I sighed heavily as I sat in the carriage together with Cain, Xavier and his mother. "I... I knew it... You're uncomfortable with me riding in the same carriage as you right?! I should get off!" Xavier's mother panicked as she reached for the carriage door's handle only for me to grab onto her hand.
"No... that's not it... I was thinking of something else... Like... I sneaked out... And brought my brother with me... I'm sure I'll be punished by my parents..." I said, trying to take her mind off things as I lied. I was actually thinking of how I managed to change quite a few scenes in the storyline. Surely, there would be a cost for it. But... I couldn't just leave Xavier's mother to die... they are living and breathing... just like me! Not just a character in a book!
Cain looked up at me and patted my shoulder as he praised me. "Gwood girl! Sister did gwood! Papa and mama won't be angwy." he said as he grinned widely. Ah, my heart felt as if it were fluttering as I hugged him tightly. That's right, I did do something great. I doubt they'd scold me too badly!
***
"HOW COULD YOU BRING CAIN WITH YOU?! YOU'RE THE ELDEST CHILD OF THE HOUSE! THEN YOU RUN OUT AND DRAG CAIN ALONG WITH YOU?! WHAT IF SOMETHING UNSPEAKABLE WERE TO HAPPEN?!" my father yelled as my mother tried to calm him as Cain cried in the background.
"... Not to mention... What if we were to lose both of you? ... I... Can't even begin to describe... the feeling I had when I heard you were injured..." my father continued as his voice dropped to a soft whisper as he placed his arms around me. "Please... at least let me know next time... If you were to go out. You might not be so lucky next time... I just... wish you will abide to this selfish wish of mine..." my father stammered as his grip around me tightened. "... I... Of course... I'm sorry." I replied as I hugged him back.
We spent a quiet moment, well except for Cain, as my father hugged me tightly, trembling ever so slightly as I felt hot droplets of water soak the back of my shirt. My mother held onto Cain and was comforting him, stroking his head gently as she sung a tune so familiar I felt the tension of the situation dissipate from my body. Feeling relieved that what I did was the right thing and that both Cain and me, as well as Xavier and his mother survived.
***
The following days passed as abruptly as if I had only been dreaming. Xavier's mother became one of the kitchen staffs as she was skilled in her culinary skills. It was also a position where she didn't need to run around too much as she was placed in the pastry section of the kitchen. She was precise in her measurements and handled her work deftly.
As per requested, Xavier started honing his sword skill and mannerisms from the knights of our house in preparation to be a fellow knight while my brother tended to visit him, copying him as he flailed about with a wooden sword. I'd always run after him to stop him as he was still far too young. He can't possibly pick up swordsmanship at the age of 4... can he?
"Miss Lily... you seem to always be here. What about your classes?" Xavier asked as he swung his sword, beads of sweat falling off as he swung his sword over and over again. "Hmm...? I'm done for the day... It's just that Cain always seems to be hanging around here so it's better to just wait here for him. Plus... it's fun watching you." I replied as I smiled at Xavier.
"Haah... What part of this is fun to watch? I still have to master the basic grip of the sword and how to breathe properly as well as the way to keep my stance..." Xavier replied as he trailed off, talking about all the mannerisms of a knight. From the corner of my eyes, I spotted Cain staring enviously at Xavier before he noticed me.
Cain then ran up to me as he hugged me, begging me to let him train as well. "Sister~ Wemme twain as well!~ I'll also pwotect you in the futuwe!" Cain wailed as he tugged the hem of my dress. "No way. You're still young. What if you get injured? I'd be at fault in the end." I replied as I flicked his forehead with my finger.
Cain grew teary but didn't cry as he touched the part I flicked on his forehead. "Swister... you mweanie..." Cain sniffled as he turned away from me. "Aww~ Don't be angry. In two more years I'm sure you can start training. The years will go by in the blink of an eye, so... just enjoy spending time with me first. Okay?" I said as I hugged Cain. Cain didn't reply but from the way he was acting, it was obvious he was happy.
***
I went to town again the next day with permission from my father as Xavier and another knight accompanied me, only to find a commotion going on in the town square. It seemed as if a fight was ongoing from the way the people were cheering.
I squeezed my way through the crowd, leaving Xavier and my other house knight behind. In front of me, I noticed a girl with light pink hair and eyes the colour of honey. She was backed into a corner, well I mean, against the town's fountain as a few boys were calling her names and yelling at her to pay up. There was no mistaking it, she was Delia... the heroine.
As the whole situation felt a bit awkward, I hesitated to help her until I felt her eyeing me. I tried avoiding her gaze only to feel her piercing gaze calling out to my emphatic side.
Before finally running towards me, she glanced at me multiple times as a means of begging me to help her. Suddenly, Delia hid behind me and clung onto my shirt as she begged me to help her. Being shocked from the random encounter of having the heroine cling to me was equally nerve wrecking when I recalled the ending of the story where I was beheaded at this exact spot; with the heroine watching from the crowd.