#moonlitwips

After his wife, Guizhong, had passed on to an illness that swept the Kingdom, the Duke has visibly dimmed—and so did his son, Xiao. The same illness took the death of his other friend, whose children he took in his own care.

Watching all these from the background—the rancor of the step-brothers, the tragedy and the misfortune—is [Surname] [Name]. A parlour maid indebted to the Duke after she and her mother were taken off the streets. She's been working ever since she's able, and is one of the, if not the most loyal, servants to the Duke. Therefore, she is naturally cognizant of the happenings in the house, from Her Grace Guizhong, to the arrival of the twin brothers Scaramouche and Kazuha.

Things have gotten rougher ever since the twins arrived and the Duke had to care for them as well, diverting attention from his own kin to others. It was the root of Xiao's enmity to his stepsiblings, something that the latter pair returned tenfold. Duke Zhongli is well aware of the competition brewing between the three and has confided in [Name] about his desire to see them being friendly with one another.

How can she refuse?

Getting the three to work around their hate and differences took her seven years to accomplish, just in time for the brothers' coming of age ceremony (22). Her relationship with the three has blossomed into a lovely friendship over time, and is their closest confidante to a fault. Despite their amicable change with one another, however, she did not have the power to change their ruthless behaviors outside the Estate.

Xiao is to inherit dukedom by his coming of age, and though he isn't insufficient of the required skills and wisdom—he lacked the empathy that Duke Zhongli had. The aristocrats, though loving of Zhongli, can't say the same for the first son—it was preferable for the father to not step down from the position. And the only way to achieve that is by assassinating the successor. [Name] is included in the small retinue when the ceremony begins and threw in her own life to keep the first son alive, paying off her debt and reasoning that the Duke can't afford to lose anymore of his family.

She was sad—but she lived a good life.

So why does she awaken to a completely different place and time, staring at the same faces of her Masters... !?

"This is not my time."

And to make it worse? The three brothers in this time are far from being friends. Back to square zero, it seems.

Is there a way to go back... ?

Xiao

The First Son ⊱⊰ The Future Duke ⊱⊰ The Successor

"You wouldn't be here if it weren't for father, so know your limit."

Xiao was the most difficult person to befriend. Not with your position as a maid and he, the son of a Duke. You suppose your long stay, knowledge, and loyalty over the family is what won him over enough to humor you. You're both of the same age, as well, so the Duke sometimes told you to accompany his son back when you were still children. He was silent most of the times -and angry?- but he did acknowledge you there. At least, until Duchess Guizhong passed and he had gotten even more distant than before. When Scaramouche arrived, he would wreak havoc in the Manor, cause violence and abuse the servants with his power. In times when Xiao was not busy, he would step in and pull you into his own office, a place where his brother wouldn't dare enter. He had rescued you from many of his brother's violent musings but kept to himself most of the time, still. So, getting him to ease up to you was overwhelmingly hard. Still, of course, it was worth it in the end. Those seven years were lovely. It's not that you thought that he was incapable of being gentle, but it still came as a shock. His gruffness was a defense mechanism to keep people out, only letting those dear to him break them down. Xiao was kind to the servants and learned to be amiable with his brothers, but outside the Manor, he was strict in plenary meetings to the point that he was deemed a dictator. He garnered hate. Even if everyone knew that what he was doing was for the betterment, they could not tolerate his behavior and methods. But he was someone who meant well. Who would've thought that a plethora of arrows was shot just to take him down during his coming of age ceremony? The public hated him that much. But they did not know a thing—they did not know how he can be a soft-spoken person behind the curtains. He was rough simply because he cared and he had difficulty expressing what he wanted to express. Duke Zhongli couldn't bear to lose another member of his family—so you didn't regret anything when you took the hits. The last thing you saw was Xiao's look of horror when you crashed on the floors of the Imperial Palace, the light in your eyes dimming to nonexistence.

At least, that's what you last saw at that time.

"Our relationship is forged merely through my father's contract. What gives you the right to do as you please?"

Oh no, there's Xiao at your bedside but wait a second he doesn't seem to be garbed in his usual attire. Where did his cape go? The gold pauldrons? Even the violet diamond on his forehead that typified him as future Duke is gone. And- why does he look like he's reversed at least four years younger..?

"... Your Grace?" "What did you call me?"

