Brothers

Felix moved into the Vosrodar estate on the day her mother was buried.

There was a carefully trimmed, beautiful garden, an old-fashioned and luxurious castle, respectful and courteous servants, and in the pond lay a ferocious yet handsome giant dragon. It was only much later that Felix learned it was a mutant-evolved Fish-Slaying Dragon. She timidly stepped into the main hall and saw the three people who were, in name, her family.

Duke Voslotda, whose features seemed covered by a black shadow and could never be seen clearly, stood like a stone stele, like a sword tomb; Lady Beverly was cold-faced, gorgeous yet unable to hide her meanness; and then there was her elder brother, Dimi.

Only much later did Felix hear about Duke Voslotda's carefree, dissolute youth, and learn that Beverly had once been a lovely young girl whose beauty had outshone all of Gala City and who had been passionate about public welfare. But to protect the family, a wayward young man would become a rigid, Apathy-cold patriarch; to protect her son, an adorable young girl would become a mean and cruel mother.

From the very beginning, she knew her greatest enemy was Dimi. She was courteous without losing her childish innocence, trying to please everyone she met, especially her father. But Duke Voslotda spent most of every year away on work and research, and when she finally caught a bit of free time after her father returned, she discovered she simply could not insert herself.

"A descendant of Vosrodar taking first place is only natural."

"Champion? Not bad."

"You want me to guide your sword art? I'll consider it when I have time."

Every time, every time, her father was checking Dimi's results. Whenever Felix took the initiative to approach, that mass of black shadow seemed not