Chapter 24: Hate Everyone But You
Leia laughs softly, covering her mouth while she does. "Ah, I'm afraid Ms. Margaret will be stopping by more often than you think because she's been watching over your recovery carefully. She's ensuring that your health does not relapse all of a sudden. While she may be a little bossy, she does think for the best of you all, especially when it comes to curfews."
Myra, hearing the subtle reference to her late-coming the previous night peers towards Leia with a pointed gaze, almost egging her on to add reassurance.
"But of course, I would not say anything that would implicate My Lady," Leia slips in, reading the situation well.
"Mm, thank you," Myra finally peels away her gaze and proceeds towards the door, outside which Frederick stands in preparation to inform her of her preparation for the day. However, before she leaves, she turns with one hand on the doorknob.
"By the way, is there anything special I'm supposed to know about the Bougainvillea family other than the fact that we have bad blood with them?" she inquires while narrowing her eyes in suspicion, realising there's a harrowing chance that she may find poison in her food.
There's a low chance they would attempt something of that scale so quickly and in front of so many nobles, but she wouldn't be willing to take any risks when she's so unfamiliar with this world.
"Don't worry, My Lady, we've arranged for Frederick to inform you of what you need to know," she replies after coming forward and holds the door open to the man who had been waiting outside.
Myra nods her head as she inhales deeply, bracing herself for the party that had been looming for seemingly so long. Leia wishes her well as she leaves with Frederick for the sitting room, where she's to be briefed about her day.
At this moment, she's reminded of the fact that she'll be going with Jalen, her younger brother who has been mad at her for a while since she got on his nerves during dinner. It was a bad night, that one, when Roseann burst his ball by assaulting it with her fork (with no later apology).
"Actually, before you brief me, I'd like to stop by Jalen's room if he's not already in the sitting room by now. I'm aware I'm still a bit early so it shouldn't necessarily be a problem if I spend some time waiting for him as well," Myra says in a tone that sounds more like an instruction such that Frederick won't be able to refuse.
The elderly man pushes his slipping glasses higher on his nose and hunches over, wondering whether it would be appropriate to let her spend time elsewhere instead of waiting for the carriage to pick her up.
Frederick eventually relents and allows her to do so, leaving her off at Jalen's bedroom.
"I'll be waiting out here," Frederick states while knocking on the bedroom door. When a shrill voice from inside gives permission, Myra nods in acknowledgement to Frederick's statement and welcomes herself into Jalen's room. She looks around the dark space, realising she hasn't been here for a while.
Although his curtains have been parted to allow sunlight into the room, it's rather dark unlike hers which is usually brightly lit till lights out.
The only messy aspect of his room would be his table, where most of his favourites are cluttered and the books he won't touch. She could imagine the entire room would've been a disaster if he didn't have several maids arranging it on the daily.
"What did you come here for?" Jalen grunts in a slightly frustrated tone. Myra follows the direction of the voice till the corner of the room that leads into the changing room and walk-in closet. Surely enough, he stands behind a divider, being stuffed into his clothes by three other butlers.
Myra can only see his silhouette, rather his shadow being projected onto the semi-opaque divider.
Although he's younger, he's almost at her height and Myra bets, even if he were shorter, he wouldn't ever lose that defiant lilt to his regular voice. He pushes the divider to the side harshly to allow Myra in front of him. He has a frown etched on his lips and annoyance flaring in his red eyes.
"I heard you're accompanying me," Myra starts shortly, folding her arms to show she won't be dealing with his bratty attitude without complaint.
Jalen's shirt is unbuttoned, revealing his collarbone and parts of his chest. He's well-built, with due thanks to his regular training and the fact that he's a strong athlete in his fields—not very bulky like Cole but healthy.
"I wanted to make sure you were getting ready on time. What made you change your mind if you dislike me so much?" she almost taunts.
Jalen shrugs, "Just because I said I'd accompany you doesn't mean you have to walk the entire way to my room and speak to me. You could've not spoken to me at all."
Upon watching Myra's expression contort into one that's mildly ticked off, he smirks before breaking into a fit of laughter. He slaps his knee and his butlers stand back, bearing an expression that suggests this isn't new. "Hah, you really—I'm just kidding. I don't hold grudges, especially when I have people more worthy of my hatred."
"For someone of your age, you act like you're five," Myra rolls her eyes.
Jalen chortles for a calculated few seconds before falling into silence, as if he's controlling his emotions systematically. This buys the butlers some time to fix his shirt up and get him into the red vest that has been sitting on the hook for so long since the morning, it might collect dust already.
Myra tries to hide how much she's weirded out by his behaviour and good for her, it doesn't show on her face.
Even if it does, Jalen wouldn't have mentioned it unless it's something he can mock her about. "There's some asshole at the Bougainvillea's I detest. He's so prissy, can't take a sip out of his tea if it isn't chamomile with two tablespoons of sugar. Can you believe that? Tsk."
"Is that family usually so prissy? I don't see you complain about much other than your sports, honestly. That boy must be one annoying kid to get you to waste your breath on him," Myra comments as she leans against one of the closet walls.
Jalen lets out a loud huff, an indication that he's engrossed in the conversation.
The older sister smirks, only in a subtle manner so her brother won't be quick to catch her change in attitude. She doesn't hold any ill intention as of now, especially when her family would be her biggest weapon to success.
For now, it's simply a victory that she's managed to slip herself a chance to get along with him and maybe empathise with each other on the basis of disliking the same few people.
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