I Didn't Even Want To Live, But God Forced Me To Reincarnate! 87 "Mother" And "Little Brother"

Wait, this fan she's using seems fancier than the one she used in the past. Time really has changed everything.

Anyway, I have snapped from the conflicting thoughts inside my head.

Though… I feel like the atmosphere here has changed, but I wonder if it's just my imagination?

Could it be my mental condition, as I'm feeling quite stressed here?

"T, thank you for coming to my sixth birthday party," I politely curtseyed.

"Right, congrats on your debut to n.o.ble society, little girl," she set aside her fan and smiled. That was the kind of smile I was used to seeing in the past.

As of now, I'm looking at the lady in front of me. Her perfume scent has changed for a bit, and I can see the signs of aging affecting her figure, her skin, and her hair.

"…"

"Hmm, right. The way you conduct yourself is indeed worthy of praise. At such a young age, too. Obviously, my late daughter was better at it, but considering your age, it's not that bad," she commented.

'My late daughter was better at it…'

Do you know… I was your late daughter.

I am the same person as your late daughter, although right now I am a.s.suming different ident.i.ty.

My soul—our souls are one and the same.

However, there is no way I can say that.

…Mother, I have so many things I want to ask you.

Have you ever loved me for I am, not for my achievements?

Were you really glad for having given birth to me?

Did you feel sad when you knew I was dead?

Did you regret not pampering me more when I was alive?

Or were you only regretful because you won't have your daughter becoming the queen?

…this is not good, I can feel that stingy sensation in my eyes—I can't become teary in front of her.

"Thanks for the compliment, Dahlisama…," I can only say that.

Despite having so many things I actually want to say.

…right, perhaps G.o.d indeed made me reincarnate in order to learn all those things—not only the fate of my cell donor. However, with how everything is, how will I be able to get the answers?

There is no way I can ask her… not like this. No. I don't want everyone to know who I was.

But I want to know… how she really felt about me—about Reinst.

"Your late daughter must have been very good at conducting herself in n.o.ble lady's manners, then?"

…I said it.

I managed to say it.

My former mother who was about to step aside to let my former little brother stand in front of me, quickly halted her movement and looked back at me with her stern gaze.

"Yes. She was truly talented, and obedient. It was such a pitiful fate that she had to die just right after she turned thirteen… Oh, Reinst, you had so many wonderful things waiting for you in the future…"

She closed her eyes and covered almost her entire face with her fan, so I wasn't sure what kind of expression she was making.

From the way her voice wavered, I could tell that she felt sad or remorseful—at least I know she felt sad and remorseful of my death, but…

Was it because for who I was, or because of my achievements?

I know for one that mother was really, really good at putting a pretense. So…

At that time, Domi quickly supported Mother and put his hand on her shoulders.

"Sorry, Mother was reminded of my late sister," He curtly said—my, he's also a short talker, like Father?

"No… I'm sorry for… touching a sensitive topic," I quickly apologized back.

"No, it's alright. Sorry for causing you to be uneasy," Mother quickly reorganized her posture and restored to her usual self.

"Domi, now you should greet today's princess, too," she then stepped aside, and Domi sighed a bit as he positioned himself in front of me.

"Greetings, my name is Dominick Robin Grabberton, the next heir to Grabberton. It's a pleasure to meet you."

He took my hand and lightly kissed its back.

...…while it was a … perfectly gentleman thing to do… you were… you were… my little brother, after all...….. I felt so awkward.

I mean, sure, some of the young men his age would give this kind of salutation to a young lady, but…

If it were a normal little girl—upon seeing a handsome boy older than her doing this kind of gesture, I think she would be swooned—yeah, I'm sure. Ahh, I can't, I can't.

In the first place, where did you learn that kind of gesture, Domi? When I was your sister, I can't picture you being like this at all…

"Congratulations on your sixth birthday, Lyrojousama. May you grow up to be a great n.o.ble lady," he said.

Uh, right. His voice—the timid little boy's voice is replaced with a low, deep voice that could make any lady swoon.

His face—ah, right. He has grown up to be quite handsome. What is it? He is similar to Mother—but there are some similarities to Father, too.

He still keeps his bangs long enough that some part of it may cover his amber eyes—but I think this kind of hairstyle made him look cooler.

Oh, right. Compared to my past self, he took after Mother a lot. Same curly brown hair, huh. If he were a female, I bet he would be the splitting image of her.

How he has grown up to do such a daring salutation that's quite famous among n.o.ble ladies. His hand that held mine—it was strong, yet gentle. I can sense that his hand was used to gripping swords—I mean, this kind of callus…

Aah, why do I keep being reminded of my past self today?

"Thank you, Domi-san," I replied.

When I look at my little brother who's developed a st.u.r.dy body build, I can't help but think…

Yeah, our role has been completely reversed. I am now the "little kid" and he is now "the adult".

I wonder if his swordsmans.h.i.+p skill has far surpa.s.sed mine?

Ah!! Speaking of which…

"Domi-san, Grabberton family is a swordsman's family, right?"

"Yes, why?"

Ah—as expected, short answer, but at least he added why in it, so I can continue the conversation.

"Uhm, so… Dad is giving me the option to learn melee weapons and I am interested in swords… ah, do you bring your sword along?"

It's actually a question that I know the answer.

Yup, we may not bring our weapons inside such parties like this, however, we are accustomed to bringing it and leaving it in carriages or other storage places to use just in case the needs arise.

Obviously, he should be bringing his cherished sword.

Which is… right, the Grabberton family's heirloom—the Orgueil, the powerful sword that's said to be sacred—bestowed by the G.o.ds to the first founder of Grabberton clan… or so I was told. The sword that Father used to carry around—I wonder if it's already given to Domi, or if Domi has been given the privilege of using it?

I saw a glimpse of surprise flas.h.i.+ng before his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Yes… I do bring my sword along with me."

...Nice!

Now, to commence my plan...

"Can you… show me how swordsmans.h.i.+p look like?"