32 2.14 Incite

Elena had made a decision after "accidentally" hearing about Stephen from Xavier and father, at various occasions. Father had advised Xavier that he should go visit him once in the coming week. Elena too, wanted to come along so she consulted father. Father allowed her to go. In a month, Isabel was preparing to move cities, so she was really busy. So was first mother and father, since they was also moving, hence they couldn't come.

Stephen was a mature man by looks. He looked fairly handsome but Shu XinYi knew what was really going on behind this facade. Stephen has little to no talent of handling business matters and is not a serious man at all. In the original, Elena met this man through Leo and she made it so, that Isabel had to marry this guy. This was the incident after the original Xavier died. 

That Elena could judge that this man was bad news because at that point, she had learned a lot without being insecure about Xavier. She didn't want Isabel to come in her way so she effectively planned this marrige. In the end Isabel was the one who suffered with Stephen.

Now though, Elena was not that Elena. She just cares about winning from Xavier using any means possible.

Today Elena dressed well for Stephen. Shu XinYi had already sent a letter about their arrival. Stephen had the manners of a gentleman, he welcomed them in with curtosey. They walked to the main lounge and had some Idle talks about business and life. Shu XinYi had prepared a gift for Stephen, it was a very beautiful and Luxurious jewelry set.

Stephen had no siblings nor any other family so only servants were present in the house. He offered them some tea and invited them for lunch. Shu XinYi agreed after some politeness. Stephen left the lounge, to inform the servants about lunch when Shu XinYi said "He seems like a mature man, who actually knows how to do business and maintain his image. If I was going against him, there is no say as to who would be successful."

Leo was a bit skeptical of this statement saying "Looks can be deceiving."

"Hmm. Maybe that's true, after all I am way more experienced then him." Shu XinYi said.

Elena smirked a little at Xavier's comment "Isn't it too bold of you to believe that you are better then everyone brother?"

Shu XinYi looked at Elena and tilted his head a little saying with a smirk on his face "Well atleast I am not bold enough to declare myself the winner without having a fair competition with him."

"You-"

"I am not here to declare anything, sister.  Neither do I care if he is better then me or not. You can think what you want. Atleast I won't rip my clothes to make myself feel like the winner." Shu XinYi said in a nonchalant tone.

Elena felt that her face was slapped several times with his uncaring words. She will not let Xavier be, I have to marry Stephen only then can I feel better.

Leo wasn't surprised by Xavier's comments, on the other hand he was feeling a little playful "Enough, Xavi."

Both Elena and Xavier looked at Leo. Leo continued.

"Don't continue saying things like that, she doesn't have a sense of guilt or shame. So your words are wasted."

"Just because Xavier will become the heir doesn't mean you can talk to me like that, you street scum. I am still a part of the Xalvadore family." Elena said angrily.

"Is that your only shield, sister? Is it that without the Xalvadore family name, you are not worthy of respect? It seems to me that without our family name, you would end up become nothing." Shu XinYi said in his usual polite tone.

Elena was about to rage, when Stephen came back "The lunch will be ready in an hour. Why don't you all tour the house a little and freshen yourself up."

Elena had already decided, and the previous conversation only incited her more. She chose to stay to converse with Stephen, while Xavier left with Leo. Shu XinYi let a servant guide him to the garden. The servant then went to do his duties after telling them the way around. Shu XinYi's waist was tightly held as soon as they were alone. 

"You are so troublesome my young master. You know that Stephen is not your competition at all yet you say all that to incite Elena. This kind of behavior needs severe punishment don't you think." Leo said placing small kisses on Xavier's neck line.

Shu XinYi hadn't expected Leo to become this thick skinned but at this point Shu XinYi was starting to get used to it. He even liked it. "I am the young master. I will do what I want." Shu XinYi said.

Leo just snuggled further into Xavier's neck saying "Yes you are right young master. I was wrong so you may punish me."

"Aah. I was right about you being a masochist."

They were at someone else's home so they could only have a small make out session.

