I gave Lina a blank stare. I was still shocked by her appearance here in the Barrens, so it took me a moment to comprehend her words.

“What do you mean you’re here to take me back home?” I asked.

Lina frowned.

“Have you gone deaf?” She asked. “Or has living in the Barrens addled your mind? Mika and I are here to take you away from this cold, forsaken land and bring you back to Guld Manor, where you belong.”

I took a deep breath in order to regain my composure, what little I had left, before I responded to Lina. She was right in that I felt a little addled, but that was because of her, not the Barrens. Her mere presence intoxicated me. However, I couldn’t let that affect me right now. I had a feeling that Lina and I were about to have a difficult conversation, and I needed full control of my faculties.

“Dad,” I said, looking at my father, “May we be excused? Lady Lina and I need to speak with each other in private.”

“You call him Dad?” Mika asked, aghast. “Are you insane?”

I didn’t blame her for being shocked. Even Lina seemed surprised. To most, Dad was a terrifying figure, both because of his status and because of his appearance. Most wouldn’t dare act so casual with him.

“What about Father?” Mika asked, almost shouting. “Have you forgotten about him already?” Her eyes glimmered with tears. “Or have you gotten a new family and forgotten all about us?”

I blinked at her in surprise. Oh. So that’s why she was upset. Of course. Lina and Mika were the daughters of Duke Guld and the nieces of the Emperor himself. They wouldn’t be intimidated by someone like Dad. Even if they were, they wouldn’t let it show. I was foolish for thinking otherwise.

“It’s… complicated.” I said.

Lina narrowed her eyes at me.

“Then explain it to us so we can better understand, Wulfram.” she said.

I sighed. This was not how I imagined my reunion with Lina would go. I knew that I would have to explain the situation to her and the rest of House Guld, but I thought that would happen after everything had settled down and I secured my position as the heir to House Kaltbrand.

“Let me give you three some privacy.” Dad said, standing up.

I looked at him.

“You don’t have to leave.” I said. “This is your study. We can go somewhere else.”

Dad shook his head.

“I have something I need to take care of anyway.” He said. “Besides, my study is the best place to have a private conversation. Feel free to take as much time as you need.”

With that, Dad walked out of his study. As he left, he passed by me and gave my shoulder a quick squeeze, before walking out the door. When I turned back towards Lina, I found her studying me with a frown on her face.

“You are much closer to Grand Duke Kaltbrand than I expected, Wulfram.” she said. “Not at all like mercenary and client.”

I sighed.

“You heard the rumors.” I said.

Lina scoffed.

“Of course I heard the rumors.” She said. “By this point, I think the entire empire has heard the rumors. Everyone knows, or at least suspects, that Wulfe Kaltbrand is just a mercenary hired by Grand Duke Kaltbrand to fend off House Gerhard, House Arbeit, and House Steuben.” Her eyes narrowed further. “Speaking of House Gerhard, you and I need to have a conversation about Lady Adelheid.”

I winced. I knew that working with Lady Adelheid might arouse Lina’s jealousy, but I hadn’t thought it would be to this degree. It seemed that I had underestimated my spring queen. That said, a part of me felt happy that she would go through all this effort for my sake.

“I will explain everything.” I said. “But first, there’s something I need to do.” I turned towards Mika and opened my arms. “Hello Little Sis. It’s been a while.”

Mika wore a conflicted expression on her face. She glared at me, tears in her eyes, yet at the same time she looked like she wanted nothing more than to embrace me.

“What?” I asked in a light tone. “Are you too old to give your big brother a hug?”

“Are you?” she asked. “Are you still Big Brother Wulfram?”

I nodded.

“If you’ll have me.” I said. “Always.”

With that, Mika ran towards me and threw herself into my arms. She buried her face in my chest and started crying.

“I missed you.” She said, repeating it over and over again.

“I missed you two, Little Sis.” I said.

Lina watched us with a gentle expression on her face.

“Then why did you leave?” Mika asked, pulling away from my chest. Her face was a mess, with tears running down her cheeks and snot dripping from her nose. Despite this, she still looked beautiful, which I found unfair. “You just left without saying anything! Do you know how worried I was? How worried we all were? We thought something had happened to you! Father ran himself ragged trying to find you and Mother wouldn’t stop crying! If Lina hadn’t told us what happened, we would’ve…”

Mika started hitting me, pounding her fists against my chest. I took her blows without complaint.

“I hate you, Wulfram! I hate you! I hate you!” Her attacks grew weaker, until she stopped hitting me altogether. She looked up at me. “Why did you leave? Were we not enough for you?”

Her words stunned me. While I always wanted House Guld to accept me and love me, even though I was just a substitute for Emmerich Guld, I never expected any of them to act like this. My departure had affected them more than I realized. Had… Had I been wrong this entire time?

“No, you were enough.” I said. “More than enough. I was the one who was lacking. I…” I shook my head. “I was never a real Guld. I was just a substitute for Emmerich. When he returned, House Guld no longer needed me. So, I left.”

Mika slapped me across the face, which caught me off guard. I was more shocked than hurt. The little sister I remembered was always sweet and gentle and kind. I never expected her to resort to violence.

