~When does the rain stop?~

.

.

.

We are rich..., but not on the level most people who attend this academy are. My brother and I come from a family that from long ago to this present moment was known to be a people of high nobility and intellect. We maintained and enhanced this characteristic over the years as many more things came into existence.

Now, please, don't belittle us due to the school that we are currently attending. To assist with your understanding of our status, I have shook hands with her majesty, the Queen, at the age of thirteen during my first meeting with her, my household currently has around fifty-seven personal workers, all facilitated and provided for, and the final distinction is our family bank, which has been passed on for years.

Fortune of Veracity.

It certainly lives to its name as it is the source of most of our income and has served the main role in the journey to making us one of the wealthiest nobles in the world. We have many clients and investors and people who look for other business proposals with us, but unfortunately for us, it was a person among one of these categories that led to my brother and I's cruel fate.

It all began on that damp evening, right after the rain had stopped...

.

.

.

"Good ma'am! I apologise for the disturbance, but have you, by any chance, caught sight of my darling sister at any point of today?" My breath hitched at the back of my throat. His sudden appearance startled me, and, although I had heard and recognised his footsteps a while before, the sound of his voice was what terrified me most about him.

"You must also forgive me, Young Sir, but it seems as though your sister has retired to her chambers for the evening until the guests arrive." The kind, frail voice of my personal maid informed my brother. "She had also mentioned that she does not wish to see anyone before the banquet."

He frowned at this. I didn't have to see him to tell. At any point, I could peep through the crack of the cupboard door in the grandfather-clock in which I hid, but just the thought of his deep hazelnut brown eyes kept me sitting in place.

"I see. Well, I guess I could always check on her at a later time." He sighed. "Shame, I wanted her to help me decide on what to wear. Hearing my sweet Quinn's personal reasoning and opinion always makes me feel better. Anyways, have a good day, Mrs Cleveland."

The sound of his departing footsteps put my mind at ease as I was then able to realise how the prolonging down-poor from outside, that had been ongoing from sunset last night, had finally come to a halt.

"Doesn't the sky seem much clearer now, young lady Quinn?" I creaked open the door to my spot, slightly poking my head out to check that no one else was in sight.

"Yes, it appears so." I replied, stepping into the bright sunlight that was cast upon the hallway from the large casement windows as the shimmering droplets refracted the light into mini coloured streaks. "I also believe that I have not been disturbed by my brother all this weekend, with the exception of this hour."

"Do you, perhaps, think that he may finally be beginning to grow out of his clingy, manipulative state?" The elderly lady asked, causing me to turn my head in thought. There is a chance that with the appearance of the sun, there may be a disappearance of the rain. I directed my eyes towards the window.

"As the state of liberty is now beginning to show itself to me, perhaps it is a feeling that will begin to remain." Knowing that Andrew could return this way at any moment, I decided it was time to truly return to my room. As well as that, I still need to make some adjustments to my own appearance before the banquet. "Shall we go prepare then, Mrs Cleveland?"

"Of course, my dear lady Quinn!"

.

.

.

Trickle.

.

.

.

Trickle.

.

.

.

Trickle.

.

.

.

Splash.

.

.

.

As the sun began to set and the hour of the meal had come, I began to make my way down to the front, knowing that as the daughter of the Veracitys, I would have to accompany my parents with the greetings of our guests.

Of course, as I headed down many staircases and hallways, that either when I got there or on my way, I would end up seeing -,

"Ah, my darling little sister! How have you been?" I froze. I began to hear his pace quicken. "It feels as if I haven't seen you for a whole eternity!"

"Brother, how are you?" I turned around, having already prepared myself to face him. "I hope well."

"More so, now that I have been able to see you!" Andrew took my hand in his and began to walk down the corridors again. "Let us hurry downstairs; we wouldn't want to keep father and mother waiting any longer."

I allowed him to drag me the rest of the way as I knew the consequences of challenging his persona. This action of his was one of the few that didn't bother me too much, but over the years, all I have wanted was my own space and the liberty to make decisions for myself, but unfortunately, that was never a gift I could receive.

