***
Herra tied her long, curly lime-green hair with the lace from her dress. Her servants are standing outside patiently as she ordered everyone to get out of her room for a moment. She can't do her daily training if they will keep pestering her to stop such a dangerous act.
"Since Arri's body is fragile, I need to exercise more. There's no way I can pull what I know with this kind of body"
Herra thought to herself that even if she knew how to fight and defend herself, she can't execute any of it since Arri's body is not familiar with any kind of pain or hard work. She needs to prepare Arri's body to fully use it.
***
After working out for a few minutes, Herra decided to stop. It's not good if she overdoes it. She wiped her sweats off and hid the equipment she was using for her exercises. Herra also starts to do mana manipulation, since Arri is a noble lady, she thought that she has mana to do magic.
Herra was right, there's a large pool of mana inside Arri. She read that everyone in the kingdom, especially the nobles, is capable of using magic. It's like their signature of high-status well-being since commoners don't have any magic in them but Herra didn't expect Arri to have that large mana pool.
Attending magic class made it easier for Herra to understand the principle of magic itself. After burying herself in different books, she comes up with a theory on how to manipulate mana inside the body. Even if Arri was not aware of her full potential, Herra knows that in the game, Arri will do evil deeds with her magic.
'I just remember what I've read in comics and it's true, visualizing magic is like a child's game. If I wanted to prevent Arri's dooms, I need to learn magic now and remember not to use it to torment others.'
Herra wanted to work on her magic core so she can use magic before she turns twelve. The day when everyone in the kingdom enrolls in the academy is when they turned twelve, it is the usual age for the nobles to exhibit such talent. Learning magic earlier will help her to avoid her doom and she can protect herself no matter what plot will arise.
'This is nice. I'm slowly progressing. I already broke off the engagement between me and that psychotic dogshit prince... guess I can change the path of the game, right?'
Herra got up from meditating in her bed. She stretches her body once again and calls it a day.
"You can come in now"
Herra said with a satisfied tone. She finished her routine earlier than expected, it seems that slowly exercising helps Arri's body to be fitter and accumulate more magicule. It just happened that Herra stumbled upon a hidden room that only appears in the game 'Love is an Illusion'. In Herra's previous life, she passed that hidden room with lots of sealed magic books that belongs to the Grand Duke. In the game, the older son of the Grand Duke is the one who discovered that gem. He used it to train and gain knowledge about magic, but this time it is Arri who got it first.
'Sorry, retard. I gotta put myself first.'
"Are you going to take a bath, My lady?"
Tia suggested as she enters the room with a smile. As usual, she's happy with the sudden change with Arri. Herra got back to her senses as she heard Tia's voice.
"Yes. I have a history class, right? It's better to get ready now."
Tia nods as her master walks toward her. The servants prepared the bath right after what Herra said. It has scented roses all over. Herra, still not getting used to it, slowly dips her toe into the calm, crystalline tub of water. In her previous life, Herra likes to bathe in the cold since she was an athlete, It makes her hot sweated body cools down easily when she's having a cold bath. Now that she's having a dip with so much preparation, she seems uncomfortable.
'Why does it need to be this preppy? I mean, can't I shower without this and many people?'
Herra sighed at the sight of servants in front of her. 'It's still kind of awkward to bathe with others.'
"Our lady's skin is so white and smooth" Tia giggled while scrubbing Herra's back gently.
'It's Arri's skin though, not mine.'
Herra mumbled in her head. Looking at her own body, Herra felt stuffed. She thought that Arri is really a beauty even as a child. Her tiny body is like a delicate Diphylleia grayi. A skeleton flower that has pure white petals but when rained becomes a beautiful translucent flower. Her face is a splitting image of her late mother, the Duchess. Everyone in the kingdom knows the beauty of the Duchess of the house of Vesileios. She was once branded as the forbidden fruit of the North. A beauty that is prohibited to be seen by many, her alluring entirety can make everyone drown in either pleasure or destruction.
"Aphrodite really adores our lady... why are you so beautiful?" another maid commented.
Herra brushed off what they are saying. She doesn't know how to handle compliments, that's why she keeps sighing, and it's not her appearance, to begin with.