Elena on the other hand had already seduced Stephen using incomprehensible ways, and made him agree to send a marriage proposal. Stephen was a fickle person, for him any girl worth looking at was enough. Moreover Elena could bring good amont of dowry money. It was a fair deal for Stephen. They all had lunch together. Stephen invited himself to the Xalvadore house for dinner in the upcoming week. Shu XinYi welcomed his visit

It didn't take long for Stephen to visit them. He behaved like a grown man when giving a proposal for marrige with Elena. Aldo didn't give him an answer but instead asked Elena what she thought in private.

"Father, Stephen is a good man. I will be happy to marry him." Elena said with a shy expression.

"Are you sure Elena?"

"Yes father, I have thought about it carefully. When I visited him recently, I thought about all the memories we shared when we were younger. I think Stephen too feels the same."

Her act had convinced Father. Aldo was happy that his daughter finally made a mature decision. In the following week, Aldo negotiated the marrige terms with Stephen and set a date for the ceremonies. Father and first mother had to extend their moving to city X until the marrige ceremonies were over but Isabel left for City X in that same week.

Leo travelled with her after many requests from Xavier. After the aphrodisiac incident, Leo refused to leave Xavier alone even for 5 minutes. So it was difficult to convince him but in the end he agreed only after Shu XinYi assured him repeatedly that he will be careful.

It wasn't that Isabel wouldn't attend the wedding but she also wanted to start up her business successfully. Having Leo by her side, she managed everything well. She started by presenting her teas to various nobles especially ladies, many of whom were suprised by the positive effects on their skin. She also found some restaurants who were willing to buy from her including Lisa's obviously.

The location of Isabel's shop and Lisa's restaurant was not far, merely a fifteen minute walk. The problem was that the Xalvadore residence was very far traveling was becoming a problem. Isabel decided to send a letter to father explaining why she will be living with Miss Lisa from now on. Obviously she had talked to the old lady and Lisa before making this decision. Father soon sent an approval letter in return and asked Leo to make sure that her living circumstances were good.

While Isabel was settling her business and life in city X, Elena was excitedly preparing for her marriage. For her this marriage had no meaning except to show Xavier that she is still better then him. It was a childish insecurity that she refused to let go of. Shu XinYi felt pity for her but he felt no remorse. Shu XinYi never considered himself a good person. He was kind when he needed to be and knew who was worthy of that kindness. Elena was not.

When Leo finally came back after 2 weeks, the first thing he did was to find Xavier, who was as usual, in the study. The reunion was a short one as Elena came in without knocking, Leo, who wanted to take his XinYi right here, was quite angry.

"Am I interrupting your reunion? No matter. Leo remember the rings you showed me a few months ago? Well I can see that you have no use for the pair since you are always hanging around my brother like a lap dog. Why don't you give them to me hmm?" Elena said in her irritating voice.

Shu XinYi and Leo both looked at each other then they looked at Elena like they were looking at a delusional freak.

"Leo, do you think Elder sister has the capacity to understand what I am about to explain?"

"No, she doesn't have the brain or the heart to understand."

Elena wanted to say that I am still in this room. Why do they treat her like a joke? Do I look like a clown to you? Leo looked at her and said "As for you Elena, I have already given that ring to the one I love. You don't need to inquire any more."

Shu XinYi continued the conversation "Isn't it funny though, Elena, Your to be husband can't even mange to make good rings for you. Even when you marry, you might have to rely on our family for your survival no?"

"It's nothing like that. It was me who wanted to give him a love token." Elena said. It was obviously not the truth. Stephen had refused to buy expensive rings saying that it was an unnecessary budget. Elena couldn't just wear any ring, she wanted an intricately carved ring inlaid with priceless gems. Like the one Leo had. It was not that she wanted that same ring but she saw an opportunity to mock Leo and so her opening sentence was changed to that.

"A borrowed love token? Such love is unseen. I might have to set some funds aside for my dear sister to give to his husband as a "love token" in the future, no? Leo." Shu XinYi said in a polite and serene tone, it didn't seem like he was mocking someone.

Elena had had enough of Xavier's calm words mocking her "You think I won't be able live without your help? I don't need it. The day I marry, I won't look back to this family anymore because your family doesn't even deserve me. I came here for the ring, if Leo has no sense to return the favors he owes, then well I can only assume he was taught those manners by his parents."

