Brotherly scuffle

Then Marie-jeanne released her before grabbing Richard as well, hugging him tightly and lovingly. "I've missed you too, Carmilla. You haven't aged a day," he said with a smile

But Marie-jeanne didn't say anything, instead she grabbed Richard's left cheek and pulled it severely. "You naughty boy! How many times i've i told you to refer to me as Marie-jeanne when we are in official places. Not Carmilla, not Mary-jane, only Marie-jeanne," she scolded, pinching his cheek and causing him pain.

"Ahh... Lo siento! Lo siento, aunt," Richard mumbled with a pained expression, causing Naomi to laugh.

But Marie-jeanne had no intention of letting go, she only pulled and pinched more intently, causing Richard to yelp. "And what's this you're wearing? On your cousin's Ascension party, you decided to put on casual clothing, heh!" she scolded even more, not freeing the cheek from it's torture.

Richard grunted and looked at her with mercy, but before he could say anything, she continued. "And Pandora didn't teach you this way, she was very elegant. Why can't you be more like your brother? He dressed so elegantly," she sighed

Naomi raised an eyebrow. "Michael's here?" she asked

Marie-jeanne nodded. "Yeah, he only just left the hall a few minutes ago. I think he's at the orchestra," she replied, still clutching unto Richard's cheek.

"Hm, our brother can't resist a little string and wind music," Naomi chuckled.

Marie-jeanne laughed slightly. "That is true, even Indila can't hold him down," she stated, and finally let go of Richard's sore cheek "Next time you visit, you'll think twice before dressing casually to my castle,"

Richard rubbed his cheek a few times before smiling wryly. "We don't see each other in years, and you welcome me with a scolding," he muttered

"Serves you right," Marie-jeanne chuckled. "Now, where is my little snowflake?" she asked, staring deeply into Naomi's eyes.

"Um.. I figured she would have arrived even earlier than us, afterall she and Aurelie are very close," she replied

"Huhu, twins those two. But i did put it on her invitation to arrive earlier and help with preparations, but she didn't show up yesterday. So i thought she might later come to the event," Marie-jeanne explained

"Hmm, that's weird. If anyone of us, won't show up to this party, it'll be me," Richard stated

"I agree with you, Winter is the only one who still managed to keep tabs on us. There's no way she'll miss her cousin's party," Naomi added. "Right?" she asked with a worried expression.

"I'm sure she's just busy, afterall being a writer, actor and director can't be easy. And who knows, she might still turn around for the family dinner," Richard said with a reassuring smile

"I hope you're right," Naomi said

"Yes, i hope so too, that sweet girl is my favorite of you lots," Marie-jeanne added

"Ouch!" Richard and Naomi muttered at the same time

"Alright, the main event is about to begin, Aurelie would make her entrance soon. I should send for Michael," Marie-jeanne said, and was about to call one of the waiters.

"Wait!" Richard stopped her. "i'll go get him. He'll be very... Astounded to see me," he said with a mischievous smile

"Okay, he should be at the main concert hall, upstairs," she added

Richard nodded and walked away, leaving Naomi and Marie-jeanne to chat. As he climbed the stairs, he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. He hadn't seen his brother in a while, and he wasn't sure what to expect.

When he reached the concert hall, there were only a handful of people present. He scanned the room for Michael and spotted him sitting in the front row, his eyes closed in rapt attention as the orchestra played. Richard smiled to himself and made his way over to his brother.

"I'm afraid Carmila wants you back at the hall, the celebrant is about to make her entrance," he muttered with a cocky smile, and sat next to Michael

But Michael didn't take his eyes of the musicians playing their instruments as the conductor lead them. He already knew who it was that had spoken.

"I'm sure she wouldn't mind a few more minutes, they are just about to conclude," Michael muttured with an indifferent expression.

Richard chuckled. "Hm, could use a bit of piano," he scoffed, referring to the orchestra playing.

"Hmm, i guess i would have to agree with you on that," Michael replied, his eyes still fixed on the performers.

"How long has it been brother?" Richard muttered

Michael chuckled. "If you're talking about when we last saw, eye to eye, i'd say about eighty years. Eighty-four if we're being precise," he stated

"I'll say that's fair," Richard said

Michael scoffed. "Indeed, but if you're talking about when last we saw as family, i'd say about three centuries," he said sharply

"Richard chuckled. "You can't possibly still be mad at me, that was a long time ago," he said with a wry smile.

