Justice In Shadow's Eye

Chapter II: "Family" Dinner

- - Cleo's POV: - -

After that small discussion with Alex, I could tell he wanted to talk with me a bit longer, with that expression I saw before he left my room, I assume something bothered him on his way here... But what?

"Could it have been...?" I brushed off that thought immediately... There's no way... Could he?

The only explanation I could've thought is maybe the way I acted in front of him earlier, was he intimidated on how I talked to him?

Either way, I won't find answers with small questions running around my head as well as limited evidences, it's better if i ask him later on our dinner.

Soon I dressed up into something a bit more comfortable and decided to stay here in my room for now, heading back to my window to gaze and see the outside's beauty, I had only noticed on how fast time passes by.

"It's almost night." I mumbled to myself, sitting on the available chair next to my window I had relaxed myself, continuing with staring as I saw some butterflies pass by...

"Hmm..."

- - Flashback - - (3rd Person's POV:)

"Father come see!" A young child exclaimed with delight as he saw a butterfly with its wings cloaked in lavender color.

"My,my, you've caught yourself a beautiful butterfly there Cleo!" His father replied to him with joy as he saw his excited young son try to gently reach out his hand towards the butterfly.

When his hands almost reached the butterfly it started to fly away from the both of them.

"Oh no! Come back beautiful butterfly!" Cleo tried to run after the butterfly but was stopped quickly when his father got a hold of his arm.

"No Cleo! You mustn't chase the butterfly!" His father told him.

"But it got away father!" Cleo replied.

His father went down on one knee to meet Cleo's height, he placed his hand on his son's cheek.

"Cleo my dear, these butterflies won't fly away from you, they are trained to softly land on our hands if we're careful with them, and fly away if we're being impatient." He explained to his son.

"Father's right little bro' come look at this." Cleo turned around and saw his older brother, Alex, his hands surrounded by  butterflies of different kinds.

"Wow! Brilliant!" Cleo exclaimed out of his amazement.

The young child rushed towards his older brother and watched as the butterflies gently stopped flapping their wings.

"Now, if you want the butterflies to stop on your fingers, you must gently let out your arm so the butterfly knows that you want them to place their legs in your hand!" Alex spoke.

Cleo followed his instruction, soon enough some of the butterflies that were on Alex's hand, came down to land on the young child's fingers eventually surrounding it.

"Wow!" Cleo looked amazed to see his entire arm being landed softly by beautiful butterflies.

Their father watched them from a distance with happiness in his heart to see his children having fun with each other and enjoying each's company...

- - End of Flashback - -

My thoughts were interrupted when i heard a knock come from the opposite side of my door.

"Come in." I ordered, the door soon opened and revealed... Alex who stepped inside my room after.

"Yes?" I asked him as I stood up from where I was sitting.

"Dinner's ready Cleo, are you ready?" Alex told me as he leaned against the door and motioned me to come along with him down the diner room.

On our way there, I couldn't help but be bothered with the silence surrounding me and Alex.

It's obvious at this point he really wants to talk and catch up with me but for some reason he refuses to make small chats.

Soon I got irritated and decided to make the move.

"I assume father isn't in the manor with us?" I stated which evidently caught his attention.

"Yeah, wait how did you know?" He responded to me sounding dumbfounded.

"Nothing, just a lucky guess."

Soon enough, we arrived at the dining hall, everything was prepared as the dishes cooked were placed already on the table.

We separated out ways as I took the available seat on the left side as Alex decided to face me by sitting on the right side and exactly to where my seat is facing.

While our maids and butlers are serving our food just enough to our liking, Alex raised his hand and motioned all the attendants to leave us alone.

Carefully slicing up the juicy meat I had been given, I took a small bite out of it, its juices exploded in my mouth as I savoured every bite I had...

It's been a while ever since I'd been served with this type of cuisine.

Father surely knows what he's doing when he hired all of our cooks, nothing but the best for his family.

"So... How was your experience with the academy Cleo? From what I'm seeing right now I guess you didn't have any kind of meals like these back there yes?"

I looked up to see Alex almost about to chuckle while staring at me, I placed my utensils down as I took the napkin near me and wiped my mouth.

"Yes... We were limited of different foods as we were strictly put on a diet to keep a balanced physique." I replied

"I see..." I saw him letting out a chuckle.

"Is there something funny with what I said?" I asked him, not sounding offended by it.

"Nothing... It's just, according to some research of mine is that academy hides something much more sinister and probably might even disturb father if he were to find out"

I looked at him as he stared back.

"Do you know anything about the place I've been to?" I asked him but still maintaining a calm tone, I don't want to start an argument now.

Alex placed his fork and knife down as he took his napkin and wiped his mouth with it before standing up.

"Cleo! I've been investigating that academy years ago! I know that you'd been put under aggressive and brutal training when you decided to enroll there! Now tell me what was your reason?" He exclaimed at me.

I got off from my seat and looked at Alex's troubled eyes.

"It appears to me that you've been sniffing your nose on places where it doesn't belong, the academy did so much to me and I will forever be grateful for it." I defended myself, I wasn't looking forward on starting an issue with him but if he's going to be like this then fine.

"You've changed Cleo, if father finds out about this and about your secret he'll go absolutely crazy! What were you thinking?!"

"If this is how I'm being welcomed back home then I won't stand here and take it." I immediately left the room and headed outside.

"Wait Cleo! Come back!" I heard Alex's calls but decided to ignore him.

He should've known where to set his boundaries!

- - End - -