Chapter 5 - Meeting the Family

'IT'S MATTHEW!'

She looked intensely at Matthew and tried to calm down, "Oh, brother. Do you need something?"

"… Brother?", Matthew was astonished.

"You never called me "Brother" before, you said something about being civilized and formal---"

Malia quickly interrupted, "I-I just realized that I only have you and I can only depend on you if I ever have problems or if I ever need support." Malia added a quick smile.

Matthew's expression turned into a worried one, "Is this about Cedric? Just forget about him. He's not worth your time. However, if you want, I'm already thinking of ways to get back at him."

"No! ehem I mean, you don't have to do that brother. I no longer care about him. And you're right, he's not worth any second of my time. Just let it go as well. It was my fault in the first place. He never said he liked me, but I forced him into an arranged marriage. I just hoped it would work out, but since it didn't, then I'm also fine with that."

Matthew was impressed and laughed sweetly," Yeah… You were kind of selfish back then Haha"

"Annnnd… I'm gonna be at the academy soon! Eliza told me that the academy is flooded with handsome and chivalric young men. Can't I just replace him with someone else?", she said with a blank face. Eliza didn't mention anything like that but she kind of knew since she had read the novel.

Matthew was not happy with what she had just said. He didn't like the idea of her liking another man. He knew that she would obsess and spend a lot of effort if she liked someone.

"No. You must focus on your studies. It has been years since the Kingdom was free of biases against women. Even for nobility, women can now find jobs or create businesses as they like, and they don't have to deal with just marrying to increase their family's reputation. You can be whoever you want." Matthew said with a stern voice.

"I know, I already have something in mind, but can't I also have a partner while having a career? You know, motivation or something.", Malia teased him. 'This dude has signs of a mini-sister complex. It's cute since it's not over the top.'

"No! You can't" – Matthew.

"HAHAHAHA!", Malia started laughing. Matthew was just so cute and fun to tease.

Matthew cannot believe what he's seeing in front of him. 'Malia laughed! Her laugh sounded so angelic.

'I never heard her laugh like this'; Matthew's eyes were misty.

Malia stopped laughing and looked at her brother with confusion, "What's wrong? Are you alright?". Maya stood up from her seat and patted Matthew's back.

"Can – can you laugh like this every time? Can you stay this way? When I heard you laugh like that, it felt like all these years, I'd never understood you. If you can laugh like that, then why didn't you do it before? If this was your happy self, then were you unhappy all these years?", Matthew said with great sadness in his eyes.

'Haaays, Malia. How could you not cherish your family when your brother is like this? He's like a crying puppy with adorable loving eyes.' Before she could think of anything else, she heard Matthew's thoughts.

'Malia was always indifferent. Perhaps she suffered more ridicule and contempt whenever I'm not around to save her, other noble children would insult her due to her black hair which was associated with our commoner great-grandmother.'

She was appalled. She didn't know that the old Malia suffered a great deal just because of the color of her hair. It never crossed her mind the reasons why Malia was so distant and cold to other people. She could only feel sad that Malia ended her life without knowing happiness and had endured everything on her own. Her impression of Malia drastically changed.

'Malia was strong for enduring everything on her own. However, she should have trusted her family or someone else to lighten the burden she was feeling. There are these people who love her and care for her well-being.'

She doesn't want to lie more but she has to make use of that as an excuse, "Yes, I was unhappy. You know I could never get close to anyone. They judge me because of my commoner-like hair. But now, I wholeheartedly accept every part that makes me who I am. I also don't want to be a burden to you or anyone else on this matter."

"That's not true, I'm always ready to listen. I'll stay with you whenever you need me. You're my only precious sister after all. We may not be that close, but I won't let anyone hurt you again. So, promise me, you won't give anything or sacrifice anything to anyone else," Matthew pleaded.

"Tsk. I would never do that.", Malia scoffed.

"Well, little lady, you did it once for Cedric. He only saved you one time before from a bully and the next thing we know, you are requesting his hand in marriage.", Matthew rolled his eyes and sighed, remembering that.

"Woah, woah... past is past. Let's forget about him. Can't you just be happy that I moved on?", Malia tried to laugh it off; she doesn't actually know any backstory between her and Cedric, but she can just convince people that she moved on and doesn't want to talk about him anymore.

