9. Father's Friend

Sebas told me that I shouldn't start magic training until I'm ten, but this incident was a good opportunity to realize for myself that I actually have magic.

It was a strange sensation, as if there were two versions of me overlapping, and that second self was flowing into me and fading away. I suppose that's why I can't let too much of it flow out. Thinking that, I watched Brother's training, and I noticed I could actually tell that some kind of power is overlapping with him.

It's swirling around? In other words, he's controlling that flow himself. It's probably like spinning thread, pulling a fine strand from a mass of wool.

I think I've got the concept. For now, I'll wait properly until I'm ten.

Why was I born with my memories intact? Why wasn't I reincarnated in Japan? I had my doubts.

When I was a smaller baby, I thought I was brought here just to save the heart and body of this half-discarded Lilia. But now, I feel differently. Was I called here because I have something I must do? To pour my strength into the barriers?

"Lia, you have such a serious look on your face. Lia, what's wrong?"

"A-ah, um, Lia do..."

I simply couldn't say what I should be doing with a baby's mouth.

"Do you want to do magic circulation training too, Lia? You can't, right, Father?"

"Indeed. It would be best to refrain until you turn ten."

I let out a small sigh. He says the exact same thing as Sebas. Just because I was reincarnated doesn't mean I have some grand destiny to fulfill, like I'm some kind of hero. All a person is supposed to do when they're born is live life to the fullest and have fun. That's enough for me. I gave a simple reply.

"Kaaay"

"That's a good girl."

The two of them smiled softly at my response.

Sebas, who happened to be passing by, watched us with kind eyes.

Come to think of it, Hannah is my maid, so she's with me all the time. Sebas told me that being only fifteen means she's close to my age, and that she has experience looking after young siblings.

She is a lively and adorable girl with deep blue eyes and dull blonde hair tied up high in the back like a tail. She comes to my room when I wake up and seems to enjoy her work, from helping me change clothes to feeding me and keeping a watchful eye to make sure I don't do anything reckless.

Martha won't be coming by anymore. Since I've turned one and no longer need to be breastfed, she apparently went back to her former job as a general servant. Seeing how lonely I looked, Hannah told me this.

"I heard that because she nursed Lady Lilia, she received a generous settlement—enough to build a little house or something like that."

"Mm!"

That's a relief. If it hadn't been for Martha, I might have succumbed to loneliness and lost my mind, no matter how much of an adult's mind I had inside me.

Now that I've turned one and can walk around, my range of movement has expanded a bit. Crawling is still faster, but it just means there are more places I'm allowed to go.

I was born in January, and by the time a year had passed, I was able to walk; by the time I could walk steadily, spring had arrived. On sunny days, it became my daily routine to have Hannah accompany me for strolls outside. Having graduated from baby clothes now that I can walk, I've long since graduated from diapers, too, and I toddle through the garden wearing a comfortable little girl's dress.

In truth, I'd love to be able to stride along, but there's no use trying to ignore my developmental stages. It's not like I'm trying to become a superhuman, so I'll just enjoy my toddler life.

"Our Lady Lilia is truly an angel."

I hear the voice of a maid talking to Hannah.

"Of course she is! That translucent blonde hair is just so soft and adorable. Those pale violet eyes, like the evening sky, and the way she works so hard to move those tiny hands and feet... and don't even get me started on those cheeks!"

Hannah replies with a torrent of enthusiasm.

That's right. After being left all alone like that, I somehow managed to pull a total class change from being my brother's precious little sister to being Father's beloved daughter, and apparently, I've become the little idol who brought light back to this gloomy Marquis household.

"Still, I wonder why they didn't hold a debut ceremony for her when she turned one."

Hannah says this, sounding puzzled. Hmm, a debut ceremony, huh? I leaned in to listen closer.

"They say the rumors are that they didn't want to show her to anyone because she was too precious, or that she's such a beautiful young lady."

"My goodness."

"On the other hand, I hear people saying she's shunned, or that she hasn't even been officially recognized as his daughter."

It seems maids are quite well-versed in gossip. I had to stifle a laugh; there's no such thing as a 'beautiful young lady' at one year old. Since it's true that I was neglected at first, I suppose those early rumors from my first six months just stuck around.

"I mean, the Head of the House was a bit cold to her when she first arrived, but he dotes on her so much now."

"You're right about that. I bet they just didn't want to show her off because she was too precious, ah—"

When I looked up at the sound of that

“Dada!”

With unsteady steps, I pushed myself forward as hard as I could, and Father, who had been walking toward me in a hurry, scooped me up.

“Lia, I'm home.”

“-elcome -ome, Dada!”

Father lifted me up and held me in a tight embrace.

“Good grief, are you really Dean? Or are you something else wearing Dean's skin?” (*Dean is her father's name)

“Be quiet. How rude, following me like that.”

“So this is the little lady everyone's talking about. Let me see her.”

“No way. If anyone from the Lisburn family sees her, they'll fall in love instantly.”

“As if that would happen!”

It sounds like there are guests over. They seem to be getting along quite well.

"Lia."

"Brother!"

Big brother is here too. In that case, I have to go to him. Big brother really is the best. Since Father set me down, I scrambled over to cling to his leg.

"Lia, I'm home."

"Welcome home!"

"Were you a good girl while I was gone?"

"A-ye!"

As you can see, I've become quite good at speaking smoothly.

"So, this is Luke's precious little sister?"

"Yes!"

A boy's voice rang out, sounding like he'd only just started his voice change. As I gently let go of my brother's leg, a black-haired boy—still a child, but at that age where he was growing into a man—looked down at me. His eyes were a clear blue, so bright they could be mistaken for the summer sky.

"Ho, just like Luke. I see, so this is the Marquis house's precious little treasure."

I tilted my head. Well, since there are two of us with violet eyes—a trait they say should only appear once in a generation—to put it bluntly, I'm like a spare. I don't think I'm quite a "precious treasure" yet. The boy reached out toward me.

"Come here."

"Nyo!"

I huffed and clung to my brother instead.

"Lia..."

My brother sounded troubled, but he was definitely happy.

"So, what do you say? Won't you let us take her in?"

"I refuse. I won't let Lia be married off to anyone."

I could hear my father and the others talking behind me. It sounded like something a doting parent would say.

"Lia, shall we go play over there?"

"I think I'll come along, too."

"Okey-dokey!"

As long as Big Brother is with me, I'll go anywhere.