Faux Vows, True Desires

Stefan turned on his heel and walked away.

After a few steps, he turned back to his younger brothers and said, "What are you guys still doing here? Come on in!"

The kids looked at each other, none of them eager to be the first one to follow Stefan.

"If you keep dilly-dallying here, I'll make you run up the mountain for three hours," Stefan warned.

At that, they quickly followed, not wanting to be punished by running up the mountain.

The mountain path was full of loose pebbles. Running for three hours would surely leave their feet bleeding.

"Good morning, Stefan."

"It's not morning anymore."

"But it's still morning now."

Stefan huffed and gave his brother a side glance. The man who said so could only touch his nose, chuckle awkwardly, and keep his mouth shut.

Stefan gathered all his brothers inside, then called Campbell and Judson out and pointed them out, "Line up by age!"

They sprang into action and quickly formed a line.

After they were all lined up, Stefan went to Lucinda and gently told her, "Lucy, these are my brothers, all nine of them are here."

All nine of them thought, "He's so harsh on us but so gentle with Lucinda. Stefan is indeed two-faced."

Lucinda looked at the nine handsome faces in front of her, some of them looked a lot like Stefan. She guessed they all took after their father since they were full brothers.

"Did you all lose your tongue? Say hello to Lucinda and introduce yourselves, so she can recognize you in the future."

Stefan ordered his brothers to greet Lucinda.

"Hello, Lucinda!"

Nine voices chorused a greeting.

everyone." Then she whispered to Stefan, "I didn't prepare any gifts for

"Who asked Lucinda

to be so

Anderson was the quickest

a few times and knew that Stefan treated Lucinda as the most important

Lucinda prepared gifts for them on her own accord, they wouldn't dare to ask for

quickly echoed

No gifts needed.

to Lucinda and said, "Lucy, you see, they said you don't need to worry

bullied his brothers at home, because they all seemed

told his brothers coldly, "You should

rushing them

want

the youngest and most lively among them, wanted to join when he heard Stefan and

other brothers turned to look at

gaze, had he said something

and get

could respond, Lucinda laughed and said, "If Judson wants to join us, he can. Anyone else wants to come? The more the

Stefan's face darkened.

with a smile, "Lucinda, Judson forgot he has some things to deal with. So he can't come with

I have to deal

Judson looked puzzled.

His brother wouldn't harm him. If he said he had things to deal with, then he would deal with them. Stefan was pleased, no one

brought a set of car

"Stefan, I'll get going."

"Stefan, I'm leaving too."

nine young

really smart!" Stefan chuckled

"Stefan, do you always bully your brothers

look like someone who would bully my brothers? They're just pretending to be bullied by me to

he

young men heard what Stefan said,

good to them, they