After the meal, my siblings and I stayed in the living room with the odd boy. Since the odd boy immediately engrossed himself in his book, my siblings did didn't bother to talk to him. Siena discuss with the servants about some recent events while Firan, Tazia and Ienua were playing cards. I on the other hand gaze outside from the windows, impatiently waiting for my parents, Puram Daem and his father to come out from Father's study.
After a while, I noticed the odd boy have stopped reading. He was silently staring straight at me. I detect no malice, not even a feeling. It was just an empty stare. Maybe I was just unlucky to be the prey of his boredom. I decided to ignore it and think of an excuse to go out later at night instead.
"Should we postpone our stroll, young miss?" ask Veann all of the sudden.
"No, that won't be necessary. I intend to embrace the full moon tonight," I replied.
"Understood," came his reply.
After what seems to be a few hours, Mother and the odd boy's father came out of the study. They explained to us about the Angita incidence. I wasn't particularly interested so I didn't pay attention to the details. All I remember was the fact that the house of Sacel was no more. All the nobles were annihilated by Kuran. The rest that managed to escape is disowned from the our community. I guess they'll be wandering all over till their death. No purebloods would ever take them in after they killed a royal despite the reason. However, the Angitas were arrested and given fully to those hunters. Kuran personally permit their death sentence to be dealt by the hunters if the need arouse.
When Mother was sure that we understood the situation, she dismissed my siblings to their respective activities but held both the odd boy and I back. We were told that Father and Puram Daem summoned us to the study.
"Brother did? What does he want?" he asked.
"Yes, why don't you go and hear what he have to say?" said his father.
True enough, I didn't want to go to Father's study. Whenever I was summoned, it was usually due to Kuran. Still, I wouldn't question it. Father is the head of the family. His orders are absolute. Every head of family orders are absolute. Yet, this boy dared to question Puram Daem. Although they're siblings, the head must be treated with utmost honour and respect. For that, I don't understand why his father still speak softly to him and not reprimand him for such act.
As we entered the study, Puram Daem observe me keenly. I showed my best behaviour as to not disgrace Father. The odd boy did the same, my opinion; maybe he did not want to disgrace his brother too.
"Mr Kuroli, let's just cut the formalities and get them to the point," said Puram Daem.
"Yes, that would be best," said Father.
Father then looked at both of us and smile, only slightly.
"Riku Daem, Adefuwa Kuroli, Puram Daem and I, Uranna Kuroli decided to engage both of you to one another," proclaimed Father.
While I was still in shocked, I heard the odd boy sigh. Still, he accepted it as it it was to be expected. Someone who understood such situation in an instant, someone who possess an air of superiority similar to mine, these traits of him made me feel like I was losing. So, determine not to be the only fool, I accepted their proposal.
While our guests were minding their own matter in the the city and my elder sibling went to the academy, my parents went out again, leaving the house with only myself, Ienua, the odd boy and the servants. I couldn't get the permission to leave the house since Father wasn't around. Still I ordered Veann to escort me out for our walk. The odd boy was minding his own business in the library so he doesn't need anyone to tend to him anyway. Although reluctant, Veann escorted me to the mountain.
No comments:
Post a Comment