Just then, the music ended, and the audience began to applaud. Michael turned to Richard and smiled widely. "It's good to see you again Richard. We should get back downstairs," he muttered and stood up from his seat, heading out of the room.

Richard scoffed and followed, and they made their way back down to the grand hall. As they entered, Richard spotted Naomi and Marie-jeanne standing near the entrance, chatting with a group of guests.

The room was filled with the sound of chatter and music, and the air was thick with the scent of perfume and champagne. Richard felt a sense of unease wash over him as he scanned the room, his eyes searching for something... or someone.

They walked towards the two women and Naomi had her heartfelt reunion with Michael as well.

"It's been so long, i've missed you so much," Naomi said with excitement, after releasing Michael from her embrace.

"I've missed you too sister, Winter always tells me how well you're doing, as a boss and as a mother," Michael said with a smile

"Oh stop, my job is nothing compared to yours. Last time Winter visited, she told me you were teaching at Oxford. But last time i checked the news, you were appointed into the British parliament as a member of the house of lords,"

"Oh, i didn't know that, should we call you lord Michael now?" Marie-jeanne giggled

Michael laughed slightly. "No aunt, you don't have to. Besides i don't attend the meetings much, i prefer teaching at the college. I was only given the title due to our family's history with England," he stated

"History 'with' England? Hmph, we are the history OF England," Richard scoffed. "You should be given a title that's just as powerful as the king, perhaps i should pay him a visit myself,"

Michael chuckled. "This isn't the 11th century brother, you can't just claim England as your own. Besides, you all left a long time ago. If it weren't for me, our family's name would have been forgotten in Britain," he said with a discontented look

"Well, why don't we remind them. Let's reeducate the current royal family, who it was that founded the very land they rule," Richard stated sharply

Michael frowned. "You leave for years, partying wherever you like. Only to come back and try to claim power for yourself. How egocentric can you be?" he retorted

"Oh, i'm not just going to try, i will claim power. But it won't be for me alone, it'll be for us. Something you failed to maintain, considering the fact that you were the one who suggested that we go our separate ways in the first place!" Richard snapped angrily, his fist clenched tightly

"Oh! So that's what this is about? You blame me for our family's disbandment," Michael retorted with a look of disbelief and disappointment. "Is that why you did it? Is that why you... Made me do it? To get back at me," he muttered softly, clenching his fist as well. He was clearly angry, but on a calmer tone. He was calmly angry

Marie-jeanne sensing the tension between the two brothers, quickly intervened. "Alright that's enough!" she voiced out, with a commanding tone. One that was truly commanding, as the two brothers immediately stopped arguing.

"Good, now calm down," she said softly, and they both took a deep breath, releasing their fist in the process. "Now, hug each other and say you're sorry,"

And almost like they were robots being told what to do, Richard and Michael embraced each other warmly. But the expression on their faces was the exact opposite, it was like their bodies were moving against their will. Actually... It was.

Marie-jeanne clapped happily. "Good boys, now that wasn't so hard was it?" she said, as the two brothers seperated and seemingly regained control of their will. But they didn't dare to continue bickering.

Naomi tutted. "I can't believe you two, on a special occasion. That's when you decide to fight," she scolded, acting like the big sister she was.

Richard scoffed. "Please, that wasn't a fight. If we were to really fight, the whole of France will get caught in the crossfire," he clicked

"Well, not today, not in my house. You two can rip out each others heart if you want, but not.. In.. My.. house," Marie-jeanne warned, with a sharp and menacing voice

The two brothers wanted to say something, but before they could open their mouths, a loud voice echoed through the hall.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please direct your eyes and hearts towards the entrance, as we welcome the celebrant of today's party," the master of the ceremony announced, getting everyone's attention. "I give you... Lady Aurelie de Ambroise!"

Suddenly, the lights dimmed, and a hush fell over the crowd. A spotlight shone down on the entrance, and a feminine figure stepped into the room, her beauty and elegance commanding attention. She was a beautiful young woman in her early 20s, sporting an elegant red dress which complimented her long red hair. She was Aurelie, and she was a carbon copy of Marie-jeanne.

The crowd erupted into applause as Aurelie made her way down the aisle, her eyes shining with confidence and poise. Richard watched her, feeling a sense of pride and admiration for his cousin.

But as he looked around the room, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. That something.. or someone was watching them from the shadows.