Temporary Crown

12 | Conversation over Breakfast

--

Lucien was right, just as the clock hit seven in the morning, Nesta was called for breakfast. Nesta was a little anxious and restless after burning a corpse in her fireplace but the fire had already eaten the corpse and was reduced to dust. The only thing it left was its ashes all over the fireplace.

Moreover the smell had been taken by the winds and she sprinkled some perfume on the air hoping that it can mask even a little fragment of smell.

She needed to clean it herself earlier. Lucien left her room 2 hours before she was called. They had specifically talked about many things but the most important part was their alliance and their thoughts of building a contract with each other. Although Lucien was asking for her help, he was still skeptical and would only trust her if there was a specific document between them.

Nesta did not argue in fact she was the one who had suggested it.

Nesta never really thought that Lucien would ask her to help him find a cure for his father but regardless of her plans and the future, what Lucien wants should be the top priority for her since he was her savior.

Her adorable little brother.

Looking at her reflection, Nesta did not changed her clothes. She still wore a white modest dress with black laces and ribbons. She then walked out of her room following the servant when she met Lucien at the hallway. He looked like he had just finished taking a bath as his hair was now wet and he was wearing a different clothes from before.

His eyes looked to tired but he still seemed to graceful and elegant. In the back of Nesta’s head, she was envious of the woman who can tame such cold person and can make her little brother look at her with warm gaze. She wanted to see if the future can change and Lucien can in fact marry a person he loves.

If that happen, then, should have been the most happy person in the world being able to fulfill her vows and promises to herself. Nesta view herself nothing but a tool and a sister to Lucien nothing more.

As they walked, Lucien met Nesta’s eyes. Nesta saw his eyes waver for a bit before he gave a bow. He seemed to not expect that they would be meeting in the hallway. Such actions had caused the servants who were present to wonder and gasped. They knew for sure that the young master was hostile before but the way he bowed was showing respect.

Nesta was happy with such development. Since they had formed a tacit agreement, Lucien had told her that he’ll play the role of an obedient brother very well. He also promised not to send assassins like before seeing how horribly it turned out.

Nesta smiled gently as Lucien raised his head and offered his right hand to assist Nesta. Nesta who was delighted gently placed her hands over Lucien’s arm and they walked together in the dinning hall.

“Good morning Lucien, did you sleep well?” Nesta touched his damped hair and Lucien let him. “You should have dried your hair. I’m afraid that you might caught a cold looking how cold the mansion is right now.”

Lucien gave a nod. “There is nothing to fret, sister. I am a very strong person.”

“If that’s what you say. Do you know why father asked us for breakfast earlier this morning? I am quite curious,” Nesta said with the intention to exchange conversation with Lucien even though she knew the whole reason behind the summoned. This act was to show the servants that they were now a normal brother and sister even though just yesterday the other one was trying to kill her.

“I also do not know, Sister. Perhaps, it’s nothing urgent. Father is getting old and he wanted to see his children.”

“Is that so? I hope so too.”

As they exchange words the servant watched them. Nesta saw all of their gazes and she knew that before the afternoon strikes a new gossip will be circulating the whole mansion. Such gossip was favorable for them in order to start their new plan.

Just as they walked, it did not take long for them to reach the dinning hall. Both of them thought that they were the ones who was already there but they were a little surprise to see the duke seating already to his designated chair. He was drinking his morning coffee while reading a newspaper.

Both Lucien and Nesta squared their shoulders and gave a pleasant greetings to their father. The duke watched them give greetings. He laughed dryly.

“I did not thought that bout of you would be this close. I wonder why when it was just yesterday when both of you looked so wary of each other. Perhaps both of you change your thoughts about killing each other.” The duke pointed the chairs. “Have a seat my children and we have something important to discuss.”

Nesta chuckled. “You jest Father,” Lucien helped her to sit down before going to his seat. “Aren’t you thankful that we both are getting along well? for even though I am adopted, Lucien was able to accept me as a sister. Isn’t that right? Little brother?”

“Yes sister.” Lucien nodded and drank his tea that was served earlier by the maids. “I never thought that I needed a sister before you gave me one father. I think I should be thankful.”

The duke roared a laugh.

“Of course my dear daughter and son however, it seemed like both of you formed a tacit agreement because of my health.” the duke’s eyes went sharp. The servants flinched but they acted as though everything was normal. The duke raised his hands and the food finally was served.

Nesta watched all the servants prepared the food and just as they were finished the duke dismissed them leaving only the three of them inside the room. This time, seeing that they were alone, Nesta answered the duke’s question.

“How could we, father? We only want the best for you. Since you are getting old we thought that it would strain your body to see two of your children fight. Furthermore, I only did what I think was right father.” Nesta glanced at Lucien who had begun eating without any care as both adults exchange threats.

She then glanced back at the duke. “Lucien is your only family, and just like what I said, he had the right to know what is going on with your health. You chasing him away yesterday was already a confirmation of what I told him. It would be best for both of you to mend your relationship.”

Hearing such words, the duke scoffed. He looked like Lucien at this point. What a stubborn man. “Mend? My son and I was living a rather harmonious life. A stranger like you should not just but in and meddle things that are beyond repairable.”

“My dear Duke Charles,” Nesta begun to cut the ham that was served to her and put it inside her mouth. “I was hired as his protector. The first thing you had thought me was not to lie from him. He asked me what was going on, and I answered. Isn’t this what you wanted, Father?”

“I am just insisting that knowing won’t do any better.” the duke heaved his breath. This time his gaze looked at his son. Somewhat, it was heavy as though he was concealing all of his emotions at once. Lucien was unaware of this, but Nesta who always look knew what was inside of the duke and all of his feelings to his son that was why he had sought her in the very beginning.

“Father,” Lucien said making the duke paused.

“Yes?”

“Would I be stepping outside my boundaries if I asked you once again if you are really dying?”

This time, Lucien’s gaze were not wavering nor breaking. He had been rational after his talk to Nesta and this time, just like what he said to his sister, he wanted to save his father and the first thing he needed to do was make him tell Lucien that he was really dying despite hearing it from Nesta.

Duke Charles flinched. He wanted to argue but from the looks of it, no matter how he denied it, his son would only persist. He thought that he should just pass away without burdening his son but then, the matters were already out of his hands.

Perhaps this was a good outcome. Heaving his breath, the duke nodded heavily. “3 months, the doctor said I only have three months to live.”

“May I ask why did you ask for any treatment even though he told you that.”

There was silence that engulfed them and seconds after, the duke started to speak with his heavy voice.

“I came to a realization, son. Although it might be hard for you to accept but I feel like I have been a bad father after your mother died. With those three months, I wanted to arrange the duchy a little bit better and protect you in case you might be harm because of my sudden disappearance.”

“Do you really think, father, that I would offer my gratitude to you after leaving just like that?” Lucien scoffed as he put down his cutlery. The duke avoided his son’s accusing gaze. He felt rather guilty from all of his decisions.

Perhaps, that wasn’t a good choice from the very start.

--