Chapter 104 - A Warm Healthy Talk

[ Past Memory of Irene with her younger brother]

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"Sister look here! There are so many starts here~" A small boy around the age of 8 said as he looked at he looked at the stars from the top of a hill.

"Brother slow down! How can you even run so fast with that tiny body of yours?" Lily said as she tried to catch up with him.

"Come on~ I know it's you who is more excited than me." He said as he smiled at her.

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"Really? How?" Lily asked as she finally reached the top.

"Because I know you love the stars. And you admire the moon for its bravery since it stands and shines alone." The young boy said as he felt a hand on his head.

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"Wow! I never thought it before but how come you know so much about me?" She asked as she touched his nose which was cold due to the cold air blowing in the hill.

"Isn't the reason obvious?" The boy said as Lily wrapped a red woollen scarf around his neck.

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"Hmm, I don't know so tell me the reason," Lily said as she patted his head.

"It's because you are my sister! Dummy~" The boy said as his cheeks turned red while a cute smile appeared on his face.

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"Miss we have arrived." 

"Huh, yeah. (Looks like I slept again...well at least I didn't have a nightmare this time but dreaming of the past in a day like this feels a little...") Irene thought until she reached her room and changed into some comfortable clothes.

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"Miss, would you like to have lunch now?" Hana asked as she knocked at Irene's door.

"Not yet, I ate a lot at the shop...well what about others?" Irene asked as she looked over the window. ("The flowers are still in bloom even though it's middle of summer.")

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"Lord is busy with his work and the young master is training so no one had lunch yet," Hana said as she looked at Irene who already had her hands on her head.

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"Hah, this duo is skipping meal again," Irene said as she rose from the bed.

"Hana make sure the food is ready within 10 minutes." 

"Yes, My Lady!"

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("And now I shall deal with these two~" )Thinking that Irene first walked towards lord Winter Office which was the same as that if three years ago. 

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*Knock* *Knock* "Father I am coming in." 

But the only thing that changed was the person working inside. To be more precise it was his looks. With the age of 34 and the face of 24, Irene's father has become more good looking. His face has reached such height that at one point he might even defeat the male lead.

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"(No matter how many times I look at him for some reason he seems to get more handsome as time pass. If this keeps going on, one-day people might even call him my older brother.") Irene thought as she looked at Raymond without blinking.

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"Hello, my daughter have you thought enough?" Raymond said as he smiled and his daughter who looked flustered.

"Father! What thoughts are you talking about?" 

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"Nothing I am just talking in the air but why are you here?" Raymond asked as he smiled while looking at Irene acting all calm.

"Right! I came here to call you for lunch. I heard you were going to skip it again. Irene said the first line sweetly and the second lien in a menacing tone that n scared the lord.

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"Irene, I wasn't avoiding it on purpose but you see I am extremely busy with work." He said as he pointed toward the file of files he had on both the sides of his table.

"I knew you would say that so. Bill * he appeared in the room as soon as she called for him* Will handle them until you finish your food." Irene said as she smiled while grabbing his hand and pulling him out of his office.

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"Irene you have gotten quite bold. Haven't you?" Raymond said as he chuckled.

"Have I? I don't know~" Irene said as she smiled at her father not even trying ot hide her mischievous side.

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"Hah, seriously time really flies~ (My child is already 11 soon she will be a adult and after that) *A image of Irene's marriage comes in his mind*" He thinks as his smile becomes aittle sad.

"Why do you kids grow up so soon?" Raymond said but Irene didn't hear it as her focus was on Ashton who was practicing swordsmanship with full attention, his movements were clear and perfect. And the look on hsi eyes were different form usual.

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"Is that really my brother?" 

"I am wondering that too, Is that really my son?" 

Both the daughter and father duo thought as the image of Ashton in thier memory and the present contradict with each other.

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"What are you looking at?" Ashton asked as he came towards them while wiping off his sweat.

"We..We were about to call you for lunch." Irene said without amiing it obvious that they ares till not used to his sudden appearance.

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"Huh? Is it lunch time already?" He said while scratching the back of his neck.

Irene who was triggered after hearing this held his by his collar and dragged both Raymond and Ashton the to the dinning room.

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"Both of you better eat your lunch, breakfast and dinner on time or else no one will save you from me!" Irene said with a angelic smile on her face as the servants started severing severing the food.

" Sorry sister I was always get too mimmerged in training...so I often miss the lunch." Ashton said as she drank the soup whereas Irene stopped eating.

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"Huh, then do you continue your practice without food till night?" Irene asked as she looked at Ash with her eyes fixed on him.

"Yeah sometimes I do..." Ashton said with certain nervousness on his voice.

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("I am certainly done for today. Sister would get angry again!!! Ugh she would for sure tell me that I don't take good care of myself!! Ahhh what do I do??") The voices on Ashton head screamed while Ash stayed clam outside.

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"....I see then why don't you pack the food and take them to the training ground. Then your food will be before your eyes and then there old ne less chances of you forgetting it." Irene said as she gave him a peice of meat.

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"Hmm, or might just tell a maid to deliver them to you." Raymond suggested as he looked at both the siblings getting along after long time.

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"Yeah, that can do done. Thanks for the ideas." Ashton said as she happily had his food just like the way he did when he was 5.

Looking at him like that both Irene and Raymond were pleased.

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"By the Ashton, when is the royal academy examination? Have they given a specific time?" Raymond asked as he too gave him a piece of meat which Ashton accepted grandly.

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"They haven't yet but it would surely happen in the in early winter." Ashton said as he chewed his food.

"Early winter, that's means it's right after the ball." Raymond said as he looked at his wine and then took a sip of it.

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"Ball? What ball?" Ashton who has broken hsi connection with the outer world for 3 years asked as he finished his food.

"Its the crown prince 14th as well as his debut ball." Raymond said as he smiled.

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"Wow! Debut ball. Sounds really fancy, but won't it be the same as other balls~" Ashton asked as he looked at Raymond and then at Irene.

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"Yeah it will be a ball the same as others although. Ashton this ball will be hosted by the royals and that too for the fact that the only crown prince of solar empire has turned into an adult. So, think yourself how bug this event is!" 

Irene said as she wiped her mouth and then looked at Ashton who blinked twice.

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"Uh huh, I understand then wouldn't that mean that they would leave for the academy right after his birthday...since there is no way he or the second prince would fail." Ashton said as he drank his water.

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"Right then you might even get some company. I heard even Harris would be taking part in the exam." Irene said as she smiled.

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" Just now did you call young Duke form his first name?" Ashton asked as he looked at Irene.

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"Yeah, I mean we are all friends now so calling each other form first name is not a problem. Although it doesn't apply to you since they are all quite older than you. But calling them sister and brother would be fine." Irene said as she tooka bite of the pastry which was served as the sweet dish.

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"I see it's like that..." Ashton said as he let goba sigh of relief.. Which Irene didn't really understand whereas Raymond was dying form laughing.