ONE SUMMER NIGHT'S

Even though it's scary

"Ruel ...."

"I hear you, Brother."

Eden took a strong breath and let go slowly, still standing in the doorway. Staring at Ruel who since last night continued to sit on the edge of his bed and did nothing but silence, continued to daydream with a blank look, leading out the window.

"I'll go to Theodoric's residence."

"Yes. I know."

"Are you okay with this."

"No," replied Ruel turning his gaze toward Eden. "I'm not okay now" he continued.

Today is a special day for the extended families of Theodoric and Petrucci, considering there will be a wedding between Sea Theodoric and Dex Petrucci which will take place tonight. Even the two big families and others are already very much looking forward and welcoming the sacred event. It was clear when many parties were enthusiastic and preparing for the event to run smoothly and festively, including Eden as a co-worker and friend of Vincent himself.

"For the umpteenth time I ask you. Forget your feelings for her."

"I'm not sure."

"Ruel, you'll be fine after this."

"Is that so?"

Eden stepped closer to Ruel, and stood before the younger brother who was still bowed staring at the tile floor of his room.

"I've decided it."

Ruel raised his head, looking back at the Big Brother with frowning brows.

"We're gonna get out of here."

"Go?"

"Uncle Arden will ...."

"I'm not going anywhere," Ruel cut up from his seat about to leave before Eden clasped his arm firmly.

"I've decided it. We're leaving this city, and you can't resist it" Eden looked back at Ruel who was silent. "After your graduation, Uncle Arden will pick you up."

"Sister!"

"Uncle Arden has also prepared everything, including the college school that you will ...."

"But I can't!"

"Why?!" eden asked to pull Ruel's body to turn to him. "Say one reasonable reason to me, why did you reject it?"

Ruel was still silent, staring at Eden with his breath up and down as it held back the anger in his heart. He couldn't even do anything even though he was feeling very angry with his brother.

"Don't tell me if you're still expecting Miss Sea."

Ruel was even still silent to the point of making Eden furious over Ruel's stubbornness. He had enough of Ruel's behavior that became more and more over the last three months, starting to despair because it could not cope with Ruel anymore, he said, especially when faced with many incoming reports about some cases involving Ruel, especially, added to the pain in his heart when he knew if the current feeling of the brother was hurt and not okay for the marriage of Sea, the girl he knew was loved by his sister.

"Is that true?" asked Eden once again, who was even just retorted silently by Ruel. "Take me, asshole!" eden's jolt pushed Ruel's body back, not even satisfied with just pushing it, Eden came back and grabbed the collar of the brother's shirt firmly.

"I almost lost my patience. Didn't I warn you to stop making trouble? Your name has even entered the list of people who are the next target. What do you think I should do now? Dragging you right now into a cell, or continuing to pry your identity at Vincent who's been really targeting you. Tell me what should I do for you?!" furious Eden with a loud voice, pushing Ruel's body to hit the wall, even Eden again overflow his anger by releasing a hard blow to the surface of the wall to injure the back of his hand, because he really can't hurt his own sister.

"According to my words this time, Ruel. We're leaving this city, I think that's all I can do to protect you" Eden said before stepping away. However, it stopped right in front of the room door, turned its body and looked at Ruel once more.

"You better stay here. Never do anything without my knowledge, because I'm really going to kill you if I make one more mistake" he said before leaving. Leave Ruel who is still silent. Until a second later, Ruel was seen clutching his hair firmly.

"Aarrgghh ...!!"

The sound of Ruel's screams filled the room, feeling desperate because he no longer knew what to do now, the thought of Sea getting married soon made him more frustrated and almost crazy.

In a different place, precisely in a large Theodoric family residence that looks unusual.

"You look so perfect, so beautiful as your mother," praise Lord Theodoric who never ceases to admire the beauty of the princess who looks charming with a wedding dress that makes her look like a Queen from a kingdom.

"Thank you, Dad."

Sea smilingly healed his wounds and pain, trying as hard as possible to cover everything from everyone who was now smiling happily to his marriage that would last any minute. And so did the older brother who was smiling beside him.

"Didn't she look like a queen?" continued Vincent who also did not stop praising his sister since.

"Sure," nods Mr. Theodoric with a warm smile with two teary eyes holding haru.

