81 Only For A While

Lucia watched as Yue's car faded in the distance.

Besides wanting to spend more time with Yue, she wanted her to stay for a while because she's afraid of facing her brother right now.

Lucia knew she shouldn't let him worry, but she really wanted to be independent even for a short time.

During the ride home, her brother didn't speak to her.

It made her guiltier about what she did, but she never regretted going out especially now that she gained a sister.

She loves looking at beautiful things and Yue exactly fit her bill.

For a while she forgot her nervousness until she heard her brother calling her attention.

"Did you realize the trouble you brought today?" Luke got seated comfortably in a sofa but Lucia can feel the rigidness of the situation.

"I know brother. I'm sorry, but if I had another chance I would sneak out again" this the first time Lucia stubbornly expressed her opinion. She had been suffocated for a long time, she wanted to know what it's like to breathe.

She always listens to the arrangement of her family. Although she knew they were only doing this for her own good because they love her, but she also wanted to decide on her own.

"17" Luke uttered.

"Brother?" Lucia didn't know what her brother meant by that number.

"That's the number of people who lost their job today because of what you did" it was not just the maid but it includes all the personnel responsible for his sister's welfare.

"Why? It's my fault. I was the one sneaked in my ability. If there's someone who should be punished it should be me" Lucia can't believe of what she heard. Why is her brother making it such a big deal?

"Because they didn't do their job with protecting you" Luke didn't reprimand his sister but let her see the reality of her recklessness.

"No, please brother bring them back. It's my fault" usually her family would be tolerant of her. But why would her brother do this now?

Then it dawned on Lucia.

This is not the first time this had happened. How could she be so blind and uncaring. Every time she did something out of the line, she always thought she get away with it, but she didn't notice that the people around her kept being replaced.

The first time was when she was five years old.

She was prone to sickness so she was not allowed to eat foods that are not included in the diet given by the doctor. But she had asked her nanny for a long time to get her some sweet treats and she finally managed to eat one that day. That night, she got fever and stomachache. Of course her crime was discovered, although she wasn't reprimanded but her parents advised her against eating sweets again. She happily agreed because she didn't want to experience the pain again.

When she thought everything was back to normal, her nanny was replaced after a fortnight. They said she needed to go back to the province.

This kind of incident happened not just once, but since people are gradually pulled out so she didn't notice the pattern. But because of this also that she doesn't let herself get too attached with people around her.

Luke knew that his sister already realized what's going on and he didn't need to add further.

People like them are in a position wherein every move they make didn't just affect themselves but also other people.

They are born to lead and be responsible for those who serve them.

It's quite harsh but they can't afford careless people of whom they can't trust.

Because sometimes they themselves are unaware that they're being careless so they needed someone to cover for them.

They're not perfect so they needed someone who can fill the loopholes.

But this doesn't mean that they would stop improving themselves and that they should be dependent on other people.

As much as Luke wanted to protect his sister from such reality, but the reason they're here can't let her be as carefree as before.

He needed her to grow up and be able to fend for herself when the time comes that they can't be by her side anymore.

"Go back to your room and reflect" then Luke left ending the discussion.

Lucia clench her hands in frustration then let out a breath.

She walked towards her room like a deflated balloon.

Meanwhile, Luke moved into the study room and checked the files that the butler sent him.

Although it took a while but they finally managed to dug some information on Yue.

Luke didn't expect that his sister would encounter a person from the Crest Family.

Their situation right now is sensitive. He is still to know what's the purpose of Yue in befriending his sister.

There's a large possibility that she already knew their identity.

If only they had meet on other days, he might not think that there's a motive in this meeting.

It may not be orchestrated by Yue herself, but Luke knows that he should be wary of her brother.

The ability of Yyan Crest knows no bounds.

Yyan better not be a stumbling block to their plans.

But maybe, if he can help with their situation.

But Luke immediately decided against such thought. He wouldn't want to mess with the man as much as possible.

Luke continued to read on the report when he suddenly saw a photo on the last page.

It was a woman on the runway.

She stood like a majestic queen looking down on her subjects.

Her imposing attitude wouldn't create any bad impression but one would want to revere her.

He remembered when he entered the café. For a moment their eyes met, through the reflection, she had already left a vivid impression on his mind.

Who would expect that a simple dressed lady is also an elegant woman.

He also remembered that he was with his sister during the Fashion Festival in Country F but halfway he had to leave because of an urgent business. So he missed Yue during that time.

But if he remembered correctly, he also heard that she was supposed to be a mentally ill patient due to the tragic happenings in their main family.

But he guessed he really can't trust gossips.

