Aillenne submerged herself in the tub. She can't help but remember Phillip. His smile, his kiss, his touch and his tongue. Is it normal to kiss when you aged 13 or 15? I only learned after being adopted that kissing are for lovers and adults, which is contrary to what we're taught in the orphanage.
But in this timeline, it seems like children does kissing with people that they favor like what we're taught in the orphanage. What should I believe now? I lived in the orphanage until I was 15 and we were taught to accept other people's touch, then the couple who adopted me said otherwise.
Uhhh...what should I believe now?
But I like kissing though. I don't know if this feeling I perceive comes from Sierra's or from Aillenne who loves the prince.
She saw her reflection from the mirror. There were red marks on her nape and her collarbone. Her shoulders also had pinkish mark. She felt annoyed but at the same time complicated.
After she finished her preparations, she went to Derrick's room. It was nearer to her place than she thought.
"Oh... you're here already. Come in."
Her brother who had changed a hundred degrees welcomed her in a gently lit room. By the bedside lies numerous pink covered books, a pink pillow and blanket and a pink bunny stuffed toy.
Her brother smiled gently at her as he let her sat by the side of the huge bed.
"This is my first time having a sleep over...so I don't know about what things to prepare."
"It's fine, Derrick. You don't have to worry about it."
Well it's my first time too! I'm excited! I should put this in my diary tomorrow.
They talked for a while about Derrick's swordmanship training under the guidance of Duke Gerrain, one of the ducal family of the empire.
It will take four months from now for Derrick to achieve a degree and title of swordmaster. He had a natural talent of controlling wind as one of the powers of Winston family but he was more talented in swordsmanship.
"So what did Aillenne do with the crown prince this afternoon? Did you have a good time with him?"
Aillenne blushed when the topic diverted to the afternoon events. She remembered Phillip and her ears burned again. She tried diverting the topic.
"Ah...when did father, mother and Adele went to the Freesa empire? When will they go back?"
However, Derrick saw it through.
"Did his Highness bullied you? I know you've answered me already, but I know that it's not the end of it. Can this brother know about it?"
"..."
Tirelessly moving her eyes around, she cannot escape her brother's questionable gaze.
"I'm worried, Aillenne. I knew about His Highness' temperament... I can't bear it if he did something to you."
"..."
After a few moments, Aillenne spoke.
"It's really nothing Derrick. His...His Highness didn't do something to me. This, this is just....the weather's been too hot lately."
Her poor excuses and stuttering made Derrick want to tease her more. But he held in, he was more curious about what happened.
"Then, if you won't tell me, can I ask about His Highness in person?"
"...!"
"I am your brother so I must know about the bullying he did. I know that I did bully you from the past, but I don't want it to happen to you again, besides I regretted it already. So can I ask him?"
Panic was written in her face. She was terrified for some reason. She changed the novel a lot, if this change would lead her to early death, then...
What if such intervention also lead to Derrick's death? The world balance would crumble and she didn't want that thing to happen.
All I wanted to change is this character's death.
"No...you don't have to. Uhmm...how do I say this? Brother, please hold out your pinky finger first."
Derrick was skeptical, nevertheless he held out his finger.
"Promise me that you will keep it a secret from mother and father. I also don't want Derrick to get involved with His Highness. I don't want Derrick and His Highness' relationship to crumble because of me. Let me handle this matter, okay?"
Derrick understood what she meant, but by the weight of her words, Derrick felt ominous. What did this bastard did to Aillenne?
"Yes, I promise. I won't take back my word." But I don't know either for how long I'll hold still. Derrick hid his thoughts.
"The thing is, His Highness who I met this lunch talked to me about this and that...then...we walked...then...then..."
"What? Did he proposed to you or something?"
"...!"
"..."
"Yes, His Highness did..."
"..."
"I didn't believe him, then he wanted his sincerity to reach me..."
"..."
"...so he kissed me."
Aillenne's voice grew weaker and Derricks anger blew the top. This bastard!!!
"Brother Derrick, stop it. Please, please keep this a secret, okay?"