A faint frown creased Anastasia's brow as the flight attendant requested identification. The request was… unnecessary, bordering on insulting. She was hardly the type to sneak alcohol onto a flight, and her age was irrelevant. Her presence alone radiated an aura of authority and refinement that should have been sufficient.
"My apologies," Anastasia said, her voice cool and measured.
"But I find the request… superfluous." She paused, allowing her words to hang in the air.
"Do you truly believe I would require such validation?"
Her violet eyes fixed on the flight attendant, conveying a silent warning. It wasn't a threat, precisely – more of an observation – but it was clear she wasn't pleased with this interaction.
"It's illegal," the flight attendant said as she looked at the sixteen year old.
A barely perceptible tightening of Anastasia's jaw betrayed her annoyance. The flight attendant's insistence was grating on her nerves, a petty obstruction that served no purpose. She suppressed a sigh, reminding herself that such interactions were inevitable in this mortal realm.
"Very well," she said, her voice laced with a subtle undercurrent of disdain.
"Apple juice will suffice."
She turned away from the flight attendant, deliberately avoiding eye contact. The thought of engaging in a protracted argument over a simple beverage was utterly distasteful. Instead, she focused her attention on the window, watching as the plane accelerated down the runway and lifted into the sky.
The world shrunk below her – a patchwork of fields and forests, rivers and roads – a fleeting glimpse of human civilization. Anastasia found it…unremarkable.
The bustling energy of Lyon City Airport was a stark contrast to the sterile environment of the aircraft. The air hummed with the chatter of travelers, the rumble of luggage carts, and the melodic cadence of the French language.
Anastasia observed the scene with a detached curiosity, her violet eyes scanning the crowd. Benny's sister, Hope, was a whirlwind of youthful exuberance – her dark hair pulled back in a ponytail, her eyes sparkling with excitement. The way she bypassed Benny entirely to embrace Anastasia was… unexpected.
Hope's words, spoken in fluent French, registered clearly.
"Sister!"
"Ana is my bff! Ahh Anastasia thank you for taking care of my brother."
A faint smile touched Anastasia's lips. She understood French perfectly, having mastered countless languages throughout her long existence. She returned Hope's greeting with a polite nod.
"You are most welcome, Hope," Anastasia replied, her voice smooth and melodious as she responded in flawless French. "Benny is… tolerable. He requires supervision."
She allowed a hint of amusement to color her tone, a subtle jab at Benny's expense that elicited a playful groan from him. Hope giggled, clearly enjoying the sibling rivalry.
Anastasia subtly adjusted the strap of her handbag, maintaining a polite distance from Hope as they navigated through the throng of people towards the baggage claim area. Despite the warmth of the French sun and the lively atmosphere, she remained acutely aware of her surroundings, her senses constantly scanning for any potential threats. The need for vigilance was ingrained within her – a consequence of her long and tumultuous life.
"Ana! Aren't I your partner in crime?" Benny's dramatic whine elicited a barely perceptible flicker of amusement from Anastasia.
"Partner in crime?" she echoed, her voice dry and devoid of emotion.
"Your definition of 'crime' appears to be limited to minor mischief and questionable fashion choices."
She offered a curt nod in response to his statement, her gaze unwavering. The Leroy family's wealth was a trivial matter. She had encountered empires rising and falling, fortunes amassed and squandered. Material possessions held little significance for her. Benny's friendship, however, was a rare and valuable commodity – a source of genuine companionship in a world often filled with deceit and manipulation.
Hope's announcement about her parents sparked no discernible reaction from Anastasia. She remained outwardly calm, serene, and indifferent – a carefully constructed facade that concealed the complex emotions swirling beneath the surface.
"I am prepared to meet your parents."
Benny's boisterous greeting was met with a swift and decisive correction from his mother. Mrs. Leroy's eye roll and the gentle smack to his head were a clear indication of her authority. Anastasia observed the exchange with a detached amusement, finding it rather endearing in its own way. Family dynamics were fascinating, even if she had little personal experience with them.
"Anastasia dear, I hope Benny did not give you a hard time," Mr. and Mrs. Leroy said in unison, their voices laced with polite concern.
Anastasia shook her head, her expression carefully neutral. The truth was far more complex than they could possibly imagine. She couldn't reveal the full extent of her involvement in Benny's life – the countless times she'd intervened to protect him from harm, the subtle manipulations she'd employed to guide him onto the right path.
"Benny is… energetic," Anastasia replied, choosing her words carefully.
"He has a… vibrant personality." She paused, allowing the ambiguity of her statement to hang in the air.
"He was quite ill some time ago. I simply assisted in his recovery."
She omitted the details of her intervention – the perilous journey to the Azure Cloud Sect, the arduous process of channeling Qi to heal his failing body, the silent vow she'd made to protect him from any future threats. Such revelations would be met with disbelief and suspicion, and she had no desire to invite unnecessary scrutiny.
Her gaze swept across the living room, taking in the opulent surroundings and the expectant expressions on Mr. and Mrs. Leroy's faces. She sensed their curiosity, their unspoken questions about her background and her relationship with Benny.
Mr. and Mrs. Leroy exchanged a knowing glance, their expressions unreadable. Anastasia's carefully crafted response seemed to satisfy them, at least for the moment. They clearly sensed that she was not one to readily divulge personal information, and they respected her boundaries – or perhaps they simply didn't dare to pry too deeply.
"We're delighted you were able to help him," Mrs. Leroy said, her voice warm and gracious.
"Benny can be…a handful at times." She chuckled softly, a genuine expression of affection flickering across her face.
Mr. Leroy nodded in agreement. "He's a good boy, though. Just…spirited." He paused, then turned his attention back to Anastasia.
"So, Anastasia, tell us about yourself. What do you do? Where do you come from?"
"New York City, I like to do a little of everything," Anastasia said.
"That is good, anyway we have a guest room for you to stay in."
"Oh? There is no need for that I will stay at a hotel," Anastasia said gently she did not want to bother her friend family.
"It's not a problem!" Benny said.
"Yeah! Ana! Please stay."
"Mmm," Anastasia said both Benny and Hope knew that Anastasia just agreed to stay at the mansion with them.