Elder Brother - II

For Ivan Whittemore, this girl called Emmeline Whittemore was no more than a toy for playing pranks, ever since she was born. She was different from his elder sister and himself. She had different colored hair and their mother did not seem too fond of her. The news of their mother getting pregnant for the third time was surely celebrated, but her birth was not.

Their mother had also gone through a difficult labor during her birth and was quite disappointed that she did not bear another son. And so, it felt like the two elder siblings had been given free rein to bully this kid as much as they wanted. Their mother did not care much after all.

First, she cried, but no one helped. Then she tried to resist. It made the brother sister pair want to tease her more. And then it was announced that this kid would represent Whittemore household for the crown princess race. That was when everything had changed.

Their elder sister, Cecilia, had started harboring a resentment towards this kid. In the end, he had no idea what kind of deal they made, but Emmeline had stopped coming out of her wing much. It was hard to seek her out or play pranks on her. The life did not remain as fun anymore for Ivan.

Furthermore, he became engaged in his studies for inheriting the dukedom, so he just stopped paying attention. Through the vines, he did hear about her outrageous actions from time to time but they were always befitting a kid. It was hilarious to learn how she had made all her teachers run away.

As an elder brother, he had wanted to help her out. No matter what, she was still his little sister. But in the blink of an eye, this girl was already twelve years old. The cute kid with always snotty nose for no one would look after her, had suddenly turned into this arrogant but meek beauty. They were not in a relationship where he could advise her or listen to her concerns. But his heart really ached for this kid who wanted nothing but attention. 

His bullying, and then neglecting, led him to believe that their relationship had become irreparable. And for the same reason, every time he met this girl by chance, he would try to talk some sense into her, albeit by insulting her more.

But the loud callous brat this kid was, she would either beg him incessantly for something or the other or just listen to him quietly, without even a word. There were always two extremes to this kid, she was either too hyper or too depressingly quiet. He almost always thought that the kid had a bipolar disorder. She had just become an annoying existence that he was to avoid as much as possible.

However, the aura of the kid had completely changed, especially since he saw her last time. And it was right before she fell into the lake too. Now, she seemed more mature, and calmer in demeanor? It was definitely not old Emmeline for sure!

And he had even heard about her wanting to study on her own! Truthfully, he had wanted to just see how that kid had managed such a feat and try to tease her again for old times sake, but given how surprising she had been since the beginning of their short conversation, he could not bring himself up to do anything to her.

She had surprised him with her coldness first but then she also admitted to losing her memories on the day of the accident? What was this confusing behavior? Was this kid scheming something suddenly, like a revenge for all those times? She was not listening quietly but also not begging him for any attention. It was as if she was a proud independent person just like a Whittemore was supposed to be.

Wait a minute! Did he just say like a Whittemore?! No, not possible! This girl was not raised to be a Whittemore. She was either a leech or a crown princess candidate. She did not have any other identity! She could not be a Whittemore!

Hah! Ivan Whittemore suddenly clutched his head with his both hands and laughed maniacally. This was how it felt to have their own position threatened. This was what his elder sister was going through! But she was just twelve years old, how could he feel threatened with just two sentences she had spoken? What had gotten into him?

Kim Su Won had no idea she had just made her brother wary of herself. She looked at him puzzled and then started looking through a few books she had ordered Anna to bring in last night.

"Hmph! Even if you read those books, do you think Cecilia would ever pass you in the exam?" Ivan went ahead and sat down in the sofa, right beside Emmeline.

Although this boy was fourteen years old, puberty had hit him right. He was so tall, that he had reached beside her in few strides. Kim Su Won opened her eyes wide. How dare this boy treat her room as his own property?

"And why would she not? If I give wrong answers, I will admit them as wrong. But if I am correct, then Cecilia could not brand my answer wrong of her own volition. That would make her look illiterate," Kim Su Won replied, as she started turning the pages of the book she had in her hand.

She had just learned reading, so the book looked quite hard. It was about the history of the kingdom of Krislabet. She had read it in the novel too but it was not like she remembered it all. Moreover, the author had not fleshed it out in as much detail as she needed to learn as the daughter of the duke. Ugh! This was going to be a headache.

Ivan Whittemore's face was suddenly graced with a wry smile. "History of Krislabet? Let me help you out," he took the book from her hands.

"Help? Why would you want to help me?" Kim Su Won frowned slightly. She tried reading her elder brother's face but could not understand his emotions. Going by the novel, nothing good was to come out of her associating with this kid. But why the sudden interest in her?

"What if I say I want to take your side this time?" his eyes suddenly gleamed with excitement.