“Who said that?” Mika demanded, furious. “Who said that you weren’t a real Guld? Who said that you were just a substitute for Big Brother Emmerich? Who said we didn’t need you? Hmm?”

I rubbed my cheek and stared at her, stunned.

“Tell me, Wulfram. Who said that? Was it Sieg? Father? Mother?”

“No,” I said, still a little dazed, “It wasn’t them.”

“Oh, then who was it?” Mika clenched her fists and glared at me. “Was it Nanny? Did she tell you that?”

I sucked in the breath at the mention of House Guld’s nanny, Baroness Lafrenz.

“Yes,” I said in a dull voice, “It was her.”

“Is she the head of House Guld?” Mika demanded.

I started breathing faster and faster. My heart beat against my ribs like a drum.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“No.” I said.

Mika took a deep breath before she continued.

“Then why would you believe her when she said that you weren’t a real member of House Guld? Father and Mother adopted you themselves. Of course you’re a real Guld.”

Something inside of me cracked. I had believed that I was a fake Guld, a substitute for Emmerich Guld, for so long that it became a pillar of my worldview. To hear Mika say otherwise was like taking a hammer to that pillar. If it shattered, everything would come tumbling down.

“That can’t… She said… I was…”

My thoughts were a jumbled mess. So much so that I was unable to articulate any of them. I took a step back away from Mika.

“Wulfram?” she asked, concerned.

“That’s enough, Mika.” Lina said, placing a hand on her sister’s shoulder.

My spring queen stepped forward and grasped my hands in hers.

“Wulfram,” Lina said, her voice gentle and firm, “Look at me.”

I looked at her, but remained dazed and unfocused.

“Look at me.” she repeated.

I focused on her eyes. They reminded me of a verdant forest, full of vitality.

“You are the only one who thought you were a fake Guld.” Lina said. “The others accepted you as a member of the family a long time ago.” She smirked. “I was the only exception, and that was because I had other plans for you.”

I chuckled at that, before closing my eyes and leaning my forehead against hers. Her warmth grounded me. I took deep, even breaths to calm myself. Little by little, my heart stopped racing and returned to normal.

“Come back home with us, Wulfram.” Lina said. “Forget about House Kaltbrand and its succession. Come back to Guld Manor, where you belong.”

The mention of House Kaltbrand brought me back to my senses and I opened my eyes. I pulled away from Lina, though I kept hold of her hands.

“I can’t do that.” I said.

“Why not?” Lina asked, her frustration apparent. “Is it because you have a contract with Grand Duke Kaltbrand? Don’t worry about that. We’ll pay whatever penalty there is for breaking the contract.”

I shook my head.

“It’s not that simple.” I said.

“Is it because His Grace offered you a title?” Lina asked. “That doesn’t matter. You never needed it. Father and Mother gave us their blessing a long time ago. They knew we loved each other. If you’re afraid of how the rest of high society will react, we can deal with it together.” Her expression hardened. “As for the Grand Duke, you don’t have to worry about him. If he tries to keep you here because of whatever scheme he has planned, I’ll make him regret it.”

From the look on her face, I knew Lina meant it. I didn’t know how she would make Dad regret, but I had no doubt that she would succeed. I needed to clarify matters, before a feud started between House Kaltbrand and House Guld.

“No,” I said, “Those aren’t the reasons why. They were in the beginning, at least some of them, but they aren’t now.” I took a deep breath. “I can’t leave because I am a Kaltbrand. I am the Grand Duke’s son and heir. What started out as a lie turned out to be the truth.”

Lina’s eyes widened for a moment, before she narrowed them again.

“Is this true?” she asked. “The Grand Duke hasn’t tricked you into believing that, did he?”

Did my spring queen have a grudge against Dad? She was so quick to turn him into a villain even though he didn’t deserve it, from what I’ve seen.

“It’s true.” I said. “We took a lineage test and we’re taking another one in a few days.” I shrugged. “Yes, Dad could have faked everything, but why would he go through all that effort just to trick me?”

Besides, I refused to believe that Mom was acting when she told me the truth in the western gardens. Her pain seemed too real.

“Does this mean you won’t be coming back home with us?” Mika asked in a small voice.

I looked at her and gave her a sad smile.

“Not as a Guld, no.” I said. “However, I am still your big brother and you are still my little sister. That hasn’t changed.” I glanced. “Unless your big sis changed her mind and no longer wishes to marry me.”

A part of me feared that Lina wouldn’t want to marry me once she found out that I was a Kaltbrand. It was an irrational fear, but a real one nonetheless.

“Why would you say something stupid like that?” Lina asked, scoffing. “So what if you’re a Kaltbrand? That changes nothing. I was willing to marry you even when you had no title, land, or wealth to your name.” Her tone turned sardonic. “Oh no. The man I love is now the heir to the second most powerful family in the Reichwald Empire. Whatever shall I do?”

I gave her an annoyed look. However, deep down, her words made me happy.

“But what about Father and Mother?” Mika asked in a fearful tone. “You keep calling His Grace ‘Dad’.” She sniffled. “You really have found a new family and forgotten about us.”

