Indulgent Elijah

When his silver eyes met hers, she felt a little weird, the gaze from the stranger was piercing. But somehow it oozes out emotions she can't name, or more like, emotions she doesn't know.

The gaze only lasted for a second, before he is unconscious again. It felt like an illusion. That the gaze he gave was nothing but her imagination. She shrugged it off and focused on the current situation, and watched sister Freya and sister Fey together with her brother carefully tent the bloody wounds. Some are deep, and are shallow, but the marks of it looks painful. She's sure it would leave some scars even if it is tended properly.

She can help him, she knows she can. But Aaron met her eyes, stopping her from doing so.

She can only let out a breath. Her brother is protective of her, especially of her identity. No one in the temple knows that she's the princess. The next in line, and successor to the crown.

She can feel her hands itching to do something to help the man. The stranger that she can feel familiarity with, though she is a hundred percent sure she has never met nor seen him before. He looks so foreign and different, like he is not from her country, Vexlhor. His golden locks prove that, for no one in her country has that golden hair. Especially those silver eyes.

When finally, the three are done doing their jobs. She relaxed. She felt relieved that the man is now well trended of his wounds.

"I'll go check the children first. Please do me a favor and stay with the man for a bit, Ron and Lice."

Sister Freya asked them so they can only nod. Sister Freya's smile brightened her face even more before thanking them and apologizing for the matter. But they gave her a polite smile and said it was nothing.

"I'll have to prepare the dinner, so please just stay here for a bit Ron and Lice. I have to prepare a porridge for the man so he can eat the moment he wakes up."

Having no choice at all, they agreed. It's not that Phelice is against of the idea of having them, brother and sister stay with the man. It only made her feel great as she can have the perfect excuse to help him.

"It's quite alright sister Fey, sister Freya. We still have some time before going home."

Her soft reply made the sisters feel delighted and happy. They both went out of the room, leaving them behind.

Phelice glanced at her brother and her brother seemed like he can hear her thoughts. He can only let out a sigh and nodded his head reluctantly. How can he have such a soft hearted little sister?

"Just be careful to not heal it right away, the sisters will suspect and that wouldn't be good." Seeing him agreeing and showing a sweet cheeky smile, looking at her with eyes full of warmth. She can't help but give back a smile and thank her brother sweetly.

"Thank you, second brother."

Then she walked towards the man and just stopped beside the bed. With a smile, she closed her eyes then she opened her palms.

Slowly, the icy blue butterflies that looks like pieces of broken crystals yet still beautiful, came out from the light glow on her palms. Opening her eyes, she looked at her little friends. "Heal him, enough for the wounds to not bleed again. We wouldn't want to be discovered."

Her little butterflies understood what she meant, and surrounded the man. They danced in the air above him, sprinkling him the little snow flakes like dust. Then the man glowed from the magic that enveloped him.

After a few minutes, the healing was done, and Phelice is happy to be able to help. Her butterflies surrounded her, flocking around her for attention. She let out a giggle, and that sight of her made her brother feel happy. He's glad that his little sister is happy. He wouldn't wish for more.

But a moment later, the man opened his eyes. Phelice saw it and she immediately sat on the bed beside him. She didn't even mind how inappropriate it was for her to do so. She didn't notice her actions, but her brother did.

But before he could say something, she said to the man, "Are you fine? Feeling better?" Her cold sweet voice was the first thing the man heard and he felt glad.

His silver eyes fixed on hers, he watched her with icy butterflies flying around her that made her look ethereal. She looked real yet like a dream. A dream that will go away, and vanish the moment he closes his eyes.

"Yes"

His voice, hoarse, probably because he's tired and exhausted. She reached out the cup of water on the table. She wanted to help him drink, but finally her actions sunk into her mind.

She turned to her brother, and he can only sigh. She got up, and he helped the man up. He sat on the bed looking weak as he looked at her. After that, she walked to him and helped him drink the water.

He took a few gulps, and done. He closed his eyes looking like he is trying to relieve himself from pain or something.

When he opened his eyes again, he watched her be surrounded by butterflies. His gaze reminded her about the butterflies that she quickly called back and hid. She hid behind Aaron, like a little kid caught stealing.

Just then, the door opened, revealing sister Fey that came to deliver the message from someone. She didn't even see the patient she was tending just a little while ago.

"Ron, Lice, someone is looking for you outside."

The timing was perfect for Aaron. So he smiled at sister Fey and thanked her. Then informing her about them, leaving as it is quite getting late. Sister Fey understood and nodded her head.

Before leaving, Phelice glanced at the man and gave a small smile at him before nodding. Indicating that they will now take their leave. Following her gaze, sister Fey was shocked frozen on her spot. But the siblings were gone now, and she can only take care of the man that has awoken.

.

Inside the carriage, Aaron and Phelice are sitting together. Across them is none other than their eldest brother, Elijah. He fetched his younger siblings, as he was given permission to go home early.

But to his dismay, Aaron and Phelice went out on a little date in town. So he can only fetch them as he has nothing to do. He was planning on spending his extra time with his sister, Phelice though. His father gave him some time off so he can relax until her fifteenth birthday celebration. So now, he has a week of vacation.

"Were you planning on staying up til night?" His cold voice echoed inside the carriage. He was someone who has sent several people to the abyss just by his cold voice.

Some say that he is a total copy of their father, but compared to the Marquis Dante Velmere, he is a little colder. Marquis Velmere could be called milder than him. Well, people understand as he has a wife that he loves and loves him back.

