Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 120336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 602(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 602(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
Aunt Min huffed. “I’m sure they can.”
“But they are not moving.” Aunt Suzi wagged her finger at the ladies-in-waiting. “Now. . .if I have to get up and fight you three in this lovely dress. . .well. . .you will be in the hospital for weeks, not days. Dear God, this is vintage Valentino.”
Aunt Min took off her tiara and placed it on the table.
Aunt Suzi did the same.
Fen got next to Thandi and Lan, shifting into a fighting position.
Good god. I see what Duck means.
The throbbing in my head increased.
I stood there for a long moment, rubbing the relentless ache at my temples and weighing my options.
My eyes shifted from my aunts—perched on their loungers like queens surveying their domain—to Moni’s ladies-in-waiting, lined up in front of me with stubborn defiance etched on their faces.
This was not a battle I wanted to fight.
Not tonight.
The real battle would be tomorrow.
Here I was, staring down a hallway full of two sets of intimidating women, each determined to get their way.
I exhaled slowly.
This situation required strategy.
On one side were my aunts—Aunt Min and Aunt Suzi—hard-headed, opinionated, and incredibly exhausting to argue with. They were older, sure, but that didn’t make them any less dangerous.
If I tried to make them leave, they’d likely fight me tooth and nail.
I checked the sides of their chairs and there were swords leaning against them.
They were ready for blood.
If there were one thing I knew for certain, it was that my aunts fought dirty.
Very fucking dirty.
They’re not leaving TT’s room.
I glanced toward Aunt Suzi.
She chuckled to herself and picked up her cup of tea as if she were at a spa instead of in the middle of a power struggle. She caught my look, raised an eyebrow, and gave me a knowing smile. She knew exactly what I was thinking—and she was daring me to try.
Meanwhile, Aunt Min tapped her fingers against her knee, already two steps ahead, plotting out every argument I might throw at her. She was the strategist between them and she had no intention of losing this battle.
I could see it clearly.
Heaven help anyone who tried to pry my aunts away from TT’s door tonight. They would protect them to the death as if they were their long-lost nieces.
I put my view on Moni’s ladies-in-waiting.
Thandi, Fen, and Lan stood firm in front of me, shoulders squared, ready to resist my commands.
But unlike my aunts, their resistance wasn’t about proving a point. Their defiance was born out of guilt and loyalty to Moni. They felt responsible for Moni’s absence, and now, they were clinging to her sisters as a way to make amends.
These three were easier to sway.
Their allegiance to Moni meant they wouldn’t truly fight me—not in the way my aunts would. At worst, they’d give me a hard time and refuse to budge but I wouldn’t walk away with bruises or a lecture that lasted hours.
“Alright.” I uncrossed my arms. “We’re going to settle this now so I don’t have to waste any more time or energy tonight.”
Aunt Min smirked, clearly amused. “How do you plan to do that, nephew?”
Ignoring her, I pointed at Moni’s three ladies-in-waiting. “You’re loyal to Moni. I respect that. But right now, what she needs from you most isn’t standing guard in a hallway. It’s being rested and ready for tomorrow. If you want to help her, that’s how you do it.”
Fen shifted, glancing uncertainly at Thandi, who kept her jaw set tight.
I could see the wheels turning in their heads but they weren’t quite ready to back down just yet.
Sighing, Thandi began to open her mouth, and I ended it by raising my hand.
“I’m not asking,” I let just enough authority creep into my voice. “I’m telling you. Go to your rooms. Now.”
Fen opened her mouth to protest, but before she could say a word, Aunt Min cut in with a sharp snap of her fan. “He’s right. You girls need sleep. And. . .if you’re still standing here in five minutes, I’ll personally march you to your rooms myself—and I don’t care how grown you think you are.”
Aunt Suzi laughed. “Honestly, I fought wars before you three learned what menstrual pads were all about. We love you three but do not test us this evening.”
Duck frowned. “Stop it, Aunt Min and Aunt Suzi.”
I gave Thandi, Fen, and Lan a sad smile. “Goodnight, ladies. I will see you at the battle tomorrow.”
Fen and Lan exchanged glances then nodded reluctantly.
Thandi hesitated a moment longer but finally gave in with a small sigh.
“Fine,” Thandi muttered. “We’ll go.”
“Thank you.” I gave them a curt nod.
Reluctantly, they dragged their feet and shuffled down the hall toward their rooms.
I watched them go, feeling the throbbing in my head lessen just slightly.
At least someone would be resting tonight.
Aunt Min leaned back in her chair with a satisfied smile. “Those three are so stubborn. They remind me of us—headstrong, foolish, but willing to burn the world to prove themselves in a man’s word.”