Surely enough, the journey to the front garden was swift, and the chore of shaking the hands of many other wealthy people allowed me to rest my mind a little, however, when I got to a certain face, annoyance overtook me slightly.

"Good evening, Mr and Mrs Albrecht, and Miss Patrica Albrecht." I greeted the family.

"Ah, Miss Quinn Veracity, Good evening," the father spoke.

"Good evening, dear." Smiled his wife as I turned almost expectantly towards their daughter.

"What is it?" She scoffed, glaring at me.

"Nothing. Please, enjoy yourselves."

I always found it difficult to talk to the only child of the Albrechts. Their family are not even close to being as wealthy as mine, but compared to other's, they are extremely well-off. The family owns a shipping company that mainly focuses on trades coming in and out of the country, and many other businesses collaborate with them in order to get and sell resources.

The connection my family and their's have is the investment we made a while ago into their boats, and in return, we get a portion of their earnings. The parents have always been kind, but their child... not as tolerable.

.

.

.

After about an hour, we all found ourselves seated in the banquet hall along the incredibly long dining table that had many dishes and meats lay out across it. My father sat at the very end with my mother beside him and another guest beside her. My brother sat opposite her with me next to him.

At first, I wasn't too pleased with my seat, but all he did was tell me about his plan to go abroad for a while with his friend.

"I really wish I could have brought you along with us, but Benedict told me that we wouldn't be able to focus on our work." Andrew sighed as I mentally smiled. "I told him that you wouldn't be a bother, but he wouldn't listen."

"Please, brother, don't fuss over me." I began. "Also, I don't believe that you have mentioned this 'Benedict' to me before."

"I haven't, and you don't need to concern yourself with him." He stated, slightly sterner than usual, causing me to simply nod my head in response.

A few seconds later, a mascaline voice that came from a couple of seats away from my mother began to speak.

"I am honoured to be able to attend such an equisite banquet, Mr and Mrs Veracity, and I would like to use this opportunity to formerly introduce my plans to you." You inspected the man, a brunette with short features and a pointed nose. His grey suit and black tie clung close to his body as his double chin bulged out of his shirt.

"Mr Edward Baldward, yes, it would be nice for you to explain your proposal in further detail." Mr Veracity spoke. "My wife and I have been quite intrigued since your letter."

"Thank you, Sir." Mr Baldward said. "As I have already mentioned, I would like to begin a clothing brand. I already have a building that I have had my eyes set on for the first location and a few designs if you would like to take a look later.

"Right now, all I lack for this project are employees, the fabrics, and the funds. This is why I am asking for you to lend me some money in order to get all that I need to start my business, and in return, I will be more than happier to give you fifty percent of the total earnings if you are willing to also continue to pay for all of the needed resources and taxes."

Upon realising that he had finished speaking, I almost deadpanned at the lack of information, as I knew that there were a lot more details my parents would need to be aware of before formerly agreeing to anything.

"Mr Baldward, have you done any further research? Prepared any sort of advertising for employment? Or, simply note any prices I should be aware of before agreeing to help purchase anything?"

The said man began to sweat furiously as he went to his pocket for a handkerchief.

"W-well, Sir, ah- I have, it is just that I -"

"Enough." Mr Veracity turned to face me and Andrew. "Andrew, Quinn, based on what you have heard, I would like to hear your opinions on the matter."

I looked towards my brother as his attention was pointed directly at the man.

"My opinion... well, Mr Edward Baldward has an idea, but it seems to be heavily dependent on our own expenses." He then turned to me. "But I shall leave the decision to my little sister, as I can not currently work out my own thoughts on this project."

I could feel the eyes of the entire room on me whilst I kept my own glare focused on the Baldward.

"Mr Baldward, forgive my bluntness, but tell me," I began, now leaning over the table to rest my head on my raised hand. "Were your intentions to simply use this business of yours as a cover to live off the Fortune of Veracity?" Any voices that were previously in the hall paused as my words became the only thought in their heads. Everyone instantly turned to face the Edward, expecting an answer from his red, dripping face.

"L-live off the w-wealth of the Veracity's!" He exclaimed. "This is madness! We are all aware of the reason why your family is so esteemed, so to even scheme such a cunning scam would be a waste of time!"

