Heiress (Hanazono Series #2)

Heiress 31: RFA Foundation Day 1

Lavalee's POV

I woke up all of a sudden so I sat up. I touched my cheek and I felt that it's wet. I stared at my damp hand and noticed that there is a clear liquid on it. I touched both of my cheek and I felt a tear rolling down my cheek.

Am I crying? But why?

*RING *RING

I reached for my phone and looked at the time. 2:15AM, I saw that the caller is my baby sister, Freia so I immediately answered it.

I wonder why she's calling this early. It's only 3:15AM in Breakore if I remember correctly.

[Eonni, eomma appaga geulibseubnida.] I can hear Freia's voice cracking the moment I answered the phone.

(Korean: I miss Mommy and Daddy, older sister.)

I sighed then composed my voice and tried to be strong, for Freia, for our baby sister.

"Dangsin-i eotteon gibun-inji al-ayo, Freia,hajiman jigeum-eun uliga ganghaeyahabnida, al-assjyo?" I told her in a cooing tone.

(Korean: I know what you are feeling, Freia, but for now we have to be strong, okay?)

[Nēsan kiraidesu ka? Izen okāsan o mamorenakattakara?] I can hear her heart breaking sob from the other line when she asked that.

(Japanese: Do you hate me, sister? Because I couldn't protect Mom before?)

My heart throbbed when I heard her ask me that. Freia's too young to think like this. It's not her fault. She shouldn't feel like this, we're doing everything to avoid making them feel like this.

"Mochiron chigaimasu. Anata wa tōji kodomodeshita, anata wa hangeki suru ni wa waka sugimasu, watashitachi wa anata o sememasen." I said calmly but my tears are already flowing because if there is someone who could protect eomma back then, it would be me. I could've protected eomma. I could've if only I chose to stay.

(Japanese: Of course not. You were a kid back then, you are too young to fight back, we don't blame you.)

[Tsukaremashita ka? Muzukashī?] she asked me while sobbing

(Japanese: Are you tired? Is it hard?)

"Īe, anatatowatashi-tachi no kazoku ga iru kagiri, watashi wa kesshite nagaku wa arimasen. Watashi wa tatakau no ni tsukaremasen." I said trying to convince Freia and at the same time making myself stronger and composed.

(Japanese: No, I will never be as long as it's for you, and our family. I will never be tired to fight.)

Even though Freia's already nine years old, she's still a kid, she still needs guidance. Freia, Icey and Fuego, They need our parents, but they're not here anymore so Nii-sama and I are doing our best to make them complete. For them not to feel the gap, for them not to feel that something is missing, we're trying to fill the gap our parents left. It's hard but for them we can endure it no matter what.

[Sumimasen, onēsan. Watashi wa anata, subete no hito ni totteta dano futandearu koto o shitte imasu.] she apologized but it's tearing my heart apart because she's thinking like this. I shook my head harshly even though she can't see me.

(Japanese: Sorry, big sister. I know I'm just a burden to you, to all of you.)

I don't want to hear her, or any of them saying this because it breaks my heart. They shouldn't feel like this, nii-sama and I are doing our best to fill it in. EVn if it's taking a toll on our personal lives.

"Nansensuna koto o yamero, Freia! Anata wa watashitachi no futande wa arimasen. Anata wa watashitachi no imōtodeari, anata wa watashitachi no takaramonodesu. Tsuneni sore o oboete oite kudasai."I told her firmly

(Japanese: Stop that nonsense, Freia! You are not and will never be a burden to us. You are our little sister, you are our treasure. Always remember that.)

[Onee-chan.] she was sobbing

"Shh. Stop crying, okay?" I told her and went to the music room.

Maybe she needs to rest, she must've had a nightmare again. Like when I was still with her in Breakore. If only I could fly there immediately I would lull her in person.

"Sleep." I told her calmly in my lulling voice.

I opened the grand piano and placed my phone on loud speaker before placing it beside me.

[I can't, Eonnie.] she said still sobbing so I began playing some keys

"Yurikago no uta o

Kanariya ga utau yo

Nenneko Nenneko

Nenneko yo." I sang while pressing the keys lightly

"You should sleep, Freia, it's all just a nightmare." I said in a lulling voice.

