9 Akari's mood is gloomy.

When Akari entered the dining hall, she saw Ada and Nicole sitting beside each other and cuddling. Ada was giggling and hugging Nicole's arm, while Nicole fondly smiled and patted his sister's head.

Seeing this harmonious sister-brother bonding scene, Akari's mood turned gloomy. If she wasn't feeling jealous, then she wasn't a human. Whenever she saw the young miss's brother Nicole, she would only remember her younger brother: Yoshida. His gentle smiles, his melodious voice, his harsh words whenever he used to scold her, his body scent of tea and woods, she missed it all.

Annoyed, Akari buried her face in the Duke's shoulder. She knew that she shouldn't feel jealous, nor bitter while seeing the sister brother interaction. After all, she wasn't their real sister. She was Akari, not Emma.

Form the corner of his eyes, Nicole saw his parents entering into the dining hall. When he raised his head, his eyes immediately landed on the little curled ball in his father's arms. His happy mood turned complicated. He also wanted to hold his step sister!

When Nicole suddenly went silent, his sister, Ada raised her head and saw her father, holding her step sister in his arms. Her eyes slightly turned red and she tightly clenched her palm. In her first life, her step sister wasn't so close to anyone. Esmeralda always remained cold and mad towards her adopted parents. She enjoyed staying alone. When she (Ada) reached 10, Emma was only 8 years old.

Emma didn't get to live for too long. During the last month of the year, Emma unfortunately got sick and died after suffering for some days. It was supposed to be a great relief for her adopted parents and the people living in the mansion. But, it wasn't.

After Esmeralda died, her(Ada) mother, Duchess Catherine turned indifferent to her deeds. Whether it was good or bad, she didn't care. While her father, Duke Cyril became cold and more focused in his work. Whenever she (Ada) did a wrong deed, he wouldn't say anything, nor do anything. Even her mother wouldn't help her. It was like, her existence didn't mean anything to them.

Nicole wasn't any better. After Esmeralda's dead, he became indifferent to everyone around him, even to his dotted sister. His smiles and chuckles were replaced by frowns and snorts.

Whenever she remembered these things, Ada couldn't help but grow hatred for her step sister. It was all because of her step sister, that caused her (Ada) parents and brother to turn their backs, when she needed them most. Everything was Esmeralda's fault. She would never accept Esmeralda as her sister.

Plastering a fake smile on her face, Ada turned to the maids and requested them to arrange the dishes for their breakfast.

Akari didn't know that a person was having ill intentions towards her.

Nah.

She didn't know that a person was having ill intentions towards the young miss. Now all she knew was to eat. Eat, eat until all the plates in the table become clean. After having her breakfast, she hesitantly and expectantly turned to the Duke. Didn't he promised to let her visit the town?

Cyril felt a strong gaze on him. He turned his head and found his daughter, staring at him with her round and lucid pair of eyes. Seeing the eagerness and expectations in her big round eyes, he couldn't help but sigh in defeat. He thought Emma would forget the thoughts of visiting the town, unfortunately, she still remembered.

Coughing, he called out, "Nicole." Since he already promised to let Emma visit the town, he can't pretend to have a memory loss. What would his lovely daughter think? She would definitely never trust him again!

Hearing his name, Nicole abruptly raised his head. His hands, holding the spoon and fork paused while doing so.

Cyril said, "I promised Emma to take her to the town, but I didn't expect the counsel to suddenly call for my audience. So I want you to accompany Emma instead of me, to the town. Also, ask Sebastian and Zeril to follow you guys." He trusted his son, but he wasn't foolish to let his 10 year old son and 4 year old daughter, to wander around the town by themselves. Sending Sebastian and Zeril with his kids would be the best option.

Hearing his father's order, Nicole inwardly cheered in delight. He got to spend time with his adorable step sister! He lowered his head and hummed in acknowledgement. If one took a closer look on his face, then they can find his lips slightly curled upwards.

"Father, can I join brother and Emma to their travel to the town? My friend Laura's home is on the way. I promised to attend her afternoon tea party. Can I?," Ada looked at her father and hesitantly laid her request. Even though she had a friend named Laura, there was no tea party as she said. She didn't want her brother to go along with Esmeralda.

Duchess Catherine, who was applying cheese on the bread paused her movements. She looked at Ada and furrowed her brows. She and Ada arrived in the Lennox kingdom just a day ago. Even though they had a lot of acquaintances to visit, she planned to visit them after two or three days. So she had asked her maid to reject all the letters she had received, including Ada's friends.

As long as she remembered, there was no letter, nor tea party invitation from the Laurent Family. Realizing the situation, she chuckled and said, "Ada, you needn't go with Nicole and Emma, because they'll be leaving after their breakfast. Since the Laurent family's tea party is held in the afternoon, I'll arrange a carriage for you. Now quickly finish up your breakfast. Your fiance would be coming here at any time."

