Charles’s death anniversary passed quietly.
In the middle of the night, Orland returned home drunk and collapsed, and the atmosphere inside the mansion sank darker than usual—but, without fail, the sun rose again the next day.
I specially requested the chef to prepare food good for curing a hangover, then headed toward the dining room.
Normally, Orland was too busy to be often at the mansion, and Noxia, being a heavy sleeper, rarely ate breakfast. So I usually ate with Ascan—but today was different.
On the day after Charles’s death anniversary, we always gathered as a family to have breakfast together.
It was not a formal promise, but without needing to say anything, we naturally came together.
Each of us spent the day composing our own grief, then the next day, seeing each other’s faces as a family, we found a little peace of mind.
I arrived at the dining room first. Sitting quietly in my seat waiting, soon Noxia appeared, her eyes swollen.
“Sister, did you sleep well?”
“Of course. And you?”
“I slept well too.”
Looking at Noxia’s face, it was clear she had cried the night before—but we merely exchanged greetings, pretending not to notice anything.
Sometimes, it was right to let sorrow pass quietly without digging too deep—and Charles’s death anniversary was exactly such a day.
Orland, who always arrived precisely on time, appeared in the dining room a little late today.
Unlike his usual impeccable appearance, his slightly haggard face and disheveled clothes seemed to silently convey his grief.
『Daddy—.』
It wasn’t perfect, but faint memories from Tanashia’s childhood occasionally surfaced.
Charles’s face beside Orland was blurry, yet it was certain that there had been moments of pure happiness with our parents.
In my previous life, I was an orphan without parents, so those memories were precious to me too.
It was a different feeling from merely reading about it in a novel. Perhaps, as Tanashia’s memories resurfaced, I was beginning to identify with her more.
What if Charles had lived until now?
Her death in my childhood had been deeply painful for me too.
“You all woke up early.”
At Orland’s words, Noxia forced a bright smile and replied,
“Yes. My eyes just opened early today.”
No one mentioned Charles’s death anniversary. We all felt each other’s sorrow without needing to speak of it.
Pretending nonchalance, Orland spoke in a slightly hoarse voice, unlike his usual tone.
“Let’s eat.”
And so, breakfast passed quietly. Though we exchanged few words, it wasn’t awkward or uncomfortable—it felt warm and comforting.
Midway through the meal, Orland looked at me and spoke.
“Tanashia, I received the food you sent me yesterday. Thank you.”
“I just wanted to make sure you had proper side dishes while drinking.”
I knew exactly how he was holding himself together, how deeply he grieved—but I couldn’t bring myself to tell him not to drink.
All I could do was ensure his body wouldn’t suffer—and even that small gesture felt necessary, or else my heart wouldn’t rest.
Noxia looked startled upon hearing I had prepared side dishes for him, but Orland smiled faintly and replied softly,
“Alright, I will.”
“When I become an adult, let’s drink together, Father.”
Technically, I could drink now, but at age fifteen, it felt too early—so I held back.
Orland’s face briefly registered surprise—he clearly hadn’t expected me to say something like that.
“Together?”
“Yes. Two is better than one, right?”
Quietly listening beside us, Noxia interjected with a worried expression.
“Isn’t alcohol bad for your health? I wish neither Father nor Sister would drink too much…”
“Sometimes, in life, you need it.”
Noxia, still young, didn’t yet understand—sometimes, alcohol was necessary. Surviving a harsh life without it was difficult.
Seeing Noxia’s puzzled expression, I spoke again.
“You’ll understand when you’re a bit older.”
“I… guess so…”
It was just as Noxia and I were talking. Orland, who had been quietly listening beside us, spoke softly.
“If someone overheard, Tanashia, they’d think you’ve already tasted alcohol.”
Ouch.
My heart pricked guiltily, and I fell silent.
In this life, I’d never touched alcohol—but in my past life, I’d already lived long enough to know its taste all too well.
I’d grown too emotional and hadn’t carefully calculated what I was saying.
Cautiously glancing at Orland, unexpectedly, he showed no sign of scolding me—instead, his expression looked slightly relieved.
“Right. I hadn’t thought of it, but it doesn’t sound bad. When you’re an adult, let’s drink together.”
It seemed better for me to join him as company, drinking until we’re both tipsy, rather than letting him drink alone miserably.
