Chapter 86. Tea? Dress? Party? Fire 👍

Over ten students were sent to the hospital. Even the exemplary knight Azalea was no exception. As punishment, Lucilline Rubius was suspended from S Academy for a total of two months.

"Do you understand what you've done wrong?"

The bed chamber was isolated from the rest of the Rubius manor, with its curtains shut tightly, and nota speck of light leaking in from outside. Lucilline sat gloomily in his seat, while standing before him was a familiar figure clad in black leather boots, coats, and a silver scarf. Strands of mahogany red hair fluttered back and forth, and a cold face peered down.

Zephyratt sighed, "Let me ask you again, do you know what you've done wrong?"

Lucilline shook his head. He did not do anything wrong. All he did was take back what originally belonged to him. The copper bell rung sadly from the movements of his wrist.

"Lucy!" A harsh shout tore from the older brother's throat.

His pair of silver eyes held an unrelenting light, "Are you listening to me or not?" Zephyratt slammed a fist onto a cabinet, with the wooden material croaking underneath his powerful pressure. His face was dark like a kettle, and contorted puffs can be heard from his constricted breathing. "You sent a total of ten students to the hospital! When I received this news, I couldn't believe it at first. I came back from the countryside, and I believe that I deserve an explanation."

The older sibling scowled, holding his forehead with a palm. "At least give me a reason for why you did this. The school won't allow you to return without an apology."

Lucilline's eyes flickered.

His lips pursed, then released, "They stole my present from mother."

Upon hearing that, Zephyratt's cold contours had softened. His eyes became gentler, as he crouched down to face his younger brother on an eye-to-eye level. Zephyratt noticed the copper bell. Although it was not worth any money, it was worth more than the world to his little brother.

A warm hand ruffled through Lucilline's locks of hair.

Zephyratt gently patted him, "Okay, I understand." He cooed, "If somebody steals your stuff next time, just tell big brother and I will get it back for you. There is no reason for you to fight yourself."

Lucilline's eyes twitched. But I was afraid... afraid that I'd lose the last thing I have left of her.

Strangely, the mind demon living in his head was silent, without a single peep of sound.

"You should stay home for the entire week, Lucy." Zephyratt embraced his younger brother, allowing the black-haired nobleman to sink into his arms. "Let your big brother handle everything. You don't need to worry about anything anymore."

After a while of hugging, Zephyratt dismissed himself from the bed chamber.

He left the room, closing the door with a hushed thud.

"How is Lucy doing?" Outside, Scarletta twirled a strand of her own hair across a finger. She frowned with a contemplative expression. "You didn't scold him that much, did you, Ratt?"

Zephyratt rolled his eyes. "He's fine."

The second older sibling crossed his arms, and the wrinkles of his sleeves outlined the protruding of his muscles. "After all, it is up to the older siblings to take care of everything!" His lips widened into a large smile, with his teeth shining brilliantly like smooth pearls.

Scarletta grinned. "Of course."

They were going to take care of all the letters and work of the House. It did not matter if Duke Rubius was sick in bed. After all, House Rubius had three talented offsprings.

*****

Lucilline hummed to himself.

He swung his legs back and forth atop the King sized bed. His slender figure bounced upon the soft mattress, his bosom felt like it was being enveloped by wool-like clouds. Although he was restricted from leaving the Rubius manor, the black-haired nobleman did not feel trapped at all. Rather, he was gleeful at the thought of not having to attend school.

There was no longer the suffocating sensation of condescending eyes staring at him, waiting for him to make a mistake. Those pupils stuck to his every movement, burning through his flesh, and puffing out wallowing fumes of smoke.

Alas, in the manor, those eyes no longer followed him around.

He wasn't being watched anymore.

"Do you have free time right now, Lucy?" The door croaked open, and in came a bundle of light. Willow wore a frilly white maid dress, and her locks of silver hair tied back into a flower bun. The maidservant was not present during the time Lucilline beat up the students, and was taken aback by the news. Of course she was curious about what happened. Her Young Master was not one to resort to violence.

