HOUSE OF GRIMSBANNE
"Ugh…" Abel grunted as he sat up on the edge of his bed, stretching his neck from one side to the other. His hands were gripping the edge of the mattress, eyes shut.
When he reopened his eyes, a glint flickered across his naturally sharp eyes. "You should learn how to knock, sister. Else, you might give someone a heart attack."
Standing meters from the bed was Abel's sister, Tilly, in her plain white dress and plain countenance. Her long white hair had grown so long that, even when it was tied up, its tip could still reach the floor. Tilly remained silent as usual, but her eyes sized up his back.
Abel was wearing a robe, but she could see bruises reaching up around his nape. They looked bad.
"Those bruises…" she trailed off as she blinked ever so tenderly while Abel looked back at her. "... will you not change your mind?"
"I rarely change my mind, sister." Abel shrugged indifferently, pulling up the robe to cover his nape. He then unhurriedly stood from the side of the bed, facing his sister whilst tying its belt. "I should be the one asking. After all, you've stayed on the Mainland for a very long time. Have you not grown attached to this piece of land?"
Tilly blinked innocently. "Samael and everyone has been curious about your plan. They do not appreciate that you wouldn't let them in."
"You could've just told them what I am planning to do. It's not like they are dumb."
"I am not in the position to do so."
"Tilly, my sister." Abel crossed his arm under his chest, smirking appreciatively at Tilly. "You never cease to baffle me."
"Samael, Lilou, and everyone are willing to help the Queen. I might not join in the coven."
"Are you asking for my permission?"
"I will secure the children's safety first." Tilly's expression didn't change, nor did she ever look away from him. "However, if the situation requires my presence, I would be there."
Abel maintained his smirk, chuckling with his lips closed, eyes fixed on Tilly. "How reassuring."
"Abel," she called, but let several seconds of silence pass. "I will not ask you to be safe, but remind you that a battle between a Grimsbanne just doesn't end unless one takes his last breath. I do not want to fight you. Do not force me."
"A battle between you and me… I'm sure you'll die," Abel confidently remarked, but Tilly's expression remained cold. "Do not worry, sister. The only sister I want to strangle is that damn Marsella — you are too precious to die. Moreover, I still need you alive, just like how you perceive my existence as beneficial."
Abel shrugged nonchalantly as he dragged his feet to the stand where glasses and a decanter were placed. As he poured himself a glass of wine, he continued his sentiments.
"Do not worry, sister. I am already grateful that you will go all out to protect my wife…" Abel picked up the glass full of wine before facing his sister once again. "... because my patience had long died."
This time, Tilly's jaw tightened while watching Abel drink a mouthful of wine. "How about this house?"
Abel shrugged as an answer, cheeks puffed, before swallowing down the wine.
"As I've said, you are the only person who lived in this place for a long time." Abel winced slightly, pointing at her with the hand that was holding the glass. "If you ask me, I'd rather say burn it to the ground. Although… you don't really have to. If you know what I mean."
Tilly's plain expression didn't change even when their conversation ended. All she did was stare at Abel, watching the man enjoy his morning wine before he pranced to his wardrobe to change.
*
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*
"Mister Fabian?" Fabian, who was busy watering the growing flowers in the mansion's garden, turned his head to Sunny. A smile instantly dominated his face as soon as his eyes landed on the adorable young miss of the family.
"Yes, my young lady?" Fabian put down the watering can, squatting down in front of Sunny.
Sunny pressed her lips into a thin line, making her already plump cheek looked bigger. "Hmm… is tomorrow the night of the full moon?"
"Yes."
"Then, does that mean something bad will happen?"
"Yes."
"How bad?"
Fabian rubbed his chin and hummed a tune, but before he could answer, Sunny's guess flew out of her mouth.
"A mass destruction?" she guessed, and Fabian's brows rose. However, instead of denying it or rewording it to distract a child like a proper adult, Fabian didn't.
"Yes, young miss. A massacre," he clarified. "The thing is, we might be the one who was on the receiving end."
"You mean we will get slaughtered like pigs?"
"Yes. They will slaughter us like animals."
"And then eat us?"
"My precious young lady, please do not let the madam know I spoke of these things." Fabian kept his smile with his eyes squinting like mere lines. "If she asked, say it was Abel."
Sunny nodded. "Because you will get in trouble?"
"Yes."
"How about my grandpa?"
"He is already in trouble, my little miss. Adding another one will not make it any worse."
"Will Grandpa die?" Sunny sighed. She had lived under Abel's wing for years, and thus, she had grown attached to the people in the empire.
"He won't…" Fabian's squinting eyes slowly opened as the smile lines on the corner of his lips faded. "... unless, Her Majesty dies. Then not only he will die, but I will as well."
Sunny cocked her head to the side, blinking innocently. "It will make you sad?"
Fabian didn't answer immediately as his eyes squinted again. He raised a hand and planted it on top of her head, ruffling her hair affectionately.
"Yes, my little young miss. It will certainly make me sad," he remarked, knowing this blatant lie wouldn't go past Sunny's keen eyes.
This young girl might act like an innocent child, but everyone was aware Sunny was much more cunning and mature for her age. Even so, everyone still treated her as a child with love, care, and attention.
"It will make Sunny sad, too." Sunny smiled, not prying on the obvious. "Tilly said we will leave tonight, but everybody else will stay in the mansion. Will you come to us after tomorrow's coven, Mister Fabian?"
"Of course."
"Promise?"
Fabian's eyes fell on Sunny's little pinky, which made him chuckle. He wrapped his pinky around hers, nodding as he said, "Promise."
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