"Leo doesn't "owe" you anything anymore. You may be idle enough to have these childish arguments but I am not. Neither is Leo. You got your answer. Now leave." This time Shu XinYi's tone was cold, none of the politeness from before remained. 

Shu XinYi shut the study's door behind Elena as she left and Leo held him from behind whispering in his ear "Calm down, bunny. Let's not talk about her anymore ok?"

"Hmm. How was your journey? Is Isabel doing okay?"

"Isabel is doing well. She is happy there, I can tell. The journey was ok. Still I won't leave you again. Not even for a week. I missed you a lot." 

"I-I may have missed you a l-little as well." Shu XinYi weakly said. He was not the best at expressing his emotions through his words but it was true. Even though it was just two weeks he missed having Leo beside him.

Now Leo really did his XinYi in the study room until dinner. Later, Leo made him some light dinner and later drank some fruit wines with him in their room having drunk talk about random things.

Elena's marriage ceremony was getting nearer. They had not invited a lot of people but the final ceremony was still grand. Shu XinYi had done enough to organize the wedding and most of the budget was from their side. Stephen didn't do much. Elena should see these red flags but she was blinded by her own senseless agendas. Shu XinYi got little to no rest during this time.

Managing finances, inventories and the budget of two shops in different cities, on top of that the marriage. It was not difficult for Shu XinYi though. He managed everything effectively especially with Leo. The two had developed an almost telepathic understanding and the work was handled effectively with their collaborative efforts.

Isabel had also returned for a few days to attend the ceremony. During the main ceremony Father officially declared Xavier as the head of the Xalvadore family. The people present were all important people and they had tactically tried to gain favor with the new head of the Xalvadore family. Shu XinYi was not only crowded with business offers but also marriage offers, it was becoming a bit overwhelming. Leo was annoyed by this behavior so he politely but firmly excused all of them for Xavier. 

Till the moment the I do's were done and the dinner was served, Shu XinYi didn't sit to rest. Even after Elena had left to move to the Connor residence, which was a little far from the Xalvadore house, Shu XinYi was busy with the matter of father moving to city X. It took 3 weeks after the marriage ceremony, that father successfully moved to city X. 

As for Shu XinYi, his purpose for this world was completed when Elena married Stephen. He knew this because of the probability calculation program, Snow got in it's update. With it, it became easier for him to determine whether there was a probability that Elena still may get the original Elena's fate. After the marriage was complete, Shu XinYi had checked with snow and the probability of that happening had turned to 0. 

From that day forth Elena had began to realize what this marriage actually meant for her. Not only was Stephen very casual about everything he did at home, he also wasn't serious in handling business matters. About half a year into marriage and Stephen had already come to Elena telling her to arrange money from her family because he was in debt, Elena firmly refused remembering her feats from before. These absurd requests from Stephen only got more absurd as time went on.

Stephen was a proud man so he would never beg for money from someone else so he wanted Elena to do it for him. Within a year this failed marriage had become even more broken. Soon they had to sell the family house to pay off the debt and start living in outskirts camp. Elena still refused to get help from Xavier because her ego still stood. Her life was spent like this and only in her late years did she come to terms with herself and only regretted living the way she did. 

Shu XinYi didn't care much for what happened with her. For him spending that life with Leo was good enough. They didn't get a chance to legally marry but who really could say that they weren't already married.

This time Leo was the one who left first. In his final moments Leo whispered with much effort "Somethings will change. Be careful and trust Snow. I will find you soon enough so wait for me, ok"

Shu XinYi's wrinkled eyes were tear stained as he said "You will have to find me." Shu XinYi didn't question why he knew about snow and just let him go in this world. It had taken 3 days when Shu XinYi too left the world.

After coming back to the black space, Shu XinYi could tell that there was something different about the energy in the space, So Shu XinYi asked snow "What has changed here?"

"Master, it seems that we are in between world levels. The worlds we were in before were F class worlds."

"So the world level now should be E right? Is that why the energy level has changed?"

"Not exactly master. As I said we are in between the F and E class worlds. This is like a trial level which helps us to level up into E class worlds."

"So how does this trial level work? what's different about it?" Shu XinYi quickly adapted.