Chapter 55

"you came."

"how could I not?" he took long strides and sat next to her, shaking off his shoes. Her eyes stayed on the shimmering water, as she wriggled her toes, until water slipped between them, then lowered and raised them, repeating the same process as if it was more fascinating than the handsome face beside her.

Her clothes were the most simple and plain, and she strongly believed she was the very incarnation of ordinary. To her, her skin wasn't as pale and pristine like the beauty standards these days, and her brown eyes couldn't be more dull. The most common eye color there is.

"you better have brought a gift or I will push you right off this bridge." she threatened with a playful smile.

"you don't have to, I will jump off myself! It's better than wasting my time talking to you." he laughed.

"Anton!" she slapped his arm. "I'll let you know there are countless people who would wait on line to have the chance of speaking with me!"

"really? How come I don't see any of them around?" he teased. She rolled her eyes and splashed him with water.

"here." he tossed her a small piece of fabric with a ribbon. If he could give her a gift, it would be the ability to see herself through his eyes. To see how special she is. Her soft features, silky hair, and how her sharp eyes can hold galaxies in them. The way her lips curl into a mischievous smile, and the mysterious way her eyes shine, and how big her heart is when she helps the old, weak, and the poor.

"is this a hint urging me to act more lady-like?" she opened the fan under her chin.

The fan looked absolutely gorgeous! A dark shade of blue lake reflecting a full moon with a hidden shadow of a howling wolf, with white ripples around the small feathers, petals, and water lilies. It had a black jade handle with silver feather patterns, and white frill at the edges. Even the white tassel and cotton pompoms dangling from it looked pretty.

"well, I'm not going to wear it anyway, it doesn't match with my clothes." she lied. The dress she had on was a dark shade of blue with a white apron, and the silver crescent moon hair stick he gifted her last year had been on her hair ever since.

"even with this?" he pulled a sharp dagger from the handle. Contrary to his expectation, her face contorted strangely. His heart sank.

"if you don't like it, then I'll just—"

"it's, it's not that..."

"good. Will save me the trouble of returning it." he chuckled rubbing his neck awkwardly.

"this isn't specifically customized, is it?"

"of course not. Don't flatter yourself."

She rolled her eyes, but the atmosphere returned peaceful like earlier. " it looks too expensive, this makes me feel bad—"

"it does?!" Andrew said surprised. "well, we don't want that, now do we? Give me something in return. Hurry. Right now."

She slapped his hand away." I would treat you to dinner, but that's it."

"gasp! You, buying me, dinner?!" he narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "you don't plan on poisoning it, do you?"

"I never said I would buy you dinner." she carefully put the fan in her pocket. "but I can offer to cook for you."

"no, I would never risk my life! I want to try food from a restaurant." he demanded like a spoiled child.

"and where would I get the money?" she got up and walked away, and he followed.

"just kidding! I didn't peg you for someone who can't handle jokes! "

"ah!" she fell backwards off the bridge.

"Dilara!" just as he reached out to catch her, she pulled his arm, helping herself up, and pulling him down to the water.

The water wasn't deep, only reached his knees, but he was still soaked to the hair on his head. "that was uncalled for!"

"ha ha ha!" her loud laughter sounded as clear as silver bells and as hearty as spring, immediately dissipated all his anger away. The sun rays fell on her eyes, wrapping them in a soft hue, illustrating a beautiful image like pools of honey could be seen through her eyes." I didn't peg you for someone who can't handle a joke!"

"I truly thought you were going to drown!" he squeezed the water from his blouse "Where do I find extra clothes now?"

"in this weather, they will dry in a matter of time."

"in this weather, I will freeze to death in a matter of time!"

"come in." Dilara opened a door to a small house in a less crowded area of the capital, just on the outskirts.

He left his shirt to dry over the fireplace and warmed himself as she got busy in the kitchen. "Dinner is... Wha-what are you doing!"

'Oh my God! Why is he shirtless!' She quickly turned around with two bowels of soup on her hands. She felt the hotness traveling from the bowls to her neck and spreading across her face, blossoming into a red rose. Even the autumn air around her cheeks resembled steam instead of chilling breeze.

