Siblings Resort: Chapter 2 - Nine Months Ago

People believe that Master Leon and I are of the same age, but I'm actually two years older than him. It might not seem like much, but I can't exactly call myself a kid anymore. My body is starting to mature, and so are my feelings and knowledge. The intense education we receive as a benefit of being part of the rich community advances our knowledge of etiquette, writing, history, science, and business management, but for everything else, knowledge is learned naturally. And that includes the natural recognition of the opposite sex.

"Master Leon... I really can't stop thinking about you..." I was sitting beside him as he slept comfortably in the bed. His brown hair is a little messy but it fits his natural style. His night clothes consisting of a plain grey short and a black t-shirt. He looks really at peace, but dawn's morning sunlight coming from the window told me it was time for him to wake up. Still, I couldn't help but desire to keep looking at him, and I gave his nose a quick touch out of impulsiveness. "Boop."

"Hmm... Hm..." As if he was reacting to my touch, he scratched his nose before turning his head around. The visual loss of his face interrupted whatever was causing me to keep staring, and now free from my trance, I quickly got up realizing what I was doing.

"I don't get the logic behind this... Just looking at him gets my heart to act all crazy..." As if to confirm this, I place my hand where my heart is, and it indeed is beating wildly. There was also a warm happy feeling washing over me just by looking at him. "I don't get it... Up until recently, I could interact with him just fine, but now... is this really love...?" Mom told me what I was feeling was love. When I brought up the topic the first time, she was shocked. But then she shook her head before explaining to me calmly that my body and feelings were instinctively recognizing him as a potential marriage partner. That it was using my fixation on him and warm feelings to encourage me to get closer to him, to create a more special bond with him. "This warm feeling, it's scary..."

"You feel the warm feeling too?"

"Huh?!" All of the sudden, Master Leon's face was back to how it was before. His eyelids were no longer in the way of his brown eyes that were threatening me to go back into a trance. I could feel my cheeks getting a little red.

"M-master Leon, you were a-awake?"

"I woke up just now." He sat up from where he was, stretching his hands before looking at me. "So, you get strange warm feelings too?" His eyes looked serious, and that same feeling in me got stronger.

"S-s-strange warm feelings? What do you mean, Master Leon?"

"You don't know? Maybe it is just me..." He turned away, thinking to himself, but I couldn't let this chance get away. Maybe he feels the same way about me?

"Y-you got me curious now. Please, won't you tell me what you mean?"

"I... guess there's no harm in explaining." He turns to look at me again, showing a gentle nervous smile. "Every once in while, when I'm with you, I feel a small warm sensation. I don't really understand it, but it's not like it's... unpleasant? It's just a weird feeling." This explanation... Yeah, I guess it can be considered love...? It doesn't sound too strong though... My good mood is suddenly all gone.

"I see, well Master Leon it's time to get up now. You are to meet your father at the lecture hall for the early morning business lecture. Then, after breakfast, you are to meet your private tutor for some review in business marketing, follow by a quick session in the lesson tube for some knowledge installation. Then-"

"Wait, are you mad at me Alicia? Your stoic face is back and it looks like you're in work mode..."

"I know not what you mean. Now, as I was saying, after your session in the lesson tube, you are to take some time to relax, before going..."

*****

It's now the afternoon, and I'm washing some pots in the kitchen with the help of a stepping stool. I wasn't alone though, there are other servants doing work around me, but I'm not really one to talk to others. The only people I talk to are Master Leon, my mother, and occasionally the master of the mansion.

"I can't believe I went weird again..." It always happens. Whenever I get annoyed at Master Leon, whether intentionally or not, I go stoic. Like some sort of defense mechanism. "It's a wonder how he puts up with me, with all my sudden mood swings..." I put the pot I finish washing off to the side to dry and pick up the next.

"Ms. Starford," a nearby female servant said to me, "Master Leon's afternoon snack is ready. I can take over washing duties if you wish to go see him immediately."

"Ah, really?" I take a look at the time and see his afternoon lecture is almost done. "I guess I will then. Thank you."

"Nothing to worry about. The tray is on the cart already."

