When I woke up in the early hours of the morning, my personal maid was already standing outside my door. I called her in and let her prepare my bath before she carried my small body to the tub and gently scrubbed me down.

After my warm bath, she dressed me in a blue dress and helped me wear a silver necklace that my mother gifted me on my third birthday.

It was then time for breakfast.

It was tradition to eat breakfast together as a whole family which meant I needed to go to the main dining hall where my parents would be waiting.

My little legs carried me through the long corridors, past the courtyard, and right to the dining hall where I was greeted by my mother who smiled at me gently.

“Adriana darling, come here to mother,” she called from her seat.

I drew a smile out and happily walked over to her and my father who looked at me lovingly. Stopping in front of them, I gave my greetings.

“Father, mother, good morning to you,” I curtsied as I’d been taught.

They were pleased with my greetings and praised me.

I then turned to my father’s concubines and greeted them politely as well.

“Step-mothers, this one bids you a good morning.”

Since I never caused trouble with their children, my father’s concubines did not hold hostility toward me and received my greeting with smiles.

Once the formalities were over, I took a seat in my assigned chair next to my two older sisters and waited for father to move his utensils.

The rest of the family were not permitted to eat until the head of the household started eating first.

Only till my father placed the spoon of porridge in his mouth did everyone else begin eating.

I remembered my manners and did my best to eat neatly without making a mess. I also kept my mouth shut and ate quietly as I was more preoccupied with the delicious meal in front of me.

The atmosphere was pleasant until Concubine Annabeth’s son, my younger brother of four years, began making a fuss with the food. Concubine Helene’s son who was also four years old, copied his brother and began pushing away the food he didn’t like.

Both women were embarrassed at their sons’ behaviour, especially when the father scolded them.

Of course, I didn’t really see the big deal since most kids were picky with food at that age but I guess the expectations for how children should act were different here. I’ll have to admit though, my younger brothers were quite spoiled by their mothers.

It was no surprise that they acted like this.

However, I worry about their future if they continue to be spoiled by their mothers.

----------------------------------------

After breakfast, it was time for my daily lessons.

I followed a routined schedule that was planned by my mother and completed each lesson diligently.

Having no other forms of entertainment, I focused my time on improving my skills. I was already accustomed to spending my time in the silence of my surroundings and I gradually grew to enjoy the peace and quietness around me.

I suppose to most, I came off as an odd child.

I was too mature for my age and probably too well-behaved. Of course, no one really questioned me about it thinking I was just born this way.

Since no one held any suspicions about me, I didn’t bother changing the way I acted.

I know that many novel protagonists in similar situations to mine tend to act like their physical age to blend in but I’ve always been a rather terrible actress. It was just easier to be as I normally am.

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

This wasn’t one of those fantasy worlds either so I wasn’t worried about someone finding out my real identity.

Even if someone did suspect something amiss, they would have no means to prove it.

----------------------------------------

As the seasons changed, the weather grew colder approaching winter.

My older brother came to my bedroom early this morning inviting me out for a walk.

I found it rather strange.

Despite our full-blooded relationship as siblings, he’s never actively taken the time to talk to me, let alone spend time with me. I figured that he held no interest in me since I was a girl and he was too busy learning as father’s heir.

Since he took the time to walk all the way to my room and personally invite me out, I suspected that he had something to tell me.

I wasn’t hurt or anything but I was curious as to what was on his mind.

My brother ticked practically all the boxes for a main character or a novel’s male lead.

He was cold and distant to everyone, he was extremely talented in both academics and swordsmanship, and he was set to inherit a large fortune and title.

The thought of being the sister of a male lead brushed over my mind making me chuckle for a bit but eventually, I discarded the thought.

Whether he was a main character or not, he and I held little affection for each other.

----------------------------------------

The maids bathed and dressed me in a simple green dress and pinned a few side strands of my hair to the back of my head. This time, I didn’t feel like wearing any jewellery so I just wore my shoes and opened the door.

My brother, Alessandro, stood tall and straight and his handsome features were clearly outlined in the sunlit hall.

“Greetings brother,” I said politely with a soft smile.

My brother accepted my greeting with a nod and suddenly held out his hand.

At first, I was confused, but then I realised what he meant.

I stuck out my hand and he held my tiny hand in his cold ones. This unnatural behaviour of his was confusing but I did not resist.

Without another word, he gently tugged my arm and led me down the hallway, out of the building and to the garden that was scattered with leaves.

The cold air brushed against my body and I unconsciously shivered, tugging my coat tighter around me.

Since winter was nearing, the flowers were not blooming and the trees were bare. The garden wasn’t very attractive to look at but even so, my brother led me along.

He didn’t say much, only asking a couple of questions about my lessons and studies.

I could tell he wanted to ask me something but was unable to get it out. His grip on my arm tightened a bit making me flinch but I didn’t pull away. Judging by the look on his face, he seemed to be lost in thought.

“Is something on your mind brother?” I tried not to sound too eager and asked casually.

My brother didn’t seem to expect that question and sucked in a breath before releasing a sigh.

“Adriana, my sister…this brother of yours is very foolish.”

I wasn’t prepared for him to say that. I blinked in confusion and mild surprise.

“What are you saying brother? How can you be someone foolish?”

My brother stopped walking and turned to face me before kneeling down to meet my eye-level. I didn’t know what to expect but patiently waited.

He finally opened his mouth and said in a regretful and guilty tone;

“I’ve wronged you, my dear sister. This brother of yours is foolish and has wronged you.”

I furrowed my eyebrows. I honestly didn’t know what he was talking about. The two of us have never had any noteworthy interactions before so I truly didn’t understand his words.

“I don’t understand brother. I’ve never been wronged by you before,” I said. “You have never hurt me.”

A complicated look flashed across his face prompting him to close his eyes tightly before opening them again. He looked at me with that same guilty look and held both my hands in his palms.

“I know you don’t understand. You do not need to understand. Just know that I will never let harm befall you and I will protect you with my life. Alright?”

His sincere tone and expression made me feel a flicker of warmth in my heart but I was still very puzzled. Nevertheless, I merely nodded my head and replied, “Alright. I’ll depend on you then, brother.”

A warm smile fell on his lips, stunning me for a moment since it was the first time I’d ever seen him smile. I smiled back at him as he stood up again and led me towards the pavilion where a table of desserts and tea was waiting.