In Vincent's mind, a certain imaged had been etched.
A beautiful woman who had a beautiful hazel hair that resembles the autumn leaves. Fresh blue eyes that mirrors the vast sky. A soft and fragile voice that always calls his name. Moreover, her smile was always refreshing .
However, this woman was crying in his dreams asking for forgiveness. He thought that it was just his dreams messing up with him but now, the woman who he had been dreaming for almost how many years now appeared in front of him introducing herself as his older sister. She was 3 years older than him.
Vincent felt like he had been mocked by his dreams and expectations. As if something had slapped him and stop him from dreaming anything in the future.
Ha, What was he expecting anyway?
Vincent stiffened not knowing how to react. His usual expressionless face looked too surprise as if he was not understanding the situation at all. The lady his father introduced stood up, lifting her dress a little to give a greeting.
"Greetings to the young Lord of the Halstead Duchy. I am Neirin Circe and I just turned twenty this year my lord. I hope we can get along well in the future."
Twenty? Vincent asked. His brows frowned. Vincent's purple eyes that looked too tired lingering a little bit more to this person before turning to his father. "What do you mean?" Vincent expressed his confussion. His voice ice cold but it seemed like Neirin was not bothered by his tone as she returned from her seat after giving him a greeting.
"Neirin is the daughter of my friend who died. I am adopting her to the family. She'll be your older sister. I hope you treat her well."
"This is the first time I am hearing this," Vincent frowned even more not bothering to look at Neirin's direction. His father, Duke Sebastian coughed, clearing his throat. He acted like nothing happened.
"We'll discuss this matter later. For now, let us eat."
Vincent did not have anymore words after that nor he did not know what to feel after having an instant sister like her. He stared at her for a few seconds before moving his gaze to the food. He felt like he's going to have an indigestion.
In an instant, the Duke ordered the servants to prepare the food. They were quick. Neirin felt the gaze of contempt each servants had but no one objected. Neirin did not care, her eyes sparkled just by the thought of food.
It was the same for Vincent who did not mind the judging stares of the servants and focused himself on eating. If he had some questions he can ask later when his father asked him to go to his studies. Glancing up, he subconsciously studied the face of his new elder sister. Clicking his tongue, he returned his gaze to his food without any change of his expression. He had one thought in mind,
This will be annoying and bothersome.
--
"Father, can I ask the real reason why you brought her here?" Vincent did not engage in any pleasantries as he went straight to the point the moment he step inside his father's study room. The Duke sighed, his eyes glisten from an unknown emotions as if he was looking at a distant memory.
A memory.
A long sad one.
He then said, "That child," He sighed. Vincent was surprised he was sensing emotions between his father's words. Although he appeared cold, he was surprise in the back of his mind. He clenched his jaw thinking of the history between them.
"She's a lonely one." Vincent wanted to argue but he held his words back swallowing them like what he always does. The Duke continued, "And before she face her hardships, I hope that I can ease them a little. I know I am asking for too much but, I hope you can treat her as your real older sister."
It was the first time his father was asking a favor not ordering him. It tickles a bit inside his heart however, his expression remained blank not changing. He found it too absurd for a man who continuously neglect him to ask a favor to care a stranger he barely knew.
He had numerous question left unsaid and he wanted answers. But, if he told them now, would his father answer? Vincent doubted it.
"I don't understand father," Vincent insisted. He did not understand the reason why someone like her should be adopted when his father was already busy with the affairs of the household. If his father only wanted to return favors for his dead friend, would allowing her live in the Halstead mansion suffice?
"You'll understand soon, son." His father's eyes were warm. Vincent hated that expression even more.
His father spoke words as if there were any meaning behind them. Vincent felt like he was lacking on deciphering them. Regardless, this also meant that he can't change what decision his father had made and need to follow it despite of him not wanting to accept it.
That woman will be my sister? He can't help but ridicule the thought. Erasing in his mind that he had dreamed of that girl several times.
--
As soon as the dinner was over, Neirin was escorted to a very luxurious room in the estate. She smiled widely seeing her room had the beautiful color of blue. Her surroundings feels so familiar as she was once here before.
That's right. She was once here for this was her second life.
A second chance to put everything she had destroyed back to the rightful place and rightful owner. Without bothering to change her clothes she flopped on the bed and stare at the ceiling in daze.
Vincent was still as beautiful as before. Neirin can't help but mumble remembering how his dark purple eyes looked tired and emotionless observed her in the dinning table moments ago. In her first life she was scared by those eyes but now, she found it too adorable.
Adding to that, His delicate white skin and black hair that almost covers his eyes. His face was cold and void as if he won't care if the world was destroyed tomorrow.
But that child cried for me, Neirin said in her thoughts once again remembering her past life.
Neirin still remember everything as if it was on the back of her palm. That child who was not capable of loving others requested her presence before asking her blessing of his marriage. She still found such scene shocking but Neirin guessed that love really changed that child. It's okay for her if Vincent won't open up his feelings.