Oh no- oh nonono? Where are you? He's giving you the same glare you've faced for years, but you remember so clearly that you've made good friends with him! How is he back to being the apathetic son? You tried moving but you realize that everything hurts. You realize amidst Xiao's snaps that you have barely survived the bullets meant to be his. Oh. Oh. So an assassination attempt occurred at this time, too? Only earlier than before! You do not know what to make of this. Reincarnation, perhaps? Is there a way to back? As Xiao continues to berate you for all the things you've broken in the rules so far, you can't help but think- In your place... were you still alive?

Scaramouche

The Second Son ⊱⊰ The Lunar Sword

"Watch your tongue or I'll sever it, peasant."

You might think that this man is the most complex of them all to get close to, so be surprised when he's actually the first to stick at your side. It comes with his personality to try and reign supreme over everyone else, even against his twin sibling. So, he's a complete menace to the servants in the Manor, much more to you—it happened when you were simply drawing the curtains to clean the windows. It turns out he wanted to read in the dark. He had directed most of his insults and spats to you afterward, making your life a living hell and not allowing you to speak for yourself. There are times when Kazuha tells him to stop, but it's not like he can do anything. Your only saviour would either be Xiao or the Duke himself, which happens rarely. Truly, if not for the Duke's wish, you wouldn't put up with Scaramouche even if he's technically your Master. There is one time, however, when you caught him abusing a training dummy in the rain with a sword. When you came up to give him a towel, it turned out that you had stumbled into his moment of weakness. The rain. He had been crying and you saw him.

"Talk about it to anyone and you'll be living your days unable to speak. understood?"

You're glad to say that walking in on him was a nice thing, though. For some reason, despite the threat, he had been acting less harsh—and when he was done doing whatever, he would come to seek you. It didn't matter what you were doing, he would be there to chat your ear off or spit insults. It was the odd beginning of camaraderie. It was through this did you uncover more about him and Kazuha, and how his brothers could be less uptight in the Manor. Funny he said that. Still, as time passed, he and Kazuha decided to join the Kingdom's army, not interested in taking up politics. So when you had risked your life to save Xiao, they were out stationed at the borders, watching for foreboding signs of the enemy kingdom's infantry. You don't know how he reacted after hearing news about their brother's ceremony. You don't know how he stormed the aristocrats' meetings only to behead some with his own blade, raging about their audacity to even trifle with the Duke's people.

"I think you've actually gotten dumber! Hell, maybe you need to dodge those bullets next time?"

Scaramouche is no different from when you've yet to befriend him, you noticed in this odd time. Because of the magical modernity of things that you have no idea how to use, you are the target of his harassment.

This time... this time is trickier. But granted, you know his dislikes, you try to avoid those from coming his way. In fact, you know him a little bit too much that it crept him out. Granted, you don't know how it's modified at this time, but you are always appearing to him when it's raining. You knew him well and he started pressing you, 'how'. It was that need to understand how and why that you realized he was getting close to you again like before.

Kazuha

The Third Son ⊱⊰ The Solar Blade

"Though I am the least violent out of my brothers, it'd serve you well to know that I do not intend to hold back either."

He was apathetic. You were fooled by his pleasant face, but he was complicated to approach mainly because he was always absent in the Manor. The smile on his face seemed to have been glued on, and many were falling for it. He was popular among the ladies. Whenever he would train himself with the blade, there would always be an audience flocking in the Manor's training grounds. It was natural chaos, and he cared little over the aftermath. It was always you cleaning up after him. Not like he cared. Opposite to his twin, who gave you all the awful time in the world, he gave you nothing. He wasn't by any means cold, he just didn't want to associate himself with anyone. When you found out from Scaramouche that it was because he had lost a great friend, Kazuha thought that you forced it out of his sibling.

"Whatever it is you want of my past, it doesn't concern you."

When did he start noticing you? Ah. Right. It was when he noticed that his brothers were genuinely enjoying their time whenever they're spending it with you. Kazuha would be somewhere far, but he would still see how the lingering effect of your presence had on his siblings. It was... eating him whole with bitterness. A long time ago, that was him, too. He stuck to himself for a while more until Scaramouche decided to give him a decent slap of reality and how he shouldn't wallow around pitying himself when he could break free and start enjoying life. So he did. Little by little, he noticed you more—until he was actively seeking you out with a genuine smile on his face. Forward to when he and his twin were dispatched to the borders, Kazuha bore the misfortune of receiving the news of the assassination attempt on his brother. He felt hollow. So much, to the point that he supported Scaramouche's reckless move to execute the aristocrats. Ever since then, he wished he had paid more attention to you. The smile on his face dipped out of sight, never coming back again.