Placing the cheese bread on her daughter's plate, Catherine tactically rejected her daughter's request. Ada smiled and reluctantly nodded her head. She turned to her brother and said, "brother, if you're going to the town, can you visit my favourite store and buy this year's new editions for me? Please please..…" She showed her puppy eyes, knowing that her brother was weak to it.

As expected, Nicole chuckled and fondly rubbed his sister's head, "Mmm, I'll make sure to buy everything that my lovely sister requires." Ada giggled as Nicole messed her hair.

Seeing this, Cyril and Catherine chuckled. Whereas Akari buried her face in the bowl of vegetable soup, hiding her gloomy face. Tch, how annoying!

***

For the first time in his life, Cyril was annoyed and irritated by his status as the Lennox kingdom's duke. He couldn't even get to spend his days with his adorable daughter!

He reluctantly put Emma down and crouched in front of her. Holding her tiny hands, he said, "Father is gonna go and help the king to solve a big problem. So I want my little angel to take care of her family and the people in this huge mansion. When father comes back, I'll bring you a big present as your reward. Ok?."

Akari facepalm. Though this body was 4, the mind and soul was 22. So hearing this kind of immature promises, she wanted to laugh.

She hugged the Duke's neck and said, "Emma will be waiting for dad's return." Wait? What wait? All she had to do is sleep, eat and wander around the mansion. Who's gonna sit near the doorstep and gaze at the sky, waiting for something or someone to appear? Uh ah, Surely not her.

Cyril smiled and rubbed his daughter's back, "En. Father will come back soon."

Catherine, who was standing beside the father daughter pair, scratched her palms. Her hands itched to disrupt the lovely moment.

Ada, who was standing beside her mother, hugged her brother's arm and mumbled, "Is dad leaving us again?." Nicole slightly furrowed his brows and assured his sister, "don't worry. Dad is not gonna stay away for too long." Even though he didn't know the detailed information, he knew that his father was gonna be busy for three or four months. Probably his father might come back after four or five months. That was better than waiting for their dad for nine or 1 year.

After Cyril hugged his step daughter, he went and kissed his wife. Then he crouched in front of Ada and gently patted her head, "obey your mom and don't be naughty. I don't want to read any wrong deeds from your mother's letters." Ada stuck out her tongue and said, "I'm not naughty." Cyril chuckled and said, "I know."

Then he turned to Nicole and said, "Take care of your mother and sisters. I'll be leaving them in your care, again." Nicole indifferently nodded his head. Since he was the only son in the Elmstone family, his father, the Duke gave most of the responsibilities in his hands. So he had to make sure, to keep his family safe and sound.

After bidding goodbye to his beloved family, Cyril went and stepped on the ladder, which was released by the huge airship. He gave a last look to his family and pressed the black button, which was set up in the ladder.

Right after he pressed the button, the ladder was immediately pulled from inside the airship. Akari thoughtfully looked at the airship, which was flying in the air. Seeing the multiple numbers of men, who were wearing yellow cloaks and producing wind magic to maintain the airship, she inwardly applauded for their brains.

Though the world is similar to an European era, the existence of magic has created a big difference. For example:

Instead of phones, they use telepathic communication (which I previously said), Instead of air crafts (helicopter, airplane etc...), they use airship (which is more cooler than air crafts!). Instead of vehicles, they use carriages (ok...that's not an improvement).

Instead of floating ships, they use flying ships (cool!). Instead of using luxurious carriages for traveling to school, the students use magic brooms, cool! Isn't it!? (Well, I feel the idea somewhat dumb and stupid).

Imagine yourself cleaning the dirty floor with a 'brooom', then you use the same broom for sitting and flying in the air. (Duh, I don't wanna get disease!)

When Akari heard a cough beside her, she snapped out of her thoughts and turned aside, only to find the young miss's brother, Nicole standing beside her with a poker face. He gave a stiff smile and said, "Let's go."

Akari suddenly felt goosebumps. The young miss's brother looked scary! She should probably stay away from him.

Nicole didn't know that his attempt to get closer to his step sister had backfired.

Akari looked behind Nicole, and found a carriage with two unknown men, standing at each side.

One of the men, was wearing the dress of a butler. He had fiery hair with sharp brows, thin lips and green eyes. He looked really good, (except for the scar on his left eye). The scar traveled from his left brows to the bottom of the left eye. Looks cool!

The other man was wearing a violet cloak with a green rose as its crest. Though his head and face were hidden by the cloak, his single long braided black hair was left in front of him. He looks super duper cool!!

Akari turned to Nicole and asked curiously, "are they coming with us?." Nicole gave a stiff nod in return. Akari's eyes twinkled in delight. 'Mysterious man, here I come! Wahahahaha.'