KFDP Chapter 2

For the first time in my life, I began to question my own identity.

“Why is the firstborn of the Duke of Alton’s household a daughter and not a son?”

Everything else matched the novel exactly, so why was my gender the only thing that changed?

As I stared into the mirror, I suddenly remembered what my mother once told me about her conception dream.

“I was walking through a deep forest, and at the bend in the path, I saw a trembling baby beast. It had dark black fur and the most beautiful red eyes.”

“I felt so sorry for it and reached out to hold it, but then—out of nowhere—a blood-covered black beast appeared.”

“Without hesitation, the beast bit the baby beast by the scruff of its neck and charged right into my arms! I was so startled that I ended up holding them both. That’s why your father and I thought you might be twins.”

Now the question was—was I the cute, trembling baby beast or the blood-covered black monster?

“Obviously, I’m the black monster!”

In my past life, I died in a car accident—there was a lot of blood. So clearly, I had to be the bloodied black beast.

“That baby beast must be the original firstborn brother from the novel.”

So did I dive into my mother’s arms while biting the baby beast? Did I somehow merge with the original firstborn?

I glared at my reflection in the mirror—there wasn’t a single trace of my mother’s features in this face.

Honestly, a single conception dream wasn’t enough to explain this situation. Still, whatever the reason, I was now Bellady Alton, and I would continue living as her.

So I decided not to overthink it—it would only give me a headache.

“I don’t love being born the eldest daughter again, though.”

Even in my previous life, I had been the eldest daughter. In a poor family that only doted on my younger sibling.

You don’t need to hear the rest to guess how that went.

Parents who expected constant sacrifice from the eldest.

“No child is better than a daughter.”

“Our daughter really is the best.”

They only ever praised me with empty words, and I gave everything up, thinking it was worth it.

My parents always said we didn’t have money, so I grew up constantly walking on eggshells.

Even in high school, I’d get scolded for asking for the bare minimum bus fare. In college, all support was cut off, and I was forced into non-stop part-time jobs.

Meanwhile, my younger sibling grew up completely unaware of how poor we were—always receiving allowance from our parents like it was nothing and enjoying a carefree life.

“Unlike me, who got more and more exhausted.”

I barely scraped my way through college, and when graduation neared, my parents tried to lure me in again, promising to manage my salary once I got a job.

But was I lucky or unlucky?

I failed to get a job right after graduation and became an unemployed job-seeker.

And their response?

“What, were you just playing around this whole time? Everyone else is getting jobs—what’s wrong with you, you useless brat?”

“Job hunting? Do it yourself. Don’t even think about relying on your aging parents.”

“Well, of course. No surprise. You’ve always been immature.”

The sense of betrayal I felt then…!

I had lived a life crushed under the weight of responsibility and obligation as the eldest. I thought my family at least recognized that sacrifice.

I thought my parents pitied me. I thought my younger sibling was grateful.

“But none of them ever cared about me.”

I realized far too late that my sacrifices meant nothing to them.

So I ran away. I cut ties with them. They called me cold and selfish.

But I didn’t care. I was resolute.

To hell with sacrifice.

From then on, I would live only for myself. Think only of myself. Survive only for myself.

“And then I died in a car crash not long after.”

What a cruel joke my life was. Not even a sip of refreshing satisfaction—just endless frustration and bitterness.

And in my dying moment, I had just one thought in my head.

“Please! In my next life, let me be the only child of a rich, happy family—so I never have to worry about money again!”

“But then why was I born the eldest again?”

And not even in the modern world I lived in before, but in the fantasy romance novel I had read!

Not just a regular reincarnation, either—something had clearly gone wrong!

“Calm down, Bellady Alton.”

I took a deep breath and rinsed off in the bath before calling my maids.

“My eyes are swollen—bring me a cold pack.”

“Yes, Lady Bellady.”

“I’ll get a massage too, so prepare for that.”

The maids bowed deeply and quickly brought me what I needed. I lay down on the sofa with the cooling pack on my eyes.

Then one of them spoke softly.

“Massage preparations are complete.”

“Good. My whole body aches from the funeral.”

“Understood, Lady Bellady. I’ll be extra thorough today.”

I changed clothes and headed to the private massage room in my quarters. The scent of my favorite oils filled the air, and the maids’ practiced hands soothed my body.

This was luxury I could never have afforded in my past life. I relished every second, remembering the wish I made before I died.

A happy family, wealth, being an only child.

“Well, at least I got born into a rich family. That’s the most important one.”

