It would be a lie to say I never imagined being reincarnated before.
More than thinking about what was waiting for me in the afterlife, my thoughts would also wonder constantly about how or when I would die. Having lived just about twenty years, if people knew about those kind of thoughts I constantly had, they undoubtedly would reprimand me for thinking about such things.
"What are you worrying about when so young? Can't you just look forward to what life has yet to show you?"
That's my father's voice inside my head. He never said those words, and yet, I knew he would've said them.
My problem is that I can't. If it is about seeing my future, imagining where I'll retire when old or how my descendants will look like? I can't see it. I know what I desire and I've never seen that in my future, maybe that's why I couldn't envision how my life would turn out to be.
Now I don't need to see it. Nah, it's more like there is no need to overthink or worry about that. I already died, funny enough, on a normal night. Just a common day of the week where I went to sleep and never woke up. My mother was probably the first person to find my dead body...
How did I know that I died? Because someone told me; But before telling me that, they also apologized? Honestly, I would have hugged them and thanked them for telling me the good news immediately! Until they said I needed to continue living by reincarnating.
It felt just like someone gave me a birthday cake just to smash my face on it. Now I need to laugh and be thankful while my eyes burn from the icing on them, feeling like a clown.
I tried to decline politely the offer. They seemed human enough, but the appearance was so androgynous that I couldn't say if they were a woman or a man. The voice also didn't give anything away and in no moment did they introduce themselves.
Reincarnating me is such a waste. I bet there are other people who deserve it better, some that could really use this to achieve inner peace or something. If I could trade places with another, I would! But I was also denied that by your androgynous excellency.
Apparently, it needs to be me, Amaia, to be reincarnated and live again for some years just so this Entity or whatever doesn't get troubled. I gave in rather easily because even if I didn't want it to happen, it would.
Accepting it saved me from making a seemingly powerful being cry over my desire to go against them. Don't think about that too much, you have always been prone to go with the flow of events Amaia.
So here I am now, reincarnated as a human in a kingdom called Peolia. My new family consisted of five people excluding myself. My name is still Amaia, something that "God" did to my convenience. And if there is something that is disparagingly different from my first life, I would say It's that my surname is very important this time around.
Novateur. The name of one of this kingdom's noble houses that rules the border close to a neighboring kingdom.
"Lady Amaia, please wake up. Breakfast will be served soon."
We are a Marquiss house and in charge of controlling the border. It is a very stressful and important job, hence why we live inside our territory instead of the capital. There's still a mansion there, but it is to only be used when called by his majesty the King of Peolia. Never met the guy, I've only heard about him from my new parents and siblings. Since I'm thinking about this new family-
"How about this dress for today my Lady?"
"It's lovely Dina, please help me put it."
"Of course my Lady!"
My emotions towards these people are very difficult. For example, Dina. As my personal maid and nanny, she is very caring and kind. Always tending to what I need and what is best for me, including meals and studies. She never told me, but I have the suspicion she's between her twenties or thirties. I never asked because there wasn't a need to.
Dina was also for some period of time my wet nurse, even if I don't remember anything before this body was six years old. It is a bit awkward for me having someone take care of me like this. I'm an adult inside! I have been looking after myself for a long time now! On the other hand, it makes me feel like a lazy person once I just accepted this is normal for everyone and Dina.
I try to do what I can alone. Perhaps that is why Dina becomes extremely happy when I ask for her help. All in all, I'm very thankful for her. She helps me so much.
In the end, I try to treat her as a friend or a familiar. It's more comfortable than thinking of her as my servant.
"The same as always Dina," I told her as soon as the maid's hands started combing my hair. She smiled and continued to untangle it with gentle strokes.
For someone who reincarnated to another world, my face didn't change too much. I still have my straight black hair and dark eyes too, something to thank this body's birth mother. If people compare the two of us, I'd say it is very obvious we are related. Can't say the same to the other parent, my new father is a man that could have been an actor in the modern world. Brown curly hair and green eyes combined with the face that gave off a reliable personality? Ladies in my hometown would go crazy to ask if he is married.
"The knights' inspection will start soon after the morning meal. Master Rishon extended an invitation to you and your siblings to attend it," Dina informed me while opening my bedroom door.
"Ah, it's today that brother Rishon does the inspection."
I completely forgot about that. Even if my older sister Priya is more of a knight than Rishon, being the heir gave him the responsibility to oversee the Novateurs garrison. Hence why brother is always given the task of inspecting the knights' training. Priya always accompanies him, having a closer relationship with the soldiers to make everything go smoother between master and servants.
To be honest, I don't want to go. I'll have to watch people sweat and show their skills with weapons all the while I act as air. This older brother invited us out of respect and face, the knights are under his direct order while the father only keeps an eye. To show good relationships and results is equivalent to telling us he is worthy of inheriting the title of Marquess once his father passes it down.
Not showing up will be akin to not wanting to recognize his abilities or something. I have studied noble relationships and behavior for six years now, but my modern thinking most of the time makes it all seem like unneeded steps of socialization. Awkward conversations? Have you tried doing that with a noble? I really don't want to attend, but that will only make some trouble stir between me and Rishon.
