Declarations: I don't anything.
"The sun isn't up yet." Whined the blonde hair, violet eyes girl sited beside her brother and sister, who were both sound asleep. She wasn't happy to be waking up early in a foreign country. She wasn't particular joyous to know that her big brother will be marrying some girl across the sea.
"Our destination is a bit far, princess. I estimated that we'll arrive before noon. So the earlier we leave the better." The white haired man said. He was the father of the three children sited in front of him. He was actually pleased to see his only son married off. This should give him a more mature outlook in life. Sir Nicholas thought to himself. This deal he had with his old college was brilliant. They both had their own reasons why they want their children to marry. But all of those reasons were hidden by a white lie that they shared would strengthen their business. Both men were greedy when it comes to money. Though the Englishmen truly cares for his daughter, this one didn't particular care want happened to his son, he just have to be the guy his father wanted. To rule his empire with an iron fist.
His youngest daughter, Natalia, frowned and tried to move away from both of her siblings to look outside of the window. Where beautiful green pastures and trees surrounded them with a breath taking view a little away to the mountains. They were raised in a white scenery most of their lives, even this view fascinated Natalia from her boredom.
The small movement had wakened the wheat colour young man from his slumber; he opened his violet eyes and stretches a little. His father noticed this but ignored it and continuous to read the papers.
Ivan looked out the window, like his sister, he was fascinated by the view. He hugged his light pink scarf closer to his neck and smiled. He wasn't really against the arranged married his father made while he was away for his business trip. He hasn't seen this lady yet, but heard from his father that she isn't English. So he was a little excited how she looked like.
A yawn was heard behind him, indicating his older sister was awake. He turned to greet her good morning before staring back at the window. His older sister, same with both of them, has violet eyes and fair skinned. Though, she has a much lighter blonde than his pale ones and from his younger sisters darker blonde.
All three young Russians where wearing English clothes. They weren't happy about it. But they didn't argue it with their father.
As the sun grew higher, the carriage is getting a bit warm. Not to harm for the Russians since it's almost autumn. They were used to the cold weather.
As the time for their visitors to arrived, Yue was having a hard time changing to a gown. She said to her mother that she would wear their traditional dress, but her mother dismissed this idea saying that its getting cold for them to wear thin clothes. So she was having trouble breathing when one of their maids tied the corset to tight.
She was sited at the salon and fanning herself, while looking at her younger brother play with a few toys. Her mother ignored why she was fanning in this cold climate, thinking that she might just be nervous.
Yue smiled when her brother make baby noises as he played at the wooded ship and unicorn, that both Arthur carved when he was born. Michael looked like a male version of Yue, when she was a baby. He has silky black hair, bright brown eyes and porcelain skin. What separate him was that he had the signature Kirkland eyebrows. She was glad that he was born a boy, if he was a girl, he sure would make a big fussed about those thick eyebrows.
Henry walked in the salon and kiss his wife before picking up his son and place it on his lap, then he talk to Yue.
"So. How are you fairing?" he said with such tender that Yue wasn't tempted to snap at him.
"Well." She said as she fan faster. She was breathing quite rapidly. She was now sick in the stomach and the corset wasn't helping her relax. She should listen to her instinct more than obeying orders.
"Relax dear, your making me nervous as well." Her mother joked and walks out of the room to get food for her one year old son.
A frowned was formed from Yue's face and said in a soft voice that only she can hear. "I know Arthur would be pissed about this." Henry looked at from his childish talk with Michael.
"You said something?"Yue just shook her head.
After another hour or so. Their butler called that their guest s had arrived. Henry knob and took his wife's hand and looked at his daughter.
"Ready?" he said with a small smile. Yue took a huge breath and nub. Her hands were starting to sweat and her empty stomach was doing a flip that might bring her dinner up. They walked to the front door and her father greeted the white haired man.
Yue wasn't surprise to see that he was tall. He had wrinkles on his face stating the stressed he has and those bluish eyes send a chill down her spin as he looked at her from head to toe after greeting both her parents. Michael was put to sleep to make a less fuss about the guest. So she has no excused to leave them alone.
"Well, this must be your daughter you talked about a lot." He said in an accent that Yue hadn't recognized. He isn't English, Yue thought and bowed but straighten at her mistake. He chuckled "she is as beautiful as you YueMei." Her mother make a stiff smile but kept her composure.
"Girls, this is Nicholas Braginski, he was once a general on the Russian army." Russian? That's just about China. Yue though and nub at the information her father gave and that Sir Nicholas had a pride on what her father was saying.
