Chapter 6 VI · Isabelle [II]

WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE INDOOR GARDEN, Jade came to me. She probably sensed how emotionally shaken I must be. I sat under the green apple tree mother planted with me when I was 5, and she laid on my lap.

Jade is a black panther that dad presented me with five years ago, in my 18th birthday. She was the cub of my mother's panther that lived for 18 years, and died on the night Jade was born. So, it's like having a part of mom with me.

I named her Jade after the female lead of my book, not to mention that in the 6th book of The Lovers of June I gave the fictional Jade a panther of present in her 23rd birthday. Well, in the book, Roman, the male lead, gave it to her, but I'm the writer, so it's the same thing. Although in the book, Jade name her new pet Eve.

"Mommy is alright, babe," I petted her head and she made a low sound. "Alright, you got me. I'm not that fine. I malfunctioned in front of my mother's best friend and her son. Dad must be so ashamed of me. It took me seven years to stop doing this when I was a child, and control it. But since mom died, it always happens when I get anxious."

Taking one of the green apples that was around me, I gave it to her and she ate it in one go. Jade loves green apples. And I guess she also loves the indoor garden as much as I do.

"Brother must also be embarrassed..." I sighed. "But let me tell you the news. Genevieve Delacroix is really beautiful, she looks like a Queen, and she's tall. As tall as my mom was. And her son is also dazzling to look at, although he looks like a giant."

Her gaze went for the other apples on the ground and I took three of them and began to feed her again.

"Although, by how he looked at me, he probably thinks I'm a freak. A charmless Countess. As the others nobles also have called me in the past..." I scoffed at myself. "The ugly duckling of House Baudelaire. It's not my fault if, opposite to my siblings, I inherited my dad's looks and not my mom's. And that I may not look as feminine as the other Ladies in court."

It's probably one of the only insecurities I have. I grew up with people saying that if I had inherited my mother's charms, I would be pleasant to look at. But as I resemble my dad, I don't look that feminine. Mom used to tell me otherwise, though, and that she loved the fact that I was like dad, and he also says the same.

But it's hard for a child to grow up hearing people talk about how weird her appearance was. And the fact that I prefer reading than interacting with their superficial asses, made it all worse. Those male chauvinists are all against clever women who reads, because that threaten their fragile masculinity.

Although I would be lying if I said I don't think I'm gorgeous, because I know I am. They may talk shit about me, but that won't make it come through. I do have charm, and a very sensual body, I should say, and I'm not overestimating myself.

Letting out a tired sigh, I gave another apple to Jade. "What would mom think of me if she saw me now, Jade? Would she also be disappointed? Would she be against me writing like dad is? Do you think she would also blackmail me into getting married?"

I heard steps getting near us, and when it got even closer to where I was, I recognized it to be Adrien. He came to me and sat on my side, petting Jade's back. Silent.

"Did they settle in?" I asked after almost half-an-hour.

"Hm," his eyes turned to me, "I'm sorry, sister, I kind of eavesdropped on your conversation with Jade."

His politeness made me chuckle softly, "If people knew you have the habit of eavesdropping everybody's conversations, Addy, they would have a cultural shock."

He blushed, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It's not like me and Mat don't have the same habit either. Besides, it's not the first time you do such a thing, come on. Although people probably expect that from me and him," I pondered smiling. "How much did you hear?"

"Well, I followed you right when you left, although you didn't seem to realize it. I can say I kind of... heard everything," by the look on his face, he seemed guilty. "You didn't disappoint me, sis. You never did! And mom would never act like dad does. I was 15 when she passed away, so my memories of her are more vividly than you must remember. Mom would probably fight with dad until he accepted and helped you out with your dreams."

I chuckled softly, "That's seems very much like how you reacted to it, Addy. I think the fact that you remember mom more vividly than we do may have had a big effect on your personality. While me and Mat are more like dad, you seem to be identical to her. I seem to be dad's female version, while you are mom's spitting image, and Mat is a mixture of mom's appearance and dad's personality. How tragic."

He giggled. "You also have some physical traits that resemble mom, Belle. Not to mention that you are as strong as she was. And as a woman, you do have a mind that resembles hers a lot," that made me teary.

And I never cry. I'm not so good handling my emotions at all. Which is kind of ironic, once I'm a writer, and I need to write people's personas perfectly to catch the readers attention. I petted Jade's ears, "Thank you for saying that, Addy. You are an amazing brother. The best I could ever ask for," I turned to him, "but never say this to Mat, or he'll get jealous."

He chuckled loudly. "I wish you could show this outgoing and fun side of you to others as well, sis."

"Why would I waste my time with that, Addy? All these people that badmouth me behind my back and shamelessly in front of me, are the ones who, without knowing anything about me, decided to make of me a target for their mean gossip. This isn't about me not showing my actual personality in front of them, it's about their capability of judging someone without not even being able to write their name properly!" Addy intertwined my hand with his.

My eyes met his as he was preparing to say something, "I truly hope you will find someone who will treat you right, sister. Otherwise, I'll have to kill him if he touches a string of your hair," he said that coldly calm and a mischievous smirk appeared in my lips.

"I love how your mind works, Addy. This side of you is much more similar to mine than your charming, adorable side," he scoffed at that. "Your duality will make lots of noble girls fall in love."

"I know my charms," he exclaimed grinning.

"Of course, you do," I got up and helped him getting on his feet again, then Jade followed us out of the indoor garden, but I stopped her. "Hey, baby, you won't be able to get inside for now, alright? You might scare our guests."

She made a sad sound, and Addy kneeled in front of her. "Don't worry, darling, you will be able to freely stay in the outdoor and indoor garden as much as you want. Just not inside the manor. It's just for seven days, okay?"

"And we'll visit you every day!" Her purple eyes turned to me and I felt sad for her. "I hate having guests," I muttered making Addy chuckle again.

"It's just for a week, Belle. It's all for you."

I growled annoyed, "A lot can happen in a week, brother. And please, don't remind me that they are here for me."

Giggling, he held my hand and we left the indoor garden, heading to our chambers again. Thankfully, this time, no one was on the hallways.