12

"What's with this blood? And why were you even with that nasty psychopath?" brother nags as soon as we get inside my room.

Rizza immediately comes to get me new clothes. She was so surprised when she saw me walking in the hallway with my brother.

"And what about you? Why did you let her go outside? I heard that father strictly prohibited her from leaving her room today. Where were you?" my brother harshly interrogates Rizza, his arms crossed.

I gasp. Rizza didn't do anything wrong! I was the one who stepped out on my own and disobeyed my father. I can't let her get punished in my stead.

"Rizza, get out of my room for now," I command. She looks at me before glancing at my brother.

"Yes, miss." One bow and she leaves with a guilty look.

I can sense that my brother doesn't like what I just did but fortunately, he let it go. He goes to my bed and sit on it, his glare on me. "Elaborate."

Ah... I have no excuse so I just told him what really happened from the very beginning. He looks on edge the whole time. At the end, he hugs me tightly.

"The next time you see something like that, ignore it. Never associate with just anyone, Serra. That's the most basic rule for survival. There. You're safe now. No one can hurt you here so stop trembling."

I feel his hand patting my back. I didn't know I was shaking a bit since coming back to my room. Well...I was scared.

Just then, two boys barge in my room without even knocking.

"Serra!" my brothers both shout in unison.

"Oh fuck! What happened? Why are you covered in blood?!" big brother Samsik asks as soon as he gets a proper view of me.

"Who's the damn bastard who did it?" big brother Jwo asks with a frown. "Are you hurt anywhere?" he adds, scanning me from head to toe.

Big brother Yona then rests his arm around my shoulders.

"Both you big brothers are so damn fucking late. What were you even doing when there's an intruder? She's not hurt but I'm annoyed she was humiliated by that fucktard."

His hold suddenly tightens so I take a peek to see his grim expression.

I pout. I know that they have their own lives to worry about so they don't really have to feel guilty about what happened to me.

"Brother Jwo... Brother Sam... It's not your faults. It was all due to my miscalculation so please don't be sad."

I can't help it. Their worried expressions are something I've never seen. Nobody worried for me in my past life. Nobody. And in the first place, it really is my fault.

I feel my brother Jwo's hand on top of my head. On the other hand, brother Samsik is holding my hand in a tight grip.

"Still...we're sorry we weren't there earlier," brother Samsik says.

"Yona, who was it?" brother Jwo asks in a serious tone he seldom uses.

"The Rogers. That damn Jackson or whatever his name is came here and cursed her. Father took care of him already but I don't think that was enough," he replies.

Eek! Actually...it's Jason but I don't think I can correct him in this situation.

I'm not sure but this atmosphere kinda feels like a secret mission being discussed. It's as if they're planning something...I don't think I'd want to know at all.

It didn't help that I even saw how big brother Jwo nodded at big brother Yona! I mean it is a rare sight for them to agree with each other!

"I..." I mumble to try and get their attention.

Big brother Samsik messes my hair. "Don't worry sister, your brothers are just going for a short stroll. In the mean time, let your maid help you get change."

"I told the servants to clean up the greenhouse. You may stay there and eat some snacks if you want," big brother Jwo offers.

They are being so kind to me but I can clearly guess what they are thinking and it's troubling me. Ahh... I hope nothing bad happens to them.

Three days past after that incident and I was left blinded with what happened afterwards. I don't even know if the person who was shot died or he's just hurt. Even Vinny's whereabouts...

Come to think if it, Vinny said his surname is Kim but the man he called dad is Rogers. It's different! It's possible that he's not his real dad but then why...

"Ah! Should I really be thinking about this now? Arin—no! Serra, you must forget about that. It has nothing to do with you and my father knows what he's doing. They're much qualified than me in handling things like that. I should just...focus in learning all of this."

I enclose my head with both my hands while looking at the books in front of me. This all started after that incident.

Seriously, that genius brother of mine can be quite a pain in the neck. I bet he's planning to make me a disciple. He easily got father's permission to teach me ahead of my age when he revealed about me solving that paper.

If I knew this will happen, I wouldn't have...ugh!

I'd probably still do it knowing I could help my father... Tsk! I hate him! I hate my father for allowing this brutal method of studying!

"I mean even though I'm an adult, this is still a child's body! Children my age should be lazying around! They are abusing this little body! Father hasn't even visited me after that day! Why—"

Someone then knocks on the door, causing me to cover my mouth in a split second.

Eh?! Who's that? I hope he or she didn't hear my ranting!

Another three knocks and I immediately fix my position before clearing my throat.

"Come in," I say and the door opens to reveal my father.

Eh? My father? My father?! Why is he here?!

Flustered, I stand up from my bed to greet him. "Father?"

Ack! I should've asked first who the person behind the door was. I got too startled.

He walks in and scans my room before sitting on the mini living area on the corner of my room. He then turns to me. "Are you not sitting here?"

Oh.

Immediately, I make my way to sit on the chair in front of him.

"Are you alright?" he asks in a gentle tone.

I blink, a bit confused.

"I...I am. Yes, father. I am alright. I'm just a bit...busy," I answer while hinting at the piled up books on my desk on the other side of the room.

He also looks at it before turning back to me and sighing.

"Are you having a hard time studying beyond your level?"

Am I?

I mean, even in my past life, I grew up studying because of my inferiority complex with my brother. It was also necessary since I am a royal princess. I wasn't allowed to look weak and humiliate the royal family.

So...why am I being this...lazy?

Nevermind that. Father might punish me if I don't learn these things properly.

"I... I'm not, father. I'm just taking a short rest," I lie.

I'm exhausted and confused!

"This won't do. Would you like to go outside for today? You must be bored in your room."

O—Outside? Eh?!

He looks at me as if trying to figure me out.

"Sure, father! I would like to go!" I say enthusiastically.

I can't help it. This will be the first time that I will see what it looks like outside in this world. I think that there will be much more fascinating things to see!

I couldn't help but to prance around my room!

I'm not sure if I saw right but I think father smiled too.

"Alright. Go get change. I will wait for you by the front door."

~*~