The Traps of Black Swan

After breakfast, Eliza glanced at Aeon who was watching Sean washing the bowls himself.

She revealed the reason behind the fine manners which was unusual, "He said you know his Beauty in Black."

Aeon sat still for a few seconds before a feeble smile flashed on his face. Although he knew Aarvi was appearing around Sean to make him independent and leave Leon's side, there was a flaw, a complication.

Sean might do everything they ask him to do, but as soon as he gets to he couldn't get her, he will feel wronged and cheated on.

Will Sean hate Aarvi?

If Sean really falls in love with Aarvi, Aeon knew love could make him understand her but it will leave a scar. That mark will take too long to fade away.

Aeon breathed a long sigh and rubbed between his brows. He didn't want Sean to ask him anything about Aarvi.

"What's wrong?" Eliza asked when she realized Aeon struggling with his thoughts.

Aeon contemplated before revealing, "I really want to support Sean but Beauty in Black,.." He shook his head, "Sean won't be able to get her."

Telling that directly to Sean would make him rebelled and lean on support even if it's fake.

Eliza fell silent before she gingerly tried to make sense, "Probably that pain will make him grow and be strong."

There was no certainty.

Sean who did home chores for the first time slumped on the couch looking tired. "Bro, home chores are more tedious than lifting weights in the gym. How were you cooking and even going to the gym?"

Eliza chuckled as she patted his back, "Well done. How about I teach you how to grill a steak at noon?"

Sean licked his lips as he remembered Aarvi had ordered steak for herself, "Okay. Sil, teach me one, I will prepare another two."

Eliza and Aeon: "..."

Eliza was actually teasing seeing him tired. Who knew he was going to take that seriously?

However, Aeon recovered soon and offered, "Would you like to join cooking classes? You can cook for us daily."

Sean was enticed initially before he squinted his eyes, "Get yourself a wife. I will cook for my Beauty in Black."

Eliza and Aeon looked at each other. If it was before they would have really laughed at his idea but now, they understood his world started revolving around Beauty in Black without even knowing her well.

Sean noticed Aeon uncomfortable and assumed they weren't allowed to talk about Aarvi in front of Eliza and turned to her.

"Sil…"

Eliza's back stiffened at his serious voice and saw him turn to her. She really wanted to avoid that topic. 

Won't it be ridiculous to speak about her married life with her own young brothers-in-law?

"Sil, it was your arranged marriage, right?" Sean asked, starting off slow. As far as he could remember he always saw his brother loving towards Eliza.

Eliza bit her lip, took her time before unwillingly responding looking at Sean waiting for her response desperately. "It was."

Sean nodded before asking next, "Why did you accept the marriage alliance?" He knows their grandfather had approached the Lane family asking for Eliza but it was mainly because of business association.

Eliza shifted on her seat uneasily. He knew Sean was just a voice, one who actually wants to help her Aeon.

She had watched Leon very closely and she knew Aeon couldn't help her much. She was also aware Aeon was smart to know their problem couldn't be solved so easily.

However, it was still disturbing for her to speak it, especially in front of Sean who she had looked after like her elder son.

Aeon went to the dining hall to fetch water when Sean tried to reason, "Sil, if I was really your son and you were in problem due to my father, wouldn't you have shared everything with me?"

Aeon and Eliza looked at Sean in astonishment. These types of words didn't suit Sean, probably because he always ignored everything. 

Anyway, instead of making Eliza free up around him, her back stiffened thinking Sean might be over there due to Leon.

Aeon was also doubtful, what if Sean double-crossed them? They weren't able to trust him because of Leon.

Eliza too noticed Aeon's change in expression so Eliza decided to speak but only about the days which Leon had made them good and she had believed it. 

"It was an arranged marriage, yet Dad gave me the freedom to choose who I want to marry. Dad hadn't accepted the marriage proposal but left it on.

After a few days, I met Leon near a restaurant. He didn't know I was there when he removed his blazer and wrapped it around a little who was selling roses in autumn...."

Sean cut in with a disapproving look at Eliza, "Sil, I think bro planned it to get your attention. You are too soft-hearted to fall for it."

Eliza and Aeon's lips twitched hearing Sean's accurate deduction. They couldn't come to conclusion if Sean was actually with them or putting on mind-blowing acting to gain their trust.

Aeon placed the glass on the coffee table before he took a seat and asked Sean, "How are you so sure?"

Sean frowned at the question before staying the matter of fact, "Because he was the one who told me poor people are dirt, smelly. We shouldn't go near them else people will look down and laugh at us." 

He didn't lie, he was a teenager when Leon had stopped him from giving one of many chocolates to a girl who was begging on the streets.

Aeon didn't know who he was helping out, but their conversation continued. Eliza would describe the good act of Leon and Sean would slap his own forehead and reveal the real motivation of Leon to put on that act.

After about an hour, Sean ridiculed rolling on the couch, "Sil, you're not only blind, deaf, and dumb too. Other than the good physique, Brother Leon has nothing special. I had thought at least you liked his strong build." He deeply sighed.

Eliza and Aeon looked at each other and burst into laughter. It was really funny to hear from Sean who cared about his body just like Leon.

They avoided asking a question that was at the tip of their tongue, 'What good things do you have other than your body and looks?' But they didn't.

Sean thought they didn't believe him so he stood and tried to convince them, "I swear, the rest of all his qualities give me goosebumps. See…"

He pointed his forearm where a fine hair was standing and he lifted his leg and pointed for them to see.

Sean saw them still watching him without reacting so he revealed everything he knew, "I had thought Brother was powerful with people behind him. I used to enjoy being focused and many high profile men were scared of offending me because everyone knows Brother Leon used to pamper me."

He accepted he used to enjoy and have fun making use of it. Eliza and Aeon stayed quiet because Sean had much more to speak about.

"B-but he…" His jittery voice paused when his eyes met Aeon

"But what, Sean?" Aeon impatiently probed him to continue.