So that was him.
The grand duke of Newsburgh.
Barrey Wilhelmson Newsburgh.
Zepyhra's father.
Another noble man in this monarchy.
-Flashback-
"He's with His Highness", said Marriel.
"With His Highness?"
-
This man sitting right in front of me could be someone important to the emperor.
He had dark blue eyes, shining in the sun light.
Giving off a lovely smile, as if he wanted to tell me something.
He had the same hair colour as Zephyra had.
fuzzy hair almost covering his eye sight.
Someone in his late fifties.
To his right, there was a boy, maybe thirteen or fourteen years old.
That must be Zack Newsburgh, Zephyra's younger brother.
His eyes resembled the duke's. His hair lighter than Zephyra's.
As we locked eyes, he blushed.
He seemed like he wanted to say something, but couldn't bring himself to do it.
To the left of the duke, there was another male.
He surely was a young adult, just in his twenties.
Darker blond hair, dark blue eyes.
I noticed how his gaze remained over me.
As I looked at him, he gave off an annoying "tch".
I gave off a weird smile, obviously trying to hide my concerns and the awkwardness I felt from this situation.
Penin, Zack, Barrey...
Where is the mother?
I sat down exactly in front of the grand duke.
The plates were ready, just the dishes were not there yet.
"Tell me, today you seem pretty happy. Did something good happen?"
I looked around just to meet the eyes of the duke.
He was talking to me.
"The weather seems really good. Is it something to be concerned of?", I asked giving a closed eye smile.
Of course I'm not happy.
Trapped in this novel for I don't know how long.
I'm not even your daughter.
Neither do I know her, nor you all.
I know almost nothing of this world.
Nor do you know me.
Just strangers sitting for breakfast, acting like a family.
I'm almost breaking down, but here I am, acting like noble, not having the slightest idea of myself and what awaits me in the near future.
"No, but normally you wouldn't be that happy to sit and eat with us."
I could feel the glaring from the left side.
Seriously what's up with him?
Was Zephyra not on good terms with him?
"W-Well I'm happy about it... We haven't seen each other for months, older sister.", Zack said loudly enough so that everyone could hear it.
As I looked over him, he again turned away, blushing.
How cute.
Now I had to think of Luca and the boy I met on the road. I gave off a smile at the similarity of them.
As if my smile was his trigger, Penin's glare got intense.
"Choose at least one face", he muttered.
He purposely said it into my direction, so that the duke couldn't hear it.
I could feel how my eyebrow twitched.
I almost wanted to confront him, but the duke interrupted.
"Bring the food in", he said to the butler, who up until now stood near the door.
At that demand he went out and returned with trays full of food.
The dishes were served, and we could finally eat.
So the duke noticed that I'm acting quite strange.
Especially Penin, Zephyra's older brother.
My assumption was correct, he really doesn't like me.
Also the family seems pretty ordinary, compared to the imperial family in the novel.
Maybe because this dukedom wasn't mentioned in the book?
Maybe some unimportant family, not worth to be mentioned?
I have to figure out how Zephyra's relationship is with this family.
Or I'll be too suspicious.
I took the fork in my right hand, and the knife in my left hand and began eating.
After the uncomfortable silence caused by the eating, I wanted to leave.
But I knew it wouldn't be that easy.
I decided to break off the silence.
„Grand duk— Father."
I began.
I could feel all of the gazes around me— wether it was out of curiosity, gladness or dislike.
I looked up, lifted up my chin and looked directly in his eyes.
I couldn't decipher, what he was feeling or thinking about me, interrupting the silence.
He let go of his fork, put his hands under his chin. As if he was telling me
'go on. I'm listening'.
I cleared up my throat. I straightened my posture. I looked that much seriously, that the three of them became unsure of what I wanted.
"I want two things.
I want to have my own study room, and I want to practice swordsmanship. To put it in simple words, I want to be able to protect myself."
