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Chapter 8 - Hangout with you guys? That would be a NO.

Archer smooched my forehead and wished me a happiest birthday one more time before he told me to be good while he's away. And before I knew it, he and the gang had marched for the war.

Right. As if I've ever been mischievous before. I may have sucker punched and kicked you countless times but I only ever done that to YOU and YOU alone not to anyone else so I'm offended dammit!

"My lady.."

"Oh, Jasper!" I looked over my shoulder. "I was just about to talk to you."

"I shall prepare the cocoa and the snacks in the tea room."

"No. Library. In thirty minutes."

"As you command, my lady."

**

*awkward.

"Meaning to say my lady, you wanted me to prepare a training quarter with a punching bag and some other equipment based on what you've drawn here, a laboratory, a mechanical room, and a small.. kitchen?"

"Quite correct, Jasper. I would also need two mid-ranking mages for the electric power." I mean, there's no such thing as electricity in this realm, so.. I'd be needing those mages to power up the medical machines I'll be creating.

"Would you perhaps rather me build an annex for those quarter, my lady?"

*snickered. This is what I like about him. Rather than asked the purpose behind my somewhat (for a six-year old that is) weird demand, he'd confirming it first-hand.

"That'd be even better. And I'd prefer somewhere secluded, a bit further away from the manor."

"Forgive me, however for that request, won't be at all possible."

Ah. I almost forgot about the new rule in his absence. "Right. My Daddy."

"I'm afraid that His Grace has made it clear to everyone in the household as well, my lady. Please be informed that we shall be paying with our heads should anything happen to you."

I see. Archer wasn't kidding when he told me that I'm not allowed to spend my time somewhere secluded. Even it is a place within the estate. "But I'm still allowed to go outside, correct?"

"If it's within the principality, as long as you have the maids and the knights with you at all times, that wouldn't be a problem. Debelvoir Town is quite safe. Besides, as the proxy leader in training in His Grace's absence, you would need to take some of your time to inspect the town yourself, my lady."

"Cool." Oops. I said something that isn't a normal word in this world. "I mean, ahem, good. How long will the completion of the annex take?"

"I shall seek the architect and the engineer tomorrow for their estimation. However, perhaps do you have something in mind?"

"I'm smart but I'm only six, Jasper. I'm not quite capable at drawing some floor-plan." Well, I can actually do that but drawing isn't really my hobby. "Just make sure to have the quarters I asked. Oh, a small study, a bedchamber, and a bathroom wouldn't be so bad."

"Forgive my rude remark if I've offended you my lady. But the addition is duly noted."

Ah, you shouldn't apologize. "You've done nothing wrong. You may leave now. Thank you, Jasper."

He bowed and made his way out of the massive library. He was expressionless, like he always does. Dude is very professional I like him a lot.

Anyway, my plan needs to work.

Once the building is completed I shall be spending most of my time there. In preparation on what is coming in my way.

*breathing out slowly..

My heart is beating fast.

Would the outcome of the war as it was before? Will the whole house turned against me? Will Archer abandon me again?

*throbbed. It's alright. *huff. It's alright. *huff. Calm down, you silly brain. Stop thinking and just push forward!

 

TWO MONTHS LATER.

"The Young Lords have been here for hours now, is the Princess still in her private annex?" – Maid A.

"I'll go check on her agai.. ohh, my lady! You're finally here.." *sweat-smiling. – Maid B.

Katriana marched down from the grand stairs and walked toward the receiving room, where Killian and Ethan have waited for her. The two were fully dressed; in three-piece suits with their respective house's emblem as their brooch, looking dazzling for such young gentlemen.

"Greetings, Young Lords. To what do I owe the pleasure?" She greeted with a perfect curtsey, but her face was cold and uninviting. She was composed, but her mind was struggling with thoughts. And once again, as she always is when she thinks of them.. her heart aches.

Both returned the favour with the exchange greetings, and Ethan started the conversation. "Lady Debelvoir, do forgive us for the sudden visit, but we're staying in our vacation villas at the moment and wondering if you'd be so kind to come and hangout with us." *beamed.

Hangout with you guys?

That would be a NO.

I shall not repeat the past mistake, thank you very much.

"My apology Lord Vanders, but I have made a plan to play with my dolls all day today."

