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Back in Ashrin. Xue's manor.
Inside the office of the head of the house, Xenzi is holding onto a paper while the person who had submitted the paper stood before his desk. He lets out a big sigh before eyeing the person before him with a bit of disappointment.
"Are you sure about this resignation, General Kerinil?" Cinth nodded indetermination. He had apparently submitted a resignation letter just after coming to Ashrin. It was quite unexpected of him but considering how close he is with Yanyi, Xenzi would not push the idea that she had somewhat convinced him to resign.
"Very well then. I will treat this resignation paper with 2 weeks notice. You'll be off duty for good by then." He commented, eyeing the person before him in a bit of disappointment and relief.
The tale of the unrequited love between Cinth and Jerad is known across the entire family — the old enough ones only. He knew that he had been following Jerad all of this time and only doing things that he would approve of.
Not of his own wants.
Xenzi was somewhat glad that he is now choosing his own path. Speaking of which something just crossed his mind. He took out a letter and slid it across the table. "Here, consider this a gift for your retirement."
Cinth took the paper and read it before his eyes started to widen from the surprise. "Sire! I can;'t take this! This is too much." Cinth respectfully rejected the offer.
The paper is apparently a deed for a corner lot shop in Krucidia that belongs to the Xue's. It was previously for rent but when Yanyi stated how she wanted to give Cinth a place to start his coffee shop, Xenzi approved of her request.
"Yanyi had told me about your activity after you resigned. She had made it clear that she wanted to gifted you a property for your new career. Just take it as a gift from the family. We all insist."
To that Cinth didn't know how to respond. He was grateful but felt a bit guilty. Regardless, knowing the younger student of his, she would push the gift to him even if he refused. So he accepted it.
Though something did come across his mind.
Cinth — "If you don't mind me asking, Sire. How did you converse with Lady Yanyi so quickly?"
Xenzi — "Apparently the Crown Prince had been exchanging letters with her for the duration of her trip. They have a faster communication system than postal and send the message to the family."
Cinth — "Did the Crown Prince know all along about the Young Lady's travel?"
Xenzi — "That I can't say for sure. Although that little brat did say that she'll return once things are over. So I figured yes."
"Just treat it like their Holy Rin-Sil job if you must." Xenzi stated. With that aside, Cinth takes his leave out of the room. He then continued with his daily task.
Not even 2 hours in his office door slammed open and in came the voice of his third child "WHY DIDN'T PAPA TELL US?!" Qixiao slammed the door open and strode inside with a pout.
"Tell you about what?" Xenzi nearly had a heart attack when the door slammed open. He didn't want to entertain this rude brat. But he did so as a father.
"That Papa had been in contact with Jie! Uncle Cinth told us! That's not fair!"
SMACK!
"Respect your father, Qixiao." A fist landed on his head before Ariani walked towards where Xenzi was seated. She has with her a plate of tea and pastries for her husband. "Here."
"Thank you, my love." They gave a quick smooch.
Lixian entered just after and saw the condition of which Qixiao is in. He did warn him not to barge out of the blue. "Ha! You got hit by mama." He mocks his younger twin.
Qixiao glared at him before shaking his head to bring himself back to reality. "I'm serious! Why didn't papa tell us about Jie contacting the Crown Prince to then contact you." He takes a seat on one of the sofas just like Lixian is currently doing.
"Because you would barge through Lyon's office and demand to see her. Respect your sister's decision. She is no longer your babysitter." Xenzi commented. Taking a sip of the tea before looking down at the table.
"But she's family!"
"Jie has many people around her that she can rely on. If not she would've been here when Uncle Cinth returned."
"Argh! You and your logic!"
"Thank you."
"Listen, your sister is an important figure in the Empire. Whether she chooses to be the next heir or not, that's up to her. Qixiao, you need to let your sister free." Ariani gave a stern lesson to her second son. He is quite the persistent one when it comes to Yanyi.
"I'll do that when Papa learns to let Jie be with someone." This cheeky comment got a glare from his father. Soon enough the last member of the family came into the room before taking his own place on Lixian's lap.
"Can we meet Jie soon?" The youngest child asks with his big round eyes towards Xenzi. Everyone can't say no to that cute face. But they have to.
"Papa hopes so in the future, little dumpling." He nodded to the report he had received from Cinth.
That is when something or rather an idea starts to formulate in Qixiao's mind. "Papa."
"Hmm?"
"I want to go to Kinsel!"
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"Absolutely not." He didn't hesitate to turn it down. This received a huge protest from Qixiao.
"Come on Papa. It's the holiday for Auril Festum. I want to see what they do for Amber Auril in the south!" Xenzi didn't move from his stand. It's enough that one child had already gone away. He's not about to have another one out of his sight.
Not yet at least.
"I mean it's good anyway right." The comment that came from his older twin nearly plastered a smile so huge on Qixiao's face. Finally he agreed to something he came up with.
"We haven't experienced the Auril Festum in other states for a while already. It's nice to have some fresh air once in a while Papa." He commented, giving him a rather calculated and a bit reasonable answer than just demanding to go.
"You both want to see your sister, right?"
"..."
