The estate within the Imperial Capital was grander than the castle in Aris. It was likely because the estate within the Imperial Capital, the center of all the social buzz, needed to look more luxurious to match the reputation of the most powerful noble family in the Holy Empire. 

A pair of columns of neatly lined servants bowed as they welcomed the Lord of the House. 

We’re going to live here from now on.

I thought to myself as I gazed at the large mansion. 

“Welcome home, Your Highnesses. Your belongings had arrived, and we just finished sorting them. The ones you treasure have been delivered to your rooms.” 

Chris spoke with his hand on his chest as he bowed. Despite being transferred here to the Imperial Capital so abruptly, it seemed like Chris had already adjusted to the new place and even solidified his position among the other servants here in the estate like the capable old man he was.

Father nodded and complimented him, before turning towards us. 

“Is there anything you would like to do, children?”

Louis and I gazed at each other.

“How about a tour?” 

“It’s our first time here after all.” 

Father smiled. 

“That’s a great idea. I had something I wanted to show you as well.”

And so we headed inside. 

The interior of the mansion was just as grand as the exterior. We walked – or at least, Father and Louis were walking – we made our way through the winding hallways and visited the rooms. At the end of it, Father took us to a hall. 

At the wall hung a large portrait of our Mother. She had a cheerful and lively smile on her face, her silver eyes squinted a little bit and had a kind look to them. She got curly black hair like mine, but unlike my pale and lifeless face, she got rosy cheeks and a healthy glow, making her all more beautiful. 

None of us looked anything like her, however, except for my hair. All three of us got looks that are modeled after the Goddess. 

“You bought Mother here?” 

Louis asked with a raspy voice. 

“You seemed to like it very much so I bought it here just in case. Seeing you so happy, I suppose I made the right choice.” 

Father smiled warmly to Louis who gazed at our mother’s portrait with sparkling eyes full of warmth and adoration. Louis had memories of our childhood all the way back from the late prenatal period before we were even born. As such he got more familiarity with our mother than I had. 

Although most of his memories of her were limited to her voice as she sang for us while we were still in her womb and their brief meeting from when we were born till she died which lasted a few minutes at most, Louis seemed to have developed affection and love for her as our mother. 

I remember the times where Louis stared for hours at her portrait. Sometimes he would take me with him and tell me stories about how lovely our mother was. 

At those times, I couldn’t help but feel guilty since it was me who took our mother away from him. But instead of hating me, Louis would only smile warmly and say that I was the treasure that our mother had left for him. Father said the same. 

“Thanks Dad.” 

“Anything for you, my son.” 

The couple of days following that was eventless, save for the adjustment that we had to do now that we’re staying in a different place. 

The Imperial Capital was more bustling, and naturally, the estate was the same. Although, like in Aris, aside from a few handpicked servants, no one was allowed to go near us at all. 

There was also the issue with Lilian.

“Wake up, Your Highness. It’s already lovely and sunny outside. His Highness, the Archduke is waiting for you at breakfast. His Highness Louis should have finished his training as well and should be here soon.” 

I groaned and rolled around, hugging my pillow and ignoring her. The problem with Lilian is that she’s much too chatty. I prefer Hans who’s mostly quiet. It’s not like I like her either. Father did say that it’ll be alright this time, and I do trust him, but still. 

“Your Highness?” 

I didn’t mind her and just decided to try and get more sleep at least until Louis gets here. I have had a pounding headache since I woke up. It's nothing new to me so it wasn’t anything to worry about but it’s still a bother. 

I heard rustling clothes behind me. Then, I felt myself getting grabbed and picked up. 

“KYAAAA!!” 

I screamed, panicked to be suddenly dangling in the air. 

“Oh my, you’re much lighter than I expected you to be.” 

Not caring about what she said, I struggled and screamed, trying to get myself free. Fear overtook me. I didn’t mind being carried all the time by my Father and Louis, but by anyone else was so uncomfortable and frightening to me. 

Given my weak body. It makes me feel like a small mouse lifted by its tail in front of an open mouth of a predator. It makes me feel helpless. 

“NO! Let go of me!” 

“Ah! Your Highness, you’ll fall!” 

“I said let go of me! Put me down!” 

Yet instead of listening to what I said, Lilian held me even close instead and rested me close to her chest. I flailed around as best as I could, but I couldn’t even surpass the strength of a young woman. 

“Shh…It’s ok, Your Highness. I won't hurt you.” 

Lilian attempted to calm me by speaking gently and patting my back. Then, I didn’t know what she did, but Lilian suddenly emitted a strong scent of herbs. I found myself growing calmer at its scent and the headache I had started to reduce too. 

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you would have such an intense reaction to being carried, Your Highness.” 

Once I was calm enough, only then did Lilian put me down on the bed. Then she kneeled in front of me, still holding my hands.

“I won't do it again without your permission in the future.”

I didn’t say anything and just continued to glare at her. She smiled sadly as she looked at me. 

“I think I understand now why Her Majesty sent me here.” She said, “Your Highness is much too thin and small for your age. It seems like you’ll be having late puberty as well.”

She was right. I started puberty only when I reached 14 and my first period only came when I was 15. It was due to the fact that I was unhealthy, thus stunted my growth. 

But I didn’t understand how that had anything to do with why she suddenly lifted me up, nor does it explain the strange sorcery she just did. 

I didn’t need to ask, however. Lilian continued to speak on her own. 

“Although I am just a quarter elf, I do have some access to the elve’s abilities. It’s not much, but I can help relieve your pain from time to time. It doesn’t solve the root cause of the problem, but I still hope that it could still benefit you.” 

I stared at Lilian for a long time, studying her face and trying to comprehend her thoughts. She looks like a naive and dumb woman. Though I guess I have that to thank. 

“Ah right! That reminds me, hasn't His Highness Louis published a medical paper about herbs before? It’s not very common here in the Holy Empire which made it such a unique point of research, but even other nations benefited from it, since his research is so extensive and innovative that it’s hard to believe that he wrote it at such a young age in less than 6 months of attending the Imperial Academy!” 

Ugh…

Her endless and loud chatter was too much to bear. Ignoring her, I plopped back into the bed and stared at the canopy. She still kept talking.  

“I was very curious about what even drove him to research about it, but seeing you, Your Highness, I’ve finally been able to understand! He must’ve done it out of love for you. To have such a sweet brother, I’m jelous!” 

Fortunately, she paused seemingly like she finally remembered what she was about to do. She jumped up in panic and spoke. 

“Ah! No! Your Highness! You have to eat breakfast. I, um…yes! I will help you get dressed. Water for your face is here, thankfully, it’s still warm.” 

“What’s all this noise so early in the morning?” 

Louis grumbled as he entered our room. Lilian froze before bowing and greeting him.

“Ah, good morning, Your Highness. Welcome back.” 

“Shut up, will you?” 

Lilian flinched then covered her mouth with her hand. 

“She’s so annoying.” 

He said, to which I agreed. 

“Yeah…” 

“Your Highnesses are so mean…”

She whined but we ignored her. Hans, accompanying Louis, got a stone cold face. But after knowing him for so long, he’s just trying to hold his laughter. 

“Hans, aren’t you supposed to teach her as a senior?” 

“Ahem.” 

I said, causing him to look away with a cough. I huffed. 

“Enough. Let’s go see Dad.” 

“Alright.” 

“Please wait. Your Highnesses should drink this. I prepared this tea myself” 

But Lilian stopped us, and handed both of us a cup filled with iky-looking tea.