《Celestial Fox》Chapter 2: Meeting The Brother
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After Bahram and Esfir agreed on adopting Yvette, they decided to announce it to the clan.
"Yvette, we will go announce to everyone that we will be adopting you, wait here quietly for now. If you are in need of anything, you can ask the servant outside the room." In response, Yvette meekly nodded. Seeing this, they were both reassured and left the room.
Left alone inside the room, Yvette contemplated over what she should do now. But out of the corner of her eyes, she noticed a bookshelf at the other side of the room. Then, with a brightened face, she approached the bookshelf.
After she checked the whole book inside the bookshelf, she took a book and sat on the table near the room's window. Surprisingly, soon after she started to read, she was already engrossed in the book.
Meanwhile, within the garden which could be observed from the room’s window, one of the bushes within rustled as a boy that looks to be a few years older than Yvette appeared from within the bushes. Unfortunately, Yvette was too engrossed in her book that she didn't even notice the sound.
After getting out of the bush, the boy stealthily looked around. But by coincidence, he caught sight of Yvette who is reading next to the window. Seeing this, his brow knitted as he approached the window.
When the boy arrived before the window, he saw Yvette deeply engrossing herself into her book, to the point that she is unable to see him who is standing right before her. Unable to stomach the sense of being unnoticed, he tried to get her attention.
"Excuse me, but who are you?" Hearing the unexpected voice, Yvette examined her surroundings and saw the boy standing outside the window with knitted brows, causing her to think of the question he has just asked.
After pondering for a moment, she found no reason to not tell him her name, hence she closed her book and looked directly into his sky-blue eyes as she answered.
"Yvette Celestiel."
Yet, instead of replying, the boy only stared at her stiffly like a statue. But a moment later, he quickly regained his composure. Unfortunately, the faint redness on his face quickly gave away the embarrassment he held within.
Strongly shaking his head, he forcefully cleared his mind and inquired.
"You must be that girl from last night, what are you doing inside my father’s room?" Saying that, he vigilantly squinted and appraised Yvette with his eyes.
But those actions were ignored by Yvette who stared at him in bewilderment. From the words he said, it could only mean that the room’s owner, Bahram Aasmany, is his father. Which also means that the boy before her is most likely her adopted brother. Coming to that conclusion, she finally answered him.
“I am here as your father instructed as he has left to make an announcement.”
Yet, even after hearing her answer, the boy is still looking vigilantly looking at her.
“Really? But why would he leave you inside his room?”
“He has gone to make an announcement of my adoption.”
Hearing her words, the boy was clearly surprised. Yet, when he saw how Yvette could still keep a calm face even after saying those words, he was unwilling to show a hint of surprise on his face and suppressed it as he inquired.
“How can I trust your words?”
After pondering for a moment, she was unable to find any words to resolve his doubts, hence she was unwilling to continue the argument. She turned to her book and said without looking at him.
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"You will know once they returned."
Saying that, she once again focused on her book, ignoring any more words the boy said.
Realizing that he is being ignored, he could only reluctantly go and meditate under the shade of a tree, waiting for his father’s return. Yet, those enchanting pair of golden and red eyes still could not be removed from his mind even after a long time.
Meanwhile, within a certain room, Bahram sat facing fifteen people with Esfir sitting on his right. Those fifteen people are the fifteen elders of the Aasmany Clan.
"Patriarch, why have you called out for us all? It is quite rare for you to have the servants call for us for a meeting unless it is quite important." Asked one of the elder.
Once that question was asked, all the elders perked up their ears and focused their gazes on the patriarch. Yet, facing all those collective gazes, Bahram was unflinching.
"First, I want to clarify that what I am going to say here is going to be strictly confidential. All who dares to leak this information, whether by accident or not, shall be judged by the clan law, do you all understand?" As he finished his words, his gaze slowly turned sharp as it gazed at each and every one of the elder.
Noticing the graveness within his words, all the elders realized the seriousness the patriarch held over this matter, hence, whether they were willing or not, they all nodded to show their acknowledgement. Seeing this, he continued.
"I have decided to adopt a daughter, some of you should've seen her inside the clan's dining hall. She is a girl from the fox beast man race." Up to this point, a few of the elders could be seen looking at each other in inquiry of their opinion while some others may even be using their Qi to transmit messages. Knowing their state of thoughts, Bahram did not stop them from secretly discussing with each other and instead waited until they have finished.
Once they all calmed down and returned their focus to the patriarch, he continued.
“I did not adopt her without reason. As you all must have known, the day before, someone with a high level of cultivation suddenly appeared within the clan. From what I saw, he must have been at least at the peak of Core Formation stage.” Saying that, he once again went silent. But in his mind, he added, ‘Just as the prophecy stated…’ Before rising to his feet.
“She will be staying here for a few days. I will then send her to the North Yin Peak just like any other girls of her age within the clan. I want you all to treat her just like you would to any other clan member. Any objection?” Seeing none of the elder raising any form of objection, Bahram nodded contentedly and proclaimed the meeting’s dismissal before turning to leave with Esfir in tow.
Outside, Bahram whispered towards a servant before going on his way as the servant ran towards another direction.
At the same time, within the patriarch's room, a girl could be seen calmly reading a book as the light shimmering from the window illuminated her. While outside of the room, there is a boy sitting under the shade of a tree, staring at the scene in a daze.
'How beautiful...' As that thought silently ran through his head, the room's door suddenly rattled open as a pair of man and woman entered the room.
"Father, mother!" Seeing Bahram and Esfir entering the room, the boy's eyes lit up as he quickly approached the window.
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Hearing a familiar voice suddenly calling them, Bahram and Esfir turned their attention to him in surprise.
