_06_(Lavalee's Point of View)
I sat up confused when I heard my phone ringing.
It's only four freaking o'clock, who would be calling me this early in the morning?
I tried to come up with anyone who would but I just can't think of anyone who's calling this early. It's impossible to be Freia because she's probably having her early training at this time.
I opened and closed my eyes before looking at the caller ID to adjust my eyesight to the bright light.
Jace the gay calling...
"Hello?" I answered confused
What does he want? And why is he calling at this time of the day?
And first of all, why bother calling me? His room's on the first floor of this house, he could just go here instead of calling.
[Get up. We received a report you're being tailed.] he said which made me stand up
"Excuse me, what?" I asked in disbelief
If anyone is tailing us, Nii-sama would have informed me, but next to him and his colleagues who we can't get rid of, there's none.
[Someone has been spotted tailing and following you these past days.] He replied
"Isn't that expected? I mean, you are monitoring our whereabouts for our safety." I replied and went to my study table and opened my laptop
I run a full scan of any unidentified or strange activities taped from all the CCTVs and electronic devices 2KM around the mansion.
[Apart from us, I advise you not to go to school today. It's not safe?] He said
"But isn't that why you're here in the first place? To keep us safe," I asked
'And we can handle ourselves,' I wanted to add
[Don't be stubborn.] he replied coldly and hung up
The flame-like phone on my mini-receiving area rang so I answered it.
"Hime," I was startled when I saw Nii-sama's face appear on the flat-screen television
"Nii-sama? Naze denwa shita?" I asked him confused
Is this about what Jace had told me? Then, it must be related to the underground.
"You've been traced." He said and my eyes widened
"Traced? How is that possible? I thought the system can keep us untraced?" I asked getting confused
"The Empire's Council is tracing you." He said and I looked at him confused
If it's the Empire's council tracing us then why is he worried?
"Watch your back," With that statement, I knew something was wrong
"Traitors, Nii-sama?" I asked and he nodded
"They're looking for loopholes." He said and I nodded
"We'll go back to New Jadecry soon, Nii-sama. I only came here to look for Eomma's gem. Don't worry about me." I assured him
"Johimaeyo, Hime." He said and the screen turned black
I ran a lockdown sequence on the whole mansion after running the scan.
I looked at my reflection on the black screen and sighed before I went to my bathroom, took a bath, and then wore my uniform.
"What's with the sequence? Did something happen?" Chelsea asked while holding her iPad after I arrived on the second floor.
"Empire problems," I replied and she nodded
"Stubborn. I told you not to go to school today." Jace scolded me the moment I stepped into the living room
"You can't do anything with her, Jace, she's the most stubborn in their family." Irene said while shaking her head
"Young lady Lavalee, you have visitors." Butler Jin said
A group of men is behind him. I think there are eight of them in total.
"Miss, we are the representatives of the Hanazaki Empire. We have sworn our loyalty to you." The acting leader said in straight Italian
"I see. What about my younger sisters, my brothers? Did you send your men to guard and protect them too?" I asked in Italian while staring at their eyes
All of them bowed. I can see that our hereditary eye colors bother them too. Our peculiar eye colors really have a different effect on those who work under us.
"Yes, miss. It was Lord Snow who ordered us to watch you and your younger brothers. We have the task of following and guarding you wherever you are. We are told that you can draw the line on how far we can go." The leader replied in Italian
"This came from your younger sister, the young lady Winter." The other one said in his deep Italian accent and handed me a paper
I opened it and read what is written inside it.
Onee-chan,
I asked older sister Winter to send this to you. Sister, I hope nothing bad happened to you. I hope you're not in trouble. Hope big brother Snow just wants to step up our security, I love you, take care of yourself, nee-chan Flame.
Sometimes, I hate being the youngest but I know, one day, I will be able to help you and our family.
Love,
Summer Freia Hanazono|
My heart sank when I read the last line.
Freia... She's too pure and innocent.
"What are you talking about, Lav?" Irene asked, her face reflecting her confusion
"These are Irene, Jess, and Chelsea, they are my best friends and these are our bodyguards; Jace, Elijah, Ethan, and Caspian. They will accompany us to my Academy as you watch us while we are out of school. I'll tell Jace to contact you when we're out of school." I told the Hanazaki representatives in straight Italian
I can see that they are hesitating but they have no choice.
"Abbiamo capito, sir," their leader said and gave a calling card to Jace
"What should I do with these?" he asked so I faced him
"These are the bodyguards that my brother sent. And, because you are with us on campus I told him that I'll just tell you to contact him once we're out." I answered him and he nodded
"As much as possible, speak in English. They don't understand Italian." I instructed them in English and they nodded
I hid the paper and we left the house. Like, I told them to do, they began guarding the mansion.
When I got in the car, I quickly slouched.
"Sit properly," Jace snickered at me
"Ni il-ina singyeongsseo., just drive." I'm going to stab him for being too nosy if he keeps this up.
He started driving so I adjusted my seat and leaned back in the seat.
I looked out of the window and saw a happy family. The boy was helping their father unload things while the girl was holding her younger brother's hand.
"Here," Jace handed a handkerchief.
I touched my cheek, a tear fell from my eye.
I smiled bitterly thinking of how pathetic I looked.
Get a damn grip, Lavalee. I couldn't help but scold myself.
If Appa's here, he would've scolded me for showing weakness because I am the second bearer of the Hanazaki Family legacy and yet here I am, crying over some petty enviousness.
When we arrived at school, Chelsea was already waiting for us along with that Alpha Ethan Gonzales.
Irene and Jess went to the classroom ahead of us, and I figured that the two are most probably avoiding staying out in the halls and getting more affiliated with their bodyguards.
Lest they are dragged when their names, or them, are talked about.
"Why are they together?"
"Are they together?"
"Sweet."
And, I would like to do the same thing myself, if only this detective didn't get his nose poked where it doesn't belong.
I ignored the baseless and unimportant rumors circulating the halls and walked to our classroom. I didn't want to speak but I had to actively join our class discussion.
I'm not just all beauty, I should also have a brain, that's what Eomma told us before. Mind over everything but never let it decide for your happiness, learn to balance and know priorities.
Next week we'll start studying what we really should study at 3rd-year college. Though, we're technically enrolled in catching up or also called make-up classes to prove our credibility.
***
Ni il-ina singyeongsseo. - Don't mind it,
Abbiamo capito, sir, - We understand, sir
Onee-chan - Big sister (Japanese)
Eonni - Big sister (Korean)