Alger Gwendolyn.
A man who was born weak but possessed a genius intellect, a hallmark of Gwendolyn's descendants. He managed to enter the academy early and graduated ahead of his peers.
During his time at the academy, he captured the attention of a prospective leader of the imperial military knights, ultimately being compelled to join the military forces due to the invitation he received.
Initially, Alger refused. Although his body had matured like any adult man, he still remained relatively weak compared to most men and had an aversion to swords and sweating.
However, after some time had passed, he eventually ascended to the role of deputy head of the second imperial military division, where he was permitted to remain in his office, managing paperwork instead of standing guard with a sword in hand.
As I recalled this brief introduction to the character Alger from the original plot, Marchioness Alisa and Marquis Elandro were discussing his return.
"Alger looks very worried. Did he take leave to come home soon?" Marchioness Alisa asked, her concern evident upon hearing news about her second son, who lived far away because of his duties.
Marquis Elandro shook his head in response. "It seems that after receiving news about Eleanor, he ignored his assignment and rushed home."
Marchioness Alisa covered her lips with her palm, shocked by her second son's actions. "Oh my, is that allowed?"
"Of course not. But thanks to a sympathetic superior, he is being let off the hook—for now," Marquis Elandro explained.
I listened quietly, piecing together the implications of their conversation.
Alger's superior understood the situation and allowed it to slide, but he inevitably reported Alger's behavior to Marquis Gwendolyn.
'Hiss! Isn't being reprimanded by one's own father scarier than getting scolded by a superior?' I thought, feeling a shiver run down my spine, though outwardly, I continued to chew on cookies peacefully.
"Don't be too harsh; just reprimand him later. Alger acts this way because he is worried about his little sister whom he hasn't seen in so long," Marchioness Alisa said gently to Elandro, confirming my own conclusion.
Marquis Elandro didn't respond but smiled softly at Alisa's words, his large hands affectionately stroking the top of my head. Marchioness Alisa returned to feeding me more cookies.
Silence enveloped the family room as if Alisa and Elandro sought to savor this rare moment of tranquility with their only daughter. However, driven by my curiosity, I decided to break the silence with an innocent question.
"What about Brother Eiser? Is he coming home too?"
Marchioness Alisa and Marquis Elandro turned to me, their faces lighting up with joy as if pleased I remembered Eiser, the eldest son of this family.
"Honey, do you miss Eiser?" Marchioness Alisa asked.
I nodded eagerly. "Of course, I miss Brother Eiser and Brother Alger. It feels like it's been such a long time since I've seen them," I replied, my tone tinged with a hint of bitterness.
Eiser Gwendolyn.
Gwendolyn's first child and successor, Eiser, is also said to be the person closest to the only successor to the throne of the Magnolia Empire. Unfortunately, the information is not as detailed as Alger's description, but Eiser is often seen appearing alongside the Crown Prince.
'Will it be the same this time...? He will definitely return when that event is about to end, just like what happened in the original plot...'
I yearned to see them in person to confirm that their characters matched those portrayed in my younger brother's novel!
The Marquis and Marchioness exchanged glances before Marquis Elandro's strong hand returned to gently stroke my head, while the other hand patted my shoulder reassuringly.
"Eiser misses you too; he wants to come home just like Alger. Unfortunately, he has an important obligation to accompany the Crown Prince, who is traveling abroad to handle significant state matters, so he can't leave his position carelessly," Marquis Elandro explained, his firm yet tender gaze making my heart flutter.
However, that feeling soon faded as a thought crossed my mind after his lengthy explanation.
'That's not an important state matter, Father!'
'He and that damned Crown Prince are just trying to escape the Empire for a while because they know the Emperor is looking for a suitable bride for him. So, they fled to another kingdom under the pretense of important duties!' I screamed silently in my heart, unable to voice my frustration in front of them, merely swallowing my annoyance as I continued enjoying the cookies Marchioness Alisa offered.
