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nWhen Yvonne was woken up by Roselie when it was lunchtime, she then got dressed and walked with her maids to the Dining Room.

nA peach layered gown which reached her ankles with her hair tied into a sleek ponytail, she trudged ahead to greet her family as the doors of the room opened up.

nThe next moment, her eyes widened in surprise when she saw the extra person at the table, sitting next to her father.

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"Big Brother?

" She blurted out in shock at his unexpected presence in this room.

n'Eh? Why is he here?' She wondered as there were still two days before the weekend would arrive.

nHoward smiled when he saw her puzzled face and nodded in greeting.

nSnapping out of her daze, Yvonne recomposed herself and bowed to greet her family as she walked to her seat.

nHer eyes scanned the three faces who sat with her only to find that their eyes held mischief.

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"Did you like our surprise?

" Raylene inquired as she smiled while looking at her curious child's face.

nIn response, the little girl tilted her head as she was confused about what they were referring to.

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"The Academy has a week-long break for the festival so we brought Howard back ahead of schedule.

" Rutherford enlightened her when he saw her bewilderment.

nYvonne was already aware of the Festival he was talking about and slowly nodded her head when she realized that the surprise her mother had mentioned was her brother's sudden appearance.

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"Glad to have you here for so long.

" She smiled while glancing at the boy who sat on the other side of the table.

nHoward nodded and looked down to eat his fill after she finished speaking.

nHe had returned home only a few times in the last three months so this was his chance to improve his relationship with his sister and also spend time with the rest of his family.

nWith this intention in his mind, he had accepted his mother's suggestion of returning early for the festival.

nSince their monthly assessment had already ended, he did not have to bother about missing any important classes held during these two days that he had applied for leave.

n'Also this way, that idiot could not follow me back home.' He snickered when thinking about his best friend whose demand to accompany him was brutally declined by the elder son of the Duke.

nTopher's stern refusal hindered Taylor's plans of spending time with the cute little girl he had not seen in months.

nThe lunch continued with parents interacting with their children and there was a harmonious atmosphere that surrounded them.

nSoon after lunch, Howard watched as his little sister took her leave as she had to practice her piano skills.

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"Do you want to go watch?

" Raylene hinted when she saw how he was gazing at the girl's back as she exited the room.

nThe mother chuckled at the sight of her son who blushed after being caught red-handed.

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"Your sister is very talented in playing.

" She praised her daughter who was learning from her old Piano tutor.

nRemembering the high praises that Governess Lester, a woman who was a miser with her appreciative words was proof that the little girl was doing a good job.

nHoward had heard that his sister was learning everything that girls in their Kingdom would learn but he had no clue about how well she did in these classes.

n'Why would she be any less talented in these when she has skill and talent in the sword?' The elder brother felt a sense of pride when he thought of how special his sister was.

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"Excuse me, Mother and Father. I would like to accompany Vonny.

" He announced and ran in the direction the girl had left before they could answer him.

nRutherford and Raylene turned their heads and watched the boy pushing the door open and rushing out of the room.

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nOn the other side of the Mansion, Yvonne had no clue about her brother's impromptu plan of accompanying her.

nShe was now looking through the folder in her hand which held the music sheets that she needed to finish.

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"One, two, three…

" She counted the sheets inside and smirked victoriously when she only found six of them.

nSix musical scores for her to perfect before she could end her classes with Governess Lester.

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"Think of the extra free time!

" She exclaimed to energize herself as she took her seat before the Grand Piano.

nHer eyes scanned the new sheet that she placed before the piano and just as she was about to press the first key, a knock on the door hindered her.

nGlancing at the door behind her, Yvonne frowned as her maids knew not to disturb her during her practice hour.

n'I sent them away for their break…' She recalled as her frown deepened.

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"Yes?

" She questioned politely as she did not know who might be outside.

nHer curiosity abated when she saw a head with dark midnight blue hair peeking through the door.

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"Big Brother?

" Surprise was evident in her voice as he had never come to visit her here.

nNodding, Howard stepped inside the room and glanced around to observe the place she visited every day.

nHe found a clean and large room with only a couch at one corner and the Grand Piano by the window with a table next to it.

n'So simple…' He observed as he stepped towards her.

nThe wide seat on which she sat could easily accommodate two people but he did not wish to burden her so he chose to stand next to her.

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"I wanted to watch you play.

" He stated his purpose of arrival in her special room.

nYvonne was confused as to why he was taking this special interest in her Piano skills when he had not done so in so many months.

nNevertheless, she did not refuse him and turned back towards the keys.

nHoward watched with keen eyes as her tiny fingers stretched over the ivory and ebony keys.

nThe sheet placed before her was filled with lines and squiggly shapes which he recognized as keynotes for the music but that was all he knew about this.

nAs someone interested in the art of the sword, he had never paid attention to the sister who was learning how to play the piano.

nBut ever since he had that heart-to-heart with her, three months ago, he was beginning to take interest in everything that she did.

nTherefore, he stood beside her now and watched her play, realizing that the music was enjoyable and soothing to his ears.

nThe first piece that Yvonne had chosen for today was a cheerful one that did not take long to finish.

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"This was an easy one.

" She muttered to herself as she was one piece closer to the finish line.

nTurning towards Howard, she smiled and handed the folder to him.

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"Pick one.

" She humored him as he was here to watch her practice.

nHoward did not question her and just randomly selected one from the few sheets inside.

nHe then watched his little sister read it a couple of times before she smiled and placed it before her.

nOnce again he watched her play and this time it was a fast-paced waltz.

nHer fingers flew across the keys while her eyes remained fixed on the sheet.

nThe young boy was stupefied at her speed and also her talent as he had not seen her playing ever before.

nOnce the music came to an end, he clapped in appreciation of her skill.

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"How many times have you practiced this piece before?

" He questioned, as her precision while playing without missing a single key was commendable indeed.

nHearing his sister giggle while shaking her head made him wonder if he had said something funny.

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"That was my first attempt.

" She revealed, causing his eyes to widen.

n'She played so well when it was her first try?' He was shocked at her level of skill.

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"The ones in there are all new pieces.

" She disclosed while pointing her finger at the folder in his hands.

nHoward glanced down and his eyes sparkled as he wished to see what else she was capable of.

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"Here, play this one!

" He handed her another random sheet to test her words.

n'Is he challenging me?' Yvonne's competitive spirit was aroused as she accepted the sheet and began scanning it.

nThe brother once again watched as she took her time to first read it and then went on to play the music.

nWanting to hear more, he continued to hand sheet after sheet to her and she played them all as his provocation had fired her spirits up.

nThus, the siblings spent the next hour bonding with each other as one played the piano and the other watched her perform with excitement and pride.

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