Nicholas turned behind him and called in a language that was so new to Yue's ear. In the beautiful carriage park in front of them, the door opened and a young lady with short light blonde hair and a very well developed chest came out. She smiled at them and set aside for another girl, not older than 13, Yue had though. She has a frown on her face that Yue found very disturbing.
"These are my daughters, Yekaterina and Natalia." They both curtsied. And the older one looked a little nervous. Nicholas and noticed that his son was taking so long and asked his daughter with a scorn, like his youngest daughter, on his face. "Where is Ivan?" all the Kirkland were wide eye and looked at the very uncomfortable atmosphere.
"He kind of took a small walk around the lot." Nicholas said nothing at this and sighed. He turned around and said in his best way of not showing his anger.
"I'm sorry about this. He usually behaves well." He said to Henry. Henry made an award chucked and pat his friend back.
"No worries. He might just be curious. Let him be. Boys will be boys."
"This is embarrassing. I should have told the boy to stay put." As Henry tried to assure his friend that everything was ok. They walk inside after calling for all of them to come inside and have their lunch. Yue let the ladies walked in first and turned around to see that their servants and a few new, must be with the Russians opened another carriage with their luggage. They are really staying here are they. Yue had sighed and walked inside with her family.
Haft way thru lunch, Yue had excuse herself. She made an excuse that she needed to relieve herself to her mother. As she walked out of side from the dining room. Yue turned to the side door from their kitchen to the vast yard and walked towards the garden. Her corset was very uncomfortable that she was having a hard time breathing, let alone eating a full set meal. She just drank her soup and ate a few bits bread before excusing herself.
"Wǒo hèn zhè jiàn yīfú!" She shouted and takes a few big breaths. Her discomfort made her unnoticed a male staring at her from a few feet away. He was actually startled at the sudden voice and disturbing his quite time with sunflowers, he had notice when they were getting near.
He walked towards her and found her discomfort was the English dress she wore. His older sister also had complained about the weird dress the English wore, it made her chest more noticeable than necessary.
He took his knife hidden from his pants and grab hold of the tiny girl he saw right in front of him. She was started and when she turned around and saw a tall male that towers over her, she was stunned but then she notice the knife. She screams. Ivan was stunted but didn't move and he had gripped her harder. She was saying something that Ivan hadn't heard off in ages. He knows that this was the girl he was going to marry; since this is the only thing he saw so far wasn't English.
"Ivan Braginski! Let her go." He heard his father's voice and let her arm go. She run towards another Chinese women and said in their language so fast that he knows she wasn't breathing. She then pointed to the knife he had in his hand. He noticed this and tried to hide it but failed. His father walked towards him and punches him in the gut. Air was knock out of him but he remained standing. He was used to his father's cruel treatment that he can stand a few punches in the gut. A quick breath was heard from the women and the Sir Henry. He smiled to make sure that he was ok but saw his sisters were looking at him as well.
"What were you thinking boy?" his father demanded.
"I was just going to take her corset off." his voice was low, it might seem afraid to even speak to the person in front of him.
"You know better than to take a women clothing!" Yue was sure that she could see veins popping on his neck. She might be scared at the huge guy with a scarf but she feels a little bit sorry for him.
"But she will be my wife soon." And now she didn't. That nerve. He thought he can still marry her after he had scared her to death. And she already has someone.
"She'll never be if you scared her like that." Nicholas groaned at his son's childishness. He turned towards his friend and gave a apologetic gesture before walking towards them. He talked once again to Henry alone about the behaviour of his son. Yekaterina and Natalia went to sooth their brother, who was now on the floor because of the impact their father given him.
Yue was observing them; they seem a very close knit siblings, how the older sister smooth her younger brother and how the youngest child talk something to make him feel better. She was a bit jealous of them. Her other half-siblings , back in China, were not very nice to her. Even though she was the oldest of them all. She tried everything to make them like her, but they kept on refusing her. And her brother, with a Japanese mother had proven how annoying she is by leaving a scar on her back.
Tears were starting to form as the thought of that incident came back with a big blow. It's been four years since that incident and yet she felt like it was only a month. Her mother tapped her shoulder bring her back to the garden where the Englishman had saved them.
"You better go inside and change. We'll talk to them later." Yue nod give a one last look at the three sibling, especially at the huge Russian male who stared right back at her with his big violet eyes saying sorry.
Translation:
Wǒ hèn zhè jiàn yīfú – I hate this dress (Chinese ping-yin)
A/N: another chapter is done. Thank you for those who had commented. I'm glad that someone would like this story. I really appreciate it Thank You ! and I own nothing, expect for the few OCs.
Sir Nicholas here is General winter for those who are just interested.
Once again thank you and have a great day!