“No, it isn’t like that.” I said. “Dad is Dad, and Father is Father. I may be a Kaltbrand by blood, but House Guld raised me. That will never change.”

Mika’s lips trembled and she rushed forward to give me another hug, burying her face in my chest once more. I noticed this before, but hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but Mika had really grown up. When I last saw her, more than three years ago, she had been much shorter. I had missed a lot in the three years I spent away from Guld Manor, and I grew melancholic at the thought.

“So,” Lina said with a sigh, “You intend to stay here, as a Kaltbrand.”

I nodded.

“It won’t be easy.” She warned. “Leading a family as powerful and influential as House Kaltbrand comes with many perks and privileges, but also just as many responsibilities and burdens.”

“I know.” I said. “I remember what Sieg had to go through.”

When we were growing up, each of the Guld children received similar educations. However, as the heir to the family, Sieg faced more pressure than the rest of us. Power was as much of a burden as it was a blessing.

“Very well.” Lina said, looking as if she were ready to head into battle. “Then I shall help you. It’s clear that your position as heir isn’t secure yet, so we’ll start with that.”

“No.” I said, blurting out the word before I realized it.

Lina narrowed her eyes at me. A chill filled the air, one that had nothing to do with the temperature. Mika, realizing that her sister was angry, pulled away from me and put some distance between us.

“Excuse me?” Lina asked.

“This isn’t your fight.” I said. “This is mine. There’s no need for you to get entangled in House Kaltbrand’s succession. I appreciate the offer, but let me handle this.”

Lina gave me a frosty look.

“Wulfram, who am I?” she asked.

I blinked at her.

“Lady Lina Guld.” I said.

She shook her head.

“No. That’s not what I meant. Who am I?”

I gave her a confused look.

“Is this some sort of riddle?” I asked.

“Your fiancée.” Lina said in a frosty tone. “That means that your fights are my fights, and vice versa. Not only that, but I’ll need to become versed in the Barrens’ politics. While the original plan was for you to marry into House Guld, that is no longer viable. So, when we do get married, I will no longer be Lina Guld but Lina Kaltbrand, the future grand duchess. However, that will only be possible if you keep your position as heir. I will not stand by as a swarm of vultures tries to steal what is rightfully yours.” She leaned forward. “Furthermore, if you didn’t want me to get involved in House Kaltbrand’s succession, you shouldn’t have asked for my help in dealing with House Gerhard.”

As she spoke, I took a step back and swallowed. I hadn’t seen Lina this angry in a while, and I had forgotten how scary she could be.

“With all that in mind,” Lina continued. “What do you say to your well informed and well connected fiancée when she offers to help, Wulfram?”

“Yes, Dear.” I said.

Lina gave me a sharp smile.

“Excellent.” she said.

Someone knocked on the door to the study right at that moment. I breathed a sigh of relief and walked over to open it. Viscount Holtz, the butler, stood on the other side.

“Yes?” I asked.

“My lord,” Viscount Holtz said, giving me a bow, “His Grace has invited you and your guests to a light luncheon. He says that it is a family affair, and that he is looking forward to getting to know his future daughter in law.”

What was Dad up to? If this was a family affair, then that meant Mom and Count Wirner would be in attendance. Was he really trying to get to know Lina? Or was there something else afoot?

“Thank you.” I said. “You may go now, Viscount Holtz.”

The Viscount nodded, but didn’t turn to leave right away.

“You may wish to change your clothes first, my lord,” he said, giving my chest a pointed look.

I glanced down and saw that Mika had soiled my clothes with her tears and snot.

“Yes,” I said in a dry voice, “I do.”

Viscount Holtz smiled and turned to leave. However, a thought occurred to me so I called out to him.

“Viscount,” I said, “Please prepare some rooms for Lady Lina and Lady Mika. They’ll be staying here in the castle for the foreseeable future.”

Viscount Holtz studied me for a moment, before nodding.

“Very well, Lord Wulfe.” He said. “I’ll send a servant once the rooms are ready. Is there anything else you need?”

I shook my head and gestured for him to go. Once he left, I shut the door and turned to face Lina and Mika. My spring queen looked amused.

“You’ve become more outspoken.” She said. “Back at Guld Manor, you were wary and timid around the seniors servants. It seems that becoming the heir to House Kaltbrand has given you confidence in that regard.”

I shrugged, before grinning at her.

“I won’t deny that.” I said. My grin faded away. “I assume you two heard that.”

They both nodded.

“While you don’t have to come to the luncheon,” I said, “I would appreciate it if you came. Not only that, but if you intend to stay and help with the succession, this luncheon will be the perfect place to discuss the matter.”

Lina looked thoughtful for a moment, before nodding.

“Will it just be us and the Grand Duke?” Mika asked, looking nervous. “He scares me, Wulfram.”

I shook my head.

“Knight Commander Bardin and Count Wirner will be there.” I said. “My… birth mother and my maternal grandfather respectively.”

Lina’s eyes widened. She, of all people, knew just how much I admired and respected Mom.

“Well now,” she said, “Isn’t that interesting?”