Surprised

"If you're scared, you can hold on tighter, I don't mind," he said, and she smiled as she leaned in closer and wrapped her arms around his waist, feeling the cold wind brush against her cheeks, and he smiled.

After a little while of driving, they finally arrived at the castle and as he stopped at the front door, Sylas came home at the same time.

"Lyra..." he called out as she stepped off the bike, smiling.

"Good night, Sylas," she said and he looked at the class president.

"Good night, who's your friend?" he asked and Asan bowed his head in respect for the prince.

"This is Asan, our class president," she said.

"I see, well, someone is here, invite him in for a drink," he said as he entered the castle, and she looked at Asan, who parked his bike and got off.

"Come on in," she said, and he followed her into the castle, then into the living room, where the others awaited her.

"Lyra.." Arion said as she walked in and he left staring at Asan.

"Good night, Arion," she said.

"Who is this lovely young man?" Mira inquired.

"A friend of mine," she replied while Asan smiled nervously.

"Lyra," someone called out, and her eyes widened as they shook, and she turned around to be surprised.

"You... you're back..." she mumbled, staring at a handsome young man who turned out to be their older brother.

Asan bowed his head and said, "Your highnesses."

"There's no need for any of that," Mira said.

"So, are you her boyfriend?" Arion inquired.

"Arion, you are like Celia, he's not my boyfriend, he's the class president, he is helping with the competition," she said, and Arion sighed as he walked up to her, pouting then Asan smiled.

"What's the matter?" She asked, and he placed his head on her shoulder, after which she raised her right brow and sighed.

"I'm so sorry about this Asan, you can stay for a drink if you want," she said as the servant arrived with a few glasses of wine along with Sylas.

"Thank you for inviting me into your home, Lyra," Asan replied as he took a glass of wine and she smiled as Sylas yanked Arion away from the girl.

"You seem close," the older brother commented as she bowed her head.

"Welcome home," she said and he smiled wickedly.

"Thank you," he replied.

"Lyra, it's getting late; see you at school tomorrow, and are you sure you like the dress?" Asan inquired as their older brother cast a glance at him.

"Don't worry, I'm fine, thank you for the ride Asan," she replied, and he winked at her before leaving. She looked at her older brother, Ximon, who was tall, slim yet muscular, with dark, long, shimmering blue hair and piercing green eyes with a long slim nose, sharp eyes, and broad jawline, and he was also fair in color and appeared younger than his age.

"Damn, this was supposed to be your graduation gift, Lyra," Arion said as she approached him and sat beside him, smiling.

"It's fine, you could have gotten me something else, but thank you," she said, and Ximon gave her a stern look.

"You don't seem happy, is everything all right?" Sylas asked as Lyra's phone rang.

"Hello," she answered.

"Are you free now, Lyra?" Celia inquired.

"What's the matter, Celia?" she asked.

"Nothing, I was wondering if you'd like to come with us to the amusement park, my family is going, apparently my little cousin came over, you know they like you too, it will be a nice break even from studying, want to get some fresh air?" Celia asked, and Lyra smiled as she got up.

"Put your phone on speaker, let me ask your brother permission," Celia said, and Lyra did.

"Here," she said as she was about to hand Sylas the phone when Cyris yelled.

"I don't care if you get permission or not; you're coming, and please bring my jacket."

"Cyris, I will kill you; do you want to me to go deaf?" she asked and Sylas along with Arion and Mira laughed.

"Don't worry, as long as she's safe, she can accompany you wherever you're going," Sylas said.

"Oh, your highness, I apologize for shouting," Cyris responded.

"It's fine, you guys are funny," he said, then gave Lyra the phone and she took the speaker off.

"You know, I've decided not to return the jacket," she said with a smile.

'We'll see about that, we're coming to pick you up,' he said before hanging up, and she sighed.

"Sorry, Sylas, they just want a break from everything," she said as Sylas patted her on the back.

"Go enjoy your life kid, you only live once for some of us, make sure you eat dinner," he replied as he looked at Ximon.

"I've come a long way, I need some sleep, see you guys later, enjoy your night sis," Ximon said with a bright smile, and they were all relieved that things had returned to normal thinking he was still the same as they knew him before he left.

Lyra had no idea her life was about to turn into a living nightmare, and there was no one who could save her.

"Thank you, Ximon; I'll go change," she said as she walked past him, and he sighed as he looked at her.

"Good night, guys," said Ximon.

"Good night, bro; will you stay until her graduation?" Sylas questioned.

"Let's just say I'm not going anywhere for the time being; I will be here, though I have a lot of work to do," he replied.

"We are all here to help, mom and dad will be home soon enough, go get some rest, we'll talk about it tomorrow," Arion said as they all went their separate ways while Lyra went to her room to freshen up.

"He came back... out of nowhere... I am just going to enjoy my night, I really do need some time away from here," she thought while taking her bath feeling frustrated.