The Count Family's Young Master
Chapter 18 - 19 - You... (3) (4)

... Chapter 18 - You... (3)...

"Yes?"

Valias doubts his hearing.

"Accompanying you? Aren't I going to be here with you? I'm not leaving."

"A- I know! But.."

Instructor Dina, Madame Helia had never seen Dina's such expression. During this time Dina showed a gloomy face because of the things Helia did not know. And a happy face when he managed to learn the movements correctly.

But his expression now looked so anxious.

Helia looked at how Dina who was so unwilling to take her hand off the thin and pale red-haired male in front of her.

Could it..?

"Young master?"

Valias turned his eyes to the woman.

"Yes?"

"What if you become Miss Dina's dance partner? All this time I was the man's partner. But if the young master wants to, the young master can be a partner for Miss Dina to learn."

Dina listened to Helia's words and began to hope.

"...But.. I don't know anything about dancing.."

A dance? Even in Indonesia, the word dance is foreign.

Familiar, but foreign.

Dina returned moody. Helia realized that and tried again. "No problem, young master. Miss definitely has no problem with your movements. Miss would be happy if you were willing to accompany her to study."

Dina looked back at Valias expectantly. Valias felt that gaze and looked back at Dina. Receiving such a gaze Valias had no heart to disappoint a little girl.

"..Alright.. Aren't you a problem?"

Dina's face immediately turned bright and she nodded rapidly. "Yes! Come on, brother." Dina pulled Valias into the middle of the room.

"Okay, let's get started." Helia signals the music player and Valias can hear the sound filling the large room where she is.

Dina smiled so widely towards Valias. Valias returned the smile with another smile even though in her heart was so confused by what she had to do.

"Young master only needs to follow the movements of the lady. Miss Dina is already quite good at doing her moves." The woman's voice sounded. Made Dina feel so proud of the praise given to her in front of her brother. While Valias heard those words did not feel his hardness lifted at all.

Dina started moving. His feet moved forward. Valias was surprised by the movement and immediately brought his left leg back. She was shocked but her habit of using a flat face left Dina unaware of her shock.

Dina started moving again. This time his left leg moved forward. And with that Valias' right foot moved backwards. Then Dina took her step aside and Valias realized it and stepped on her right foot.

Both of Dina's hands were held up above her head. But for Valias both hands were in his waist area. Dina continued to step up and Valias followed the direction of her movements. Over time Valias began to get used to the tempo of the music and the dynamics of the child's movements. A minute passed and Valias was able to dance with Dina more relaxedly.

Alister and Lika stood at the side of the watching room. One of them felt that the scene before him at that time looked so beautiful and reconciled the heart.

The sisters who danced together, the movements of young master Valias looked rather careless but still pleasing to the eye.

Lika saw how happy the young lady she served every day and felt her heart come with pleasure.

Lika had already seen how the gloomy Dina because her words had never been responded to by Valias. Lika also became the one to listen to the sorrows and desires that Dina had regarding the eldest son of the nobleman. Lika recalled how nervous her young miss was on the first day Valias Bardev joined the dinner with the Bardev family. Then the depression of Dina when Valias was unconscious in the palace. And last night, Dina told Lika how she wanted to spend a day with Valias.

Finally, today, this second, Lika could see how Dina Bardev looked so happy, as if all her sadness and melancholy had never existed.

As for Alister, with his flat expression silently comforted with the careless movements of his young master.

If Alister could capture the scene, Alister would show Valias the result of that immortality and put him to shame.

Alister wanted to see what expression Valias would have when that happened. "Young master. The young master has a good movement." Valias heard Helia saying to him.

"..Really so?" valias' smile was awkward.

"Master Helia is right! As I thought, big brother is smart!" Valias saw the swirl of Dina who was about to turn. Her hand offset Dina's grip on her and one hand Dina slipped off. Making a twisting motion and reaching Valias' hand again.

Dina looks so happy in front of her. Valias hesitated about his movements but she returned Dina's smile.

Helia clapped her hands and the music slowly stopped. Dina also slowed down her movements before taking off Valias' hands and lowered her body. Forming the pose that Valias saw Dina doing in front of the palace back then. Valias followed his instincts and made a gesture of introducing himself to Danial.

