AN: Decided to work on this fic the moment I took a liking to some stories that inspired me.

BTW, I own nothing but a few ideas for this story. Enjoy~

If the story was a cruel one

then let's rewrite our ending

Of that picture book we couldn't understand when we were children

War.

It caused many people of the Eastern Kingdom of the Otonokizaka Empire a great deal of suffering. Many Soldiers died, children becoming orphans, many lost their homes and so on. It pains the current heiress of the Ayase family, Eli Ayase, hailing from the Northern Kingdom to see her mother's homeland to be in such state. And thus, from her homeland, Eli resolved to speak with her grandfather to help and restore the kingdom's former wealth and beauty.

Seijiro Minami never expected to receive a formal letter coming from his grand daughter. 'Unexpected, but not surprising' he mused. He then dismissed his servants for the night and opened the letter adressed to him in his chambers. After reading, he contemplated on whether to give her what she wants or decline. It was tempting for him, really. He wanted to see how the north taught his grandaughter on handling matters like these. 'Or more likely how my daughter and her husband taught her.' And so, he ordered the guards to call for his other grand daughter.

After a while, a knock can be heard.

"Come in."

The door opened, revealing a woman with greyish-brown hair and amber eyes. Kotoro Minami entered the room and shut the door behind her in a manner her grandfather found amusing. 'Well, she is my wife's granddaughter after all.' He chuckled at the thought. Kotori pouted when she heard him.

"Ojii-chan! Stop laughing at every little things I do. Mou."

Seijiro immediately set a straight face and an innocent look that said 'I did no such thing'

"I do not know what you're talking about, dear child. It might be because you are tired and in need of sleep that you are hearing such things, no?"

Kotori pouted again and the King laughed. They look so much alike, his daughters and their daughters. 'Just like their grandmother.' He smiled.

"Actually, I called you here to inform you that your cousins, Eli and Arisa, are going to be staying here to help restore the kingdom. Also, I want you to be in charge of the welcome party we're gonna be hosting for her, if you want to continue on your secret job as a 'maid' of the Sonoda family and not to expose your identity as "Minalinsky".

Kotori held a horrified expression. "Ojii-chan! When- How- what?" Kotori stuttered. Seijiro held an amused expression. "Of course I know. It's my kingdom. I should be aware of anything happening here, especially when it concerns my family."

"Hmph. Fine. I'll do it. It's not like I don't want to. There's no need to scare me like that."

Seijiro smiled. "Then, we will begin preparations tomorrow. Rest for now, child. I'll send a letter to Eiji for your absence for the next few days."

"From childish to formal. That's why I can't even believe for a second that you're the king." Kotori deadpanned.

"You lot. From mother to daughter as they say." He sighed. "You are dismissed." He said.

"Then I will take my leave, Ojii-chan" Kotori bowed and left. Seijiro leaned on his chair and sighed. "Kids these days."

Northern Kingdom

3rd POV

"Alisa! Are you done packing your things?"

"Just a bit more! Give me 5 minutes. Ugh, why is this so heavy" Arisa Ayase whined. She was beyond excited and happy when she learned that her sister was going to take her to their mother's homeland that she immediately packed everything she will need. She heard a knock and the door opened to reveal her sister, Eli Ayase.

"Alisa, are you-" Eli stopped and looked at her younger sister before giggling. "You should have told me that we are gonna live there for a long time. I should've inform father so that they know."

Alisa pouted. "Mou onee-chan! Just help me put my things out."

"Hai hai." Eli grabbed the huge suitcase and carried it. Once they got out of Alisa's room, she ushered one of the servants to bring it down. "Honestly, Arisa. What is inside that thing? Even Sergei alone can't carry it without almost dropping his knees to the ground because of its weight."

"Well, some clothes, knick knacks, some trinkets, and some of my collection of antiques" Alisa beamed.

"Alisa, I think that's too much. Besides, we're only going to stay at the kingdom until we resolve matters there."

"And those matters won't be resolved in a single month or a year. Onee-chan's a worrywart!" Once they reached the dining room, they were greeted with a bear hug from their father, Lev Ayase.

"My daughters!" Lev beamed happily while Eli and Alisa looked like their life was squeezed out of them. Then, a giggle can be heard from behind as their mother entered. "Take it easy, dear. You might delay their journey for getting them unconscious. And Eli won't be happy once she recovers."

"But, it'll be a long time before I can do this again. At least let me savor this moment before my daughters become adults."

"Father! We can't breathe!" Both of them wheezed. Lev reluctantly let go and turned to his wife. "There! Are you happy now that we aren't gonna be able to be with them for a long time?" He joked with a straight face. The sisters only sighed and hugged their father. Lev returned their hug with gentleness. "Be safe, okay? I know you two can handle things on your own but, sometimes, you will also need others' help from time to time. It's better to work knowing that someone is there to support you rather than working alone and keeping the burden to yourself, especially you Eli." Lev let go of his daughters and dramatically sobbed. "I can't believe my daughters are all growing up."

Eli, Alisa, and their mother sighed. 'Sometimes he can be so childish about certain things'

Rei Ayase turned to her daughters and gave them a hug. After that, she patted both of them on the head. "Be careful, alright? Don't hesitate to go to your grandfather. He's not scary as he looks, but sometimes, he's intimidating. Also, Eli." She gave her daughter a wink. "Make sure to bring back a fiancee once you go home, alright" Eli blushed. Alisa and Rei giggled.

"Mother! It's t-to-too early f-for those kinds of things!" Eli stuttered.

"You never know, nee-chan. You never know." Alisa shook her head. "Honestly, mom. How can you expect her to be with someone if she's this dense."

"Which side are you on anyway?!"

"WHAT?!" Lev roared. "I'll never give my daughter to the likes of those men who only wants her purity!"

"Father!"

"Lev!"

Alisa sighed. "Okay, that's enough. Father, Mother, we're leaving now."

"Take care, Alisa, Eli. Send us a letter from time to time, ne?"

"Nooooooooo! Eli! Alisa! Don't trust any of them! They're dangerous!"

"Goodbye, Father. Goodbye, Mother." Both of them got outside and got onto their carriage. Meanwhile, someone in a white ninja-like suit was watching their exchange. Once the carriage left, he vanished. Like he was never there in the beginning.

And that's that. Don't worry, some details will be explained in the later chapters. Positive or Negative reviews accepted minna! Btw, Some Ideas and Title of this fic inspired from Kagamine Rin and Len's song "Against the World"

Jun Sakamoto,

signing out!