At least I'm Alive

Disbelief

"Sister!" I hear a familiar voice from behind

Really? At this time? How am I going to explain this...

I turn around to see happy Keith.

"Good day brother, do you need anything?" I ask not making eye contact.

"No...oh? Who's that?" He looks at Ajax

Crap...I knew this would happen.

I get flustered, and start to stutter.

Ajax looked at me and stood up

"Hello, my name is Ajax. Master Abela's spirit." He casually says.

Keith tilts his head

"Oh, okay." Keith said.

What? He's not surprised or anything? Why is he so calm?

"...you're not surprised?" I hesitantly ask.

"Nah, I felt your mana when I first met you and immediately knew you were not normal." He gives a cheeky smile.

I stare at him confused

I had mana? No wonder why father felt calm...

"So? What kind of spirit is he?" Keith suddenly asks.

"The...Eagle spirit..?" I reply.

He pauses for a moment and stares..then he suddenly bursted on laughter.

"Hahaha! What a good joke, now really what is he?" Keith asks again.

"It's true though..." I quietly say and look at Ajax.

Ajax suddenly walked towards the open feild and released white particles, making him transform into the huge eagle I first met.

Keith froze, and stared at Ajax.

"I-is that...I only heard stories of it.." Keith stuttered nervously.

"Ajax, please transform again, come here." I order him

Ajax then goes back to being a kid and walked towards us.

Keith was still frozen and slowly started to walk back.

"You surprised him, say sorry to Brother Keith, Ajax." I order again.

"Sorry for surprising you brother Keith." Ajax says right away.

"D-does dad know about this?" Keith nervously asked.

Me and Ajax nod together.

Keith dropped to the floor still confused.

He probably thinks I'm a princess from the fallen empire...

I sit down next to him, and so did Ajax.

And I calmed Keith down, and slowly explained everything from the start.

To cause unecessary feelings, I didn't mention my life as Cleo.

Keith was silent the entire time, and the sun was beginning to set.

"Young miss, master told me that Ajax would be staying- oh! Young lord, you're also here!" Sir Vincent approached us.

Keith still processing the moment, stares at Sir Vincent.

Sir Vincent chuckles and says
"Oh, he must've found out. Well you see Young miss, the two young lords growing up, learned about Empire Gryfon, and you see, Empire Gryfon is something nobles should look up upon, but, it's being hidden by the emperor because of a confidential reason." He finished off.

Oh, it must be serious then. I wonder how Kai will handle this..

Meanwhile, at the Archduke's office

"It's surprising, but she gave off a strong feeling of mana." Duke Edward finished explaining to Kai and the Duchess.

Kai was frozen, while the Duchess was calm, drinking her tea.

"I mean, if she is that powerful, we should take care of her, and let her join the war." Duchess Frida says.

"I thought you'd be against it? After all, your only daughter will be entering a bloody field." Duke replies.

"Of course I'm worried, but Abela herself offered joining the war. It would benefit everyone in that case.

Yes, she's my only daughter, and I trust that you would train her well to avoid any injuries am I correct?" Duchess Frida says still sipping on her tea.

The Duke nods, and Kai was still there processing the whole thing.

Back at the Garden

"Ajax will be staying in my room" Sir Vincent said.

I nod and stand up

"It's getting dark, it would be dinner soon, so let's go inside." I said looking at Keith.

I offer him to help him stand, and just stare at it.

"I'm harmless brother, I don't even have a single skill helping me." I assure him.

That's a lie. I have tons of skills.

I learned martial arts in my past life, becoming a black belt. And in this life, I was able to practice embroidery and tea making when no one came to visit me at the attic.

Keith hesitantly placed his hand on mine, and I helped him up.

I forgot he is still a kid...he looks adorable when he's scared.

I kept my hand on his, holding his hand.

"Let's go brother!"

This time I run.

We both arrived at the Dining room, where the food was already set up.

Everyone else is still not here, but me and Keith sit first.

A few moments later, Father, Mother, and Brother Kai arrived silently.

They all sit down and eventually started eating.

The silence was so uncomfortable.

I guess everyone found out...

I have to do something...

"I..uhm.." I try to make some conversation but it seems like it's not working.

They can't hate me now!

"I'm sorry if I caused any sort of trouble...but, this family means alot, and since I have a spirit by my side...I will do my best to protect everyone!"

I say gripping my skirt and my eyes closed, not wanting to see everyone's reactions.

It went silent, no utensil noise or anything. It was quiet.

Until I felt a hand in my head, and I took a peek.

Mother patted my head and said

"Okay. I believe in you." She smiled.

I was tearing up, but immediately wiped it. I looked at everyone else who gave a relieving smile.

Then...I should do my best!