When I was ten, the first big event that I kept dreaming about happened. My sister.

When father and mother informed me about a sibling on the way, the only thing I said was: «It was time, already.»

Mother was glad that I accepted the news without frowns. She became even happier when I suggested a name to her.

In my past life, it had been quite a hassle. Father couldn't decide, and the baby lived unnamed for almost a week.

To be sincere, I didn't do that on purpose.

I only made a casual comment. «When Martia is born, I'll teach her how to walk. I don't want her to trip randomly.»

«Martia?» mother asked, confused.

«My sister,» I explained, and her eyes widened.

«What if it's a brother?» she inquired, maybe worried that I would fear competition.

«Oh, it won't be. I wanted a brother to play sword, but I'll have to cope with a sister. Of course, I'll still teach her how to play with a sword. Why didn't I think of this before?»

«I like the name. Martia and Xander. It sounds good. It will be a pleasure to introduce my children to people,» she giggled.

During that time, just before my sister was born, I met a friend. It was actually the first person I didn't remember from my first life. He was interesting because of that.

Maybe, I just didn't pay any attention before.

His name was Jeffrey Wilhelm. His father was a Count, and he was supposed to become a loyal aide for the Lord.

«You'll soon get a sibling,» he said once. «We will all play sword together, right?»

«No, we won't.» My sister wouldn't be able to even walk for so much time. How was this person thinking she was going to fight with us?

Also, my sister was going to be very cute. What if someone jealous tried to steal her from me?

It was safer to play with her when Jeffrey wasn't around. Bertha seemed safer as an option.

She's also a face that I almost forgot. Maybe because she got married and travelled far away, in my first life.

When Martia finally arrived, I could meet her again. It had been hard to wait, but I've somehow made it.

«Hello, Martia,» I greeted her as soon as they let me see her.

I reached out to her hand, and she gripped my finger by instinct.

«It's been so long,» I whispered.

She was so little, and she probably couldn't see well just like me after birth.

While growing up, I noticed so many things about my sister that I didn't know. Like that she liked strawberries, even if she would become all red after eating them.

She didn't like talking, like the little girl in my memories, but she could communicate so much with her expressions and eyes.

Luckily, she learned how to walk quickly. I had to hold her hand to prevent her from tripping over everything, but she could keep my pace without many problems.

«Let's go see the roses,» I said.

«Oses,» she repeated. It was one of those rare days where she would echo my words. It wasn't clear if she was learning how to talk or just trying to tease me.

However, she was cute, so I couldn't get angry.

Her curls grew longer, and she resembled a bit more the sister from my last life. I couldn't remember why, but she was so sad in every image I had in my brain.

I was settled on protecting her, this time, even though I didn't know from what.

It all happened in a single night. I was fifteen.

All of a sudden, some soldiers barged in and asked the Lord to reach the capital in a hurry. Mother and father departed immediately, and they never came back.

They were arrested the moment they stepped out of Kyre.

Martia cried for the whole night, and I couldn't do anything else but carry her around and promise that I would solve everything.

I had no solution, no power. Only hope.

That night, after collapsing on the sofa in Martia's room, tired from calming her, I had a dream. Or better, I remembered.

What was going to happen became clear all of a sudden. When I opened my eyes, I packed a bag and left for the capital.

It was the first time I ventured out of Stoneyard alone in my second life, but I already knew the road.

I rode at night, didn't have time to stop.

I asked the Emperor to meet me, but he refused. I asked the Ministers' help, but they just shook their heads in distress.

I even bribed the guards to let me see my parents for a minute, and I spent a night in the prisons, in the cold and with empty pockets.

They let me go only after the execution.

It was too late for my parents, but I still had a chance to change Martia's fate.

I didn't have time for funerals. I just rode back to arrive before Countess de Ruis.

I made it just in time.

As soon as I stepped into Stoneyard, I headed to Martia's room. She ran in my arms crying and didn't part from me for hours. Even while sleeping, she would surround my neck with her arms.

When Countess de Ruis approached me intending to alert me and start the flea, I checked if Martia was sleeping before answering.

«Soldiers are waiting for us out of the castle. Send a servant on the way if you don't believe me.»

She closed her mouth and took a step back, observing me.

«We shouldn't waste time,» she replied.

«It will only take a few minutes. If your servant comes back, we'll go.»

When she walked back into the room, fifteen minutes later, she was quite alarmed.

«How did you know?» she asked me.

«I just knew,» I shrugged.

Martia woke up in the movement and looked around, confused. I pecked her forehead and accompanied her head back on my shoulder.

«I will need your help, Countess,» I continued. It was just the beginning. «They'll try every means to take away Stoneyard from me. I can't fight them alone; I'm too weak and inexperienced.»

«I will help you, child. But I need to know, have you heard about the soldiers waiting outside in the capital?»

«Not really. It was rather obvious it would happen, though. Things will become even more difficult. I won't be able to retain my positions alone.»

«I will help you.»

And that's how it started.