Letting go of the princess who might leave her to stay by her husband's side is enough to make Mr. Theodoric sad and happy. Finally he found someone who could love, accept and take care of his daughter very well. He even trusted Dex so much that he would make his daughter happy, without realizing that his only daughter was the one who was unhappy about the marriage.

"Dad will always pray for your happiness, son. Be happy" said Mr. Theodoric, peeping at Sea's forehead before moving from his seat. "Dad will greet some guests while waiting" he continued before leaving Sea's room, stepping over while wiping away the tears that were pierced just by the sadness and happiness mixed in his heart, especially when returning to remember the late wife who will also definitely feel the same happiness as her now.

"You nervous?" asked Vincent, clutching Sea's palm.

"Yes. It's obvious, not even just nervous. You look worried too."

"Ah, I'm caught."

Vincent looked at his bowed sister.

"Do you need anything?"

"No, Brother. Thank you," Sea bells again can only smile.

Vincent gently rubbed his sister's head decorated with a pearl bead that made it look more perfect. He couldn't even get rid of his anxiety a few days ago, after talking to Dex. Feeling that both of them are not okay even if they say nothing.

"Sea."

"Yes, Brother."

"What, are you really happy now?" vincent asked, holding his sister while clasping her palm tightly.

"Of course, everyone looks happy. How I'm not happy."

"What about your marriage, are you happy because of that?"

Sea was silent for a few seconds later.

"Dex perfect guy. Of course, I'm .. happy."

"Really?"

"Hm. Brother doesn't have to worry about me."

Vincent nodded slowly, trying to trust Sea, although his heart still felt doubtful, especially when he saw the sorrowful look from Sea's eyes. He could hardly believe his sister's smile at the moment.

"Alright, you better calm your feelings first. You still have a few minutes before the show starts. I'll welcome Eden, it looks like she's already here."

Sea clenched his palm tightly upon hearing the name 'Eden' for knowing the relationship between Eden and Ruel. In fact, he already knew it first compared Vincent himself who if thought much closer to Eden. And he knew if Eden must have his own reason why to hide the identity of the younger brother, even he would do the same if he was in the position of Eden now. Eden never asked anything about his relationship with Ruel, although he was sure that Eden would know everything.

How are you doing now, are you okay? I missed you, Ruel. Miss you so much.

Sea crept her chest back pulsating pain, as Ruel's shadow re-present in memory to make her again tormented by longing and guilt. A feeling that will always torment him in his entire life.

"Sir Sea ...?!"

Sea's heart was racing when he heard someone mention his name. He was glued to his seat without turning back to see the figure now standing behind his back, though he missed it terribly. He just does not want to be disappointed, afraid if all that is just hallucination only. He had very often heard the voice call and call his name even in dreams.

"Sir Sea .. I miss you."

Sea's tears poked for a moment when he saw Ruel standing before him, even wiping away the tears on both Sea cheeks before hugging him tightly, tightly enough to make Sea difficult to breathe.

"Come with me."

Sea shook his head quickly, quickly looked around, frightened if anyone noticed Ruel's presence, he said, because he knew that Ruel could not just enter his residence considering there was Vincent who would immediately prevent him from entering. However, it did not want to ask how Ruel could be inside his room right now. The man was Ruel, someone who could do anything, and sneaking inside his room without anyone's knowledge was not a difficult thing for him.

"Sir Sea, I'm here to pick you up."

"But, Ruel ...."

"I beg you, I can't just let you go. I love you, I need you in my life, don't leave me," Ruel cut back to hug her tightly. "Let me take care of you, love you, and live by your side."

"Ruel's."

"Come with me."

Ruel looked into both of Sea's eyes, and he didn't even have to look anymore because it clearly looked so much love in Sea's eyes for him.

"Do you think we'll be okay this way?"

"All we can do is try, are you scared?"

Sea was speechless not answering, but even though Ruel knew enough of the answer that was inside the Sea's head at the moment, the girl even kept clasping her hands tightly.

"While it's scary, we still have to try to figure it out. Let's try together, even if we're afraid," said Ruel taking off his coat and putting it on Sea's body, wrapping a scarf around the girl's neck before taking her away in the wedding dress she was still wearing.

Leave a pair of beautiful shoes decorated with diamonds there, and replace them with a pair of simple comfortable shoes.

***

... END...

...THE NEXT SEASONS 2...

Greetings from Audrey, I love all of you 🥰 and thank you for following my story. I love you 💜