Reborn as the Duke's Daughter

04 Plotting a Plan

"Daddy, I told you, I'm already feeling better. I don't have a headache anymore," I sigh in exasperation.

I don't know how many times Dad has asked me how I feel, but it's definitely more than the fingers I have on my hands.

Furthermore, whenever his question becomes so grating in my ears, that can only mean that he has used his quota for that certain question for the day already.

If he asks, 'are you okay' again, I swear...

"I know, baby, I know," Dad sighs.

His answer only made me frown. If you already know, then why do you keep on asking me, old man?!

He squeezes my hands tight but not enough that it hurts.

"When I saw you unconscious on the floor, I thought..." he presses his lips together and closes his eyes shut.

If someone looks at him right now, one would have thought the memory he's looking back on was so traumatizing. As though the thought was so horrendous that Duke Castor, with a very long list of notable and powerful titles, would shake and shudder like this in front of me.

"Father, you act as if Raffy had a near-death experience or something," Wolfsbane grumbles in a bored tone.

"Yeah, Dad. She only slipped down the stairs and bumped her head on the floor, that's all. No need to overreact. Look, you're making Raffy nervous," Nerium shakes his head in disgust.

"What the heck are you brats implying? Are you saying that I'M the one who's making Raffy's condition worse right now?" Dad roars.

Yes, uhm, Dad. My brothers are not implying. They're just telling you the truth.

I roll my eyes and look away at the pettiness of my family. However, even though they're mostly the reason why I have headaches all the time, it doesn't change the fact that I love them.

I think this affection of mine stems from when I was an orphan in my past life. Ever since then, I've always wondered what it's like to be a part of a family.

It was the word that led me to become a prisoner in my job as a corporate slave. I was tempted by the word 'family' that they used during recruitment. And my experience there was more like a slave-master type than a family.

But this...

I watch as my dad tries to win another round of verbal battle between my brothers(which he'll lose, as always). All the while, the Head of the Household smile as they do their jobs with our comfort and well-being in mind.

This is what a family should look like.

But wait, wait a minute...before I regained my memories, did I...feel the same way?

Let me think...

Judging from my memories from the past eight years of my life here on Asturias so far, I realize that my attitude regarding the petty fights my family gets into is similar even before I remembered my past.

The only difference is that I was...a heartless little b***h!

Oh my god! I was actually taking their love and care for granted.

How can I just ignore my wonderful family like this?!

One memory reminds me of the time when Wolfsbane saved me from falling into a death pit. It was made by one of the Imp demons, who managed to sneak it but died anyway, on the gardens of our estate.

My eldest brother was so worried about me, he kept asking me when I got out of my room. He also kept on reminding me that I should stay inside.

And what did I do? I snubbed him and head back into the house.

I mean, who does that!? Apparently me, but that's not my point.

I didn't even thank him for saving my life!

Was that why he looked so shocked minutes ago? When I thanked him after informing me that he'd up the security in the gardens, promising me I can wander freely there now?

In Nerium's case, he keeps on giving me those nasty-tasting concoctions. I remember that I never drank any of them and just ignored him whenever he asks me to drink those.

Because of that, he started mixing his potions in the drinks served to me. Unfortunately, those drinks were immediately spat or puked out.

If I didn't recall my memories from the past, I never would have known that he became a potion maker because of me.

According to his bio in the game, he discovered his talent in mixing potions when he tried to study Potionology. He's hoping what he'll make can improve his sister's health.

No wonder my second brother looked like he was on Cloud Nine when I drank the tea mixed with his potion.

Thanks to my actions, it seems they act a little more...attentive to me now. Ugh, as if I need more of their attention when they're already giving me their 100%.

"Face it, Father, you should just go and handle your work already. Nerium and I are here to take care of Raffy. We don't need you here," Wolfsbane says, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Yeah, Dad. Go do adult stuff already. If I didn't know any better, I think you're dragging Alyosha to an early grave by making him do all your work. You know he can't just make decisions by himself regarding High Tier documentations. They need YOUR authorization for that," Nerium, the big brainy nerd in the family, pitches in.

"I-It's not like that, Young Master," Alyosha laughs nervously while raising his hands.

Dad's face reddens, however, it's not from anger or frustration. It's from--

"Aaaaaaahhhhhh, how can I possibly leave my little girl and work when she's clearly not feeling well?!" he wails, gripping his navy blue hair in annoyance.

"Uhm, apologies, Young Masters but..." Caroline hesitates. "You all know that the Young Miss prefers it that she be left alone so..."

Wolfsbane and Nerium glance at each other before deflating. Even Dad sighs in resignation while lowering his head sadly.

Wait, what are they talking about all of a sudden? And why are they looking so sad?