"Thank you again." I was already off the stool and pushing it underneath the sink with my foot. Afterward, I spotted Master Leon's food tray on a table kart and exited the kitchen with it. There were other servants roaming the concrete hall besides me, but I couldn't help but look at a young pair, a brown-hair man with a twirled mustache and a red, short-hair woman with freckles walking hand to hand while talking.

"My dear, are you free this evening? I was hoping we can walk around the garden and enjoy the beautiful night sky together."

"I'm sorry, I can't. The master of the mansion is getting home late today, so I have to stay on duty to cook his dinner."

"Oh that's a shame, but maybe..." They were too far away for me to hear anymore, but I wasn't paying that much attention anyway. I was just envious of them.

"From what Master Leon said, it's reasonable to think that he has some feelings for me. He just doesn't understand them..." A door open up at the end of the hall, and Master Leon's figure came into view. He saw me coming, and smile while starting to make his way to me, my face heating up a little.

"Alicia. Thank you for bringing me my afternoon snack as always."

"No problem, you know I'm always happy to."

"I'm glad then. Can we go to the garden today?"

"Of course, Master Leon." We started to walk together towards the center of the property, side by side, and my heart started beating fast again.

"So, how was today's afternoon lecture?" I started in an effort to distract myself.

"Draining," he groans. "I know I say this a lot, but I respect father for managing all the resorts he has. It's ridiculous how much work goes into managing just one."

"That hard?"

"Collectively? Yes. Individually, yes as well but there's a team to help out. The main job is to dictate the theme and its implementations, but when managing multiple, it's a balance game, and one mistake creates so many problems..." He rubs his forehead, which I know is his way to stop an incoming headache.

"I-I see... Sorry, I didn't mean to trouble you."

"Naw, it's nothing. A little rest is all I need." We exited the building, and enter the open-air garden. There's a giant tree in the middle, surrounded by mulch and bushes that encircle the perimeter. Scattered around the perimeter were smaller trees and other bushes, with rare flowers every so often. It was a beautiful place that was right at the center of the property. Leaving the food kart behind, Master Leon grabbed the tray of food and started walking to a picnic table with me right behind him.

"I still think I should be the one carrying the tray Master Leon."

"It is the norm, but I don't want to abuse you, Alicia. While you are my personal servant, I still want you as a friend too."

"That's a bit embarrassing, but I'm glad you feel that way. I consider you a friend too."

"I would hope so, we spent our entire life together."

"Yeah, I guess that would help too, heh-heh..." The pleasant warm feeling washed over me again. Being with Master Leon really brought me much joy. As we sat down, sharing the sandwiches that were on the tray, we enjoy the nature that surrounded us. The chirping of birds that lived nearby, the warmth of the sunlight, and the gentle breeze that would mess up my hair to my dismay. Master Leon laughed, while all I could do was pout. Eventually, though, Master Leon took a look at the time, and I could tell that he needed to leave soon.

"Sorry Alicia, but I need to start heading back. I have my last lecture of the day coming up," he said standing up.

"Yeah, I know..." It was really fun, but I know more than anyone to not mess with Master Leon's schedule. It was for the good of his future, after all, but even so...

"Hey, no need to be upset. Let's see, today... father will be coming home late. Do you think we can spend the night together?"

"Tonight? Yeah, it shouldn't be a problem," I responded cheerfully. Any more time with Master Leon is always welcome.

"Great, then shall we meet in my room? Or do you want to spend the night in our secret base?" As I was thinking, I remember the pair that I walked by when pushing the food kart. The man said something about the night sky.

"Actually, Master Leon, I heard that the sky is beautiful at night. Do you think... we could meet up here to look at it together?" I asked blushing a little.

"The night sky? Yeah, that would be cool to see. Maybe we'll get lucky and see a shooting star."

"Really?! Then we'll meet here?"

"Sure. Come after dinner, I'll have some sweets ready."

"Sure, I'll see you tonight!" Master Leon walked away after that, and my facial expression showed all the joy I was feeling without my consent. It wasn't until later that I realize I failed as a servant for letting Master Leon get the sweets ready in my stead.

