Secret Between Him and Her

Chapter 23

"What the heck is with that child?!" Ezekiel questioned himself about Adrian's demeanor. He's been thinking about what happened in the dining room. Charlotte's disappearance badly affects Adrian. Cause of Ezekiel's thinking he falls asleep without even noticing.

"Brother", "Brother Kiel", it was faint that Ezekiel couldn't hear who was calling him. But he has still woken himself at his slumber, seeing a familiar figure. Who was it waking him up? Is it a maid? Is it rather the head butler or the head maid? Or is it his father or brother? No, instead it was someone surprisingly Ashlyn who wake him. "Ashlyn! How come you're here? Or maybe I'm still dreaming" He groaned, "I've been thinking about Adrian. And now you are also here? Alas, I'm sorry for what Adrian has been doing to you. I'm the oldest but I can't lecture him. Therefore, I promise you a good life here." He sincerely mumbled didn't realize it was not a dream. "Ashlyn, even in my dreams you are still deadpan." Ezekiel laughed until Ashlyn pinched his cheek him making whined, "Brother Kiel, happy birthday." Ashlyn said plainly with a small smile. "Brother, washed-up so you can think that this is not a dream. And if you are done thinking. Go down it's time for breakfast." She said then walked towards the door, she was about to leave however Ashlyn lean at the side while opening the door slowly she snapped Ezekiel with her words, "Brother, I'll leave you there speechless, sleepyhead." Before she swiftly walked outside, she created a slight grinned making her brother noticed. Ezekiel was really dumbfounded and embarrassed, why did he blurt all those nonsense. The great Ezekiel Raven De Alegro is careful but sharp in his words has blurted all of his thoughts to a serious face little girl.

Going down many maids he encountered greeted him. Well, they will surely greet Ezekiel it's his birthday today, of course. He entered the dining room quite noisy he saw how his uncle Philip was being clingy at Ashlyn, putting different dishes at Ashlyn's plate along with showing fondness at her. And his father was quiet while sitting beside Ashlyn. "Brother, good morning and happy birthday, again." Ashlyn welcomed Ezekiel, while didn't bother looking at Ezekiel standing at the door although Ashlyn was drinking tea. "Good morning, also." By chance, Ezekiel was feeling uncomfortable maybe because he was embarrassed a while ago. About thinking it was a dream speaking with Ashlyn. "Ezekiel, why you still standing there. Hey, my niece, come here and eat breakfast before the food gets cold." Philip said whilst taking a big bite from his spoon. For the awkwardness to flicker in Ezekiel's mind, he rushed to sit in front of Ashlyn's seat.

Not a minute passed when Adrian barged in looking happy, "Brother, good morning. Happy birthday." As he yelled as his mood changes seeing Ashlyn who was centered on their attention. Ashlyn promptly stands, in a flash, he walked passing Adrian without a word. The air rather changed but yet Ezekiel and Adrian wanted to maintain the air after Ashlyn ran outside.

On the other side, Ashlyn ran to the bathroom. Vomiting blood endlessly until her face became sickly pale. "What the..." Ashlyn didn't continue, she stilled vomit blood. Her vomiting ended as she walked outside, she met her uncle leaning at the side of the door. Ashlyn wasn't surprised she already regard someone was outside waiting for her. "You?..." Philip didn't persist in his words he was staring at Ashlyn's lips. The side of her lips was stained by her blood a while ago. "You coughed blood, am I right?" he asked quite pitied. Ashlyn nodded like it was nothing and it brought pang in Philip's heart. He didn't know why but it hurts like hell. For some reason, he felt guilty and pain because of Ashlyn's sufferings that she doesn't care about. Philip unexpectedly hugged her tightly and patted her firmly. "Ashlyn, don't suffer alone. You're not alone we're all here." Ashlyn caressed his back, "Uncle, between you and me. You know my illness is getting worsted but tell father and brother Ezekiel that once I get to drink the medicine you prepared. I'm going to be alright. I know it's a lie that you will be keeping a secret for many years till I still have this illness. And I know you don't like keeping secrets. But I hope you do this favor of mine." Her plea gave Philip an emotionally sharp knife thrust his heart. Her words wore very maturely, her consoling makes him want to obey her words. Although Philip still thinks that what Ashlyn has is a rare disease that he has not studied yet. Ashlyn knows and understands Philip's assumption, that her situation is not really a disease and more on what the culprit is doing 'Poisoning'. It was still surprising for Ashlyn that her former comrade Tristan once gave her a sub-antidote that can't let her obtain or get killed by the poison. But whatever the poison is it still gives the poison's effect and Ashlyn's body accepts it. It was strange because it was already many reincarnations to be exact but the antidote is still in her body.

"You are already aware of your situation, I see. I wasn't expecting this to happen at all. But if that's what you want then I'll keep it a secret. Therefore, our secret will only be between you and me." But in the end, Philip hesitantly and quite gladly fulfill what she desires.

Maids we're swiftly cleaning along with decorating. Knights tighten the security so no stranger will emerge with no invite. Chefs making new dishes and delights. Tailors releasing hand-made suits and dresses. And gifts showing in Adrian and Ezekiel's room, gifts from low to high-ranked families, and letters of one-sided confessions that will be in waste. It was lively, livelier than any other noble celebration. As well as gossips from older circumstances and new ones will arise once the celebration starts.