šØš ā A Brother's Request and a Ghostly Memory
The quiet hum of concentration was shattered by the sudden burst of his younger brother, Yoo Jaekyun, into the room.
Jaekyun:"Noona!"
The door flew open, revealing the excited boy.
Yoo Jaehyun looked up from her desk, homework spread out before her. She regarded her brother with a mixture of affection and mild annoyance at the interruption.
Jaehyun:"What is it?"
Her voice held a hint of exasperation, but the underlying warmth was unmistakable.
Jaekyun:"Let's play together!"
She sighed, a polite but firm refusal.
Jaehyun:"Sorry, I'm busy right now. I'll play with you later, okay...?"
His shoulders slumped, and a dejected murmur escaped him.
Jaekyun:"Okay..."
He turned and left, leaving Jaehyun with a pang of guilt.
Jaehyun:"I have to end this quickly. Finish up my homework... so that I can spend precious time playing with my adorable little brother!"
Her pen flew across the paper, filling pages with rapid-fire notes.
Jaehyun:"I'M DONE!"
She declared, her voice echoing triumphantly. Without a moment's delay, she dashed into the living room, anticipation bubbling in her chest.
There sat Jaekyun, lost in his world of toys, oblivious to the passage of time.
Jaehyun:"Let's play together!"
He looked up, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
Jaekyun:"Did you finish your homework, Noona?"
Jaehyun grinned.
Jaehyun:"Yeah, I'm all done! Let's turn on the TV and play with those controllers!"
Jaekyun readily agreed, his excitement mirroring hers.
The TV screen flickered to life as they each grabbed a controller, fingers hovering over the start button. A moment of hushed anticipation hung in the air, their competitive spirits stirring.
Jaehyun:"Alright, it's time to see who's the ultimate champion this time!"
Jaekyun looked up at his sister, his eyes filled with sincere admiration.
Jaekyun:"Sis... You're truly the best!"
Jaehyun smiled warmly, touched by his genuine adoration.
Jaehyun:"No need to worry. I'll always make time for my one and only little brother~"
Time seemed to melt away as they became engrossed in their game. The sounds of the virtual world filled the room, punctuated by hushed breaths, gasps of excitement, and cheers of victory. They were lost in their friendly competition, two siblings fully immersed in their digital battleground.
Ā
Lena awoke with a start, the vividness of a dream still clinging to her. Tears welled in her eyes as she softly whispered a name.
Lena:"Jaekyun..."
A heavy sigh escaped her as she shifted her gaze towards the window. There, a man with raven-colored hair stood outside, his noble bearing catching her eye.
Lena:"(He definitely appears noble... I wonder if we had any guests scheduled today?)"
Her thoughts swirled with curiosity as she continued to observe the mysterious visitor.
She caught her reflection in the mirror. Black hair, pink eyesātraits inherited from her parents, save for a distinctive, vibrant pink streak.
Lena:"(Black hair and pink eyes... I've definitely inherited my parents' traits, with the exception of the pink streak in my hair..)"
She recalled the whispers among nobles, their doubts about her parentage due to that very streak. But her father had always dismissed them, standing firm.
Lena:"(Those nobles used to whisper about my parentage, all because of this pink streak in my hair... But my father always dismissed their insinuations, standing by my side as my true parent....)"
Her father's unwavering words echoed in her mind: "You are my daughter, no matter what others say..." And she'd never seen her mother with anyone else.
She remembered her mother, a devoted homemaker and a skilled pharmacist.
Lena:"(She was incredibly devoted, often putting her all into caring for us and performing her duties as a pharmacist.)"
Then, a memory surfacedāher mother's fury when she'd discovered the rumors.
Lena:"(I recall the time when she discovered the rumors about me not being father's child. She was furious, nearly resorting to physical violence against the one who started the falsehood, until Father stopped her...)"
She shuddered, imagining the consequences if her father hadn't intervened.
Lena:"(Imagine if Father hadn't intervened... Mother might have committed an act worthy of punishment.)"
Her mother's protective rage replayed in her mind.
Lena:"(She was seething, her words filled with a mix of anger and protectiveness as she threatened the individual who had started the rumors.)"
Amelia: "If you ever dare to spread another despicable rumor about my family, mark my words... I will find you and slice your tongue right out of your mouth! You will never speak ill of my family again!!"
The talk about her parentage had quieted down recently.
Lena:"(The talk about me being someone else's child has been quiet... come to think of it, it was a baseless rumor all along. And honestly, I've always liked the vibrant red streak in my hair.)"
The whispers and doubts faded, replaced by a growing sense of self-assurance.
Lena:"(To hell with what people say about me! I won't let their opinions dictate my life. I'm done hiding in my shell. It's time for me to forge my own path.)"
