Adonis stayed like that, stuck on the bookshelf as he and Magnus both stared at each other intensely.
Both desiring each other and at the same time both unaware of the other's desire for them.
Magnus leaned near Adonis and said,"Didn't you say in bed yesterday that you want to talk to your cousins clearly?"
Adonis nodded his head.
Is it just him or was the leaning near and tone of Magnus was kinda, ummm, something not, ummm.
But the panicked little lamb shook the thought that he was imagining when Magnus was being visibly seductive.
He nodded his head and escaped from Magnus's blocking.
"Let's go, Duke. Or, or we might miss."
Magnus gave a small smile.
This little lamb of his was the cutest, like their son.
Adonis's belongings had long been transferred to Magnus's room.
He went in to change his clothes while Duke was already waiting at the carriage for him.
They hopped in together and reached Arnall Mansion.
Adonis led him and Magnus inside.
Being at peace in Bloodworth Mansion had cleared Adonis's head. He had already realised how badly he had been behaving since he started having nightmares.
Suddenly being loving and suddenly growing distant, he'll have to accept if his cousins didn't trust him anymore. It was a mistake on his part. He's gonna accept whatever decision they choose to make because he understands where they come from.
Magnus had noticed the Adonis who was engrossed in his thought and his nervousness.
He took his palms on his own and stared at him, without saying anything.
The engrossed beauty came out of his head, looking at the big palm holding his own and looking at the person who did that.
Magnus's gaze, as always, calmed his whole person, making his nervous heart warm.
This person's presence was strength to him, he felt safe with him.
With him, his heart said,"Everything's gonna be alright."
Adonis squeezed their palms together and smiled at him, getting Magnus's small warm smile in return.
Poor couple had no idea about the peepers above whose noses were stuck on the glass window and had a huge grin on their face.
To be honest that looked scary.
If you'd suddenly look at them, your heart would jump in fright. If you saw them at night, you'd run.
Magnus and Adonis stopped after entering inside.
"I'll wait here until you finish having your personal talk. After that I'll persuade them about our marriage."
Adonis nodded.
Rosie smiled and greeted them. Behind her was the maid from the other day. She reciprocated Rosie's action.
"Everyone's upstairs, in your study Master Adonis."
Adonis looked at Magnus and he nodded.
Adonis took a deep breath and went upstairs.
He opened the room to his study where all the cousins were sitting on the property.
The silence made Adonis's heart start beating a bit faster.
"How have you guys been?"
Adonis asked nervously.
All of them just looked at him with a straight face without speaking.
"That, that I wanted to apologize to you all. Sister Juno I behaved badly with you. I apologize for that. And all of you for becoming distant suddenly. I know it might be hard for you guys to trust me as I keep on changing my mind and behaviour. But I, I swear I've always loved you guys. I swear I just, I'm sorry for being such a bad brother, I'm sorry. I love you guys. I know that this babbling must sound nonsense and then, that my bad, I'm not as capable as I thought, I am as strong as I thought. I'm sorry-"
Adonis, who was speaking with his head hung down, looking at his leg, was hugged out of nowhere.
He stopped talking. Eyes widened.
Juno caressed him on his back.
"We understand."
Mila hugged her from behind.
"Stop apologizing."
Ozias and Rufus joined from the sides.
"Why's brother so nervous? We know you love us. Hehe."
Lucia came with a dazzling smiled and said,"We love Brother Adonis so muchhhhhhh."
Adonis couldn't contain the tears in his eyes. Tears spilled down from his eyes.
He tried wiping it and said,"These tears, so unmanly."
Juno let go of him and so did others.
She wiped the tears in his eyes and said,"What manly and unmanly, it's only human to cry when you're sad and smile when you're happy. No matter the reason. It's only right and fair to do what your heart tells you to do at that moment."
Everyone nodded.
Adonis looked at them with eyes full of tears and smiled while tears spilled from his eyes.
That day Adonis knew what it was like to cry from happiness.
Lucia said,"Brother Adonis, we'll wait for you to open up to us."
"I'll tell you."
"You don't have to rush."
Adonis walked towards the window.
"I know how sister Isolde actually treats me and I also know the first Prince is not the right ruler for our country. I was ignorant of it before but now I know well. That memory is so distant that you could even say I woke up from a dream. It should me what would happen if I kept on being ignorant. All that will flow is destruction.And that realistic dream has left me with some scars. Deep internal scars that still makes me sacred. I thought I could stop all this on my own but seems like I'm not strong enough. I didn't do anything for you guys. I'm sorry for making you guys suffer without a clue."
"You are strong."
Juno looked Adonis dead in eyes and said,"You've endured it for so long shows that you're strong enough. Our dear Adonis just needs a bit of emotional support. Someone to know what he's doing so that he can keep going. Sometimes you just want someone to know what you are actually doing."
Mila came forward and said,"And who said you didn't do anything. Because of you all our businesses are set up. With Rufus's and mine business alone we've filled the taken out treasures from the Arnall treasury. And when sister's and Lucia's business is gonna be a huge thing too. We know that. If it wasn't for you we'd never grow out of our standard Nobel shell and never discover the pleasure of doing something on our own. You've changed the way of our life and made it happier. You should be proud."
All of them nodded.
Adonis's heart was overflowing with warmth.
Of course, they're not Isolde. They're the people who truly loved him. They'll understand and they did.
"Thank you."
Adonis whispered.
"Brother Adonis, we're family. No need to say thank you. Hehe."
All of them hugged.
Somewhere in his heart was a hollow part which was filled that day because he now actually knew the love of family.
Ozias was the first to pull back and he said,"Brother, won't you introduce us to someone?"
Lucia also said,"Brother, he isn't threatening you to marry him, isn't he?"
Adonis widened his eyes.
"Why would he threaten me to marry him? I have nothing."
Lucia sighed and shook her head,"The beauty which can make anyone down on their feet is oblivious of her beauty."
Adonis scrunched his eyebrows and said,"I'm not even very beautiful. And he isn't like that."
Juno asked,"Ado, you're happy?"
Adonis blushed like a tomato and smiled like a fool as he said,"Sister, that I really do l-lo-like him."
"But he has a son."
"Osiris is so adorable. You'll know when you meet him. He's an angel baby."
Juno smiled and said,"He's someone who makes our brother so happy. Let's not make him wait."
They went down as the four in the back discussed.
"What should we give him?"
"I heard he likes sweets."
"I'll make a pretty suit for him at his fathers' wedding."
"Wow, sister Mila. I'll give him an ancient brooch."
"That's good."
As soon as Magnus saw them coming he stood up.
His built body was straight and confident as ever. He greeted them first. They all sat down.
Juno looked at Adonis and said,"Ado, won't you go and take a look at the garden?"
Adonis looked at Juno and Magnus and said,"But sister-"
"Go and take a look."
Before he could say anything he was dragged to the garden.
The maids brought tea and snacks and put it on the table.