"Madam Mariane, Lady Amaia has arrived," Dina announced to the closed doors of the dining room. Another maid opened it for us and I was escorted to my chair. Mariane Novateur is my mother in this second life and I don't particularly like or hate her. She doesn't talk to me much and I don't try to learn about her too. Every time we see each other I find myself comparing her to my real mother and getting rather disappointed at her, noting how she is almost the opposite of the women I looked up to all my life. Well, first life.
"Good morning sister!"
"Ah, good morning brother Amantius."
As always, it is the younger brother that breaks the ice between me and Mariane. He is nine years old and already a pain on my side. Amantius follows me whenever he can, always talking too much and putting tantrums when I try to ignore him. I never had a younger brother before this one, so now I know how my first life was blessed. To all the people that complained about their baby siblings and I didn't listen, I'm sorry.
If there is a good thing about Amantius is that he's cute, like a baby. Unlike me who looks too much like Mariane, Amatius took the father's looks with the exception of the green eyes. To me, personally, it is easier to face him than everyone else. Only because of his average looks when compared to the rest of this family.
"Madam, Master Rishon, and Lady Priya have arrived."
Speaking of the devils. The two older siblings arrive at the dining room with the air of the top models of a Korean idol company. Priya is wearing the knights' training clothes as usual, which makes me feel the disappointment from Mariane come at me in waves. But even so, this older sister has short brown hair in a high ponytail and blue sharp eyes unique in this family. I wouldn't say she has completely converted to a tomboy character because she still likes to wear dresses and talk about jewelry with me.
On the other hand, while Priya gives a warm shine to the room, Rishon counterattacks with his cold aura. Black curly hair combined with green eyes behind a pair of glasses... If he wasn't my sibling this time around and we met back at my university, Rishon would've been my and my classmates' crush for a whole year. The type of cool guy every girl has read about in romance novels.
"Good morning dearest mother, Amaia, Amantius," Even his voice can captivate people. I heard one of the maids is in love with him, but I'm not sure since Dina said it was just gossip between the working servants.
With everyone sitting down and waiting for the head of the house, people start talking and I pretend to blend with the background.
"Brother Rishon! I'll go with you to the knights' place!"
"Amantius! Sit properly and do not shout like that, your brother can hear you even if you speak normally."
"I do not mind mother, his excitement puts me in good spirits for today's inspection."
"Well, as you should be, my training has been well evaluated by the captain and you will see that for yourself today. All my efforts bear results and they are enough now for a Novateur knight title."
"Sister, gifting you the title of knight has already been discussed with father."
It seems Priya hasn't given up on that dream yet. Her sixteen years old face pouts, making Rishon smile apologetically to her. Ah, what a happy family... Like always, I feel like I'm intruding in their lives. Looking at Dina stationed with the other servent by the side, the blond woman gives me a reassuring smile. Dina, I wish I could stand where you are: far away from this table.
"I apologize for my lateness, let's start the meal."
Nathan Novateur enters with his butler. According to the etiquette of noble manners, his arrival should have been announced before he entered. But from how he rushed to seat at the head of the table, this father of four is in too big of a hurry to worry about it.
At once, the servants that had been waiting until the order move and place the dishes full of food in front of us. My appetite dies as soon as my nose catches the smell. This is an everyday occurrence for me and the kitchen staff is not to be blamed, because my taste is just very different from these people. If I knew I would have died back then, my last meal would've been a hamburger or a bucket full of fried chicken. I miss twenty-first-century food... and clothes, electricity, common sense. I don't want to even get started on the toilet here.
"You do not like it, sister?"
Ah, Amantius, can't you see your sister is daydreaming about McCoronel and KFD? Wait, shit, this is his favorite breakfast dish.
"It's nothing like that. I just thought that this is too much for my small stomach. Sorry if I troubled you," was my masterful excuse.
"Hn, I can eat what you can't then!"
"Yes, yes. I'll give you my plate once I'm done."
It seems like Mariane wanted to say something but held back from seeing the big smile on her baby's face. When it comes to those big eyes and puffy cheeks, no one here can say no.
"Sister Amaia," Rishon called me. It was awkward to look at him while Priya was eating between us, so I answered after only glancing at him.
"Yes?"
"Amantius already accepted my invitation for today's knight inspection visit. Could you be so kind as to give me your answer too?"
"Of course. I'll be attending as well. Please take care of me too once we leave."
"Amaia is coming then? Great! I'll show you that your sister has been training really hard to become a capable swordswoman!"
Priya, we are eating, let go of my hand. Look you made me spill the soup! Ugh, Rishon is the best sibling because he isn't grabby hands like you and Amantius!
"Behave yourselves when there. Rishon, keep your younger siblings away from anything that seems dangerous," Mariane requests while Nathan nods in support mid-bite.
"Of course mother, you do not need to worry."
What are you glancing at me for Rishon? You should be worried about Amantius grabbing and running around with someone's sword once we get there. Can't you see the mischief in those eyes? It feels like I'll end up babysitting him again.