Temporary Crown

11 | I am yours

“But there is nothing that I can do! I panic, Lucien! It’s not like everyday your adopted brother brings you a corpse and now I have to deal with the aftermath of it!”

Nesta scoffed back at is brother. Lucien rolled his eyes and immediately went to the window to opened it. “What are you doing!?” Nesta followed. “the whole mansion will be able to smell it if you opened the window like that! What excuses will we make.”

“Sister, it would be better as we can just find and excuse later that to die with this smell right here!” Lucien pointed the fireplace. He then glanced at her disheveled appearance who seemed to be drenched with blood.

“What have you done to look like that?”

As Lucien pointed out, Nesta looked down to see her white sleeping dress. She answered dryly. “I was cleaning a pool of blood earlier.”

Lucien can feel his headache coming. Not only did he not have any proper rest and sleep, problems seemed to be pilling one after another and he can’t even blame anyone but himself. He was trying hard to act so intimidating that all of it ended up back firing at him.

"Are you going to tell this to father?" Nesta asked curiously. Lucien looked at her as though she had grown four heads all at once.

"I am not an idiot! why would I do that?" Lucien groaned feeling his headache once more. Nesta shyly smiled. “Just take a bath first sister and burn the dress. It’s almost dawn and father might call you for breakfast. You need to be presentable.”

“Father will call me?” Nesta asked. Her brows frowned. Confusion was visible inside her eyes. Lucien nodded. He looked at her guiltily.

“I talked to father earlier about what you told me about his disease. He chased me out before I could even ask.” This time, Nesta was the one looking at Lucien with disbelief in her eyes. She stomped her feet on the ground like a child.

“Seriously why would you-”

“That’s why I need to know what father told you so that I can fully trust you!” Lucien told her back. He was rather calm.

“We are doing this over again. I told you that I am tasked by your father to protect you but here you are doubting me in every single thing I do.”

Nesta wanted to curse at the moment but looking at Lucien who seemed to be a little embarrassed she decided to just turned around and grabbed the towel.

“Watch my room then.” Nesta grumbled. “I’ll be having a relaxing bath before this all goes to hell!”

In the end, Lucien watched Nesta entered the bathroom located in her room. Although he was anxious earlier, the commotion that happened seemed to have a calming effect inside of him as he was able to think clearly. He wasn’t rushing like before. This time, he had a clear view of what was in front of him as he rearrange the questions he wanted his sister to answer.

Heaving his breath, he grabbed the chair and sat there. The door from the bathroom clicked while Lucien was left alone. His gaze deepen as he watched the corpse burning from the fire place.

--

In the bathroom, Nesta soaked in the bathtub feeling all of her fatigue washed away. This time, she finally realized her interaction with Lucien was. Although it wasn’t her plan, it helped her be close with him a little bit.

Although he knew that she will be called by the duke once the dawn break out the horizon, she was already prepared for that. What she needed to do right now was gain the trust of Lucien. If Lucien wanted to save his father, then she will search all highs and lows for the cure of the duke.

--

After a few minutes, Nesta finished her bath. Her hair was still wet as she was only dressed with a simple modest gown that was easy to put on without the help of man servants.

“Did you wait long?” she asked smiling. Lucien gazed up to see Nesta’s figure. He frowned seeing how drenched her hair was. He looked at the opened window and the snow falling down for the sky. He sighed and stood up to walk towards her direction while Nesta tossed over her stained dress inside the fireplace and let it burn.

“Sit,” Lucien said. His voice seemed to be composed. Nesta did not asked why he was asking her to sit instead, she followed him.

Lucien then grabbed the towel she was holding and put it over her head and started drying her hair. Nesta who was enlighten smiled.

“Lucien I can do that.”

“It would be faster if I do it.” He said. Their reflection can be seen in the mirror. If all of the commotion was put aside, they looked like they were affectionate siblings caring for each other.

“Is there questions you wanted me to answer Lucien?” Nesta asked as. Time ticked and it was already three in the morning. None of them was able to sleep until they talked to each other about their thoughts. Nesta never thought of this, but, it was all coming to her plans.

She wanted to establish a certain trust between them one that can never break.

“I asked father earlier about his health.” Lucien looked down as he dry Nesta’s hair carefully. His long fingers tangled with her hair as he carefully undone them. “Although he chased me out, his answer and actions was enough for me to have certain conclusions in my mind.”

“If that’s what you said brother,” Nesta nodded. Her eyes were on the fireplace looking at the burning corpse.

“Then, my question is, what is the reason why father brought you here?”

“I just told you, I am here to protect you.”

“Protect?” Nesta can hear Lucien’s confusion through his words.

“The duke had been an influential person who was known in every part of the empire. However, same as that, he was also a person who make enemies after enemies. He had tasked me after he died to take over the position of the duke temporarily and protect you. The problems of the duchy has been rising even though the duke is still there. However, once he dies, all of the pressure will be pointed to you.”

Nesta looked at Lucien’s reflection through the mirror. “That’s why I am here. I am meant to be a tool for your protection young master. That’s the reason why I told you to use me well.”

Hearing all of it, Lucien paused as he clenched his jaw. He can taste something bitter in his mouth. In the end, everything he had heard was fueling him to continue his thoughts and plans. He was getting desperate even more.

“Sister,” Lucien said affectionately that made Nesta flinched. Her heart palpitated.

“If I wanted to save father,” Lucien words drifted. Nesta met his blue eyes on the mirror. He seemed to be determined as his gaze deepen even more. “Would you help me?”

Nesta gave a gentle nod holding Lucien’s hands that was holding a towel and drying her hair. “I told you to use me wisely, young master,” She said with confidence. “I am yours for your disposal.”