Unlike all those tragic heroine tales in the novels popular around the kingdom, my story... wasn't nearly as dramatic.
My mother married a widower whose first wife had passed away, leaving behind two sons—Simon Lambton, the eldest, and Carlos Lambton, the second.
Simon had striking features with a sharp presence, clearly taking after the previous Viscountess. His red hair and emerald-green eyes were her mirror image. At the time, Simon was eight years old. Carlos, the second son, was five—charming and kind like the Viscount himself, with dark blue hair and silver eyes.
My mother, Cassey Lambton, cherished both of her stepsons deeply, and my father, Edward Lambton, adored my mother with all his heart.
His first marriage had been a political arrangement—no love involved. But with my mother, it was a love match. If cheesy romance novels needed a poster couple, they'd be the ones.
Since their biological mother had never shown them affection, both my older brothers were incredibly attached to my mother.
They even considered her their real mother and once vowed to become her knights—because, as they put it, they loved her more than anyone in the world.
"Mother, when I grow up, I'll become a knight and protect you with all my strength!" Simon declared proudly.
"Carl too! Carl too! I'll be your personal guard when I grow up!" Carlos chimed in excitedly.
"Oh dear, really? I'm honored to have two brave knights like you. I can't wait."
My mother laughed softly and embraced them. They both grinned ear to ear, and my father, watching them, smiled warmly as well.
It was the very picture of an ideal family.
If life were a fictional tale, then without a doubt, my mother would've been the female lead.
Two years after she married my father, I was born—and they named me Odilia Lambton. With silver hair and morganite-colored eyes, I was the spitting image of my mother.
On the day I was born, everyone in my family was overjoyed. Their happiness only grew when they saw that I looked exactly like the woman they loved—my mother.
When I turned one, my brothers would often come play with me in my room. Once I could walk, they took me on picnics, strolled with me through the gardens, and by the time I turned five, they were even teaching me swordplay. It was a life completely different from how things were now.
By the time I was eight, my brothers had begun their duties as knights of the royal palace. My eldest brother had been the first to enter the palace as the personal guard of the First Prince.
I wasn't too lonely, since my second brother, Carlos, was still at home with me.
But a few years later, when Carlos turned fifteen, he too was called to the palace—as an assistant knight to the Third Prince.
The day I begged my mother to take me to the palace so I could see my father and brothers... that was when everything went south.
On our way there, my mother and I got into a carriage accident.
She held me tightly in her arms, trying to protect me as the carriage overturned. In the end... she couldn't be saved.
She died on the spot.
After the funeral, our family began to fall apart.
For about a month, my father and brothers still held me close, still smiled at me... though not quite as warmly. Their eyes were heavy, like they hadn't slept. Their faces looked pale.
And then, suddenly, they stopped visiting me altogether.
Little by little, the distance between us grew.
Whenever I saw them, I'd try to talk or play with them. But every time, they would avoid me with the same excuse: "I'm busy. Maybe next time."
Over and over, I was rejected—so many times I lost count. And on my ninth birthday... no one remembered it, except for my personal maid, Katelyn, and my nanny, Sophia.
"Kate, Sophia... do Father and my brothers hate me now? Why do they keep avoiding me? They never come see me anymore... hic, hic"
I sobbed uncontrollably as the three of us celebrated my birthday with a small, quiet party.
"My lady, your father and brothers are very busy with matters at the palace. Do you remember what I told you before?" Sophia replied gently.
"About the war possibly breaking out? But even if they're busy, can't they talk to me for just a little while? Why do they act like I don't exist anymore...? Waaah, I miss Mother. Mooom!"
Seeing me cry like that, both of them hugged me and cried with me. I cried the whole day and eventually fell asleep.
The next morning, my eyes were swollen and red, looking like fish mouths.
Even after waking, I still felt the ache in my chest. A few tears slipped out, and after wiping them away and sniffling my runny nose...
That was the moment I decided.
I'd stop expecting anything from my family—and stop loving them altogether.
