Strolling down the castle halls was rather fun. Lillian found amusement in watching the other servants scurry away from her. Their faces would morph into fear each time they recognized her. There had been a few who ran into each other trying to get away. She'd struggled to keep from laughing.
"Ah, Young Master, are you enjoying yourself?" Faier smiled at her when Lillian grinned as another servant turned tail and ran. This was the eleventh one in the last ten minutes. The castle had a lot of servants.
"Absolutely, Faier, having the time of my life," Lillian sang. Kurio snickered behind her. "We should do this more often, keep them on their toes," she continued.
"But, Young Master, they won't run as fast once they get used to it," Kurio pointed out. Lillian frowned thoughtfully and sighed.
"I guess once, or twice a month would do," she said with a pout. Kurio and Faier grinned at her.
From what Lillian could gather. It was yesterday, sometime in the middle of the day, that she was given the hunter class. She woke up late morning. Sleeping was common after that sort of event. There had been worries about how long she slept. People would only stay out for three hours, not most of a day. Lillian guessed it was because she had taken up residency.
Lillian hummed as she surveyed the elegant structure of the hall with glittering eyes. When she first woke, everything seemed dark. Looking around now, it was the complete opposite. White-tiled floor, white walls and pillars. The only dark colors were the electric blue jeweled chandeliers that hung from the ceiling and candle holders that sat against the walls.
Catching sight of herself reflected in one of the windows, Lillian frowned at the attractive man that gazed back.
She was curious about what had happened to her previous body. Did they swap? Was Leko causing havoc in her body? Was it dead? In a coma?
A part of her hoped Leko wasn't inhabiting her old body. He'd die anyway. At least she could avoid her death flag. He wouldn't be granted such a chance.
Lillian never said a word to anyone. What was the point when she'd been a recluse? Working and returning home was her life.
Lillian had no friends; she'd never had the time or patience to deal with people.
Her parents were dead. She'd been the youngest in the family and born rather late. Her parents were elderly and sick.
Lillian's eyes moved from her reflection to the training fields that spanned outside filled with sparring knights.
Her siblings, well, they haven't spoken in a few months. They only interacted when they needed something.
It was never a cute, cuddly family.
They cared, of course. They worried and would help each other, but they had no family dinners or stuff like that.
When Lillian found out that her body was dying, annoyance was her primary emotion, but she ignored it. She didn't care.
Her family would be upset for a bit. In the end, their lives would return to normal.
Her death would make no difference. They had their own families to worry about.
Lillian wasn't important.
"Ah, it's Lady Mohara." Faier said.
Her attention snapped to the maid. Lillian followed her gaze to the lovely woman who stood by one of the many windows. A valuable piece of creative art. That was what the scene reminded Lillian of. Like all the Hosyn family, Mohara's lustrous hair was as white as snow. It cascaded down her back and curled around her developed body.
The book described her as another worldly beauty, the eldest child of Kiligar and Friar. Mohara was dependable, confident, and powerful. She became a hunter at nine and grew fast. She was the most fitting head for the noble family.
Mohara turned. They locked eyes. The soft smile on the woman's lips twisted. Her bright eyes dulled.
"You're awake." She walked towards them. They stopped in the middle of the hall as she came closer. "A shame. It would have been better if you had stayed asleep."
Mohara strode past her. Not sparing a glance towards what should have been her brother. Lillian stared forward with a blank expression. Ethereal beauty? What an absurd joke. Mohara Hosyn was a bitch.
Lillian's eyes narrowed before she let out a harsh laugh. Kurio and Faier stood next to her with scowls and shaking bodies as they glared at Mohara's departing figure.
In The Hero's Start Line, Mohara seemed a sensible character with bottled anger. The one who broke up disputes between party members and helped Calen plan attacks. She had no close relationships with any of the party. Most people found her intimidating and scary. If the author had been skilled at writing, Mohara would have been seen as a cool character with a cold but kind personality.
Lillian shook her head and went back to exploring.
Mohara held a lot of honor, especially for her family. The woman rarely talked about her family, but when she did, she never mentioned Leko. It had always been either her parents or the two youngest. Leko Hosyn had no place in Mohara's image of her picture-perfect family. Leko was a disgrace to the family she held in such high esteem. It came as no surprise that she had no affection for the guy.
Lillian glanced out the expansive window again, bored with the interior of the hallway. She spotted the white-haired children playing near the training fields. Lillian observed them laughing together. She watched the little girl fight with a suit of armor. The boy read but would glance up and stare at his sister for a while before turning back to his book. Lillian turned her eyes away.
Mohara wasn't her sister anyway. None of these people were her real family, so it was not like it mattered.
"Hey, where's the ballroom?" Lillian asked. Her eager eyes lit up, and Faier's scowl melted into a gentle smile.
Following Faier, Lillian almost hopped in excitement. Lillian was about to see a grand ballroom in a proper castle. How cool!
She held a firm determination to learn how to dance. Lillian wanted to waltz or something at a ball while wearing fancy clothes. It was a shame that she was now a guy.
A pretty gown would have been gorgeous. Lillian would rock a tux, too. It wasn't that terrible. At least she wouldn't have people constantly trying to look down her chest!
They stopped in front of a set of double doors that matched the Hosyn theme of white and blue.
Kurio pushed the ornate doors open before stepping in and bowing. Lillian followed in behind him. Her breath was stolen at the beautiful sight. The walls were painted in electric blue. White tiles were patterned but reflected the blue of the walls, giving them a slight blue tint. The decor was gold, and the chandeliers were crystal white.
