"Maybe if you pretended to care, I would not have gone this far."
—
In the carriage, he gazed absentmindedly out of the small gold-decorated window, letting his mind wander and thinking of the things he could do once he arrived at his destination. The carriage ride was relatively short from the academy to his home. As soon as he arrived, he stepped out of the vehicle and was pounced on by his overly excited sister.
"Flora!" Blake exclaimed happily as he wrapped his arms tightly around his sister. "Oh, how I've missed you."
"Have you missed me, brother?" Flora asked, smiling happily. Her giggle was loud as she snuggled into her brother's embrace.
"Oh, of course, I have! What kind of brother would I be if I didn't miss my beloved sister?" He giggled and pulled away from the embrace. Then he cupped her cheeks in his hands, pressing the flesh under his fingers as if he were trying to make sure he wasn't dreaming. "You've grown. How has your swordsmanship training been going?"
"Of course, it's been going well! Next year, I'll finally be able to join the swordsmanship classes at the academy! Isn't that exciting, brother?"
"That is incredibly exciting, dear sister. I am sure you will excel in it as you always have," Blake chuckled, running his fingers through Flora's hair before giving it a small ruffle.
"Come, come! Mother, Father, and the twins are all inside! Sebastian is there too!" Flora hopped excitedly, holding his hand gently before tugging him towards the mansion doors.
Blake grinned broadly, delighted to see how excited his sister was to see him again. Upon entering the mansion, they were greeted by four smiling adults: Blake's mother and grandfather, their father, Flora's mother, and their trusted butler.
Blake's return was celebrated with a small feast. The night was filled with laughter and happy stories of Blake's adventures at the academy. It was as if there were nothing to worry about; the family was as cheerful as ever to be reunited after just six months of the eldest being away.
"Mother, what is this?" Blake asked, showing Cruella a brooch he had found on the ground near the garden earlier that day.
Cruella looked away from her paperwork and examined the item the teen had brought to her. "Oh my, that is quite a beautiful ornament you have found. Would you care to tell me where you found it, dear?"
"I found it while I was in the garden, near the fountain," he replied as he sank into the seat next to her desk. He then placed the brooch on the hardwood table in front of him.
She picked up the small ornament, examining it as she held it up against the light. The brooch glimmered a sadistic red. The silver adorning the stone twisted and turned into making a beautiful vine-like shape that helped it stay in place as a sharp pin stood at the back of the brooch.
"It seems to be a type of garnet, love. I am not sure if it is enchanted. However, I believe it is safe for you to keep," Cruella smiled warmly, placing the brooch into Blake's hand. "Be careful and run along now."
"Right! Thank you, Mother!" Blake exclaimed happily before running out of the room without giving Cruella a small wave.
As Blake was walking back to his room, he held the brooch up to his eye level, examining it as he wondered, 'Who in the world would leave this brooch lying around like that?'