"Sister..." Leopold called.
A sharp, sudden pain stabbed through my chest, accompanied by a pounding headache that blurred my vision.
I turned and see a pair of soft blue eyes glistening with tears of red, running down his cheeks.
"Sister... Running is the only option." He said, crying and begging.
"Sist- Norielle are you alright?"
A steady tapping on my shoulder snapped me back to reality.
Leopold stood beside me, leaning slightly, his face filled with confusion. I glanced toward the table and Nymeria was gone.
I turned back to Leopold. "Yes... Do you need something?" I asked.
I gulped. My throat felt dry, and the headache started to fade, but my heart was beating fast. I took a deep breath and slowly drank the cold tea to soothe my throat.
"You've been acting differently lately, Norielle," Leopold said seriously. "Are you having doubts about the engagement?"
I looked at him, surprised. "No, I'm not," I said firmly. "I'm just… nervous."
My brows furrowed at my own unshakable resolve, unsure why my voice held such firmness. He studied me for a moment, his eyes searching mine as if trying to see beyond my words.
"You want something right?" I asked him. "Rather than asking too much questions, just tell me what you want."
He hesitated, his gaze dropping briefly before meeting mine with quiet determination.
"Can you spare a few shillings?" he asked nervously. "One small bag of gold would be enough."
I blinked, rubbing my ears as a strange ache crept up my neck. Did I hear him right? Money? A bag of gold? A whole bag?
I smiled faintly, leaned back in my chair, and returned my attention to the books spread before me, letting the unexpected request drift behind me like a passing shadow.
A loud thud caught my attention. I looked up to see Leopold standing across from me, both palms firmly pressed against the table.
This brat is joking right?
"Sis-"
"Shut it," I snapped, cutting him off sharply. "You only call me sister when you want something. And now a bag of gold? Have you finally lost your mind?"
Leopold's gaze faltered for a moment, then strengthened with quiet resolve.
"Your dearest brother will die, if you won't give me that amount." He said as he sat to the chair.
I sighed, lowering the book I had been holding. "Then be it," I said. "You are wasting your time. Your dearest sister doesn't have that kind of money. Go ask father or our elder brother."
He remained silent, arms crossed, lips pursed, and eyes looking sideways.
"Did you gamble?" I asked, frowning. "If this scandal gets out, you'll be expelled from the academy."
I remembered he had just received special leave of absence because of my engagement and his top scorer merit in a recent quiz. He is intelligent, yes, but still far too young to be gambling.
I suddenly felt an urge to pinch his ears in frustration.
"Get out of here before I actually beat you up…" I warned, lowering my head back down to the books.
"I can't tell father nor brother, or it will be the end of me." He said, his voice trembling with fear. "I didn't gamble, just so you know. I... I broke something expensive belonging to someone I know... Please, just help me for once." He pleaded sincerely.
I paused, feeling the weight of his words. The fear in his voice sounded real, and even though I was frustrated, I felt a little sorry for him.
Breaking something expensive was serious, and I understood why he was so worried. But I also knew he had caused trouble before with careless actions.
"Alright," I said, putting the book down. "But I can only give you ha- I'll... hand it to you tomorrow. Just be careful and don't cause another dept to someone."
He nodded quickly, relief clear on his face.
"Thank you, Norielle. I promise I won't mess up again." He said.
I only had half a bag of gold left, but seeing how desperate he was made me worry. What would happen if he couldn't pay? Assault? Expulsion? Even being disowned? Those thought unsettled me deeply.
I'll just ask Evander, he seemed eager of wanting to help me with something.
Afterwards, instead of leaving quietly, Leopold lingered around me in the quiet library. Zilda stood a little distance away, while he slept quietly across from me, resting his face on the table.
It's quite a scene.
I badly wanna have a younger brother in my past life, as I only ever had older siblings. And now, here was an innocent- looking younger brother my very own and only one in my life, sleeping quietly in front me.
Thought his quiet a troublemaker, I really find him cute and interesting.
***
"You are here again..."
The words were not sarcastic, but sincere.
Evander pushed the door wider and entered my dimly lit room. He closed the door behind him and headed straight to the chair by the window.
Without saying a word, he sat down and opened the documents he had brought with him, while I remained seated on my bed, leaning against the soft headboard and reading a book about poisonous plants.
Rather than focusing on the book, my eyes fixed on him.
I couldn't understand him, his personality, his mind. He was difficult to read, his actions were both misleading and confusing.
He either like me or knows about my special ability and needs me.
Our eyes met. "You need something?" he asked calmly, without a trace of frown.
Without thinking much, "Can I borrow money? Half a small bag of gold coins." I replied.
Evander's eyes widened ever so slightly at my unexpected request, but his expression remained calm, unreadable as always.
He closed the documents gently and leaned back in his chair, studying me intently. The silence stretched between us, heavy and charged, as though waiting for more.
