Death was my new beginning

The brothers

I turned around and saw Mina's two brothers staring at her with mildly annoying expressions. The Count might like Mina, but these two brothers sure don't mind showing how much they dislike her. A week ago, I got them to feel a bit of shame for mistreating me. Now it looks like they got over it and are staring at me with hateful expressions.

I decided to play the amnesia card again, "Who are you?" I asked them.

Father looked at me, surprised, and so did the brothers, "Don't you remember seeing them last week?"

"Kind of?" I asked as I shrugged, "Do you two work here? It's a pleasure to meet you," I added, bowing. Father coughed. I looked over at him; he had his hand over his mouth and was looking away. Was what I said funny?

I looked over at the two brothers, and they did not seem amused.

"We're the Count's sons," Benjamin said as he crossed his arms over his chest. I noticed how he didn't say they were my brothers. But I still decided to play the dumb, unsuspecting child.

"So that makes you my brothers!" I walked closer to them, then pulled both of them into a hug, "I might not remember you guys but let's get along from now on!"

As I backed away, they both looked at me, shocked, with a disgusted expression. Did they hate hugging me that much? Or have they never been embraced before?

"Are you kidding me right now?!" Fredrick yelled, "The first thing you did was scold us and quick us out of your room! Now you don't remember? And did you just hug us? You never hug! Ugh, so gross, I'm getting chills."

With just those words, I already wanted to kill him. Are brother's this annoying? I knew it would be hard approaching them, but I think Fredrick will be the worst.

I acted like I wasn't pissed at him, forced a chuckle, and waved my hands, "That's all in the past. It's best to live in the present."

"So, you do remember us," Benjamin said as he slightly raised one eyebrow, "Are you making fun of us?" he asked.

I smiled but, on the inside, I was cursing at him, "Why would he think I'm making fun of them? Oh! Ooooh…playing the amnesia card, saying they work here…I…I…I can see why they would think that. Now I don't even know why I acted like that.

Time to change the subject, "Daddy and I are having a night stroll. Would you like to join us?" I asked them.

"Daddy?" Benjamin said questioningly as he looked from me to our father.

"Don't bother with them. They don't like flowers," father said. Well, I guess that's true. They don't look like the type of people that like to take strolls and look at flowers.

"Did I say I didn't want to walk?" Fredrick asked loudly, a bit angry.

"I'll go, but just so you know, I have other things to do," Benjamin said.

"Yeah, so be grateful," Fredrick added.

I wanted to hit them. Do those two want to walk around, or did father coax them into coming along? Looking at father's expression, he doesn't seem pleased that they want to walk around with us.

"Oh, yes. I'm very grateful that my brothers agreed to come along," I said. The two brothers looked at me surprised and slightly smiled, which made me want to barf a little bit. Is that what I have to do? Kiss their asses so that they'll like me?

Sigh. The things I do for survival.

We continued to walk around the garden in silence. It was comfortable with just daddy and me but adding these two brothers made the atmosphere heavy and awkward. If I knew it would end up like this, I wouldn't have invited them.

No, I can't think like that! One of my plans was to get this family to like me, and here I am with all three of them. I don't know when I'll get another chance like this one, so I have to make the most of it, but I don't know what to say. Should I ask the brothers about how we used to get along and make them feel guilty? Like I've made everyone else feel. Or should I ask about their likes and dislikes? Act like I'm interested in them, that way making them see me in a new light. Hm, decisions, decisions.

"Brother Fredrick, I heard you're very skilled with a sword. Is that true?" I asked and acted very interested in his answers, but I already know the answer. The books mentioned how Benjamin's brother (notice it didn't say Mina's brother) was one of the Royal Knights' best knights. Number one being Liam Haddock, the Captain's son.

Fredrick looks surprised by my question, but he quickly gives me a cocky grin and nods, "That's a given. I've beaten all of our house's knights while sparring, and I'm even the Captain of the Royal Knights' apprentice!"

An apprentice to such a strong person is indeed noteworthy, but he's just an 11-year-old kid. "If you've beaten all of the knights in this house, shouldn't they be fired?" I asked. The three looked at me, confused. "I mean if a kid can beat professionally trained knights, doesn't that mean they're not good knights?"

The Count and Benjamin quickly turned their faces away, and I heard a "pfft." Did I say something funny?