"Water, miss." Lika called and Dina ran over to her servant. Valias was silent there watching Dina leave before feeling someone bowing towards her.

"I just saw Miss Dina that happy for the first time."

"..Haha. Didn't he? I feel like I've destroyed Dina's perfect move. I interrupted his dance class." Valias' smile miris. Helia looked at that reaction and replied to him with a warm smile.

"I think a little vacation is not a bad thing. Let alone seeing how happy Miss Dina is to dance with you like that." Helia was silent for a moment to see Dina who started running small approaching her and Valias. "It looks like you will be Miss Dina's motivation for the future."

Helia ended her sentence with a satisfied smile.

"Sister! Drink this!" Dina handed me a transparent glass box with a bottle neck filled with water. Valias took the easily broken object and gulped down its contents.

Noticing the somewhat strange taste of the water and frowned.

"..This is?"

"It's a healing potion! You will feel fresher after drinking it! I won't let you pass out again!"

Helia heard that and could not help but be surprised.

'Again'? ...Is young master Valias sick?

Helia looked at the pale skin and frail body. He felt his heart being pierced by a needle.

Poor young lady.

Helia thought, maybe the reason Valias' name was never mentioned was because she was sick?

Imagining it made Helia sad. Helia did not want to see Dina's sad face. Helia wanted Dina to keep smiling happily like now. "Teacher Helia. Thank you for today. I'm leaving."

"..Uh.."

Helia regained her senses from her daydream and saw Dina who had returned to hold Valias' hand about to leave the room.

"I'm sorry, madam."

"I-yes."

Helia received that small smile and felt her shoulders decline.

...***...

The day had started late in the afternoon and Dina was confused to do much less with her brother. Dina did not want to make Valias feel bored while with him.

"Is there anything else you want to do?"

Valias did not get an answer and moved his head to look at Dina's face.

"Dina?"

"Y-yeah?"

"Is there a problem?"

Dina didn't know what to answer.

"..Is your sister bored?"

Bored of?

Not at all. Abimala is not a bored person. Dina could ask Valias to stand still without doing anything and Valias would.

"No. Why do you think that?"

Valias doesn't get any more answers.

He did not know what situation was going on at the time. But his gut tells him something. Valias decided to speak. "You don't know what else we can do?"

Valias looked at Dina's stiffened shoulders. Dina looked up at Valias eyes and shook her head weakly.

Dina did not want her brother to be bored. But he also did not want to part with his brother. The day's not over.

Valias spoke again. "If there is nothing we can do, then yasudah."

Dina heard that and felt her heart cool down.

Brother will leave.

Dina felt Valias' hand release her grip.

Dina is not willing. She feels sad. He did not want to part with Valias.

But suddenly, a person's face appeared in front of him.

Valias crouched down in front of Dina and gave a mischievous smile.

"If there's nothing to do anymore, then we'll just go around."

"..Uh?"

Valias stood up again and grabbed Dina's hand and took her walking.

"You know, right? Your brother rarely comes out of his room. I don't know much about our house. How about you accompany me around the house. We have a big house, don't we?"

Dina felt her hand being grasped and pulled by that slender hand. From her position Dina could see a smile that her sister had never shown before.

Dina had never seen such a smile on someone's face.

Her sister's smile, looks playful, but makes Dina want to see that smile again.

Dina felt her eyes heat up. But he had decided not to cry anymore in front of Valias. So he braced himself and put on a smile that he really should have.

"okay!"

Valias smiled with satisfaction seeing that smile was already back on Dina's face. They walk while holding hands. Alister and Lika followed their respective masters without a sound. Valias and Dina visited many places. Training yard, stables, gate,

They passed by many people and Dina cheerfully returned their greetings.

The day has darkened. It's dinner time soon. But, Dina wanted to be selfish today. Until this day is over, Dina wants to be alone with Valias. Just him and his brother.

Dina doesn't want to eat. He just wanted to hold Valias' hand and walk around like this.

But Dina knew it couldn't. So at least, then,

"Sister. Hungry brother?"

