Lovesick

Lovesick 13

Selene entered her brother's study room.

She gave a curtsy and did her greetings which made Jun, in return nod at her direction.

"How was your trip? It took you more than a month." Jun stood up from his seat, then walk towards the front of his table.

He leaned back against it and crossed his arms.

"It's fine," Selene meaningfully stared at him. "No, it's more than fine. We've got more than what we've hope for."

 
"That's good since you look a little tired." Jun can see the redness of her eyes as well as her pale complexion. He guessed that she must have pushed herself to the limit again.

"Hmmm I am," Silence prevailed between the two of them for a while when Selene finally spoke up again. "How is Valentine?"

The man leaning on the table tried to hide his elation but Selene can still spot it as she intently stared at him.

"He's good," Selene calmly nodded at his response. She doesn't want to punish someone after coming home for a long time.

"Absolutely useful." Jun added up, adjusting his glasses with his middle finger.

Selene undoubtedly stilled after hearing his brother's words. "Useful? You already used him?"

Jun didn't reply and simply gazed at her. By the expression on his eyes, Selene can more or less see that his brother had already utilized him.

"What's the matter? I sent him to get rid of the mercinaries downtown. Isn't this what he's for?" Jun inquired as soon as he saw Selene's frown.

"It is but you didn't even inform me before letting him go."

"Is that vital?"

Selene breathed out calmly, despite of her vexed feeling. "Extremely so, did you already forgot that I'm the one who made him like that?"

Jun cocked his head in mild confusion. "Are you afraid that he might try to escape?" He didn't understand what might be the problem.

"That will not happen," Her blonde eyebrows crunch in agitation. Jun can see her growing irritation. "But a letter wouldn't have hurt you, would it brother?And besides, the agreement is we will use him after his coming-of-age ceremony."

"It's in two weeks anyway, what can go wrong if we start a little early?"

"You don't understand it!.......you don't understand me." Selene balled her fist. "What can go wrong? Nothing should go wrong! He's the sacrificial lamb, he is ours, he's mine!"

"I can't accept any mistakes. I cannot accept if something were to happen to him that can presumably cause his demise! He should suffer through our hands. He should bleed because of us." Jun was quiet taken aback by his sister's livid expression, as well as her statement but finally understood her point.

He can only close the distance between them and coax her worries.

"Nothing will happen, I've prepared everything." Jun hugged his dear sister to his chest. "And as much as I hate to admit it, Valentine is terribly talented. He's got so much potential, I know for sure that he wouldn't be dying because of this measly missions."

Jun can feel her anger as he stroke her hair soothingly. He cannot help but shook his head in exasperation.

Her sister, Selene, got so much anger and hate inside her heart. The object of her vengeance is undeniably the Arslan's. Her obsession in revenge is making her shackled to Valentine.

Jun understand how much she wanted to hurt him.

The agonizing hatred, seeped into the marrows of her bones. Every time she see him. His hair, his features. She's always been reminded of that night.

Between the three siblings, Selene is the one who's in much more pain.

She held the overwhelmingly vast amount of grudge and pain.

And that's why Jun can understand why she wanted to completely monopolize Valentine. She wants him to live in suffering. And she thinks that they're the only ones who have the right to end it. He cannot die if they don't desire to.

"I'm sorry brother," Selene finally calmed herself down. Withdrawing from his comforting embrace. "I'm just exhausted."

"I didn't mean to yell at you."

"It's alright, my sister craves perfection. I understand that you wanted to control the situation. But you don't need to worry, nothing will go wrong." Jun patted her head. "Now go, you're still tired from the traveling. Rest now." Selene was just about to nod but a knock interrupted her.

"Come in."

In the next second, someone entered through the door. Selene turned her gaze at the entrance to look at the newcomer. But surprisingly, it was the subject of the conversation. She gazed at him in surprise.

"Lady Selene." Valentine was shocked to see his Lady Selene in the Marquis's study room. His heart pounded in excitement. He quickly advances towards her and bowed in respect. "You're finally back Lady Selene." Valentine can understand the distinct feeling in the pit of his stomach. He felt the warmth and the fluttering. He's been used to it whenever he's in the presence of his Lady Selene.

But still, he was mildly surprised at the powerful feeling, as of the moment.

Maybe it's just too much today since he haven't seen her in 2 months, 2 weeks and 3 days. The beating in his heart made him want to clutch his chest. Valentine was afraid that his Lady Selene will hear it.

Selene gazed at Valentine's rather dirty disheveled appearance. It was stupid of her to actually think that he'll die. He's safe and uninjured based on his agile movements.

It surrised her to see the red splatter on his face and some on his hair, as well as the smell of blood on his black clothes. Selene may not see it because of it's dark color but she can never be mistaken about the nauseating smell.

"Hmmm, have you been obedient?" Valentine nodded profusely. His hazel and blue eyes growing bigger in anticipation as he stared at Selene's face.

Jun silently chastised Valentine in his mind, anyone can read his expressions. And understand the difference in how  he treat them and how he treat Selene.

Although he's completely compliant and amiable when he's talking with him and Elias, the way that he respond to Selene comes with extreme eagerness.