Feeling my sentiment had reached him, I smiled faintly at Orland—when suddenly, Noxia, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, raised her hand brightly and declared,
“Then I’ll join too!”
Noxia and I naturally turned to look at her, and she continued cheerfully,
“Three is better than two, right?”
Whatever way we could, even slightly filling the empty space left by Charles as a family—I welcomed any such attempt.
Suddenly, without realizing it, a word surfaced in my mind—and I froze momentarily.
‘Family…’
It was something I’d never had in my entire life.
The meaning carried by that word strangely resonated deep within me.
Since arriving in this other world, my goal had remained unwavering.
Survive without dying.
Originally, my dream was simply to avoid the novel’s predetermined death route and enjoy a long, happy, luxurious noble life…
But today, one more objective was added.
Find the culprit who killed Charles.
Sadly, was an unfinished novel—so even I didn’t know who killed Charles.
This part had been like a mystery novel, and I remembered how comment sections back then were filled with heated debates guessing the culprit.
But everything remained speculation and suspicion—no concrete evidence ever surfaced.
When I first opened my eyes as Tanashia, I felt detached, observing my surroundings from a step away. But now, things were different.
After all, Orland was now my father, and Noxia was my younger sister.
As a member of the Brellof family, I enjoyed wealth and luxury without lifting a finger—it was impossible not to feel a sense of belonging.
Above all, having read the novel, I knew better than anyone how deeply Orland had suffered after losing Charles.
Seeing it firsthand made it even more heartbreaking—but I, too, could never forgive whoever had driven the nail into Orland and Noxia’s hearts.
I resolved to do my absolute best to find the culprit. It felt like the only way I could repay Orland and Noxia.
‘First, I must complete K01.’
There was an order to things.
Finding the culprit wasn’t something I could tackle immediately, but completing K01 was essential to prevent further deviation from the original plot.
Right now, urgently enhancing K01’s power for the academic fair was my priority.
I approached my desk again and picked up K01’s weapon blueprint. Lost in deep contemplation while staring at it, I heard a soft ‘thud’ and looked up—Ascan had arrived again today, carrying herbal tea.
At first, his behavior puzzled me, but after a few days, it had become a familiar scene.
“Drink while you work.”
At his words, I took a sip of the hot tea and voiced the worry consuming my thoughts.
“Ascan, have you seen this?”
“Is this the magical engineering weapon you’re designing, Miss?”
“Yes. What do you think?”
“It looks… a bit unusual. Its small size makes it convenient to use, but its outward appearance makes me worry about its power output.”
People’s thoughts really were alike—I’d heard similar comments from Barnen.
Ultimately, my current deep dilemma was exactly this: how much power could I extract from such a small weapon?
“As you said, it’s too weak as a weapon. How can I possibly enhance its power…? It’s driving me crazy.”
Muttering almost to myself, Ascan studied K01’s blueprint intently.
Ascan was a boy of remarkable potential, but he wasn’t someone who had formally studied or learned magical engineering.
With no real expectations, I’d merely vented my frustration—but Ascan, still gazing quietly at the blueprint, softly asked,
“What elemental attribute is this weapon meant to have?”
“I haven’t fixed any specific attribute. Since it’s a weapon firing magical orbs, I thought the element wouldn’t matter.”
“But if enhancing its power is your concern, wouldn’t fixing a single element be better?”
Come to think of it, he wasn’t wrong.
The academic fair was approaching soon, and I didn’t need to create K01 for every element—just completing one version was enough.
“…You have a point.”
It was a difference in perspective. Barnen and I had aimed too high from the start, wanting a solution applicable to all elements.
But upon reflection, that wasn’t urgent right now. That aspect could wait—time could be taken to consider it slowly.
What mattered immediately was completing one single weapon.
K01, to be presented as a magical engineering weapon at the academic fair.
‘If I fix one element, which should it be?’
My mind raced. Every element had destructive potential depending on usage—but the easiest and strongest was undoubtedly fire.
After all, fire was often called the most powerful weapon God gave to humanity.
I began filling in the previously blank sections of the blueprint, ideas flowing rapidly as I settled on fire as the element.
With fire fixed, many new ideas emerged. As I freely sketched magical formulas, Ascan, quietly watching me draw, asked curiously,
“So you’ve decided on the fire element?”
“You figured it out impressively.”
