Chapter 44: Twin Banners (II)
His inherited memories returned in fragments, but one face appeared with unsettling frequency. His fiancée. The original Malrik had devoted years to winning her affection, while she barely seemed to acknowledge his existence.
She was the second daughter of House Goldmere. A Duchy family, though nowhere near as powerful as the four great Duchies that anchored the Valorian Empire. Their strength had never come from military might or ancient bloodlines. It came from gold — mines of it, wealth stacked deep enough that House Goldmere sat among the richest families on the continent, controlling much of the Empire’s trade almost by default.
Duke Vaelzareth Vesperion hadn’t approved of the match, not initially. House Goldmere’s actual target had been Alex — the First Banner Bearer, the legitimate heir. But Alex had shown no interest whatsoever, and when the Goldmere patriarch pivoted his ambitions toward the youngest son instead, something no one had expected happened.
Malrik said yes.
The truth, buried under all of it, was simple enough. He’d genuinely loved her. It wasn’t a secret to anyone in the household that she’d never loved him back — her attention had always belonged to Alex, before and after the engagement both. Whether the original Malrik had known that and pretended not to, or simply never allowed himself to see it clearly, no one could say for certain.
A fiancée.
The present version of Malrik stood in front of the Twin Banners now, outwardly composed, inwardly a churning mess of half-formed panic.
I have a fiancée. How did I not know this.
I was prepared for a lot of things walking into this life. This was not one of them.
This is not part of the plan.
Daria cut through his spiraling thoughts before they could go any further.
"Don’t worry, little brother." Her grin hadn’t dimmed an inch. "I won’t tell that little wretch what you get up to behind her back." A beat. "I don’t even like her, honestly."
Malrik’s voice came out slightly unsteady.
"You’ve got it wrong — this is just my new attendant."
Darian was the one who spoke next, eyeing Lili with open, unhurried appreciation.
"Brother, she’s far too beautiful to just be an attendant. Prettier than half the noblewomen I’ve had the misfortune of dancing with."
Lili, listening quietly through all of it, radiated a quiet, satisfied pride she made no attempt to hide.
Malrik caught the look on her face and couldn’t resist.
"...Be careful with beauty like that. There might be a clever little demon hiding behind it."
Lilith’s expression flickered with genuine offense for exactly one second before she caught herself.
Daria, meanwhile, had already found her next target.
"Look who’s talking about hidden beauty." She arched an eyebrow at him. "Didn’t you practically drool the moment you laid eyes on the second Goldmere daughter?"
Malrik tensed, no ready answer available.
Darian stepped in, apparently deciding this had gone on long enough.
"Don’t be cruel to our weak little mage brother, Daria." He turned back to Malrik with an easy, dangerous smile. "If that whore — ah, I mean, that girl — ever gives you trouble, just say the word."
"I’ll cut her throat myself," he continued, entirely conversational, "and then we’ll erase House Goldmere from existence altogether."
Malrik stared at him, genuinely startled by how casually the threat had been delivered.
This entire family is unhinged.
Darian stepped closer, dropping the previous topic as if it had never existed.
"If there’s anything you need before the Banner Bearer Trial, just let us know."
Darian smiled faintly.
"It’s a brutal trial."
"Unfortunately, we’re forbidden from discussing its contents," Daria said with a helpless shrug. "Otherwise, we’d tell you everything."
Darian nodded.
"The Elders are extremely strict about it."
In House Vesperion, younger siblings are forbidden from learning anything about the Banner Bearer Trial until it’s their turn.
Daria’s grin returned almost instantly.
"But don’t worry. We’ll be cheering for you from the observation room."
She looked at Darian.
"Don’t forget the popcorn... and the snacks."
Darian answered with complete seriousness.
"Naturally. We should support our little brother properly."
He turned back to Malrik.
"I’m sure you’ll do well."
Daria clasped her hands together, looking oddly excited.
"I finally get to watch your trial."
Malrik stared at the twins.
According to the original owner’s memories, the Banner Bearer Trial pushed every participant to the brink of death. Some failed. Others barely survived.
And these two...
These two were planning to watch the entire thing from the observation room with popcorn and drinks, as if they were attending a play.
...This family is completely insane.
"Anyway — I hope you liked our gift. Don’t hesitate, alright? Whatever you need, just tell your big brother."
Daria cut back in immediately. "I’m your older sister too, you know."
"I’m older by one full minute," Darian said.
"A minute doesn’t count."
The two of them were bickering within seconds, apparently forgetting Malrik existed entirely.
He stood in the middle of it, unsure what exactly he was supposed to say, and found — somewhere underneath the confusion — that he genuinely didn’t mind. Whatever this was, this ridiculous sibling chaos unfolding around him, it was the closest thing to family warmth he’d felt since arriving in this body.
Almost feels real.
Eventually he excused himself, leaving the twins mid-argument, and led Eliza and Lili the rest of the way to his room. He asked Eliza to arrange dinner. The moment she stepped out, Lilith turned to him with open curiosity.
"Your background turned out to be rather impressive." A small, teasing smile. "I didn’t realize your family was quite this wealthy."
"So." She tilted her head. "You have a fiancée."
"I wonder who’s more beautiful between us. She must be stunning, to have caught your heart so completely."
Something in her eyes flared as she said the last part — not quite anger, not quite curiosity, something in between that Malrik decided he didn’t have the energy to examine too closely.
Eliza returned with dinner before he had to.
"...Eliza." He looked up as she set the tray down. "Do you know anything about my fiancée?"
She blinked, slightly caught off guard by the question. "What kind of information would you like, Young Master?"
"Everything you know."
"Her name is Lady Selene Goldmere. Same age as you." Eliza’s tone settled into its usual efficient rhythm.
"Known throughout the Empire for her beauty and her intellect. She’s spent most of her life competing quietly with her older sister, Lady Rosaline Goldmere, over which of them will eventually inherit the Duchy."
"She Awakened twenty days before you did, into the Battle Mage profession."
"You knew her when you were younger, Young Master. You were fond of her, though most people believed her attention had always belonged to Alex." A brief pause. "When Duke Goldmere proposed the engagement, Alex showed no interest. You accepted instead."
"She hasn’t returned to the Duchy since. You’ll most likely see her at the Royal Academy in the capital, once you enroll there with the new year, after everyone finishes their Awakening."
Malrik absorbed the flood of information slowly, trying to sort it into some kind of order.
His attention snagged on something entirely unrelated.
His thoughts came to an abrupt halt when he looked at the table. Every dish that had been served was gone. Lilith sat there quietly, as though consuming enough food for an entire family was the most natural thing in the world.
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Author’s Note
Dear readers,
I read every one of your comments, suggestions, and words of support. They truly motivate me to keep improving this novel.
This is my very first novel, so please forgive any mistakes you may come across. I’m doing my best to improve my writing with every Chapter and make the story more enjoyable for all of you.
Please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts or point out anything you think could be better. Your feedback means a lot to me.
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Thank you all for reading❤️
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