The grand estate of the Zerah family, nestled against the Alpha Mountains and overlooking the Plains of the Falling Moon, is the home of us, the direct descendants. The mansion stands alone, with no other residences nearby. From the front gate, the view stretches over lush meadows and a well-maintained road leading straight to the entrance—a simple yet pleasant scene that aligns with the Zerah family motto: "Noble, not extravagant."

Instead of entering through the main gate, I opted for the side entrance of the estate. Partly because it was closer, and partly because I preferred not to draw attention. The side gate opens into a small courtyard filled with several herb gardens. These plots were originally tended by herbalists, and the gate was built for their convenience.

Now, however, there are no herbalists here—only a few gardeners, who were busy tidying up tools and chatting quietly among themselves.

“Ah, Third Miss, you’ve returned,” one of the gardeners noticed my approach and greeted me. The others, seeing that someone had already acknowledged my presence, didn’t bother to look up.

“Yes, the work at the mines is finished,” I replied.

“You must be tired,” he said.

“No more than you. Make sure you all rest well for the next three days,” I advised.

“Thank you for your kindness.”

With that brief exchange, we parted ways, and I continued on my path. In this household, it’s common knowledge that there’s no need for strict formalities when addressing the Third Miss. Some might say this indicates a harmonious relationship between master and servant; others might argue it shows a lack of respect. Either way, it didn’t matter much to me. I’ve always preferred a quiet life.

“Ah, Third Miss,” the gardener called out to me again, which was unusual.

“Yes?”

“The Fourth Miss is ahead, enjoying herself with her... attendants.”

“...Thank you for the warning.”

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

In the expansive garden behind the mansion, a tapestry of vibrant flowers and lush greenery stretched out, meticulously maintained by a battalion of skilled gardeners. The scent of blooming roses and freshly cut grass wafted through the air, creating an idyllic atmosphere.

In the center of this paradise, eight strikingly handsome men formed a circle, each with sculpted muscles that seemed to strain against their barely-there clothing. Their tight leather trousers clung to their bodies, leaving nothing to the imagination, every outline clearly visible.

At the heart of this assembly was a girl, a year younger than me, basking in the attention. She was in the full bloom of her youth, with long, light brown hair cascading down her back and a face that was a perfect blend of innocence and allure. Her bright eyes sparkled with vitality, and her figure, more voluptuous than most girls her age, could easily turn heads wherever she went. It was no surprise that eight out of ten men who laid eyes on her would fall head over heels in love.

She had earned numerous accolades like "The Pearl of Alpha," "The Star of Zerah," "A Beauty Beyond Compare," and "The Pride of Heaven." Her charm as a woman could overshadow every lady in the Alpha region and beyond, and even the most arrogant young men would find themselves spellbound, vying for her favor. The line of men who dreamed of her stretched all the way out of Alpha City.

This young lady, currently lounging lazily on a wicker chair, enjoying the caress of the evening breeze and the adoration of her handsome attendants, was none other than my younger sister, Lilian Zerah, the sixteen-year-old fourth daughter of the House of Zerah.

"Number One, bring me some sweets," Lilian commanded.

In an instant, the first man produced a tray of exquisite delicacies as if by magic.

"Number Two, fetch me some wine."

The second man hastily presented a goblet of fine wine, his eyes filled with adoration.

"Number Three, massage my feet."

The third man's entire body trembled. He could hardly believe his good fortune, while the other men glared at him with the intensity of avenging a mortal enemy.

"What are you waiting for? Get to it!"

"Y-Yes, right away!"

Number Three immediately knelt on the ground, carefully removing her ornate sandal adorned with gold and silver, and gently cradled her delicate foot, massaging it with the utmost reverence.

Lilian glanced at Number Three, clearly relishing the pampering, and a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes.

"Hey, Number Three…"

"Yes, my lady? What is your wish?"

"Would you like to share my bed tonight?"

Everyone nearly choked at this, and Number Three's face flushed with excitement. He couldn't believe his luck—he'd have to visit the temple and give thanks when he returned home.

"Hey, big sis!"

At this moment, a slight, skinny boy who had been overshadowed by the towering men finally spoke up, unable to bear it any longer.

"Oh my, forgive me, my darling Nia~ I forgot how jealous you get~"

Lilian shot a playful glance at Nia's modest figure, causing the youngest son of the House of Zerah to blush furiously and fall silent.

