Ophelia furrowed her brow. She was an expert at games and could beat any child on the street, this little prince couldn't possibly be compared to her.
But just the fact that he appeared by Violet's side made her angry as if she realized that during a time they were separate, the sister led a completely different life and was cuddling with another child.
"Rock-paper-scissor!"
The two of them yelled at the same time and showed the sign with their hands.
The first match ended in a tie.
"Rock-paper-scissor!"
The second match was also a tie.
Violet banged her head. She felt like she just opened the gate to hell. Both children were tenacious and strongly motivated to win, not willing to back down even a little bit.
"I will make another kendama by tomorrow… this way, each of you can have one toy…" She tried the negotiate with them but to no avail.
"I want this one!"
"This one is mine!"
After witnessing them play the game for hundreds of times but always ending up in a tie, Violet wondered whether it was truly possible or if they were in it together to prank her.
"That's enough!" She threw her hands out and grabbed each of their fists. "Let's try something else. This will be the endless fight otherwise…"
Thinking about what she could teach them next, the thumbs war came into mind. This way they will be forced to hold each other hands, and skinship always makes people grow closer. This might be a perfect opportunity to break the ice.
"You put your fingers like this, and the first person to immobilize the opponent's thumb will be a winner. Now, try it among yourself…" She demonstrated to them how to play the game but in the end, they refused to let go of her hand.
"Uhm, you two are supposed to play against each other… Don't just keep my hands…"
"Let go of her!"
"You first!"
"Are you a baby? Why would you want to hold hands with sister?"
"Are you a pervert? You just keep looking for an opportunity to touch her!"
Violet sighed bitterly. This was truly the worst day ever.
After playing around for a whole afternoon, she felt like she had aged at least ten years. No one ever told her that babysitting children was such a tough job. Her respect towards teachers and nannies just grew several times higher.
"Now, you two need to go back before it gets too dark. Your families will be worried," she smiled brightly at them. She couldn't wait to be finally alone. It was supposed to be her surprise free day, but her body and mind were so tired that she would probably skip dinner and go straight to bed.
"Then, sister, I will be back tomorrow again," Ophelia waved at her.
"You don't have to," the boy answered coldly.
"Did someone ask for your opinion?!"
"Just stating the plain facts."
Violet fell on her knees, the stream of invisible tears wrecked her heart. They were just keeping at it till the end.
"We played together the whole afternoon, so now we are friends… Friends don't argue with others," she cried out desperately.
"I know! How about we give each other nicknames? This will also strengthen our bonds…" Violet suggested.
"Hah, I have a perfect name for you! Snotty brat! Dog!" Ophelia pointed at the boy with laughter.
"Tomboy!"
"What are you saying?!"
Violet's head trembled in pain.
"I will give you two nicknames! For example, Ophelia is too long, let's just call her Lia! As for Cassiel… How about Ciel? It also means sky…"
"Doesn't suit him at all!"
"Same goes for you!"
"Yeah, I'm very glad you two agree with me…"
"But what about you?" Ophelia asked.
"Me?" Violet pointed at herself. She gave children nicknames, but how will they call her?
Violet… It cannot be shortened any way…
"Just call me Violet. Or sister. Whatever you prefer…"
"Sister!"
"Violet."
"So, we are settled… Now, it's time to go home. The carriage has also arrived…"
"I will see you tomorrow, sister! I will be here before anyone else!"
Cassiel opened his mouth to retort, but Violet quickly covered him with her own hand.
"Just let her have this one!" She whispered to him and waved back to the girl. "Be careful on the way!"
If not, those two will never leave today and will just continue to argue until midnight.
The boy froze for a moment as the soft and warm sensation of her hand caressed his lips. He meekly nodded his head. Fine, he will just let the tomboy have this one victory.
As Nathaniel promised, the carriage was sent over to pick Cassiel up, but the boy was reluctant to get in.
"What's wrong?" Violet asked kindly as he refused to move.
"I will be back tomorrow…" he said after a while.
Please, don't come back. Stay in the castle and don't roam around anymore…
"Of course, I will be seeing you tomorrow… We will play again," she assured him with a smile.
"The three of us," she emphasized on the words.
He seemed to want to say something else.
"But I also have some classes I need to take from now on… So, I might not be able to spend a whole day here as today… But I will definitely come back!"
"Yes, I believe you… I will be waiting."
"So, don't just spend time with that girl alone!"
Violet was flabbergasted. Was this what worried him all this time?
Cassiel was complete tsundere and he couldn't admit that he wanted to play with Ophelia too! How cute!
Her heart was dancing in pleasant.
The feelings that will bloom into the love later have already sprouted.
"Don't worry… I also have work, so I can't play all day again…" She made sure to tell him, that he would always be there when their friend's circle gathers again. "Now, your coach is waiting…"
Cassiel finally stepped into the carriage, but before the door closed, he grabbed her wrist for one last time.
"If I'm busy with classes and can't make it to the city, will you come and visit me at my home?"
"Huh? The castle? Sure… I will come," she promised him carelessly. Only then did he let go of her hand.
"It's promise, Violet. Don't forget it."
The carriage started to move, and Violet waved happily at him. Bed seemed to be a heaven to her now.