The bath took longer than expected as every nook was taken care of by Tia. They proceeded to dress her up in every cute outfit they saw in the closet. The ones with ribbons, laces, embroideries, and even with large gleaming gems.
"Aren't you guys done? We're doing this since earlier... I can't anymore."
Herra stated as she grasps for air, removing the bow in her slim waist. Even if she lived as Arri for several days, she's not going to get used to living as a noble.
"But My Lady looks good in everything..." Tia said with a worried tone.
'This is killing me. I'm going to keep this outfit I have now. Having a child's body quickly tires me.'
"I think I like this one. It's really pretty, right?"
Herra said while acting like a child of her age. Everyone in the room seems drowned in Arri's cute appearance. It is her first time behaving like a kid after some days.
'I can't blame them. Arri's a gorgeous child. Her cheeks are plump and everything she does is cute. But this... kinda sickens me. I'm an adult, you know. Acting like an eight-year-old kid is hard.'
"Our Lady's like an angel!"
"My lady's the best!"
"There is no one in this kingdom who is more beautiful than you, my lady!"
'Of course. Arri is the most beautiful woman in this kingdom, she captures every man in this place with her heavenly appearance but that's because of her parent's goddamn genes. Be thankful Arri, we're going to put use on your face for our own survival here.' Herra thought to herself.
"My lady can take all the love in this place with her cuteness--"
As the servants are flooding Herra with compliments, the air around the quarters got a bit colder. A loud noise crackled throughout the room which made the maids stop talking.
"Lord Asterion Ares Vesileios is entering!"
The voice of one of Arri's servants echoed outside the hallway. The big double door with fancy carving opens immediately, making a way for Asterion. A manly figure came out, despite being a young sapling, every angle of him is glowing. He was like a light that suddenly twinkled making Arri's chamber look extravagant. Asterion's child's appearance is unbelievably breathtaking. It is hard to think that someone that divine can be real.
"Leave us alone."
Lord Asterion stated with a firm voice. All of Arri's servants obediently followed the little Duke's order, leaving Arri behind in her quarters. His sudden appearance made everyone frenzy.
Herra, who's also surprised by the sudden intrusion, let out a sarcastic laugh. Asterion heard it and his expression become peevish. Even with his furrowed brows, his face simply shows perfection. He started to walk closely without losing eye contact with his supposed-to-be little sister.
"You're really out of your mind, I see.", Asterion smirked, brushing his slipping silver hair. After not seeing Arri for years, it is the first thing he said to her face.
Herra, knowing it from the game, got vexed by Asterion. She knows that despite them living in the same place, Asterion really doesn't visit Arri. It's almost two years since their paths crossed.
Herra's about to reply when the familiar shivering flows suddenly into her body.
'It's fucking happening again.'
Herra annoyingly hissed at Asterion.
Even if she's not scared, she can't prevent the emotions from flowing into her little body. Herra trembles in fear. She started to breathe heavily. Asterion's eyes flicker as he saw her sister whimpering and puffing like she's out of oxygen.
"What are you acting for?"
Asterion said while watching Arri's little body walk slowly to her desk. Herra started to feel dizzy again. Her blurry eyesight is reaching Asterion, she's starting to see the face of the Grand Duke in him. The unsympathetic eyes that are staring at Arri when she faced death are now piercing Herra too. It's the same scenery as yesterday, Arri's memories are overlapping with Herra's.
'Ah... it hurts. It keeps happening.'
The fragments of Arri's memories are flowing like a river into Herra's head. All of Arri's suffering and loneliness caused by Asterion is now seen by Herra. Starting from her childhood 'til she get executed, Asterion didn't care about it.
'These scumbags... I fucking really hate them.'
Herra getting a grip on herself tries to calm her system down. She knows that her body just remembers the tragic past of Arri that's why she keeps seeing those memories. Herra took short breathing. When she's finally stable, she looks at Asterion.
'Acting... really? You fucking saw your little sister struggling to death and you're saying she's acting? The nerve of this fucker!'
"Are your eyes only for decoration?"
With a shocked face, Asterion shows a 'huh' expression at Herra. It is the first time Arri talked back to him. Arri is a timid child, even if she likes the attention of her family, she really doesn't know how to do it. That's why in the present, Arri did everything that might be caught their eye even if it was wrong.
"I'm sick of this... It's like a continuation of yesterday."
