Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Since Juliette wouldn't even dare to think of lying to Jean Luc, she would have no choice but to tell him the truth about her feelings for his brother—-
So, please, dear God, please don't let him find out!
Jean Luc pretended not to notice Juliette squirming in her seat as he reached for Preter Today, which now had the society section on top and the major headlines from the front page at the back. It was no hardship to figure out it was Juliette who had gotten the reading order of his papers wrong, but because he knew the girl would only feel mortified if he were to confront her about it, Jean Luc simply continued to act as if nothing was amiss.
Juliette breathed a sigh of relief as House Bellecourt's lord and master started reading the paper like usual.
Phew!
Caros were anything but stupid, after all, and it was only thanks to pure dumb luck that even after having lived under the Bellecourts' roof for three years, everyone in the family remained clueless about how foolishly and helplessly in love she was with her guardian.
One of the staff came in to start serving coffee just as Jean Luc's own ward took her usual place in the table.
"Morning, guys." Aprilynne's tone was brisk and polite like her guardian's, and her smile just as slight.
Third-born Severin came walking in soon after, followed by the rest of the family. Émilien, the youngest of the four Bellecourt brothers, entered the dining room with his ward Luciella by his side like always, and behind them were the Bellecourts' auburn-haired stepsister Sydney and finally, oh finally—-
Juliette's heart skipped a beat as she watched her guardian stride in and take his place at the table. He was villainously handsome like always, and as one remarkably eloquent gossip writer had put it—-
Although all Bellecourt brothers possessed their trademark white-blond hair and icy blue eyes, there's this air of danger and sin surrounding the second-born Gaël that's reminiscent of a fallen angel...but one that has no plans of swapping his deadly fangs for a halo anytime soon. So watch out, all ye who are stupid enough to cross him. This particular Caro is the type to strike first - and rest assured it will be a deadly strike, and ask questions later.
Remembering those lines had Juliette mentally shaking her head. It was true that her guardian could be merciless, but it was only to those who did not deserve mercy. Other than that, he was really more like an angel than most people believed, and the proof was right in front of her, with the way his features softened as their gazes met.
"Good morning, Juliette."
"Good morning, Gaël."
The whole family feigned ignorance at the way Juliette's face lit up at her guardian's greeting. It was no secret to anyone in the table that Juliette was in love with Gaël...just like how everyone also knew that the second-born Bellecourt was completely unaware of his ward's feelings.
The staff came back to serve breakfast, and everyone knew right away it was Juliette who had prepared today's breakfast.
Sydney's expression turned blissful as she took her first bite of Juliette's blue lobster omelette. "Oh God, Jules. Marry me."
Everyone laughed, and even Jean Luc cracked a smile.
Gaël shook his head when one of the servants was about to pour coffee into Juliette's cup. "Just juice for my ward."
Juliette looked at her guardian in confusion. "Why can't I have coffee?"
"Because you're about to have your period," was the blunt reply, and Juliette just wanted to die as everyone save for Jean Luc snickered at her guardian's straightforward response. She should've remembered how Caros like Gaël could instinctively sense any blood-related changes in a person's body, and Juliette felt like shrinking in her seat as Gaël went on to give her a list of dos and don'ts to alleviate her condition.
Twenty-five might be the legal age for Caros, but she was human, and at eighteen, that meant adulthood for her kind. She appreciated how much her guardian cherished her well-being, yes, but she just wished he could cherish her as a lover, or at least see her as the woman she already was rather than the child she used to be.
Émilien glanced at Luciella, asking mildly, "Should I have given you the same pointers when you first entered university?"
His ward looked at him, horrified, and Émilien's lips curved in amusement. Luciella might be a quiet little thing, but she absolutely knew how to express her opinion even without saying a word.
Jean Luc reached for another set of dailies, but this was only for show. Gaël's actions towards his ward had been on his mind of late, and the way his brother was acting right this moment was definitely giving him more food for thought.
This brother of his was considered to be the most ruthless of all Bellecourts, and Jean Luc had no trouble imagining how the world would be left reeling, if they were to hear the way Gaël was presently talking to his ward.