I know Fredrick is supposed to be a great fighter, but looking at it from a logical point of view, adults wouldn't see Fredrick as a genius; they'd see the knights as incompetent.

"Are you sure they didn't let you win?" I asked.

Fredrick looked at me with his face cheeks bright red. His expression was that of slight embarrassment and fury.

Oh shit... I've said too much. I was trying to speak from a logical point of view, but what I said could be taken as me making fun of him. He's supposed to be a genius swordsman, but my words made it sound like I was belittling him. I want to shorten the distance between all of us, not widen it! Curse my big mouth!

"What did you just say?!" Fredrick yelled. I prepared myself for the scolding of a lifetime, but his anger quickly changed into one of pouting, "Our knights aren't bad, I'm just that good!" oh my goodness, not only that, but his eyes were watering!

"Yeah, bro, are you sure they didn't let you win?" Benjamin asked Fredrick.

"What the hell? Are you guys teasing me right now?" Fredrick asked.

"I suppose it's because you're too easy," Benjamin answered.

"Not only will I have to hire new house staff, but it also seems like I'll have to hire new knights," father said with his hand on his chin.

"Father, you too?!" Fredrick yelled. I had to disagree; father wasn't teasing him; he looked to be actually contemplating the idea of firing the knights and getting new ones.

I don't really know how to react to this. It felt like we were an average family that got along well. I had my suspicions that they might not have hated Mina entirely and were just a family full of misunderstandings, but wasn't this too easy?

I thought for sure the brothers would be the hardest to get along with, but maybe it's because we are still children that they're more open to me. If I remember correctly, the book starts when Priscilla is 15; since she and Mina are the same age, that means I have 5 years left before Mina starts walking the path to her doom. I'm starting to feel a bit panicked. I'm pressed for time. I've been trying to develop ideas on how to avoid my death, but I haven't thought about the time limit.

"Mina, are you alright? You look pale," father told me. I can't just straight up tell him I'm worried about dying.

"I don't know, I guess I'm a bit tired," I said.

"I knew I shouldn't have brought you out. You're still recuperating." Father's words sounded like he actually regrated, taking me out of my bedroom. Since this family seems to be prone to misunderstandings, I have to explain myself adequately.

"Don't say that, daddy. I had no one to talk to in my bedroom, and it was pretty lonely, so I was glad when you came to visit me and asked me to go outside with you. I'd like to do this again sometime if you don't mind."

Father cleared his throat and said, "If you ask so eagerly, I guess it can't be helped. I'll make to keep my schedule."

I widened my eyes. I wasn't expecting that. He's the Count! How can he just keep his schedule open? I feel sorry for his aide already. And honestly, although now I have unlimited chances to get closer to him, I don't like the idea that I'll have to visit him every day. It's kind of a bit of a hassle, but I can't say that; I don't want to ruin the mood.

"I'll walk you to your room," father said. I agreed, but I wanted to clear the air with my brothers before we could leave.

"Brother, could I visit you during your training?" I asked Fredrick.

"What? So, you can laugh at me? Hell no!" he answered.

"Fredrick!" father and brother Benjamin roared.

"It wasn't my intention to make fun of you. I just want to get closer to my brother," I said as I looked at Fredrick with puppy dog eyes. I then looked at Benjamin and said, "To both of my brothers. I have to get to know both of you all over again, after all." As I looked at the brothers with an innocent smile of a child, they scratched the backs of their heads and looked away. Are they embarrassed? Should I push further?

"And I promise to be a good sister," I said confidently to them, then I turned to father, adding, "And a filial daughter!"

"Wha…what are you saying so suddenly?" Benjamin asked hurriedly. He was indeed embarrassed. Fredrick, on the other hand, his cheeks were flushed red as he looked down.

"I want you all to know that I plan to work really hard," I answered.

"To do what, exactly?" Fredrick asked.

Father patted me on the head, "Yes, work hard," he said, with a slight grin.

"I guess it can't be helped. I'll let you watch my training as well," brother Benjamin said.

I wasn't expecting him to invite me to his training practice. Benjamin and Mina from the book never had a good conversation. It always led to him yelling at her, then her crying when she was alone. In the end, both of them would end up in a bad mood. I feel like this is too easy.

"I can't wait!" I answered him with a smile.

"Now, go to your bedroom and get some rest," Benjamin said.

"Yes, brother. Good night" I said and curtsied. The two brothers looked surprised. I guess Mina never curtsied either.