"Young Master, Young Master, please wake up."
"Ado, wake up. Are you having a nightmare?"
Such a sweet voice full of love, like his cousin Juno's.
Adonis felt warm, like he was sleeping in a fluffy bed with a silk quilt over him.
The kind voice, the feeling of warmth, he didn't want to open his eyes and make everything disappear.
But he couldn't help it and opened his eyes to find Juno, exactly like he remembers, staring at him with a beautiful smile on her face.
He smiled too.
"Ado, were you having a nightmare? Was it really scary? It's okay. You are awake now."
She caressed his hair.
He grabbed her hands as tears fell down his cheeks and hugged her tightly.
"Sister, I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing for, Ado? Did something happen to me in your dreams?"
He wished he could apologize to everyone, everyone who loved him.
"I-"
"Young Master, have this warm water first. Your neck must be dry because of all the crying."
"Rosie."
"First of all, finish this cup Young Master."
He was given the warm glass- wait- warm glass?
Adonis looked around.
"What's wrong, Ado?"
He stood up and walked to the table. He opened the bowl and put his fingers in the soup bowl."
"Young Master."
"Ado."
Adonis turned around. His expression was complex at first but then a smile found its place on his lips.
"It's hot."
He ran and twirled Juno.
"It is HOT, REALLY HOT, Rosie."
Now Rosie had a complex expression on her face. She replied,"I-I just made it, of course. Miss, did our young master suffer from sleep walking....and talking?"
"No Rosie no, I am alive and well."
"Of course, you are. I take such good care of the Young Master."
"Thank you so much, Rosie."
Rosie was taken back by the sudden thank you but soon she smiled and said,"Taking care of you is my honour, Young Master."
A palm found its way to his forehead.
"Are you okay? You aren't sick are you?"
He looked at this sister of his who was one of the ten most beautiful women of the nation. She was as beautiful as the sunlight on the outside and was equally warm and kind within.
She also was executed because of him.
"I am. I am finally good, sister. I'll take good care of you. Of you all."
He held her tightly.
"Please do, our dear brother. I'll protect you all in the way I can too."
They smiled at each other.
"Well, if the reunion is finished, would you guys like to have breakfast? Miss you can move to the table. I'll bring Young Master's food again."
She gave her dangerous professional smile to Adonis as he turned away.
"Ado, if you don't mind-"
"Wait, why will you? I'll go to the table and eat with you guys."
"Really?"
Juno looked ecstatic.
"I'm really happy today, Ado. After denying for so long. Finally you agreed to have breakfast with us."
"Huh?"
"Maria had informed us everyday that you didn't want to eat with us but I still couldn't help coming and asking. I'm truly overjoyed."
Oh, so this was it.
Maria couldn't do it for herself. She must be doing it on someone's order. And Adonis didn't have to think hard about who it could be.
It was her.
Isolde Cason.
No wonder, he felt lonely thinking how his brothers and sisters didn't call him to eat with them.
Now he must start cleaning up from near himself.
"I'm sorry for everything, sister. Now I am going to behave well."
She smiled and said,"what makes you happy is what matters the most."
"Sister, let me ask you? What's my age now?"
"Huh?"
"Just asking."
"18 years old, my dear brother."
The word 'dear' sent chills down his spine. Maybe there was one more person he had to be aware of.
"Okay, now you go. I'll be there in no time."
After they left the room, Adonis went into the bath.
He thought about lots of things. He surely had been reincarnated.
He got a second chance to live.
Now he's gonna take control of his life. He won't be manipulated anymore. He'll have to think of a way to grow his family's power.
Right now they just have a reputation but not much influence. He'll find a way to get that.
This time, he definitely won't let anyone suffer, won't let anyone be executed.
He'll save them all.
He'll give the right positions to the right person.
Adonis was determined. He won't be blinded by his cousin who he thought was like his own sister anymore.
He won't be the first pawn to her game anymore.
Last life she shone because he gave her all the lights to her, not this time.
This time, he's gonna light all the candles in the right places.
Adonis opened his closet and stood there just standing for a while.
"What the- why I wore such….. disaster."
Now that he removed the glasses of 'gifted by Isolde' from his eyes and saw these flamboyant outfits, he was embarrassed.
"Rosie."
"Yes Young Master."
"The simplest one."
I really need to get some decent clothes.
Rosie took out a dark purple suit with gold all over it and said,"This is the simplest one, Young Master."
Adonis sighed and said,"Help me with it quickly or everyone will already be done with breakfast."
She made him ready and said,"Young Master, you look as beautiful as ever."
"Thank you, Rosie."
"Young Master.....you look different."
Adonis smiled at her and said,"You think it's not nice?"
"I think it's for the best. I've seen you grow up."
Adonis just smiled at her and said,"let's go, Rosie."
The table was full with delicious smelling breakfasts.
"Can I join in?"
Everyone on the table looked up at Adonis, wide eyed.
"You don't have to ask Ado."
Juno said.
Lucia, Rufus, Ozias nodded in shock.
Mila, who was Juno's sister, didn't do anything.
As Adonis sat on the main seat of the dining table, he heard Mila's cold voice.
"Why? Did you dear sister ask you to spy on us?"
"Mila-"
Adonis just smiled and shook his head. Mila seemed the coldest but was a person with a big heart like her sister Juno.
He'll have to prove it to them rather than saying. So he didn't say anything.
For the first time in his life Adonis knew the joy of eating together with the people he loved.
Last life, he sat in the corner of his room, munching on his bread, alone. And when he'd be with people, it'd be at some parties where eating seemed like too much of a chore. Too much pressure.
"You guys want to join me on the trip to town on the 18th?"
Everyone looked at him again, wide eyes.
"Of course, Ado. Do you have some business there?"
It was Juno again.
Other three nodded again and Mila again didn't have any expression on her face.
"I was thinking of exchanging some clothes to get decent clothes."
This time Mila was the first to react.
"Finally you realise you look like a peacock."
Adonis just nodded his head.
Ozias said,"Woah, bro. It seems like it will be a lot of fun. 18th means we have to go there in plain clothes. I wanted to go for a long time, definitely bro."
He smiled during the whole breakfast as they talked.
Happiness feels free.
After breakfast Adonis asked a maid to inform Rosie that he'd be going to the out house.
As the out house came into sight he sighed and said,"Drusilla."