Double Trouble (Part 2)

Dan is a very weird individual. That I can conclude. It wasn't that long until they left that I decided to do a little stretching. I jumped off of the couch and did a few hops in place. I wore my flats again and decided to take a little stroll.

The twins were allowed to leave so why can't I? I'll return soon anyway.

I went out of the room and was deciding on which way I was supposed to go when I heard voices. It was coming from my right. Curiously, I followed the sound. Then, just as I was about to turn to a corner, I stopped. The twins were in the middle of the hallway talking. On reflex, I quickly moved back so I wouldn't be spotted.

By now, it would be the best and wise decision to return, but they seem to be in a serious conversation. Maybe I should stay and listen?

"So, how do you feel right now?" Dan was asking his brother with a very wide and teasing grin.

"I'm fine. Just finished getting some fresh air and some thinking."

"Rose is beautiful, isn't she?" He asked as he leaned on the wall beside the window.

They are talking about me, right? The same Rose that they are calling beautiful? Well maybe I am. I blushed in embarrassment, but still continued to listen.

"Yes she is." Ren agreed. "She is beautiful despite her jungle girl attitude."

Gee. Thanks. A compliment and an insult. Wow.

When I looked at Dan he was smiling. His eyes seemed to sparkle and he nodded his head in excitement. "Really?! And do you feel something when you see her?" He continued to press on.

"Uhh....yes." Ren seemed uncomfortable.

"Really?!" His smile seemed to grow bigger.

I nodded my head. "Yes. Why else would I consider her as our sister if I don't feel anything. Right?"

"..."

I was crying tears of joy. The twins like me so much, that they consider me as their sister!?

Dan, though, seemed disappointed at his brother. Ren stared at him with a confused expression then I watched the expression on his face turn into anger. "What? What did I do?!" Ren asked. He just pouted at him and started to turn his back and said, "Idiot."

"Wait! What do you mean?!" Ren even his pace to his brother, who were now headed in my direction. Dan just ignored him as he continued to walk. "Come on brother. Talk to me!"

"No. Find out yourself, stupid."

"What? Why wouldn't you just tell me why you're upset? Brother tell me! Why are you ignoring me?"

"Cause you're stupid!" He said and left him there, confused.

"Brother! Come on. What did I do?"

"Shut up"

"But-"

"No. Shut your mouth."

"Brother!"

It's time for me to go back. I gathered my skirt up and heard a few gasps from the maids when I exposed my legs. Geez, I forgot about their manners here.

I bolted for the room. Once I came in, a maid was just serving my lunch on the table. She had a confused look on her face, but I simply placed a finger to my lips. "Shh." I said. She simply nodded, bowed, and made her exit.

I sat on the table with my lunch on a tray and started to fill my stomach with the yummy delight. It was good. I started eating a bit fast to make it seem like I was in the room the whole time eating when Ren and Dan arrived. I could only guess that the twins haven't settled their disputes because they didn't say anything to each other. It wasn't until the lessons started again that I wish I did something to help them make up.

"Rose! Straighten your back!" Ren ordered.

"No Rose! Chin up and face me! Don't listen to him." Dan argued.

I was really confused who to follow. And I have to be the unlucky person to be in the middle of this...Why are they even fighting?

"Rose! You'll wear these pairs of heels again." Ren brought out the shoes that I was wearing earlier.

I started to reach towards them when Dan shouted. "No, Rose! Wear these!" Dan brought out another pair of heels which I think is higher. It made me stare at it in horror.

"Brother are you crazy?! She almost fell back then with just these heels and you're making her wear an even higher one?" Ren asked his brother in disbelief.

"She was able to walk on those heels. It's time for her to go to the next level idiot!" Dan told his brother.

"Now who are you calling an idiot, idiot?"

"You are, idiot!"

By then they were arguing. Their voices rose in every insult.

Oh boy....

"What's your problem with me anyway? Why are you so mad at me all of a sudden?!" Ren shouted at his brother.

"That is for ME to know and for YOU to find out!" Dan answered back.

"ALRIGHT! Stop this right now." I screamed. I can't take this anymore!

They seemed surprised at my outburst as they looked at me. "You guys want me to wear heels?! Fine!" As soon as those words left my mouth, both the twins started to shove the heels that they were holding towards me.

"Take this one, Rose!"

"No! This one!"