Surprisingly, Kazuha is the first one to be close to you in the new place you've yet to adapt to. He's more... open, more accepting... more trusting. He barely gives you anything to fuss over and accompanied you in his free time, so naturally, he's the first one to find out why you've been acting weird. You don't know if he believes you or not, but he didn't change how he treats you.

"I apologize. It must've been hard for you all this time."

It started when you found out in horror that you didn't live in the modern mansion like you did in your time. Apparently, you have somewhere to stay in this place? Wherever this world is? So you're wandering around, lost and getting mugged—and Kazuha rescues you. It was your amnesiac-like personality that got him wondering about you, and he managed to get his father to get you to live with them. Kazuha had been the one to help you research about your past and is the one present when you uncovered the obscured tragedy more than six centuries ago.

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a/n: Again, a part of my fics wip~ Metanoia is... as you read, a harem au between MC and Xiao/Scaramouche/Kazuha. Who do you dearie think fits well with MC for this? ;)

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾　Return to the Scrying Glass　☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

≿————-　taglist　————-≾

“Make up already! You shouldn't-” the blonde in question blinks as if she's trying to keep something at bay, “Siblings shouldn't fight. You'll regret it so please,”

The air is cold.

“Before it's too late... you need to get along.”

No one says a thing. They allow the gravity—the truth in her words to sink in.

But the female Traveler can no longer stand the idea of being in the same room with another pair of siblings who refuse to meet eye to eye.

It's far too similar, far too much in essence that she's the one that's hurting for their sake. So she leaves in a hurry, a sight to behold for a Traveler that's known to be composed.

Her twin brother follows without any ounce of hesitance.

The door shuts, leaving two men to ponder over their blazing glares and frigid tones that have now dissipated in an uneasy silence.

(II)

“Lady [Name],” Sara coughs, eyes averted after addressing the younger Kaedehara.

Her uncharacteristic taper into uncertainty is a sight for those who are aware of how the Kujou carries herself; brimming with confidence.

“The... Vision Hunt Decree, it's-”

“As my brother said, that's in the past now, isn't it, Sara?”

(III)

“Nee-san.”

The rest have gone back into the main city of Inazuma after flocking together by the shore to recall the histories buried underneath the sand.

“... Is there.. something that must be brought to my attention?”

Something I should know... that you kept hidden? The question dies in Kazuha's mind, his eyes staring against the back of his sister, who remains still.

“Oh, dear Kazu,” when [Name] swivels, the smile on her face is knowing, “If it helps with your acceptance. Feel free to question me.”

You were speaking with the Yashiro Commissioner a while ago, the samurai thins his lips. The letters... you don't seem to be surprised.

“You are...” he's breathless, “You knew everything from the beginning, did you not?”

[Name]'s smile does not falter as she answers.

“I did.”

“This is all from the result of your spite, how can you hold such- such grudges?”

“If I didn't, we would've been dead back then,” he hisses, grabbing you by the collar of your shirt, “You were too much of a coward to fight against those that threatened our lives. I-”

There's a crackle of violet between his fingers.

“It brings me such shame to think that you and I are born under the same squall. What of our shared objective?”

For a heart?

He clicks his tongue, “You've long since given up on it, haven't you? I should've known. You've always been the more pathetic one between us.”

“There's no point in searching for something that's always been there.”

If he's surprised, he does not show it.

“Hah, you're nothing but entertainment. Get out of-”

“It's due to your one hell of a grudge that you've unsettled the waters of people who only wanted to live in peace, brother,” you slap his hand with a hiss of your own, “You revel in their misery as you continue about with your destruction, it's annoying. It's been centuries.”

Lightning dances in his violet eyes, searing and blazing by the second as you speak your mind.

“I'm left to ensure that the apertures from your ire remain gaping. I am the thunder to your lightning and I'm sick of it.”

Why can't we just stay and live in the quietude of this world? Why did we have to be thrown into this skirmish of greed and prejudice?

Why can't you just notice that you've already gained a heart the moment Katsuragi perished?

“Yeah?” he taunts, lips tugging to a smirk, “That's all you've ever been good at, to be behind me, to certify that what I destroyed stays destroyed.”

“No longer,” you push through him, “Not anymore.”

Scaramouche throws his head back, laughing.

“What're you going to do? All that I've smitten are too far gone to be patched up! And you played a hand in every... single... thing.”

“Not everything is gone,” you whisper, “But be careful, because with the rectification of this... adversity, comes a price neither of us could take back.”

“What, death?” he scoffs, “How unoriginal.”

“It is, isn't it?”