The unwanted sister

P R O L O G U E

Narrators pov:

It was a dark and stormy night, cliché I know, the oldest brothers were in the office.

The door was slightly open so little Eleanor could hear the three argue.

"She cannot stay here." Marco says sternly leaving no room for arguments.

"No she can't, but where is she going to go. It's not like any of us can take care of her." Dante agrees while looking through some files.

"We could send her to boarding school?" Alessio suggest deep in thought. It's a weird sight to see for Eleanor he's always so happy and silly.

"For how long?" Dante asks.

"Until we can resolve the issue." Marco states.

All three of them look remorseful. The thought of sending their baby sister away aches their hearts. But they have to do it for her safety.

"What about summers and breaks?" Alessio says. Trying to fill out any cracks in the plan.

Marco sighs. "I'll take care of that. For now try to distance yourself from her. We need to get used to her not being around."

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Dante asks. Unsure if his baby sister being shipped away is the best solution to their problem.

"No. But it's the best one we can come up with." Marco responds.

8 year old Eleanor holds Mouzie in her hands while peaking through the gap of the door.

Alessio catches her sight and gestures for her to come in with a warm smile.

Eleanor comes in with wide teary gray eyes. Her dark brown hair neatly braided by Lucia, the head maid. Her small footsteps catch the attention of the other two brothers.

"What's wrong Princess?" Alessio asks softly while picking her up and setting her down on his lap.

"I had a nightmare.." she whispers sadly. All three brothers hate seeing their sister in pain. Whether it was from her own imagination or not.

"What was it about?" Dante asks softly.

"You guys were running away from me. And I was left all alone." She says as a new tear falls from her pretty eyes.

Marco curses under his breath knowing her nightmare is about to become her reality. The three stare at eachother. Once again questioning if this is the best decision.

"C-can one of you sleep with me..?" She pears her glossy gunmetal doe eyes at her three older brothers. They all want to. They want to comfort their little princess and tell her that no one will ever hurt her. That they will always be there to protect her. But they know they would be lying.

"I have some work to finish but I can tuck you in." Marco offers. Eleanor nods grateful her oldest brother cares so much about her. She gets up and Dante picks her up and gives her the tightest hug he can manage. Savoring her warmth and love as much as he can.

Alessio does the same, he kisses her forehead and tells her how much he loves and cares for her.

Once she's finally let go of she's picked back up by Marco. Eleanor lays her head on her brother's shoulders, clearly exhausted, as he walks up the stairs and into her room. He sets her down on her baby pink canopy bed. She gets under the covers, looking at her brother expectantly.

"I love you Princess." He kisses her forehead and tucks her in.

"I love you too Marco." She whispers back before falling in a peaceful slumber.

Marco stands there, looking at his little sister peacefully sleeping, content with everything around her.

A small part of him is telling him to risk it and keep her here with her family, but a bigger part of him is telling him to keep her safe and away.

The next week is filled with a sad and confused Eleanor. The oldest three told the younger three brothers to keep their distance. They didn't want to but they knew they wouldn't have to unless it's for her safety so they complied.

If Eleanor wanted to play with one of them they would shrug her off and tell her she's too young.
If she wanted to be tucked in they would tell her they're busy.
If she wanted to buy new toys or snacks they would tell her they didn't bring any money with them.

It physically hurt their hearts every time they did, but they each understood the gravity of the situation and did as told. At the end of the week she was sent off to Fairly Deluxe Academy without any love from her brothers. An academy for the richest and wealthiest, for the most powerful people. Something she soon would grow up to be.