But there was an even more beautiful sight that caught her attention. A gorgeous woman spun and glided effortlessly through the center of the luxurious room. Her radiant hair was an ash blond. It curled around her rosy face and fluid body like Mohara's had.
She reminded Lillian of a fairy. As she floated through the room. Lillian couldn't help but stare at her. An unconscious smile grew on Lillian's face.
Friar Hosyn, the woman who had stolen the heart of the cold-hearted bastard Kiligar. This woman couldn't be anyone else but her.
It startled Lillian when the woman spun and faced her. Friar stumbled and stared at her. Lillian frowned. Did even Leko's mother not like him? She felt like she didn't have a clear grasp on how terrible this guy was.
"Leko, you're awake!" Friar screamed. Her kind eyes lit up, and she jumped into Lillian's arms.
Lillian instinctively clutched at the woman. Friar sobbed while Lillian panicked. Lillian's heart beat and her eyes frantically looked for help from her servants, who carefully avoided her intent gaze.
The betrayal stung.
"It's okay! I'm okay! Stop crying!" Lillian freaked out. She looked down at Friar. Lillian drew the woman closer and patted her head. Her people skills were no match for a crying woman. Friar looked up and sniffed. Their eyes met. Lillian blinked at the sparkling gaze she received.
"You're quite happy," Lillian muttered. Her brows furrowed as Friar's eyes suddenly teared up and her plump lips pouted.
"Oh, Leko, mommy was so worried!" Friar wailed again.
The woman stuffed her face into Lillian's neck. Had Friar's eyes not shown that she was happy? Was Friar bipolar? Sighing, Lillian ran her hands through Friar's hair. She glanced at Kurio, who was laughing at her in silence. The man's expression may be blank, but his eyes said everything. Lillian swore revenge. Her eyes narrowed, and Kurio glanced to the side.
"I'm fine. Mother, please calm down." Lillian rested her head against Friar's. Carefully keeping her dissatisfied face from Friar and making sure her servants could see the vengeance that burned in her gaze. "You were dancing so beautifully earlier. Were you having fun, mother?"
The hands Friar had around her tightened, and another sob swept through the woman's body. Lillian felt like she wasn't helping at all. Should she let go? Friar held her tighter as Lillian pulled away.
Lillian released a sigh. She contemplated picking the woman up, but her strength was at four. No matter how cool it looked in her head, Lillian was far too weak right now. Maybe there was another way to cheer her up?
"I was walking through the castle. Do you have some time to spare for your son and walk wi-"
"YES!" Friar screamed, cutting Lillian off.
Friar clutched at Lillian's hands and beamed at her. The woman sparkled with childlike joy. It was a novel experience for Lillian. No one had ever been this happy to spend time with her. She huffed a laugh.
Lillian hooked their elbows together and smiled down at Friar, who still sparkled. Lillian glanced up at her maid, who bowed and opened the doors for them.
"You never answered whether you had fun dancing," Lillian asked. Her eyes took in how the servants scurried far slower. Their dark gazes followed Lillian and Friar until they were out of sight.
Lillian looked down as another hand grabbed at her elbow and Friar squeezed it. The woman hopped next to her. Her face looked relaxed as a cheerful smile split her lips.
"Oh, I did. I always have fun dancing! You should try it!"
Lillian nodded and hummed, smiling down at Leko's mother. The happy energy infecting Lillian.
"I told father I wanted to learn-"
"I'LL TEACH YOU!"
Lillian stared wide-eyed at the woman. Friar stood in front of her and clutched at both Lillian's arms. Friar flushed and let her go. The woman rubbed at her neck and looked up at Lillian from under her lashes. An embarrassed flush took over Friar's face.
"I- ah- I mean, as your mother, I would like to teach you."
Speechless at the sudden change, Lillian nodded. Friar squealed and jumped on her. Lillian caught the lady.
"Oh, really!? You'll really learn from me!?" Her excited voice melted Lillian's heart.
Lillian let her arms circle Friar. This woman was an angel. How terrible could Leko have been? Was it possible to mistreat his mother so much that she nearly died of happiness with simple affections? Lillian curled into the woman.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Lillian whispered. She was sorry for how Leko treated the woman. Sorry for having taken the place of the woman's real child.
Friar's grip around her strengthened. Lillian could never fathom being a jerk to a mother. She couldn't bear seeing one so cracked. If they ever met, Lillian would kill Leko with her own hands.
"I'd love to learn from my gorgeous and talented mother." Lillian sugarcoated her words. It wouldn't heal the hurt, but perhaps she could be a tad nicer to Leko's mother.
Kurio and Faier kept a respectful distance, pretending not to see the emotional scene that was happening in front of them.
They stood hugging for a few minutes in silence before Friar pulled away with a teary smile.
"I'm glad," Friar whispered.
Friar slipped her hand through Lillian's elbow while trying to wipe her own eyes with her sleeves. Holding back a grumble, Lillian pulled out a handkerchief that Kurio had insisted she carry. Lillian handed it to Friar. Leko's mother chuckled delightedly and sniffed while taking it.
"My baby boy is being so sweet to mommy today." Friar's gentle voice cracked slightly.
Frowning, Lillian glanced away and shrugged.
"When do you want to start lessons?" Friar asked.
"Father said he would work on a schedule for me. He'll send it in two days. You need to talk to him about adding a time for you to help me."
"I'll talk to your father today."
They started moving again. The two chattered pleasantly, with no more tears as they walked around the castle. Lillian looked at everything she could without being noticeable.
Sue her. It was her first time in a castle.