Chapter Five: A Step Toward Escape

The air in the ballroom grew heavy with tension.

The Countess forced a smile, her voice overly sweet as she turned to Aichi. “Ah, Young master… about the gifts... it seems the lady—” she didn’t say the name “—didn’t like the dress and jewelry. She was trying to throw them away.”

A murmur rippled through the guests.

“She’s always been... a difficult child,” the Countess continued. “My daughter, dear Liliana, thought it would be a shame to waste your generosity. So, she wore them instead. Just for today.”

Under the table, the girl’s fists clenched tightly.

Liar.

Her blood boiled. That woman... She’d always lied—but this time, she was doing it in front of someone who might finally see through her.

For a moment, she wanted to run out and scream, “That’s a lie!”

But... she hesitated.

Even if he’s my brother… he never came for me before, in my previous life I was abandoned by everyone including him. What if he believes her? What if he turns away too?

So, she stayed silent. And watched.

Aichi’s expression didn’t change much—but something cold glinted in his crimson eyes.

He raised a hand, cutting the Countess off mid-sentence.

“These were all gifts for my sister,” he said firmly. “If she didn’t like them, then that’s my failure. I should’ve chosen better. She can throw them out. Or burn them. It’s her choice.”

The Countess froze.

“Well, no matter,” he continued, voice calm but unyielding. “Take me to her. I’ll ask her what she wants... and I’ll bring it myself.”

A visible jolt ran through the Countess’s body.

“She—she left,” she stammered quickly. “She was upset. She went to the townhouse. Said she didn’t want to see anyone. I tried, Young master, truly I did, but she just wouldn’t listen.”

Aichi’s gaze sharpened.

“She has always been... difficult,” the Countess added with a strained smile.

His face darkened. “My sister can do whatever she wants. If you can’t handle her, then that’s your failure. Not hers.”

The Countess flinched. “O-of course…”

He glanced toward the ballroom doors. “I could just teleport there...”

A wave of unease spread across the Countess’s face.

“—But she said she didn’t want to talk to anyone,” she said quickly. “Wouldn’t it be best to wait until she calms down? What if she gets angry?”

At that moment, under the table, the girl sat in complete stillness—listening to everything, her heart pounding.

“If I stay here,” she thought, “I’ll never get out. I’ll never survive till my eighteenth birthday... and I’ll die again.”

“But this brother of mine… he doesn’t sound like he hates me. Maybe... if I go to him. If I beg him to take me away... maybe he won’t kill me. Maybe I’ll just be scolded. Or made to work.

Even if I don’t want to see them… it’s better than waiting here to die again.

And when I’m older... I’ll leave on my own.”

She made her decision.

As the Countess opened her mouth again, trying to stall, the girl took a breath—one deep enough to chase the fear away—and flung the tablecloth aside.

The sudden motion drew every eye in the ballroom.

Gasps rang out.

There, in the shadow of the table, stood a small girl in a plain, ill-fitting dress. Dust clung to her hem. Her silver hair glowed under the chandelier lights, and her ruby-red eyes locked onto the Countess with fierce defiance.

“The Countess is lying,” she said, her voice firm—even if it trembled just a little. “I never said I didn’t like the dress or the jewelry. I never even touched them.”

The room went dead silent.

The Countess staggered back a step, face pale and stunned. “Y-you—!”

Aichi turned sharply. For the first time, genuine emotion flickered across his face—shock, followed quickly by something softer. Something like recognition.

“...You,” he breathed.

Their eyes met—siblings, finally face-to-face.

And at that moment, the balance of power in the ballroom began to shift.

Author's note:

Hello everyone 🤗, hope you're having fun reading my novel. If you like it or have a suggestion please leave a comment.

Question ❓

∆ What do think this new brother would do now? Would he believe her or leave her there? And would he find out what they did to our poor fl?

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