"My lady.. made a prior plan to play with dolls?"

Why? Is there a problem with that? I'm lying of course but fuck off already! "Yes."

"Then, would you mind for us to join you to pla.."

"No." Killian chipped in, cutting his friend's words. Finally. About time anyway. Now put some sense on that clueless idiot and scram at once. "The lady made it clear that she'd rather play alone." Nice catch, Killian. But what is up with that glare? "We're only here because our Fathers ORDERED us to. Don't get any idea that we're insisting you." He took some steps forward and made his final remark. "Have a good day, Lady Debelvoir."

Hmm.. I remember how distant he was back then, but he was never hostile. However now, I'm not sure why but I sensed some detestation in his words. Then again hey, why should I care about it? I'm being respectful and keep my distance for the sake of my inner peace. There's nothing wrong with what I said or did.

"W-Wait, Killian!" Why panic Ethan? Go after your friend now. "My lady, maybe we could play tomorrow? Or the day after? Killian and I will be here for a month, so I do hope we can hangout some time." *smiling. "We can go fishing in the lake near my villa and.."

"..." *indifferent.

"I.. I'm sorry, Lady Debelvoir. I pushed myself again, didn't I? Hehe." Yes you do. "Well, please let me know if you'd change your mind. I wouldn't mind playing with dolls with you either. My Father wants us to be friends but I myself want to be your friend too.. hehe. Oh, also, please don't take Killian's words seriously. He didn't mean it that way. He doesn't look like it but he's a real gentleman.. like ME. Ehehehe!"

"…" 

"Th-Then I better shall be taking my leave now. I hope you have a pleasant day, Lady Debelvoir." *beamed. "I shall see you again!"

Is he gone?

Are they gone?

Seems like it..

Ha! *stagger, panting. Friends, you said? *panting. Haha! FRIENDS?

*remembering her past; running around happily with Ethan on the lake, played hide and seek in the manor, sleepover with Ethan at his family villa, and even playing dolls with him.. before the heart-breaking memory return in a flash, crushing all those happy days that she had spent with both Ethan and Killian.. when Belle accused her multiple times, and when Vanessa slapped her hard while both Young Lords looked at her in disgust.

SCREW YOU!

**

"Kill!" *huff. "Killian, wait!"

Tsk. What does this idiot wants? "What?"

"How could you say that to a child?"

"That's how I roll."

"Wha-WHAT?"

"Are you blind? She clearly expressed how she dislikes being with us." From the first time I laid my eyes on her she was already hostile toward me.. I'm guessing the antagonism applied to this dumb blond too. "I'm heading home. See you tomorrow."

"Oh come on Kill!" *dejected.

 

IN THE CARRIAGE.

Killian Debelvoir.

As the only son and heir to the Duke of the North, he inherited both his father's ability and good looks.  

Contrast to Ethan Vanders who is approachable and outgoing in high society, Killian is rather aloof, and his cold demeanor that resembled his father captured many hearts from girls his age or even younger and older.  

He has never been ignored, rejected, and overruled.

And to have been rejected in that kind of way by Katriana Debelvoir for twice, hurt his pride.

I don' like her. He thought.

His brain is promising in future academic achievement and his sword skill at early age is no joke either, but he is after all, only an eleven-year old boy with a touch of Tsundere.

Tsk.

How could he do this to his son? How could he insist me to be close with her when I told him crystal clear that I have no intention to do so?

But her chubby cheeks are really cu.. SNAP OUT OF IT KILLIAN!

You're here to focus on your early study before the enrolment, not adding more unnecessary nuisances. Father and the Wolves Order are risking their lives at the monster subjugation battle to save the north and the empire, so you shouldn't be running around playing!

*heavy sigh.

Then again, unlike any other kids I've encountered, Katriana Debelvoir was indeed different. There's something subtle in her forest green-eyed that ticked me.

It's annoying.

And I don't like this kind of feeling that's been bugging me. *placing his right hand on his chest.

She's adorable alright, but her distant conduct gave it away.

...

Hm? 

Ha!

What am I thinking? We're alike in that field. I give her points for that. And although to see her again in the future is inevitable due to our status, but I can only go as far as formal meetings.

I really don't like her.  

Therefore it's better to keep my distance.

That being said, what happened earlier won't happen again.

Ever.

Again. 

Will not.

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