However, she was afraid of her Young Master being in a sour mood.

After all, he was suspended from school and also received an earful from his sibling! (It was only Zephyratt, but Willow let her imagination run wild) She stung from the thought of her Young Master crying to himself alone, all because of his older sibling's harsh words (in fact, Lucilline did not cry).

"Yes, I am free at the moment." Lucilline jumped down from the edge of his bed.

The mattress bounced to the sudden loss in weight.

"Great!" Willow jumped up and down with excitement. "Young Master, you are invited to the most extravagant, dresses only, tea party!"

Lucilline: ???

Before he could comprehend what was happening, he'd already been stripped of his clothes, and a red gown had been worn perfectly upon his slender figure. The black-haired nobleman gritted his teeth, "What is the meaning of this, Willow?"

The maidservant beamed a bright smile. "Only dresses are allowed at the tea party! Young Master must be beautifully dressed in order to attend!"

"But why...?" Lucilline groaned. It seemed like Willow had inherited his siblings' hobby of forcing him to crossdress.

He had been escorted by Willow down the cobblestone stairs. His feet ached from the glassy heels, and his bare back chilled from the lack of fabric. "It is because you are beautiful, Young Master." Willow chirped excellently, behaving like a dutiful follower. "If I were Young Master, I'd show off my beauty every single day to make those brutes shut up!"

Lucilline chuckled lightly.

At last, they'd arrived at the "tea party".

In reality, it was simply a glass table in the middle of the garden. Nevertheless, the blooming flowers and lavender scent made it akin to a wedding venue. Pearly white ribbons were draped from the top branches of trees, while a pot of tea, porcelain cups, and a plate of snacks were arranged at the table.

Lucilline took a seat at the table.

"The other Young Masters will be here soon." Willow announced.

"Other?" Lucilline was stunned. Does that mean older sister and brother will attend too-

His thoughts were interrupted by the flutter of birds. Mahogany red hair was tied up into a Dutch-braided bun, and flawless jade white skin contrasted against a velvety dress. Scarletta wore translucent arm-length gloves, with the design of swans sewn upon the white fabric.

The eldest sibling sat down elegantly, which was quite the unusual from her normal behaviour. "Lucy looks amazing," Scarletta smiled, "It's so hard to stand out when I have such a good-looking brother."

"No way, sister!" Lucilline denied it with a shake of his head.

His cheeks were burning like a wildfire, as he broke out in a fluster. "I am nowhere as beautiful as eldest sister! Scarletta, your dress suits you very well! It matches your hair, and your gloves resemble the silver in your eyes."

Scarletta laughed at the sudden outburst. "It isn't like you to compliment me so much, Lucy." She crossed a leg across another, as she poured the two of them a cup of tea.

The porcelain cups were filled to half the brim with Earl Grey. Their plates contained scones served with cream and jam, while strawberry shortcake were glossed over in melted sugar. After taking a bite of his scone, Lucilline could feel his racing heart falter in comfort.

"How do you like it?" Scarletta grinned. "Willow is an excellent baker, isn't she?"

Lucilline's head bobbed up and down like a silly child.

Scarletta laughed at the spectacle.

"Sister, you're usually more cold and harsh. What happened to you? Did the sugar soften you up?" Lucilline immediately shut down her laughter with those harsh words.

Scarletta, "..." You're the harsh one here, Lucy. I can't even laugh for once without being criticized?

However, Lucilline's golden eyes softened like a yellow carnelian, the jewel melting into pure liquid gold. He softly smiled, "But I like it when sister is happy."

Scarletta: !!!

She jumped out of her chair as fast as a falcon, then enveloped her younger brother, "Lucy is the sweetest person in the world! I love you!!!" Scarletta did not withdraw her strength, and squeezed Lucilline tightly with her arms.

A crack popped out from Lucilline's back.

Both of the two siblings, "..." they quickly returned to their seats. More scones and cake were eaten, and an occasional conversation about the past was brought up.