I hadn’t explained anything, yet he deduced it just by looking at the complex blueprint—remarkable.
I recalled reading that in the laboratory, Ascan had undergone intelligence tests involving various specialized knowledge—likely connected to this.
“Then… can it now produce the power level you desire?”
“Not yet. The goal is to rotate the fire magical orb to amplify its power and trigger a large explosion—but it’s still slightly insufficient.”
Something felt missing.
It seemed just a tiny bit more would complete it, yet it kept slipping through my fingers.
As I sank again into endless contemplation, I heard Ascan’s soft murmur beside me, as if talking to himself.
“What makes fire stronger?”
What makes fire stronger?
Hearing that, a flash of lightning struck my mind.
‘Wind!’
Flames grew stronger with wind.
Originally, I’d placed only one magic stone near the gun’s safety mechanism—but if I placed two magic stones, fire and wind attributes, firing them together…!
The power would inevitably become even stronger.
Its performance wouldn’t feel like firing bullets, but rather shooting flames—yet combined with wind-induced rotation, the explosive force would be tremendous.
I leapt up from my seat.
Finally, I’d found the answer to what had tormented my mind for so long.
Overwhelmed with joy, I couldn’t contain myself—I grabbed Ascan’s shoulders before me and cheered loudly.
“Thank you, Ascan! You’re a genius!”
His body instantly stiffened—but in my excitement, I barely noticed.
Too overjoyed to know what to do, I held him close—and Ascan, quietly nestled against me, softly asked,
“So… you’ve found the solution?”
His voice sounded slightly more restrained than before.
“Yes. I think it’ll produce the power I want. I can finally complete it.”
“That’s good. I’m glad I could be of some help.”
“I got the idea from your words—ah!”
Suddenly, I realized I’d unilaterally hugged Ascan.
Snapping back to my senses, I released my arms from around him.
Simultaneously, guilt washed over me for impulsively hugging him—and curiosity arose: why had he obediently let me hold him?
The Ascan I knew would have immediately pushed me away…
Puzzled, I looked up at him—and found him gazing down at me with eyes crinkled in a gentle smile.
Ascan was, by anyone’s standard, a stunningly handsome boy. Seeing him look at me with such tender eyes, I was momentarily speechless.
“Does this mean you’ll visit that ‘master’ person less often now?”
“Huh? Ah, right.”
“That’s good. No matter how much a master, it’s not proper for a man and woman to spend so much time alone together.”
Actually, by that logic, I spent more time with Ascan than with Barnen.
It felt slightly inconsistent—but I could also interpret it as him worrying about me.
Still…
“You shouldn’t hug just anyone, even when you’re this happy, Miss.”
“Right, sorry.”
“I mean… anyone other than me.”
Was that… meant to sound meaningful?
…Probably just my imagination.
Cold Male Lead Became My Clingy Husband (Female-Dominant)
Feng Bai Su transmigrated into a matriarchal novel, becoming the sister of the female protagonist and the Seventh Princess of the Feng Ling Kingdom.
After working herself to death in her previous life, finally reincarnating as a princess, she only wanted to be a lazy fish who could eat, sleep, and play.
Until she met the male protagonist from the book, Wei Jing Mo, and he took a liking to her!
Wei Jing Mo is the top young man in Feng Ling City, talented in both appearance and ability, from a prestigious family, with a cold and otherworldly appearance, a figure like the bright moon in the hearts of noble ladies. It was thought that only the most powerful and talented noble lady in Feng Ling City would be worthy of such a brilliant young man. Who knew that this young gentleman would secretly admire the infamous Seventh Princess?
Short scene 1:
Feng Bai Su looked at the young man crying like a pear blossom in the rain before her, and couldn’t help but doubt her life.
Wasn’t the male lead described as a cold and otherworldly figure in the book?
Then who was this poor little thing crying with swollen red eyes and tear-stained face?
Short scene 2:
Wei Jing Mo stared intently at Feng Bai Su who was about to go out, wanting to say, “Be careful on the road.”
Before he could speak, Feng Bai Su suddenly bent down and bit his cheek.
Her peach blossom eyes were full of disdain: “Tsk! You’re so clingy!”
Wei Jing Mo: “…”
A talented fox spirit female lead with a flirtatious appearance but actually abstinent VS A cold-looking but actually naive and clingy little jealous male lead