[Eonnie, can you sing it for Icey-chana nd I?] she said and smiled even though she won't see it. She still thinks of others even though she'd hurting. Our pure and innocent Freia, I hope you stay that way; pure and innocent.

"I will." I said and pressed the keys again

   "Yurikago no uta o

Kanariya ga utau yo

Nenneko Nenneko

Nenneko yo." I sang and this time I hear them humming along

Just like when we're younger. When Eomma's humming this to us, I think Fuego didn't experience that. He's been taken away at such a young age because of the threat to the family.

"Yurikago no ue ni

Biwa no mi ga yureru yo

Nenneko Nenneko

Nenneko yo

Yurikago no tsuna o

Kinezumi ga yusuru

Nenneko Nenneko

Nenneko yo

Yurikago no yume ni

Kiiroi tsuki ga kakaru yo

Nenneko Nenneko

Nenneko yo." I pressed the last key and took my phone near my ear. I can hear their soft and even breathing. I smiled and sigh in relief because I know I did what I must do to protect them from pain.

"Oyasumi, ohimesama. Watashi wa anata o totemo aishiteimasu, amai yume." I said and ended the call

(Japanese: Good night, our princesses. I love you both very much, sweet dreams.)

I'm happy that I was able to send those two to sleep because even if they don't want to say it, I know that they're longing for Eomma and Appa. They miss how eomma used to sing us to sleep, how she used to prepare for our breakfast even though we have maids, how she would give us breakfast in bed. Our little sisters are still kids after all. They're still kids who long for our Eomma and Appa.

I stood up and closed the piano silently before going down to the kitchen. My phone rang and Snow-sama's name flashed on the screen.

"Kon'nichiwa, Snow-sama!" I greeted but my voice is breaking

I don't know why, maybe because I'm deeply affected by Freia's words earlier

[Furamerin.] he called and I gulped to calm my voice

"Nii-sama..." I said and my voice faltered

[Suimin, Furamerin.] His voice is calm unlike the usual cold and full of authority.

(Japanese: Sleep, Flamelinne.)

"I'm not tired, Nii-sama." I said

[Iwanakatta.] he said

"But you're pertaining to it." I pointed out

[Neru dake. Ganko suginaide kudasai.] he said

(Japanese: Just sleep. Don't be too stubborn.)

"Yuki-sama, tsukaremasen ka?" I asked and almost laughed at myself because Freia asked me that earlier and now I'm asking Snow-sama the same question.

(Japanese: Isn't it tiring, Snow-sama?)

[Dōomoimasuka?] he asked back

(Japanese: What do you think?)

"No, but hearing Fuego, Icey or Freia ask us that is heart breaking, Nii-sama." I said and a sob escaped my mouth. Tears began falling from my eyes.

[Freia called you.] he concluded

"Mōshiwakearimasenga, watashi wa nakisakebu hitsuyō ga arimasu, Nī-sama. Watashi wa totemo yowai shippaidesu." I apologized and harshly wiped away my tears.

(Japanese: Sorry you have to hear me cry, nii-sama. I'm such a weak failure.)

[Anata wa ningendesu.] he said and I nodded even though he won't see it

(Japanese: You're Human.)

"Ohayō, Nii-sama. Gomen'nasai." I said almost inaubdible because my voice is shaking and I'm sobbing

(Japanese: Good Morning, Nii-sama. Sorry.)

[Ohayōgozaimasu, ohimesama. Watashitachi wa anata o aishiteimasu, sore o wasurenaide kudasai.] that was the first time Nii-sama speaked long and I don't have the strength to tease him because he pulled me out of my doubts.

(Japanese: Good morning, princess. we love you, Don't forget that.)

"Thanks." I said and he ended the call

I went back to my room and did what Nii-sama told me to do, I fell into deep slumber. Maybe in my dreams I can ask for Eomma and Appa's forgiveness. Maybe only by then I won't hurt too much and I can have the strength to face Freia, Fuego and Icey in person, seeing them in screen is endurable but I don't think I can do the same personally because I still feel guilty.

No matter how much Nii-sama or our aunts and uncles tell me it's not my fault, I still feel it. I still feel like it's entirely my fault.

*KNOCK *KNOCK

*RING *RING

I reached for my phone and slid the answer button after checking the caller ID and time.

"Come in." I said still laying on my bed not even bothering to sit.