I could feel the widening of eyes, unable to say something.
Was I too much?
Or should I have asked for simpler things?
Was I too fast?
After his shocking face, his features softened, and a smile curled up on his lips.
I also know from the book, that in this world such things as studying and working out as a knight was a manly thing.
Women were allowed to do that, but the society would've still say something against it.
One of the many reasons Aelia wanted to change this world.
"Of course, my dearest.", he said.
To be honest I was shocked, and it was probably written all over my face, that I found it odd.
A father giving me a smile.
The smile I always wanted to see, but never was able to.
For a moment, I felt a warmth.
I couldn't name it, since I never felt something like this.
Even in the slightest, it made me smile back.
This time I didn't smile fake.
I felt relieved for this little moment.
The only moment where I could be me. Not Zephyra.
But this smile immediately faded away as soon as I realised other people were watching.
"Ha, what's up with this. Usually you would want all the dresses this empire could offer. Especially the ugliest ones. As if a horrible person like you could change in one day!"
Penin's voice got louder at the end.
He sounded frustrated.
What in the hell did Zephyra do to him, so that he is reacting this way?
"Penin, stop it already. It is good that she wants varied things now. Maybe she just got more mature, since there's just eight months left to her coming of age ceremony."
The duke scolded him.
Either it's his naively behaviour or his carelessness.
Not even the duke noticed the change of her one and only daughter.
But still, I guess it's better to have a father who wants your happiness and not the consequenced actions of selfishness.
"Thank you father for granting my wishes and this wonderful breakfast", I said, smiling.
I stood up, last time glancing over Zack and the grand duke, purposely ignoring Penin.
"Now, if you'll excuse me I have a lot work to do", I said halfway bowing.
"Ha, work. The only thing you're doing is playing tea party with people and talking bad behind their back. Torturing people."
Penin last time muttered, in hopes I would
hear it.
I acted like I haven't.
I turned around and went over to the door.
I stopped smiling.
It was tiring after a while.
Unfortunately, the day had just begun.
Later on in my room, I waited for Mina.
She would give me a tour of this mansion.
It seems like Zephyra has done something really bad to Penin in the past.
But what could have she done?
As if she was that much of a horrible person.
Up until now, she wasn't even mentioned in the novel...
"My dearest lady Zephyra, I'm at your service!"
I looked up to meet Mina's eyes. I then chuckled.
Mina was nervous, because she thought I would scold her for simply being motivated.
"Alright, let's get going."
I said.
This mansion had 12 rooms including my room. She showed me the room of Penin, Zack and Barrey, the duke.
We walked past a locked room. It looked mysterious and caught my attention.
"Mina. What is this room for?"
"This..."
She bit her lip, hesitated and said
"It's the room of the previous duchess."
The previous duchess?
So she is dead, no one ever mentioned her.
"Alright, let's go to the last room."
"As you wish my lady."
We passed a few corridors, and went up the stairs.
Apparently the last room was located at the rooftop.
We arrived at the big door.
It seemed pretty old, unused for a very long time.
"This is your study room my lady.
The duke wanted it to be here so that you could study and think without being disturbed."
He obviously did that so our relationship could get better.
I turned the door handle to the right.
Nothing happened.
"Oh, here, the keys my lady."
Mina nervously handed over the keys, I gave off a smile.
I put the keys into the handle and turned the key to the right.
Actually, I was nervous and excited.
This will be the place where I'll mostly spend my time.
Planning to go along the plot, and planning on how to survive.
This place is almost hidden from everything in the mansion.
I remembered the hardships I got through due entering this world.
Maybe it'll stop hurting.
Maybe I'll stop feeling guilty to live.
Maybe I can really survive.
Maybe...
Maybe I can return.
This door was like an entrance to other hopeful events and thoughts in the future.
This door made me hope again.
I could see Mina also being excited, as if she was a companion on a long road I have to go.
The door creaked open and I widened my eyes.