Chapter 80

"That's why Father was close to Giorgie, the current head of Magna, for such a long time. In the years leading up to father's and grandmother's deaths, Giorgie would often visit grandmother. A lot of things changed when Grandfather died... and that was one of them." (Alexei)

Ahhhh...

My brother must have been so sad and lonely, mourning the loss of his respected grandfather, the only one in the family who showered him with love.

The old woman started to do whatever she wanted, unscrupulous shrewd old men kept coming into the house, the kids he thought were his friends stopped talking to him, and his father, who never paid attention to him, was frolicking around with other children.

I think he must have felt very isolated. It would have felt to him like his home is no longer his own.

I can't do this. It's not something I can forgive.

I'm sorry, BL flags. I'm sorry I thought of something stupid like that. It was a story with deeper roots than I expected.

3rd POV

Without thinking, Ekaterina took her brother's hand and clasped it with both of hers.

"Brother..., I am sorry for your loss. It's a good thing that even when you were just a child, you fought to protect Yurinova. Although I am inexperienced, I will work hard and support you to the best of my ability. This, I promise you."

Alexei's eyes widened, then he smiled and gently squeezed his sister's hand in return.

"I am happy, Ekaterina, because Heaven gave you to me as a gift. It is my greatest honor and blessing to have this gift, as you are so beautiful and kind, my lady." (Alexei)

....No, it's not such a big deal. Sorry, you were more of a gift to me than I am to you, brother. Afterall, before this, I'm just someone who's been admiring you ever since from my previous life~

"Ekaterina." (Alexei)

"Yes, brother." (Ekaterina)

"Your mother...what was she like?" (Alexei)

Ekaterina gulped.

It was the first time her brother had ever asked her about her mother. He had once apologized for her death, but after that, this topic was never brought up again, as if it had been intentionally avoided.

Ivan and Mina, who had been silently following the two, looked at each other for a moment in understanding then they bowed and stepped back gently.

"Yes, that's right. Mother is..." (Ekaterina)

Ekaterina's memories of her childhood came flooding back.

"She was a beautiful, ladylike person." (Ekaterina)

Ekaterina's POV

Her Majesty the Empress mentioned that mother was the epitome of a noblewoman. Now that I think about it, she really is. She was quiet and gentle...

"Yes, she was fond of embroidery. She was always doing needlework in the sunroom. She also liked to draw, and she was a good piano player. When I was a little girl, I used to sing the songs she taught me while she played the piano." (Ekaterina)

Yes, when I was little.

The piano has long since disappeared.

The embroidery... the thread and needles are gone, as well as the elegant sewing box that my mother used to use. The paints, the brushes...

Mother was still kind to me, but she became depressed and eventually fell ill and fell asleep often until the one time she never woke up.

All the pleasant things disappeared as it gradually faded into memory.

"Sometimes... she talks about big brother. Telling me that I have a brother, and that he will be a wonderful gentleman...Mother's voice was so soft and gentle when she talks about it." (Ekaterina)

I wasn't lying. It's true that mother mentioned that many times.