Valias who was spoken to suddenly raised his eyebrows.

"No. Dina hungry?"

Dina shakes.

"Is there something you want to say?" Valias waited for Dina to open her mouth patiently.

"..Older brother. Can I be alone with my sister for a little while?"

Valias did not understand the meaning of the girl's words.

"certain. We're having dinner together again, right?"

"Not that." Dina shook her head.

Valias observed Dina still holding her hand beside him.

"Then?"

"..I want to go for a walk with my sister. Like now. Without Danial, father, mother.."

"...."

Valias still doesn't understand.

"You want us to just shut up like this?"

"Y-Yes." Dina looked up. "Can't it?"

"..You're not hungry?"

Dina shakes. "Aren't you hungry?"

Hm..

Valias looked at the sky that was starting to darken.

"I'm not hungry. Alright. Is there a place you want to go? Dina has accompanied me for a walk. I'll accompany you wherever you go."

"..Really true?"

Valias nodded.

"You want to spend time in the park like this morning?"

"Then" Dina weighed.

"Can we go to the garden of my sister? ...I heard you made a special park for your sister. ..I've never been there."

...Maybe Valias won't let anyone else come to the park?'

Valias.

He thought, 'em,

Since I am Valias Bardev now, let's satisfy his wishes.

Valias is not as rich as the real Valias by resisting the wishes of a much younger daughter like Dina.

"OKAY. Let's go there."

Dina had a wide smile on her face and followed Valias steps.

...Chapter 19 - You... (4)...

"You really don't want to eat, Dina?"

"No. But.. If you're hungry, we don't have to do what I want."

Oh look at this kid.

Valias thinks Dina's acting funny.

"Alister."

"Yes, young master."

"It looks like you should tell my family that Dina and I are going on a picnic tonight."

Alister grinning. "I understand."

Alister turned away. Now there were only Valias, Dina and Lika who were still following them.

They arrived at the park and the day had turned into night. The park looks dark. But the moon's presence still gives light.

"I'll light the lights around, miss."

"okay." With that Lika left and Dina was really just alone with Valias.

"Let's go there."

Valias invites Dina to enter the garden yard in front of them. Valias has visited this place twice. First when he became Valias, and second with Hadden. Now, it was Dina who walked beside him while clasping her hand.

"Is there anything you want to see?"

"Sister's garden is vast."

"..Hm, I think so."

Indeed, come to think of it, compared to the garden where he made Dina a wooden sword and breakfast, the garden where they are currently located is wider and with more diverse plants.

"Sister! Can I pick the flowers?" Dina pointed at a flower that Valias did not know her name. The flower is red with open blossoming petals showing off pollen in the middle.

"Do what you want."

Dina ran away leaving Valias.

"Sister. Get down!" Valias was confused by Dina's request but kept bowing her body.

Sets.

Dina tucked the flower into Valias' ear.

Hm?

"Hehe. Big sister."

Valias heard the phrase again from a little boy reflexively touching the flower that the little boy had just slipped on his ear.

I no longer have my true appearance. But wearing flowers like this..

Valias felt his male soul shake.

..Well, I guess it's okay. This is someone else's body.

"Sister! I'll pick that fruit!"

"Hm." Feeling that she had gotten approval, Dina started to get busy indulging her own curiosity. Valias stood watching everything Dina did still with a red flower in her ear.

Time passed and Valias felt his body cold.

Being outdoors without an extra layer of clothing makes it uncomfortable. Valias had never felt this cold before. But Dina looks so happy. Especially when the wall pillars around the park emit light. Dina gets more and more excited about wandering around the park under the supervision of Valias.

Valias felt his body goosebumps and felt relieved Dina was unaware of it.

Time passed again. Dina finally stopped playing and approached Valias.

"Sister! I feel cold."

"Put both hands."

"Like this?" Dina rubbed her hand into the other hand.

"Yes. I see." Dina continued to do that and felt her hands warm up.

"We can do this? I'm learning something new. My sister is the smartest!"

Valias smiled at Dina's words.

"You happy?"

