Chapter 5 V · Isabelle [I]

Isabelle Baudelaire's point of view

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I WENT TO BED AROUND 7PM, but I woke up past midnight after dreaming that my mother was still here. Not being able to sleep anymore after that, I decided to get one of my books and go re-read it in the indoor garden, where Jade is, which used to be my mom's favorite here in our manor here in Desmoulins. Nevertheless, I had totally forgot that the retired Duchess Delacroix and her son, the current Duke Delacroix would come here to spend a week with us.

So, when I got out of my chambers and met them there, I froze and suddenly anxiety began to creep inside of me. And when that happens, I usually began to annoyingly describe the person's entire physical features the same way writers do. Thankfully, Adrien snapped me out of it.

My memory of them had totally disappeared, after all, last time we met I was 10 years old, and my memories from my first 13 years are very faint, and usually sum up towards my mom, dad and my brothers. They were both taller than me, which was kind of intimidating but I managed to hid it.

"Daughter, don't be disrespectful," dad muttered and I felt suddenly guilty for the way I greeted them in a rush. After all, he asked her to come to help me out.

Sighing, I took my book from Adrien's hands, and then Mathis opened his chambers abruptly and stared at the book in my hands. "Give me that!" He asked like an animal.

I turned to the Duke, "Please, hold this book as higher as you can, and do not let him get it."

He stared at me in pure confusion. "Why?"

"Because he's taller than me, but shorter than you. If I do it, he'll get it. Please," rolling his eyes, beautifully annoyed, he did as I asked. I turned to my brother. "I let you borrow the first 6 volumes. You don't usually read books, so I doubt you have already finished them!"

Mathis turned to Duke Dimitri and tried to get the book, but he did as I asked and didn't let him get it. "Oh, come on! I need that!" He turned to me. "Please, Belle, my dear, darling, amazing, outstanding, extraordinary, gorgeous, clever sister. I swear to you I've finished reading all the six volumes, and now I need the seventh. Can't you just read another?"

I glared at him, "You won't win me over just by complimenting me, asshole. And no, I cannot. Ask Adrien for his."

"Addy said he wouldn't let me touch any of his books, because he doesn't trust me with them. Please, let me have it, Belle. Please. Do you want me to kneel to you?" Is he really this desperate?

"What an appealing offer," I pondered and he growled. But before he could humiliate himself in from of the members of House Delacroix, I held him by his arm. "You should thank the Gods that I'm such a good sister." Sighing, I turned to the Duke, "Thank you, for helping me, Your Grace. But you can give it to him now."

He did as I said, still dumbfounded by the whole situation, and Mathis took it overjoyed. "I love you!" He exclaimed kissing my forehead. "Can I go over to your chambers and get the 8th and the 9th volume as well?"

I glared at him for an entire minute. "If you damage any of my books, Mathis Delannoy Baudelaire, I'm going to kick your ass and badmouth you to the girl you are in love with!"

Anxiously, he nodded. "They will be returned spotless!"

Before he could head to my chambers, I held his arm again. "Don't be an ass. Greet our guesses!" My demanding tone made him shiver.

Gulping he straighten his back and bowed to them. "Duchess Genevieve Delacroix," he turned to her son. "Your Grace, Duke Dimitri Carpentier Delacroix! I'm Mathis Delannoy Baudelaire. I'm sorry for the circumstances of our meeting, but I'm genuinely honored to meet you both!"

Grinning proudly, I released his arm. "For a second you even looked like the Marquis you are supposed to be," I mocked and he rolled his eyes.

"Look who's talking. The Countess who greeted them in her nightclothes!" I glared at him and he backed away.

"If you keep running your mouth like that, dear brother, I'll make sure you will never be able to read any volumes of The Lovers of June again! Better, I'll make sure to castrate you, so you will never be able to procreate," I looked down at his hip and back to his face. "Don't forget that I'm only allowing you to read mine because you didn't have yours, and because you begged me too, when you learned that the Lady you fancy is in love with the story." I teased him.

"Gods..." he swallowed a curse. "Sorry, dear sister. Now if you all excuse me, I need to get back to reading those books!" Then he left to my chambers and we all stared at where he went, until he left with the remaining books. "I owe you more three favors, Belle!" He exclaimed entering his chambers and locking his door.

Smiling amused, I turned to the guests, who were staring at me with their jaw on the ground. "I... Hm..."

"I'm sorry for this," dad exclaimed making me feel bad. "I think my children tend to be very peculiar with each other, so, don't bother about it. Right, Isabelle Delannoy Baudelaire?" His tone had a warning in it.

I gulped. "Yes, dad." When I was about to leave them, I turned my eyes to the guests again, "Don't bother with me. You must have heard the rumors, like everyone else. I'm a freak. Weird and introverted. Strange and extremely awkward. With the horrible habit of cursing and threatening others," I giggled. "Seeing me now must make you realize the rumors were all true, right? So, before anything, you shouldn't expect anything from me, or you will get disappointed." I turned to my dad. "Like my dad... While the rumors about Mathis aren't all true, all of mine are correct, that is something you should be aware of."

Then I turned around and went down the stairs, annoyed with myself. Dad must be so embarrassed, darn it. I shouldn't have let them see me dealing with Mathis like that. But it was stronger than me.