Ludmilla had a total of eight siblings known to her; they made up a main branch of the Ludunhime family as opposed to her brothers and sisters of supplementary or separate branches from collateral affairs that were far past at least thirty in number. There were her two twin brothers, her three middle sisters and older brother. Amongst them all and apart from her twin brothers, the rest were her older siblings.
As a family of Noble heritage it wasn't uncommon that they'd harbor legends not to mention an expectation amongst its descendants, her older middle sisters had already accumulated reputations of their own; the three storm bringers. Her older brother was a knight of the Republic and a captain at the young age of twenty three but even so, it was neither rewards, honors and achievements nor titles compared to her oldest sibling, eldest member of the Ludunhime seat of possible inheritance.
There was a level of reverence in simply being in the same room, she had quite the reputation after all.
The born prodigy, the unrivaled genius, The Successor, were all a number of her most meager titles, achievements and honors. She held Crusch tight in her embrace for a minute or two then suddenly loosened and pushed her back slightly while she scrutinized her appearance, she wasn't all that tall.
Veronica Von Ludunhime was only a head taller than Crusch's current body, her hair was tied up but it was definitely just as long as her own and deep black in colouration however as opposed to Crusch she seemed far more well built and energetic.
"Ludia? Am I sure I have the right person here?" Veronica suddenly inquired, now the scrutiny became serious as she turned to the maid ahead of her. "Macy, who is this person? She's wearing glasses and I'm sure Ludia does but..erm..where's the messiness?"
Amused, the pink haired maid who Crusch now realized was Macy let out a small chuckle and confirmed her to be Ludmilla causing Veronica a slight fright but from the beginning she could tell it was a joke.
"Well now, birthday's really do bring about so much excitement in us huh? I can't remember the last time I've seen you like this"
"It's not that bad… "
Veronica stared at her then Macy and they both gave each other a glance that told of their denial which was bothering, this was something Crusch truly hated with these kinds of scenarios, dealing with the reputations of the previous body's owner.
'haa, I did say I didn't mind though—'
"What're you thinking so much about?"
Veronica suddenly voiced, flicking Crusch's head as she yelped at the suddenness of it.
"What was that for?!!"
"There seemed to be some unnecessary thoughts entering you while we were talking, you're too rigid you know that?"
Crusch scoffed, a fragmented memory coming into mind.
"And you're too whimsical" Suddenly as she said this Veronica's gaze grew narrow as her pupils shrank at the words, there was now an unknown pressure she felt on her shoulders as Crusch suddenly shuddered.
'Does she have temper issues? I thought we were joking!!'
She quickly scrambled in her thoughts for an appropriate apology, perhaps this was a secret between the two or an inferiority in her sister although nothing about her told her having anything like that till she felt yet another firm and tight embrace around her body.
"That was a good one! Whimsical? I never thought I was but come to think of it…perhaps just a little bit?"
Crusch suddenly heard her laugh, it was a loud and joyful laugh as though the circumstances couldn't help but serve to amuse her as she let go of her and ruffled Crusch's hair once more with a brimming smile.
"It took a single day and you've changed so much, keep it up will ya?"
A loving family…
"Young Lady Veronica, although a bit rude I feel it best to remind you of your arrangements today" said Macy, gazing at her feet as Veronica's expression frowned in dismay.
"Damn, I just can't catch a win with you can I?" She smiled bitterly at Crusch as she gave a little pat on the head, "Maybe next time alright?"
Crusch was left a stammer but before any words could roll off her tongue it was then that a familiar hand grasped her shoulders, she half glanced at Melissa who'd stayed behind while Crusch took the leisure to explore the castle and was now right behind her; those were a lot of god damn papers not to mention the place was a mess. Veronica lifted her gaze to look at Melissa who she stood just a bit short off but the level of superiority could clearly be seen between the two as Melissa lowered her gaze in kind and spoke respectfully.
"It's a pleasure to see you after so long, Young Lady Veronica," said Melissa, a warm smile creasing over Veronica's face as she said this.
"Right, right" she nodded her head and gestured to Macy as she turned to leave, "Enjoy your birthday Ludia and tell mother and father I said Hi!"
She disappeared through a corner after that as Crusch stared back at Melissa who began walking forward without a word, the experience sure was interesting. Ludia, it was a nickname of her body's full name but apart from Melissa there weren't any fond memories of her eldest sister nor any of her siblings now that she thought about it, simply their names, titles and statuses was the most she could recall.
Although, noting that the previous owner was a hermit and from what she could discern, the relationship birthed between herself and the maid was one wholly acclaimed to the fact that Melissa had been assigned as her personal servant; things would've gone differently had anyone else been assigned to her or none at all. Yet she could tell that Veronica seemed to hold a fondness over her and the nickname Ludia definitely seemed to be a nickname born from a relationship between the two but there was no flashing of memories, no sudden epiphany, nothing.
There were however short and brief fragmented thoughts that had come, when she'd spoken to her eldest sister there were a few memories of them talking much and a few eavesdropping conversations but the images were vague. Crusch thought on this a bit more but was suddenly interrupted from her thoughts by Melissa's words as they traversed the castle to who knows where, this body certainly needed walks outside…
"There's no need to worry over her, you know her more than anyone that she can handle herself quite fine" said Melissa which further placed her in even more confusion.
'Know her well?'
"It looked like she had somewhere to be, is she going somewhere?"
Melissa suddenly paused and glanced at Crusch for a moment with surprise, "You forgot that as well?"
"Ah, n-not exactly" she struggled to regain footing, what was she missing and why did it seem like there were some memories she was supposed to have but didn't?
"No, nevermind, perhaps this is for the best" Melissa suddenly nodded as they continued walking, "She'll be fine, that's all that matters"
'That certainly doesn't sound right!' She thought'
"Has she done this often? Going somewhere?" Crusch inquired, really it was to jog her own memory and waste away the time as they walked since she really couldn't grasp at where they were going.
"The young Lady Veronica stands as the Ludunhime family's closest successor, she's very much often away"
Ah…
'Could the memories be so fleeting that they've barely registered in my thoughts? Then again, a really fond one isn't something that one would forget…there's a special place for those kinds of experiences and time doesn't simply wear them away'
"The young twins have recently began basic sword training and your eldest brother has already started his expedition on Frussia"
"Ah, an expedition?" Melissa only slightly looked back, her expression seemingly in show that her lips were sealed; although intrigued there was barely anytime to ask much on the matter as soon enough Crusch found herself outside the dining hall of the Ludunhime household.
Melissa bowed then made way, 'Ah, this is where it begins huh?'