Chapter 3

"The Maiden's Smile"

A novel written by my mother before she marries my father.

It was a story of a Lianna Lariet, her parents died in an accident when she was 9 years old and Count Claester took her to his mansion. Her mother was a doctor and an illegitimate child of a Baron, and her father was a Imperial knight who was a commoner.

Lianna was often called 'The maiden who smiled like a goddess.'

Long straight blonde hair, a jewel like golden eyes, and smooth white skin and a beautiful smile. Lianna was a kind hearted child who was loved by the count, and a lot of man was swayed by her beauty and her kindness, but only one man was be able to make her heart skip a beat.

Denver Turin was the only man who makes Lianna's heart skip a beat. He was the only child and the hiers of Duke Dillon Turin one of the most powerful person in the Empire of Estrian. Denver became the Duke when he was 17. They met in the counts mansion when Lianna was 10 years old a year after Lianna came to the Counts mansion.

Iris Claester was the Count Cleaster's one and only daughter, she liked Denver ever since they were a child. Just like her mother Iris was a kind hearted, and loving child to everyone around her.

But every time she and lianna would meet, accident always occurs. Ever since she was born she never felt that her father loved her, there are only few people who believe in her her aunt, the butler, the head maid and the head maid's daughter who was also a maid and her mother the Countess who died back when she was 7 years old. Iris practically died when she was 13 years old. She was drown to death by the main villains order.

And now I'm currently laying in my bed while facing the ceiling. It's so dark, it's already midnight and I can't sleep.

It's been three days since I became Iris Claester.

Her aunt took care of me along with the the head maids daughter. In those days I only spent my time inside this big room.

'this shit again!'

"My nose!"

'it's bleeding again.'

I stand up and took a handkerchief and wipe the blood.

I recall that God dumb "Goddess of life" saying.

" I'll give you a new life.."

" By the time you woke up you'll be Iris Claester."

" Live your life to the fullest until you're satisfied!"

'I have my new life. And I became Iris Claester but!'

'How can I live my life to the fullest until I'm satisfied with this?!'

In three days of living as Iris Claester I have suffered in headaches, dizziness, nosebleed and I have even vomit blood.

And I am now currently laying on my bed with my head hanging and almost reaching the ground, with cotton in my nose.

' This god dumb life!'

'Should I just hung myself?'

'Or drink poison?'

'But why bother....'

"Beheading is the most effective way."

***

It's almost been two weeks since I became Iris, and I slowly adopting my new life.

" My lady..."

" My lady..."

"Ahhh... Did you say something, Jenny?" I asked

"... Is something wrong my lady?" she asked, She looks like she was about to cry so I smiled.

Jenny was the head maids daughter and she was my. No... Iris's personal maid.

"Are you hurt somewhere? My lady? " she added.

I was sitting in a chair next to the window inside my room while reading a book.

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me.." I answered while smiling .

"Okay my lady.." she bow and walks towards the door.

Tok... Tok... Tok...

Creak..

"Miss Lianna..." Jenny utter

' Lianna? As in Lianna the Female protagonist?...'

For weeks of living here, living as Iris. This is the first time I'll see Lianna.

"May I talked to you in private Miss Iris?.." Lianna asked politely.

"Okay... Have a sit. " I said used my right hand to and point at the chair in front of me.

She sit still.

Jenny poured the tea and left us.

"May I asked what do you want to talk about?"

"I'm here to apologize.." she said while bowing her head

"You don't have to apologize. Everything was a misunderstanding.." I said while looking at the window.

Iris died at the age of 13 and now I possess her dead body. Lianna was a years younger than her. So lianna is probably 12 years old now.

"Did Denver came yesterday?" I asked while still looking at the window.

Denver Turin, Iris friend who never came to visit the sick me.

"No... Miss." she answered I face her while smiling

'I want to see what the male protagonist look like but he didn't show up. What a good friend...'

"Lian." I called her by her nickname and she was shocked.

"Y..yes?"

"From now on I'll call you Lian. So, if you like you can call me sister..." I said and smiled at her

"Huh?"

Lianna was a only child, she wanted a elder or younger siblings. When she met Iris she eagerly wanted to be friends with her and call her Sister. But Iris was accused of bullying Lianna and avoided her.

"Sister! From to day onwards you can call me sister.."

'Did my words shock her? Why isn't she's answering?'

"Lian.."

"Sis...ter.." As she utter that words she suddenly smiled with tears started to fall from her eyes.

' What did I do?'