As I chewed on another cookie, I finally managed to calm the turbulent emotions swirling within me.
'At least up to this point, everything aligns with what I read,' I concluded, taking a deep, discreet breath.
'Right, I've made sure everything still aligns with what I read... Now, what should I do?'
For at least the next month, I am confident I can avoid meeting the Heroine. The uneasy feeling that lingers in my mind tells me that encountering her would mark the beginning of the main story in this world.
Currently, I am neither physically nor mentally prepared to face it. I need to buy as much time as possible to ready myself!
'So, what will I do this month besides prepare myself...?'
That thought lingered for a few seconds before my gaze turned to my father, Marquis Elandro. My lips parted slightly, but my tongue felt numb as if Eleanor's body instinctively rejected any attempt at acting out of the ordinary. Yet, I forced myself to search for an opportunity.
An opportunity to disrupt the beginning of the miserable fate that Eleanor would soon encounter!
'I will do whatever it takes!' I resolved it internally.
"Can't you persuade Brother Eiser to come home too? It's been so long since we've been together as a family," I said, doing my best to look at Marquis Elandro with pleading eyes, akin to a puppy.
Marquis Elandro appeared flustered, as if he hadn't anticipated his only daughter—who had previously struggled to express her emotions—even in front of her own family, would now openly plead with him.
This was a significant improvement, something Marquis Elandro dearly wished to see from his children, especially from his beautiful daughter who had just survived an incident that nearly endangered her life!
Marchioness Alisa, who was listening nearby, looked equally surprised, though her lips soon broke into a smile filled with relief and gratitude. It was as if she were witnessing her daughter, who had always acted so mature, return to the sweetness of childhood.
I chose to ignore their reactions and continued to gaze at my father, maintaining my pleading expression.
Marquis Elandro, clearly affected by my request, sighed softly, his large hand returning to gently stroke the top of my head.
"Father wishes for that too. However, His Highness the Crown Prince personally asked me for permission for Eiser to leave his position as the temporary successor to accompany him abroad for some time."
'That damn Crown Prince! So he is the source of this trouble! What a typical male lead! The Heroine and he truly make a perfect pair!' I screamed internally, frustrated by Marquis Elandro's explanation, as he seemed helpless to intervene.
Even though Marquis Elandro was a Marquis known to hold equal status with the two Dukes in the Magnolia Empire, especially due to the long-standing relationship with the Emperor established by their ancestors, he could not simply ask Eiser, his successor, to return home for family matters, as doing so would seem disrespectful to the Crown Prince who had made a direct request.
I silently gritted my teeth, letting out a resigned sigh. "Alright... Could you send a letter to Brother Eiser and tell him I miss him?" I asked casually.
'Let's put Eiser and that Crown Prince aside for now. At least Alger is coming home. Yes, I can focus on Alger!'
My earlier annoyance faded as I considered the current situation more thoughtfully.
'If Eiser returned too, I'd struggle to interact with both of them! Imagining myself acting strangely—like Eleanor doesn't usually do—could raise their suspicions! How dreadful!'
I looked up as I heard a soft voice reply.
"Of course, dear."
It wasn't Marquis Elandro, but Marchioness Alisa who answered. Her blue eyes sparkled with warmth and tenderness.
I tilted my head, feeling a bit tense at my mother's smile, which seemed to imply she had something planned. However, I chose to ignore that notion, opting instead to smile back and focus on finishing the remaining cookies on my plate.
'Let's enjoy this peace and warmth for now.' A wave of relief washed over me, and I couldn't help but smile.
We spent the rest of the time together peacefully until Marquis Elandro finally summoned the butler to clean up the family room after I finished my cookies.
That warm family time came to an end.
***
Morning arrived.
I had washed my face with a soft towel soaked in warm water, and my nightgown had been replaced with a bright blue long-sleeved dress, simple yet elegant, expertly arranged by the young maids under the supervision of Tina, my personal maid.
Now, I stood by the large window in my chamber.
"... Has Brother Alger arrived?"