Isabelle Vivika, now Marquise Isabelle Vivika Velmere is the daughter of the respected Duke in Olvbein. Her mother is the current king's paternal aunt, that makes the three siblings nephews and niece of the king of Olvbein.

Their parent's love story was quite known, back in the days and even til now. Their joyful mother, that seemed like only Aaron got, melted the ice burg of a father they have. That unexpectedly inherited by Elijah and Phelice. The sweetness of their mother was something Phelice got though... though only shown to people close to her heart.

.

So back to the present...

"No, of course not brother Elijah. We were planning on leaving the time you came to fetch us." Phelice explained. She didn't really want to tell Elijah about what she did. Maybe some time later, or tomorrow. Just not in the carriage, it's not an appropriate place.

"Mm", then his eyes passed Phelice to Aaron who wanted to just go invisible at the moment.

Elijah want to know what happened. That's what his eyes are trying to let Aaron know. His icy gaze sent shivers down his spine, his elder brother really scares him sometimes. Though not all the time.

He tried to avoid his eyes, but he can feel his cold sweat dripping. He cursed in the back of his mind, he can only do that. He don't want his little sister to learn those words so kept himself from saying it out loud.

"Aaron"

The way Elijah called his name coldly, almost made him jump. And Phelice who is watching them, can not hold back a laugh that broke from her lips. Her, laughing so happily gained their attention. Her image and voice, laughing so happily made their hearts feel warm.

She can only cover her mouth to keep herself from laughing to much. So even though her actions are a bit inappropriate for a lady, it was still graceful. Like being graceful is something she was born with.

The indulgent smile appeared on Elijah's lips. A rare smile indeed. If other people see, it truly a rare smile.

Well, who wouldn't want their little sister be happy? As an older brother, he can only indulge and spoil his little sister. They now only have a limited time to be with her. For no matter how they deny or not think about the reality, Phelice is still the next queen of Vexlhor. Her fifteenth birthday is the first step she have to take to prepare for the throne.

When that time comes, can he still be her indulgent brother?

Lifting his hand up, reaching her head. He pat her head, while softly caressing it. He wishes that his sister is just a normal person like them. That would have been a lot better.

Phelice look up to her brother Elijah, who's currently looking at her with light in his eyes she always see from him. She do not understand what that light means, but it feels and looks sad. She don't know exactly, she's devoid from emotions since young.

"Brother Elijah?"

Her call of his name woke him up from his thoughts. He shook his head and said nothing, he just gave her a smile. His sister is a bit special, she can't feel emotions like how others does. But it doesn't mean that she doesn't have any, nor can she never feel any.

It's just, she doesn't know what emotions or feelings are. She grew up without knowing what emotions and feelings are like. That's why she's cold, but she's warm towards them, her family.

"Want to come with me tomorrow?" He asked, catching her attention forgetting about the light she saw in her brother's eyes. "Where?"

Her excited voice feels like music to their ears. Their cold sister is learning about emotions, and slowly, she's getting used to it.

"To the capital, let's have a stroll at the shopping street."

Since he have a week of vacation, of course he'll use it to spoil his sister, Phelice. What else can he do on his vacation? But Aaron who heard what he said to Phelice, turned sour. Why does it feel like their elder brother only wants to go with their little sister and not him?

"Hey, mind you elder brother, you still have a younger brother." His sarcastic remark catch the two's attention. It even made a stifle giggle come out from Phelice's lips.

Hearing his younger brother, Elijah glanced at him. But his eyes tells indifference. As if he's not looking at his younger brother, but a stranger that accidentally rode the same carriage as them.

After a few minutes, he acted as enlightened. "Oh, I have a younger brother."

Aaron controlled himself not to curse his elder brother. Why is this treatment even existing? Where can he find the fairness that he wants?

Then again, they were interrupted by Phelice's boisterous laugh. She really is a perfect picture when she's laughing. The candid smile on her lips are so attractive and eye catching. They thought that it is a good thing they are inside the carriage, or else they wouldn't know how many man will they have to block.

Elijah smiled at her, and smirked at his younger brother. He really enjoyed teasing this two-faced younger brother of his. He's easy to lose his temper, and it gives him satisfaction for he knows his younger brother do not need to pretend in front of him.

Leaning against the chair, with his right leg over the other. The windowsill supporting his elbow, while his knuckles are under his chin. He looks like an arrogant noble that will make countless ladies have good night's sleep.

"Don't be jealous Aaron, you'll come with us tomorrow, of course." His sweet voice made Aaron's hair stand up. He really don't like it the way his brother speak sweetly to him. Especially when he's using that voice to say his name.

What kind of crime did he do on his past life to have such a brother? He's lucky to have his sister, but he don't feel like so with his brother.

Seeing Aaron shiver and show a disgusted face. He silently laughed in the back of his mind. Ahh, what a beautiful moment to start his night.

"By the way, you don't need to disguise yourself too much when we go to the capital tomorrow. It's a place full of nobles and aristocrats. The atmosphere is different from the town full of common people. They know what to do if they don't want to receive something wonderful."

Phelice can hear some weird tone from his brother Elijah's sweet voice but she didn't mind. It would be a great experience to go out without the need of disguise. She doesn't need to pretend.

"Alright brother Elijah." Then she closed her eyes, leaning over Aaron's shoulder to take a short nap. It will be quite long before they get back.

But unlike Phelice, Aaron understood their elder brother's remark. He heard his dangerous tone that escaped unknowingly. He's now starting to feel bad for anyone who will be foolish enough as to bump or reveal the truth about them tomorrow when they go to town.

Sighing for himself, he thought. 'So much for an indulgent brother.'