I waved both shoes off with my hand. "Hey back off!" I said. "I'm gonna get another pair of heels." I muttered and marched towards the closet in my frustration. I heard the boys shouting at me, "Don't spread your legs apart when you walk!!"

"Shut up!!" I growled at them.

As soon as I got my pair of heels, shorter this time, the training continued.

"Rose, walk with me."

"No me!"

"Rose! Wear this!"

"Don't listen to him! Wear these instead!"

"Why are you always disagreeing with me?! Huh?!" Ren asked through gritted teeth as he closed the gap between them.

"Cause you're stupid and an idiot. That's why." Dan said with no emotion at all. Completely unaffected by Ren's rage.

I better stop them before it worsens. "Uhh...guys. Break it up." I got in between them as I gently pushed them apart. They were still bickering and I was about to punch them in the face when Dan held my curl fist in his hands.

"A Princess does not punch, but slap." He said. "Allow me to show you the proper way of slapping someone." He pulled a white glove from his pocket and slapped Ren's face. It hit with a smack.

"Hey!" Ren complained as he clutched his slapped cheek. I slapped my hand to my mouth as I laughed.

"Cool!" I said. "Can I try it?" Dan grinned down at me and winked.

"Why of course. Anything for the lovely Princess." He said as he offered me the glove. I took it.

"Hey wait a minute. That's the men's way of-"

SMACK!

I giggled at the impact. Cool.

"Rose!" Ren growled at me and glared at his brother, who started to chuckle. Ren took the glove from me and slapped his brother next.

"Hey!" Dan glared at his brother.

"You started it! And don't you dare teach Rose how to slap!"

Oh boy. I was pretty sure that I was supposed to stop them...

"Alright let's be serious now and stop this." I said as I broke them apart once again.

Dan huffed at his brother and held my hand which was resting on his chest. He kissed it which surprised me and made Ren twitch. I saw Dan smirking at his brother before he faced me. "My deepest apology my Princess. Does it really bother you when we fight?"

If Dan won't stop being this ridiculous, then I might fight him myself.

"Yes because whenever you guys fight you bring it on to ME!" I said in a 'duh' tone.

"Forgive me, Princess. Come. We shall practice somewhere else and leave this man be." He jerked his head towards Ren as he started to pull me away.

I knew it. This guy was really up to something.

We were about to leave the room when I felt a tug on my other arm. "And where do you intend to take her?" Ren asked his brother, not letting go of my arm. I looked at both of them in alarm.

Oh please don't play tug-of-war. Oh please oh please oh please. I chanted in my mind.

Dan scoffed at his brother. "Somewhere away from you." he said as he tugged at my other hand.

Dan please don't start tugging!!

Ren tugged at my arm next. "You are not taking her anywhere but in this room." His tone of voice was laced with finality.

"Just because you're the eldest doesn't mean I have to follow your orders." Dan said as he pulled me towards him again.

Ren's face turned into a scowl at his brother's words. "I'm not gonna repeat myself, Dan. You are not going anywhere with her without me and that is final." He said with authority and once again pulled me towards him.

"Oh my my my. Why do you care so much, Ren? Does it really bother you where I take Rose with me? ALL ALONE?" With that said, Dan was able to pull me off of Ren's hold. I was about to thank him for relieving me of their mini tug-of-war thing, but then he crushed me to his chest so hard that my air was cut off.

I'm gonna lie if I tell you that Dan stinks because he doesn't. In fact, he smells really nice. I'm gonna stop talking about this now.

"Of course it bothers me! Who knows what you'll do to her." Ren accused his brother. At those words Dan gasped dramatically. "Are you telling me that I'll do something to her when we're alone? Oh brother you're still stupid."

I pounded on Dan's chest not because I wanted him to stop arguing with Ren but because I needed to breathe or else I might see the afterlife very soon. I don't care if you guys kill each other but don't drag me!

"Then what are you gonna do? Huh?!"

"Tsk tsk tsk. We'll proceed to training of course! What? Do you think that I'll do SOMETHING to her?"

"N-No! W-what are you talking about?"

"Oh my. What a dirty little mind you have there brother."

I was finally able to gather some enough strength as I punched Dan on the gut. He doubled over as he clutched his stomach and groaned in pain. I was able to get away from him as I gasped for air. Actually, both of us gasped for air.

I greedily breathed the air and filled my lungs.

