Aristia's 11th birthday is nearing and a certain teenager is currently feeling a bit distressed as he's making a decision that will determine his fate. The young man heaves a sigh as he continues to ponder his choices, unconsciously biting his lower lip as his nose scrunches a little. His raises his hand towards a particular object before bringing it down again. This action repeats for a few times before the silence was broken.

"An, you shouldn't stare at the scabbards like they did a crime against you or your family"

Standing beside the man with hair as white as snow is another person with crimson hair and eyes. The young sir who we we can identify as An or Anastacius, blankly stares at his best friend while defending himself.

"I'm not looking at them like that, and as if I would let them murder my family without them experiencing something worse than hell"

The man with crimson hair sweats from Anastacius' remark as he let's out a exasperated sigh, placing his arm on Anastacius' shoulder. Knowing that the albino man will pay no attention to his words since he is clearly focused on picking out an item.

"But still you should stop that, you're scaring others and you might get kicked out of the establishment"

Now wearing a dumbfounded expression, Anastacius grumbled as he tries to hide that fact that he's getting depressed. Finally making a choice at that same moment, he chose a scabbard that had the same shade as their family crest.

"It's not my fault, my face is just naturally like this and it's Aristia's birthday tomorrow so I should take this task seriously as her brother"

'You fool, you're making a big deal out of choosing from these scabbards! The manager looks like they're going to kick us out already' The crimson haired male mentally cried out

(;´༎ຶٹ༎ຶ')

'Maybe I should pick the other one instead..' The albino haired male was about to put the scabbard in his hand back to where he took it before it was pushed away by his friend. Urging him to start walking.

'Hey! We already stood here for half an hour to pick a single scabbard! I'm not going to spend the rest of the afternoon like this!!' The crimson haired man stared at the Albino to relay his message making him breathe a sigh of relief when the Albino didn't fight back.

The crimson haired man: ヽ( 'д´*)ノ

Anastacius: (ーー;)

The two men started walking to the counter as they bring their chosen products, the shorter one of the two, Anastacius, is currently releasing a depressed aura that makes his friend with crimson hair laugh from this predicament.

"I'm not the only one who does this before my younger sibling's birthday, Kaysian"

Anastacius muttered, before receiving a nudge on his shoulder. He stared at Kaysian with an air of smugness as the both of them laugh together, as they finished paying for their items, the two friends decided to venture around the circle some more.

"How's young Carsein doing these days? I haven't seen him for these years"

Anastacius questioned his Kaysian while the former stuffs his face with some food they bought on their adventure. The older of the two swallowed his snack, as his mother is Duchess Ernia who is known to be one of the strictest when it comes to manners, before replying.

"Oh that energetic brother of mine? He's doing very well and actually he is really talented with handling a sword, as his brother I am very proud of that pip squeak!"

Kaysian chirped as he starts to narrate everything his little brother did from when Anastacius was sent to another kingdom. Anastacius was starting to regret starting the conversation about Carsein as he listens to his friend boast about his little sibling. But on the other hand he was also pleased to know what his favorite gremlin was doing and from the information he is getting, he did not change at all.

'I should meet with the Rass family soon as I can, I miss Carsein's energy'

He chuckled at his thought before drifting back to focus on their conversation.

The two continued chatting with the older one doing most of the talking while the other one listens as they venture around the commoners' square. As the two noticed that the sun is going down they finished their talk and bid their goodbyes before splitting up.

"See you tomorrow, An and be careful on your way back"

"Farewell Kays and good night, greet the others for me"

"WHAT YOU MET UP WITH ANASTACIUS WITHOUT ME!?!?" (ﾒ' ﾛ ´)

"Well it wasn't planned-" (╥_╥)

"Did you tell him to visit us, my dear son?" (≧▽≦)

"Uhm no, I didn't think of that-" (*꒦ິ꒳꒦ີ)

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As soon as Anastacius arrived home, he quickly navigated his way to his room and took off his coat. He called for a butler to prepare a bath for him so that he can eat dinner with his family feeling refreshed. Sinking into the tub, he feels his muscles relax as he studies the ceiling.

"So tomorrow, Ari will bump into his highness while looking for father' office..."

He massages his temple as he can already feel the stress he will encounter the next day, Anastacius clicks his tongue before getting out and wrapping himself with a towel. He formulates a plan that will be able to somewhat change the flow of the story, but it will happen in the new year. First things first, he has to finish his present first for Ari's birthday and then find some subordinates that will aid him in his plan to overrule the Gods.

"Let's find some diamonds among the rough"

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"Congratulations on your 11th birthday"

A doll with yellow hair and an elegant dress, sits on the cushions in front of me.

"... What?"

I was surprised to see papa waiting for me in the lounge and I did not expect to see a doll here.

"Isn't tomorrow your birthday? It's your present"

Birthday? Well it is my birthday but... I've lived to be 17 years old and now I have to play with a doll-

No even in my past life, I've never really played with a doll so I'm not quite certain on how to respond.

'What should I do with this?'

I wondered while I hold the doll in my hands, studying is features.