She entered the parlor, finding her parents already engaged in conversation with an unidentified guest.
James:"Good morning, Lena,"
Amelia smiled warmly, gesturing for her to join them.
Amelia:"Good morning, Lena. Do join us, please."
Lena sat beside her father, her eyes falling on the man she'd seen earlier. It was him.
???:"So this is your second daughter... she's quite beautiful I'd say".
Lena:"Father, who is this?"
James:"Ah, my apologies. Lena, let me introduce you. This gentleman is Duke George Dran."
Lena's intrigue deepened. Duke Dran. The name carried weight. His raven hair and green eyes met hers with a subtle intensity.
Lena:"(There's no denying the uncanny resemblance, the same raven hair and distinct facial features... yet, his eyes hold a different hue, a vivid green in contrast to Edmund's red hues...)"
James:"And this is his wife, Luna Dran, the Duchess of the Dran Family."
Lena nodded politely, observing the Duchess. Her blonde hair and crimson eyes were striking, a stark contrast to her own features.
Lena:"(She's so stunning... I didn't even notice her at first. Her eyes bear a resemblance to Edmund's too...)"
George:"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lena Dunham. Your parents have mentioned you quite a few times."
Lena's curiosity piqued. What had her parents said?
Lena:"N-nice to meet you!"
She instinctively moved closer to her father, burying her face in his arm.
James:"My daughter is quite shy. Please be gentle with her,"
George chuckled softly, amused.
George:"No need to worry. I'll be gentle with her,"
Luna smiled warmly, her eyes filled with appreciation.
Luna:"Indeed. Your daughter is quite adorable,"
James:"Thank you,"
Amelia turned to the Duchess.
Amelia:"How is everything between you and your husband?"
Luna smiled, her voice laced with affection.
Luna:"Things are excellent. We get along exceptionally well."
She continued, her gaze flicking towards Lena.
Luna:"Speaking of energy, I assume you and James have quite a bit of it yourself. After all, it's taken a lot of energy to produce this lovely young lady here,"
Amelia giggled, while James blushed.
James: "Oh, er... well-"
He quickly covered Lena's ears.
James:"Hey, our daughter is here!"
Amelia:"Exactly! Children are present, please refrain from saying such things!"
Luna lowered her gaze sheepishly.
Luna:"My apologies... I got carried away,"
George bowed his head in regret.
George:"Please forgive my wife's impertinent remarks. She sometimes forgets her boundaries."
James:"No need for that, Duke. Please, raise your head."
Amelia:"Just ensure your wife refrains from saying anything inappropriate in front of our children. Then there won't be any issues,"
George nodded, his smile slightly strained.
George:"Yes, indeed. We'll ensure there are no more... inappropriate remarks,"
James:"Right, let's return to our discussion,"
George:"Ah yes, regarding the contract... We're more than willing for you to sign it. The terms are quite reasonable, and we see great potential in this venture."
James:"Absolutely! We will sign it. Your terms are fair, and we wholeheartedly support this partnership."
George:"Likewise. We look forward to working together, and we extend an open invitation for you to visit us at the Dran family estate."
Amelia:"Indeed, we'll be looking forward to our next meeting. We would be more than happy to host you at our estate,"
As the Duke and Duchess departed, Lena couldn't shake the feeling that these were the parents of the RPG villain.
Lena:"Father about the contract... Will you guys meet each other often?"
James pondered his daughter's question.
James:"I imagine we'll be in regular contact with them due to our ongoing trade discussions and business dealings. The Dran family's holdings extend far and wide, so it's likely we'll have more encounters,"
He turned his attention to Lena, sensing her curiosity.
James:"Yes, we'll likely meet the Dran family quite a few times as our businesses work together. Why do you ask?"
Lena:"Nothing, just concern that's all~ Hahaha..."
James looked at her, suspicion lingering in his eyes.
James:"Are you certain it's nothing? You seem a bit... anxious."
Lena's mind turned practical.
Lena:"(Hunting monsters and gathering extra money... It wouldn't hurt to be extra prepared.)"
Amelia:"Lena, please call your siblings upstairs when I prepared breakfast."
Lena:"Got it!"
She headed upstairs, her thoughts drifting to her parents' love story. Her mother, a commoner, had shown such strength and adaptability.
Lena:"(Mother may have been a commoner, but her strength and adaptability shone through, no wonder father fell in love with her)"
She mused, a soft smile on her face. The thought of finding love herself crossed her mind.
"Who knows... Perhaps I'll find love someday,"
She whispered, a mix of hope and curiosity filling her heart. She arrived at her brother's room and knocked gently.
Lena:"Hey... Wake up! Breakfast is almost ready."
Thomas, still half-asleep, opened the door, rubbing his eyes.