'If they're going to ignore me... then I'll ignore them too. They're not the only ones who can walk away. Hmph!'
Though... deep down, I still hoped—just a little—that things might go back to the way they were. And then, suddenly—
"Ugh."
A sharp pain stabbed through my chest. I didn't know what was happening, but it hurt so much that I couldn't even speak.
"S... phi... kegh... Ka... lyn... urgh!"
And just like that, I passed out.
Hours later, I woke up again. It was already midday. I hadn't seen Sophia or Katelyn yet—normally, they'd have woken me up by now.
"What was that earlier...? The pain's gone now... maybe I was just tired?"
'Hmm... but I did sleep plenty. Tired from what, exactly...?'
As I was deep in thought, I flinched.
A butterfly had landed on the back of my index finger.
"Wow, you're so pretty. Your red color looks like my favorite cherries. Hello!"
— "Hello."
"Huh? Who said that?"
I looked around the room, but there was no one else there.
"Hmm... did I imagine that? Haha, maybe I really am tired—"
— "No, you definitely heard something. That was my voice."
My jaw dropped at the sound of the voice again.
"Eek? That voice came from... this butterfly? How is that even—"
— "Correct. My name is Fay. Hello, Master."
"Master...? Do you mean... me?"
— "Mhm. After centuries of slumber, a new master has finally awakened."
"Wait, what? Hold on—I don't understand—"
— "Oh! By the way, how old are you, Master?" Fay cut me off before I could finish.
Instinctively, I answered,
"Nine."
— "Wow, you might be our youngest master ever. All our previous masters were at least fifteen."
— "Hey, Fay, isn't this dangerous?" A second butterfly—purple this time—joined in, though I had no idea where it came from.
— "What? Isn't this great? It just means our new master is incredibly strong."
— "That's not the point. She's so young—it'll be easier for adults to manipulate her. Oh, pardon me, Master. I'm Joey, one of your butterfly spirits."
"Ah, um..."
I didn't know what to say. Even though all my noble education and books had made me grow up fast... I was still a child.
When I was shocked or sad, I couldn't help but show it.
— "Let me put it simply so you'll understand. The Lambton family has, for generations, passed down the power of butterfly spirits. But for centuries, no heir has successfully inherited it. That's because there are conditions—certain requirements—to form a complete contract with us butterfly spirits."
"Oh, really?"
I was intrigued. I leaned forward and asked,
"What are the requirements?"
— "We can't tell you just yet, Master. Once you come of age, we'll explain everything about spirits and your role as a contractor. But for now, we'd like to ask something of you," Joey said seriously.
I gulped. "Ask what?"
— "Can you promise to keep the fact that you've awakened your spiritual power a secret?"
"You mean I can't tell anyone about you?"
— "That's right."
"Not even Sophia or Katelyn?"
— "Not even them."
"Why?"
I tilted my head in confusion.
— "Sigh, our master is so innocent."
— "Don't tease her. Of course she's innocent—she's only nine!" Fay shot back in my defense.
"T-then again, I am pretty mature! I even understand grown-up books and lessons!"
— "Perfect. Then if you're that mature, surely you can keep a secret, right?" Joey teased.
"O-of course! You can count on me!"
I puffed out my chest confidently. They both giggled softly at my declaration.
— "She's adorable—Ahem. I mean, good. The reason is... adults may try to use you. They could force you to restore the family's glory, or wealth... or worse."
Gasp.
I froze at Joey's words.
After a moment, I nodded.
"Alright. I understand. I'll keep our secret."
— "Excellent! Then, now—"
Knock knock.
Before Joey could finish, a knock came at the door.
"My lady, pardon the interruption. It's Anne—may I come in? There's something I need to inform you."
I whispered to Joey and Fay, "Hey... can you come back later?"
— "Of course. We'll continue this conversation next time," Joey said.
— "See you soon, Master," Fay added before they both vanished into thin air.
"Come in," I replied.
The door creaked open, and then—thud—closed again.
"There's something I must report immediately," Anne said urgently, her voice tinged with anxiety.