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Lord of Entertainment C33 Sisters
🕑 Added 2024-08-26 02:31:23 +0000 UTCAs I stood there, surrounded by the unfamiliar faces of my supposed family, my sisters Delilah and Layla approached me with genuine concern etched on their features.
"You don't need to pressure yourself to remember..." Delilah said softly, her eyes filled with warmth and worry.
Layla nodded in agreement, adding, "It's all gonna come naturally..."
I offered them a small, grateful smile, playing my part as the amnesiac brother. But beneath my carefully constructed facade, my mind was racing, recalling the information I'd memorized about these two women who believed me to be their long-lost brother.
Delilah, I remembered, was typically the quiet one. Introverted and reserved, she rarely sought the spotlight. But her quietness belied a remarkable talent for magic, one that had earned her admission to a prestigious magical high school. As I looked at her now, I could see the subtle signs of her magical prowess—a faint shimmer in her aura, barely perceptible to those not attuned to such things.
But there was something else about Delilah, something that made my heart twinge with unexpected empathy. She suffered from a condition known as Obsessive Compulsive Neurosis, or OCN. It was a relatively newly identified mental disorder, having only been recognized in the medical community about 30 years ago.
As I watched Delilah fidget slightly with the hem of her sleeve, I recalled what I'd read about OCN in various psychology books. In the past, such behaviors were often misunderstood, attributed to demonic possession or other supernatural causes. People suffering from OCN were subjected to exorcisms and other ineffective, often harmful treatments.
The realization of what Delilah must have endured—the misunderstanding, the potential bullying, the struggle with her own mind—made me see her in a new light. Despite my mission and the deception I was maintaining, I felt a genuine surge of protectiveness towards her.
"Thank you," I said softly, reaching out to gently squeeze Delilah's hand. I noticed how she tensed slightly at the contact before relaxing, a small smile gracing her lips.
I found myself wondering about the complexities of Delilah's condition.
The books I'd read suggested that only legendary magic might be capable of truly curing OCN. Given the existence of magic in this world, it wasn't entirely implausible. But I had my doubts about such a cure. From what I understood, ongoing treatment and support were likely to be more effective in managing the condition.
As Delilah quietly arranged the magazines on the table, my gaze shifted to Layla.
My fourth sister, according to the information I'd memorized, was a prodigy in her own right. Where Delilah excelled in magic, Layla's talents lay in the physical realm.
"So, Arthur," Layla said, her posture straight and confident, "I don't suppose you remember anything about the Knights Academy?"
I shook my head, feigning confusion. "I'm afraid not. Is it... important?"
Layla's eyes lit up with a mixture of pride and something darker, more complex. "It's where I study. I got in when I was 14, you know. Youngest in my class."
"That's impressive," I said, genuinely meaning it. The Knights Academy was notoriously selective, and being accepted at such a young age was no small feat.
Layla nodded, a small smile playing at her lips. But as I watched her, I noticed the tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers twitched slightly at her sides. There was more to her story than just success.
"Layla's been top of her class since day one," Delilah chimed in softly, a note of concern in her voice.
"Always," Layla agreed, but there was an edge to her tone that made me pause.
I recalled the information I'd read about Layla as Arthur's sister. Her talent in martial arts was undeniable, but it came with a price.
She was a perfectionist to a fault, driving herself to extremes that often bordered on self-destruction.
Meanwhile, the challenge of my deception was growing more complex by the moment. While it was easy enough to appear as someone trying to fit in, the real test lay in acting instinctively familiar with these people—these strangers who believed me to be their long-lost son and brother.
I was acutely aware of Ark's gaze on me, his eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and concern. Finally, he cleared his throat and asked, "So, son... Can you tell us about what you can remember after a few weeks of being gone?"
I hesitated, not entirely feigning my discomfort. "I..." I trailed off, silently willing Mariana to intervene.
Fortunately, Marianna didn't disappoint. She quickly interjected, her voice soft but firm. "Please, dear. Arthur just got back home. Let him relax first."
I watched as Ark's expression shifted from curiosity to embarrassment. "Uh... My bad," he nodded quickly.
Seizing the opportunity, I decided to offer a small morsel of information, just enough to satisfy without inviting further questioning.
"It's alright," I said, my voice carefully modulated to sound both tired and slightly confused. "Everything's still... hazy. I remember waking up in a small town, not knowing who I was or how I got there. The details are... difficult."
Marianna's arm tightened around my shoulders. "Oh, my poor boy," she murmured.
Ark nodded, his expression softening. "Of course, of course. We don't mean to push you. We're just... we're so glad you're home."
I nodded at Ark's warm response, feeling a mixture of relief and wariness. The genuine affection in his voice was almost enough to make me forget the precarious nature of my position. Almost.
Mariana's gentle voice broke through my thoughts. "Well, Arthur, why don't you have a seat? I'll prepare you steak from East Watch. How about it?" Her smile was warm, inviting.
I saw my opportunity and seized it. "Steak?" I let my eyes light up with fabricated excitement. "Please!" I exclaimed, then quickly reined myself in, feigning embarrassment at my outburst. "That steak was my favorite..."
I watched as the family exchanged meaningful glances. Mariana's smile widened as she looked at Ark and her daughters. "Just wait here," she said, clearly pleased by my reaction.
I nodded, settling into a nearby armchair, trying to look both comfortable and slightly out of place.
"Please chat with your brother while I cook for him," Mariana instructed her daughters before turning to leave.
Layla nodded eagerly, but Delilah hesitated. "Mother, can I go to my room now? I really need to do the magic spell theory assignment."
I observed the silent communication between mother and daughter. Mariana's eyes softened with understanding as she nodded. "Okay."
As Delilah hurried away, the other half-siblings also made their excuses and departed. Ark, demonstrating a political savvy I hadn't expected, smoothly ushered his other wives and concubines out of the room.
And just like that, I found myself alone with Layla.
The sudden quiet was almost oppressive. I could feel Layla's eyes on me, curious and searching. This was a crucial moment - my first one-on-one interaction with a family member. I had to tread carefully.
"So," Layla began, breaking the silence. "How are you really feeling, Arthur?"
I considered my response carefully. "Overwhelmed," I admitted, deciding that honesty - or at least, the appearance of it - was the best approach. "It's... a lot to take in."
Layla nodded, her expression softening. "I can't even imagine. One day you're lost, with no memories, and the next you're back home with a family you don't remember."
I let out a small, rueful laugh. "When you put it like that, it sounds like something out of a novel."
"As Magnus Clarkson once said - ”Life is stranger than fiction„" Layla said, a hint of something - sadness? worry? - in her voice. "But we're here for you, Arthur. Whatever you need."
I felt a twinge of guilt at her sincerity. "Thank you," I said softly. "I... I appreciate that more than you know."
