Extra-Changing Fate

Chapter 18 ==Her relationship with her Brother==

"Grandfather, Brother is being too mean!"

I whined, my voice laced with childish complaint as I addressed Grandfather, who was peacefully enjoying his tea. We were back in the familiar tranquility of the West Wing's forest, near Grandfather's favorite hunting spot, taking a break after a successful hunt. Ten deer lay nearby, six felled by Grandfather's expert aim and four by my own.

"What did Francis do?" Grandfather asked, his tone gentle but with a hint of knowing amusement. I was aware that I might seem overly reliant on him, but I felt I had no other choice. He held the highest authority in our family, and I was fortunate enough to be in his favor. I couldn't afford to jeopardize that.

"He's pressuring me to choose between the Marquis and the Prince and wants me to stay away from Kian!" I exclaimed, the name tasting like ash on my tongue despite the undeniable pull of his charismatic presence. But I needed Kian. He controlled the largest information network in the entire continent and was connected to the powerful Archduke. He was my best lead to finding Virgo.

"Ahh! The young man who rules the Underworld? Dominic's rival?" Grandfather inquired, his eyebrows slightly raised. I nodded emphatically. Dominic, my cousin, held the title of King of the Underworld, but Kian was often referred to as its God. Comparisons between the two were common, debates raging about who held more sway. My cousin might be royalty, but Kian's connections ran deeper, tied to the ancient and powerful Archduke Priestly, whose lineage was far more esteemed than any imperial family on the continent.

I could only nod in response to Grandfather's question as he pondered for a moment. "What is wrong with having ties to Kian? Wouldn't Francis be mistaken if he thought you were anything more than seeking help for your cousin?" Grandfather reasoned logically, and I sighed.

"Grandfather, you may be right... but you know better that Kian is considered far less reputable than Cousin. Wouldn't it be wiser to have a connection with him?" As I voiced my strategic reasoning, a subtle smile of approval touched Grandfather's lips.

"You are not wrong about that. And regarding your brother, you need to divert his attention to something else," he advised, prompting me to think. The only thing that had truly distracted Brother in the original story was the heroine's eventual appearance, but that wouldn't happen for months.

"That's sound advice, but I honestly don't know anything about Brother's personal preferences," I confessed. The author had revealed very little about Francis's individual tastes. He only seemed to feign interest in things the heroine liked, purely to gain her attention.

"I'm quite sure you know your brother better than you think, Alyssa, considering your relationship in the past." Grandfather's words made me freeze. Did he just say "past"?

"Grandfather... I don't remember anything after I nearly drowned in the lake... can you please elaborate?" I asked, my heart pounding with a sudden, unnerving curiosity. He paused, considering his words.

"It is best if you forget about it, but—"

As he spoke, I looked at him, my confusion slowly morphing into shock. Had I heard him correctly?

____

I couldn't stop fidgeting, nervously biting my nails as I sat on one of the benches in my garden. What Grandfather had told me replayed in my mind, a shocking revelation that I struggled to comprehend. How could I possibly believe his words? Not even the author had hinted at such a thing, and now I was hearing this?

So, Brother and I had been close when we were young... Was this also one of the reasons why Amelia harbored such resentment towards Alyssa?

"...Your brother is overprotective of you. You two have been close since you were young and he cares deeply for you. Perhaps your memory loss has made him feel sad that you don't remember his care, and he only shows it by trying to shield you from dangerous situations and pave a smooth road for your future..."

Grandfather, why did you have to tell me this now?! I was suddenly terrified of facing my brother. So that was why he had followed me that day? He was worried?

"Alyssa... what are you doing here?"

A familiar voice broke through my turbulent thoughts. I slowly raised my head and saw Brother standing there, a concerned expression etched on his face. And I had been so rude to him that day...

"Brother..." The words caught in my throat. He sighed heavily, removed his coat, and gently placed it around my shoulders.

"You should stay in your room. It's cold now, and—"

"I heard from Grandfather about the past," I blurted out, interrupting him. His movements stilled. He must have wanted that part of our history to remain forgotten. Was there something he was hiding from me, something so significant that he hadn't bothered to tell me anything at all? His troubled expression only deepened my confusion.

"Did he tell you anything else?" he asked, his voice strained. I shook my head. Seeing my reaction, a wave of relief washed over his face. He was definitely hiding something.

"I see, but it's best for you to never get close to me again and—"

"It's fine... I'm just a little confused by your harsh words. I'm sure you've heard about me changing, and I don't have any trust in our family at all. I understand..." I said, standing up from the bench.

"I see. Just please continue being like that... and don't mind me. I'm still too ashamed to face you..." he confessed, his words leaving me even more perplexed. Had something happened between them before Alyssa died?

Was that why, every time I saw him, my chest tightened with a strange mix of resentment and disgust, as if my body remembered something my mind couldn't grasp?

If my instincts were right... there was only one word to describe my brother's behavior... his personality...

If only I had known this sooner, I wouldn't have left my room today. And I suspected this was the very reason the author had deliberately left his personality vague.

Francis Jin Silverton was a freaking siscon!

Shxt...

It would have been one thing if he was just doting on Amelia, but why me?

Was there something I needed to do about this?