"Rose are you okay?" Ren asked in concern as he reached out for me.

"Hey, what about me?" Dan asked when he was finally able to recover from my punch. Man does punching him hurt. I kind of felt his abs when I punched him. Man those things are hard. Luckily I punch like a man but it didn't prevent my hand from throbbing.

Stupid abs.

"You deserve it, brother." Ren said to his brother in anger.

"Huh. Now why are you so angry? It's not like I did something to you." Dan said cockily.

"Shut up! Rose is training with me. Right, Rose?"

"No, she will not be training with someone as stupid as you. Isn't that right, Rose?" Dan asked. By now they were coming closer to me, offering their hand. I stepped back a little in fear of them.

"Rose!"

Which one?

"Rose?"

Which one?!

"ROSE!!!"

A surge of anger washed over me. "SHUT UP!" I screamed at them. I assume that my scream had startled them because they had backed away and gave me a fearful look. I glared at both of them.

"If you guys wanted to fight, then could you please count me out?! If you wanna kill each other, then be my guest!! Just...just don't drag me!!" They were about to say something but I held a finger up, silencing them. "Until you guys sort things out...I'll be on that couch. Waiting." I said as I turned my back on them and sat at the couch.

The twins didn't move from their spot. They were just standing there and having a glaring contest.

"This is all your fault!" Ren accused his brother after a minute.

"Me? Now why is it my fault?! If you just let us go then none if this would have happened!" Dan said to his brother. Disbelief in his voice that his brother had accused him.

I face palmed at them. These guys are a lot of work. For once, I thank my lucky stars that my younger sister is only seven years old, who's name is Stella. At least I wouldn't have to experience that sibling war that the twins are currently having.

What am I gonna do with them?! They are still bickering and throwing insults at each other.

Alright, Rose time to use your brain. You have to think of a way to forcibly make them up. But how?

If only I could lock them in a small room together they might make up. I looked around the room, scanning. My eyes then settle to the large closet in front of me.

While the boys were still arguing on who's fault it is, I got up and examined the closet. It was made of wood, painted white, with a lock on it. It was huge if it weren't for the shoes which was piled on the floor of it.

I started to clear all of the shoes and threw them aside. I guess you could consider this as my revenge to the shoes. Once I cleared the closet from all the shoes, I examined the space and looked back at the twins as I estimated it. Perfect fit.

Now I just have to trick them in. How?

I pulled the closet doors wide open as I let out a gasp. "OH MY GOSH! THE PORTAL TO MARNIA IS OPEN!" I screamed.

The boys stopped what they were doing as they gave me a confused look. "What's Barnia?" They asked at the same time.

"...." I mentally face palmed at my epic fail moment.

Duh! How can they know Marnia? It's not like they're reading them, much less watched it.

Oh well, I started it now so why not continue?

"Uhh...nevermind! Just look at it! There's a magical portal. Look!" I pointed at the inside of the closet.

They didn't move and just stared at me as if I had lost my mind.

"Just get over here!" Something snapped at me back then so I didn't notice that I was already shouting. That seemed to startle the boys as well since they immediately ran to my side to check the inside of the closet.

"Where's the portal that you're talking about?" Ren asked as he crouched down to look.

"I don't see anything." Dan said and moved some of the clothes out of the way to look.

"It's there. Just keep searching." I said. "Oh look! There it is!" I pointed to the inside of the closet.

"Where?!" They both asked.

"At the end! See? Go and look for it!" I told them. If their stupidity has reached a whole new level, then this is it.

When they started to crawl inside the closet, I immediately pushed them farther inside as I closed the door and turned the lock.

Suckers!

"Welcome to MARNIA!" I cheered.

"Ahh....so this is Marnia? It's a little dark in here..." Dan said in amazement. Idiot.

"Rose? Rose! Let us out!" I could hear Ren shouting from the other side. "You open this door right now or you'll be in a heap of trouble once I got out." Ren threatened.

"Sorry. Until you guys sort things out you ain't leaving this closet."

"ROSE!!"

I smirked and happily walked towards the couch that I was sitting on a while ago.

"Move your butt, Dan!"

"Ow! Hey this is my side of the line! You move."

I could hear both of them pushing each other inside.

"Stupid!"

"Moron!"

"Your mom must have had a rotten brain cause apparently you inherited it!"

"Stupid!!! We have the same mother."