"*sigh* Fine! But you are to spend only 2 weeks there. No more than that. Or I'll drag you both and forbid your sister from training you in the future."
"Aye Aye sir!" Qixiao saluted like a soldier while Lixian gave a firm nod. That is when a little hand raised and nearly hit him on the chin.
"Can A-yao join too?" Well that caught everyone off guard.
The room fell into silence for a moment. To agree to let him out is quite dangerous for him. But to not allow him out is quite unfair when his two brothers can go out and meet their sister.
"Very well then!" The response came from the only woman in the room as of now. All eyes turn to Ariani. She had approved of Jingyao's travel to another state without an ounce of hesitation.
"What? A-yao never experienced the Auril Festum in another state. It's about time he did. After all, his debut is in 2 months right?" Ariani gave a motherly smile before going over to where Lixian was seated. She scoops Jingyao off his laps onto her own.
Ariani — "Besides, they will always be accompanied with guards 24/7 right? So what's the fear? The moment they meet Yiyi, everything will be okay!"
Xenzi — "My love-!"
Ariani — "I said yes and that means yes! You said so when we got married. When it comes to our children's wants I am the ultimate voice! And I said yes!"
Xenzi — "..."
Ariani — "ANy question?"
Xenzi — "Nothing…"
"Good" She moved away from the sofa and headed towards the entrance. She carried Jingyao with her.
"Papa lost to Mama."
"Yeah. For once."
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As the sun starts to set, Cinth Kerinil returns to his family home. The one that he returns to every time he has a day off. "So how's my little brother's little voyage?" The teasing and happy voice came from the top of the balcony.
Cinth turned around and gave a genuine smile to the figure. Cherry Kerinil, his sister, is happily skipping down the stairs to give her baby brother a harm hug. "I miss you sooooo much! You hardly come home nowadays."
"Sorry big sis. Work got a bit busy. But everything will calm down in 2 weeks or so." Hearing it, Cherry turned her head to the side. She is pretty attentive especially when it comes to her baby brother.
Cherry is the first born child and the current matriarch of the house Kerinil. She had already married the love of her life and has 2 children who are barely toddlers. Despite being a family woman, she still loves her baby brother so much she would kill anyone who hurt him.
"I'll go to my room first then. I'll come back when dinner is ready. Call me okay." Without any more words, Cinth makes his way up the stairs and towards his room. A figure stood beside Cherry and held her waist tightly.
"Is something wrong with Cinth?" Her husband asked his wife.
"Pretty sure there is. I'll inquire about it. Could you tell the chef to prepare his favourite dishes?"
"Of course, my love. Dinner will be ready in an hour." They part way after a peck on the lips. Cherry went upstairs to where her baby brother's room is located. The door is not locked and she can peek a bit inside.
Cinth is holding onto a blue box that she recognized as clear as day. It is the box that he had kept all of his memory of that disgusting and stupid man. The love of his life he said.
Cinth took out a few pictures of their childhood and stared at it. He then looks towards his own wrist and sees the one physical present that they HAD shared. A bracelet that he received on his debut ball.
Each of them had one and supposedly it was a sign of their 'long lasting friendship.' Too much for a long lasting figure.
Knock Knock.
His head turned to his door. Cherry is standing by the frame of the door. Her eyes show a bit of guilt. Perhaps guilt from introducing Cinth to that Jerad guy. 'So much for a reliable person.' She mumbles in her mind.
"Big sis. What are you doing here?"
"Just checking on my baby brother." She closed the door and sat on the bed just beside her precious brother. Her hand gently patted his green mint hair. A trait that they both share.
"I put in my 2 weeks notice. And I'm thinking about moving to Krucidia."
"And?"
"I want to start a new life there. A life that is all… about me… You're not mad are you?"
"Oh, Cinthy. Your big sister will never be mad at you. I'm glad that you made your choice. So when are you departing?"
"That needs a bit of discussion with the Young Lady. I was hoping that I would be able to celebrate her birthday. But fate holds everything."
"And what about him?" Cherry didn't want to point towards the elephant in the room. But everyone who is going through a heartbreak or moving on would have to go through the topic anyway. She just wants it to end quickly.
"Leave everything behind I guess." His words don't reflect his limp hands. Still creasing the edge of the box. His eyes, though having some semblance of life, lost that spark of hope.
Cherry hates that man with the end of heart. To think that he had wasted half of Cinth's life. He didn't marry anyone because he was waiting for so long for an answer.
"But… I want to face him one last time… Just-Just for clarity…"
"Cinthy…"
"After that… I won't hold anything again."
He heaved out a heavy breath. His chest puffed out in confidence and hope for himself. "I want to live for myself. And the family of course!" He waved a proud smile to her sister who did the same to her younger brother.
"Well let's start that life with your favourite dish! Your brother-in-law is preparing dinner as we speak! Let's go get mom and dad just like the old days!" Without waiting for Cinth to put down the box, Cherry pulled his wrist out of the room.
He is about to go on a long and far voyage soon. She will miss him dearly and will take every opportunity to play with him. Even when she is reaching 40 and he is 37 years old. Their sibling bonds cannot be broken.
A lovely cliffhanger to his story.
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