Scarletta reassured that she and Zephyratt would be able to take over Duke Rubius' duties. After all, they were old enough to work in business as nobles. Hearing that, Lucilline was relieved. The absence of their father had worried everyone in Lydia Kingdom, and the concern of how to resolve the issue always remained rent-free in Lucilline's head.

"Hmm... But I still prefer working as a soldier." Scarletta munched on a strawberry. "It is much more exhilarating on the battlefield than to work politically."

"That's where you're wrong, sister." A familiar voice piped in. "Working in the politics is the most thrill-inducing activity—much more exciting than wielding a sword and waving it around like a maniac."

Lucilline was stunned. He could hardly believe what he was seeing— Zephyratt's hair was tied in a braid laying upon one shoulder, but... everything below the neck was... not fitting.

His bulging pectoral muscles was about to rip apart the dress he wore. Lucilline already noticed that the red fabric was being stretched thin, with many threads already undone at the back. Nevertheless, Zephyratt still walked forward in the "revealing" attire.

He was like a porcupine dressed in a skin suit.

Scarletta couldn't hold in her laughter anymore, "PFFT!" She snorted, and immediately bursted out laughing. "HAHHAHHAAHA!!! I CAN'T! ...I THINK I'M GOING TO... DIE!!!" The ice cold lady tumbled out from her seat and collapsed onto the grass, punching her fists at the ground. "MY FUCKING STOMACH HURTS!!!"

"STOP LAUGHING!" Zephyratt shouted.

His face was ridden in a burning blush. He quickly turned to look at Lucilline, "Lucy knows best. I don't look that bad, do I?"

Lucilline immediately covered his eyes. "Please don't look at me, brother. I'm scared."

Zephyratt: ...

"PAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! AHHH... THIS IS HILARIOUS!" Scarletta rolled back and forth in the grass.

"SHUT UP!" The second oldest sibling yelled, too embarrassed to even face his little brother anymore. "This is your fault, isn't it, you shitty hag! It was you who lended me these clothes! Did you purposely borrow me a dress that's too tight!?!"

Scarletta snickered. "Maybe."

A vein popped out from Zephyratt's forehead.

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!!!"

*****

That night, Lucilline went to bed with a smile adorning his lips. Willow tucked him in, glee visible upon her face. It seems like Young Master had a nice time today. She blew out the candle, allowing the moonlight to peer past the windows, lighting up her Young Master's pale contours.

Willow placed the candle by her asleep Young Master's side, then left.

As an enhanced human, she had no problem seeing in the dark. Perhaps those drugs and times of torture were truly of some use—

In the hallway, Willow froze.

There was the smell of... smoke.

The maidservant dashed across the hallway, with her keen nose trying to discern where the smoke originated from. Her silver hair raced like a swan flapping its wings into the pool above—the endless starry night.

Alas, Willow arrived at where she smelled the smoke.

A wicked black flame was eating away at a large door. The maidservant felt her stomach drop. What in the world is this fire? It is unlike anything I've ever seen. How can a fire be... black? However, the most important thing was...

The room behind that door was where Duke Rubius stayed!

"Grand Duke Rubius!" She cried aloud.

Willow flung open the doors, not caring about the black fire eating past every crevice. "Hurry up and get out of there!" In an instant, the silver-haired maidservant froze. She could not believe her eyes. Amidst the sea of black fire, only a figure scorched into black charcoal laid there lifelessly. Willow couldn't breathe in the intoxicating smoke, and the fire seemed to be strangling her by the throat.

Duke Rubius was...

"Who is this?" A low voice groaned by her ear.

Willow whipped her head back, and was greeted by a figure cloaked with a black and white hood. A holy cross was sewn unto a necklace, dangling by their collarbones. Slowly, that cloaked figure with a cross took out a sword, the blade coated in black fire. "You must not speak to anyone of this." All of a sudden, that figure paused.

They giggled. "I'll make sure of it."

Then, the blade slashed down at Willow.