ஜ۞ஜ

ஜ۞ஜ

*𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐯*

Staring keenly at the image that was reflected her from the mirror (Y/n) analyzed every single inch of her figure as she plucked out all the inadequacies that her eyes could identify which diverged from a strand of hair sticking out from her tight bun to a single wrinkle in her (f/c) dress, nothing was left unchecked as she twirled around in front of the full-body mirror, her (e/c) eyes that mirrored back to her showing apprehension as she was shaky if she was accordingly dressed for supper. Uneasiness swelled in her heart as she picked at the choker that was lightly strung around her neck—the same choker that was gifted to her on her ninth birthday by her dear companion Lamis Van GrimWald.

Speaking of Lamis, (Y/n) remembered that their weekly cooperative training was in two days. She hadn't communicated with him since the last time they trained with each other, and back then Lamis seemed to be in a foul mood as he continued to glower at the training dummy with malice, continuing to murmur under his breath the name of his father as he returned to striking the dummy with so much animosity that their training coach patted their forehead in slight fear.

"My lady? Is everything all right? You seem to be in a daze?" Snapping out of her thoughts (Y/n) sent a convincing smile to Abdul whilst her fingers still fidgeted with the choker, her eyes soon wandering over towards her desk as she recalled she had lessons in an hour with Sir Jabbar about science and history. She wasn't very much thrilled over this, however, as she found Sir Jabbar's approach to history to be quite mundane and unnecessarily tedious. Though his approach to science was more fun and interactive than the previous lesson that the both of them conducted which was the cycle of mitosis—and get this! Sir Jabbar even brought with him a microscope and an onion to help her further learn via visual learning how—on a first-hand basis; mitosis worked.

Comprehending that she was again sliding off into her thoughts (Y/n) promptly glanced back over towards Abdul and fixed her arms next to each of her sides, her tender smile back on her face as she directed it towards the worried butler. "Everything is fine, butler Abdul—I was just thinking about how tonight's lesson will go. Quite fascinating, I believe." Responding in a gentle voice (Y/n) analyzed herself in front of the mirror for another minute before looking away, her eyes now set on the wooden doors as she warmed up herself to go meet your parents once again. Going in front of his lady, Abdul bowed his head as he opened the door, authorizing for her to walk out of her room; and soon after, the doors closed with a gentle 'click'.

Walking down the hall, the only accent that they could hear was the endless flexible footsteps that were coming from both of them as it echoed throughout the splendid and gorgeous halls. The sun was just setting and very few birds could be seen passing by; their glossy wings sailing across the tranquil breeze of the day as they scampered to prepare for nightfall. Very few maids could be seen as the both of them strolled down the hall, but when they saw them, they would always bow in reverence upon seeing the sight of their cherished lady—not before delivering a dirty look over towards the distant butler that followed behind his lady.

As the both of them neared closer and closer to the dining room near one garden (Y/n) felt turmoil once again. The reason she continued feeling such a distressing sensation? (Y/n) had no clue; but whatever it was, she was sure it had something to do with the fact that she hadn't spoken to them in a week—especially since she is going to ease their businesses off from their shoulders and onto hers for then they can relax and focus more on their mental and physical health with their soon-to-be-acquired free time.

(Y/n) thought all about this in the morning all the way to the evening, and the only way even one of them—most likely her father—would ever agree to such an immature arrangement would be if it was someone that they knew they could count on for such a glorious thing; and who better to trust than their beloved daughter? In all the years that she had been reincarnated into this universe (Y/n) had been taught passionately about both political and military projects and ways to go about them. She had been taught supremely in the arts and in high-level academics to where she was sure she could have made that one smart child that always glowed in her past life astonished and in awe of her knowledge. How she made such a feat achievable? Let's just say that there is a reason she has a more rigorous self-care routine than most.

"We're here, my lady." Halting in her tracks (Y/n) took a deep breath and exhaled, opening her once closed eyes as her (e/c) orbs glared attentively at the slowly opening dining room doors with conviction flashing across her eyes for a split second before going back to normal; and soon her entire character sang dignity as she graciously curtsied at the sight of both her mother and father: Duchess Aimi and Duke Luke—a.k.a., General Luke.

"Daughter greets mother and father-"

"My diamond!" In an instant Luke appeared in front of (Y/n) as he wrapped his daughter in a solid embrace, nuzzling his face in her soft hair as he twirled her around in full circles, laughter boiling out of his mouth as a jubilant expression reversed his sleepy one. "How much I have longed to see your sweet, innocent face once more! Oh, you don't know how much daddy missed you-"

"Ahem."

"-how much mommy and daddy missed you!" Altering his misrepresented words Luke slowed down his spinning as he mildly placed (Y/n) steadily on the ground making sure that her feet made reliable touch with the floor before letting go of her shoulders. Not in the slightest bit skittish by the spinning as she was used to it already (Y/n) just smiled affectionately up at her father, dashing up to his figure as she wrapped her arms around him. Inhaling in the familiar scent of cinnamon and metal, a comforted smile spread across her cheeks, delighted to once again be in the embrace of her actual father. "Daughter missed father dearly as well as mother. I hope you will excuse this moment of informality." Referring to her running up to him and hugging another in the eyes of a stranger—which can only be said by the other two—(Y/n) hugged him tighter as she heard him say it fine and that she should do it more often; all while saying this did he stroke her hair as he smiled in comfort.

