How did I not see this coming?
Of course, God was on the female lead's side. The male leads just couldn't stay away, like moths drawn to the flame. My brother, after everything, was no exception. I cursed myself for getting too preoccupied with my fiance that I neglected the damned unscripted possibilities. This wasn't a mere novel, this was a world where I was destined to die, and I must be more cautious.
"You didn't tell me you were coming, Damian."
"No? Are you sure because you read all my letters?"
"Yes."
Technically, I had Zoe glance through and summarise them for me, but he didn't need to know that. Damian smiled childishly.
"I'm glad. Then how come you don't reply?"
"I do, just not to every single one. I can't when you send me multiple a day."
He frowned slightly and sighed, like he was the annoyed one here.
"Well, I wanted to surprise you. My sweet Val, aren't you happy to see me?"
"Of course I am, but if you'd told me, I would've prepared more. You deserve to see me in a much prettier dress than that pathetic excuse of a princess."
I had long mastered how to wrap my fingers around Damian completely, to make him feel special and remind him of his devotion. Without fail, he grinned.
"You're already stunning, Sister, though I wouldn't expect Her Highness to appreciate it. She's as charming as usual, very youthful and energetic."
"Oh? You've seen her?"
I still had to figure out where he'd met Catherine, and the princess was about as good a bet as anything. If Catherine had found her way to her, I also needed to see what their relationship was like.
"She threw a book at me for having manners."
I gave a laugh, careful not to sound too interested. The moment Damian was aware I really wanted to know something, he made it way more difficult for me to get it out of him. It may entertain him to annoy me, but I just had to sound bored and he'd spill in an effort to win my attention, like a desperate pet.
"Sounds like her. You threw it back, I hope?"
"No, I politely excused myself. It was quite a marvellous escape."
"I'm sure it was. Was Lady Catherine impressed? You never call anything marvellous unless there was a witness to dazzle."
Very casual, like my usual amusement at his endless torment of young ladies. He laughed.
"Oh, she's simply adorable."
I waited, but he wouldn't continue. I had to probe, gently, pretending I was focused on the princess.
"Was she tortured very much by Her Highness?"
"I would say so. I think she was being enlightened to the evils of society when I rescued her valiantly. She was glad to get back here, sacrificing royal company for saner ones. Do you know her, Sister?"
"Only vaguely. I think she was at one of my tea parties."
It was my turn to fall silent, seemingly rather bored with the topic. He rose up to the bait.
"Funny things people are saying about her. I thought you would know, actually."
"I don't think there's anyone that hasn't heard. Raised by a very unscrupulous character, wasn't she?"
"That's putting it lightly. I don't know anyone as capable of spreading stories as you, dear Val."
"I'm awfully accomplished indeed, but there are tales wild enough to need no help from me. No smoke without fire, after all. I merely find it mildly amusing."
He studied me for a moment, and I thought naively he was going to share his opinion of her. With no such luck, he changed the subject abruptly.
"Speaking of amusing, let me tell you about my latest experiment. It caught Kyle's hair on fire, and we had to make a potion to grow it back…"
I, with practiced patience, listened and made replies where suitable. It was a good story, but I couldn't particularly enjoy it with the glint in his eyes, always watching my every move. I knew he was playing with me on purpose. It was the predatory gaze he used whenever he found a new lady to seduce, like the bloodthirsty scrutiny I hunted with, which we had both inherited from the eyes of Mother when she'd seen Father for the first time.
I wasn't safe. Yet standing tall, like I would to intimidate a dangerous animal, I met his eyes without any trace of fear. He loved me, did he not? Then he ought not misbehave. It was his fortune to hold affection for me, and my reciprocation could be taken back easily. He wasn't insane enough to push it that far yet. Betting on the sanity of a yandere might be a dangerous game, but it was the best I could do.
Slowly, we got back on topic. He knew not to test me too much.
"And anyways, Kyle truly has no eye for ladies. Through all my interrogation, all he said was that Lady Catherine was pleasant. As if that even begins to describe her!"
"Oh, yes. You sent him to check out the new debutantes, didn't you? I scolded you to focus on your work."
"Precisely. Thus, when my work was finished, I decided I must find out who my darling sister wanted to keep me away from so badly."