Dinner...dinner! He has to eat dinner with the family! Curse whomever got that idea!

"on second thought, I just remembered there's something I need to do. How about nother time? Yeah? " he pulled his shirt on and rushed out. "later!"

"huh?" she looked at the open door confused.

He left. Just like that...he left. That's not right. Since when does he leave first? She looked like an idiot standing there staring at the doorway with a hot red face. She stepped outside for a moment to cool her burning face.

No! That dramatic exit belongs to her! She should leave first, leaving him wanting more. Not the opposite! Somehow... She didn't feel angry...just something felt amiss. As if something is lost. That nagging feeling like she forgot something... Something important. Her burning faced cooled down a few levels until it settled on a scary tone of cold frost.

*****

By the time he snuck back into his room, dinner was already over, so even if all the sprinting tired and starved him, he would have to swallow his hunger and and sleep on it. He sluggishly put on pajamas and threw his partly wet clothes into the back of the closet.

Knock. Knock.

His heart beat faster as he slipped under the sheets and waited for whomever it was to leave. But that didn't happen.

Click.

"Brother, I heard you were not feeling well?" a familiar voice shook his heart with distress and fear. His body stiffened and he held his breath. If he pretend to be asleep, he will leave. Yes, he will go.

"Brother, your acting skills are as good as a child's. Although, I do have to say you are getting better and better at sneaking in and out." his bed dipped from one side. "you always seem to forget the small details and focus on the bigger picture, leaving behind clues."

"You might have fooled most people, but you seem to have forgotten the most important thing of all; I have discerning eyes, they won't miss the most miniscule movement of the grass blades. Especially when a man of six foot is on top of them."

'sh*t! That knight!'

"the only question remains... Where do you leave to? If you can get past an army of tutors and a wall of guards, it must be important. Is it not, brother?"

Andrew kept his position, not uttering a single syllable. A tap in his shoulder made him flinch, but he remained silent.

" the room is a bit cold, don't you think?... as if the windows were left ajar. "The emperor was equally stubborn.

'I closed th...oh.'

" is that dirt on the floor?... It seems the servants aren't doing a very good job." if he didn't have documents piling on his desk, he could have this interrogation all night. " I will assign you new servants."

He got up and was about to leave.

"wait!"

He knew the emperor won't assign servants but elite knights. Not to guard him, but to keep an eye on him while doing lowly chores meant for servants. To be stuck dusting curtains after years of intense training, the knights will undoubtedly not waste a moment not glaring at him for their misfortune.

"Imperial brother!"

"oh! Brother, you are awake!" the emperor acted surprised. "is your 'tummy' still uncomfortable? Here, the doctors prepared this for you."

Of course the emperor didn't mention anything about bitter medicine, if he did, Andrew would pretend to be asleep for two days if he had to.

"um, thank you for your thoughtfulness, imperial brother." his stomach churned at the dark goo. "but, I am already feeling so much better, all thanks to your care."

"really? Your face still looks pale. I am 'worried' ."

'imagine it's a sweet juice.' Andrew closed his eyes and convinced himself to gulp it down. He didn't have dinner, maybe his stomach would feel less empty.

"yuck!" its taste was as horrible as it looked, bitter and disgusting. Having it on an empty stomach made him even more nauseous and uncomfortable.

"that's good, little brother." the emperor pet his head like he was rewarding a child for drinking his medicine. "oh, silly me, I forgot to bring sweet candy to help with the bitter taste. My apologies. Well, I will leave you to rest. Good night, little brother! Sleep well."

The emperor left without further words, a secret mischievous smile playing in the corner of his lips.

Andrew felt embarrassed!

In the end, the emperor got what he wanted and he had to suffer. Not only would he assign knights to monitor him, but he made him drink that terrible lumpy goop! The disgusting taste stayed on his mouth even after rinsing it for five times! What's more, he didn't even let him explain his situation!

His pawky brother must be teaching him a lesson to be more obedient next time. Just like when they were kids. The emperor wasn't someone to be reckoned with, he was as sly and cunning as a fox. He preferred playing with his prey and tossing it around instead of bouncing at it at once.

What unfortunate luck to be stuck with him!