"Half a bag of gold…" he repeated softly, as if weighing the weight of that request. "That significant amount, Norielle. What is it for?"
"Leopold needs it," I replied honestly. "I only have half a bag, but he needs a full one. I'll pay you back once I get the profits from my business."
He fixed me with a steady gaze and then said calmly, "Don't bother with repayment. I'll give him a bag of gold tomorrow. Consider it a gift from your future husband to your younger brother." With that, he returned to his documents.
I felt my face flush slightly with embarrassment. His words were unexpectedly cheesy, but there was a warmth behind them that I did not anticipated.
I hesitated for a moment before daring to look up from my book. Evander's calm demeanor masked something deeper, an intensity that unsettled me in ways I couldn't quite explain.
I found myself silently watching him. His usual serious expression as he studied the papers was familiar, yet puzzling.
I couldn't understand why he insisted on reading here, especially after my last, well, unfortunate incident. I never questioned it before as he was monitoring me when I was under probation, but that had long since ended. Still, he continued this quiet vigil, and I never dared to question it.
He lowered the papers he was holding to his lap. "Do you need anything else?" He asked.
I hesitated for a moment, "Do you like it here that much... or do you like me?" I asked seriously.
A brief pause lingered between us, leaving me wondering if my question had been too forward.
Why isn't he answering?
Was I right?
At last, he sighed. "Well, I told you before. I am here to ensure you don't run away from our engagement to the wedding day. Am-"
His words cut deep. His face was always unreadable, but this time, the meaning stung sharply.
"Do you also want my eyes?" I interrupted, my voice sharp. "Then, what exactly do you want?"
He looked confused and momentarily lost. "Your eyes...? What are you even talking about?" he snapped, irritation flashing in his tone.
If those fairies and that witch were right, that's the only thing that I can think of, what his family will want with me.
What else would they want from Norielle?
I fixed him with a hard glare. "You are too eager to marry me when I'm just like any other noble lady. In fact, there are many who are better." I paused, feeling my eyes sting with unshed tears. "It's all too suspicious."
The weight of it was getting to me. Some foolish curse, a blessing of blood, this troublesome gift of sight... If it's true that I had lived for my seventh life, then isn't it too cruel. I don't even remember it but it's messing with my mind and heart.
He's frozen in his seat, his eyes were locked onto mine He remained frozen in his seat, his eyes locked onto mine with an expression softened by worry.
Then, slowly, he lowered his head, one hand covering his mouth as if overwhelmed. Whether it was shock or the sudden urge to puke, I couldn't tell.
"I'm... som...t.." he mumbled words hard to comprehend.
"Huh?" I asked, leaning forward slightly.
He raised his head, still covering his mouth, "I'm sorry..." he said softly.
Though the dim lighting obscured his features, I could sense how flustered he seemed.
After a brief pause, he glanced away, then back at me, "I think... I like you." He said his voice trembling.
His confession hung between us, fragile and unexpected. I swallowed hard, unsure if my heart was pounding from surprise or something deeper stirring within me.
He thinks? Is he fucking serious?
Before I could find the words to ask, Evander hurriedly stood and moved toward the door. I rose to follow, but paused midway, watching silently as he left, the door closing softly behind him.
Before I could find the words to ask, Evander hurriedly stood and moved toward the door. I rose to follow but paused midway, watching silently as he left, the door closing softly behind him.
The night stretched longer than I had anticipated, yet eventually, it came to an end. The following morning was consumed by the bustling preparations for my engagement ceremony, which had been in the works for weeks. The day passed quickly without any sign of Evander.
Just as I thought, he is... unexpectedly a coward. It is deeply disappointing.
Then, after several days, the anticipated day finally arrived.
I sat by the vanity, gazing at my reflection as my golden locks were styled to perfection. The dress fit my body flawlessly, stunning and elegant, just as I had imagined.
Though months had passed, I still couldn't get over the unparalleled beauty I possessed.
"You look amazing, my lady," Zilda commented warmly.
The other maids around us nodded in agreement. I returned their smiles."Thank you..." I replied.
A sudden knock on the door caught all our attention. Neoven stood in the doorway, with Leopold behind him, his eyes swollen and red from crying.
"We'll be escorting you to father, Norielle." Neoven said, firmly.
Suddenly, a sharp ache pained my heart. Remembering my older brothers from my previous life, how they had always loved and cared for me. I realized that if it had been them here now, the moment wouldn't feel so heavy and cold.
Their presence would have brought warmth and reassurance, a protective strength that could ease the tension. Probably, with them by my side, no ceremony would even need to take place.
But at least Leopold cared. His tears showed that much. That bag of gold seemed to change something.
I stood and followed them quietly, my heart pounding nervously. Butterflies swirled in my stomach so wildly that I felt like I might need to take a shit.
This is my first ever engagement ceremony, and I don't know what to do. I think I might pass out from nervousness.
That would be incredibly embarrassing.
God...