*****

"W-what... did... you just... say...?" My face is in horror. It was just after dinner, and I was in my light blue sleeping nightgown. I was exiting my room to go meet up with Master Leon when a bunch of women in dark blue suits came up to me. They were being led by the pair of servants I passed by earlier that were holding hands. The freckled woman visually sad while the twirl mustache man just shows an expression of pity.

"Child," one of the women in suits said, "I don't think that the subject is something that should be spoken out loud without necessity. Can you just tell us if he's in your room? We were unable to find him in his." I stood in silence and shock, but the woman kept glaring at me expecting an answer. What I just heard... What they came here for... They were going to take Master Leon away from me.

"Child," she repeated impatiently. The freckled woman, however, broke down and cried on her knees when she saw my face. The man remained without a change in his expression, but I didn't really care. Instead, I just dashed away, as if by instinct, and headed straight to Master Leon. I couldn't control my face, I couldn't hide my fear, my sadness. Tears were dropping like crazy, and I care not.

"Master Leon, Master Leon, MASTER LEON!" I'm about to lose him, I'm about to never see him again! There has to be something I can do! The garden was close to my room, so I reached it in no time, and in the distance, I saw Master Leon looking up to the starry night sky in his grey short and black t-shirt. He was on the picnic bench from earlier, with a tray of cupcakes next to him. "MASTER LEON!!!"

"Woah?!" Startled, he turned to me and immediately realized something was up. He ran and met me halfway, instantly holding me in a tight embrace as I practically threw myself at him. "Alicia, what's wrong?!" he asked while separating himself enough from me to see my face. I, not caring for any formalities said the first thing that came to mind.

"Master, please run away with me!"

"Huh?! Wait, what do you mean?! Alicia, what's going on?! Please, you're scaring me!"

"Master, please, there's little time! Please, PLEASE! I beg you, let's run away Master! PLEASE!

"Alicia, what's going on?! Y-you know I can't! As much as I want to, I have Father to care for as well! He wouldn't approve! He's been training me to inherit his legacy, how could I abandon him for everything he's done to me!" My face, which was already a mess and fill with tears, must have somehow gotten worse as there was an immediate worried response in his expression. To get him to run away with me, to break that nail that's keeping him here, I could do it by telling him what I just learned, but I don't want to be the one to tell him. I don't want him to associate it with me every time he looks at me. I have no choice but to beg and hope for a miracle.

"Please, Master Leon, you don't know it yet, but you lost it all! And I mean everything, but if you at least run away with me, I'll be able to stay by your side! Please, please! We don't have much time!" We heard the sounds of an approaching group of people and turned to look. The women in suits that I saw by my room were almost here. Absolute dread fills my face, and I turn to him and wail one last time. "LEON!!!" His response to this was absolute fear, but he shook his head for a little courage.

"I-I can't! I don't understand what's happening, but if I really lost everything, I'm not going to drag you into my mess, Alicia! I don't want to make your life miserable by staying with me!" The dam that was holding the last of my tears broke, and I cried without control. The group of women had reached us, and I immediately tighten my hug with Leon as much as I could, not caring about the tears that could smear his clothing.

"Lock the girl in her room," the one who talked earlier commanded. As her companions got near, Leon instinctively tighten his grip around me but was overpowered like I was through their teamwork. As he was held in place, a group was taking me away.

"MASTER LEON! MASTER LEOOOOON!!!" Leon was clearly scared, confused, but I could tell he was trying to at least maintain his dignity while I could still see him. He did his best to control his emotions and looked at the leader of the squad. As for me, they covered my mouth with their hands and I could do nothing but listen as the commander gave Master the crushing news.

"Leon Solstone. At approximately midday today, your father passed away. As such, with the lack of will, custody of you and everything he owns goes to the closest family member of legal age. In this case, his divorce wife, and she has accepted the properties but ordered for you to be put up for adoption. You are to gather the necessities from your room and come with us immediately." By the end of her statement, I could no longer see my Master, or hear a word of his reply if he said anything at all.

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