10 Nicole's Warmth

Akari was bored to death. Who said travelling was fun!? She looked at Nicole, who was absent mindedly gazing outside of the window. She then slyly glanced at the mysterious man, who was sitting across Nicole. She couldn't see his expression (she couldn't even see his eyes!), but she knew that the man was bored.

Averting her probing gaze, she looked at the man, who was sitting across her with expressionless face and straight posture. She found this new world somewhat scary. People who are able to maintain their expressionless face for 24hrs straight are probably not humans.

Shivering, she clutched her winter coat and buried her lower face in it. Apparently, winter was coming near. The weather was going to be cold and also warm. The reason why she was going to the town was to learn and witness the 'new' world (buying winter dress might also be included).

Living in the Duke's mansion for 3 week turned out to be sooo boring that she couldn't bear to keep her eyes open. Everytime she was alone or either free during the warm and sunny days, her eyelids would immediately turn so heavy that she couldn't lift it up.

She usually liked peaceful and warm places, so she constantly went to the garden, which was situated at the back of the mansion. Though the garden could be barely called as a garden, she liked the place. It wasn't loud nor did it contain flowers which produced strong fragrance.

If Akari was missing from her room, then Clara first of all checked the back garden, caused she knew that her young miss was either sleeping in the back garden or in the library. Because, both of the places were the most deserted places when it comes to the people working or living in the mansion.

Akari opened her mouth and let out an unladylike yawn. While doing so, silver watery tears began to form at the corner of her violet eyes. With flushed cheeks and pouting lips, she made an adorable picture. When combining her looks with her snow white winter coat and raven braided hair, she was 1000× adorable than anyone.

Nicole averted his gaze and handed his sword to the mysterious man. Without bothering to speak, he stretched his hand and pulled Akari to his side. Placing the little white ball on his lap, he expressionlessly said, "sleep. I'll wake you up." From his butler's report, his step sister, Emma was a lazy person and a foodie. Except for food, she wouldn't show any excitement for other things.

He was inwardly jumping in happiness and excitement, but his outward facade was calm and expressionless. Carla, who was sitting beside Akari's seat with stretched hands and ajar mouth, let out an awkward cough. She was stunned by the sudden action done by the young master.

Akari didn't mind. She was slightly uncomfortable, but it eventually disappeared as she thought about stuffs which she like. She snuggled closer to Nicole's chest and closed her eyes. 'Warm', she inwardly thought. Yoshida never liked to touch girls, but when it comes to Akari, he wouldn't stay still without holding or hugging his sister.

The atmosphere in the carriage was not too uncomfortable nor too comfortable. It could be said as neutral.

Carla placed her arm on the carriage's window and silently muled over the young master's action. Though she was concentrated on her young miss, she found the young master occasionally glancing at her young miss with uncertainty and mixed feelings. But when her young miss was on the verge of going to her dream land, the young master barely thought, before taking her young miss into his arms. Should she laugh or cry, she didn't know.

The knight, who was sitting across Akari's previous seat, was barely able to cry out in alarm. As a knight of the Elmstone family, he never found the young master, who was called as cold, emotionless or cruel touching people, other than his beloved sister, the first young miss Ada. He was shocked!

No one in the carriage could read the thoughts, which were swelling in their minds. The man, who was sitting across Nicole, was different. He merely looked at the little ball, before he lowered his head, his eyes, hidden in the hood, glittering with unknown emotions.

***

Ada couldn't sit still. Her mind was filled with the thoughts of Nicole, getting far far away from her. If Emma manage to curry favour from Nicole, then Ada might soon meet her nemesis. She nibbled her lower lip and clutched her frock with restrained anger and anxiety. "First miss, prince Edward has arrived," the nanny of Ada, Rita said.

Ada immediately got an idea. She held her skirt and made a dashed to the guest house. Rita was given a fright. She immediately ran after her young miss, screaming, "First miss! What happened?! First miss! Your dress! Miss!." Despite the annoying and loud screams by Rita, Ada was able to reach her destination without getting caught by her mom of guards.

Breathing heavily, she corrected her dress and hair. She can't bear to lose her noble image. Her mother would kill her! When she opened the tall and extravagant door, her pair of ruby eyes instantly landed on the 10 year old boy, who was standing in front of the book shelves with a pair of curious ocean eyes. His golden hair seems to be glittering under the faint sunlight. Though only his side profile was visible, his face could make any young girls go crazy.

Gaining the crown prince as a fiance could be considered a great blessing to Ada. But, it wasn't. This fiance of hers was the reason for her family's extinction. His fake love was the reason for her downfall. Ada eyes turned as cold as ice. She would undoubtedly get her revenge.

