Reina's smile widened. "Oh, little sister." She squeezed Gavriella's hands lightly. "I think you and I are going to get along just fine."
"She's not your sister," Andreas snapped, unable to ignore this anymore. Then he seemed to realize what he'd done and cleared his throat, glancing away. "I mean—not yet."
Reina raised a hand to hide her small smirk. The two boys were really more alike than she thought either of them wanted to admit. "Of course, my apologies."
Suddenly standing, she clasped her hands in front of her body and said brightly, "Would you show me the house, Gavriella? I think the heads of house will be at this for quite a while, there's no reason for us to die of boredom with our brothers." Smirking, she added innocently, "Unless you'd like to come along, Misha."
Just as she'd planned, her mother caught that last part and clapped once, beaming. "Oh, you should! Get to know each other better, yes? And I assure you, Reina will serve as an excellent chaperone," Milana added to Gavriella's parents.
Andreas opened his mouth to protest, but nothing came out. As the eldest child—and Gavi's brother—it was his duty to start with their parents while the arrangements were finalized. He hated it, but he knew he'd catch hell from their father if he tried to insist on going with them.