Luke decided that it might not be bad for his sister to befriend the lady of the Crest House for now. That way, he can determine their attitude towards them at the same time his sister might curb her appetite for being thoughtless.

He can at least see that Yue treat his sister in a good manner, unless she was a great actress, but somewhere in his mind he refused to believe such evil.

Yue went back late but since she already informed the house and her brother that she also dined out, there was only the butler waiting for her.

"Welcome home Young Miss"

"Thank you Grandpa Butler. Is my brother already sleeping?" Yue can't help but ask even if she knew he's probably still working in his study.

"The Young Master is in the study. I believe he is still waiting for Miss to come home" the butler confirmed her thought.

"How can he be so hardworking" Yue commented helplessly.

"This servant also worries for the health of the Young Master, maybe Miss can convince him to take a rest" the butler suggested.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure to make him rest even if I have to drag him out of the office" Yue humored.

The butler smiled assuredly. Ever since the young miss recovered, she was able to help the family and the young master had been more careful of his wellbeing.

"Then, Grandpa Butler may rest as well so that you have the energy to take care of us tomorrow" Yue dismissed.

"As you wish Young Miss. Good night" the butler made a slight bow.

"Good night" Yue watched the butler walk into the servant's quarters, then she proceeded to her room to take a quick shower.

After that she went downstairs to prepare a glass of milk for her and her brother.

She knocked on the study but she didn't hear a sound.

Yue was sure that her brother was still inside though, so she entered the room.

Then she saw Yyan with his eyes closed while leaning on the desk.

In front of him was a stack of papers to be reviewed and signed.

It pains Yue's heart to see her brother so tired.

With her week of substitution, she was able to see a part of her brother's world and she knew how much stress he is bearing. She also knows that there's much more that he is handling.

Yue knew she needed to establish herself so she won't be an additional burden to him.

This Winter Fashion Festival will help her gain the eyes of the Royal Family.

If she can join the inner circle, she'll be able to provide assistance to her brother.

Yue placed the tray on the table and went beside Yyan.

She gently tapped on his shoulder to wake him up so he could transfer to his bed and sleep properly.

Then Yue saw him lazily open up his eyes, but after a while, he grabbed her hand and she landed on his lap.

Yue was stunned by the situation but afterwards tried to get up.

But Yyan didn't let go and even circled his arms around her waist and placed his head on her shoulder.

Yue felt ticklish with the soft breath coming from Yyan.

She didn't know if he's still sleeping or just pretending.

She tried to wriggle out but that only tighten Yyan's hold on her.

"Brother" Yue helplessly called out.

"Stop moving" Yyan whispered. His warm breath made Yue shivered.

"Brother you need to go to bed. Let me out" Yue insisted on getting away.

"Don't be stubborn. Just for a while" Yyan seems to be commanding, but Yue heard the slight pleading in his tone. So stopped struggling until she had gone stiff in that awkward position.

Yyan didn't let her stay like that for too long and eventually his arms loosen.

Seeing the chance, Yue immediately stepped away from Yyan.

Yyan acted as if he didn't notice Yue's action.

"Welcome home" Yyan looked at Yue warmly and Yue blushed on her cheeks.

"Yeah. Drink your milk and go to sleep" Yue shied away from Yyan and run towards the door.

Yyan let out a small laugh but felt conflicted.

If he could he won't let her go.

He felt a deep loss whenever she avoids him like that.

Then suddenly a small head appeared again on his study.

"Before I forget. I just met the siblings of the Rapport Family" Yue remembered the other reason why she went to see her brother.

"I received the report of their arrival in our country, this may have something to do with the impending civil war in their country" Yyan always keep an eye for those events that may affect their family reaching even the countries outside his jurisdiction.

"That's good" Yue expected Yyan to be aware of the situation but she informed him nevertheless.

"How did you meet them?" Yyan wanted to determine if this was an intentional set up.

"Well, I caught the thief who stole the bag of the daughter and she treated me to dinner and her brother took her home afterwards" Yue tried to summarize the event earlier.

"You don't have to do those things next time, I don't want you to get hurt" Yyan frowned when he imagined Yue getting in the frontline of peril.

"I know, don't worry, I didn't put myself in danger. I had the bodyguard intercept the thief" Yue knew self-preservation as learned in her previous dangerous adventures, learned it the hard way.

"That's best. Take your milk and sleep now" the situation was suddenly reversed.

"Hey, you also need to sleep now. I told grandpa butler that I will make you rest even if I have to drag you" Yue was reminded of her main mission.

"Then you drag me" Yyan shamelessly acted like a baby and offered his arms for Yue to take.

Yue's face twitched. She wanted to slap her stupid mouth, but then she can only take a step forward and hold his hands in order to close the curtain on this matter.

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