Chapter 3 (Edited)

The sound of page fluttering sounded in the room as the wind enters from the open window. I sighed as I turned my head to look outside. The sky is clear today yet I still don't have a plan set to prevent my tragic future.

It's been seven years since I got reborn into this world. I can see things might slowly happen according to the Novel. Arthur- no, Father is slowly training Claudius into the son he wanted him to be.

I tried to gain favour from my father but it seems like he couldn't even see me at all. Well I don't really mind since I didn't even had a father in my past life. I also kind of understand why Claudius is his favourite child. He is smart, and most of all, he's like the splitting image of our father, he got his silver hair and beautiful red eyes.

I looked into the mirror and see my reflection. My face still have baby fat especially the cheeks. It might sound narcissistic of me, but, it makes me look kind of cute. I smiled and a pear vortex appeared on the right side of my cheek. Looking into the mirror, I could see my hair that is red as blood. I kinda wished that ny hair was a little longer like my mother's hair which is also red as mine but it was long and slightly wavy.

To survive from my mysogynistic father, My mother deliberately raise me as a boy without anyone nor my father's knowledge except for me, my mother and the old midwife who also became my personal nanny until last year.

A knock sounded on the door as I was deep in thoughts while looking at myself in the mirror "Oliver?" A gentle and beautiful voice sounded from the other side of the door.

I stood up and hurriedly open the door "Yes mother? Do you need something?" My mother looked down to look at me with a gentle smile on her face.

"Can I not see my own child?" I shook my head and smiled "Ofcourse you can, mother" she gently pinched my cheek.

My mother and I bond most of the times. Arthur or our father is always busy with affairs he needed to attend to as a noble. He never let Claudius near us, especially to our mother. He thinks that if his perfect son gets close to our mother, he'll become a weakling.

Mother and I tried to also connect with Claudius when father's not home, but, Claudius himself doesn't even want to talk to us at all. Everytime I looked at Claudius, his eyes always looks cold and harsh as if it's not the eyes of a child at all.

Me and my mother's currently walking in the garden while she's admiring the flowers. I do also think that the flowers looks good and beautiful, but, thinking that I might not be able to change the future, I couldn't help but feel down.

Mother seems to notice my low mood "What's wrong?" She asked as she gently caressed my hair.

I looked up to my mother and shook my head while smiling "It's nothing mother... I'm just thinking about something" my mother blinked twice.

"What are you thinking about my dear child? Maybe mother could help" Well I can't really tell her that Claudius will kill us in the future right?

"Well uhm I've read a book recently and the story was about the protagonist trying to change her fate. Well it always didn't end well. I just wondered, If I were in her position, what should I do to change my future?" Mother looked around for a moment as if thinking of a good answer.

Mother knelt down and held both of my shoulders while looking at me "Defying fate would really be difficult but...I think, before that, One should have firm resolve to change first. Do they really need to do things alone? Well, maybe yes, and maybe not necessarily. We don't really know. If they decided to change it alone, they must be prepared to face every obstacle that they'll face...But! If they decided to solve it with someone, I think they should make them their own strength and inspiration, however, they still need to prepare to face the future, not just for that person but also for themselves".

I smiled as I nod looking at my mother with a bunch of roses behind her back which really matches her fluttering red hair. I hugged her tightly and said with all my heart "Thank you mother".

My mother laughed softly and lightly while patting my head "What are you thanking me for? I told you I'll help you didn't I?" I smiled as I kept on hugging my mother and feeling warm in my heart.

Because of my mother's help, I kind of had an idea of what will I do and it also made me wonder, Did my mother ever tried to defy her fate?

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It's already been two months since the time my mother and I went to the garden. I didn't really see my mother recently but she told me that she's helping in managing the upcoming banquet in our manor. I've never been to a banquet before because I've always thought that It's tiring and all. Last year on Claudius' and my 7th birthday, I unfortunately couldn't attend because I got sick

In this upcoming banquet, I couldn't refuse to attend. My father told me that it's about time to let others know about my existence, in other words, it's like a debut into the world of nobles. Even though father didn't really like me, he doesn't want to let others think bad about him.

I sighed and went out of my room. While I was walking down, a door from a nearby room opened and the person who walked out was Claudius.

Looking at him, I could not help but think that he really deserves the title of a main character with his look. We paused and looked at each other for a moment.

The look in Claudius' eyes looks cold and indifferent "What are you looking at?" he asked and I could hear from the tone of his voice that he is irritated with my presence.

I gave him the business man kind of smile, trying not to be rude nor arrogant "Nothing brother, I just thought that my brother looks good today"

Claudius sneered hearing my statement, I must say that he really resembles our father very much "What do you mean by that?"

Claudius, as if he was smugging, he slid his hand on his smooth silver hair "I always look good...unlike you" When he said the next sentence he changed his expression or the way he looked at me, he looked at me as if I'm a trash.

I remained calm and smiled at him "Is that so" I hope your hairline recedes when you're older! Thinking of my slowly balding father and Claudius, I couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"What are you laughing at?" Claudius asked with a cold look on his face.

"Nothing my dear brother, I just remembered something funny" Claudius looked at me as if I'm a weird person. I slowly walk passed by him.