If not, I probably would’ve flipped the table the moment I regained my memories.

Feeling the fatigue melt away, I tried to recall more details from the original novel.

The female lead was Nesia, who was adopted as the youngest daughter of the Alton family at age eleven.

People said the cold-hearted Duke Alton adopted her because she resembled his late wife.

“In a way, that makes Nesia my mother’s child too.”

Anyway, Nesia’s sunny personality completely changed the gloomy atmosphere in the mansion after the duchess’s death.

All the men in the household fell for her charm one by one.

Even though she had a painful past of her own…

“She slowly grows and heals through her relationships with her father, brothers, and the male lead.”

Yes.

This novel was a slice-of-life healing story, with no intense villains, no complicated relationships—just a sweet, wholesome journey of the heroine’s growth.

“And now I’ve reincarnated as her oldest brother.”

So who’s going to be the silent, steadfast older sibling supporting her now?

“…Don’t tell me—it’s me?”

“Absolutely not.”

Let me make one thing clear:

I am not going to be considerate or self-sacrificing for my little sister ever again. I will not take on the responsibility of being the eldest.

“I’ll protect what’s mine. Family? Sister? Who needs that crap?”

They say habits die hard.

Even though I forgot my past life for a while, I ended up living exactly the same way again.

Always yielding to my sibling, being the dutiful and responsible eldest daughter—same as before.

“At least this time, we’re rich. I don’t have to tiptoe around because of money anymore…”

But this world still had a strong patriarchal system. And my parents didn’t exactly go against the grain.

Especially my mother—she doted on my brother blatantly and constantly pitied him.

“She used to worry about Meldor all the time.”

That thought made my blood boil. I clenched my fists.

“L-Lady Bellady?”

The maids massaging me flinched when they felt my body tense. I sat up and removed the eye pack.

“That’s enough. You may clean up.”

“Y-Yes, my lady!”

Some of the maids began tidying the room while others helped me into indoor clothes.

As I finished getting dressed and fixing my hair, a knock sounded at the door. I nodded toward one of the maids, who opened it.

A man stood at the entrance.

“Lady Bellady. The Duke has summoned you.”

It was one of my father’s attendants.

“Now? Is Meldor going too?”

“Yes, he’s been called as well.”

“Got it. Just let me finish here.”

The maids moved quickly, finishing my grooming. Once done, I followed the servant to my father’s office.

When I entered, Meldor was already there.

“You’re late.”

My father didn’t even look at me as he spoke, seated in the central sofa. Meldor, sitting to his right, smirked.

“Probably late because she was busy dolling herself up again. Honestly, you think that matters more than Father’s summons?”

That bastard…

I restrained myself from smacking him and instead bowed slightly to Father.

“Apologies for being late.”

I sat on the left sofa, and Father spoke gravely.

“As you know, the official mourning ended yesterday. It’s time we return to normal life.”

The atmosphere turned solemn. Father’s expression was stiff, and Meldor looked visibly downcast.

As for me… I didn’t know how to feel.

Yesterday, it felt like my world had collapsed.

But ever since I recovered my past memories, all feelings for my mother had strangely faded.

“Now, what remains…”

That’s when Father continued.

“Bellady, your engagement will be postponed. We’ll wait until the household stabilizes.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Meldor, your swordsmanship training will resume. It will be tough, but hang in there.”

“…Yes, Father.”

“I’m counting on you.”

Meldor nodded grimly at Father’s words.

After that dry conversation ended, we both left the office.

As we walked down the hallway, Meldor glared at me.

“Must be nice for you. No responsibilities. Just playing around all day.”

“What did you say?”

I glared at him, and he shrugged.

“Am I wrong? You get to spend your days dressing up and eventually marry into a good noble family. Meanwhile, I’m suffering through blood, sweat, and training.”

“…”

“You should be thankful to me. It’s my sacrifices that let you live in comfort.”

I didn’t bother listening to the rest of his nonsense. I walked faster.

“Hey! I’m talking to you—where do you think you’re going!”

My head was boiling with rage.

“Calm down. Calm down.”

We were still too close to Father’s office.

I ignored Meldor’s shouting and hurried away.

When I reached a quiet corridor, I couldn’t hold it in anymore.

I punched the wall.

Thud!

A loud crash echoed as the stone wall caved in under my fist.

“Eek!”

“L-Lady Bellady…”

The maids following me gasped, but I didn’t care.

“And that’s the brat you always felt sorry for?”

If I could say one thing to my late mother…

It’s that her favoritism ruined her child.