As the night unfolded at the grand party, Lady Novelle stood with a gentle smile, her posture relaxed as she engaged in conversation with Eva. "Yeah, I don't drink much," she admitted warmly, her voice carrying a friendly and approachable tone. Her words were laced with a sense of honesty, an openness that made her presence both reassuring and inviting.
Just then, a guard approached Eva discreetly from behind, leaning in close to whisper in her ear. "Your mother is calling for you," he informed her, his voice low and respectful.
Eva's eyes widened slightly in surprise, her expression shifting from casual enjoyment to a more serious, concerned demeanor. She turned back to Lady Novelle, her voice a mix of happiness and shyness as she spoke. "Excuse me, Lady Novelle, I have an urgent matter to attend to," she said, her tone apologetic, yet tinged with a sense of urgency.
Lady Novelle nodded graciously, her understanding nature evident in the way she responded. "Of course, go ahead," she replied, her voice calm and soothing, a soft smile playing on her lips as she watched Eva give a slight bow before hurrying off into the bustling crowd.
As Eva disappeared into the sea of partygoers, the evening's energy began to wane. Sebastian, ever observant and protective, approached Lady Novelle with a gentle yet firm suggestion. "It's getting late; we should head back," he said, his voice laced with concern as he noticed the subtle signs of fatigue in her demeanor.
Lady Novelle sighed softly, feeling the weight of the evening beginning to settle on her shoulders. "Okay," she agreed, her voice carrying a note of resignation as they made their way out of the venue, leaving behind the vibrant noise and lights of the party.
The journey back to Lady Novelle's home was quiet, the cool night air providing a stark contrast to the warmth and bustle of the party. Despite the tranquility, a sense of unease lingered in the air, subtle but persistent. Upon entering her home, Lady Novelle immediately sensed something was off. Her keen eyes scanned the room, her brow furrowing in concern as she asked, "Where are Jung and Teawoon?"
Kai, who had been patiently waiting for their return, stepped forward, his expression calm but serious. "Your mother's secretary informed me that Jung and Teawoon will be staying here tonight. It was a persistent order," he explained, his tone steady but with an underlying caution, as if he was wary of how Lady Novelle would react.
Lady Novelle's eyes narrowed slightly, her frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. "A persistent order, you say?" she repeated, her voice edged with a simmering irritation that she struggled to keep in check.
Kai nodded, understanding the implications of her words. "Yes, it seems your mother was quite insistent," he added, his tone careful, aware of the rising tension.
Lady Novelle took a deep breath, her fists clenching at her sides as she fought to maintain her composure. Memories of past incidents flooded her mind—the last time her mother had insisted on taking Jung and Teawoon for what was supposed to be just one night, it had turned into an entire month. The thought of history repeating itself stirred a deep, familiar frustration within her.
"I see," she finally said, her voice cool and firm, a carefully constructed mask to hide the turmoil brewing inside her. She knew she needed to address this recurring issue, but for now, she would keep her temper in check, unwilling to let her emotions get the better of her.
As the events of the evening finally began to catch up with her, Lady Novelle decided it was time to retire for the night. She made her way to her room, her steps slow and deliberate, each one feeling heavier than the last. The weight of the day settled over her like a thick blanket, and she longed for the solace of her private space—a sanctuary where she could shed the elegant facade she wore in public and simply be herself.
The moment she closed the door behind her, she felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. The energy that had carried her through the party now seemed to drain from her all at once, leaving her feeling both physically and emotionally spent. She knew what she needed—a warm bath, something to soothe her tired muscles and calm her racing mind.
Lady Novelle slipped into the tub, letting the warm water envelop her like a comforting embrace. The scent of lavender filled the air, a subtle, calming presence that helped to ease the tension from her shoulders. For a few precious moments, all the worries and concerns of the night faded away, leaving only the gentle comfort of the bath to cradle her into a state of peace.
Once she was done, Lady Novelle dried herself off and changed into her nightwear. The soft fabric felt like a gentle caress against her skin, a small comfort as she prepared for bed. She slid under the covers, the familiar weight of the blankets offering a sense of security. Yet, as she settled in, a subtle unease began to creep in—a feeling she couldn't quite shake.
The absence of her younger brothers, Jung and Teawoon, was palpable. Every morning, without fail, they would greet her with warm hugs, their presence a constant source of joy and comfort. But now, the bed felt too large, too empty, and too cold without them. She reached out instinctively, hoping to feel the familiar warmth of her brothers beside her, but there was nothing. The realization struck her deeply, a pang of loneliness settling in her chest.
Determined not to dwell on the emptiness, Lady Novelle forced herself to focus on the tasks of the morning. She rose from bed, her movements slow and deliberate as she made her way to the bathroom. The usual routine of washing up and getting dressed felt unusually hollow, as if something essential was missing. The absence of her brothers hung over her like a shadow, a constant reminder of how much she missed their presence.
When she finally made her way to the dining room for breakfast, the silence of the house was deafening. It amplified the loneliness she felt, each step echoing in the emptiness left behind by Jung and Teawoon. When she arrived at the table, Sebastian and Kai were already seated, their eyes immediately picking up on the subtle changes in her demeanor.
They noticed the slight droop in her shoulders, the absent look in her eyes, and the way she barely touched her food. It didn't take long for them to realize what was wrong. Lady Novelle's deep affection for her little brothers was no secret, and it was clear that their absence was affecting her more than she cared to admit.
As Lady Novelle slowly ate her breakfast, the void in her heart only grew. Each bite felt like an effort, and eventually, she could no longer pretend to be okay. She suddenly stood up, her voice filled with a mix of determination and happiness as she made a surprising announcement.
"That's enough. I'm going to my mother's house. If Jung and Teawoon are there, then why not me? I'll stay there too!" she declared, her tone light and cheerful, as if the decision had lifted a weight off her shoulders.
Sebastian and Kai exchanged a knowing glance, a shared understanding passing between them. They couldn't help but think that Lady Novelle might have a brother complex, given how deeply she seemed to miss her younger siblings. But they also understood how much the bond with her brothers meant to her, and they didn't begrudge her the happiness she found in their company.
Undeterred by their thoughts, Lady Novelle continued, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she made up her mind. "I'm going to get ready. Kai, Sebastian, you two come with me. Pack your things for a month," she added with the same cheerful tone, clearly eager to be reunited with Jung and Teawoon.
Sebastian and Kai couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm, even as a shared thought lingered in the back of their minds: Is Lady Novelle starting to lose it from not having the little masters around? They both knew how much the presence of her brothers meant to her, and they hoped that being with them would restore the joy she seemed to have lost in their absence.
As Lady Novelle left to prepare for the trip, Sebastian and Kai exchanged another glance, silently agreeing that they would do everything in their power to support her—no matter how unusual her attachment to her brothers might seem. They had seen the light in her eyes dim when she was separated from them, and if being with Jung and Teawoon brought back her smile, then they would gladly accompany her on this journey, no matter how long it might last.