Nia Zerah, the youngest member of the family, was a boy of little talent and even less resolve, always following the whims of his beloved older sister Lilian. His appearance was delicate, and his frame slender, yet even he had a particular… asset.

From the way it bulged against even his loose trousers, it was clear that, though unremarkable in appearance, Nia was well-endowed. This unique trait had earned him the dubious honor of being Lilian's chosen plaything.

Their illicit relationship was hardly a secret. When it was accidentally discovered, the head of the family had punished them severely, but in the end, he—our father—had joined the ranks of those who kept the scandal hidden. After the initial storm passed, Lilian continued to secretly indulge with Nia, her servants and guards keeping a tight lid on it.

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After teasing her attendants and her younger brother, Lilian’s languid eyes scanned the surrounding flowers—until they landed on a certain passerby.

“Oh…? Well, well?”

A fox-like smile curled on her lips.

“My, isn’t this a rare guest? If it isn’t our third sister~”

She had spotted me after all.

“…Hello, Lilian. I’m just passing through. Please, don’t mind me.”

“Oh~~ Just passing through, are we?”

Lilian sat up from her reclined position and began circling me, her gaze roving over me in a way that was distinctly unsettling.

“Look at your clothes… Did you just crawl out of a mine? How dreadful~”

“Yes, you’re quite right.”

It was true, after all. As an overseer, I had to inspect the mines personally. Naturally, that meant wearing work clothes, and my dirt-stained jumpsuit and sturdy boots were hardly fashionable.

“Such hard work~ And look, you’ve still got dirt clinging to you. You didn’t come back without bathing, did you?”

“That’s right.”

This was also true. Outside the mine, there was a makeshift bath by a spring where the miners could wash. Though the men weren’t interested in me, it was still improper for a young woman to bathe among a group of rugged miners, so I had only washed my face in a stream on the way back. The rest of me was still dusty.

“Tsk, tsk, you always smell like bugs, and now you’ve added the scent of dirt. I can’t even get close to you.”

“My apologies.”

That I couldn’t agree with. The dirt was understandable, but the odor of bugs was exaggerated—most insects’ scent is imperceptible to humans.

She looked me over once more, her disdain plain on her face.

“My, have you been overeating, sister? You seem to be getting a little plump.”

“I suppose I have been indulging a bit too much. How embarrassing.”

That was an outright fabrication. My figure was more slender than Lilian’s, with a slimmer waist but a larger bust and hips, barely reaching the threshold of “curvaceous.”

This was simply the petty jealousy and competitiveness of women—no matter, I would play along.

Lilian squinted at my face, as if searching for a reaction, but when she didn’t find what she was looking for, her frown deepened. She played her next card.

“Speaking of which, when I accompanied Father to the capital last time, guess what happened? Prince Carlos himself declared his love for me! I was so shocked that I turned him down on the spot—his expression was so disappointed! When we returned, even Father scolded me for being rude…”

The rumor was true. The servants had all been gossiping about it, and our eldest brother had confirmed it.

But what did it matter to me? I had little interest in such matters.

However, to extricate myself from this situation, I decided to humor her.

Judging by her demeanor, a simple verbal response wouldn’t satisfy her. It was time to put on a show.

“W-What!? The Prince Carlos? The one known as the White Knight?”

Raising my voice a little, widening my eyes, and opening my mouth slightly—all subtle enough to avoid seeming forced.

“Indeed, the very one, the dream of so many noble ladies. To be honest, I never expected my reputation to reach the capital. It must have been Father boasting about me at those banquets. Honestly, what a bother~”

“Amazing…”

Letting my eyes close slightly, shaping my mouth into an “O,” and blending 60% admiration with 40% envy in my tone.

“Exactly! I’m a little envious of some people, though. They can’t attract men and have the luxury of peace and quiet~”

“Yes, that’s true…”

Good, it was over. She looked quite pleased with herself.

Next, I would excuse myself, claiming I needed to wash up, and she would make some snide remark like, “Hmph, don’t dirty the garden on your way out,” and I’d be free to leave.

But then—

“Ah, so you're all here, aren't you?”

The unexpected had occurred.

We all turned our heads, and Lilian’s companions quickly dropped what they were doing and scattered in haste.

“Oh, hello, York~ You’ve been busy all day, haven’t you?” Lilian chimed with a playful tone.

“Hello, big brother…” Nia mumbled.

“Greetings, Brother York,” I added.

The newcomer was a young man in his mid-twenties with long brown hair. He had a distinguished, intelligent face, making him quite handsome. This was our eldest brother, York Zerah, the firstborn of the Zerah family and the heir to the family estate.

