?


    "Then she told me something like I don''t care how many lives you''ve lived, I love you."


    "Aw, that''s adorable!" Christina eximed with a happy grin as I continued to feed her forkfuls of potatoes.


    I was seated on the sofa, and Christinayfortably with her head on myp, letting me feed her like a child. Her weakened state had left her with little appetite, so I took it upon myself to make sure she got some nourishment. I''d shared with her the story of my past life and everything that had transpired after regaining my memories. Theplexity of it all might have been difficult to grasp, but Christina caught up quickly, disying the same carefree attitude I''d expected.


    "At first nce, she might seem cute, but she''s a truly crafty girl. Still, I fell for that side of her," Imented, recalling my feelings for La.


    "She''s your first fiancée, right?"


    "Yeah," I confirmed. My engagement to La was well-known in Celesta, and I could still vividly remember Alfred''s expression when he found out. It was the look of someone swallowing a bitter truth. The satisfaction that brought me was quite unique.


    [<You''re quite sadistic.>]


    True, there''s something satisfying about witnessing such expressions on people I dislike.


    "You broke our promise, little bro."


    "Hmm?" I raised an eyebrow at Christina''s pout.


    Her brows furrowed. "We promised with Connor that we''d always be together and never marry anyone."


    "I don''t recall making a promise like that, big sister," I replied, yfully inserting another forkful of food into her mouth before she could curse me. "Besides, wasn''t there that girl promised to brother? What was her name again? The Princess of Reis Aqu, right?"


    "The one who rejected you?" Christina giggled seeing my grimace. "Yeah, but things gotplicated, and the engagement was left unresolved after father''s passing..." She spoke with a tinge of sadness.


    "Sis," I began, gently stroking Christina''s white hair, "as long as you, Mother, and I remember them, a part of them will always be with us. Even if I were to—"


    Christina swiftly covered my mouth, her gaze stern. "After Father''s death and, recently, Connor, Mother and I have found the strength to keep going, knowing that somewhere in this world, my brother and her youngest son are alive and well. Don''t you dare mention dying again, Amael. As you said, I believe as well that they are with us. Father, Connor, Aunt Oryanna, Aunt Thelma and…Elona too."


    "Okay, big sister," I nodded emphatically, earning a satisfied smile from Christina.


    The room fell into an odd silence, and I looked up to see the stunned expressions of the maids and butlers who had been observing us.


    "What''s going on here?" I inquired.


    "Wee, my Lord," a middle-aged butler approached and bowed.


    "Ah, I remember you. Albert, right?"


    Albert''s eyes glistened with moisture as he nodded. "Indeed. I''m relieved you remember me."


    "Could you introduce me to everyone here, Albert?" I requested with a knowing smile.


    Albert agreed, turning towards the gathered staff. "This is your new Young Lord. He is Lady Oryanna''s son and, thus, Lady Lydia''s nephew."


    "But Lady Christina just referred to the young Lord as ''Amael'' and her brother..." A lovely maid, a bit older than me, ventured.


    "Yes," Albert confirmed. "But Lady Oryanna''s son also goes by the name of Amael. The same name as our tragically departed youngest Lord. Despite being Miss Christina''s cousin, their rtionship is more akin to that of siblings."


    Silence engulfed the room as the maids and butlers seemed to short-circuit mentally.


    "Does he bear any resemnce to our Madam or Miss Christina?" Albert asked, seeming exasperated by their skepticism.


    Their eyes shifted to a painting of me as a child of four, when I had pure white hair. There was some semnce there, but the fact that my hair was now dark and I had grown up had dramatically altered my appearance.


    Then they looked at me, and indeed, there was no discernible simrity between me and any of my family members. This was mainly due to my Olphean Bloodline, which had the effect of masking familial resemnces, and now it was working to my advantage with these unsuspecting workers.


    As long as they don''t believe I''m truly Mother''s son, which would only create unnecessaryplications, I should be fine.