Asterion's eyes can't be widened more. His mind can't keep up with what is happening. He just got back from his private class in the palace and this is the first meeting they have after two years. It is strange to him that his sister is acting like a different person leaving him tongue-tied.
Asterion is two years older than Arri, he's like a younger version of the Grand Duke that's why it's likely the reason for Arri's memories to be triggered. He's a cold-hearted person, unresponsive, uninvested, and everything the 'un' you can think of. He hates losing more than anything that's why he's always aiming at the top, however, even if Asterion is working hard, he can't beat the one who's always sitting in the first place. It's none other than Euthydemos Ariobarzanes Avalor, the crown prince.
'Knowing his character, Asterion definitely found out what I did to that dogshit yesterday that's why he crawls in here.'
Herra thought that there was no other reason that her older brother will come to her quarters willingly if it was not about the Crown prince.
If it's Arri, she must be jumping out for joy because her brother visits her for the first time. However, it is Herra. She doesn't have an ounce of interest in Asterion as he's one of the reasons that she will face her doom.
'Why are they keep popping up out of nowhere? First, it's that dogshit of a prince, and now it's the brother? Just give me a rest. They're just giving me bellyache.'
Herra sighed in disbelief.
"It seems like your eyes are just for decoration, is what I said. "
Asterion frowned as if he were hearing it wrong for the second time. His eyes are confused yet angered by his little sister's tone.
"What?"
"Not only brother is blind, but he also becomes deaf."
"Giving you a punishment will do."
The expressions on Asterion's face are hard to explain. His eyes are sharpened yet his face is somewhat expressionless. It is mind-boggling.
'Why the fuck is he mad? He's like a broken track! Argh!'
"Why do I need to be punished? You're the one who's barging into my quarters unannounced. A woman, who's not yet married, alone in her quarters, and dressing up was raided suddenly by her dear older brother. What kind of behavior is that my Lord?... and you saw me struggling earlier, right? Acting, my ass.", "That's why I said your eyes are just for decoration. You didn't even bother to help your cute little sister, what a wuss."
Herra, spitting up facts, leaves Asterion speechless. His mind is not processing at the moment. He is just standing right in front of the sitting lady. Minutes passed when he started to calm down and realized what he had done. Asterion's tense jaw and lips are displayed before Arri's eyes. The supposed-to-be calm Asterion can't hide his unpleased expression anymore.
'That's right, you retard. You're always doing everything you want. You're not always right, dumbshit.'
"You're right but that's not the point. You know I'm here for a different reason." Asterion said with an enraged tone. He got confused about why's he mad and reveals his true intention for visiting Arri.
'Hah! This fucker really avoided his mistake! Is it hard to say sorry? He literally jumps right into the crown prince's issue. So that's really why you come here for?'
"Are you not going to say sorry?"
Herra said with an irritated voice. Asterion's face cracks up more. He faced Herra with a serious gaze.
"Why would I?"
Herra's eyes widened. It's her first time meeting Asterion yet he managed to irritate her more than the crown prince. 'I don't know what kind of upbringing he has but Asterion is a piece of shit.'
"If you're not going to apologize, then fuck off. I don't need your rude ass here."
Annoyed by her brother, Herra uttered those words without batting an eye. She suddenly felt the urge to punch that gorgeous face of her brother. The sole existence of the Lord was enough to enraged Herra. She curled her lips more to prevent her mouth from running. Herra knows that the more she is pissed, the more unpleasing words are coming out from her.
Surprised by his sister's intensity, Asterion automatically stands in his fighting pose. He got cautious because Herra's aura keeps leaking out, it was as if she was filling up the room with her animosity. His eyes were narrowed, checking if her sister was releasing her magic to intimidate him.
'What was that? There is no way it is coming from her. She's a child.'
"What are you dawdling about? Piss off."
"W-What?"
"What?" Herra immediately imitates Asterion, openly mocking him. "I said fuck off"
"Are you out of your mind, Arri Ares Vesileios?"
If it is the old Arri, she's crying her eyes out now. Asterion is always giving a cold shoulder to Arri, that's why his voice alone terrifies her. He treats his little sister like a pest that sticks to them even if treated poorly. However, it is not Arri but Herra. Whatever Asterion does, he can't scare Herra easily.
