Khione and the contract

Artemis White's POV

"That's right, lean into it!" My instructor yelled out. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him, standing there with a smug expression like I wasn't already at a professional fencing level. He just liked to be able to tell someone of my status what to do. I know for a fact he thinks I'm scared of him, and that's why I haven't notified my mother. The reality is that this is my most easy going lesson and just recently, I needed the break.

"Goodness Artemis, I said lean" the asshole reiterated like I wasn't fucking LEANING already. No, no, no. Hold it in, Arte. You're all good. Don't let this toad irk you. “Arte”, a familiar voice called. I didn’t hesitate to throw my mask on the floor along with my èpèè and bolt toward the voice. There stood my Goddess of an older sister, exuding such cold elegance in her pristine grey pant suit. “Khi! Where have you been?” I asked, throwing myself into her arms. Her icy demeanour didn’t shift once as she turned to my instructor, “You’re dismissed”, she said curtly, “but-“ “I said you’re dismissed. Go”, she reiterated.

The man trudged off, fuming. We were 30 minutes into a 4-hour lesson, and he was being paid for every half an hour. My sister turned back to me and dropped her facade, swinging me around as if I were a feather. “Arte! I missed you so muuuchhh! Work has been driving me crazy!” She pretended to sob into my hair as I giggled, patting her back. “But, I’m here to ask for a favour”, she said as she pulled away, attempting those same doe eyes our mother is a master at. “I have a contract I’d like you to look over for me”, she grumbled, and I snorted in amusement, nodding. “Alright, let’s go to my room”, I said, leading her into our home happily.

“Oh? Young miss, you came to visit?” Maria chimed upon seeing her. “Only a short one, Maria. I’m swamped at work and I don’t want to take more of Arte’s time than I should,” she pouted like I had been the one to tell her my time was precious, when in fact, she was the one who had deemed my time precious. “I’ll send some snacks and tea up to the little miss's room, then”, Maria said, walking to the kitchen. I pulled my sister to my room and practically threw her inside. Instead of getting straight to business, I grabbed a bracelet from my desk and showed it to her excitedly.

“Isn’t it beautiful? Cole got it for me the other day!” I was practically bouncing on my tippy toes while my sister inspected the bracelet with a blank face.

“Arte…This-“ I cut her off “I know, it’s a knock off. But I don’t care. Cole isn’t as well off as us, you know that. I’m grateful for every gift he buys for me!” I said happily, staring at the bracelet as if it were the love of my life. My sister sighed, shaking her head in disapproval. She had never liked Cole; she always said that something about him didn't sit right with her or with Jötunn, but they let it go for the sake of my happiness. "Okay, okay. Let me see this contract," I said quickly before she could open her mouth to say more about my beloved. 

Khione pulled out her phone and within seconds, she sent me the email. She was telling me about this business deal a potential partner had proposed, but her assistant said it seemed fishy. In the meantime, I was getting out of my fencing gear and into a pair of black sweatpants with a matching black hoodie. 

When I came out, I picked up my phone and opened the email, scanning the contract for any flaws. It didn't take long. "My recommendation? Blacklist him. This contract is basically saying that should anything happen, you'll liquidate all your assets to fix the issue and pay him the rest of the assets in compensation. He's trying to rob you blind," I huffed. "What?! That dirty, low life cunt! Watch how I fucking ruin him for this! Pah!" She pretended to spit "And to think he was acting nice as pie in my office this morning! Damn, I'm going to squeeze his fucking balls into oblivion!" Ah, yes, my potty-mouth big sister. Behind all that elegance and years of etiquette classes, she's just a pirate. 

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An hour later, she was still ranting while I was on my second cup of jasmine tea and my fourth chocolate chip cookie. I just nodded and gave a small smile, agreeing to whatever she said. It was the best way to deal with my sister when she was like this - Nod and smile. She'd get tired eventually. 

And she did, throwing herself onto my bed, grabbing the teacup and chugging her lukewarm tea down in one go. "Better?" I asked and she nodded, sniffling. "I've been nothing but good to my potential partners, and to think one would treat me this way..." I sighed, patting her back. "Unfortunately, that's how the world works. Though I do think you should give your assistant a raise" I said, chomping into yet another cookie. She nodded vehemently and shot up like a bolt of lightning, telling me I was right and that she'd go and do it right this second as she quickly stormed out of my room like a hurricane. 

I scratched the back of my neck in confusion. How on Earth was I still sane in this family? I'll never know. 

A knock came at my door not long after, and when I gave permission to enter, Maria poked her head in with a kind smile "Little miss, just a reminder, you have a competition in two hours" I gasped in shock, looking at the time. I totally forgot. I was like a headless chicken, throwing things into my large black duffel bag. "Maria, thank you! I love you!" I called loudly as I rushed out of the door and into the car that was waiting for me out front. "William, to the waterfront arena, please!" I gasped, out of breath. The man chuckled, starting the car and beginning to drive.