"Miss Amelia… Miss Clara… are you awake?"
A familiar voice called from outside the door.
It was Lana.
"Miss Amelia, the Duke and Duchess are calling you to the dining hall for breakfast."
My name is Amelia Burnett.My sister is Clara Burnett.
So the one she was calling… was me.
Lana has been with us since we were little—since I was six and Clara was four. She is more like family than a maid.
After a moment, the door opened, and Lana stepped inside.
"Miss Amelia, please get ready. The Duke and Duchess are waiting."
"Just a minute," I replied. "We'll freshen up."
I stood before the mirror, wearing a blue frock.
No matter how many times I look at myself… I always feel like I'm really beautiful.
I have blonde hair and green eyes.
But my sister…
She is even more beautiful than I am.
Clara has red hair and blue eyes—just like Father. If I am considered cute, then she is the type people would call breathtaking. Like the elegant villains in novels—tall, graceful, and striking.
After admiring ourselves, we got dressed.
We both wore blue dresses, but of different styles.
I wore a long-sleeved gown with delicate patterns and a small ribbon tied at my neck.
Clara wore a blue dress decorated with a purple band and tiny flowers.
Once we were ready, Lana guided us to the dining hall.
After a short walk, we reached the door.
When we entered, we saw Father and Mother already seated.
Father had red hair and sharp green eyes. He looked strict, yet undeniably handsome.
Mother had beautiful blonde hair and gentle blue eyes. She was once known as the queen of high society. Many admired her, yet no one knows why she chose Father.
Still… their love story is famous.
Despite everything, they truly love each other.
We sat down and began eating.
I quietly observed them.
They looked… tired.
Even so, they maintained perfect elegance while eating.
Beside me, Clara was picking at her food, pushing vegetables aside.
I signaled her not to do that.
Reluctantly, she pouted—adorably—and began eating them.
She's obedient. Cute.
No matter how many times I see her… I always feel like I love her deeply.
After a brief silence, Father finally spoke.
"The Duke has made a request."
His voice was calm, but heavy.
"He wants a fiancée for his son."
My heart sank.
"I have decided… to send Clara."
Clara froze.
She looked up, confused.
"What do you mean… fiancée?"
Father sighed.
"You will be engaged to the young Duke, Leonard Christopher. He is eleven years old."
He paused before continuing.
"The Duke wants his son's fiancée to live with their family. After one month of etiquette training, you will be sent there."
Clara didn't understand at first.
But then—
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Mother… Father… do you not love me?" she cried."Why are you sending me away?"
Mother immediately broke down.
"How can we do this to her she's still only 10" she sobbed."How can we send her there? You know the situation!"
She turned to Father desperately.
"The Duke's household is dangerous. His stepmother doesn't care for him, and the Duke himself is distant. Please… don't send her."
Father closed his eyes briefly.
"I know," he said.
"But refusing him will bring suspicion upon us. We cannot afford that."
His voice softened.
"We will write to her regularly. She will not be alone. I will also speak to the young Duke and ask him to take care of her."
The room fell into silence.
Tension. Fear. Helplessness.
And then—
I realized.
It has begun.
I had seen this before.The same words. The same fear.
In my second life…
When I realized what would happen to my sister in the future—
I did what any transmigrator would do.
I stepped forward.
"No!"
Everyone turned to look at me.
"Clara can't go. She's only ten. I'm twelve—I'm older. I can handle it."
Tears welled up in my eyes as I forced my voice to tremble.
"Please… send me instead."
At first, they refused.
But I didn't stop.
I cried relentlessly.
Until finally…
Father gave in.
That decision…
Was neither entirely good nor entirely bad.
Back then, it felt like a small victory.
The beginning wasn't easy… not at all.
But later—
It became something else entirely.
Some of the best moments of my life until the novel plot started.
...
I blinked.
The dining hall came back into focus.
Clara was still beside me.
Still here.
Still safe.
In two years…
I must enter the academy.
The Magic Academy.
A war is coming.
And I need to become strong.
Strong enough to protect my family—
No matter what happens.
And if possible…
I'll even try to protect that big idiot—
Leonard.
This time… I won't watch it happen again.