George's heart thumped at Annie's beautiful eyes. He pecked on her red lips and answered, "I will talk to my brother. I am very happy being with you so I decided to spend the rest of the days with you. My brother should understand that. Honestly, he already fulfilled his promise to my parents long ago, so there is no need for him to uphold that promise. Don't worry, Annie, I will convince him."
Annie was still worried. She buried her head on George's chest and breathed in his naturally calming scent.
Before, it did not matter to her if they would marry later or sooner. However, once she learned of George's family and his past, she decided to marry George as early as this time even though they had only been in a relationship for two years.
"Your brother is sweet and pedantically romantic… I think it will be hard to convince him," Annie commented.
George chuckled. "Well, he is undeniably very disciplined and principled. Once he decided to do something, he would never change his mind. He is very stubborn." His eyes crinkled into a smile. "But I believe that once my brother falls in love, just like how we love each other, then he will change his mind."
Annie tilted her head up as she wondered. "Is he currently dating someone?"
"Hmm… Not that I know of. His first and last relationship was after I married my deceased wife. He broke up with his ex-girlfriend when my wife died."
Annie was shocked. "Then he must have done that break up to keep his promise, didn't he?"
"Haha, sadly, yes." George laughed bitterly. "That is why I felt guilty when I still cannot move on for a long time. I made him waste his youthful life for me. Luckily, I met you." He kissed her nose.
Annie was tickled. "I really hope for your brother to find a good love."
"I hope so as well."
....
The night arrived at Chu mansion.
Alliana was standing in her room's balcony with a glass of wine in her hand. Her nightgown swayed with the cold wind. Her long locks of hair fluttered up.
It was a cold night. However, Alliana could not feel it at all because her heart felt even colder.
A knock on the door sounded, followed by a calm voice.
"Sister, it's me."
Alliana did not answer.
Despite not receiving an answer, Ariana still came in. She did not wear a retro hat this time, but a fashionable retro hairpin with a black veil partially covering half of her face.
She was wearing her long nightgown with a long black robe on top.
"Sister, are you still thinking about the earlier matter?"
Alliana did not look back. Usually, she would laugh at her sister's night outfit at this time, but she was not in the mood to tease any of her sisters at the moment.
Ariana approached the balcony with quiet steps.
Her elder sister being quiet was rare. The only people who could make her silent like this were their mother or them, Angel and Ariana.
Her older sister might seem like a female devil in other people's eyes, but for their family, she was their protector. She was their guardian who shielded them from all harm.
Ariana changed the topic. "Sister, you told me earlier that you will interrogate me, didn't you?"
Alliana suddenly flinched at the reminder. Her previously numb eyes suddenly blazed with life.
Her thoughts about her mother yelling at her and siding with the outsider rather than her daughter was suddenly thrown away to outer space.
Right! How could she forget such an important thing? Ariana, her second sister, had spent a night somewhere!
Alliana turned around swiftly. Her beautiful eyes were glaring intensely. With the glowing moon above her and the wind ruffling her black nightgown and hair, she looked somehow scary.
Ariana stiffened.
Ah, what a pain.
She hoped that she would not regret being the sacrificial lamb today.
"I almost forgot that, Ariana. You did well, reminding me of that. Now tell me, where did you spend the night, hmm?"
"...." Ariana adjusted her hairpin veil until it covered her eyes. Due to that action, she looked quite foolish. Her heart started to beat nervously. "Uhm… In some mansion."