"Looks like you don't like it"

"!!"

I was cut off on my thoughts when I realized that papa was speaking to me..

"The knights said that girls your age would like dolls... Hm I guess I got it wrong again"

Ah don't think like that Papa, I was just surprised that's all!

"No, Papa I really like it! This is amazing, I'm so happy! Thank you, Papa!!"

Papa pats my head while I sweat inside my mind, oh well

"I see, that's great"

"Tia, would you like to go outside with me?"

"Yes, please"

Some alone time with Papa is a great way to spend my day!

~~~~~~~~~~~

I can feel people staring at me from behind... I seemed to have mistaken what Papa meant as "take a walk"

So he had to go to the palace, Papa you took me to work not for a walk.

I suddenly noticed that I was still holding the doll in my arms. Oh no I should've left this at home! Everyone must be staring at me because I'm holding something so childish...

'Oh well... Papa looks so happy'

(Anastacius: Father, why does it look like Ari is the one parenting here!?

(-_-;)・・・ )

"Commander! There you are!"

A redhead wearing the uniform of our unit's squadron suddenly came running towards us slightly out of breath.

"We are in need of your presence!"

He is the eldest son from house Rass.

"What's wrong?" Father asked as he stopped walking along with me beside him.

"There was an accident during training, but it's gotten complicated. I've done what I can so far, but there is only so much I can do with my title" Sir Kaysian explained the situation while holding a box, that is decorated in a way that I'm familiar with, in his hands.

"I see, I'll be right there" Papa answered him as he seems a bit troubled on what to do.

Sir Kaysian looks towards me before making his way a little bit closer.

"Ah Lady Monique! Greetings, I am Kaysian De Rass and I'm a good friend of sir Anastacius."

So sir Kaysian knows elder brother? But why is he telling me that though?

"An- I mean Sir Anastacius wanted to give you this when you woke up but I'm afraid he was suddenly called by the emperor so he wasn't able to meet with you"

He extended the box in front of me, with a smile. I carefully took the box into my own arms before thanking him.

"Tia, go ahead and wait inside. Do you know the way to my office?"

"Yes, take care"

He's busy as soon as he arrives here, yet he still prepared a present for me. Huh wait he gave me a small sword around this time, last year too. So did brother with that snow globe...

!! Was that also my birthday present? In the empire it's normal to not celebrate birthdays before becoming an adult. Yet Papa and brother ignored that custom twice, now.

I'll treat it more carefully, Papa prepared it just for me.

I'll keep it with me at all times, Lina would know what I could do with this. I'll ask her as soon as I get back. Hm father's office is over here-

"Ah! I-I'm sorry!"

The next thing I know, I suddenly collided into something hard. I apologized as I opened my eyes to see who I bumped into

'Prince Ruveliss! Him again, of all people!?'

"You are before the Royal Prince, pay your respects" The prince's aid informed me before I realized about common greetings to royalty.

"Forgive me"

I grasped part of my dress, bringing it up as I curtsied.

"Greetings to the future sun of the-"

The box is slipping out of my arms!

"Ah! Oh no!"

Haren:(°ロ°) !

Ruveliss: (→_→)

Aristia: (º □ º l|l)/

W-what did I just do!?

"P-please forgive me..."

He won't forgive me, he must be mad... Suddenly the door of father's office opened to reveal... Brother!

"Ah please forgive this low one's interruption, greetings to the future sun of the Castina empire! May thousands of glory befall upon you"

Elder brother stood in front of me, as he was doing his greetings. Is he shielding me from his highness?

'Brother, you...'

"Where is Marques Keirean? Is he inside?" His highness switched his attention on brother as he asked that question

"It seems that there was an accident during training so he went to ease the commotion" Brother answered nonchalantly, while taking my hand. He squeezed it a little as he tells me through that action to be at ease since I'm not alone.

"Then I'll wait for him since I'm already here"

Brother led us inside as he motioned his highness to sit, before attending to me. We all sat down in awkward silence as we wait for Papa to arrive.

"Would you care for some cookies, your highness?"

Brother tried to ease the tension as he offered some biscuits that I didn't notice because of myself being tense with his highness inside the room.

"You... Still like those kinds of doll , I see"

He ignored brother! But what did he mean by "still"?

"Pardon? What do you mean-"

The door was swung open to show papa and Duke Verita.

"Your highness, you're here"

"Greetings, your highness"

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After that meeting inside the palace, I already knew how Ari would react to his highness triggering get trauma. But Allendis would be there to comfort her... Somewhat- Anyways my priority now is to find a way to stop a certain object from inciting negative rumors.

'In this body, can I really pull that off?'

I need more people until I'm able to turn this body into the figure I used to have.

"Now let's find a way to stop that damn Chandelier from ruining up the play"

Greetings my queens and kings!! It is I, author-nim! (ﾉ´ヮ')ﾉ*: ･ﾟ

So we will redo the male lead picking if that's all right with you

So here are our candidates!

Carsein de Rass

Allendis Verita

Ruvellis Shana Castina

Harem

And this is our mc's place in bed

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