2| A Peaceful Morning

Celestia stiffened. Her brother was only three years older than her, but he had already achieved remarkable things at such a young age. Like most in her family, he was one of the youngest swordmasters in the country. They were a family of knights, after all.

Jeremiah looked exactly like their mother, with black hair and golden eyes. He had a lean but muscular build and stood much taller than her, which was impressive given that she was five foot eight. Clad in high-quality all-black training clothes, he looked more like a handsome assassin than the second son of Duke Aster.

He was currently glaring at her as though she were garbage that can't even be recycled. Jeremiah despised Celestia for being, in his words, "useless" and tarnishing the family's honor by chasing after Zachary Draken, the heir to the Draken Duchy and the male lead of the novel.

"What are you looking at? Are you waiting for me to escort you to the carriage or something?" Jeremiah barked.

Celestia simply looked away and walked past him. He was no longer worth her words. Not anymore. She had wasted too much time yearning for the affection of this wretched family and no longer wanted to indulge in such poison.

Jeremiah caught up to her after a moment of confusion. "Hey, are you ignoring me?"

Celestia walked faster, afraid she might end up cursing him out and breaking character. It was better to remain silent. She quickly climbed into the carriage and instructed the coachman to head to the mansion. The man hesitated about leaving without the young lord but, hearing her firm tone that brooked no argument, took the reins and set off.

"Celestia Aster! Where are you going without me?!" Jeremiah yelled, bewildered as he watched the carriage leave without him.

He could have easily caught up but was too stunned by the situation. His annoying sister, who had always fawned over him, had actually ignored him and left him behind.

What in the world was going on?

______________________

After the day she regained her memories, Celestia had been living quite well for the past week, holed up in her room. Although Jeremiah occasionally tried to come in, she faked sickness and sent him away. He eventually gave up.

Celestia sat up in bed, stretching like a cat and yawning loudly. It was such a relaxing and peaceful morning—the first she had truly enjoyed in both her lives.

In her past life, every morning had been a battlefield. She had an older brother and a younger brother. Her older brother would play video games all night, cursing loudly in the room next to hers, separated by only a thin wall. She could never catch a good night's sleep. And even if she woke up early, she had to cook meals for the family and set the table for breakfast.

Her brothers always used the shared bathroom first, leaving it a mess that she had to clean while suppressing her curses.

In this life, the only peaceful memories she could recall were from when her mother was alive, and they were a happy family.

She didn't remember much of her childhood, but the most vivid memories were of the times her older brothers were away at the academy, and her mother pampered her. Although her father wasn't very affectionate, his actions showed he cared for her.

When her mother died giving birth to her youngest brother, the whole family was devastated. That was the start of her misfortunes. Since then, there had never been a peaceful morning in her life. Every breakfast was a cold war between her and her brothers, while her father ignored everyone. Eventually, she stopped eating with her family altogether.

Celestia felt a pang of bitterness. She missed her mother—the one person who had wholeheartedly loved her as much as she loved back. She missed their long talks, their tea times with her father, and how her mother would hug her to sleep when she was sick. She would give anything to see her mother's bright smile once more.

She made her way to the mirror, staring at her reflection and hating what she saw. She was the spitting image of her father, the current Duke Aster. Wavy dark blue hair with cyan and silver locks cascaded down her slightly broad shoulders.

Her pale blue eyes, dull and lifeless, and fair skin made her look sickly and weak, contrasting with her sharp, cold facial features. She could be considered an "aloof beauty," though her personality was far from it.

Celestia hated that she didn't have even a trace of her mother's features. She quickly looked away from the mirror and got ready for the day. She had plans.

After her bath, she called her maids to dress her. Celestia usually chose bright pastel colors to appear more approachable and cheerful, but they only made her look awkward. Today, she selected a gown that truly suited her: a gorgeous midnight blue dress that was simple yet elegant. For accessories, she wore a small diamond-studded platinum necklace and matching teardrop earrings that complemented the silver embroidery on her dress.

A quick glance in the mirror left her satisfied. She dismissed the maids and walked toward the study she had asked the servants to clean earlier. Her plan for the day was to resume her studies. She had asked her father's secretary to find her a tutor for history and magic engineering. Surprised but efficient, the secretary had arranged for a competent tutor within two days. Today marked the start of her lessons.

Celestia had given up her studies years ago, pouring all her effort into swordsmanship. She had been a diligent and intelligent student, especially after her mother's death, striving to prove her worth to her father and brothers. But her hard work had been met with scornful words from Jeremiah.

"We are a family of knights. There's no use studying so hard. You're not even that smart," he had said to her when she was fourteen, just before she joined the academy.

That very day, she had switched her courses to major in swordsmanship.

Six years later, while her brothers had become swordmasters, she had not even reached the level of a sword expert.

How naïve she had been.

Lost in her thoughts as she walked, Celestia didn't notice the young man with midnight blue hair who resembled their mother.

Devon Aster.

The eldest son of the family and her first older brother.