Vision Of Ardiane

MEMORY 3: Opening The Curtains (Pt.2)

"Let's get you to engage!" I voice my idea excitedly, clapping my hands once.

"W-What?!" Julian stutters in shock. Just by his reaction, it's clear he completely disagrees. But there's no solution better than this one!

"Think about it. Not many rumors affect Lady Cecilia every time she bothers and clings to you. But if you have a fiancée, people will say she's disturbing another's fiancée and she'll be forced to stop." I explain, then munch on a chocolate cookie served on white porcelain with gold lines on the table.

Julian and I are talking in my room about how to solve matters with Lady Cecilia – the daughter of a count who clings onto my brother as if Julian is her husband – without tarnishing Absalom's reputation. This had been occurring for over a year now. I'm helping him because he had helped me a lot when I 'forgot things' – he's not aware of the truth – and I regard him as my 'real brother'. I'm certain the original Airis doesn't want a sister-in-law like that.

"…How are we going to do that?" He asks.

"I don't want you to marry someone who's not your lover, so let's make it a temporary fake engagement." I answer after properly swallowing the cookie.

"Will there be anyone worthy of being my 'fiancée'?"

He means that, will there be any lady who's willing to sacrifice her future betrothed just to get in a fake engagement and is great at keeping secrets? Of course there is. I've thought about everything thoroughly.

If my memory serves me correctly, 7 months from now, Julian will get married. But thanks to Aiden, Julian had heroically died during the rebellion. And his bride-to-be was Lady Yurisina Rafferty, the second daughter of Count Lant Rafferty.

"Do you know Lady Yurisina, Count Rafferty's second daughter?"

He nods.

"Great, we'll ask for her help." I say, taking a sip of tea from my cup. This discussion is making my throat dry. If I manage to prevent Aiden from usurping the throne, Julian and Lady Yurisina can be together. I'm very much confident that I'll succeed, so why don't I matchmake them a little earlier than the original?

"Will she agree though?"

"Definitely." I confidently answer. "Numerous men had asked her hand for marriage, but she declined them all because her looks were the only thing they liked. Some of them accepted her rejection and moved on, but some good-for-nothing rubbish started stalking her. That's why she rarely went out." I share the simple information I knew from the dream.

Julian freezes for a moment. His reaction clearly shows how unfamiliar this news is and is his first time hearing it. "…I didn't know. I thought it's because she's an introvert."

"Of course you wouldn't know. Count Rafferty hid it very well from the public."

"Then, how come you know?"

"I have my source, but that's not important!" I quickly brush off his question before his suspicion rises. Dang, this tongue of mine! I can't say that it's all thanks to the crazy dream during my previous life's childhood, can I?

"So, your plan is making her my 'fiancée', in exchange for getting rid of her stalkers?" Julian concludes his understanding of the discussion.

"Yup. A win-win situation."

"But negative rumors will rise if we punish her stalkers just because she's my 'fiancée'. We need evidence. Better if there's an alibi. If Count Rafferty never reported this, it's most likely he doesn't have proof."

"Don't worry. I'll take care of that." I wink playfully.

"So, Lady Yurisina it is? I heard she's graceful and gentle. It shouldn't be weird if both of you were 'engaged'." I bend my index and middle finger at the word 'engaged'.

"But… Are you okay with this?" This person in front of me isn't someone who easily opens up his feelings. He often put others first before himself.

"Huh? Okay with what?"

"This plan. I don't wish for you to do something out of your will."

"As long as Lady Cecilia stops disturbing me, I'm willing. Besides, this idea comes personally from my dearest sister."

I grin hearing his response. "I'm surprised that you trust me this much."

"You're my little sister. Why wouldn't I trust you?"

I giggle a little. "Of course. I'm a limited-edition perfect little sister of the century. You're lucky to have me."

Julian let out a small chuckle. At that time, it hits me. Why did I say that? No, how could I say that? I'm not even his real sister and just a soul replacement living in her body. I'm basically living somebody else's life, so why?

Hiding my instant regret, I act comfortablely with Julian as we continue to discuss further of the plan, enjoying the snacks and teas.

*****

"Stop crying! People will think I'm bullying you!" I yell, smacking Mina's head using the pen I'm holding.

"Auch! This is tears of joy, my lady!" She whines and rubs the middle of her short light brown hair, the place I hit earlier.

"Continue crying, I'll cut 80% of your salary."

In a flash, Mina stands straight like a professionally trained maid with her brown eyes normal as if she never cried in the first place.

"Jeez… What's gotten into you? You started crying as soon you know I'm writing for someone."

"Of course I would. Even Her Grace would cry from joy if she knew."

"Stop being overly dramatic. What's the big deal? It's not like I've never written for anyone before." I say, rolling my purple eyes around as resuming my writting.

"…My lady never writes for anyone before."

The penpoint stops on the sheet of paper. What? The original Airis never writes for anyone? Now that explains the too new-looking utensils.

"You've changed a lot, my lady." Mina adds, a bit of proudness in her tone.

"Oh, yeah?" I give a casual reply and stay focused on my writing, trying not to appear suspicious. You know, it'll be a huge favor if I've got the original Airis' memories.

"Yes. It feels like my lady is not the lady I had first served. You have turned into a much different person."

"Mina, you're overthinking. I just got a change of heart, that's all. I want to leave my comfort zone and explore more about these beautiful, yet cruel wonders of life. And now, I also understand the importance of being kind and protecting the ones you love." I spout nonsense, particularly anything that runs through my brain. Not going to lie, Mina does have sharp eyes. It's true. I'm indeed not the Airis you once knew.

After I finish the letter that I showered lots of effort into using Ardiane's word style, – they don't use the alphabet wording – I put the letter inside a light cream envelope with Absalom's seal stamped on it. With this, Azher will know this is an official letter from the dukedom. From me, to be exact.

"Mina, could you please send this to the imperial palace?" I hand her the envelope.

"Yes, my lady. For whom shall I send this to?"

"Prince Azher. Give it to him personally. I don't want any words to spread. And I'd appreciate an instant reply as well."

"Par… Pardon? My lady wants me to send this personally to Prince Azher?"

"Sure. Perhaps there's something wrong?" I ask, tilting my head. By then, I realize what might be in Mina's head.

"If you're afraid the guards wouldn't let you in, just say you're from the dukedom. They'll let you in." …I think.

"That's not it, my lady. I… I can't believe my lady trusts me so much to assign me such an important task."

I blink. An important task, she says? It's just sending through a letter. No big deal.

"Ah, also send this one to the second lady of house Rafferty." I fetch another envelope under a book and hand it to Mina.

"I'll send them right away, my lady!" She answers eagerly and leaves.

*Thud.*

The door closes. I'm alone. I stand up from my chair and lay down on my bed, hugging a fluffy gigantic round-hamster pillow. I blankly stare at the white ceiling decorated with a diamond chandelier in the middle. I can't believe I managed to live as Airis Absalom. Today is the 45th day. Not much had happened, but in the upcoming 3 months, there'll be lots of surprises waiting. Maybe I'll be busier than a crazy workaholic.