Thomas:"Mornin',"
Lena:"You don't want to face mother and her frying pan, do you? Hurry up and get yourself downstairs,"
Thomas's eyes snapped open, and he dashed downstairs. Lena chuckled.
Lena:"Looks like the fear of the frying pan works every time,"
She moved on to Louise's room, rapping firmly on the door.
Lena:"Rise and shine, sleepyhead!"
Silence.
Lena:"Of course you're still not waking up... Time for some drastic measures,"
She entered Louise's room and whispered in her ear.
Lena:"Louise, dear sister, rise and shine, or else Mother's frying pan will make its presence known. You don't want to face the wrath of that pan, do you?"
Louise's eyes widened in alarm, and she bolted out of bed.
Lena:"Looks like that threat worked like a charm,"
She muttered, her smirk widening. Mission accomplished.
Ā
The breakfast table was filled with the clinking of cutlery when Amelia suddenly felt nauseous.
Lena:"Mother? Are you okay?"
James:"Amelia! Are you alright?"
Amelia:"I-I'm fine... Just a little nauseous, that's all."
James:"The baby is coming... Call a doctor!"
The maids rushed out. Amelia clutched her stomach, groaning softly.
James:"Amelia, hold my hand! I'm right here,"
Amelia grasped his hand tightly, her grip sending a jolt of pain through him.
James:"Ouch!"
"The doctor is here!"
The doctor entered, quickly examining Amelia.
"Please, we need a private room,"
James scooped up Amelia and led the way.
James:"I'll lead the way!"
Louise:"Will Mother be alright?"
Thomas:"I'm sure Mother will be alright, right, Lena?"
Lena:"Yeah... She'll be alright. After all she's the strongest mom we ever have right?"
Louise/Thomas:"Right!"
Sophie:"(Thank goodness the kids aren't panicking. They're surprisingly calm.)"
Sophie:"Come on, children. We'll wait outside the room. Make sure you don't cause any trouble for them, okay?"
Louise, Thomas, and Lena:"Alright,"
Sophie:"Please follow me children."
They followed Sophie, their faces a mixture of anticipation and concern.
Ā
Lena rested her head on Sophie's lap, a sense of calm washing over her. Louise and Thomas were already deep in discussion.
Louise:"I bet it's a girl this time,"
Thomas:"Nah, it's definitely a boy. I just have a feeling."
James appeared, looking weary but composed.
Sophie:"How is she?"
James:"She's fine,"
Lena, Louise, and Thomas sighed in relief.
Lena:"What about the baby? Is it healthy?"
James:"The baby is healthy,"
Louise and Thomas rushed to their father.
"Father!"
James:"What is it?"
"The... the baby! Is it a boy or a girl?"
James chuckled, his weariness momentarily forgotten.
James:"You really want to know that badly, huh? It's a girl."
Louise:"Yay, I win! I get extra snacks now, Paul."
Thomas:"Darn it... tsk..."
Lena:"Can we see the baby?"
James:"Of course! But please be quiet. The baby is asleep..."
They entered the room. Amelia held the newborn, exhaustion etched on her face, but joy radiating from her.
"Come here, my children... come meet your newest family member..."
Louise:"So cute!"
Thomas:"She looks like Father... only a girl version of him,"
He turned to Lena.
Thomas:"Don't you think so too, Lena?"
Lena remained silent, lost in thought.
Thomas:"Lena?"
Amelia:"Lena... Is there something wrong?"
Lena:"Oh! It's nothing... Just feeling a bit down, that's all,"
Amelia:"Are you sure?"
Lena shifted the focus.
Lena:"Yeah... Anyway, what's her name?"
Amelia:"Her name is Mona Dunham."
Louise:"Hello, Mona~ this is your big sister!"
Thomas:"She's asleep, you know,"
Louise:"Oh right..."
Lena:"Mother, can I... hold her?"
Amelia:"Of course... but be careful, okay?"
Lena gently cradled the baby.
Lena:"So cute..."
Suddenly, Mona began to cry. Lena panicked and handed her back to Amelia.
Amelia:"It's ok, it's ok,"
James entered, sitting beside Amelia.
James:"You guys should go play outside,"
Louise and Thomas left. Lena, however, remained, her gaze fixed on Mona.
James:"Lena, are you alright?"
Lena:"Oh! Sorry... I'll go outside to play,"
Sophie:"Don't you think that my lady is acting a bit... off lately?"
James:"Indeed, something is troubling Lena, but I cannot quite grasp what."
Amelia:"She is acting a bit off...but, we can't pressure with questions! It'll only scare her."
James:"You're right,"
Amelia:"But what do we do, then?"
James:"We'll just have to wait until she's ready to talk to us. For now, it's the best course of action,"
Ā
Lena lay on the grass, memories of her childhood with Jaehyun flooding her mind.
