but I feel like I can’t do it, as it might affect the other people like my family. Let’s say that the someone I’ve been talking about is my family’s friend’s child. I’m afraid of messing things up…”
“Are you close with your family, Adel-san?”
“I am, especially with my big brother,” Adel smiled.
“Oh. I might not be the right person to advise you this, but Adel-san, I think you should try to be more honest and talk it out when the right time comes. The ‘stuffy’ feelings won’t be lifted unless you do so, right? As for what’s going to happen next, we should face it after it’s done.”
The same goes for me, too.
I’ve been carrying this ‘stuffy’ feelings that come and go.
I also need to talk it out when the right timing comes.
For example, the issue with Erneste.
Now is not the time, but probably soon…
Or the knot that’s in my heart won’t be settled.
By encouraging Adel, I was also encouraging myself.
Yes, perhaps during the festival or after the festival, I will try to sort out my feelings and think about my future more seriously.
…I hope I will be able to, at that time.
Adel was silent for a while before she finally smiled and said, “You’re right, Lyra-san. I’ve been preparing myself to do so since some time ago, but I haven’t got the time to convey my feelings. Perhaps I should do it soon if I want myself to stop stressing over it. As for what happens next… yes, I can just see their reactions.”
Adel closed her eyes before she opened them, now with some determination in those honey-colored eyes.
“Alright, Lyra-san. Come to think of it, I haven’t really given Dominick-san my birthday gift. Would you like to accompany me to him?” Adel suddenly asked.
I was surprised at this sudden request, unable to make sense of how Adel’s train of thoughts work. Perhaps having gained some determination, Adel would like to quickly finish up her business in this party so she could settle the matter that’s been burdening her mind.
Before we approached Domi, we took a detour to Adel’s maid as Adel retrieved her gift—a bouquet of pretty flowers. There were flowers of different species arranged beautifully there.
Carrying the flower bouquet, we steadily approached Domi—who was still together with the lady from before.
Domi seemed to have noticed us approaching him, as he turned to look at our direction. The lady beside him also noticed it as well, and she was looking at us—or at Adel?—with such an unpleasant gaze.
Perhaps the reason Adel asked me to come along with her was so the lady beside him won’t have any other thought like how Adel was her rival…?
After arriving close to the two of them, Adel immediately handed over the bouquet of flowers to Domi before she curtseyed and bowed while saying, “Congratulations on the succession and for your 22nd birthday, Dominick-san. I sincerely wish you a good luck in your life from now on and may you be happy. Au revoir.”
Adel finished her ‘gift-giving’ business so quickly as she didn’t even wait for Domi to respond and for them to have a light talk of courtesy, as she immediately turned around and walked away.
I was a bit stunned. Was she really in a hurry to go back home and finish her business?
So, what she needed was simply a push from me to be this determined?
Since I was stunned, I couldn’t react on time to accompany Adel. When I was about to follow her…
“Miss Sanseylvester?”
I heard the lady next to Domi speak, so I turned around.
“She gave you such a lovely bouquet,” the lady continued to talk—a hint of mocking could be heard there.
It was at that time that I finally realized something.
Could it be that… Adel was the ‘Miss Sanseylvester’ that the lady next to Domi addressed—which means… Adel is Domi’s fiancée?
I glanced at Domi reflexively and saw Domi’s eyes widened for some reason as he stared at the bouquet of flowers.
“Yellow carnation, chrysanthemum, hyacinth, cyclamen, sweet pea…,” Domi muttered.
“Domi-san?” The lady next to him asked as she grabbed Domi’s arm.
“…”
Suddenly, Domi threw the bouquet of flowers to the lady’s arms as he walked hurriedly to the direction where Adel left.
I gulped as I left the place awkwardly, trying to go to where my friends or family was.
As I walked, I couldn’t help but ponder…
Did I just encourage my ‘little brother’’s fiancée to distance herself from Domi? Did I just contribute to my ‘little brother’’s engagement destruction?
I sweated a little as my head grew heavier with such thoughts swirling in my mind.
It seemed that Domi’s relationships with these people were quite complicated…
Until the end of the party, I didn’t know how it went with Domi, Adel, and the Bruns-Mayer’s eldest daughter.
This only fueled my worry.
Did I do the right thing, or did I do the wrong thing?
I just did what I felt right… but what if it was actually wrong?
Gah… I don’t understand anything anymore…
Here I am, still inexperienced with such things, while my supposedly younger brother is now off to handle such a complicated matter.
…I just hope that my intervention doesn’t really destroy things. I would only feel guilty that way.
And so, at the end of the day, the worry that I had to bury deep inside my heart only increased even further.
…Here’s hoping that everything would eventually be solved.
When the right time comes…
Not now, though.
***
Meanwhile, right after Domi threw the bouquet of flowers carelessly to the lady beside him, he chased after his fiancée who quickly left without saying anything else.
But, the message that she tried to convey was very clear.
‘Yellow carnation – disappointment
Cyclamen – resignation, farewell
Yellow chrysanthemum – slighted love
Yellow hyacinth – jealousy
Sweet pea – thank you for the lovely time’
Domi thought of the meaning of the flowers she gave him, and his heart beat even faster as he caught up with his fiancée who was leaving towards the garden where there were less people.
“Miss Sanseylvester!” Domi called out politely and in a mild voice as it would be unsightly if the others around them were to be noticed of their quarrel. He was afraid that Adel wouldn’t hear him, but as if to prove that she heard him, his fiancée walked even faster.
“Miss Madeleine!” Domi chased after her and raised his voice a bit as he saw there were less people there. No change in her pace.
“Adel…,” Domi’s voice softened as they left the crowded ballroom and went to the area of the garden that didn’t have so many people.
“Maddie!!” Domi finally shouted, causing Madeleine Orstein Chant Sanseylvester to halt in a reflex, and at that time, he finally managed to grab her—
Author’s Comment:
I hope one day I can write a spin-off story that features Domi and Madeleine as I’ve got the story idea already ^^ Too many story ideas too little time hahaha
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