“What are you all doing here?” York asked, his tone calm but commanding.

“Oh, York, don’t be so boring. We’re just getting some fresh air and bonding a little, that’s all~” Lillian replied with a teasing smile.

York silently observed us for a few seconds before shaking his head in mild exasperation.

“You lot… Remember, you’re all siblings. Harmony is what matters most. As your elder brother, the last thing I want is to see any of you at odds with each other. Especially you, Lillian. If I hear that you’re involved in any more scandals, don’t blame me for enforcing the family’s discipline.”

As he spoke, his sharp gaze flickered to our younger brother, Nia, who immediately flinched and hid behind Lillian.

York Zerah—though lacking in magical talent, he excelled in all other areas, and Father had been grooming him as the heir. One more thing worth mentioning—he seemed to be the only man who could resist Lilian’s overwhelming charm while maintaining his normal preferences.

Having delivered his warning, York stepped aside, revealing the man standing behind him.

Both Nia and I straightened our postures, while Lilian flashed her brightest smile.

The man who appeared was a burly middle-aged figure with an imposing, square face. His short, dark brown hair resembled a lion’s mane, and he carried an aura of authority that demanded respect from everyone around him—ourselves included.

“Greetings, Father,” I said, bowing deeply.

“F-Father! Ah… um… Hello…” Nia stammered nervously.

The family head, Krafa Zerah, gave us a sweeping glance. He barely acknowledged me, shot a stern look at Nia, causing him to tremble even more, and then, when his eyes landed on Lilian, a rare smile appeared on his face.

“I’m back, Lilian,” he said warmly.

“Welcome home!” Lilian said, throwing herself into Krafa’s arms. The haughty, indulgent air she had displayed moments ago vanished without a trace.

“My dear daughter, how have you been? Did you miss your father?”

“Of course! You’re my favorite, after all!”

“But… why are you with Nia again?”

Seeing Krafa’s eyes become serious,Lilian hurried to explain, “Oh, Father, don’t think the worst! I just happened to run into Nia in the garden. We weren’t doing anything improper!”

“Is that so…”

“Let’s not dwell on that, Father. Look!”

With a playful laugh, Lilian slipped out of his embrace. She narrowed her eyes, held out her hand, and began chanting a spell. Even the most complex and difficult incantations sounded melodious when she recited them. Pure fire elements gathered into a brilliant fireball in her palm, shining like a miniature sun.

“Go!” she commanded.

With a flick of her wrist, the fireball soared into the sky, bursting into countless tiny fireballs that rained down over the entire garden. Just as the fiery droplets were about to reach the ground, she waved her hand again, and the flames vanished without a trace.

“Well, Father? What do you think?”

“A Rain of Fire spell… Both the power and control are impressive… Lilian, have you become an Intermediate Mage?” Krafa asked, his face lighting up with joy.

“Oh, I’m not that amazing yet, Father~ But at this rate, I should be able to pass the Intermediate Mage assessment within six months!”

“As expected of my darling daughter!” Krafa exclaimed, ruffling her hair affectionately. In noble circles, young mages were common, but most Intermediate Mages didn’t reach that level until after thirty. Lillian, however, was still a girl—she wouldn’t even be seventeen in six months. A sixteen-year-old Intermediate Mage would certainly bring honor to the family name.

“Excellent! But remember, don’t get too full of yourself. Look at your elder sisters and brothers—both Advanced Mages, and they’re only in their twenties!”

“Don’t worry, Father~~~ Lilian will keep working hard! My sisters are always my inspiration! Well… except for one person…”

As she said this, she shot a sideways glance at me, which Krafa noticed. He followed her gaze, and his expression cooled. I quickly bowed again.

“Nelris… How have you been? Still an Apprentice Mage?” he asked with a hint of disappointment.

“It’s my own foolishness that has let you down, Father.”

“And the reports from the magic crystal mines?”

“I’ve compiled them all. Here they are for your review.” I retrieved a file from my coat and handed it to Krafa. He opened it, skimmed through the contents, and nodded slightly.

“Hmm, the yield is acceptable.”

He then shifted his attention away from me, no longer interested.

Rather than being disliked, I was simply being ignored.

This was the usual state of affairs; my father and siblings all treated me this way—except for a certain Lilian.

“Well then, you should all go and prepare. Dinner is almost ready, and the children of the Zann and Frelian families will be arriving soon.”

“Yes, Father,” we all responded in unison.