"Jaehyun! Look, this is your brother Jaekyun."
She recalled holding baby Jaekyun for the first time.
Jaehyun:"He looks so cute! Can I hold him, mom?"
"Sure... But please don't drop him, okay?"
Jaehyun:"Ok!"
She cradled the infant, her heart swelling with affection.
Jaehyun:"Hello! I'm your big sister,"
Jaekyun giggled, reaching out to cup her cheeks.
Jaehyun:"Kyaa! So cute!"
"Wow! He must really like you, Jaehyun~"
Jaehyun:"Hey there, little one,"
Jaekyun responded with soft coos.
"Jaeh... please be a good sister to him, okay?"
Jaehyun:"I will, Dad. I promise."
Jaehyun:"I promise I'll protect you from now on, little brother, okay?"
"Awww... they're so adorable together,"
"Our children... they're so precious."
Lena whispered his name, tears welling up.
Lena:"Jaek..."
Louise:"LENA!"
Lena quickly wiped her tears.
Louise:"What are you doing here? And... what's wrong with your face?!"
Lena:"It's nothing,"
Louise grabbed her hand.
Louise:"Come on, it's lunch time,"
Lena walked alongside her sister, her mind still replaying the memories.
Ā
AT NIGHT
The family dinner was underway, filled with the usual sounds of cutlery and conversation. Suddenly, the door burst open.
???:"Hello~ Everyone!"
Duchess Luna Dran stood in the doorway, a mischievous smile on her face.
James:"What are you doing here, Duchess?"
Luna:"Oh... I'm just dropping by to see how are you all doing. When I heard the about your new family member I wanted to congratulate you personally"
James managed a polite smile.
James:"Oh... Thank you for your congratulations, Duchess."
Amelia:"It's unexpected but... we appreciate your visit."
Luna:"So where's the baby I want to see her!"
George:"Now, now, please excuse my wife's behavior."
He shot her a warning look. A young boy with blonde hair and striking green eyes stepped out from behind Luna.
???:"Mother, please calm down..."
George:"Sorry for the intrusion."
James:"It's fine, please, have a seat."
James signaled the maids to prepare the table.
Amelia:"Would you like us to prepare a meal?"
Luna:"Oh, no... We've already eaten, so tea will be enough."
Amelia nodded and ordered the refreshments. Luna's gaze landed on the bundle in Amelia's arms.
Luna:"Is she perhaps Mona?"
Amelia:"Yes,"
She adjusted her hold, protectively.
James turned to the boy standing by the Duke.
James:"Is that your son?"
George:"Yes, this is Jason. He is the same age as your daughter, Louise."
Jason stepped forward and offered a polite bow.
Jason:"Greetings."
James and Amelia exchanged glances, impressed by his manners. Lena watched quietly, her expression guarded.
James:"Where is your second son?"
George:"He is currently at the royal castle, attending a tea party with the princess."
James:"Ah... I see."
He cleared his throat, realizing the children hadn't introduced themselves yet.
James:"Oh right...! Please introduce yourselves."
Louise stepped forward nervously.
Louise:"N-nice to meet you, I'm Louisette Dunham."
Thomas followed, sweating slightly.
Thomas:"It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Thomas Dunham."
Then came Lena, her tone laced with a hint of sarcasm.
Lena:"It's a pleasure to meet you, Though, we did meet this morning."
George:"The pleasure is all ours,"
He took a sip of tea. Suddenly, Luna leaned forward, her eyes twinkling.
Luna:"DARLING... Can we...?"
George spat out his tea in shock, his face turning bright red.
George:"Don't say such things in front of the children!"
James quickly intervened.
James:"Everyone... please forget what you just heard..."
Lena glanced at Jason across the table.
Lena:"(So this is Jason, the older brother of the villain Edmund. I remember from the game that he appeared when his brother was about to be exiled. His element is... lightning, right?)"
Louise, noticing her stare, leaned over and whispered loudly.
Louise:"Lena, why are you staring at master Jason? Do you perhaps have a crush on him!?"
Lena jumped back, her face flushing instantly.
Lena:"W-what!? No way! He's way out of my league!"
She stood up abruptly.
Lena:"Umm... I'll go to my room now, good night!".
Ā
Lena shut her bedroom door and let out a heavy sigh. The click of the lock echoed in the quiet room. She slid down the door until she was sitting on the floor.
Lena:"I want to throw myself into the abyss!"
She jumped onto the bed and screamed into her pillow, muffling the sound. After a moment, she lifted her head, panting slightly.
Lena:"Let's forget about it... and sleep,"
She whispered to herself as she sank into the mattress.
Lena:"Tomorrow is going to be a better day..."
With that thought in mind, she finally drifted off to sleep.