"It's fine by me though. But why would Derrick have to suffer for that? I'm big already and can eat by myself."
"I just wanted to let my sister feel my sincerity and that I already regretted my past actions."
Aillenne nodded.
Okay, so it's okay to lower my guard. But if he tries to bend his words, I'll stop seeing him even if he drag me.
"Alright."
"Thank you. I let you spent your time alone in that shabby house when I can have a time to play with you. I wanted to somehow spend time with you to fill those times."
"Hmmm."
Aillenne nodded.
Derrick then filled her mouth again with foods. It was such a wonderful meal and the food tastes good.
"Are you feeling full now?"
"Yes. Thank you for the meal."
Derrick smiled and held her small hands with his and led the walk after the meal inside the greenhouse.
"I heard that you had a tea with His Highness, the Crown Prince."
"Yes. His Highness went to the salon where I am resting and had tea and sweets with me."
"Sweets?"
Derrick asked again and Aillenne nodded.
Derrick was stunned.
It is so ridiculous to learn that the Prince would eat sweets. He is someone who wouldn't eat something like that, let alone have it touch his tongue.
He also knew about the issue of Aillenne's lost handkerchief because some people who attend Aillenne that day were also his people.
He suspect that the prince took it. He's blatantly showing off his obsession with Aillenne since before.
"Then what did you talk about?"
"Well...we talked a lot as if a long time friends...erm, His Highness seemed friendly that I am able to adapt with him."
Derrick almost swallowed his tongue. Th-this! Are we still talking about the same person?
Derrick then knew that His Highness, the Crown Prince is really interested with his sister. He feared that the prince were only showing off to annoy him, but his feelings were genuine. It's making things annoying and complicated.
He couldn't allow it, but if it is ordered by His Majesty, the emperor, he couldn't follow his will.
Damn! Another one who covets his sister.
"Umm...Derrick...are you alright?"
He quickly changed his expression as he glanced at his terrified sister.
"I'm sorry, I just thought about something. Don't worry about it."
"Are you sure you're fine?"
Derrick nodded and smile reassuringly.
"So how's your studies faring?"
"It's fine, I think? Father has been giving me different teachers almost every two weeks."
Derrick nodded at her answer. This one too.
Everyone wanted to separate him from his sister. His father was even obviously trying to sell Aillenne to the Imperial palace as a bride.
He didn't know the potential groom, but there's a possibility that it's the crown prince. The crowned prince had been interested in her since she's eight, no, I think from the first time he saw her?
It felt ridiculous that the prince who would rule the empire would constantly keep check on his sister's well being. But it is more ridiculous to think that a brother covets his sister.
The prince was not interested on the throne at first but when he learned of the advantages of being an emperor, he became obsessed and forced his way to get the crowned prince title. And it was all because of Aillenne.
Then when news reached his ears about Aillenne's death, he almost killed all his attendants and tried to escape the palace to see her body.
Their cousin Danna and the young lady from the Count's house died by the hands of the crowned prince.
The fourth princess almost lost her sanity when he 'put her into her place.'
If that sick bastard would be Aillenne's husband, he would not be able to know how she will be treated.
His heart hitched when he realized that he can't have his sister. He can't have her and she will be held in the arms of another man other than him. It was such a sad reality to him.
He glanced at her, with such small body, she endured the harsh training of both the body and mind in order for her to become the empress of such sick bastard.