A Brother's Care

It's super cold. Has the snow finally fallen to signal winter has come? Leone balled herself inside the blanket and went back to sleep.

"Good morning, Leone!"

A loud voice echoed in the room as the perpetrator pulled the blanket off Leone.

Leone cursed in her sleep, hugging herself. "Fuck! It's cold!"

"Watch your mouth lady. Besides, it's already seven in the morning. How long do you plan on sleeping?"

Leone's eyes blinked open and she sat. "What?!"

She overslept! She even told Nicholas she'll help open the shop.

"Ack!" Leone held her head as if a block of ice had been thrown at her. "Damn. My head's spinning."

"That's because you abruptly got up. I told you many times about it. You just don't learn, do you?"

"And you're nagging me so early in the morning like a mother hen. How many times have I told you to stop it, Leo?"

Leone massaged her temples and slowly opened her eyes. She was wearing a sleeping silk gown. Hmm?

She raised her head and saw an unfamiliar young man. His white hair is as fair as his skin. His blue eyes are like dazzling jewels. He wore clothes fitting for a high noble.

"What are you doing here?"

"That's a good question. I should not be allowed to enter a lady's room, provided that they are a lady. But you are yet to be introduced to society as one so I could say you're still a child. No wonder your ability to wake up is on par with a kid."

Leone could feel a nerve bulging in her temple. Who's this kid badmouthing her so early in the morning?

Much to her horror, she found herself in an unfamiliar room that is blatantly screaming in extreme extravagance.

Was she abducted while she was asleep? And the perpetrator is... ? Perhaps the cloaked figure she saw under the flickering lamppost?!

She could feel her head aching again. She put on her slippers and walked towards the bathroom that for an unknown reason was familiar to her as such room despite lacking knowledge about it.

Shock and fear mirrored her eyes as she stare at her reflection. She looks so much like the young man who was dishing her earlier.

What's happening?! She wanted to scream in horror. Leone realized her nightmare has begun.

"What's wrong, Leone?"

"Ahh. Nothing. I'm just a bit out of it still. Can you give me a few minutes to compose myself?"

"Fine. But hurry up. The dressmaker for you has arrived. Should I ask a servant to bring your breakfast?"

"No need. I don't feel like eating or I might just throw them up."

Leone heard the door to the bathroom closed. She fell to the floor and covered her face. What is this all about? A curse? They do share the same name but they are far apart in appearance. This is a sick joke.

She doesn't know what's happening, has no idea where in the world she is nor recognizes anyone. But didn't she mention that young man's name, Leo, and he didn't flinch about it? That means she got it right.

Would she eventually remember and recognize others just the same? No, no. That only applies when she was not aware of the situation and the name just slipped out!

"Leone! Your few minutes are up!"

"For fuck's sake! Give me an hour then!"

"Too long! Whether you like it or not I'm dragging you with me!"

The door opened and Leo came barging in. The young man froze in his step when he saw Leone on the floor, tears flowing in her eyes.

"What's wrong? Why are you crying? If you so much need an hour then so be it!"

"Eh?"

Leone touched her face and the warm liquid rolled down her face. She tried to wipe them away but they just won't stop.

"I'm not crying. I don't want to cry. Why!"

Leo balled his fist and kneeled, taking both Leone's hands away to stop scratching her face and bought her head to his chest.

"It's alright now. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

Leone could not understand what was going on but her eyes won't stop crying. But she somehow calmed down as Leo brushed her hair despite having no idea what the young man meant to her. Perhaps they share the same blood as evidenced by how similar they look.

"Have you calmed down now?"

"Y-yes."

"Good. You need an hour, right? I shall send a servant here to help you. I advise you to have a light meal as well, I don't want to see you fainting later on. Is that agreeable?"

"Alright."

"What would you like to eat then?"

"A toast with butter and egg? And pineapple juice?"

Leo smiled and ruffled her hair. "Okay."

Leone was brought back to her room. She seated on the sofa facing the closed terrace and saw endless white. She opened it and felt cold air piercing her skin, her fingers trembled, and her breath smoked. She felt her palms freeze in both heat, cold, and pain as she touched the railings.

The mountains, the land, and even the waters were covered in snow, or perhaps they had turned to ice.

Leone felt afraid as a rising desire to jump off the terrace crossed her mind. No, it was inside her all this time. It kept on growing and now it's overflowing. It speaks to her. 'Please, please. Let me take a rest.'

Leone could feel the sincerity of the voice, its exhaustion, and pain. Tears fell down as she shook her head.

"I'm sorry."

The sound of glass shattering echoed in the room followed by a piercing scream. "Your Highness!"

Leone jolted in her sleep, she felt her back separated from the bed. Tears kept on falling as her heart beats wildly. She clenched her chest and pursed her lips to prevent any sound to escape. She felt so hurt and hollow.

She leaned against the headboard, staring at the dark. She would not like to go back to sleep.

It was then that she noticed light escaping through the small space beneath the door. It was coming from the hallway.

She pulled the blanket and wrapped it around her body, still feeling cold despite the lack of snow.

She managed to walk despite her shaky legs and reached the shop. Nikolas was practicing how to brew coffee.

"Can't sleep?"

Nikolas raised his head, worry etched on his face as he saw the red and puffy eyes of the girl. Remnants of tears still linger on her cheeks.

"Yeah. If you do not mind, would you like to have a cup?"

"I'm not a coffee person but sure. I think I needed a dose of caffeine right now."