Chapter 4
A little girl desperately trying to drag another girl onto the bed —
If anyone walked in, it’d look really bad.
If someone reported this, I’d definitely get arrested.
But I’m a little girl right now. That’s my biggest advantage.
Somehow, I managed to convince Helen, and that night I slept warmer than ever before.
And to be clear, I didn’t lay a hand on her! We just held hands and slept — perfectly legal!
With a light swish, sunlight streamed down on my eyelids.
That must be the sound of Helen opening the curtains.
Hehe… Helen was so cute last night.
Yes, yes, that sounds dangerous to say out loud, but as long as I keep it to myself, it stays in the dark.
“Good morning, Lady Maria! It’s such a beautiful day today — the weather feels wonderful!”
Blinding! She’s too dazzling! My sun! My radiant sun stands before me!
I had to fight the urge to drop to my knees and worship her, instead forcing myself to just smile and sit up.
Helen, who had started calling me Lady Maria instead of Milady since yesterday, was in an especially good mood, her cheeks faintly pink.
I’d say we’d grown much closer.
My goal is to have her call me “Marie” affectionately one day… but that may still be a long way off.
“Good morning, Helen. You look especially bright today. Would you like to go for a walk in the garden with me later?”
“Yes! With pleasure!”
Ahh, what a sweet girl. Once, I foolishly pointed at her saying, “I want that one,” like a spoiled brat.
Now I’d like to praise that younger version of myself for such divine taste.
Leaving the room with the smiling, adorable Helen, we were greeted outside by a young knight who looked just like her.
“Good morning, my lady.”
“Good morning, Rufus. Sorry for monopolizing Helen yesterday.”
Rufus — Helen’s twin brother — was one of the “gifts” I’d demanded to have.
I apologized for stealing Helen away, since she usually takes care of my needs while sharing quarters with him.
Rufus’s identical face froze in shock.
Well, of course — the “chick” who couldn’t even say her own name properly just said his name perfectly.
This must’ve been the first time I’d ever addressed him properly.
“…My lady… is that really you?”
Yeah, that’s about the reaction I expected.
“Brother! That’s rude!”
“S-sorry!”
“Haha.”
Rufus bowed his head and apologized desperately.
I wonder what people think when they see me.
A foolish chick perhaps, but my parents are hawks — if the chick cries, the hawks swoop in and behead someone.
“Don’t apologize, Rufus. See… I awakened when I fell yesterday. My head feels so clear now, almost like I’ve regained my true self.”
“Then perhaps you hit your head too har— no, nothing.”
He was definitely about to say “Maybe she hit her head and went nuts.”
Helen’s glare stopped him mid-sentence. But even angry, she’s just adorable.
Sure, maybe I did hit my head and go crazy — I’m self-aware enough to admit that.
But as long as I don’t act crazy, it’s not a crime.
Trying to contain my internal meltdown over how cute Helen looks when she pouts, I somehow managed to make it to breakfast.
Because I’m still small, the butler lifted me into a high-sided child’s chair to prevent me from falling.
He looked worried.
“Th…thank you vewy much.”
“Oh, good. You seem lively. Haha.”
“I’m so glad, Marie. Ufufu.”
“Yes, I’m relieved too. Fufu.”
“Yeah.”
I was the last to arrive. At the long table, my parents and my brother, Leon, all sat grouped together unnaturally close — clearly worried about me.
They asked about my bump, whether my head was okay.
Honestly, I can’t say “yes” to that in every sense, but I smiled and reassured them, explaining that I’d “awakened,” as I’d told Rufus.
My explanation might’ve been weirdly convincing, because though they still looked unconvinced, they seemed relieved.
Eventually, they’ll get used to it.
“Marie and Leon, what are you two going to do today?”
Even after breakfast, this family lingers for a bit of relaxed conversation — a cozy morning ritual.
Father smiled warmly as he asked the daily question.
“I plan to walk in the garden with Helen today, then have lunch with her. I intend to invite Rufus as well.”
Shock. That’s the only fitting word.
Normally, spoiled little me would cling to my father, mother, or brother all day, demanding attention.
My slow speech development was probably because my parents always used soft, babyish tones with me — and since I was rarely allowed outside, I had very few people to talk to.
“Oh my, is that so? You won’t be spending time with Mama or your brother today?”
“No. I’ll be with Helen and Rufus. Helen watches over me so kindly, like a saint. Her smile shines like the sun, and her loveliness is nothing short of a miracle bestow—”
“Lady Maria!”
