My head turns towards Edward who's gaze directed downwards as we sit comfortably inside the carriage.

"Brother." I decided to break the silence by starting a conversation.

"Yes?" he lift his head towards me, looking at me with his usual cold expression.

"Where are we going to?" I asked, clueless of the destination we're heading right now.

Edward crossed his arms and turned his head towards the window, enjoying the passing trees.

"We're going to the Alistaire Marquessate." he answered briefly as I nodded in understatement.

I've heard of the Alistaire Marquessate in my first life before.

". . . There's some business I have with the Marquess." he added.

My eyes widened in surprised by his statement. It's true that he's only 12 years old. But I never forget his hard work when he was still a 12 years old.

Dealing with business management and fiances.

But. . .

"Why did you bring me?"

"Father is on a business trip with Valerian, I can't just leave you alone with Carlos knowing his troublesome personality. You might get hurt if I leave you to him." he answered with a closed eyes as he sigh, and relaxed on the seat.

With his words, my lips form a small smile of gratitude that he did think of me and care even if it's just a little.

It's like the days when he was mean to me in my first life all disappear into a dust.

"May I ask what is the business?" I asked as polite as I can with a gentle smile, so it doesn't sound rude.

He opened his eyes as his cold violet eyes greeted mine. ". . .We're going to talk about forming an allianc."

"Alliance?"

"As you can see, father notice that the Emperor is plotting something unpleasant. If that plans succeed and something were going to go on the wrong way. . ."

War.

There will be war.

The Emperor also notice the strength and amount of mana that father has. No, our Dukedom has.

Though until my execution, this problem was never solved.

That's why forming alliance with the Alistaire Marquessate bring us a great benefits.

Even though we don't need support from anyone, we're still a part of the aristocracy.

". . .and I'd like you to have at least, one friend. Marquess Alistaire has a son that is the same age as Valerian. Whether it's a boy or a girl, I want you to have a friend."

". . ."

Warmth dwelled inside me the moment he utter that words. Even though he said it with a cold, hard expression, his words are the opposite.

I'm glad. Glad that I have a second life.

". . . Thank you."

-

"Greetings, First young master, Lady Univers." the Marquess greeted us kindly as he put his right hand on the center of his chest, bend his back, and briefly bow his head, then stand back up.

I, who stood beside Edward, return his greetings as I cross my legs and ankles while standing, then bend my knees slightly. Lift the fabric of my dress out to my sides.

"It's such a pleasure to be invited." I exclaimed politely.

"It's such a pleasure to be invited." Edward exclaimed politely with his cold look without greeting the marquess back bluntly as I sweatdrop.

The mansion is surprisingly big with brown base colour and white but screams luxurious everywhere. Although I think our dukedom is a lot more bigger than this.

The Marquess let us in the mansion as we walked inside it to be greeted by a big hall with two stairs on each side, luxuriously.

"Also, I want you to meet my son." the Marquess, who is smiling kindly, called for a maid to bring the said son over as the maid nodded and bowed.

While adoring the mansion design, footsteps was heard throughout the hall as a figure that is similar to Valerian's height comes into view.

He has spiky brown hair along with golden eyes that represent the Alistaire family. He typically dresses in a way that suits his standing.

He look timid and shy, similar to Astor in many ways but Astor is too straightforward. I don't know about this one though.

His golden eyes met my violet ones. As soon as I caught his stare, he quickly turned his head to the other side.

"He is the heir of our Alistaire Marquessate, Gale Alistaire." the Marquess introduced the said son while touching Gale's shoulder. Gale bowed politely as he glance at me for a bit.

I smiled warmly at him as a sign to return his greetings.

With a smile that didn't fade, I turned my head towards my eldest brother who is surprisingly, wearing unpleasant expression plastered on his face that he didn't even bother to hide it.

. . .d-did I made mistakes?

While thinking of what I did wrong, shiver run down my spine as I lower my head, frustrated.

Is there something wrong?

Did I said something unpleasant before?

Edward turned his head towards me as he put his hand around my shoulder. I lift up my head to be greeted by his alluring violet eyes.

". . .It seems that he's worth it to become your friend."

He whispered that is inaudible for the Marquess and Gale to hear making me chuckled unconsciously.

So that what was bothering him.

"Lady Univers can spend her time with my son while Young Master and I are going to discuss our alliances." the Marquess explain with a friendly smile as I turned my head towards Gale and smiled at him.

-

Edward and Marquess Alistaire are discussing about alliance that he explained when we're on our way to the estate.

