Ravenna's eyes popped out momentarily when Amira asked her the question. How dare Rave talk about her brother everywhere she goes?
She almost pinched herself as a punishment for not being careful with her words. Ravenna looked at Amira as her lips curved into a small smile.
Ravenna tried to mask the pain and anger with a gentle smile. She blinked her eyes countless times to hold back tears because she needed to be strong.
"Would you like to know what happened to my brother?" Ravenna asked. Her heart thundered inside her chest wildly as those words escaped from her lips.
Although Rave didn't want to talk about her brother, there was no way she could escape from this trap anymore.
It was crowded and noisy as people were going back to their homes after watching the second challenge. Most of the people smelled of sweat while those who come from well-off families smelled of perfumes.
"Yes, I would like to know what happened to him. You looked so sad when you said that he's not around anymore."Amira said in a slightly raised voice since it was too noisy to talk in a low tone.
A stiff smile tightened on Ravenna's lips as she nodded her head, understanding where Amira was coming from.
"Amira, I'm your biggest fan! I hope that you'll make it to the next round."A girl with brown hair and big boobs said with a smile on her lips as she giggled.
Amira's lips curved into a genuine smile and her heart melted into a puddle when she heard the girl's words. Her words were encouraging.
Amira was happy to know that people are supporting her even though the challenge is getting hectic with each passing day.
"Thank you so much."She said with a smile in her voice, "Your words mean the world to me."She spoke her heart out.
That is how her grandmother taught her, to speak out aloud whenever you're feeling a certain emotions and now her heart was overflowing with happiness.
Lady Serena taught her granddaughter to be thankful too whenever someone holds her hand.
"Hey, don't forget to make me your personal servant if you become the crown prince's Chosen bride."The girl said jokingly and they all laughed together even though they didn't know each other that well.
"I'll remember that."Amira answered jokingly.
The brown-haired friend rolled her eyes when she heard Amira's words. It was clear that she wasn't one of her fans who would like her to win the competition.
However, Amira didn't pay much attention to the girl because she didn't want to think of it that much. It was enough to have one or two people who genuinely support you than to have a bunch of pretenders.
That's what Amira preferred.
"Amira."She turned her head when she heard her grandma's voice. She nodded her head slightly to the old lady because she knew whatever she wanted to say.
It didn't require her to say it in words. That's how close Amira is with her grandma, they can exchange silent words without saying it verbally.
"I'm sorry but I need to get going." Amira informed her fan politely as her lips curved into a gentle smile.
"Thank you for your support."She nodded towards the brown-haired girl who smiled in return.
"Ravenna, about the story of your brother which you were supposed to tell me earlier before we got interrupted."Amira paused and took some deep breaths.
Ravenna swallowed nervously when she heard her words, she had thought that Amira had forgotten about it.
"You'll tell me about it when we meet next time, okay?"Amira asked with slightly raised eyebrows and Ravenna nodded her head nervously.
"I need to get going since my grandma is waiting for me."She said with a smile on her lips, turning her head gently to look at the old lady who was impatiently waiting for her.
"I understand, go ahead."Ravenna nodded her head.
"Goodbye and see you in the next round. I hope they won't ask us to slit each other's throat."Amira said jokingly as she walked towards her grandma.
"I hope so too. Goodbye," Ravenna said. She heaved a sigh of relief as she watched Amira and Lady Serena walk away, holding hands.
______
"I hope you won't me waiting next time."Lady Serena scolded Amira,"I'm too old to stand for long."She added.
They were now standing at the carriage station as they waited for one.
"I know grandma, sorry for keeping you waiting for such a long time." Amira said as she looked at the old woman with remorseful eyes.
"It wasn't that long though."Amira mumbled and rolled her eyes.
Lady Serena pulled her granddaughter into a side embrace and planted a gentle kiss on her dark hair. She patted her shoulder soothingly and gave it a slight squeeze.
"Congratulations, You made me a proud old lady."She said in almost a whisper as the corner of her lips curved into a sweet smile.
"Thank heavens," Amira said jokingly and a chuckle escaped her lips.
"I thought you would scold me for eternity."She said as and rolled her eyes slightly. Amira laid her head on her grandma's shoulder and basked in her warm embrace.
Lady Serena mumbled something under her breath. However, Amira didn't hear anything since she hadn't paid any attention.
How could Amira worry about anything when all she needed was being given to her at the moment? Unconditional love.
Amira and the old lady were still waiting for a carriage when one stopped a few metres from where they were standing.
They turned their eyes towards the carriage, their eyes full of hope.
Amira's eyes popped out when the owner of the carriage climbed down. The middle-aged man's lips curved into a smile as she looked at Amira in amusement.
Lady Serena shifted her eyes from the mysterious man to Amira who looked nervous and frightened as if she had just seen a ghost. A deep frown settled on the old lady's face since she didn't know what the hell was going on.
"Do you know him?" The old lady asked in confusion because the man looked like he knew Amira.