Her Uncle and his family (1)

''Ayana….'' Mark Kingston's voice trailed off as he observed his niece's innocent face for a short moment. He noted how her hazel eyes were free of tears that should have happened in an unfortunate occasion like his younger brother, and sister-in-law's funeral.

Besides that, her face seemed too calm yet innocent, which was not normal for a twelve-year-old at her parents' funeral.

'She must have cried enough.' He convinced himself and pushed his thoughts aside. He then showed a warm smile to the little girl who bore a facial resemblance to his now late younger brother. ''How are you holding up, Ayana?''

''I-I am…fine, Uncle.'' Mark noticed the shakiness in his niece's voice and the visible drop in her mood at his question.

'….I must be too paranoid.' He thought to himself.

This was how a twelve-year-old should be at her parents' funeral.

Mark inwardly nodded to himself and held no more suspicions. If his niece was too composed to the point that he could not read her, then it might have been a problem for him.

''You shouldn't have worries, Ayana. Your Aunt, Eldest sister and I are always here for you.'' Mark deliberately softened his voice to show his care for his one and only niece.

''…Y-Yes, Uncle.'' He noticed the trembles of his niece's shoulder and her lowered head. He instantly surmised that she was holding back her tears and grief.

But….

His niece, who was supposedly holding back her tears and grief, was trying to hold back her laughter.

Ayana had already covered her lips that threatened to spill any sound. Her eyes almost brimmed with tears, though not of sadness, but of happiness, regret and rage.

Truly, she had already experienced one life and returned back to the past. Any lingering suspicions instantly disappeared when her uncle repeated the same words and sentences. 

''Everyone is waiting for you and Jason inside, Ayana.'' Ayana let go of her lips and lifted her gaze to her uncle, gesturing to the black gates at a short distance from them.

Her eyes immediately caught the sight of her uncle's wife and his daughter welcoming the guests with smiles. Her uncle, on the other hand, came on his own to welcome her and Jason.

He obviously wanted to put on a show as a caring uncle for his orphaned young niece and nephew.

''Thank you for holding the funeral, uncle.'' Ayana said as they met up with the guests and her uncle's family. ''Nanny had spoken about the death of mother and father. I understand that uncle wanted to hold an early funeral for them, but it would have been nice to have seen them one last time.'' Her voice softened and her eyes welled up in tears.

''Jason and I would have wanted to speak to them one last time.'' Her voice choked with the tears rolling down her face.

Ayana's voice was not too loud or quiet when they reached her uncle's wife and daughter. It was perfect for the ears of the surrounding guests and not too deliberate, as though she wanted to stir something up.

''The Nanny broke the news?''

''How could a mere Nanny have done that?''

''I assumed the Eldest Master had a good relationship with his niece and young nephew.''

''Perhaps he's only putting on a caring face for his niece and nephew. He must be after their inheritance, the Kingston corporation.''

''True. His father had skipped him as heir and chosen his young brother, the late president.''

''Poor young miss Kingston.''

''I heard the late president had chosen the young master Kingston as heir in his will.''

''What of the young miss?''

''What else could she do? She would obviously have to get engaged and marry into another family.''

''She would have some shares in the Kingston corporation, and properties as her inheritance.''

''Someone from the two families would also have to take custody of the children, as they are still young.''

''Perhaps the Eldest Master would take custody.''

''That must have been his plan.''

*murmur*

*murmur*

Ayana almost wanted to smile at the ceaseless chatters around her. All she needed was that spark to lit the fire, and boom! These guests would run their mouths and mercilessly tear down the hypocritical mask of her uncle and his family.

This was their true nature, after all.

In her past life, they all succumbed to her and flattered her as because she was the true young miss of the Kingston family. When news about her giving her shares to her uncle spread out, their mouths instantly changed, and they all tried to bring her down.

She hated them deeply, but she couldn't blame them. Who wouldn't want to be connected to the person in power? Even if they knew who was in the wrong and right, none of them would ever want to stand up for justice.

They weren't simply obligated to do anything for her and her little brother.

''….I trust that your father wouldn't want his daughter and son to see his body in that horrid state, Ayana.'' Mark said, softly. ''I apologize for not visiting you and Jason as I was trying to put in everything for the funeral.''

At the same time, He observed his niece's grief-stricken face and lowered his suspicions against her words. She was just an innocent orphaned twelve-year-old in need of attention and love right now. There was no way she could have hinted something else behind those words.

''You're right, Uncle. Father would have definitely not wanted that.'' As though oblivious to implications of her previous words. Ayana's teary eyes flashed with gratitude. ''He will also be grateful that you are trying to look out for me and Jason.''

So feel some guilt and regrets for scheming against a twelve-year-old like her and a one-year-old like Jason.

Ayana sneered inwardly.

Her uncle was the same as the uncle in her past life, which she was very thankful for.

A very cautious and suspicious man who did not want any damage and stain to his reputation. Within some seconds, he had already cleared away the hidden implications she hinted about him moments ago.

A tactful man with a good endurance and mask.

Ayana was not worried.

She had the experience and knowledge of her past life in the palm of her hands. Her past life had given her the power to change the future.

This time, she was not an easy opponent for them to manipulate to their bidding.

''We should go in and start funeral, Uncle.'' Ayana wiped her tears and forced a smile on her lips.

''You're right, Ayana.'' Her uncle agreed, and together, she walked with him and his family, alongside with her Nanny and a sleeping Jason.

The guests also followed inside the private cemetery.

Within a span of an hour, the funeral started and ended well.