"So you were basically saved by a red hooded girl from being eaten by a Chimera? She even held you like a bride in her arms? Wow. To hell with Snow White, Aurora, and Cinderella, the new princess in town is Aurelius saved by the Little Red Riding Hood. Have you considered singing and talking to animals?" Sylvia teased as she dined with Aurelius in their tea room. The prince only rolled his eyes due to her interpretation and paraphrasing of his words.
Aurelius had just recalled to her the events that followed after his return from the woods. He arrived back home late at night after being cured of the poison in his system which only took a mere few hours. The experience was terrible and the after-effects left him lethargic and a bit delirious but after an hour of rest as well as a bit of energy potion from the witch where his companion brought him to, he eventually regained his energy and strength.
Ruby was kind enough to walk with him through the forest and lead him back to the path to a nearby village and even lent him money to take a carriage back to his home since he didn't plan on bringing any pocket change.
Even though the walk was very exhausting, the company he had made it interesting and enjoyable. He discovered more about her and she discovered more about him except for the fact that he's the prince of her nation. As far as he can guess she only knows him as another rich kid who got curious about the forest and got himself roped into danger. Her ignorance of his status relieves him because it made things less awkward and it allowed him to be himself with no title chaining him to act all proper and laid back and she also got to be herself. Or what he deemed as her natural attitude since she wasn't as uptight and reserved like when they first met. He smiled at the memory of her cute face telling him about the sunsets she watched from the cliff in the forest.
"It wasn't like that. Yes, she did save me but we fought that Chimera side by side, and I landed the killing blow. Though I must admit I only followed after her plan but at least I blew that thing to smithereens. That girl has good leadership skills and she's doing all those cool backflips and somersaults. The way she hooks and slices was so damn impressive. Lord of Light, what I wouldn't do to fight side by side with her again or just talk to her casually... like friends perhaps." Aurelius droned with a distant smile, his mind lingering back to the moments he spent fighting with the red hooded girl. A knowing smile stretched across the knightess' lips.
"It seems to me that my little brother has a crush." she chirped, putting her cup against her lips with a teasing smile. Her brother colored bright red choking on his macaroon.
"It's not a crush! It's just--it's just a simple admiration. She was just so amazing and pretty... and nice."
"Yup. Definitely sounds like a crush." Sylvia concluded before popping a bonbon into her mouth.
"Fine. I guess I like her but it's not yet love, perhaps attraction and infatuation. But it's not like our boat is going to sail anyway she's a lesbian and she's getting married to that Carmel? Caramel? Camel girl?"
"It's Carmilla." Sylvia corrected.
"Whatever. But the point is, it's pointless. I want to have her blonde babies and I've already planned our baby names. Lucy if it's a girl and Lucius if it's a boy. But none of that matters because she's never gonna have a baby because she's going to marry a woman." Aurelius frowned pouting.
"You really thought way ahead of yourself. But you're wrong on that one because Lady Althreya's mage has a spell capable of producing a child between the union of two women. I don't know the details but it's possible."
"Thanks, sis. That's really light heartening information." he said in sarcasm.
"Okay fine. But they're not married yet so you still have a shot and she's a high ranking noble lady so society won't have much problem with your pair. And I heard that Ruby will be staying in the Karstein Manor owned by Carmilla's family which is here in the Empire. Just a short carriage ride from the palace and I think the two of them will be watching the opera very soon since Carmilla seemed quite taken by the play. I heard from the other ladies that they often see her watching the opera on Marcel's performances. Maybe you'll meet Ruby there and plan... I don't know, maybe a meetup? A date?" Sylvia suggested.
"Are you implying that I ruin a loving lesbian relationship for my own selfish lust for a girl I just met a few days ago?" Aurelius summarized with narrowed eyes at his brethren who blushed in shame of his interpretation of her words.
"It sounds evil when you say it like that. Like we're the bad guys here but I am merely suggesting that you give it a shot. This is the first time that I see you this happy and I don't want to pass the chance to see you enjoying yourself."
"I appreciate the gesture but I think I'll just linger in the friend zone. She's an amazing girl but generally speaking, she's not really my type. She's too Mary Stew and sunshines. We're not going to work out either way." Aurelius concluded as he set his teacup down and gazed at the macaroons with a blank expression.
"Well, I'll just support you in any decision you make, brother. Don't worry I believe that one day you'll finally meet the one girl for you." Sylvia smiled with a gentle look on her eyes as she stared at her brother.
Moments like this really brings warmth to her heart since he's opening up to her more and more contrary to when he first arrived nine years ago when he was ten years old after rescuing him from the Abyss. He was really feral and unfriendly but finally, after years of tender love and care, he finally came back to being the Prince of Light he was supposed to be. Nothing can make her happier than seeing her brother return back to them and be true to himself. Now he's entering manhood and telling her about a girl that he likes, it just felt so surreal and yet so utterly pleasing. No evil in this world can spoil her moment with her family. The brief silence that lingered was broken when Aurelius voiced a question.
"So sister... When is the play?"