Chapter 9

The next day, around the middle of the afternoon, Aeliana was sitting in the library with Leon opposite her. As per the agreement from yesterday, Leon was teaching her the imperial language once he finished his classes with his tutors.

Leon had given her a small test in order to find out where she was. Aeliana was surprised to see him taking this seriously although he was forced by their father but nonetheless said nothing and finished the test. She was pretty confident in scoring well.

She quietly sat in her seat while her brother looked through her paper. Then a sigh slipped past his lips when he placed the test down on the table.

"Your grammar is terrible," was the first thing he said.

Aeliana gulped, averting her eyes away from his. Well...that was not what she expected.

"But you have a somewhat good start in the basics," he added on.

Aeliana lifted her gaze up at him and shot him a coyish smile. Leon looked away and took a book out, placing it in between them. He flipped to a page and began teaching her the basics of the language.

Aeliana listened to him meticulously, absorbing everything he was teaching into her brain. Leon was good at teaching, to say the least. His words weren't too difficult and his explanations were simple to the point she could understand. She had her quill pen and paper with her as she wrote down the important notes during his teaching. She had to do better to make up for her regrets.

"...and that's it for today," he closed the imperial language book shut as he ended the class.

He cleaned up his things and said, "I want you to memorise every alphabet for tomorrow's class."

"Okay, br—"

"Don't call me that."

"...Okay."

He got out of his seat and left the library, without ever sparing a glance at her. Aeliana stuck her tongue out before huffing.

"What a terrible attitude."

Aeliana then put on an expressionless look and spoke in a toneless voice, "Your grammar is terrible but you have the basics. Don't call me brother."

"..What are you doing?"

"Sh—" Aeliana nearly cursed out loud but swiftly clasped her mouth shut and looked behind her.

Leon had one eyebrow raised as he looked at her.

"W—why did you return?" she asked, her heart nearly jumping out of her chest.

He pointed at the book not far from Aeliana, "I forgot to take that." he says, grabbing hold of the book.

"Haha I see!" she smiled at him, secretly praying he didn't hear her impersonating him before this.

Leon turned his heel and walked away but just as she was about to heave a relieved sigh, she heard him speak at the door,

"That was a terrible impression. At least do it properly if you're gonna impersonate." and with that, he closed the door shut.

Aeliana buried her face into her arms, whining in embarrassment. She regretted doing that. She wallowed in her shame before she resigned herself to memorising the alphabet.

As she muttered away the letters, another presence arrived and took a seat beside her. She glanced to the side, seeing Darius. He had a book in his hands and wasn't with Marius.

"What are you doing?" he quietly asked, looking over her shoulder.

Aeliana shifted her body a bit for him to see what she was doing, "I have to remember the alphabet." she says before going back to mumbling the letters.

Darius watched her trying to memorise with her best efforts. He leaned against his palm and said,

"There's an easier way to remember."

His words perked her interest. She brought her gaze up to him.

"What way?" she asked, her eyes gleaming with interest.

Darius coughed and looked away, "It's a song."

Aeliana tilted her head to the sight, blinking her eyes, "A song?"

He nodded back at her, "Yes, it goes like this.."

Darius began singing softly in tune. Aeliana listened, her ears were extremely pleased by how good his singing voice was. Then a thought came into mind.

'Isn't this just like the alphabet song?'

By the time Darius finished the song, Aeliana knew it was the same exact rhythm as the alphabet song back in her previous life. The only difference was the letters themselves being completely different from one another.

"Brother is good at singing!" she clapped and praised.

Darius glanced at her before looking away, his ears tinted red as he rubbed the back of his neck, "..It wasn't that good.."

Aeliana shook her head and firmly spoke, "No, it was really good. If I could, I would listen to brother singing every night before I sleep!"

Her words brought more colour to Darius' face. His cheeks were now the same colour as his ears. He clumsily opened his book and dove his nose in it, not speaking anymore.

Aeliana stared at him a while longer and giggled before using the song method to memorise the letters.

Soon the sun fell and the moon rose in place, the skies now painted with bright glistening stars. Dinner finished without a hitch and Aeliana was back in her room, having a usual warm glass of milk before getting ready to sleep.

Flora helped her into her nightwear and tucked her in, bidding her goodnight. Flora turned the lights which were powered by magic, off and closed the door gently.

Aeliana snuggled into the blankets, huddling more warmth. She opened her mouth and yawned, her eyes watering as she did. Then she heard a soft knock on her door. It sounds slightly hesitant, bringing curiosity to her.

Aeliana got out of bed and walked over to the door, wondering who was at her door in the middle of the night. She jumped up and turned the light switch on before opening the door.

At her door, a small young boy that was merely a few centimetres taller than her, stood there, fumbling with his fingers anxiously.

"..Brother Darius?"

"...Hello." he spoke and shot a nod at her.

"Hello," she replied back, returning the same gesture to him.

Aeliana took one step to the side and beckoned him inside her room. He didn't move until she called his name. He stepped inside her room and stiffly sat on the chair by her bedside. Aeliana raised an eyebrow, clearly in confusion as to why out of everyone, her brother was visiting her this late.

Darius turned to her and patted the bed, "Lie down." he says.

Aeliana grew more puzzled but lied on the bed. Darius pulled the covers up to her neck and nodded. She had question marks floating around her head.

"Brother what are you doing?"

"You said you want me to sing you to sleep," he first started, his gaze looking straight ahead, "So I came here."

Aeliana gawked at him. She only said that as a compliment! She never thought he would actually take her words to heart until he would do it.

'Are you really that guilty or what?' she wondered to herself as she continued looking at him.

If he really only felt this guilty after what happened then Aeliana has not once seen someone who would put in this much effort. She continued to look on, trying to figure out her fourth brother's intentions.

He sighed then covered her sight with his hand and muttered, "...Close your eyes."

Aeliana blinked, her lashes brushing the palm of his hand before finally fluttering her eyes shut. She heard him shifting around on the chair and then began to hear a soft calming voice, singing to her.

She didn't know what song Darius was singing but it was calm and soothing. Her muscles relaxed as she listened on. She wanted to praise his singing once more but she began to feel drowsy until she fully fell asleep, her breathing evening out.

Perhaps it was because of Darius' singing but that night her dreams were pleasant, bringing a small smile to her face as she slept.