I Became A System

This... is something... we didn't prepare for...

Ellena knew that she suffered from that hell disguised as an estate, but she was still wearing a composed expression after listening to Amber.

So why is it that we're going back to that estate? Well, the sister was just invisible for Ellena back in the estate since she was just always at the back of her parents.

Ugh... I really hate to remember it. It was as if she was scared of Ellena. How can an ungrateful kid... Sighs...

Okay. I'm wrong. I'll just forgive her just this once since she was just a child back then. Well, even now she's still a child, but I hope that she got a little mature.

Ellena and the party prepared for the hair and dress. There was someone who Amber hired to style their outfit for the event; Isabella was also included.

Ellena was presented with a gown that sways down to her ankle. The dress was designed in silver linings with the chest covered with puffy cloth. There was also a strap-like for her shoulders. It fits and the flare style hugs the bodice all the way to the mid-hip where it slowly widens until the bottom. And I think this type of dress is called Trumpet.

I really don't know what really Trumpet is but at least the description fits what I see. 

This dress really emphasizes Ellena's slim body as well as her soft fair skin.

"I don't look bad right?" She asked.

All of them just chuckled as well as the stylist. They seem to can't believe that Ellena has a little confidence when it comes to her body.

Well, I can be a witness to that, she really doesn't have that great of confidence. She even questions why she looks so slim, although, rarely.

'You look great.'

My compliment was supported by Isabella and Amber, even they didn't hear me, they seem to agree with me. Ellena really looks fine. Above the definition beautiful. Call me an exaggeration.

"You're beautiful, Ellena."

"Yes! Big Sister Amber is right! You look like a Goddess, Big Sister!"

Ellena just blushed a little. Even I was surprised. Ellena rarely shows an embarrassed expression.

"T-thank you."

***

Everything was settled. Isabella has also suited up, in a simple A-Line dress.

Isabella's dress was mint green where it really suits her silver-greyish hair.

Ellena's hair was also fixed into something different as usual. Her hair was three-strand-braided at the back with small strands in the side of her face. She also has cute straight bangs that just covered her eyebrows.

Sighs... my Ellena looks so innocent.

After the preparation, they ride a carriage that clearly shows wealth and class.

They passed through the paved road in the woods back to a plain-covered road. 

The air was just breezing nicely as the birds were cheerfully chirping. Ellena looked at the outside then smiled at the beautiful scenery.

Some animals were just playing in the field, as they have happy smiles on their faces. 

"Are you ready?" Amber asked teasingly.

"How can you ask me that? You clearly surprised me with that news."

At that direct response of Ellena, Amber just laughed.

"Forgive me, my butler just came back, so it better to give you the news that soon."

Ellena sighed. Even I was surprised. Who would prepare for that situation if you don't know that it was just this soon? 

Well, Ellena had different matters in the past few weeks and it was clearly developing her personality. She just learned how to be a normal person and now, Amber was expecting Ellena to just be composed inside?

I can't blame Amber for that. She really doesn't know what Ellena has experienced. 

"It's okay... Sighs... I can manage it, somehow."

"Big Sister, are you scared of your sister?" Isabella asked. Ellena just shook her head before answering.

"Of course not. I really don't fear her, I was just unprepared to face my family again. Well, the previous family in blood. I can't even recognize them as my family right now."

Isabella seems to understand Ellena that she just embraced her arms to Ellena's. 

"It's okay. If you don't like them, I can be greater than myself right now."

This kid... They just suit each other. I mean, for sisters. They look too good to be sisters... That's misleading.

Anyways, they finally reached the barony. Apparently, it was called Calhibre, which I just learned right now.

Wow... I was here for 15 years and I still don't know this place's name. Just wow. How did my curiosity become this worst?

"It really looks like downgraded," Amber commented.

She was right. The street was just filth and even the market was disorganized. 

There are people in the street that you could recognize as people from slums. Well, maybe these aristocrats were just too accustomed to this, that they can't distinguish what is disguise or not.

