A place in his heart

---6---

The morning sun spilled through the curtains, its golden light forcing Arabella’s eyes open. She blinked rapidly, trying to adjust to the brightness. A heavy sigh escaped her lips.

“So tired…” she muttered, dragging herself upright. Her body still ached with the weight of last night.

“I don’t want to go to college,” she whispered to no one in particular, rubbing her temples as if the thought alone exhausted her further. But duty called, as always. She pulled herself off the bed and shuffled into her little bathroom to wash and dress.

By the time she emerged, her uniform was neatly fitted, her hair pulled tightly into a bun. Maya stood in the kitchen, carefully arranging waffles onto a plate, the smell of butter and syrup filling the air.

“Arabella, you don’t look so good,” Maya remarked, her brow furrowed with concern.

“Didn’t really sleep so well,” Arabella answered, rubbing her tired eyes.

“What’s going on?”

“Oh, well,” Maya began, lowering her voice, “the Lancaster family are gonna have breakfast together today . You’ll need to help with the table setting, so wear an apron.”

“Ugh…” Arabella groaned, though she reached for the delicate lace apron without protest.

“I’ll get going with the tea,” she said quietly, eager to retreat before more chores piled on.

---

The dining room gleamed with its polished silverware and floral centerpiece. Breakfast was laid out in a display that looked more like a banquet than a morning meal. One by one, the Lancaster family filtered in, each taking their place at the long mahogany table.

“Woah, this looks delicious,” Adrian said, pulling out his chair with a grin.

“Madam, you really must tell me where you’re finding such talent,” Liona chimed in sweetly as she sipped from her glass of juice. “This food is exceptional.”

Diane’s lips curved faintly. “I don’t have a chef. Beatrice is simply gifted in the kitchen, that’s all.”

“Oh?” Liona tilted her head with feigned innocence. “I would very much love to meet her.” Her eyes swept the table. “And speaking of, I don’t see Arabella. Where is she?”

“She’s in the kitchen, helping out,” one of the maids replied quickly.

“Really? Well, have her meet me after breakfast. I want a word with her.”

“She’s going to school with us,” Ethan interjected, barely lifting his eyes from his plate.

“Oh my, I nearly forgot about that.” Liona let out a soft laugh. “I honestly thought you were joking when you said she was studying. So it’s true?” She looked toward Diane with an arched brow.

“I think it’s time she stops,” Liona added, her tone sharp enough to freeze the air around them.

All eyes lifted from their plates.

“That’s not going to happen,” Diane replied firmly. “You don’t have a say in how I manage my household.”

“But Mother-in-law,” Liona pressed, her voice dripping with faux concern, “isn’t it a mistake? She’s a maid. She’ll spend the rest of her life as one. Why waste money on education she’ll never use? Wouldn’t it be wiser to focus on family?”

“My family has everything it needs,” Diane shot back. “We have more than enough to educate someone else if we choose. It shouldn’t trouble you.”

“Says the one who came begging my father for support when your company nearly folded,” Liona said coolly, taking another sip of her juice.

The atmosphere froze. Adrian and Ethan exchanged glances, startled at the audacity of her words. Evander’s expression darkened like a thundercloud. Diane’s eyes narrowed with a lethal glare.

“What?” Liona shrugged with a falsely innocent smile. “I only spoke the truth.”

“Liona,” Evander’s voice cut through the silence like steel, “be careful with what you say about family matters in front of the servants.” His tone was cold, final.

“Hmph, whatever.” Liona rose gracefully, her chin tilted upward, and left the dining hall without another word.

“That witch,” Diane muttered under her breath, her hands trembling slightly.

“Calm down, Diane. It’s not worth it,” her husband soothed gently, placing a hand over hers.

Ethan pushed back his chair. “We’ll be going to school.”

“Adrian, let’s go,” he added briskly.

Evander stood as well.

“Heading to the company today?” their father asked.

“Yes,” Evander answered, his tone clipped but respectful. “You needn’t worry.”

---

Arabella entered her classroom quietly, scanning the room. Talia and Sophie hadn’t arrived yet, so she sat at her desk, pulling out her books. The quiet hum of the classroom didn’t reach her—her mind drifted back to the tense car ride earlier.

“You look ugly,” Ethan had sneered, his lip curling.

“Come on, Ethan,” Adrian had sighed. “She’s just tired from last night.”

“You always side with her. When will you stop?” Ethan had snapped.

“Well, if I don’t, you’ll bully her until she breaks,” Adrian had replied calmly, leaning back. “You should really work on that character of yours. I wonder who you take after.”

Arabella’s chest tightened at the memory. I don’t know how I’d endure his cruelty if not for Adrian.

“Arabella!” Sophie’s voice pulled her back to the present. She rushed over, eyes sparkling with excitement.

“You didn’t tell me the first young master is finally back! You’re not a very good friend, you know.”

“How did you even hear about that?” Arabella asked, blinking.

“Please. I follow Adrian and Ethan on all their socials. Unlike you, who still doesn’t even have a phone.” Sophie rolled her eyes. “Adrian posted a family dinner picture last night. You should have seen the comments—everyone wanted to know who the red-eyed guy and the blonde beauty were.”

“And when he revealed it, people lost their minds. Arabella, I swear, the Lancaster brothers are handsome, but Adrian? He’s like a prince from a fairytale.”

“Oh, stop it,” Arabella muttered, though her cheeks flushed faintly.

“I mean it! At this point, I’d love to be you. Imagine riding in the same car as them every day. The privilege!” Sophie clasped her hands dramatically.

“Sophie…” Arabella sighed.

“What? Why don’t I come visit you? I could get a glimpse of him—”

“No!” Arabella’s voice rose a little too quickly. She lowered it immediately. “Please don’t put me in trouble.”

Sophie pouted. “Fine. Sorry. I just can’t help myself around handsome men.”

Her tone turned sly. “But did you know Adrian’s wife is a fashion model? I looked her up. Her father’s one of the richest men in the country. No wonder. Rich people really do attract rich people.”

“Can we just focus on school today?” she whispered.

Sophie groaned but relented. “Okay…”