With no change outwardly, my blood ran cold as he spun me. When I met his eyes again, they positively gleamed. His grip on my hand tightened.
"Do you think I'm stupid, my sweet Val?"
"I would never, Damian. I don't know what you're talking about."
"The fact that for some purpose, you wanted me to stay away from this year's debutantes, and that one of them conveniently had their reputation dragged through the mud after a tea party you hosted. You made it too easy, sweetest. I expected more from you."
"Complete nonsense. Did you have too many drinks?"
Damian shook his head and laughed. My heart skipped a beat, begging me to flee.
"Now, now. We don't lie to each other, remember? So quit the bullshit, Valentina."
His voice was charming as ever, whispering in my ear like it could've been a dulcet compliment.
"...for whatever reason, are you upset with me, Damian? My dear, dear brother?"
"How could I possibly be, my darling Valentina? When you pay more attention to a girl you barely know than me?"
Oh, what the hell? Of all things, he was jealous of Catherine? What was this ridiculous yandere logic?
"You're being silly. I don't care about her at all, not like how I love you."
"You've gone through the effort to destroy her socially. For God's sake, I don't know why, but clearly she means something to you."
"You're the one that won't stop dragging her into this. Are you so madly infatuated with her that you're making excuses for yourself through me? "
"See, even now, you want to know what I think of her! Does she matter that much?"
"No, Damian. Please, listen to me."
It was futile. He'd seen through me, had learned how, after complacently taking my lies for so many years, and demanded more. Taking off my mask would be admitting defeat, so I hung onto the hope that he would see sense and my brother would return. He might be entirely driven by some twisted love he felt for me, but I had my reputation to worry about. I closed my eyes for a second, desperate.
"No, Sister. I'll tell you exactly what I think of Lady Catherine. I think she's an adorable little fool, and since you care enough to keep me away, I think I'd like to know her better. In fact, who knows, I might go and fall in love with her. That's all you've ever wanted, isn't it? For me to fall in love with some nice girl so you can get rid of me?"
This was all wrong. I just wanted him to fall in love with anyone that wasn't Catherine or me, but more than that I needed him to be reasonable and sane. He was being irritating, and my temper was running short.
"Don't be so foolish! Can't you see this was what I was afraid of? I knew she's a bad lot, and that you might be interested because of how unusual she is, so I didn't want you to meet her. If you really cared about me, you would stay away from her! Hell, I'm jealous because I want to keep you to myself!"
I glanced around quickly to make sure no one heard my whispered exclamation. Fortunately, we were dancing so furiously no one dared approach too closely. The music was slowing, and soon, the dance would be over.
"My sweet Val, my whole life, all I've ever wished for is to do so with you. I've always been here, begging for your slightest affection, suffering silently as that piece of shit touches you all over. If it takes losing me to Lady Catherine for you to pay me more attention, so be it."
How could this be? I thought he understood, I thought I had more time. When did it become like this? I forced my voice to remain steady as my heart pounded, praying he wouldn't cause a scene in public.
"That's not fair, Damian. I have a life outside of you. I have friends and a fiance. I'm the people's saint, the future queen, and successor to our family. I can't spend every waking moment with you."
"Why not, when there's not a second that passes when I don't think of you?"
"That's your problem. Goddamnit, I can't give you everything!"
My brother's face fell like an outraged child, sad and angry for being refused a toy. The grip on my wrist tightened until I had to break away from his gaze, wincing.
"Let go, Damian. You're hurting me."
The music stopped, ending the dance. Like magic, he smiled and let go. He took on his typical composure, flattering and playfully polite. His purple eyes still glinted, but they were hollow and dark. He lifted my gloved hand to his lips and kissed it.
"I'm sorry, darling Sister. You're so lovely and precious to me that I simply can't help how I behave around you. It's rather late, isn't it? Shall I escort you home?"
Out of self preservation, I nodded. I couldn't risk any more tonight. Hurriedly, I went to bid farewell to Oscar, with Damian's eyes boring into me.
As we left the ball, on the outside, I could almost pretend nothing had happened. Yet distinctively, I could feel that something had changed.
One way or another, my brother was one step closer to insanity. Oh, fuck.