Coughing, she curtsy, "your highness." Her calm and melodious voice brought the boy's attention. When he turned and looked at his fiance, there was a flash of excitement in his eyes. He chuckled and beckoned his fiance to come over, "Come and help me find a particular book. Queen mother wanted to borrow a book, which could be only found in your family's library. It goes by the title "Written diary by Sir Arthur Conan on the voyage to X continent'. Though I checked all the books shelves while I was here, I could barely read the titles of 50 books. Tsk."

Ada giggled and said, "why don't I take you to my family's main library. Though I never went there, I could assure you that the book you're searching for could be found there." Prince Edward's eyes twinkled in delight, 'Thank you Ada!." He never visited the main library, but his mother always told him stories of the particular library.

The Elmstone's family have existed for 500 years (which was really rare). Most of the families existence barely crossed 300, but the Elmstones were different. They're each descendants were far superior than the previous one. So every members of the Elmstones could take their place in the superior group.

In Continent Y and M, there were three groups. Superior, inferior and drudges¹. The superior group consists the Emperor, royal family members, the Dukes, the army general, some ministers and many families living in the Empire from various kingdoms. O

The inferior group consists of ministers, wealthy landlords, barons, soldiers, business owners and those who have high status.

The drudges were mostly considered as low-level citizens. This group consists of people working for the inferior and superior group. Commoners, local shop owners, uneducated people, slaves and people under it.

The Elmstone family has been existing for 500 years. It was no secret. Everyone in the kingdom and the continent knew about them. Their fame and status were soo high, after all.

Prince Edward was excited to visit the main library. His queen mother said the library had a secret, but she wouldn't reveal it to him. Though it was frustrating, he liked mysteries. He would find the secret behind the Elmstone main library.

When Ada opened the library with the aid of her nanny, prince Edward didn't waste any second. He dashed into the library and started racking his brains. Ada leisurely took a seat and requested her maid to bring the tea and snacks.

Ada didn't want to waste her time. So after 30 mins or so, she walked to a black book shelf and went behind it. After chanting an unknown spell, she was able to find the location of the required book.

Prince Edward was finding the library case boring and more tough as he thought of all the possibilities. Just at this moment, his fiance happened to give him a book with blue and white covers. Seeing the title, he flashed a million diamond smile for Ada. Unsurprisingly, Ada remained unaffected, though her brows slightly twitched in annoyance.

After handing over the book, Ada smiled and asked, "your highness, don't you feel this particular day seems more pleasant than usual?." Prince Edward smiled and nodded, "Yes. This day seem more pleasant and good than usual. I guess something good might happen next." Since he got his queen mother's desired book, he was happy. And when he is happy, he feels the day is good.

Ada giggled and said, "I heard the new year's Lio edition of magic stuffs have arrived. Hehe, also, there's a new restaurant called 'HoneyLair' in the town. I hear that the sweets and foods provided there are top notch, even better than the royal chef's. Why don't we enjoy this pleasant day while visiting the town and checking out the new stuffs?." Loving her fiance for 13 years, she knew that he loves foods from HoneyLair restaurant and the newest edition of magic things. As expected, Edward nodded his head. Ada faked excitement and quickly arranged a carriage to town.

***

Meanwhile, Akari and her group barely reached the town when a group of bandits blocked their way. The trip from the Elmstome mansion to the town would mostly take 45 mins. While travelling, the carriage had to cross a dense forest called Res. This forest was mostly used by thugs, bandits and murderers who block their victims path, steal and kill them later on. Though most of the bandits were captured, the increase in number doesn't seem to stop or fall down. Rather it increases as days, months and years goes.

Nicole didn't bother to look out. He sat still, afraid that his slight movement would cause the little white ball to roll down from his lap. Though his face was expressionless, his gaze on the little while ball was so soft and warm that Carla and the knight shivered for unknown reasons.

Akari's small fair face and braided hairstyle were the only thing which was visible after she wore her winter coat and black skirt. Her small glossy lips were slightly open, constantly breathing through it. Her tiny white finger held Nicole's shirt tightly, unwilling to let go during her sleep. Seeing her like this, Nicole's eyes soften more than it did. His step sister was very adorable!

"Whoever is inside, come out and kneel! If not, we'll burn your carriage with you in! Come out!," A coarse. voice threatened from outside the carriage. Though none of them were afraid, they were worried about something else.

The little white ball scrunched her brows and tightened her hold on Nicole's shirt. "sleep... quiet..." Nicole slightly rocked his white ball and gestured the knight with his two fingers to deal with the situation. He wouldn't and never would leave his step sister, when she was being so clingy to him. .