Chapter 150: Protection?
"Aevia..." Yuki laughed breathlessly, wincing as the hug tightened even more. "You’re... crushing me."
"I don’t care," Aevia whispered, her voice trembling with emotion as she refused to let go. "I finally get to hug you while you’re awake."
Yuki smiled helplessly until she felt something warm soaking through the shoulder of her hospital gown.
"...You’re crying."
Only then did Aevia reluctantly pull away. Her eyes were swollen and red from countless sleepless nights, fresh tears still clinging stubbornly to her lashes. She cupped Yuki’s face with both hands, gently brushing her thumbs across her cheeks as though reassuring herself that this wasn’t another cruel dream.
"You really woke up..." she whispered brokenly. "The doctors kept preparing me for the worst. Every day they warned me you might never regain consciousness." Her lips quivered before a watery smile finally appeared. "I’m so glad they were wrong."
Yuki chuckled softly despite the sting behind her own eyes. She reached up and wiped away the tears rolling down Aevia’s cheeks with her thumb.
"I’m alive," she teased gently. "If you keep rubbing my face like this, it’ll turn red before the doctors discharge me."
Aevia laughed through her tears before sniffing in embarrassment. "Sorry..." she murmured, intertwining their fingers tightly. "I just... I was so scared."
A neatly folded handkerchief suddenly appeared between them.
"Don’t frighten the girl again," Alexander said with an amused smile. "She’s only just recovered."
Yuki instinctively looked up. Those familiar sapphire eyes met hers. For the briefest moment, they reminded her of someone else.
"...Alpha," she greeted politely.
Alexander sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "Must you keep calling me that?"
Yuki blinked in confusion.
"We’re practically family already," he continued warmly. "Drop the formalities. Just call me Alexander."
She hesitated for a second before nodding.
"...Alexander."
"There." His smile deepened with satisfaction. "Much better." His gaze softened as he looked at her properly. "We’re all relieved you’ve woken up." He glanced sideways at Aevia before adding with a chuckle, "This one was already planning to postpone our wedding."
Yuki’s eyes widened in disbelief. "...You what?"
Aevia immediately looked away guiltily. "I was only considering it," she admitted quietly.
"You were going to cancel your wedding because of me?" Yuki blurted.
"How could I celebrate while you were lying unconscious?" Aevia replied, meeting her eyes at last. "Nothing else mattered."
Yuki stared at her, completely speechless. As though unable to bear the conversation any longer, Aevia quickly reached for the wheelchair handles.
"Come on," she said with a small smile. "Let’s get you settled properly."
Alexander stepped aside, giving them room while Olivine quietly excused herself into the hallway, leaving the family some privacy. With Aevia supporting most of her weight, Yuki slowly pushed herself upright. Her legs still felt weak, forcing her to grip the bedside cabinet for balance.
"I’ve got you," Aevia murmured reassuringly, wrapping an arm firmly around her waist.
They took only a few careful steps before Yuki eased herself onto the bed. A tired sigh escaped her as she leaned back against the pillows while Aevia immediately adjusted the blanket and tucked it neatly around her legs.
"Does anything hurt?" Aevia asked, fussing over her like an anxious mother. "Are you dizzy? Feeling nauseous? Is your chest uncomfortable?"
Yuki couldn’t help laughing. "You sound exactly like my doctor."
"I’m worse," Aevia replied without missing a beat, smoothing a stray lock of hair behind Yuki’s ear. "I’m your sister."
Alexander chuckled quietly from where he stood by the window. "I don’t think arguing with that is wise."
Ignoring him completely, Aevia kept her attention fixed on Yuki. "So..." she asked more gently, "how do you really feel?"
Yuki looked down at her legs before slowly flexing her toes beneath the blanket. A hopeful smile spread across her face.
"Honestly?" she admitted. "Much better than I expected." She looked back up, excitement flickering across her features. "The regenerative medicine is incredible. The doctors said if everything continues like this..." She tapped her legs lightly. "...I’ll probably be walking normally in less than two weeks."
Relief flooded Aevia’s face.
"Thank goodness." Her smile quickly turned hesitant. "Our wedding is next week..." she began quietly, taking Yuki’s hand again. "I know you wanted to be my maid of honour, but you don’t need to force yourself."
"I’ll do it."
The answer came so quickly that Aevia paused.
"Yuki..."
"I mean it." She squeezed her sister’s hand reassuringly. "You only get married once, and I want your wedding to be perfect."
"You can still give your speech sitting down." Yuki immediately shook her head.
"I can already stand for short periods. I’ll keep practising." A bright smile spread across her face. "I want every photograph from your wedding to be beautiful."
That was all it took. Aevia’s composure shattered.
"Yuki..." she whispered, throwing her arms around her once again. Fresh tears soaked into Yuki’s shoulder as she gently rubbed comforting circles across her sister’s back.
"It’s the least I can do," Yuki said softly. "You raised me, Aevia. While girls your age were out living their lives, you were stuck taking care of a crying toddler you never asked for." Her smile became gentler. "I’ll do anything to make sure you’re happy."
Aevia slowly pulled away before cupping Yuki’s face again, tears silently streaming down her cheeks.
"You never have to repay me," she whispered. "We’re family. I’d choose raising you over watching you grow up alone in an orphanage every single time." Her expression gradually became complicated. "I couldn’t protect Mum..." she admitted quietly. "...or Dad." She swallowed hard before continuing. "But I could protect my little sister."
Silence settled between them. Finally, Aevia took a slow breath and glanced towards Alexander.
"I know this is sudden," she said carefully, "but there’s something important we need to discuss."
Yuki frowned. "What is it?"
"You already know the adoption becomes official after the wedding." Aevia gently squeezed her hand. "Legally, I’ll become your mother, which means Alexander and I can finally protect you completely."
Alexander nodded before signalling towards the door. A man in a tailored suit entered carrying a leather document folder. He respectfully placed it on Yuki’s lap before quietly excusing himself. Yuki looked down at it in confusion.
"What is this?"
"The legal paperwork," Alexander replied calmly. "Open it. Since you are 18, we need your approval to officially put you in the family."
Yuki unclipped the folder and began skimming through the documents. Adoption agreement. Household registration. Family records. Everything looked straightforward. Then her fingers stopped. Her brows slowly knitted together as her eyes landed on a bold heading.
Engagement Arrangements for the Ravencourt Princess.
She looked up in confusion.
"...What is this?"
Aevia reached across the bed and gently held her hand.
"My final protection," she answered softly.
Yuki’s brows furrowed even deeper.
"Protection?"
Aevia nodded.
"It’s an engagement agreement." She paused before continuing carefully. "I know the rejection devastated you, but as long as you’re unmarried, the court will continue seeing you as a potential threat to the triplets. The fastest way to silence every rumour and prove you have no intention of going back to them..." Her fingers tightened gently around Yuki’s. "...is for you to have an arranged engagement."