    "I-I apologize for doubting you, My Lord!" The brown-haired maid quickly bowed to me apologetically.


    "No worries. Amael won''t hold it against you for such a small matter," Christina chimed in, finally getting up from the sofa. "This is my handmaid, Amael. ire."


    "Oh," I stood and offered a warm smile to ire. "Thank you for looking after my sister. I appreciate your care."


    ire''s face turned the color of a ripe tomato, and the other maids couldn''t help but emit a series of embarrassed squeals. "I-It''s been my pleasure to serve Mdy!"


    I muttered under my breath, "I wonder about that," sensing that Christina had probably taken advantage of ire''s doting care.


    Christina cleared her throat elegantly and stepped forward, addressing the staff with poise. "As Albert mentioned, he is akin to a younger brother to me and is Aunt Oryanna''s son. I expect you all to treat him with the same respect and care you show me, as he will be residing here from now on."


    "Y-Yes!" The enthusiastic chorus echoed through the room.


    "Then…" I stretched out my hands. "Time to see mom."


    "...."


    "Where is Aunt Lydia?" I reformted.


    Christina smiled sadly. "She left to see brother and dad."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ***


    Sancta Vedelia was divided into distinct regions, each amodating different races due to the challenges of coexistence despite sharing the same holy ind. Thus, the ind was segregated into different parts to amodate the various races that lived there. Thergest zone belonged to humans, who were generally more sociable and open to mingling with other races. The Northern part housed the majority of Vampires, while Elves resided in the enchanting forest on the Western side. The Eastern part of the ind was inhabited by werewolves.


    Edward and John had arrived in the southern part of the human realm, which was also the most inclusive region. This part of the ind was a hub for ships and the entry point for many outsiders.


    Towards the far north of the human territoryy the noble cemetery of Sancta Vedelia. Only the high nobles of the ind were granted the privilege of being buried there.


    In this solemn ce, a woman knelt before one of the graves. She was adorned in an elegant blue dress that entuated her beauty. Her white hair cascaded gracefully over her shoulders, and her amber eyes glistened with sorrow as her fingers gently traced the name engraved on the tombstone.


    Not far away, another solitary figure mourned the loss of his wife. Catching sight of the stunning woman nearby, he summoned his courage and approached her. "Losing someone is never easy."


    Silence was Lydia''s only response. She seemed to pay no attention to the man.


    "I lost my wife two years ago, and I understand the pain yo-"


    "Leave."


    Confusion crept onto the man''s face as he struggled toprehend Lydia''s blunt response.


    "I''ve been through shitty daystely, and I''d like to avoid shitty interactions. So, please, be a dear and leave this ce before I''mpelled to dig another grave beside your wife''s."


    The man''splexion turned ashen, and without another word, he hastily retreated.


    Lydia shook her head, her gaze returning to the two graves before her. "How could you both leave me alone with Christina…" Her voice quivered, but she bit down on her lip, forcing herself to stifle another outburst. "Husband... That bastard Waylen, your father, refuses to let me see Amael... I considered razing Falkrona Ind to coerce him, but his warning had truth... Amael might be in danger."


    A strange feeling overcame her, and Lydia rose to her feet, scanning her surroundings with a sense of urgency.


    Her heart raced, and an inexplicable sensation gripped her throat. And then she saw him, a young man with dark hair in the distance, standing amidst the graveyard. Christina was with him. Even with his hair changed, she could never mistake him for anyone else. Tears streamed down her face as she took an unconscious step forward.


    Suddenly, she was there in front of him, embracing her son.


    "Whoa!" Edward jolted at the sudden appearance, before he could even register the person''s identity, he was enveloped in a hug. Lydia''s arms embraced his head tenderly, and a flood of familiarity washed over him. He felt a sensationst experienced in Celesta. Although tears welled in his eyes, he held them back, returning the embrace with a pained yet relieved smile.