Time flew by quickly and two weeks had gone by in the blink of an eye.

Since it was still summer vacation, Yvonne and Howard had no classes other than the home assignments that they had to complete before the next academic year could begin.

Howard spent his days training with Yvonne and learning his heir responsibilities from their father.

On the other hand, the little girl spent time in the library as she brushed up on the geography of the Kingdom as CLOVER's first product would soon be launched throughout the land.

She needed to know about the places that their products would reach and also the means through which they would reach the commoners of the land.

Over the last two weeks, certain changes had occurred which she had already taken into account.

The first was the Tanner family returning from their fief along with the numerous knights-in-training that Captain Desmo had taken with him.

The second was Marquess Samed who had also returned to the Capital after visiting his hometown for a thorough inspection of the land.

With her two main tutors' arrival in the Capital city, Yvonne's classes would soon resume once Summer vacation came to an end this week.

From next Monday, everything would go back to their usual routine and even Howard would have to return to the Royal Academy on that day.

Therefore, she had chosen this day to bring to fruition the secret plan that she had begun working towards for the last two weeks.

"Vonny!" A loud cry brought the attention of everyone seated in the Parlor on the one who had just entered the room.

A head full of red hair came dashing towards the little girl who was seated next to her elder brother.

However, the two adults sitting on the other side did not have to move a single muscle as two others had made their move.

Rutherford looked up from sipping his tea and nodded at the quick reflexes that he noticed in the two boys standing before him.

Yvonne too was appraising their skills and was impressed with how they had managed to move at such a high speed.

The one who was confused the most was none other than the boy who had just entered the room.

"Who is this?" He narrowed his eyes at one of the boys blocking his cute sworn sister, Vonny, before turning to the other.

"Move your hand." He glowered at his best friend who was also blocking his way.

"Step away and I will." His best friend did not back down but advised him to create some much-needed distance.

The Earl and Countess shook their heads at the two young boys who quarreled each time they met but also cared for each other deeply.

'They are no help.' The little girl pouted at her parents who made no signs of intervening in this matter.

Turning towards the center of the hostile energies being emitted in the room, Yvonne sighed when she saw her elder brother and her sworn brother standing in confrontation.

"Brother Taylor, it is so good to see you after a long time." She chirped, partly to end their stand-off but also as she had missed his excited and lively face.

Hearing her greeting, Taylor Tanner abandoned all thoughts of arguing with his best friend as his attention had successfully been diverted towards his little sister.

"Vonny, brother missed you!" He exclaimed in an aggrieved tone but the two bodyguards standing before her made it impossible for him to hug her.

Thus, once again, Taylor glared at his friend before turning his gaze towards the new person here.

Following his line of sight, Yvonne realized that introductions were needed.

"Brother, meet Jax." She gestured to the boy with murky green hair who instantly bowed to greet the Young Master of the Tanner family.

Jax had been undergoing rigorous training under the tutelage of Butler Limo.

Sadly, unlike what Rutherford had planned, they could not force Jax to run away from their strenuous training.

The more he was overworked, the more the boy got better in his ways.

Thus, Rutherford's plan of forcing him out of the St. Claire Mansion after the very first week had failed.

However, he was not ready to give up and had asked his secret guards to train Jax how to defend himself and his Master, Yvonne.

This way, if he could carry on then Rutherford would acknowledge his abilities and let him remain in their estate.

On the off chance that he could not succeed then, he would have to pack up and leave.

Since Jax understood the silent meaning of the Earl's actions, he worked hard and trained both under Butler Limo and the secret guards each day which gave him the right to remain in this estate until this day.

Just earlier, when Jax had seen someone running towards the Young Miss who was his Master, his body moved on instinct and he shielded her from danger.

The same move had been made by Howard which pleased the Earl as now there were two people who could save his precious daughter from harm.

Sadly, Taylor Tanner, who had been perceived as the 'harmful' one had no clue about what had taken place while he was at his fief.

Therefore, he stared at his best friend in search of answers.

Howard's face held reluctance but he quenched Taylor's curiosity.

"Vonny's new Butler." He muttered in a grumbling tone as he had not yet accepted this young boy as his sister's butler and aide.

The answer Taylor had received was unexpected, resulting in his eyes widening as he whiplashed towards the little girl, the boy said to be her Butler, and then at the Earl.

'I cannot do anything even if you give me such accusatory looks.' Rutherford shrugged, washing his hands off this matter as the decision made was his daughter's.

Taylor's mind was numb at this gesture, indicating that he had no hand in this matter.

Yvonne rolled her eyes at the men who were so against her decision of taking Jax as a Butler even when they had seen him working hard towards becoming a better aide to her.

"We should leave before it gets too hot." She proposed which finally brought their attention back from the troubling thoughts swirling in their heads.

Just like last year, the boys had decided to meet up before vacation ended and do some 'back to school' shopping.

When she had been asked to accompany them last year, Yvonne had declined but this time she had accepted their offer and even suggested meeting today.

Thus, Taylor had arrived at their Mansion on this bright and sunny day to travel with the St. Claire siblings to the Commercial District.

Rutherford and Raylene had already been informed about this and also agreed, provided that the two boys took great care and protected the little girl.

Though Raylene was reluctant at first after recalling how she had almost lost Yvonne in a clothing store, she was convinced by the child who promised to stick to her brothers at all times.

Therefore, right now, the three children were ready to head out to the Commercial District to shop for supplies needed for their next Academic year.

Yvonne rose to her feet and was immediately surrounded by the two brothers who were tasked with protecting her today.

"Come along." She ordered the boy standing behind her and chuckled when she saw annoyance appearing on her brothers' faces.

Jax ignored the glowering looks he was receiving from the two boys as he followed his Master's orders.

Before leaving the room, Yvonne waved at her parents while Jax bowed to Butler Limo who nodded his head in reply.

The parents watched as their children left the room and Raylene rested her head on her husband's shoulder.

"Don't you think that they are growing up too quickly, Ruthy?" She muttered, grumbling that her children did not need their presence to go outside any longer as they were capable of doing so by themselves.

Rutherford said nothing but rubbed her back to comfort this wife of his.

'Nothing we can do but watch and guard them from the shadows.' He sighed as their duty as parents was not only to teach them how to choose the right path but also to watch as they journey that path ahead of them.