"Will you two shut up?! If you guys don't have anything good to say, then don't say anything at all." I shouted to them. At those words the boys had silenced.

Wow, I guess they really don't have anything good to say.

5 minutes have passed and still they didn't say a word.

"Anytime now guys." I said boredly as I lay down on the couch.

"I don't have anything good to say so I won't say anything at all." Ren said stubbornly.

"Neither do I." Dan agreed.

Man do I need to do something or else I might break.

I scanned the room for something. ANYTHING to keep me sane. This silence is driving me crazy!

I marched to the closet as I knocked on it. Alright. Enough games. Time to help them make up

"Who's there?" Ren asked boredly from the other side.

"Stupid. Who else could it be?" I said.

Dan snorted at that. "See? Even Rose thinks you're an idiot--OW! Hey!"

"Daniel and Renevier Rutledge!!" I called them warningly. They fell silent and I could have heard them gulp loudly.

Huh. I think full names here also means you're in trouble.

"If you guys won't make up right now I'm gonna call the Queen and tell her to bust your butts off!" I threatened.

No reply

I sighed tiredly. "You guys really aren't going to make up right now are you?"

"Yes." Both said stubbornly.

Are they always like this when they fight?

"Alright, fine. Stay there until dinners over. I'm gonna go outside for a while and leave you two be." I got up from where I was crouching. "When I get back I expect you two to have sorted things out already. Ciao!"

I'm not really gonna leave them alone. I'm just gonna pretend that I'm going out for a while since I figured that they might be a little shy with me around. I marched towards the door and opened it then closed it to make it look like I left.

After that, I tiptoed heading to the closet and leaned in. I didn't really hear them talking. It took them a moment before Ren broke the silence thickening between them.

"Hey."

I have to bite my tongue so I wouldn't shout at him and say 'ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! IT TOOK YOU A MINUTE JUST TO SAY A SINGLE WORD?!'

"Dan is not available right now. Please talk to him again after you settled your stupidity" Dan said. I face palmed at Dan. Shame on him. And I thought he was a tad bit mature.

Ren sighed tiredly. "Dan please? You can't just ignore me forever. We're brothers after all."

"..."

Oh come on Dan!

"Dan. Please. I miss talking to my brother without the fighting part." Ren pleaded. "I don't know what I did to make you hate me and I hope that you'll forgive me." Ren said. Even though Ren said all of those things, Dan still didn't answer.

"You know, fighting with you really hurts and bothers me. This is the longest that we fought. Usually we would immediately make up even without words of apology." Ren sighed as if remembering some memories. "We don't fight that much too so I guess we're not used to letting our pride go and be the first to forgive each other." Ren laughed without the humor in it. "As men and as siblings, we value that pride. I too value that." He said. "But if I have to let that pride go and say the most honest apology that I could muster. I would. Just so you could forgive me. Dan, I give you my deepest apology. Will you forgive me?"

I slap a hand to my mouth so I wouldn't weep at his words.

That was wonderful, Ren!

I heard someone sniffing from the other side.

"Dan? Dan are you okay? Hey, are you crying?" Ren asked worriedly.

Dan sniffed once more before saying, "No. These are sweats. It's too hot in here." Dan said, but you could tell that it was a lie. "And besides, brother. I forgive you. You don't have to give me that speech of yours."

Ren snorted. "Sorry. I just thought that you needed it. Knowing you, it needs to be done. Besides, I'm the eldest. I have to be the considerate one. So are we okay now?"

"Of course we are. Besides, I miss my brother too."

"Thank you brother." I smiled at that because finally the two of them made up. Now isn't that nice? At least I won't be tortured anymore. "By the way, can I ask you a question?" Ren asked.

"Sure. Shoot it."

"Why were you so upset with me?" I leaned in. Hey don't judge. I wanna know the reason for their argument too.

I could hear Dan smirking. "Like I said before. That's for me to know and for you to find out. Don't worry, you'll figure it out sooner or later." Ren whined at that but was silenced by Dan. "Besides, Princess Rose is currently listening to this. We wouldn't want her to know, right?"

Crap. How did they know?

Oh well since they did make up why not release them already?

I whipped the silly little tears from my eyes, Curse Ren and his words, and unlocked the closet. I threw it wide open and saw Dan smirking at me and Ren gapping at me. Ren pointed a shaky finger in my direction. "Y-you were listening?"