I can say that the people here were just acting. Despite their smiles, they just look like downgrade humans. Perhaps, neglected by their lord.

The field was also not that well... I can't even comment about that. I don't know how that Baron governs his land.

"It looks awful even they fake their appearance," Amber added.

Ellena just hissed and didn't look back at the surroundings. I can understand her. She grew here but she didn't know that it was this bad. Even I!

Just shortly, they finally reached the manor where the Baron lives. On the outside, there are varieties of carriage lined up, parking. 

Ellena's ride just stopped in front of the manor before stepping down.

The outside ambiance was good. I can tell that they really prepared for the appearance of their estate. The walls were clean as well as the bushed that was nicely trimmed.

There were also golden lights coming from the mansion that glows until outside since the sun was starting to set.

"This is it..." I heard Ellena mumbled.

"Are you ready?" Amber asked once again.

"Stop it." Ellena hissed.

"Big Sister, I'm nervous right now," Isabella said.

Just a sigh. Ellena caressed Isabella's hair, trying to calm her as well as herself. Despite her composed expression, she can't hide from me that she is also anxious about what will happen.

Amber started walking then looked back to Ellena to tell them that they need to proceed. Ellena nod then assisted Isabella who was trembling a little.

This kid... She's even more nervous than Ellena.

Opening the wide two doors, the interior of the mansion greeted our vision, sending back a memory that was supposed to be forgotten.

The walls and ceilings were just the same as before. Although the curtains and floor were different, the servants were still the same. Their faces... It disgusts me.

The way they smile at the nobles, the ways they assisted Ellena's company... I can't stay calm right now. I want to pull their hair for not showing any human traits to Ellena!

I also saw the maid that was supposed to watch over Ellena, I want her dead!

'Aaron, calm down.'

I almost snapped. I came back to reality after hearing Ellena's voice. She's okay with this?

I thought that I can be calmed and composed, but this scene just doesn't look right.

"Welcome." A butler guided them inside the mansion.

The three of them just nod before following the butler.

They used the time for going with the flow, smiling at the different people that recognized Amber. Even they have confused faces looking at Ellena, they just smiled.

I observed their faces once again... and I noticed that... their eyes are glittering... at Ellena.

Ellena's face right now was just the same energyless when she wants to be composed but the people around here don't see it as bad. They even saw it as great, beautiful.

After a few seconds, that attention of people was passed to the person I really hate in this world! 

She just walked slowly, as if she was the queen of this place. Smiled slightly at those who call her but she just doesn't approach those who call her, instead, she moves to the person I really care for.

The Mother. Ellena's mother is approaching her. Did she recognize Ellena? But, her face was calm. Perhaps she was acting to not look bad? Then humiliate Ellena?

NO! I WON'T LET THIS HAPPEN! THAT SUFFERING WAS ENOU-

"Good Evening, Amber. May I get introduced to the young lady you brought along?"

She... doesn't recognize Ellena? Her face was just smiling... I was surprised, even Ellena, that her mother doesn't recognize her.

Tsk... Calling her, her mother?! It just proved how she doesn't care about Ellena! She can't even recognize her own flesh and blood!

She was just looking at Ellena as if she wants to have some acquaintance with her. I know that Ellena's current appearance has a huge difference from the past. But... this is just staggering.

"Good Eve, Aunt Matilda. I want to congratulate you and also my cousin, Diana on her 12th birthday." Amber started talking.

"Oh... Thank you, Amber. Now, can I get to know this beautiful young lady?"

Ellena was frozen, but after a few seconds, she started speaking and tried her best to stay composed.

"I am, Noelle. It's nice to meet you, Lady Matilda." Ellena said.

Matilda just blinked before responding. "Your voice seems to be familiar. I just don't know where I heard it. Anyways, Noelle?..."

"Noelle... Lumbert." 

After hearing that, Matilda's face was made into a surprised one.

"You are also a Lumbert?"

"Yes... I am... your... niece."

Yeah, let's don't let these people know you were still okay Ellena.