X · DIMITRI

Dimitri Delacroix's point of view

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WHAT WAS THAT? WHY DID SHE act like that?

"Does she has any friends outside us?" I heard Mathis asking his brother, who seemed just as bothered.

"I don't think so," he muttered, and I felt bad for Isabelle again.

They turned my attention to their dad who seemed just as worried. "Adrien, son, please go see if is there a problem." Hearing his dad say that to him, the Heir Apparent nodded and got on his feet, then disappeared right away.

To my surprise, Mathis seemed anxious. "The Lovers of June are really famous books, right?" I think he wants to talk to get this worry off of his head.

Trying to help, I nodded. "Indeed. Whoever the guy who wrote it is, he made a masterpiece. Even the people on the Royal Palace love that book series. I wonder what the writer did with all the money he must have gotten from it."

"Lots of people must be angry because the last book wasn't published after a year of waiting," he said, but not really paying attention. He must really be worried for his sister.

"Yes. But regarding your sister, don't worry so much," he turned his eyes to me. "I'm sure she can take care of herself," especially having that beast with her.

He let out a sigh of relief, "Thank you, Your Grace. You are right, my sister can take care of herself. Even better than I can of myself. It's just that... she's still my younger sister," oh, I've forgotten about that. He's just a year younger than me after all. But the way she acts really makes us think she's the oldest here. "I can't help being worried."

"She'll be okay!" His dad exclaimed confident, but I could see that he wasn't so sure either. "Nothing can hurt Isabelle."

My mother looked at me, then back to the Duke. And an uncomfortable silence installed itself between us. Although Jean seemed unaffected, too oblivious and enjoying his dinner. Probably because, after today, he also knows how strong she is.

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When they got back, Isabelle didn't seem like herself. There was a shadow in her eyes, and by how her brother was glaring worried at her, he didn't seem to have discovered what happened either. And when she sat in front of me, she seemed out of it.

"So?" Their dad asked Adrien, who was still staring at her.

"When I got there, she had burned the letter," what? "She also refused to say a word to me. Not to mention that the steward was sweating cold and scared by some reason that he wasn't able to tell me either."

I felt suddenly anxious and my eyes went to her, but she didn't react at all. "You shouldn't think too much of that. It was nothing. Just some girls that sent me a letter cursing me, nothing different than the usual!" She's lying. I don't know how, but I can tell.

"What? Who were they?" My mother snapped. "Why are they targeting you?"

She rolled her shoulders. "Just some random bullies. Nothing we should get worked up about. It's not like they would ever have the real guts to mess with a member of House Baudelaire!"

Why is she lying? "Why were your steward scared then?"

Her eyes traveled to mine, "I scared him!" Lies.

"That's impossible," Adrien exclaimed.

"It's not," she exclaimed emotionless. "I got annoyed for him having given me the letter of some noble bullies, and I gave him a lesson." She's even lying to her brother, what's happening? "Don't worry. Go back to eating your dinner." She got up, "I'll go to my chambers, it's late and I wasn't able to sleep well this night."

Yeah, her father mentioned something related to her dreaming with her mother.

Duke Florentin said nothing to avoid her from leaving, neither did her siblings. They were all too stunned to speak. And before going up the stairs, she said, "I'm serious. Don't waste your time on this matter. I'm taking care of it. If any of you get your asses on my problems, I'll be really mad. Alright, father?!" She glared at him, then at her brothers, "The same goes for the two of you!"

Just like that, she left. Leaving as in a terrible mood.

"I'm sorry, Your Grace," Jean said turned to Duke Florentin, "But I kind of have the feeling that she might be lying." No shit?!

"Leave her to it, then," he exclaimed looking down at his plate. "If she needed our help, she would have asked. As she explicitly told us not to butt in, we shouldn't do anything!"

Adrien got up, annoyed, "But father!"

"Adrien Delannoy Baudelaire, I'm ordering you not to butt in your sister's problems. As your dad and your Duke!" Damn, I feel like we shouldn't be here. "If you disobey me, you will get in trouble, son."

Mathis held his brother's hand and made him sit again, "We are talking about Belle, Addy. She'll be fine," he doesn't seem to really believe that either. "She's smart and knows how to get away from her problems. If there's someone who's able to deal with their own problems in here, that person in her."

I have to agree with him on this. She does seem able to deal with whatever come in her way. Although I don't think turning their backs on this matter would be the actual way to help her.

But who am I to get tangled with that savage?

Getting up, I bowed to them and turned to my mother, "It's better if we go to our chambers now, mom. Let's leave them to deal with their family matters. Give them some privacy."

She nodded and came with me after greeting them.

"Thank you, Your Grace," I heard Isabelle's brothers muttering as we headed to the stairs.

"You can just call me Dimitri," with that, we left.

I came here think Mathis would be the savage and unruly son of the Duke. But I'm still stunned that he's actually pleasant to be around, and Isabelle is the crazy unruly one.

How unsettling. Everything about her feels odd to me.