’’Greetings, Young Lord Rocky. It’s been a long ti. I hope you’re still well.’’ The head butler bowed in front of Rocky.
’’Skip the formality. I’m not even a mber of the Great Clan anymore,’’ Rocky complained.
The head butler kept his firm expression and answered,
’’Even so, you still carry the bloodline of royalty.’’
The next mont, he added,
’’The King is quite busy with his affairs. I fear he doesn’t wish to et anyone until he finishes his work... Therefore, I hope you stay here for one day. I’ll prepare a room.’’
Rocky nodded and asked,
’’That’s fine... So... My sister’s still okay?.. I want to see her.’’
The head butler blinked for a mont, then replied politely,
’’She will be coming here in a few seconds.’’
Rocky frowned, but quickly understood why. He could already hear familiar sounds outside the waiting hall.
Just a few seconds later, as the head butler said, the door suddenly burst open.
A girl with a sharp yet beautiful face rushed in. Her pure blue eyes were tearful as she gazed at Rocky.
Her nose stung as she tried to hold back her tears.
Her lips trembled as she let out a weak groan. She couldn’t even speak properly. But a few seconds later, she finally cried out,
’’B-Big Brother!’’
She rushed toward him and spread her arms and legs, clinging tightly to Rocky as if she was afraid he would vanish at any mont.
She bawled uncontrollably, burying her face in Rocky’s chest.
Ursa, standing nearby, slowly wiped away her tears in happiness.
The Head Butler nodded at Rocky, then slowly stepped back. He didn’t want to hinder their reunion.
’’I’ll take my leave.’’
Five minutes later.
’’I miss you so much... Don’t leave again,’’ she sobbed in Rocky’s embrace. ’’I-I want to go back ho with you and Sister.’’
Rocky sighed and rubbed Nicole’s head to comfort her. He didn’t know how to explain their situation at this mont. There was no house anymore.
But as long as everyone was still alive, they could build a new one.
’’Don’t worry. I ca here to take you ho.’’
’’R-Really?’’ She slowly wiped the tears from her cheeks while gazing at him, waiting for his answer.
Rocky forced himself to smile before gesturing for Ursa to carry Diana over. He didn’t want to lie.
His little sister deserved to know the truth. Of course, he would only tell her part of the story. If he told her about the Branch Clan’s actual cris, she wouldn’t be able to bear it.
’’Who is that?’’ Nicole asked in surprise.
The old woman gave her a strangely familiar feeling, as if she were her sister.
Ursa stayed silent, trying to find the right words. But Rocky answered swiftly, without hesitation.
’’Nicole, listen to carefully. I need you to stay calm after what I’m about to say.’’
’’This is your big sister.’’
Nicole’s expression twisted in disbelief. She stared straight into Rocky’s eyes, her hands trembling nonstop.
’’Y-You’re lying... Please, tell that’s just a joke...Please, Big Brother... I swear I won’t act naughty or tear your clothes again.’’
Ursa said gently,
’’Don’t worry. Sothing happened, but your brother handled it peacefully. We’re still treating your big sister. That’s why we ca here.’’
Rocky nodded and began to explain everything he had hidden. Why their sister was in this state... and how the Branch Clan had taken the place of the Main Clan.
Nicole covered her ears during the whole explanation. She struggled, refusing to accept every word he said.
But after many minutes, she finally accepted the truth.
’’Just promise ... Always tell the truth... I want you to share your burdens with . Don’t push aside like before.’’
She held out her pinky for a promise, sniffling.
Rocky let out a small sigh, but quickly frowned when he noticed the bruises on her arm through the sleeve opening.
He swiftly grabbed her arm and rolled up her sleeve.
Ursa and Rocky’s expressions darkened when they saw it. Her arm was covered in bruises. From the colors—yellow, red, and blue—he could tell she had endured this for a long ti, not just recently.1
And he believed there were more bruises on his little sister’s body, not just on her right arm.
Nicole quickly jerked her arm back and lowered her head anxiously. She didn’t dare look at her big brother at that mont.
Silence.
After a while, her eyes began to fill with tears. She grabbed Rocky’s hand and said awkwardly,
’’Don’t worry. I just trained too much... Injuries are sothing you can’t avoid in training.’’
Rocky let out another sigh when he saw her fear. He could tell that Nicole wouldn’t reveal anything to him. She would hide it because she didn’t want to drag him into trouble.
She used to be such an energetic girl, but now she had beco timid. The living environnt had changed her too much.
Bullies.
He wasn’t the type of man who yelled or went crazy all the ti, but at this mont, he was truly getting mad.
Rocky gently rubbed Nicole’s head for a mont.
’’You don’t need to worry about anything. Your big brother is here.’’
He then stood up and said,
’’Nicole... I want you to lead to the training room. Don’t worry... I just want to say hi to them. That’s all.’’
***
’’What’s your beast? You’re already old enough to enter the Beast World, anyway.’’
Rocky asked while striding down the palace corridor.
Nicole answered in a confident voice,
’’My beast is a black panther with an apex species rank.’’
Rocky rubbed his chin.
’’So, where’s your beast?’’
At that mont, Nicole’s mood darkened. She hesitated for a while before saying,
’’She’s being treated in the dical room... She failed while trying to climb a tree.’’
Rocky frowned and scratched his head.
(What a lie.)
Five minutes later.
They finally arrived at the training room. Rocky was shocked by its lavish, modern appearance. He never thought his mother had once lived in a place like this.
He blinked repeatedly as he glanced at the royal children training there. Of course, their beasts were with them too.
All of them were invertebrates.
(It’s a good ti for my beast to test the beasts of this land before the contest among the lands begins.)
He cleared his throat and shouted,
’’Which one of you bullied my little sister?’’
I’m not making this up, bruises change color continuously over ti (red, blue, yellow, disappearing after 2 weeks).
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