"I guess we'll hang out next time, Raffy," Wolfsbane says with a small, sad smile.

"I'll try not to disturb your alone time when I deliver your medicine, sis," Nerium frets.

"Call me whenever you need Daddy, okay, cupcake?" Dad sniffs.

"There, there, Master, Young Masters. Rest assured that I will guard the Young Miss' door and alert you if there's anything she needs," Brendon thumps his chest with a fist.

And that's when it hits me.

Whenever my family gets too clingy with me. I usually tell them to get out while I shut myself in my room. Like a freaking hikikomori.

It may be true that I know close to nothing regarding Rafflesia von Opponia from the game.

But what I DO know is that she's a shut-in who never had screen time nor sprite in the game. The only 'appearance' she did, was that she was mentioned by Duke Castor during the announcement of Wolfsbane as the next Duke of Opponia.

That event will only happen if the player chooses Wolfsbane's route. I believe the event runs along the lines like this...

Wolfsbane: Father, I'd like you to meet, (name of player).

Player: It's an honor to be meeting you, Your Grace. Your son told me so much about you.

Duke of Castor: Oh, did he now? *chuckles*

Duke of Castor: Well, it's also a pleasure to meet you, my dear. However, as much as I would like to spend more time with you and talk, I have to go. I promised to read my youngest daughter a story.

...And that's the end of my 'appearance'.

It's so sad. My name wasn't even mentioned. Even in the game, I'm only referred to as the youngest daughter.

But as I mentioned, everything is going to change! Starting now.

"Daddy, brothers."

I suddenly hear myself call them when they're about to leave my room.

Looking up at them, it's clear that they look taken aback. I can't blame them since this is the first time I've called them on my own accord.

"You can stay here. I want some company for a change. Daddy, you can bring your table here and do your paperwork. Brother Wolfsbane, you can practice your swordsmanship outside my window so I can at least see. Brother Nerium can also bring his worktable here and work on his potions," I tell them casually, ending it with a cool shrug.

Did I overdo it?

They all fall silent and I start to grow nervous.

I think I overdid it. Otherwise, are they mad because I keep on ignoring them in the past and they're going to reject me now?

"Alyosha, bring me my table and paperwork in this room," Dad suddenly announces.

"Brendon, let's go and spar outside Raffy's window," Wolfsbane orders with a small smile on his face.

"Come, Caroline, please help me gather my worktable and materials. I'll be making my next batch of potions here. Don't worry, sis! I'll make sure to improve my potions for you!"

The Heads of the Household bowed to me, with wide smiles on their faces.

After telling me they'll be posting a guard for my safety outside my room(do I even need that? Seriously, Wolfi and Brendon's paranoia over the top), they all left my room.

As soon as I'm alone, I take the opportunity to plot my plan.

Now that I realize what a wretched family member I am, I finally understand why I didn't have any title.

It makes me feel motivated. Plus, I want to repay my family's love and kindness by saving them from the Heroine.

According to the game, when the player manages to get to the ending where the Heroine chooses Prince Kiel...

Due to extreme heartbreak, Wolfsbane will meet his end in the same place where he's known to never lose. He finally loses on the battlefield and lost his life in return.

Nerium, on the other hand, will bury himself in work just so he can forget about the pain in his heart. But because he can't focus on his work, he makes a mistake, the potion he's making explodes, and he vanished without a trace.

Because Nerium isn't giving her his specially medicated potions anymore, Rafflesia's health grew worse. She became weaker by the day until she just withered away.

After losing all his children, the Duke of Opponia was so devastated that he took his own life.

And that is the end of the Opponia Household.

Clenching my fist, I am determined to make things different now.

My goal is to prevent my brothers from interacting with the Heroine. And to make sure that she won't lay any of her greedy fingers on them, I'm going to look for women who are a better match for my brothers.

Hey, that's...actually not a bad idea. Hmmm...

The door suddenly bursts open along with my window.

Dad enters my room first, hefting his heavy-looking table with one arm and a pile of papers on the other. Alyosha follows behind with an armful of documents.

Nerium enters a minute later with Caroline. Both are carrying magic cases. One of the cases turns into his worktable when activated. The other case turns into an infinite storage for his equipment, materials, and gear(kind of like a cheat inventory of sorts).

Wolfsbane jumps in from my window and heads straight towards me. My eyes widen in surprise when he pats my head and grins.

"Be sure to tell me what you think about my technique, little sis."

W-Wolfsbane! Wolfi smiled! He can SMILE!!!

I never knew that!

He never smiles! Even the sprite in the game, he's never drawn to smile that big. My determination has soared now.

I'm definitely going to protect that smile, no matter what.