"You say that, but that is basically what you have just told us." I started to explain. "You said you would pay us fifty percent of your earnings if we pay the taxes, but depending on the amount you get and the bills themselves, we may as well not pay it, as we wouldn't be making any profit.

"Furthermore, it doesn't seem as if you have done any market research for what you're planning to sell, so what if you don't make any or enough earnings to pay us back? Do you have a plan for that? Or was it to simply show us a signed contract to say that we are still implied to continue to pay for all of your expenses?"

The silence of the room grew as the man struggled to think of an answer.

"Mr Baldward, we are still waiting for a response." My mother spoke, glaring at Edward.

Mr Baldward scoffed as he pushed out his chair and stormed out of the room.

"Well said, my dear little sister!" My brother wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

"Yes, well said indeed, Miss Veracity." Mrs Abrecht applauded me.

"Quinn, you did rather exceptional." My father smiled approvingly.

"You did me and your father proud." My mother said. "Now that's dealt with, where were we?" And so the evening continued.

.

.

.

Splash.

.

.

.

Splash.

.

.

.

Splash.

.

.

.

Plop.

.

.

.

After some time had passed, I began to feel out of breath, but I had no idea why. I excused myself from the hall and went to get some fresh air from the garden in the centre of the estate, and in the centre of that, there was a fountain. The lush fountain that stood at the heart of our land.

I approached and sat on the edge of it, listening to the trickling of the monuments contents as I focused on my breathing. However, I was suddenly grabbed by the wrist and yanked to my feet.

"It was YOU!" The familiar pink, puffy face of the 'business man' yelled, clinging harder and harder to my arm. "How DARE YOU humiliate me and still have the NERVE to come out to meet me!"

I was confused by what he meant by me coming to meet him, but I had little time to ponder that as he began to lift his free hand above his head.

"You ought to learn some respect -!" As I squinted my eyes, bracing myself for the impact, I looked up only to realise that his hit was stopped by another.

"Excuse me, Mr Baldward, but I believe that my sister has no reason to feel inclined to show you any sort of 'respect'."

"Brother,"

The tall figure of Andrew loomed over the man as he snatched my wrist from him.

"Little sister, please head inside whilst I speak with this Mr Baldward."

"What about -?"

"It doesn't concern you. Now go inside." He commanded me again, and without further question, I complied, but due to a feeling of worry for Andrew's situation, I decided to hide behind the closest door to the two males.

Despite being so close, I still struggled to hear their conversation and sound of pattering began to override their voices. The new sound sounded like one of someone approaching the fountain, but as I listened more, I noticed exactly what it was.

Rain.

The rain that felt to have only just ended had begun once again. I didn't know how to feel. I didn't know what to do, but there was a loud, ear-piercing scream that seemed to have even cut through sound itself. I froze, realising what, or who it was.

Worry and panick for my brother filled me as I ran out from behind the door to see the only standing person on the scene.

"A-andrew -?" My voice hitched at the back of my throat as I glanced towards the fountain and saw the half in, half out body of Mr Edward Baldward, his suit getting further soaked by the ongoing down-poor.

I turned back to the wet figure of Andrew, his now damp hair covering his eyes and the cuffs of his blazer apparently wetter than the rest of his clothes.

"W-what d-did you -" I couldn't even finish my sentence as he came closer to me and began to embrace me in a hug in a way that mostly sheltered me from the rain.

"My dear little sister," He started. "Remember, I will always stay with you through the rain, no matter how hard it gets."

I couldn't answer. I couldn't say anything. Even if I could, what would I say? For some reason, the eyes of many began to settle on us two as whispers, accusations, and fingers were pointed towards us.

What even happened...?

.

.

.

People with notepads questioned us. I didn't answer. Our parents questioned us. I didn't answer. The court questioned us. I didn't answer.

It took me a while to even comprehend what had occurred. I struggled to believe it...

.

.

.

"I hereby announce Mr Andrew Veracity and Miss Quinn Veracity guilty, but due to lack of evidence, the siblings will therefore be put on a year suspension." These were the first words I seemed to have really taken in since the event.

The words of the judge giving me and my brother a guilty sentence.

.

.

.