"Why don't you just go away? What is more to discuss anyway?"
"I can't believe you're displaying such barbaric behavior."
Herra stared at her brother with unmoved eyes. She's not scared by the little Duke's words, to her, it seems like a handsome young boy with a white complexion was simply yapping something.
"This is tiring. I don't want to see your face now, my Lord. Go back to your goddamn place, okay? If you're unsatisfied, ask your dogshit--I mean ask his highness the crown prince, your dearest friend, why we broke up. Bye."
Not giving a damn about Asterion, Herra pushed him outside her quarters with brute force. All of the servants, including Asterion, are shocked by what she did.
"..."
***
"My Lady! Why did you do that?! I thought my heart was leaving my body when I heard My Lord's voice!"
Herra shrugged as she slumps her body onto her huge bed. She ignored a thousand concerns of Tia by faking a nap.
"I know you're up, my lady! How can you do this to me huhu"
'Ugh! She kept nagging from an hour ago, isn't she tired? I think my ears are bleeding. Why are they overreacting? I mean it's just Asterion.'
The servants become awfully cautious except Tia the moment Asterion leaves Arri's quarters. They are moving like true servants, not giggling anymore but doing their work in a serious manner.
'It's a bit awkward but I guess it's fine this way.'
"Is Asterion that scary?" Herra mumbled out loud.
"Gah! M-My Lady! It's Lord Asterion! He's your dear older brother!"
"Dear brother my ass."
"W-What in the world!... My Lady, w-where did you learn to speak like that?"
'Shit.'
Herra, playing it off, coughs as she looks away from Tia. She can't argue back with what Tia said since she is originally like this. Herra can't reason properly.
"Ehem. I'm asking you. Is 'Lord Asterion' really scary?"
'I don't want to call him brother so from now on its bastard--I mean Lord Asterion.'
"ahh... yes, my lady! Our Lord is the coldest! The most narcissistic, self-centered, egoistic, and unsympathetic besides the Grand Duke---Oh my! I deserve to die! M-My lady!"
Tia, getting carried away, immediately kneels before Herra.
'Ha. Even Tia describe them as scum piece of shit. What a family. All of them are truly amazing.'
Herra laughs at Tia's nervous expression. 'Why are they always saying they deserve to die when they damn scared?'
"What are you doing? You're just telling the truth, they're shits anyway, and... I'm the one who told you to say what they are like."
"But my lady..."
"Enough with that, stand up! Continue the talking!"
Herra smiled at Tia. Tia's eyes are twinkling as if she saw a pair of wings behind her master's back.
"Y-Yes, my lady!"
***
'So that's it? Asterion and Grand Duke Attalos are really a piece of shit that is cut from the same cloth.'
'From Tia's story, it is strange how Asterion visit where I reside since no matter what Arri did, their right hand or servants are the one taking care of matters. But today seems different. I guess it's because of the Crown Prince. He has a big mouth, tsk.'
'Now, I see. I keep thinking why did everyone become different the moment they saw Asterion.'
'It is the first time they saw Asterion visiting the place of Arri. They thought that since Arri is a child that even the Grand Duke didn't pay attention to, it is impossible to see the true masters of this House.'
Herra's eyes lowered as she scan the inside of her room. Since she is the daughter of the Grand Duke, she's still having a classy room. But it is not as grand as the east palace. She still has some decorations inside her quarters but it is very few. Now that she is paying attention at her place, it seems to get fewer little by little without anyone noticing.
In Herra's memories, she remembered the game, which shows how Arri's wicked plots will be known by everyone. It is the doing of her own servants, they drove the young Arri to do terrible things to the heroine. The young and jealous Arri whos deprived of the feeling of being loved, follow what she's told to.
The maids manipulated Arri to do bad things by drowning her in delusional compliments. They also started to embezzle little by little the treasure and jewelry where Arri is residing. When Arri's wrongdoings come to light, those maids push it all at Arri, saying they are tormented if they didn't abide. Arri, having a cold father and brother that isn't interested in her believes the maids instead.
'What a fuck up family. Screw them.'
'So... there's a traitor hiding under me?'
Herra sighed at the thought she was having. 'Tomorrow must be friggin tiring. Gotta do my thing later.'