The Next Morning
The mansion was already awake before the sun had fully claimed the sky.
Xavier and Luca returned from the gym, their post-workout energy still buzzing in the air. Xander, hair a mess and eyes half-lidded, sat slouched at the dining table - though despite his lazy posture, his gaze was alert, scanning the room like he always did.
In the kitchen, Ethan moved quietly, preparing breakfast with deliberate care - extra effort for the youngest member of the household.
Only Lily was still missing.
Xavier, toweling his hair, glanced toward the empty chair.
"Looks like our sister isn't awake yet," he remarked, voice calm but edged with observation.
That single line drew every gaze.
"I'll wake her up," said Luca, almost at the same time Xavier spoke, "I will."
Ethan lifted his hand. "I'll go."
Xander smirked through a yawn. "Same here."
Then Alex's deep voice cut through the chatter.
"No. I will."
The others didn't argue.
Alex made his way to her room, his footsteps quiet over the polished floor. He knocked once, waited, then knocked again. Silence.
He opened the door.
Lily was curled under the covers, hair a messy halo against the pillow, a faint line of drool trailing onto the sheets. The sight almost made him smile - almost. Instead, a quiet chuckle escaped before he stepped closer.
"Lily..." His voice was low, almost gentle.
She groaned, burying her face deeper into the pillow.
He shook her shoulder lightly. "Lily. Wake up."
A muffled protest left her lips.
This time, his tone hardened. "Up. Now."
Her eyes blinked open slowly, confusion giving way to the realization of where she was. She sat up quickly, cheeks flushing, which only deepened Alex's faint amusement.
"Breakfast," he said simply, turning for the door.
She nodded, still dazed, and headed for the bathroom.
By the time she came downstairs, the conversation at the table died instantly. She took her usual seat, quietly picking up her fork.
"Good morning, princess," Xander greeted from beside her, grin in place.
"Morning," she mumbled without looking up.
Xavier's sharp gaze landed on her plate. "That's it? That amount of food is all you're eating?"
"Yes. Is there any problem?" she replied flatly.
"You'll eat more," he said, not as a suggestion but a command.
"None of your business," she muttered.
"Lily!" Luca's voice cracked like a whip, sharp enough to make her shoulders stiffen.
"Luca, enough," Ethan warned, his tone calm but firm.
Alex exhaled, his eyes never leaving her. "Lily, next time, you will eat more. Try to eat more."
She gave a reluctant nod, clearly unwilling to argue further.
"Verbal answer," Alex said.
She sighed. "...Yes."
Xander leaned in just enough to tease, "I think you have a higher voice somewhere in there."
She ignored him completely, focusing on her plate.
When breakfast ended, Ethan spoke softly. "Lily, come with me."
She followed him, eyes wandering over the mansion's corridors. The hallways felt endless, each wall lined with grand paintings. Her steps slowed as her gaze lingered on one in particular.
"How was your life before?" Ethan's question pulled her back.
She hesitated, then hummed - not quite an answer.
"School?" he asked again, patient as ever.
Her reply came faster. "Better... with my friends."
He gave a quiet hum in response.
When they reached Alex's office, Ethan knocked.
"Come in," came the deep voice from inside.
Ethan opened the door, guiding her in with a steady hand on her shoulder.
The office was big enough to make her feel small. Heavy books lined the shelves, the scent of leather and paper lingering in the air. Alex sat behind the desk, posture straight, hands folded. Ethan stood beside him, leaning casually against the wall with that calm, watchful look he always had.
She sat in the chair opposite, resisting the urge to fidget.
Alex's voice cut through the quiet.
"From today, there are rules you will follow."
She bit her lip. Of course there are.
"Rule one - you do not go out without our permission."
His tone made it sound less like a rule and more like law.
"Rule two - when I ask you something, I want a verbal answer. Nods don't count."
"Rule three - you will respect all your brothers."
She almost snorted at that, but he wasn't done.
"Rule four - you will inform us before making any contact with people outside this house."
Her eyebrows twitched. "Inform" was just a nicer word for "ask permission."
"Rule six - no skipping meals."
"Rule seven - if you have a problem, you tell us. You don't hide it."
She stared at the floor, her jaw tightening.
"This is for your safety," he said finally, as if it was supposed to make it better.
Under her breath, she muttered, "Safety, my foot..."
Unfortunately, her muttering wasn't as quiet as she thought.
Alex's head tilted, a slow furrow forming between his brows. "What did you say?"
Her eyes widened. "N-nothing."
'i will not follow this rules. Distance between me and rules are very high. Not a way to follow this rules ' she thought.
Alex said like he reading her mind " if you not follow any of this rules you will get punishment "
Lilly eyes widened "i am not prison!"
"I know but your safety is important"
"Why you do like you are care about me?" She asked
"Because we are always care for you more than you think" ethan said
"I am not fool to believe that" she muttered
"Enough" alex voice boomed. "You must follow those rules or else you will be punised."
"What kind of punishment" she asked.
"Grounded based on your mistake. If you violates your any rules then you may be grounded for month"
Lilly eyes widened
'no way i can't live without my phone. My phone is my soulmate '
Beside him, Ethan's lips curled in the faintest smirk. A soft chuckle escaped as he shook his head, clearly amused.
Alex said, leaning back in his chair. "Go to your room. Both of you."
She stood, a little too quickly, and walked out with Ethan trailing behind. She could feel Alex's gaze burning into her back until the door closed.
Ethan didn't say anything on the way to her room, but she caught the ghost of a smile when they reached her door - the kind that made her wonder if he knew exactly what she was thinking.
She go to her room and lay on bed. She felt suffocating when she hear the rules.
She thinking about what happen in morning and again drift off to sleep.
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