Rhea strolled out of her room and into the foyer, where she saw her brother handing his coat to the butler.
"Brother!" She smiled and dashed up to him, stopping right in front of him. "Did you miss me?" Kian simply stared at her as she asked with her arms spread wide.
"What's there to miss?" He said as he walked around her, into the living room.
"You don't look surprised seeing me here," Rhea noted, considering the blank expression on his face.
"That's because I'm not."
Plopping herself on the sofa in the parlor she crossed her legs and stared at him. "Did you already know that I was coming?" She asked before laughing. "Why am I even asking, of course, you already know. As always, you know everything." She added, but Kian wasn't listening to her. He simply headed for the stairs.
"Aren't you going to tell me to leave just like Grandma?" She asked as she stared at his back.
"Who am I to stop you from living in your father's house?"
"Which is now yours so I suppose you can do anything you want such as not allowing your sister to live with you."
"Abandoning you won't look good on me," He stated still walking and Rhea scoffed.
"Since when did you care about what others thought about you?"
"Since now."
Rhea rolled her eyes. "Right."
He halted "As long as you don't cause any trouble, you can live here." He said without turning around and resumed walking up the stairs.
"Well well well... Something is not right." She muttered, staring at his back.
Rhea didn't remember her brother being so generous. But she didn't care, as long as she could stay then everything was perfect.
Aylin walked down the stairs and looked up to see none other than the duke walking up the stairs. She halted and thought of what to do as he walked closer.
Should she stop him? Should she thank him?
Just as her mouth opened, he walked past her as if she wasn't there.
Aylin looked back at him.
Well, he sure was skilled at ignoring someone.
"Aylin!" A loud voice called and Aylin looked down to see Rhea standing at the end of the stairs, a wide smile adorning her face.
"Rhea," Aylin said as she walked down the stairs.
"I'm so glad you are the first person to come down," Rhea said to Aylin who was now standing in front of her.
Rhea was distracted by what she wanted to tell Aylin that she didn't see the slit in Aylin's gown.
"Is-"
"There's something I want to tell you," Rhea cut her off, taking Aylin's hand in hers.
"Ok, what is it?" Aylin asked curiously.
"My brother allowed me to stay, I'm so happy," She beamed at Aylin who smiled at her.
"Oh, That's good to know. I'm happy that you get to say." Aylin told her sincerely.
"I'm happy too. My brother is the best brother ever." She declared with a satisfied smile.
Aylin nodded, "Mm." She hummed not knowing what else to say.
She didn't know why in the first place Rhea didn't live here, what happened so she wasn't in the position to say someone was kind or cruel. But, If Rhea thinks her brother is the best brother ever because he allowed her to stay, then there was nothing she could do but agree.
"What is the fuss all about? What are you so happy about that's making you jump around like a kangaroo?" They heard Andromeda say as she stepped into the parlor.
"No one is jumping dearest grandmother," Rhea replied, turning to face Andromeda—who still had the makeup on her face—before adding, "Though there's something you need to know."
"What?"
"I'm going to continue to live in this house. And yes, my brother allowed me to stay. Aren't you happy for me?" Rhea questioned, tilting her head as a smirk made its way to her lips.
"I'm over the moon," Andromeda replied and turned to walk away.
"That's wonderful! We should probably throw a welcome party don't you think?" She asked, following behind Andromeda with Aylin walking beside her.
A welcome party? Her grandmother didn't want her here and her brother was well... Aylin didn't think a welcome party would be the first thing on their list.
"Where are you going, Grandmother?" Rhea asked.
"Where do you think? And you should forget about that stupid idea of throwing a welcome party." Andromeda replied as she continued to walk.
"You must be starving Grandmother considering how you are scurrying to the dining room. And throwing a welcome party is a wonderful idea." Rhea smiled, trying to provoke her grandmother.
Andromeda ignored her and walked into the dining room as soon as the servants opened the door for them.
Aylin walked to the other side of the table where she sat in the afternoon while Andromeda sat on the left side, in front of Aylin and Rhea sat beside Andromeda.
The servants came forward and served, immediately they finished and left, Andromeda dug into her food.
"You sure are starving," She stated before turning her attention to Aylin who just started eating.
"Aylin," Rhea called and she looked up.
"Do you know who used to sit there and what that chair means?" Rhea questioned, a kind smile on her lips.
And though she asked, she answered it before Aylin even had the opportunity to. "That was where my mother used to sit and that chair is meant for the wife of the head." She told Aylin, causing Andromeda to stop eating. "And since my brother is now the head, what does that make you? His wife?" Rhea added and Aylin's eyes widened
"Rhea..." Andromeda called in a warning tone and Rhea started laughing.
"I was joking, there's no need to worry Grandmother." She said before turning to Aylin. "I'm kidding, please forgive me."
"Uhh... It's alright, but is it true this was your mother's seat?" Aylin asked because if that was the case, she would just sit somewhere else. She didn't want to disrespect or anger anyone, especially not the duke.
"Yes, but you can sit on it. It's just a seat anyway, it's not like a seat will decide your position." Andromeda said to her while glaring at Rhea who was barely phased.
"Yes, Grandmother is right. You can sit there if you want."
"No, I don't think that's right. And just like you said, it's just a seat–"
Andromeda cut her off, "And that's why you should sit there."
"But–"
"Don't worry Aylin, just sit. It's alright. Besides, I would feel like it's my fault if you didn't."