"Lian... What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing.... I'm just happy (sob)"

'is that so..'

"Here..."

I handed over her a handkerchief, and she accepted it.

"Thank you... S-ister " she said and then smiled at me.

I was dazed by her smile, it reminded me briefly of Ashley.

"Sister?"

"Your welcome... Lian" I said and smiled at her and she smiled back.

Tok.. Tok... Tok...

"Come in..."

Creak..

"My lady... Lunch is ready do you want to eat at the dinning hall or -"

"Yes... Well come down.."

"Okay! My lady..."

Jenny left.

"Sister shall we head down?" she asked as she stands

"You go first... " I told her and smiled.

"O...kay.." she said and head out.

'how can a 12 years old child can be that beautiful?'

'No wonder why she's the Female protagonist.'

'She has an innocent child. Shy and Pretty.'

I look at the window and remember Ashley's smiling face.

'Ashley I missed you..'

Tok... Tok.. Tok..

"My lady ..."

"William.. Come in."

"His Grace and Miss Lian is waiting for you.."

"Is that so... Then let's go."

I stand up and my head suddenly hurts again.

"Ahhh.."

"My lady are you alright?"

"I'm fine let's go.."

I walk first and William was following me from behind.

***

As Iris entered the dining hall she saw the Count sitting in the end of the table, and Lian who was sitting on his left side smiled at her.

"Good Afternoon.. Count." Iris greeted the count politely but expressionless

"Sit." the Count said

Iris walk towards Lian and sit beside her.

'Awkward!'

Iris shouted on her though.

Everyone saw Iris who was glancing everywhere.

"If your looking for Arisian."

Iris turn her gaze towards the Count who suddenly spoke,

"...hmmm?"

"She's in the Imperial palace doing her job.."

"Is that so.."

Dame Arisian Claester, Count Claester's younger sister is an Imperial knight. She loves and cares for Iris dearly. Iris is lucky to have an doting aunt like her. In the main story where her niece, Iris died she became a minor villain.

Iris face became serious as she thought about the real Iris having a great aunt.

"let's eat."

The Count said and started to eat.

"Si..sister let's eat." Lian said and smiled.

Iris face her and smiled back. She hold the knife and fork and look at the Count.

'Brown hair. Blue eyes like Iris. A bit dark skin. Handsome face. And more importantly a wealthy powerful man.'

That is how Iris described and see the Count.

'A cruel father and husband. Count Harris Claester, Iris father.'

'The reason why he adopted Lian because, Leah Hawn Lariet, Lian's mother was her first love.'

"Tsk!"

Everyone was dumbfounded by what they heard.

"M..my lady?"

"Sis...ter?"

The Count who was supposed to have a bite suddenly paused.

"ah!"

(Face-palm.)

"Is the food isn't your liking?"

The Count asked Iris.

"No.. It's not like that." she answered

"Then perhaps-"

"My lady are you alright?"

The Count was cut by Jenny when she suddenly spoke and run towards Iris.

"I'm alright! Jenny..."

"S...sister?"

"I apologize for my daughters rude behavior Your Grace. "

Jen the head maid bowed and asked forgiveness to the Count.

"I... Apologies for my rude behavior Your Grace."

Jenny stands up and bow her head.

"It's okay!"

"... More importantly. Iris are you r- I..ris!"

"Sister!"

"My... My lady!"

Everyone shouted at the same time and made Iris startled.

'What with this people? I only say "Tsk!".'

"Ohh..."

Iris felt like something was dripping from her nose so she touch it and she saw blood.

"S-sister Y..your nose!"

The count stand up and shouted,

"William get the physician now!"

William the butler didn't spared time to answer the Count and hurriedly run.

The head maid and her daughter was panicking while watching Iris.

"Stop over acting! It's just a noseble-"

"Ahhh! What is this!?"

Both hands of Iris was on her head.

'it hurt! What's Ha-happening?'

"My lady! /Sister! /I..ris?"

Everyone run towards her.

The Count was looking at her daughter, standing stiff with eyes widend. Lian was crying, her hands are trembling. The maids was also trembling in worry while shedding tears.

"aha! (caught) aha! (caught)"

She cover her mouth using her right hand. When she took her hand she saw blood in her palm.

"Aira...."

"Aira.... I have something to tell you."

She heard a unfamiliar voice calling her inside her mind.

'that goddess? No...'

' Who are you!?'

Her eyes slowly closing and,

"M-my lady?"

"Siste..."

She lost consciousness.