Ah—! That was close.
If Helen hadn’t stopped me while blushing bright red, I’d have fully exposed my inner pervert.
Everyone at the table fell silent.
I might’ve become too eloquent.
And too quickly independent — must’ve been shocking for them.
But my fears were unfounded. My parents held hands, overcome with emotion over how “mature” I’d become.
Thank goodness they’re so easygoing.
It seemed to go well.
Except for one person — my brother Leon, who watched me with quiet suspicion.
“Surely it’s my right to do what I please with my Helen and Rufus, isn’t it?”
A villainous line for a peaceful afternoon.
But no — I’m no villain. Not even a chair.
“Sit in your master’s chair?! Lunch with your master?! I’m your servant — I have no right to eat beside you!”
That was the kind of thing Helen and Rufus said, horrified at the idea.
So I had to calm them down with those words.
“Helen, Rufus, do you feel uncomfortable eating with me? If so, I won’t force you.”
“N-no, not at all! It’s just… people like us — filthy orphans…”
“Helen.”
I gently pressed a finger to her lips to stop her.
When she looked up in surprise, I met her gaze firmly.
“You — no, both of you — are beautiful. I adore you. I’m so proud of you. So please… don’t say such things about yourselves.
And if you ever lose confidence again, tell me, alright? Every time you do, I’ll remind you of the truth — how truly wonderful and beautiful you are… all night long, if I have to.”
I smiled at them both. They teared up, nodding over and over.
How could children this young think of themselves as “dirty” or “objects”?
They must’ve gone through so much. What a cruel world.
Once they calmed down, we finally shared our meal together — all three of us.
Happiness. Just watching their smiles made me feel like I could eat three bowls of rice.
“There’s something I’ve always wondered,” Rufus said, now comfortable enough to call me by name.
“Why did you take us in, Lady Maria?”
Good question. I didn’t really remember.
“Probably love at first sight,” I said. “There’s no other reason.”
It was a vague answer, but both of them smiled shyly, believing it completely.
After a pleasant afternoon, we returned to the mansion.
As I stepped through the entrance, someone spoke behind me — like a ninja.
Completely silent until the last moment — my brother, Leon.
How long had he been there…?
“Marie, would you like to read with your brother? I’ll read your favorite picture book to you. Come to my room?”
Helen and Rufus stepped back and bowed politely.
Leon extended his hand with the elegance of a prince.
To me, that gesture screamed Prince (lol).
“Yes, brother. I’d be delighted.”
I placed my small hand in his, and he escorted me up the stairs — then carried me halfway.
I’ve been carried a lot lately. Maybe stairs are dangerous for me. Or maybe I just looked scared.
When we reached the second floor, he set me down and led me into his room — right beside mine.
Then he released my hand and stared at me intently, as if trying to figure something out.
So I stared back, just for balance.
Why is Leon in this marquis household?
In my sister’s game, he was supposed to be the third son of a duke.
I tried to recall the details, but it slipped away, just out of reach.
“Marie, can you tell me why you’ve been acting so strangely since yesterday?”
“To your brother, it’s like you’ve become a completely different person.”
Leon spoke gently, slowly — the way one talks to a baby.
But his eyes… his eyes were those of someone facing an enemy.
“I think so too. I feel strange myself. I wonder what happened?
Brother, do you find me frightening like this?”
Leon’s eyes flickered with confusion. He touched his chin, deep in thought.
He began testing me — asking what book he’d read to me the day before, what he’d given me for his birthday, and other things only I would know.
Ah, I see. He thought I’d been replaced by someone else — like a body double.
This man’s mind really does work like a ninja’s.
I answered honestly when I didn’t remember something, and when he was done, he smiled in relief and spread his arms.
I suppose that meant I was supposed to go hug him.
If only I could swap with my real sister — just like a body double.
“I’m sorry, Marie. It seems your brother was the strange one. Will you forgive me?”
“You’ve done nothing wrong, brother. I’m the one who suddenly changed.”
“By the way…”
The voice that came from within his arms suddenly dropped in tone.
I looked up, sensing something ominous, and saw that mischievous smile on his face.
“Won’t you talk to me the way you talked to the Siek boy yesterday?
You seemed so cheerful and relaxed with him — I rather enjoyed that side of you.”
Inside my brother’s arms…
This wasn’t a hug.
It was capture.