"Problem?" he asked when he entered my room

There's a pass yes but I trusted him to tell him the pass and I hope he won't break that

"Nothing." I said and covered myself with the blanket

"Hey get up." He said and pulled my blanket down

"Leave me alone." I grunted

"You asked me to help you." He reminded making me glare at him

"It's too early." I pointed out and he sat on my bed

"It's four thirty in the morning." He said and pulled my arms to make me sat up

"Come on, don't act like a brat. You're not one." He said and pushed my forehead with his finger

"I'm still sleepy." I said and tried to lay again but he's holding my arm

"Mugto mata mo." He said and I covered my eyes

"You'll need more than one layer of concealer for that." He said and let me go

"Damn you." I cussed at him and I felt his hand tapping my lips lightly

"No profanities, Flamelinne." He warned

"What the heck is your problem, Dreice?" I glared at him and he reached for my phone

"Oh if you'd look at that, it's already four forty-five am. We wasted fifteen minutes." He said and I grunted before pushing him off my bed.

I fixed my bed and I heard the door closing. Now I'm regretting that I asked him to help me learn chores.

When I went out of my room I saw that they're all awake and they're all seated on the teable so I sat beside Jace.

"Ohayo!" I greeted them and started eating

After eating, Jace held my hand to stop me from leaving the dining room and he helped me clean up the table and bring it to the sink.

"Now, time for evaluation." He said while looking at the dishes.

He gave me rubber gloves and I started washing the dishes. He clapped his hands after I successfully arranged the dishes.

"Go get ready." He said and I rushed up my room.

We were the last one to leave the mansion. Next week the maids and butlers will be returning because Nii-sama said that two weeks is enough time for studying chores.

Today is the first day of the RFA foundation day.

"Dreice, come on drive faster." I told him and he did.

When we arrived at school, I immediately pulled him to one of the stalls.

"Alam mo ikaw, napakatamad mo po." I saw Ares on the school grounds and he looked at our hands, so I immediately let go

"Naku isusumbong talaga kita sa kuya mo! Pasimpleng landi ka rin eh." He said so I rolled my eyes

"I'm not." I denied and placed my hands on my waist

"Why are you here anyway?" I asked him

"Doing your job?" he asked unsurely so I sighed

Yeah right I have to do a speech for the RFA Foundation week tonight.

We spent the whole day doing various of activies and stalls. Scavenger Hunt, Shooting Range, Obstacle course, Duels, Maze, Race, quiz bee, there's so many choices.

When it was already 6PM the stalls began closing one by one, we met up with the rest of the group in the field where there is a stage for events like this. They decorated the stage very well, as I can say and only those with clubs are allowed to put up stalls earlier so all of the stalls realy are packed because if I remember correctly there are only 20 clubs in the whole schoole, minus the Academic Clubs and the Student Council who are responsible for the dedication booth. Not because this is a School for Underground Members it means they don't love, of course they also have some attractions and affections for some students.

We are still humans even though we are part of the dark side of the world.

"You're here." Ares said when he saw me

"Aren't you suppose to be preparing?" Jess asked and pointed at me

"Supposed to be. I have to prepare, Lavalee should too." Ares said and left

He left so I went to the School Directress' office which is actually vacant because I am the school Directress. I saw a paper bag and took it, then I remembered that Jace is still here so I asked him to leave me for a moment so I could change.

I changed into a red dress that is long at the back but two inch abow my knee in the front. I allowed my hair to fall down my back and told Jace that he can come in. I gave him a mask, this time color red and black.

"What?" I asked him and rolled my eyes before continuing my make up

"How do I look?" I asked him after wearing my mask

He went near and fixed my mask I can feel his breath in my face.

"Are you – Damn!" we looked at Ares who's looking at us maliciously

"We're ready." Jace said and they went behind me

Both of them are wearing a mask though Jace's mask is identical to mine. When we arrived at the back of the stage in the open field. The night is dark and the only light is from the spotlight and the huge campfire on the side. It will be used on the activity later.

"Let us welcome the founder and person behind Red Fire Academy, we are honoured to have her presence. Ms. Lavalee Hanazono!" I walked slowly up the stage and took the microphone from Jaxith.

Jaxith and Icarus are the emcee, I don't know why though.