It was sunrise, and her two brothers, James and William were going back to the mansion, William who is the oldest sibling of Vanessa on the other hand was going back after his military training and her little brother James would come back after he graduated from highschool from his grandparents.
William arrived early, the medals on his military uniform swinging gently as he descended from the carriage. Removing his military cap, his light brown hair was revealed, and his blue eyes fixed intently on the servants who greeted him.
His parents, Lord Astoria and Lady Catherine, approached him, Vanessa standing discreetly behind them. Lord Astoria, speaking first, said, "Ah, my son, welcome home. How was your military training?" A glint of a smile played on his lips.
"I affirmed it was good, father..." William nodded giving the smile back to Lord Astoria.
Lord Astoria started to speak, but was interrupted by James's arrival. James descended from the carriage, dressed in a polo shirt and black pants, returning the servants' greetings with a sweet smile. His brunette hair and hazel eyes held a focused gaze.
Lady Catherine quickly embraced her son, who had recently graduated from high school. "My dear James! We missed you so much!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with happiness and excitement. Stepping back, she pinched his cheeks.
"You're all grown up, but you still have that baby face," she chuckled softly, tilting his head for everyone to see. "Look at him, hasn't he grown so much? He's gotten taller, too!"
"Looks like it; he's grown up, but still has his baby face. Doesn't he, William?" Vanessa teased, glancing at William with a sly smirk and a raised eyebrow.
William raised an eyebrow at Vanessa, glanced at James, then back at Vanessa. "I agree, that baby face hasn't disappeared yet," he chuckled teasingly.
James huffed, pouting slightly. "I've already avowed my maturity..." he mumbled, crossing his arms and looking away.
Everyone chuckled at James's reaction. Lord Astoria stepped forward. "Alright, let's go back inside; it's getting hot. We can have breakfast together. Shall we?" he said softly.
Everyone nodded and went inside together. Lady Catherine directed the butlers and maids to take William and James' belongings to their rooms, and they readily began carrying the luggage from the carriages.
After breakfast in the living room, Lord Astoria and Lady Catherine sat on the couch with James, while on the other couch, Vanessa sat with William, her hands moving gently as she embroidered.
While their parents conversed with James, William, finding the conversation dull, glanced at Vanessa embroidering.
He moved closer, leaning in to whisper, "How are you, Vanessa? And how's the dukedom doing?"
Vanessa raised an eyebrow, her hazel eyes meeting his blue ones. "I'm good, and the dukedom is doing well..." she whispered back. "And you?"
William chuckled softly, crossing his legs and leaning back against the couch. He rested his head on his arm, his gaze still on Vanessa. "I'm fine... I'm glad to see you again, my little sister..." he whispered warmly.
"I'm glad to hear that," Vanessa murmured, her gaze returning to her embroidery. She asked softly, "Will you be returning to your military training?"
"Ah, yes. I'll be staying here for a week, perhaps a month," William replied, nodding and looking back up at Vanessa.
"I see..." Vanessa mumbles.