Family

She still couldn't believe she was in a novel when she woke up. She thought it was all just a dream. No, it was a nightmare.

Adeline had to put up a fight to make sure the maids didn't follow her into the bathroom to tend to her, but that was a fight she lost quickly. Before she knew it, one of the maids massaged her head, one of them scrubbed her body and another carefully monitored the temperature of the bath and the amount of soap used.

'Ahh, I could get used to this...' 

Adeline got to terms fairly quickly with the fact that she was in another world rather. She had no other options anyway, it wasn't like she could just go back to her world if she prayed hard enough. If she was stuck in this world she had to make the most of it, and that was exactly what she was doing.

The maids helped her into a beautiful red gown and her hair tied up in two buns. She couldn't help but admire herself in the mirror. "I am so pretty I could cry." She patted her cheeks.

The maids noticed the change in her personality, do people really change overnight? 

One of the maids nervously came forward, she was the one who saw Adeline curse recklessly. She had to admit she learnt a few new ones.

"My lady, you are summoned by your father."

They sighed in relief after seeing how she left without kicking up a fuss. Their lady seemed to be easygoing? Since when? This was not the Adeline they used to serve. 

Her father and brothers were already sitting there waiting for her, she realised she didn't know their names but thankfully Adeline's memories so far were available to her to peruse.

Her oldest brother was 14 years old and was called Alaric, he was a prodigy and was set to leave for the academy in a year. Her second oldest brother, Aaron, was 11 years old and he was a gifted swordsman. Thinking of the achievements of her two older brothers she felt inadequate. Was there anything she was good at? Who cares? She was good at being cute.

She put on her brightest smile and greeted her father and brothers. The atmosphere was cold, her brothers dared not act chummy in front of their strict father.

"Good morning."

Her father coughed and turned away to hide his blushing face. He couldn't let his emotions overcome him so he asked, "When are you leaving for the academy?"

Alaric cleared his throat and answered, "After six months."

Her father simply nodded and went back to eating. The atmosphere felt off. Was that the only thing he could say to his son who was about to leave in six months?

She remembered how her father protected her brothers when they would get themselves into trouble blindly protecting Adeline, this family sure had a weird way of showing affection. They clearly cared for each other but were too afraid to show it.

"Are you leaving so soon?" Adeline hoped that it would make their father raise his head but she got no reaction out of him. 

Alaric gently patted her head and replied, "I will be back during the holidays, I won't be gone for too long Linny."

"You still have me Linny!" Aaron quickly joined.

Adeline swore she almost heard her father mutter under his breath 'Linny'. 

It was a nickname her brothers used but this was the first time her father heard of it.

It was her first time experiencing a warm family, her parents rarely hid the fact that they didn't want her, and it was nice to be in the presence of people who actually love and want you for a change.

This wasn't enough for her though, she wanted them to be much more closer. She wanted her father to talk to her brothers and her openly, she wanted her brothers to express their affection to their father instead of hiding it to seem more 'mature'. This was the happy family she always dreamt of, and she was going to make it work!

Before any of that could happen, she had to survive! She thought long and hard about what she should do.

She came to a quick conclusion, if she didn't go after the Crown Prince, she wouldn't have to die, right? The problem started after she became obsessed with Cassian.

'Don't be friends with him, but don't get on his bad side! Tread the line carefully Adeline.' 

That was a solid plan, right? Just avoid the Crown Prince and the future Northern Duke. No man, no troubles. Just live her life in luxury and be a leech to society.

"Adeline, Her Majesty requested your presence at the castle tomorrow."

What?!