"Are you sure you will be alright with it? What about your brother?" Aylin asked because she didn't want to be on anyone's bad side.
"I'm perfectly fine with it, and my brother... I'm sure he won't mind either." Rhea didn't care if Aylin sat in her late mother's seat or even at her father's, though she wasn't sure if her brother thought the same, she simply said that to assure Aylin.
"Fine." Aylin gave in.
"So Aylin tell me, what city do you come from?"
"Ethere, I came from Ethere," Aylin replied without a hitch. She wondered how many people will ask her in the period she will stay here.
"The mystical city? Isn't it the farthest city in Zephyr?" Rhea asked.
It was no surprise that Aylin came from Ethere, which was known for its unique clothing and exquisite looks. Rhea had wondered where Aylin came from when she first met her because of her stunning appearance and hair color. Rhea knew Aylin was one of the most beautiful women she'd ever met, and with her fair skin and white and black hair, she looked out of this world.
"Yes, it is," Aylin replied.
"I see... So what happened? Why'd you come to live here?" Rhea continued to inquire and Aylin repeated what she said to Dahlia.
"I'm sorry for your loss. Trust me, I know what it feels like to lose both your parents."
"Thank you," Aylin replied, she knew what it felt like to be an orphan but she didn't know how it felt like to lose them because she never got to meet them.
"I said earlier that I would like to be friends with you and I meant it." She paused, "Aylin, will you like to be my friend?"
Aylin stared at her for a moment before nodding. Rhea has been nothing but kind and welcoming, though a little odd, she didn't see anything wrong with being friends with her. Besides, Rhea was the duke's sister. It was better if they were on good terms. However, she was still going to be careful.
"Great! To be friends, we need to get to know each other right? So tell me the things you like to do." Rhea informed cheerfully.
"I like reading, gardening, and listening to music," Aylin told her.
"Really? You have two things in common with my mother. She also liked reading and gardening." Rhea said with a smile.
Andromeda had told her earlier when they were together In the garden.
"She was a fantastic gardener, wasn't she? I mean, I was in the garden and I loved it. It was beautiful, peaceful, and calming." Aylin said as she remembered the flowers, trees, and grass. She loved it there and she knew it would be her favorite place aside from the library.
"I'm glad you liked it. Anyways, aren't you gonna ask what my hobbies are?" Rhea requested, changing the topic.
"Oh, what are they?"
"What's the fun in telling you when I can show you?" Rhea asked with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Okay," Aylin said, not knowing what was going through Rhea's head.
"Perfect, why don't we go out tomorrow? There are so many things to see here." Rhea suggested.
"Aylin won't be able to go out with you tomorrow because the seamstress will be coming over tomorrow." Andromeda, who has been quiet all this time, spoke out.
"Oh?" Rhea questioned, raising her eyebrows. "Why's she coming?"
"To sew Aylin new dresses. Aylin can't wear the dresses she brought from home here, she will stick out like a sore thumb." Andromeda replied.
"Or we could do something else," Rhea stated.
"Something like what?" Aylin asked this time around.
"I suggest we take her dress shopping. That way, she would not only get new dresses but also get a little tour of the city! It's an excellent idea, right? We will all go together." Rhea declared and Andromeda turned to look at her.
"We're not going anywhere together, Rhea. Stop making decisions without asking for others' opinions." Andromeda scolded and Rhea rolled her eyes.
"You would refuse even if I asked, but I could ask for Aylin's opinion." She said before turning to face Aylin. "It's okay if we do that right?" She asked, almost pleading and Aylin couldn't refuse so she agreed.
"Perfect, Grandmother I'm sure you won't refuse right?"
"Whatever, just don't cause any trouble," Andromeda said, narrowing her eyes at her. She knew Rhea and trouble were best friends and that was the last thing she wanted especially because of Aylin.
"I will be on my best behavior grandmother, you don't have to worry," Rhea said with a blinding sweet smile.
…
After finding a comfortable sitting position on the bed, Aylin picked up the book she took from the library in the afternoon and let her eyes roam through it.
She remembered Andromeda saying that she had been looking for it for some time but wasn't able to find it. Aylin couldn't believe that because the book had practically fallen into her hands.
Like… it was on the fucking front shelf! How hard was that to find?!
Seriously, that woman was something. And she wasn't only saying that because of the book or the crazy deal they had but because of what she told Aylin when she had asked for some info about her grandson 'the Duke'.
Going back to an hour earlier…
"Uhh… Andromeda?" Aylin called out to Andromeda who was walking in front of her.
"Hmm?" Andromeda turned around, her eyes focusing on Aylin.
"Uhm I forgot to ask earlier but could you tell me some things about your grandson that I need to know to know where to start from with you know…?"
Andromeda's lips quirked up. "Some things like what?"
Aylin thought for a moment before shrugging. "I don't know, maybe like something most people don't know or know about him? Anything, anything you know."
"I'm sorry but I can't tell you anything. Besides, If you want to know things about him then get close to him." She said as if it was the easiest thing in the world.
"But how?!" Aylin yelled in a low voice.
It was Andromeda's turn to shrug. "I don't know. " She said and Aylin looked at her like she was crazy, making Andromeda laugh. "Don't worry, you will find a way."
With that, Andromeda walked away and left Aylin standing in the middle of the hallway thinking about how she ended up here.
Present…
Aylin sighed before shooting her head. She would think about all that later. But for now, she decided to focus on the book in her hands and immerse herself in the words. It was easier to forget about everything else when she was reading.