I nodded my head. "Yep."

"H-how long?"

I thought about it for a moment. "Hmmm....from the very start." I grinned down at Ren.

"You heard everything?" He asked.

I nodded again. "Uh hu. Everything. Word per word."

Ren's cheeks flamed in embarrassment while Dan had to slap a hand to his mouth to keep himself from laughing. I stared at Dan confusedly. "How did you know that I was listening?"

Dan stopped from laughing but the humor was still in his eyes. "I just figured it out from the start when you leaned in, the door rattled a little." He said. "Oh and I could see your shadow by the way."

I pouted at him. "Aw man."

Both the twins got up from the closet as they dusted themselves off. "Locking us into a closet. That was pretty mean, Princess." Ren commented as he grabbed his coat from the rack and placed it on and stretched his muscles. It was the coat that I was playing with earlier.

"Yes. For that, I think she deserves a punishment no?" Dan said to his brother and they both grinned at each other before turning to me.

"Err....but I did it to help you guys! At least be thankful!" I was slowly backing away towards the door by now. Each one took a menacing step towards me.

"Yes we are thankful" Ren said as Dan continued. "But a punishment for that crime is needed."

"Um...I don't think that what I did was a crime." I said more of a question than a statement.

They both shook their heads. "No it's not. But for us it is." As soon as they said that I quickly grab the heels that was on the floor and threw it at them.

"Hey!"

"Ow! That's dangerous, Rose!"

"Ha! If you knew that those are dangerous, then why would you let me wear those deadly weapons." I ran towards the door.

The boys hot on my heels. I threw it open and ran outside as fast as my feet could carry me.

Luckily I was wearing my flats again.

I wasn't watching where I was going so I ended up bumping into someone, and that someone was Fred who had caught me before I could fall. He was with Nate and Ace.

Fred gave me a confused look as if wondering what I was doing. "Are you all right?" He asked.

I have to keep myself from stuttering in front of him. "Y-yes." I said. "Um...what are you guys doing here?" Okay, that was rude to ask. If anything, Fred didn't mind it.

"Well, since you guys are a tad bit late for dinner, we figured to pick you guys up." He said. Ace snorted at him. "Sorry, we have to force Ace to come too." He corrected me.

"Why are you out of breath?" Nate asked me as he examined my face.

"I-I..."

"ROSE!" At the sound of the twins' voice, I acted fast and was behind Fred and Nate as I pointed towards the twins. "They are after me!"

Fred, Nate, and Ace followed the direction that my finger was pointing and looked at Ren and Dan, who were slightly shocked to see the others as well. Ren and Dan were gapping at them while Fred and Nate gave them a disapproving look. The twins laughed nervously. "Um...we were just playing. Right, Rose?" Ren looked at me for help which I replied by sticking my tongue out at them. They frowned at that.

Fred and Nate chuckled at my behavior. "You boys are gonna be in a heap of trouble." Fred said more of a joke, but the twins thought he was serious and fear flashed in their eyes. "I'm kidding." Fred said after seeing the nervousness in their eyes. The twins sighed in relief knowing that Fred was joking.

"Are we done here? If yes, then let's go. The king and Queen are waiting." Said Ace in annoyance.

Nate only chuckled at him. "I hate to say it but Ace is right. Let's go guys."

We nodded as we walked together to the dinning hall. I was walking between Nate and Fred since I figured that Ace still has a grudge on me and the twins wanted to have some revenge too. Ace still has a bit of doodle on his face. I guess the ink was pretty strong.

I peeked from Fred's side to look at Ace. "Hey Ace."

He didn't answer.

"Oh I'm sorry, PRINCE Ace?"

This time he did look at me but with annoyance. "What?"

I smirked at him. "Nice look. I think that mustache really suits you, but I prefer it if you have shaved it for dinner." If Fred wasn't between us I might have been killed by Ace already. He had to stop Ace from charging at me as we all laughed, except for Ace.

"I'm gonna kill her." Ace mumbled to himself.

I snorted at that.

Oh boy. I think I needed an escort all the time whenever I walked in this castle.

"Hey by the way boys. Why do you smell of wood?" Nate asked the twins who were beside them.

"Oh. We just had a trip to Marnia." Dan answered.

"Marnia?" Nate asked in confusion. The twins and I looked at each other and we laughed.

"Yes."