(Aisha's perspective)
"Let's become a real family first, okay?"
Since that day, Robert's words have been lingering in my mind.
He was the one who woke me up. Now I am all alone, and it is all my own fault. It is because I treated everyone except my mother as an enemy from the beginning.
Even though I used to scold and hit him, and I remember doing many terrible things to him, Robert still said he was willing to become my family.
Now that Mother has left the Anglus family, is this an opportunity?
Even if I gets along well with my siblings, I won't be scolded by my mother. Although I have lost my father's favor, I no longer have to live a life of self-criticism every day in the struggle for inheritance.
If I apologize to Robert now, can we become a real family?
Although such an idea came to mind, I didn't have the courage to take that step.
Until one day, I heard the news that Robert had been kidnapped by his servants.
"Hahahaha! That idiot Robert deserves it! Hahahahahahahaha!"
My brother, Lucius, also heard the news at the same time.
We all know this means that regardless of whether Robert lives or dies afterward, his life is over.
A year ago, I would have been just as gleeful as Lucius for having one less competitor.
But I can't be happy right now...
I can't feel happy...
...
Three days later, Robert was brought back to the mansion.
I thought I might never see him again, but hearing that he was still alive made me feel like something that had been weighing on my heart had disappeared.
But it wasn't a feeling of joy. Maybe I just felt that even if my family only existed in name, I wouldn't want them to die.
A few days later, thanks to the Anglus family's full care, I heard from the maid who had been to Robert's room that his condition had improved somewhat, and he was at least able to communicate normally.
"Miss Aisha, shall we go and check on Young Master Robert's condition?"
Seeing how restless I was in the room, my personal maid made this suggestion to me.
"But he must still be very weak. It would be better to let him focus on recuperation. Besides, even if I don't go, there will be others to comfort him. For example, Lady Lucia, and Father."
"Miss Aisha, are you serious?"
No, of course I wasn't serious. I know very well what kind of people Father and Lady Lucia are. I was just subconsciously trying to give myself a reason to back down.
"Besides, even if I went to visit him, he probably wouldn't be happy. I never behaved like his sister or treat him well, he might even suspect that I have some bad intentions."
"People don't think too much when they are at their most vulnerable. And as long as someone truly cares about him, no matter what form it takes, Young Master Robert will definitely be able to feel it."
"To be honest, I don't care that much about him. You're just a maid. Can you please stop making wild guesses about your master's thoughts?"
"...I am very sorry, I have overstepped my bounds."
But is Robert at his most vulnerable right now?
Just as he doesn't understand my pain, I don't understand his pain of being kidnapped.
I've also experienced what felt like the most vulnerable time of my life, and for Robert, it must be most agonizing moment right now.
I think I can understand what he needs most right now.
If I were to reach out to him first this time, would we be able to become real family?
"I need to go out and take care of something. Don't follow me."
"Yes, Miss Aisha, have a safe journey."
My heart started pounding the moment I stepped out of the room.
I carefully followed the route I had taken several times before, trying to avoid being discovered by others, and quickly arrived near Robert's room.
Huh? Is that Lia? And, the door is Ajar
I met Lia at the door. Both of us looked at ear each other.
"Why did you come here?*
Lia looked at me warily, clearly, I wasn't welcomed by her. But at this moment, I no longer cared about her. The only one left in my eyes was Robert because I saw how he fell on the ground.
That must have hurt. He must be in pain.
"I am sorry for what I did to you before, Lia. But don't block the door. Robert, he is in pain. I need to see him."
What nonsense am I spouting? Why am I apologising to this little runt? Robert's situation is clearly more important right now.
Ah. I see! It's not just Robert I feel guilty about but also Lia.
This apology, how late it has been?
Will she really forgive me?
Unfortunately, I didn't get the answer because I saw Lia running in directly without saying a word.
I followed her in. At this moment, there was only one wish in my heart and that was to comfort Robert and be his true family.
So when Robert scolded us and said harsh words, I said nothing because I knew what it felt like. I had been through this when my mother was expelled from the family.
So I knew what he needed the most.
Before I could move, Lia moved, she hugged Robert, causing my heart to jump up and I also hugged him, even enveloping both of them, as I was clearly older and more developed than them.
Afterwards, I heard Robert sobbing and saying Sorry again and again.
In this atmosphere, my emotions also rioted and I started apologizing for my rude behaviour towards Robert.
Lia also seems to have found a flood gate and let out the suppressed emotions which she hadn't released since her mother left.
Thus, the bond between three siblings formed.
...