"Behnam? What are you doing here?" Esfir said as she approached the window with a smile while Bahram followed behind her.
"I was passing by when I suddenly saw her reading a book inside father's room. She told me that father adopted her, is she telling the truth?" He then pointed at Yvette that's currently staring at them expressionlessly.
"What she said is true, we did adopt her today, she will also be your younger sister from this day onwards." She then gestured Yvette to come towards her. Seeing this, Yvette obediently came forward and stood next to Esfir
"My name is Yvette; I will be in your care." With a faint, almost non-existent, smile, she bowed slightly towards Behnam. Her sudden action caused him to be flustered and subconsciously bowed back.
Seeing that they seem to be on good terms, Bahram and Esfir smiled before continuing.
"Yvette, this is Behnam, our son, and your new step-brother."
"Nice to meet you, brother." Standing right in front of her, Behnam stared in a daze at the clear sight the pair of golden and red eyes which he could not remove from his mind all this time. Noticing that her son’s dazed state, Esfir called out.
"Behnam?"
"Ah? Yes, forgive my rudeness, it’s nice to meet you." As Behnam snapped out from his dazed state, he replied back to her greeting while forcefully controlling his voice and body from showing any hint of flusteredness.
But after seeing the fluster within his actions before Yvette, Esfir was able to quickly deduce the problem.
'I have already known that her charm is fearsome, but for it to even affect a firm-hearted child like Behnam...' Once her thoughts reached that point, she silently sighed within her mind.
"Behnam, we need to talk privately with Yvette regarding her accommodation. As for you, you should go and cultivate yourself in the meantime. From the current state of your body, I believe you will soon achieve breakthrough."
Motivated by his father’s words, Behnam nodded and took one last glance at Yvette, as if trying to brand her image to his mind, before finally leaving the garden. Seeing that Behnam finally left, Esfir and Bahram focused their attention back to their new step-daughter.
“Yvette, as I was entrusted to take care of you like my own daughter, I will spare no effort to raise you up. I will not force you to anything, but I ask of you to at least follow the rules which I and the clan holds.” Saying that, he gave a seriously look to Yvette, who in response, nodded her head in acknowledgement. Seeing this, Bahram smiled as he continued.
"Alright, from now on, you will be taught about etiquette from your mother, because no matter who you are before, every woman in this world needs to learn at least the most basic etiquette. I believe no normal parent would want their children to be unbridled people.
You can also choose to learn at most two more things from being an Inscription Master, Formation Master, Alchemists, and Master Crafters. Do you know what these professions are?"
"Yes, Inscribers are people who inscribe runes to weapons or items, turning them into treasure weapons or other special kinds of tools.
Formationists creates different kinds of formations and arrays using items and energies.
Alchemists creates varieties of pills to help with cultivation and other things.
While Crafters are people who can turn various materials into tools, weapons, and armors."
Hearing Yvette's explanation, Bahram was not surprised after considering Yvette’s possible background. But he would have never thought that Yvette learned and memorized these things from one of his books.
"We will find you tutors suited for your choice of profession. And we will also find you a tutor to teach you about cultivation as not only does every and each one of those professions requires you to be a cultivator, you also need strength to protect yourself in this world."
After pondering over Bahram’s words for a while, Yvette finally answered.
"If so, I would like to learn Formations and Inscriptions techniques. Regarding cultivation, father need not to worry, I will learn it on my own." Bahram and Esfir were rather surprised of Yvette's answer and was quite reluctant to leave her to her own devices, but seeing that she has no plans on relenting on this, they gave in.
"Alright then, we will get you the best tutor we can find and a fitting cultivation technique for you." But after he finished his words, Yvette shook her head and said.
"There is no need to find a cultivation technique for me, my parents have already prepared something for me." Hearing her words, Bahram and Esfir hesitated for a moment before finally nodding, as anything her biological parents gave her must be better than what they could give.
"That's fine then, next, I will find a place for you to live and a handmaiden you could choo-, Ah, speaking which." Followed by Bahram's words, a knocking sound came from the door followed by a voice from outside.
"Patriarch, I have brought a few female servant just as you ordered."
"Good, bring them in." Following Bahram's order, the room's door opened as a man followed by five girls wearing servant clothing entered the room.
"Let them introduce themselves, after that, you may pick any one of them as your handmaiden, you must choose carefully, for the one you choose will be the person to accompany you for life until the day you or she perish." Hearing Bahram’s grave words, Yvette examined each one of the servants.
The oldest of them seems to be 10 years old while the youngest looks to be 5 years old.
When Yvette's sight landed on the youngest looking girl, her gaze stopped as she examined her.
The girl has smooth, black hair that reached her waist and a pale face with a pair of violet pupils that is currently examining her surroundings silently.
"Gree-" "Please wait." Following Yvette’s sudden interruption, everyone focused their gazes on her.
"Is something wrong Yvette?"
"Father, may I take her as my handmaiden?" She said as she looked towards the youngest girl of the group.
Taken aback, Bahram followed where Yvette was pointing. Seeing that it was the youngest of the girls, Bahram pondered a bit before asking Yvette once more.
“Are you truly sure of your choice Yvette?”
“Yes!” Hearing Yvette’s firm reply, Bahram nodded lightly before saying towards the male servant.
"Alright then, get an experienced servant to train the girl while accompanying her on serving Yvette. And have that girl prepare herself to serve Yvette starting tomorrow."
"This servant understands." As the servant was about to bring the five girls out, Yvette suddenly stood up and questioned the young girl.
"May I have your name?" At the sudden questioning, the girl halted her steps and turned around before making a bow with an expressionless face.
"Your humble servant is named Daiyu."
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