CHAPTER 267: WALKING BRISKLY

Joanna could not believe what was captured by her eyes.

According to Bianca, who obtained the information from Mr. Green, after breakfast, her father did his routine and went to the Council, while her brother, knowing that she was unable to join the breakfast because she needed more rest, headed to his study room.

Joanna strongly guessed that her brother was doing something related to his study, as it was what he usually did in that room when he went home during the season break.

Even though he did not tell her much and a smile was always displayed on his face for her and her father to see, she noticed that his study load seemed to be heavier this time based on how he looked compared to the last time she saw him.

Her brother lost some weight, but not to the point it was worrying. His face also looked less fresh, as if the heavy load of study absorbed his spark.

She had reminded him to remember to eat and rest in the middle of his hectic schedule, and he replied to her with his typical jolly smile, asking her not to worry about him and to concern herself instead.

Meanwhile, regarding the guests, Mr. Green informed Bianca that they went out, which he did not know where to.

If that was the truth, why did Valerie return to her home that quickly? What did she do down there in Alenna Garden with her brother? Why didn’t her brother get immersed in anything he had to do with his study in his study room instead of being there with the person from whom she wished her brother would distance himself?

Feeling restless, Joanna turned on her heels and made her way toward her wardrobe. She grabbed one dress without spending even a second to choose among the dresses she had in there, as if she was in a hurry and had no time to dilly-dally with something she usually did before choosing what dress she would wear for the day.

Not willing to spend another second to call Bianca or Lucy, she took off the nightgown that she tended to wear when she did not have any plans to do any activities outside her room and slipped into the dress she had chosen. Afterwards, she quickly combed and braided her long hair.

As she found her appearance presentable enough based on her reflection that she saw in the mirror, regardless of her noticeably pale complexion, which made her look unwell, Joanna stepped out of her room, enduring the discomfort not only in her stomach but also in her whole body.

Walking briskly, Joanna arrived at Alenna Garden with her heaving chest. Before reaching out to her brother, she stopped in her tracks, taking a few moments to steady her breath and calm her composure.

As much as she could, she did not want to reveal her worry that would highly likely be seen as an absurdity by others. It was enough for that absurdity to be felt by her, who was on the verge of losing the ability to see the border between dream and reality. Therefore, she should appear as normal as possible before many eyes despite the abnormality that rippled inside her.

"Sister!" Joanna jolted at the sudden call of her brother, who seemed to notice her presence even though she was a few meters away from him, and he looked engrossed in the conversation with the lady next to him.

Taking a deep breath before letting it out, Joanna continued to make her way towards her brother, who was waving his hand to her, gesturing to her to come to him.

Seeing a cheerful smile that was like a ray of sunshine on his face—a broad smile that he always showed for her and her father to see as if the gray in the universe had no effect on him—a determination grew inside Joanna with every step she took toward her brother that she would never allow that smile to fade away.

Nothing that she saw in the dream would she allow to happen to her brother and her father. No downfall would she allow to fall upon her family.

It was her determination, regardless of how the border between dream and reality took shape in her mind. She had to prevent the worst from advancing toward her family.

"How are you feeling? Father said you needed to rest more." Joanna heard her brother ask her when he rubbed her head once she stood in front of him.

"I am good, brother. A long trip had taken a toll on me, but I am feeling better now," Joanna replied to her brother despite her noticeably current look. Through the corner of her eyes, she noticed Valerie, who stood two steps away from them, had her eyes on them.

Placing his palm on Joanna’s forehead as if believing more in what he saw instead of what he heard, Phillip subtly nodded his head—a gesture of relief when he perceived her body temperature to be normal.

But then, a slight frown appeared on his forehead when he checked the pulse on Joanna’s wrist. He conducted that examination stealthily, which was done by simply grabbing Joanna’s wrist, as he did not want it to be known by the other party, who was surely not his sister, as his sister was not oblivious to that sort of basic health examination.

"You should rest more if you are still not feeling well," Phillip suggested after he was certain that Joanna told him her opposite state. His tone was flat, showing no excessive concern.

Yet to Joanna, her brother was not truthfully without concern. It was just how he wanted to be seen by others. He did not want others to know her current condition.

One thing that might not be known by others was that she and her brother shared the same perspective that excessive concern would only invite excessive response from others. Regardless of whether that was being genuine or not, it was something that they disliked.

She and her brother preferred to keep private matters personal, avoiding drawing attention to them. The fewer people who knew about their situation, the better, as they thought that some responses that came from others could only add distress, not provide a way out. And she was sure that her perception about her brother’s way of thinking was right, just like how her brother discreetly examined her health just now.

"Brother Phillip is right, Ann. You should rest more if you are not feeling well yet."

And that one kind of response was just like what she just heard. However, this time, the discomfort did not only come from that sole response but also from the person who gave that response. It was the same feeling when she found Valerie and her mother had suddenly appeared last night.

She was aware that it was a common concern, which might be uttered even without her brother’s comment, as her current complexion spoke louder, possibly impossible to be not noticed by people who could see despite the unknown sincerity.

She was also aware that, regarding Valerie, she had not yet seen any abnormality in her behavior, which logically gave no reason to be wary of her, as what she had shown so far was concern for her—a similar behavior she had seen in her years before her absence.

Yet it was not a reason for her to deviate from her decided direction. Joanna became more willing to follow her heart, to be determined to do a precautionary measure before all came too late for her to regret. Because she did not want to regret anything, particularly when it involved those who were dear to her.