"Very!" Dina excited. "Sister's been with me all day. My one wish has been granted."

"Oh? You have another wish?"

"Yes." Yeah."

"What's that?" Valias squatting.

"..I'll make a cake with lots of cream with brother. And go to town with brother. Married to a watched sister. And there's a lot more."

Valias laughs. "You want to do all that with me?"

"Yes! I'm going to spend a lot of time with my sister. I'll protect brother and make sure brother eats a lot." Dina formed a circle with both hands. "I'll also hug my sister more. Eat with brother. Dance with sister. Danial, father, and mother as well. I'm gonna do a lot of things with our brother and family."

"alright.. If Dina wants to do that, you have to be diligent in learning and grow fast, okay?"

"I will." Dina rounded her resolve.

"Hatchy." Dina sneezing.

"Oh. Let's just go back. You can't be sick, you know?"

"B-But..!" Dina cursed herself. "But I still want to be with my brother.."

Valias breathed in his heart.

"We'll be here again sometime. Now you have to put on your jacket and drink some warm water, okay?"

"Jacket? What'sthat?"

"A, Ah? I mean warm clothes. I'll be with you, so it's okay, right?"

"...Alright.."

Valias touched Dina's shoulder and led her towards the building.

"I will do your other wish. But you can't be sick, okay?"

"Uhhh.." Dina speechless. "Then read me something."

Valias shut up for a second.

Read?

"..You want me to read you a story?"

As Valias often heard as Abimala. Abimala himself had never had anyone read him a story. Every night his father would only pat his head once and leave Valias' room.

"Yes. My sister reads often. I've always wanted to be read by my sister."

..Who often read it Valias. I wasn't.

But there is no harm in trying and obeying someone's wishes.

"All right." Dina nodded in satisfaction. Himself and Valias arrived at the hall. Valias no longer felt cold. But it never hurts to be careful. Dina is a child. Valias as the elder must protect her. Valias would feel bad if Dina was sick.

"Valias?" Valias and Dina cross paths with their families in front of the dining room.

"You're not hungry? You can still eat." Ruri reminded.

"We're not hungry."

"Well, if that's the case. You guys having fun?" Hadden rubbed the heads of Dina and Valias. Fortunately Hadden did not touch their skin. Or she'll realize how cold the bodies of her two children are.

"Yes! Brother will read me a story!"

Danial arrives and looks at his two brothers who seem to have fun without him.

"Well, Valias?"

"Yes.. Dina has to go to her room."

It would be bad if Dina got sick after this.

"alright. Y'all rest. Valias. Don't forget to rest, okay?"

"Yes." Yeah." Dina bade her farewell and pulled Valias' hand again.

Lika opened the door to Dina's room. Dina immediately invited Valias into her room. Valias sees a door that he assumes to be a bathroom and starts talking.

"Bake with warm water."

"Come, miss." Lika takes Dina into the bathroom. Before that Dina glanced at Valias. Valias realized that.

"I'll wait here. Alister will prepare a hot drink for you."

"...Brother promise?"

Valias nodded. With that only Dina obey Lika's invitation even though with a doubtful heart. The bathroom door is closed.

"Well, young master?"

Alister's voice surprised Valias who was still busy with his own thoughts.

"Yes? Oh, true. Prepare a warm drink and, maybe food? Maybe soup like you gave me time in the palace is good."

"I'll prepare it." Alister so understandingly began to leave the room while taking the time to glance at Valias. His young master did many things today. Then Alister completely disappeared from the room.

Valias enjoyed the time waiting for him by taking a look at Dina's room.

Girls' room in general, Valias thinks.

There are dolls, dressers, furniture with ornate flowers. Very different from the room full of paper and books is also simpler furniture.

Valias thinks of tomorrow. What will he do to fill his time?

The bathroom door opened and Dina came out with Lika in her nightgown. Seeing that Valias spoke.

"Would you like to read it now?"

Dina nodded. Valias' hand was pulled towards the bed. Lika put a chair on the side of the bed. Valias was about to sit down but Dina's voice distracted him.

"So, don't sit here." Dina patted the edge of her mattress.

Valias glanced at the area patted by Dina's applause.

