~Chapter 8~
Memories from the past flashed in my mind, and I shook my head to push them away.
I didn’t resent him for hating me—honestly, I understood.
Even though the Duchess of Lindbergh wasn’t my birth mother, she was my mother.
When she passed away, it felt like I couldn’t breathe from the pain.
So how much worse must it have been for her real sons, my older brothers?
In fact, it was kind of surprising that my eldest brother Eden and second brother Harry didn’t openly treat me like an enemy.
‘Lucian’s reaction makes sense.’
So, I was prepared to accept his hatred for the rest of my life.
The cold and strict three brothers, and the rigid Duke of Lindbergh… In between them, the Duchess had been like warm spring sunshine.
Just thinking of her painted such a perfect picture.
How big of a treasure did I steal from the Lindbergh family? Even though it’s been five years, just thinking about it still hurt.
‘I really should leave soon.
I’m an adult now, after all.’
I sat by the window and pulled my knees close.
My chest ached like something was missing inside.
With my head down and my eyes closed, I could feel the spring sunlight through the window warming my skin.
Maybe that warmth reminded me of something I had told myself over and over again after she passed away.
‘Mother must have become the warmest spring breeze.’
‘But… who said that to me first…?’
The room was silent except for the ticking of the clock.
I must’ve dozed off for a moment—until a loud voice snapped me awake.
“Sleeping so peacefully, are we?”
Through my bleary vision, I saw Lucian Lindbergh’s face twisted in anger.
Shiny blond hair and piercing blue eyes—the signature look of the Lindbergh family.
“Oh, big brother…”
“Do you even know what condition Father’s in right now?”
“Ah…”
“Ah? Are you serious right now?”
His face flushed red, and I knew more scolding was coming.
But just then, another voice interrupted him.
“Lucian, that’s enough.”
The voice was calmer and gentler than Lucian’s.
“You can’t just yell at someone who just woke up.”
Following the sound, I saw someone familiar with a calm aura.
It was my second brother, Harry.
Now I was fully awake.
‘They’re back.’
The Lindbergh estate was quite far from the capital.
By carriage, it’d usually take a night’s rest on the way.
But for them, that wasn’t a problem.
‘They must’ve used a portal with a magician’s help.’
Only with the Emperor’s permission and a massive amount of money could someone use those portals.
Definitely not something just anyone could afford.
‘But they’re not just anyone.’
I gave a small nod and looked up at them.
The three brothers all looked so alike, like exact copies of Father with their blond hair and blue eyes.
‘Well, their faces and personalities are all different, though.’
Still, I bet even in the middle of a battlefield, they’d be able to find each other easily.
“Brother! How could she be napping like that when Father’s hurt?”
“Just stop it.
Kids sleep when they’re tired.
And didn’t Father say not to make a big deal since it’s just a minor injury?”
Kid?
‘Did he just call me a kid?’
Feeling awkward, I scratched my cheek.
Their conversation went on anyway.
“You’re too soft. I’m telling Eden everything—that Hazel was sleeping while Father was sick!”
Harry didn’t respond.
He just flicked Lucian on the forehead.
“Hey! That hurt!”
Lucian raised his voice, clearly upset.
Harry gave him a side-eye, then turned to me.
“Tired? Want to sleep a bit more?”
I hesitated.
It felt strange talking to them after so long.
“I’m fine.”
“Then how about coming out for a bit?
Eden just arrived too.
Let’s sit and have tea together, like old times.”
“Okay.”
I answered quietly, and Harry nodded before dragging Lucian out with him.
Left alone, I awkwardly rolled my eyes around the room.
“Family, huh…”
After Mother died… if I had to pick the one person who didn’t belong in this house anymore, it would be me.
So it was kind of amazing that Harry still treated me like family.
‘Come to think of it, Harry’s always been that way.’
He was kind to everyone.
Never lost his temper easily.
Out of all three brothers, he was the most like our mother—not just in looks but in the way he spoke clearly and gently, and his calm, kind nature.
“Maybe that’s why.”
His kindness always made my heart ache a little more.
‘Even though I know he’s just being considerate…’
Sometimes, I couldn’t help but hope he still saw me as his real little sister.
“Ugh, what am I even thinking?”
I shook my head hard.
I didn’t have the luxury of getting emotional.
Now that my brothers were back, I had to make myself as invisible as possible.
Ever since Mother died, I avoided them out of guilt.
The only times I ran into them were when my magic experiments caused something to explode and they came rushing in, alarmed.
Other than that, even living under the same roof, we hardly exchanged a word.
I couldn’t even remember the last real conversation we had.
‘I wonder how long they’re staying this time…’
The eldest, Eden, had been training as the heir and moved between the estate and the capital often.
Harry, though gentle, was actually a born warrior and now led the Lindbergh knights, the Asterion Order.
He also went back and forth with Eden.
As for Lucian…
‘He doesn’t seem to do much.
Mostly spends time at the estate.’
Back then, all three of them used to live at the capital mansion.
‘Maybe that changed because of me.’
It was obvious they felt uncomfortable around me.
That stung.
“Well, once I leave…”
They’ll be able to relax again, right?
I mumbled to myself and stood up to head out.
But then—
“Hazel.”
“Gah!”
Someone calling me out of nowhere made me jump.
I almost fell over but caught myself and looked up.
It was Eden, standing with a cold, stern expression.
The door was slightly open, and I glanced at it.
He must’ve seen.
Noticing my glance, Eden apologized politely.
“Sorry for coming in without knocking.
The door was open, and I came to get you.”
“It’s okay.
I was just surprised, that’s all.”
“…But,”
His eyes turned sharp.
“Yes?”
“What did you mean by ‘leaving’? Is there a wedding planned that I didn’t hear about?”
Oh no.
He must’ve heard my mumbling.
I panicked, unsure how much to explain.
My throat was dry.
“If there was a wedding date with the Duke of Romanov, Father would’ve told me.”
“No, no!”
I had to clear up that misunderstanding first.
‘The whole point was to cancel that engagement!’
A wedding with the Duke of Romanov? Absolutely not.
“We’re breaking it off.
I’m planning to end the engagement.”
Eden frowned.
“A breakup?”
“Yes.”
“…Did he ask for it?”
His expression got darker.
Well, I guess that’s what most people would assume.
‘Yeah, it would make more sense if he dumped me.’
I quickly shook my head.
“I asked for it.”
“You did?”
His face relaxed for a moment, then tightened again.
‘Why does he look upset now?’
I tilted my head, confused—until it hit me.
‘Ah… me calling it off probably brings shame to the Lindbergh name…’