Observing this heartfelt scene on the sidelines, Aimi let out a breathless laugh, a smile appearing on her pink lips as she shook her head faintly at the naïve display that was displayed in front of her. Surely an unattractive display of discourtesy between a father and a dutiful daughter—not something a duke or the daughter of a duke should ever be seen doing. Oh, if her mother were to be alive today, she would chide Aimi for being so negligent of her daughter's etiquette...

Enduring a moment longer in each other's embrace, the two deliberately drifted away from one another as they instead looked at their situation and laughed; a laugh so light and free that it made everyone in the room feel at ease. Such laughter hasn't been heard in the estate in such a long time, which frequently forewarned everyone that (Y/n) was a budding woman, and she was changing—she was maturing. This thought crossed Luke's mind, making his face contort into one of temper, his grip on her daughter's hand gentle yet firm as if he was unwilling to let go—of which he was. Ever since his daughter fell and went unconscious all those years ago, she had changed remarkably; which he didn't mind but was overwhelmed and unused to the amount of tenderness and insightful commentaries his diamond would say now and then. Since that day, his life has been more enthusiastic and topped with new wonder as he watched his daughter grow up too quickly, in his opinion. And now, here he witnessed as bastards that dare call themselves 'nobles' gawked at his diamond, yearning to take her hand in marriage! Despicable! She was his daughter, not there's, and thus they aren't allowed to even murmur her name! Yet they there were salivating over the maturing woman like dogs. This provoked him to no end as he preferred nothing more than to hide his diamond away, for then no one will ever sully her purity, ever! But look at her now...

Glancing down at the refined woman that stood beside him, Luke couldn't help but sigh in his heart as melancholy leaked from inside his soul. (Y/n) was growing. She was becoming brighter by the day and stronger as well; she was like no one woman he had ever seen. She was growing into becoming more independent and courageous as she ascends her classes to the number one spot in every single thing. She wasn't just a noble lady—she was (Y/n), the little diamond who would clear anyone's gloomy day with just a single beaming smile. The little diamond that knew how to bake and knew how to plan a battle strategy as if by translucent talent. Even when he wished to keep her permanently as his daughter, he knew he couldn't; that would make her unhappy, which would then make him miserable in return. Sometimes it's hard to let go, but even so; the bird has to fly from the nest one day, and if not, they die.

Looking over towards her father (Y/n) cocked an eyebrow, her eyes narrowing in concern as she neared her father's side in worry. "Father, are you feeling all right? Do you wish to sit down and talk there?" Understanding her question with a fuzzy mind Luke numbly bobbed his head tolerating for his daughter to drag him over to one of the spare seats as he sat down and (Y/n) soon doing the same, and soon plates were being presented on the table as everything was instantly in order. Staring at the magnificent grubs that were given on her food-loving heart (Y/n) slapped her cheeks mentally, remembering her essential goal.

"Father, mother, if I may speak."

"Go on."

"Do speak."

Taking a deep breath, (Y/n) struggled to appease her nerves as she undertook to formulate her words for the incoming silence that was sure to come after she had spoken.

"I wish to take charge over some matters regarding the head of the family if you would bless me so." Saying these words bluntly and without hesitance (Y/n) viewed as both of her parents swiftly peered at one another, perplexed and overwhelmed by her words as they were in a stupor, uncertain of what to say. Putting down the knife that he was about to grab for then he could cut his steak Luke cleared his throat and looked back over to his daughter, his eyes turning serious as a firm line replaced his sunny smile—though it wasn't like (Y/n) was irritated as now the both of them had the same expression but albeit with a few differences.

Finally, after a long period of silence and the two just staring at one another, he spoke. "In what type of matters do you wish to take over that the head of the family is in charge of?" Arranging her hands on top of her dress (Y/n) answered with a bland voice: "I wish to take over matters concerning household money transactions and reports that you have been picking up as of late. All I ask in response is for you to halt my progress in academics as I wish to concentrate more on these issues rather than on things I already know." Interpreting her idea in the plainest way she could (Y/n) again waited until he would answer only for Duchess Aimi to speak up first.

"The household money transactions are handled by the lady of the house—which is me—and would be very improper if someone of your age were to take over. This would send a negative message to everyone saying that I had lost favor and that you and your father have had a secret affair. I heartily oppose of this idea." Dipping her fingers in the soup, Aimi glanced over at her daughter as if she had gone mad. "You're right, Aimi, but you have had quite a few burdens on your shoulders as of late-"

"And do you think putting those 'burdens' on a child's shoulder would help the problem? Absolutely not! To also wish for the reports on other advancements in wishing for the aid of this household? Never! This is bonkers-"

"One week."

"What?"

Interrupting what they were doing, both Aimi and (Y/n) looked over at Luke as if he had grown two extra pairs of heads. Chugging down a glass of wine, Luke wiped his mouth elegantly as he started eating. "I will give you one week where you are allowed all of those things; if in this week you are able to prove yourself I will continue to allow this, but only secretly. No one else shall ever know about any of this, understood? Well, enough of this—let us eat!"

So, supper was spent in silence as everyone's thoughts countered one another. One was a tad bit conflicted, another was felt humiliated, and the other one felt surprised and in a stupor. Truly, she could get what she wanted in the end, all because of mere trust.

(Y/n) hoped that she was ready for what she had impulsively drawn herself into. 

(ɢᴏᴏᴅ ᴅᴀʏ/ɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴍʏ ʟᴏᴠᴇꜱ!)