Arcane ~ ONGOING

~Chapter Nine~

I lazed around in the living room as the music played through the speakers and I went through the designs for my room. I was alone in the room as Dorian was in his office and Zion in his room. Octavian was at work and Zane was called in for an emergency. I had no work to do as Octavian told me that my school books would arrive today night. So, I had absolutely nothing to do till now.

That was until Lydel just burst into the living room. There were humongous bags with her as she beams at me. I stood up from the couch as I gave her a confused look. She walks towards me and dumps the bags in my hands.

"Woah," I muttered, as I try to balance them. I peek inside the bags and see mesh popping out of it. Another one had two boxes and the last one, which was smaller than the other two, held something wrapped up. 

"Dorian," She yelled, making me wince and flinch, "Get your butt down here."

With that she turned towards me and grinned, "We're going on a picnic," She said.  

"Now?" I ask as she takes the smaller bag from my hands.

"Well we need to get ready first and have the picnic basket ready so it'll take some time. But yeah, now," She said as a grumbling Dorian now appeared on top of the stairs.

He stomped down the stairs, looking like a petulant 5-year-old. He walks towards us as Lydel narrows her eyes at him. His frown softened at Lydel's expression and I could have sworn that I felt my chest burn.

"What's up with you? I haven't seen you in months," She asks, worried. Dorian gathered her in a small side hug as he rubbed her back. It was pleasant to see their relationship but I couldn't deny the significant burn of jealousy.

I forced myself to smile as I watched them converse. The worst part, I couldn't even hold it against them. Our families are so close, I wouldn't be surprised if Lydel and my brothers are more close than with me.

"Here you go," Lydel said as she handed him the small bag, "You know how hard it was to find this? I ain't doing anything for you. Get your lazy ass out of the house and get your things yourself," She said, slightly glaring at him.

My eyes widened as I praised her for her courage on the inside. I wasn't brave enough to even look the guy in the eyes and here she was, reprimanding him like a kid.

And what surprised me was Dorian's response. He just rolled his eyes with a small smile, "Shut up," He muttered as he sauntered out of the room, towards the kitchen.

"I never knew he could be that sweet," I muttered, still in shock, "And that wasn't even sweet," I whisper shout, looking at Lydel, wide-eyed.

She chuckled lightly at my comment and took one of the bags from me. "That is not sweet. You know, we used to watch some of our old tapes together. Us as in, my, your's and Jesper's and the way Dorian and Octavian used to behave in those. Like they were literally different people. I doubt you don't remember that. Now that was sweet. And just wait for a month and tell me that that's not the best you've been treated your whole. Just see, they'll literally be following your orders like slaves." We trudged up the stairs as she completed her speech.

"I could only wish," I muttered. Lydel was not intended to hear that but she did.

"You don't believe me, do you?" She asked, "Well, you might not believe it but I can't think otherwise."

"I'm not the same person, Lyd," I sighed as we entered my room, "The girl they loved was a beautiful, bubbly, pure, innocent toddler,-"

"And the girl they love now is a strong, beautiful, mature and still innocent teenager," She said with a soft smile. Her hands were on my shoulder. Her eyes shone with encouragement and love while mine were filled with doubt and self-hate.