Bab 51: Smiles
The second thing that Fei learned was how it felt to smile.
That day, her master gifted her some drawings that he made using crayons.
One drawing was of a small figure pulling on a larger figure, with the larger figure having distinct black hair while the smaller figure had blond hair. Together, they stood under a tree with brightly fall colored leaves. Behind them was an enormous white structure.
Although the drawings were simple, Fei knew at a glance that this was a drawing of her and her master.
When Carlos had proudly informed her that he wanted to gift these drawings to her, Fei was felt so deeply touched. She was sure that she showed it on her face because Carlos had beamed even more intensely.
For the remainder of the week, that warm feeling in her chest hadn't faded. Whenever she saw or thought of her master and those pieces of art that she displayed in her room, that feeling would rise up and Fei would feel unexplainably joyful.
One day, when brushing her hair in front of the mirror in her room, she had realized that something was different about the reflection. Then, after close observation, she realized what was different.
She was smiling with her entire face brightened up, like a child.
She had become like an entirely different person. Especially that smile. Had she always been capable of smiling?
Fei was instantly alerted; and the smile was gone.
The reflection returned to how she remembered it.
Fei felt it was too scary when she reflected on the week that had gone past, and how she had been unconsciously controlled by those drawings for an entire week.
Yet, when the pictures Carlos drew for her resurfaced in her mind, the terrorizing smile came back like a gust of wind.
What is this? Why isn't she able to control it?
Terror gripped her like a predator catching prey.
But after closer thought, Fei realized that emotions were something her master had entrusted to her. After all, without those drawings that originated from him, she wouldn't be able to make such a strange expression and feel such things.
After thinking it through, she no longer suppressed that smile; instead, she encouraged it to blossom on her face. She should embrace the mark that her master left on her; not ashamed or afraid.
It was the first time Fei was conscious of her emotions.
…
The third thing that Fei learned was about family.
She realized how beautiful it was yet hopeless for her. When witnessing the three siblings and the way they got along so well with each other despite their vast differences, she felt a slight yearning in her heart.
And as the weeks flew by, Fei felt accepted into this close-knit family. Although no one ever said it, she was treated extremely well by both Carlos and Eyrie. Eyrie treated her like a silly younger sister, and Carlos thought of Fei as a cool older sister.
On the other hand, although Carol never openly show affection as the others did, she also seemed to get used to Fei's presence and was no longer wary of her.
As Fei immersed herself in the experience of having a family, she forgot that she wasn't actually part of the Rochester family and was only a bodyguard, a servant that could be easily disposed of.
It was an incident with Carol that woke her up.
She realized that in the end, friends and family are different and will always have a thin line of separation drawn.
…
It was winter, a day before Christmas, Christmas eve.
Surprisingly, although many aspects of the world had changed, including the annual celebration of Thanksgiving, Christmas remained a large event in Country A.
Carlos had been elated that school was canceled due to the holidays; he could spend the entire two weeks he was home playing video games and talking with his family.
At the beginning, it had stunned him when his eldest sister reached out to him for a picnic. Previously, Eyrie had always holed herself up in her room, refusing to come out unless the matter was urgent.
Now, she took charge around the house, asking for specific dishes to be made for dinner, ordering decorations for Christmas, offering to tutor him… Carlos wondered what had happened to initiate this change.
But even when he asked, his sister never properly answered. However, as the gatherings became more frequent, it was now more of a routine to him, and he didn't care too much anymore.
Eyrie was a good sport and enjoyed listening to his rambles while Carlos was a chatterbox that loved talking; and so the two quickly grew close.
His sister had planned another gathering later today, since she couldn't make it at the current time, much to Carlos' disappointment.
Not only Eyrie, but the old master of the Rochester house, Carlos' father, was also working this Christmas. He had flew to some small country to make some sort of deal or something; Carlos wasn't clear.
But what he did know was that his father wouldn't be spending Christmas with him this year. He needed to spend it with the president who was making some sort of broadcast that day.
Carlos puffed up his cheeks in annoyance as his attention was pulled back to reality.
He died again.
It was all because of his stupid mind that wandered off, he thought angrily.
The young master was currently playing virtual reality games with his sister Clare on the sofa of the living room on the first floor, making the usually dull and lonely mansion light up.
Towers of presents was randomly scattered around the enormous pine tree that stood at the corner of the room.
The rooms of this corridor were not enclosed, only separated by some large columns and short walls, so the servants often chuckled at and snuck peeks at their young master and young mistress' antics.
The mansion was bustling with activity and liveliness, making Fei, who was completely stoic and emanating a dangerous air, stand out amongst the happy atmosphere.
Whilst normally, Eyrie would invite her to sit with her, Eyrie was not here today; and neither of the two other siblings seemed to have any intention of inviting her over. As such, Fei decided to stand by herself.
She stood 2 feet away from Carlos, quietly guarding the little boy; as it was her duty to do so, despite this being a safe place.
Suddenly, Carlos screamed in agony, a sound that instantly alerted Fei.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
_VA_
_VA_ What had happened?! Why did Carlos scream? Any guesses?
Creation is hard, cheer me up! Thank you, as always, for reading.
Status Power Mingguan
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Power 
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stone