"Haha! Right. I like this new you. Promise to stay this way, okay? AND! Please stop wearing those gloomy dresses you have in your closet; this lighter shade suits you better." :)

"If I ever return to my old self, just smack me in the head! And those gloomy dresses? LET'S BURN THEM!"

They both laughed at her statement.

Matthew can't describe how happy he was. If only their parents had been going along like before, then they would have a perfect and harmonious family.

"Then would this mean that you'll join us for dinner?", Matthew asked.

"Count me in!", Malia smiled beautifully. Malia then remembered something.

"Will father join us for dinner?"

"I'll try my best to convince father. I'll tell him that his favorite daughter will be joining us", Matthew said, then winked at her.

***

They both left at the same time to freshen up before dinner.

Malia was excited and was really looking forward to this dinner. Since she liked her fancy bathroom a lot, she did a quick dip to relax her body and clean the dust collected from the old books that she read.

She changed into a yellow embroidered dress with sleeves and a conservative neckline. She then called Lily to style her hair into a braided bun. She thanked Lily as she liked the style that suited her dress a lot.

Lily was blown away by how beautiful her lady looked with dresses of a lighter shade. She then complimented her lady's choice of dress and her confident aura.

After a few touchups, Lily guided her to the dining hall where the Marquis and Marchioness were waiting. Matthew was just behind her when she reached her seat. A servant helped her to her seat.

"Lia, darling, I'm so glad you're joining us for dinner. How are you sweety?", the Marchioness said in a very kind voice while smiling.

"Never better mother", Malia smiled sweetly at her mother.

The Marchioness, Cordelia Augustus, felt like her heart was bursting with happiness. She loved this smile coming from her lovely daughter, she looked happier than ever.

She was already planning to send an appeal letter to the Ducal family for their one-sided decision about the engagement cancellation but seeing her daughter now, she felt like it was the best turn of fate for Malia.

The marquis was also astonished by this positive aura that his daughter was giving off. He can feel that Malia is still a little aloof, but something has changed that he cannot point out.

"Good. You deserve someone better. Even the prince would be undeserving of you," the Marquis said while drinking his favorite wine.

"Right? I told her the same.", Matthew agreed with his father's statement.

Malia only nodded but her face was red; deep inside she was embarrassed by her father's words. It seemed like her family actually thought highly of her.

The food was served, and Malia was already drooling. This would be her first time eating an expensive steak.

Malia was focused on her food and forgot about her family watching her. Malia ate heartily and would smile at every bite of the steak.

'MMMM…THIS IS SO DELICIOUS!' Malia was already planning to request steak the next day.

Everyone watching her smiled peacefully. The Marquis and Marchioness, still smiling, accidentally made eye contact, then both quickly looked away. Their smiles disappeared and they both stopped eating as well.

Malia and Matthew quickly noticed the awkward silence, then Malia suddenly thought of an idea.

"Father, can I ask you a favor?"

"What would that be, Lia?", the Marquis asked.

"Can you please join us again for every meal starting tomorrow? You know I'll be at the academy for a year. I just want to spend more time with both of you. Please? Daddy please?", Malia pleaded.

Hearing his daughter plead for the first time, the Marquis was overwhelmed with happiness.

He smiled, then he turned his head to the Marchioness, "If your mother is fine with it, then I'll gladly grant your request".

Everyone looked at the Marchioness, who nodded slowly to the question.

Malia smiled brightly and very politely thanked them both, "Thank you, Mom and Dad".

Everyone was again surprised by her smile and the positive air around her; they unconsciously smiled as well.

The rest of the dinner was silent, but the awkwardness was lessened.

After dinner, Malia washed her face and brushed her teeth. She also quickly went to her vanity table to write things she needed to accomplish.

She wrote:

1. Note everything I can remember about the novel. – Important people and events.

2. Test my powers. Check with animals – Check other possible powers as well.

3. Operation: Fix my new family. – Investigate Arlene or anyone else involved.

After closing her diary and hiding it underneath her bed, Malia quickly went to bed and fell asleep.

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--- end of chapter 5 ---