Lila's Pov:
Lilia stood in front of her mirror, brushing her hair absentmindedly. Her thoughts weren't on her reflection, nor on the tasks for the day. Instead, her mind kept circling back to her brother, Eryk.
He had changed, and it unsettled her more than she wanted to admit. Ever since his illness, he had become colder, more distant. There was no longer that warmth in his eyes when he looked at her, no gentle smile that used to make her feel like they were in this together. Instead, he looked at her with a detachment that stung, like she was just another piece in a game he was playing alone.
She sighed, setting the brush down and turning away from the mirror. Eryk had always been her little brother. She had been the one to protect him, to guide him through the complexities of their world. But now, she wasn't sure if he even needed her anymore—or worse, if he even wanted her around.
It wasn't just that he had changed—Lilia had changed, too. She could feel it, the weight of her responsibilities pressing down on her more heavily than ever before. Being the eldest child of House Lavelle wasn't just a title; it was a burden she had been carrying for as long as she could remember. And now, with their family's future uncertain and her brother slipping further away from her, the weight felt unbearable.
…..
Lilia wandered through the estate, her mind racing with thoughts about Eryk's recent behavior. She had noticed the way he had been watching the staff, the way he slipped away for secret meetings and kept his distance from everyone, even their father. He was hiding something, she was sure of it.
But what?
Her frustration grew as she thought about it. Eryk had always been more open with her before his illness. Now, it felt like he was shutting her out, and that made her feel powerless—a feeling she couldn't stand.
As she passed by the servants' quarters, she noticed something strange. Two of the estate's advisors were speaking in hushed tones, their faces tense. She paused, watching them from a distance. There was something off about the way they were speaking—something secretive.
Lilia narrowed her eyes. Eryk wasn't the only one keeping secrets. She could sense that something was brewing within the estate, something dangerous.
…..
Later that day, Lilia found herself standing outside Eryk's chambers. She hesitated for a moment, her hand hovering just above the door. She knew she needed to confront him, to find out what he was hiding. But part of her was afraid—afraid that the brother she knew was truly gone.
Gathering her resolve, she knocked once before pushing the door open. Eryk was sitting by the window, his back to her, but he didn't turn around when she entered.
"Eryk," she said, her voice firmer than she felt. "We need to talk."
Eryk finally turned to face her, but the expression on his face wasn't one of warmth or brotherly affection. It was distant, cold. The same look he had been giving her for weeks now.
Lilia felt her chest tighten. "You've been acting strange," she continued. "You've been keeping secrets, disappearing for meetings, and watching the staff like they're enemies. What's going on?"
Eryk's gaze remained steady, but there was no softness in his eyes. "You wouldn't understand, Lilia," he said, his voice calm but dismissive. "It's better if you don't involve yourself in things you can't control."
Lilia's hands balled into fists. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. This wasn't the Eryk she knew. "You're keeping something from me," she pressed. "You've changed. You're not the same anymore, and I don't understand why."
Eryk stood from his chair, walking over to the desk and picking up a book, as if the conversation didn't matter. "The world has changed, Lilia. I'm just adapting to it."
His coldness stung more than she wanted to admit. Lilia had always prided herself on being able to protect Eryk, on being the one person he could turn to when things went wrong. But now, he was pushing her away, and she didn't know how to fix it.
"You think you can just shut me out?" she demanded, her voice rising. "We're supposed to be a family, Eryk. We're stronger together, but you're acting like I'm the enemy."
Eryk glanced at her, his expression unchanged. "We are stronger together, but not if you involve yourself in things that are beyond you. This isn't a game, Lilia."
Lilia's heart sank. He was treating her like a child, like she wasn't capable of understanding the dangers they were facing. "You're going to get yourself killed if you keep acting like this," she warned, her voice trembling with frustration. "You need to trust me."
But Eryk didn't seem to care. He turned back to the window, his posture rigid, his eyes focused on something far beyond her. "I don't need you to protect me, Lilia," he said quietly. "Not anymore."
Lilia stood there, her anger and hurt swirling inside her. This was not the brother she had grown up with. The Eryk she knew would have trusted her, would have let her help him. But this version of Eryk—this cold, distant figure—felt like a stranger.
She took a shaky breath, forcing herself to remain calm. "If you don't let me help you, something terrible is going to happen. You can't do this alone."
But Eryk didn't respond. He simply stood there, staring out the window, lost in his own thoughts.
Defeated, Lilia turned and left the room, closing the door behind her. As she walked down the corridor, her heart ached with the knowledge that her brother was slipping away from her, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.
…..
Lilia stepped out into the garden later that evening, the cool air brushing against her skin. The sky was darkening, clouds gathering on the horizon. It felt like a storm was coming, both literally and figuratively.
She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to shake off the chill that had settled deep in her bones. Eryk had changed—she couldn't deny that any longer. He no longer looked at her with the same gentle smile or warmth. Instead, there was only coldness, a distance that made her feel like she was losing him forever.
But no matter what, Lilia wasn't going to give up on him. She had promised herself that she would protect him, even if he didn't want her help. Even if he pushed her away.
The storm was coming. She could feel it. And when it did, she would be ready to face it—ready to protect her brother, no matter the cost.