But my clothes must be dirty.

Even Abimala never sat or slept in her bed with the clothes she wore outside the house.

"My body is dirty, Dina."

"It's okay. I want you to sit on the same bed as me."

After speaking as soon as Dina put on a face.

Valias felt uncomfortable but eventually sat down. Dina started to climb up the bed and sat hugging her pillow.

"Is there a book you want to read?"

Valias spoke as soon as Dina looked as if she was already so impatient listening to Valias tell a story.

Dina lyrics, then a book appears in front of Valias. Valias took the book from Lika and opened it.

..The god and his followers,??

Valias researched the book.

That was the title of the book that was now in his hands.

"..You want me to read you this?"

He wondered if the book was a children's story or a non-fiction book.

"Yes!! Brother selected god. Let's read that book. I found it in the reading room."

"....." Valias is speechless.

Seeing the face of Dina who looked so enthusiastic finally Valias returned his gaze to the book.

"OKAY.."

Valias.

Valias turned the page and began to read the barrage of words on that page.

"At the top there, the gods are a blessing to us. He's protecting us. Give us warm food. Animals to hunt, plants to pick.."

Valias continued to read while silently frowning. It was like reading a book of another religion. But in the story that Abimala, it is described that people worship some gods.

Maybe this is a book about one of those gods?

The sound of the door being knocked is heard. Valias and Dina look at Lika who opens the door and Alister comes in with a tray.

"I'm back, young master."

"Oh." Valias forgot his request to the servant earlier. "Dina. Eat soup from Alister first. There's a drink, too." Alister approached and Valias took one of the dishes and gave it to Dina.

Hm? There two?

Valias raised his eyebrows at Alister. The waiter gave her a fake friendly smile.

Valias understood the meaning of that smile.

Alright.

Valias and Dina finished their soup and warm tea and Valias went back to reading.

Valias continued reading until he suddenly felt something hit his shoulder.

"Oh." Valias caught Dina's shoulder. Alister and Lika help Valias lay the boy down.

"Who.sister?"

Dina said slowly. He looks very sleepy.

"You're going to sleep?"

Valias thought maybe the warm food and drink made a child like Dina sleepy.

"No! I can still be with my sister!"

Valias breathed. "I'm not leaving."

"lik! I'm not going to sleep yet! I still want to be with my brother."

Dina rounded her eyes. Rejecting the fact that both eyelids are already very heavy.

Valias started to laugh. "okay." He smiled wickedly.

"I have a game."

Valias patted Dina on the head and Dina immediately grabbed Valias' hand.

"I'll pat your head like this. Close your eyes and count to 50 in your heart. You can count to that, right?"

Dina widened her eyes again.

"Can! I can count to 200!"

Valias smiled warmly.

"Dina is smart. Okay. Ready it? If I count to 50 I'll read again."

Dina did not understand but she chose to obey Valias. He closed his eyes, starting to count inwardly, while feeling Valias' hand in his head.

Valias also counted in her heart and slowly, Dina's hand grip slipped off, and a soft sigh rang out from Dina.

Valias breathed a funny sigh.

This child's base. You think I don't know?

"Are you going to your room, young master?"

Alister's voice came from behind. Valias weighed in while looking at Dina who had fallen asleep.

"Hm.."

Valias thought of the possibility of Dina being banished in the middle of the night and was disappointed.

"I'll sleep here."

Alister looked at Valias' back.

"You sure?"

Valias nodded. He was used to not sleeping in college. Doing that again seems like it's okay.

Lika felt herself touched by this sight. Alister was busy with his thoughts.

"good. I'll bring you a blanket. Lika, you can rest first."

"B, fine, Mr. Alister." For Lika the position of Alister as vice butler is far above her. He will obey all the words of the old servant.

Lika came out with Alister leaving Dina's room. Shortly after, Alister returned alone with a fold of blanket and put it on the shoulder Valias who had been sitting in the chair that Lika had provided.

"Rest well, young master."

"Hm. You too."

Alister gave his fake friendly smile and bowed down.

Valias pressed the blanket on his own body and felt the room darken and quiet.