It was early in the evening as it shows Ethan and (Y/N) sitting at the dining table as the stormy rain pattered against the mansion's structure. Before them was an elaborate tea set alongside with some tea flavours.

Ethan wore his usual daily clothes while (Y/N) wore a robe over her form as Ethan unscrewed the cap on one of the tea blends while his sister polished the tea set.

"Are you sure she's the right choice? She doesn't fit in here, Ethan. She's an outsider."

"I've explained it all before, (Y/N). I did need the ring for this, I've always needed it." His sister huffed, looking ahead at nothing although her eyes held resentment.

"The ring is mine. I earned it."

"Then you better hope I'm successful, sister." He leaned his head close to her and kissed her pale blonde head.

"She sure is a pretty thing..." she spoke in a faraway tone, gripping the tea cup in her and tightly. So tightly, it almost would've broke in her grip if Ethan didn't calm his sister down.

"She's interesting, but she has her flaws."

"You chose her." (Y/N) bitterly snipped back, turning her attention to the tea set as she resumed cleaning them before staring down at the tea cup in her hand and asking "Why?"

Ethan immediately paused, falling silent as his blue eyes stared numbly at the tea blends. He then turned his attention to his sister and reached forward placing a hand on her cheek and making her face him. Her eyes had become glossy with jealousy and anger but his eyes held nothing but love but also a dark look in them. "You know why..." he spoke, his tone barely above a whisper. Why... why couldn't she see that everything he did, he did for HER? He ran his thumb across her cheek lovingly before trailing down to her pink lips, his other hand reaching forward and playing with one of her pigtails. But he couldn't blame her, she was still young herself, still a learning child... "You know why I do this, (Y/N). I would rather deal with Mother Miranda then have her do what she wants, if that's all it took... for you to be happy. To gain that smile back... do you understand that, (Y/N)?"

(Y/N)'s lip quivered as a lone tear fell from her eye. She said nothing but nodded. Ethan played with the strings of her robe before pulling his hands back and placing a kiss on her forehead. "Good... good... remember, all of this is for you..."

Then he resumed with applying the tea blend to the teapot before wrapping his arm around her frame, kissing her head one more time.

Nothing more was said between the Winters...

Ethan had brought the tray upstairs, serving it to his wife by giving her a cup. Mia wasn't a big fan of tea but she still accepted it out of politeness. "Thank you." She smiled at her husband when she took the tea and the cup in her hands but before she took a sip, she eyed it. This must've cost a fortune but for Ethan it didn't seem no problem. The various colours and roses decorating this tea set really entranced Mia. She really couldn't place it but there was something about this that felt... odd. What it was, she wasn't so sure. She internally shook her head and blew on the tea and sipped it and letting the flavours roll on her tongue. She could taste a bittersweet taste from this tea on her tongue...

"How is it?" Ethan asked with a small smile as he stared at Mia with adoring eyes. Mia had to stop herself from pinching her husband's face... despite being married for only for 2 and a half months, there was times she found his expressions and eyes cute. She swallowed the tea with a small grimace.. "It's a bit bitter. Sweet, but bitter." Ethan smiled more, standing up from his sitting position and walking towards the fireplace to poke at it with the fire stick poker so move the logs around.

"Honey-lavender tea. A favourite of my sister's. Plucked from the wilderness behind the manor. I've always said for her to have a greenhouse made but she wouldn't hear of it. Says that it tastes fresher or something like that." While Ethan poked and jabbed at the logs Mia took her chance to observe the room. It was spacious as she had expected; but she still couldn't wrap her head around on how just Ethan and (Y/N) managed this place just by themselves.

(This is the best of the fireplace room I could find)

"Now if you don't mind, I think I'm gonna draw  myself a hot bath, get this chill out of my bones. You gonna be okay?" Ethan had set the fire poker down before glancing at his wife but when in reality his gaze was directed towards the door of the living space. Mia nodded with a smile and Ethan walked towards the closet to grab a towel before making his way towards the door. He opened it and saw no one there as he closed it behind him and walked down the hallway before turning his attention towards a shadow-y part of a wall. "Don't give that look, it's unbecoming of you, (Y/N)." Within the shadows stepped out his sister, pursing her lips. He sighed and kissed her on the cheek, a little too close to her lips before pulling away and resuming his walk towards the bathroom, (Y/N) glancing back at the door to the room Mia resided in. She clenched her hand into a fist before turning away and walking off to who knows where....