Meanwhile, Gale and I are having a small tea session at the beautiful back garden that surprisingly are filled with white roses.

The atmosphere is warm and comfortable.

While looking at my own reflection on the tea, my lips form a warm smile as I lift my head to be greeted by Gale's alluring golden eyes that shines like a real gold.

"Young Master Alistaire, it is a nice day and bright weather today, isn't it?" I asked, starting the conversation smoothly, trying to be nice as I can.

His eyes went wide as his head snapped downwards and start to play with his fingers shyly.

". . .Y-yes." he replied briefly while avoiding eye contact.

". . .Lady Univers. . . You can call me Gale. No need for formalities." he exclaimed, each words getting more audible and sounds brave while slowly lifting his head to meet my eyes.

". . . Of course, Gale. In return, you can call me Viola."

He form a small smile while looking at me. ". .Yes of course, Viola."

Gale is 11 years old this year. It would be nice if he gets along with Carlos.

Well, thinking that they might get along because they're going to encounter each other at Magical Academy, maybe they will get along.

I want to go to the academy as well, though it's a shame that it's only for boys.

"I. . ." Gale started as I focus my gaze towards him with a warm smile and set my other thoughts somewhere else while waiting for him to finish his sentence. ". . . I would like for us to meet again. . . in the future." he exclaimed, looking at me straightly like the shy and quiet boy was gone.

None of us said it out loud but Gale is the first friend that I have in this life and I wish we could get along with each other better.

". . . It's really a pleasure to meet you, Gale."

". . .Mine as well."

-

Just like that, I'm back to the Dukedom.

Days passed and I'm currently spending my time reading inside my father's office much to my surprise.

It's not just me though, Valerian is also here by my side while reading with me. Edward is helping father with his work, and Carlos is practicing his sword right here.

It's just like a family time for me. The time where I never had in the first place.

Spending time with my family and reading together with one of my brothers,

It's a special moment.

"Vio, your birthday is coming soon." Valerian suddenly exclaimed as he turned his head towards me with his gentle smile plastered on his face.

". . .my birthday?"

My birthday.

I don't know what is the reason but Violette and I shared the same date of birth.

Though they never celebrate my birthday, not even once. But they are willingly to make a huge birthday banquet for Violette's birthday.

While I'm just going to stand there, in the corner. Watching her bond grew stronger with my brothers and father.

I was foolish.

If I acted more nicely and a lot better, there's going to be less people that is going to hate me.

"Let's celebrate it!!!" my eyes went wide by Carlos excitement while looking at me with a wide grin plastered on his face. "Vio is going to turn 10!" he added, making me more embarrassed but at the same time, the feeling of warmth dwelled inside me as my gaze directed towards the book.

"What do you think, father?" Valerian asked as he turned his head towards father who is writing down something on the paper.

He lift his head and turned towards us with his blank gaze. ". . . I'll take care of it." he said briefly, making my head tilt to the side, confused.

"It's going to be your unofficial debut." Edward added, didn't bother to turned his head as he focused his gaze on the work that he handles.

I just smiled in return.

-

Looking at the cold gaze from Edward and the pitiful me at their side, I notice it immediately that what I have now is a dream.

Stood in front of me, Edward who is scolding my 9 years old self that happen to make a mistake accidentally.

"I already warn you to not act rashly."

His piercing cold voice is different from his usual neutral voice that sounded caring when he spoke to me in this second life.

It's a dream from my first life after all.

I don't really understand, but their act of kindness and thoughtfulness towards me is too strong that I can realise warmth filled inside me.

Meanwhile in my first life, they treated me like a trash the moment I arrived at the Dukedom.

What makes it so different this time?

I didn't change much from my first impression, it should made them hate me but they didn't.

". . . You're not our sister."

Yes.

In my previous life,

Edward always told me that I'm not his sister countless times until I died even though we are related by blood.

Though unlike Carlos, he never bully me.

Just that in my first life, his eyes shows too much resentment and hatred to the point where he didn't bother to bully me.

However,

In my second life,

"~I can't just leave you alone with Carlos knowing his troublesome personality. You might get hurt if I leave you to him."

". . .and I'd like you to have at least, one friend. Marquess Alistaire has a son that is the same age as Valerian. Whether it's a boy or a girl, I want you to have a friend."

". . .It seems that he's worth it to become your friend."

My first brother Edward who is harsh, cold, apathetic, stoic, and calculating in my previous life, became caring, kind, and a supportive older brother in this second life.

I should say,

It's a great step forward to form a bond with them.