For in this time line she wanted to give back the favor she had received without leaving anything behind.
For the future. And for that lonely soul's future.
--
Neirin looked at her reflection in the mirror. She doesn't have that much dress but the duke had accompanied her to the popular boutique to buy some dress and clothes she can use staying in the Halstead duchy. She said that she was fine but the duke had insisted before traveling for the Halstead duchy was located at the north part of the empire where the weather was usually cold.
Right now, she was wearing a long sleeve white dress that covers her perfectly on her neck down to her toes. The dress had black thread embroidery to decorated on the edges and on the sleeve to make it more elegant and modest at the same time. With the servants assisting her, Neirin's hair was tied in a bun leaving few strands out.
As soon as she was finished, Neirin head a knock from the door. Despite of some servants not accepting her presence in the household, they were still polite and cautious of their actions.
"My lady the duke is looking for you," the servant said with a bow.
Neirin smiled. "Please lead the way," she said and the servant gladly complied.
On her way she noticed that interior of the Halstead duchy. It had the vibrant color of black and white. The beautiful interior matches the ice and snow around the Halstead duchy and with the crystals placed in every corner, it made the mansion look magical and mysterious.
With a smile plastered on her face. Neirin met some servants along the way. Since the duke finally announced her adaption in this house, the servant now considered Neirin as the mistress of the house. However, Neirin wasn't also naïve by the blind respect and politeness they were giving. She had live her life twice now and she still remember her experience from before and now.
Upon arriving, Neirin stood behind the servants who knocked the door to announce her presence. "My lord, the lady has arrived."
"Let her in."
The double door opened revealing a luxurious room. It was decorated in simple but elegant designs. In this room alone, you can see how powerful the duchy was. Neirin then glanced over the Duke who was having an afternoon tea. Lifting her dress she gave a simple greeting.
"I greet the Lord of this house," She said. Duke Sebastian smiled at her. The servants who saw this was taken aback since the duke was not a person who freely express his feelings. Duke Sebastian Halstead was known to be a cold man after the duchess died. After sending his son on the academy his cold demeanor worsen.
"Please sit, Neirin."
Neirin nodded and complied. She took a seat in front of the duke and the servants were quick enough to pour her some tea. After they were done, the Duke waved his hand signifying that they were all dismissed.
With the door closing, Neirin grabbed the cup and sip the tea. It was milky and flowery drinking it. "Your grace, how was your health?" Neirin started. The duke paused blinking he made a shrugged as if it doesn't concern him.
Appearing nonchalant, the duke said smiling. There were no loneliness in his eyes but from the looks of it, he was looking forward to something. "The doctor told me that I only had one month to live."
Neirin paused before heaving her breath. Her heart stinging as she clenched her teeth. Even though it was like this, she was thankful for the duke for giving her an opportunity once again. She wanted to prevent the duke's passing but the cure to his disease was still unknown despite her having the future's knowledge. At the same time, Neirin knew that the duke was already tired and wanted to rest.
Continuing the topic, her mind thought of Vincent.
"Did you tell your son about this?"
"I don't plan on telling it to him." There was firmness on his voice. He sounded completely determined. "I made that child miserable and I don't think he'll forgive me just because I am sick. Although I look forward to my death as I will be soon seeing my wife in the after life. He doesn't need to know that his worthless father is dying"
The duke looked as if he was really looking forward to it. There were rumors that his wife died because of him being always busy. It seemed like he wanted to atone such sins and tell his wife that he was sorry. Neirin who believed in second chances felt like the duke will finally be able to be with his wife in a different world but what had concern her was his son, Vincent.
"Aren't you concern about his well being he's just seventeen."
"That's why you are here, Neirin." The Duke's eyes lingered on her. "I planned on having you protect my son until he comes of his age and leave the job to you to introduce him to all of the wealth and people of the duchy."
That's right. The only reason why the duke had adopted Neirin was to become a temporary head of the Halstead duchy. With the duke's deteriorating health, there were many problems surrounding the duchy and wanted to pull them down. If the young master had inherited this, he might be overwhelmed and break down.
That was where Neirin's presence coming in. She knew the Halstead duchy like it was on the back of her palm. The Halstead duchy ruled the underworld. It was called the courts of miracles. An underground organization with many branches that deals with different crimes and punishment.
They had connections and the duke was involve in several dangerous things that could threaten the empire. Neirin knew the dangerous connections surrounding the duke and the future.
The Halstead family was considered to be one of the ancient family that was build before the empire. Just like the imperial family, the Halstead duchy has many secrets and if one person turn astray, it could lead it to their death.
The duke loved his son and was concerned for his future now that he was dying. That was why he had hired Neirin to become a shield for the young master. In this deal, the duke had promise one thing that will greatly benefit Neirin and that was a clue to her parents and the reason for their deaths.
--