Chapter 8 They Didn't Expect Her To Be Beautiful

As Willow and Selene took Ember on a tour of the compound, their expressions were filled with pride and enthusiasm. Willow's eyes sparkled with excitement as she pointed out various landmarks, while Selene's face was set in a warm smile. Ember's expression, on the other hand, was more subdued, her eyes scanning the surroundings with a mix of curiosity and caution. Meanwhile, Lyra and Freya were walking towards them, engaged in conversation. Lyra's expression was one of superiority, her nose slightly upturned as she asked Freya, "What do you think Ember would look like?" Freya's expression was more neutral, her brow furrowed in thought as she replied, "I don't know how she would look like, but I think she'll be sweet." Freya's eyes sparkled with kindness as she spoke, her voice filled with genuine warmth. Lyra's expression turned smug, her lips curling into a sly smile. "At least I won't have to worry about her," she said, her voice dripping with condescension. "She's been living in a poor community, there's no way she would pose a threat to me." Lyra's eyes gleamed with confidence, her expression radiating self-assurance. "I'm the most beautiful woman in our family, and no one can take my place," she added, her voice filled with conviction. As they took a left turn, they saw Ember and her maids walking towards them. Lyra's expression faltered, her eyes widening in surprise as she gazed at Ember. "Is that Ember?" she asked, her voice tinged with disappointment. Freya's expression was more measured, her eyes scanning Ember's face before replying, "I think so." Freya's voice was neutral, but her eyes seemed to sparkle with amusement as she added, "She's pretty though." Lyra's expression darkened, her eyes narrowing as she gazed at Ember. She couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy, Ember's beauty and glowing skin taking her aback. "How could someone living in a poor community be this beautiful?" Lyra thought to herself, her mind racing with resentment. As Ember approached, Freya's expression brightened, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Welcome home, Ember," she said, her voice filled with genuine warmth. "I'm Freya, your cousin." Ember's expression softened, a gentle smile on her face as she replied, "Thank you, it's nice meeting you, Freya." As Ember turned to look at Lyra, Lyra's expression turned icy, her eyes flashing with hatred. Freya seemed to sense the tension, her expression turning awkward as she quickly introduced Lyra. "Oh, and this is Lyra, your elder sister," Freya said, her voice slightly hesitant as she pointed at Lyra. Ember's expression remained calm, but her eyes seemed to gleam with awareness as she met Lyra's gaze. Lyra, with her long, curly blonde hair cascading down her back and her beautiful blue eyes sparkling with superiority, gazed at Ember with an air of disdain. Her average height, neither too tall nor too short, seemed to emphasize her confident demeanor. "So you're Ember," she said, her voice dripping with condescension as she observed Ember from head to toe, her expression haughty and demanding. "You should greet me, I'm your elder sister, you should pay your respects," she added, her tone firm and commanding. Ember's expression was one of amusement and annoyance, her eyes sparkling with sarcasm as she replied, "And what made you think I'll greet you?" Her voice was laced with a hint of playfulness, her tone light and teasing. "I just came back home, you haven't welcomed me and you're asking for greeting? Why are the people here so weird?" Ember asked, her eyes scanning her surroundings as she turned to look at her maids, her expression incredulous and slightly amused. Lyra's face darkened, her blue eyes flashing with anger, as she hissed, "You'll see how I will deal with your attitude, you'll regret talking to me in that manner." Her expression was twisted into a snarl, her voice low and menacing. With a swift motion, she turned and walked past Ember, her long curly blonde hair bouncing with each step. Meanwhile, Freya, with her straight dark hair flowing like a river down her back and her beautiful green eyes filled with concern, stood by, watching the exchange with a mixture of worry and apology. Her small round face was a picture of sympathy as she said, "I'm sorry about that, Lyra is like that, don't take anything she said too seriously." Her expression was soft and gentle, her voice filled with kindness and understanding. Freya's eyes seemed to plead with Ember, hoping that she would understand and not take Lyra's behavior to heart. Freya's intimidation by Lyra was evident in her demeanor, her voice and expression subdued in Lyra's presence. Despite her prettiness, Freya seemed to lack the confidence and assertiveness that Lyra possessed, her beauty overshadowed by her meek nature. Lyra, on the other hand, was a force to be reckoned with, her beauty and confidence radiating an aura of superiority that commanded attention and respect. As the eldest daughter of the minister, Lyra was accustomed to getting what she wanted, and her spoiled nature showed in her behavior towards others, as she looked down on people and felt that nobody was superior to her. Ember's expression was thoughtful as she turned to look at her maids, who were following closely behind her. "What should I do to bring Lyra's ego down?" she asked, her voice low and contemplative, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. Her maids exchanged glances, and Selene's face lit up with a sly smile as she said, "I have an idea." Ember's eyes locked onto Selene, her expression intrigued, and she nodded encouragingly. "What's your idea?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity. Willow's expression mirrored Ember's, her eyes shining with interest as she leaned in slightly. Selene's smile grew wider as she said, "Tomorrow is the old madam's birthday, and her granddaughters usually gift her nice things. And for the past years, Lyra's gift has always been the best, so I think you should give her something grand, to make Lyra's ego come down." Selene's eyes sparkled with amusement as she spoke, her expression confident and knowing. Ember's expression was thoughtful, her eyes narrowing slightly as she considered Selene's plan. "I think I have an idea of a gift," she said, her voice filled with excitement, her face lighting up with a sly smile. Her maids exchanged glances, their expressions curious and anticipatory, as they wondered what Ember had in mind.