Acquiescence

Her large chestnut eyes looked at us with a kind of musical delight, but the edges of her lips squirmed in confusion. She tilted her head slightly and looked at our trio from different angles. Finally, she reached out a hand and cautiously poked at Cacophony's lips. 

"This is how you dare to treat your empress having not met for so long? I should have you sacrificed, no, that'd be too great an honor for someone with such arrogance."

Quickly retracting her hand, Jean wiped it on her blouse as though attempting to wipe away her sins. 

Currently, the four of us are on a sidewalk near the medical center where Jean gets treatment. We'd caught her just as she was about to walk home. We'd arrived just in the knick of time.

"Ah! Sorry. I just didn't think you guys were real, is all!" Glancing at me, Jean smiled before continuing, "I was worried that I was wrapped up in one of the Dark King's great illusions."

I shook my head and gave a smirk, "Please. If this were one of my illusions, I would've thought up something far more grand." 

"Yeah, you're right. I'm sure that my human mind wouldn't have been able to process it.", Jean giggled, her laughter light and airy.

She brushed her vibrant auburn hair from her face and gave a mock curtsy, her movements theatrical but warm. "It's nice to finally meet again my dear Dark King and most grand Empress of the night. It is a great pleasure to be at your service. Oh, and of course, it's great to see you as well Char!"

Charlotte, standing stiffly to the side, shifted her weight uneasily. Her eyes darted between Jean and me, her lips pressing into a thin line. It seemed that meeting her sister was an even bigger surprise than I'd expected. 

Well, this wouldn't have the intended effect if it wasn't. 

Jean gave a graceful smile that proved she was worthy of the nickname 'Maiden'. With a contemplative look, she observed our odd trio before finally settling on Charlotte.

 She hadn't said a single word or attempted to join the conversation this entire time. Her face remained neutral, but her shoulders were tense, and her usual air of confidence was muted. Jean's gaze flickered toward her, softening slightly.

Though I myself have no siblings, I guessed the type of older sister that Jean would be. In fact, this whole thing was a bet. Or, no, that's the wrong way to put it. Because it was Jean it wasn't a bet, it was a guarantee.

I'd placed all my chips on what Jean would say to Charlotte at this moment. Everything had been taken right out of my hands.

Noticing the shift in the atmosphere, Cacophony decided to silently take a step back and observe things from the sidelines. Even without knowing any background information, she didn't wish to interrupt a moment between sisters.

"What's up, Char? Did something happen or are you just that unhappy to see me?"

"I-I, no, no, I'm happy to see you. You were on your way back from... treatment right?", As she spoke, Charlotte seemed to be losing more and more of her nerve. By the end, the words had to be forced out of her throat. 

Jean's expression didn't falter. Instead, she stepped closer, her movements uncharacteristically careful. She clearly didn't understand exactly why her sister was acting off, but even so, she was thinking up a method of cheering her up.

Leaning forward, Jean spoke kindly, "I missed you,"

Charlotte flinched as though she rejected the very idea. "Huh? It hasn't even been that long though. We saw each other this morning." 

"And isn't that just way too long! Between hearing the Dark King's grand tales of adventure and serving the beautiful empress, I wish I could just spend all the rest of my time snuggled up against my cute little sister."

Hearing this, Chatlotte's face drooped down into one of bewilderment and astonishment. It was an expression that she often had when hearing my delusions. It might've been due to that fact that it came so naturally to her, to the point that she herself didn't even notice she was making the expression. 

Jean's words hung in the air, lighthearted yet cutting through the tension like a blade. Charlotte's bewildered expression faltered for a moment, replaced by something unreadable—a flash of vulnerability that she quickly masked by adjusting her posture. She cleared her throat and looked away, rubbing the back of her neck.

"Calm it. You're talking like you're a total creep. No shot I'm ever going to be your body pillow." 

"Should you really be saying that with Veri standing right there? I mean, as a member of his harem of princesses-"

Noticing Charlotte's deathly glare, Jean relented, covering her mouth with her hand. "Really? I mean, you totally look like you'd be a princess. I thought he'd already laid his dastardly paws on you. I was ready to go home and tell Mom that you'd finally been stolen away."

"...What's got you in such a good mood? You aren't usually so..." 

The tone of Charlotte's voice changed as she spoke those words. It wasn't something said out of confusion, but out of bitterness formed by bad memories and the sight of the medical center just behind her sister.

Jean went silent as she thoughtfully picked out what she would say. Intuitively, it seemed that Jean knew just how important her words would be.

Reaching out her hand, Jean poked at her sister's forehead with a sincere softness.

"Right now, I've got absolutely no reason to be wound up. Right now my heart is beating and I'm surrounded by people I love who would happily come running to me to extend their hands to help me. Really, the reason might be simple, but why wouldn't I be enjoying myself?"

Charlotte opened her mouth to quip back, but no words came from her lips. At that moment, her eyes didn't reflect understanding, but guilt. Her face tensed and contorted.

It was as though she were attempting to somehow take fault for not completely understanding her sister at all times. As though not instantly comprehending was further proof of the distance between them. 

At the time, I couldn't understand why she was feeling that way, but I still wished for the best outcome.

I might be out of my depth for thinking this, but I want to ease Charlotte's sea of worries—her worries about the distance between herself and her Jean, whether things will last, and whatever else she hasn't told me yet. 

Charlotte turned her head toward me. There was a kind of sharpness in her glare, but it lacked its usual edge. 

"Veri," she said, her voice sharper now. "Why are we here? You didn't drag me out here just to have Jean make fun of me, did you?"

I crossed my arms and shrugged. "Maybe I just wanted you two to talk. Is that so wrong?"

Charlotte's eyes narrowed, her suspicion clear. "I don't buy that for a second. What are you scheming?"

I sighed.

Looking toward the ground, I began to speak, "You're correct; you've found me out. So, I'll tell you what I wanted you to see and experience."

Raising my head, I made a proud statement. "Watch closely, this is Jean!"

Charlotte's jaw tightened, her gaze muddy with confusion. "Of course, who else would it be?" 

"The way you see Jean might not be the way I do. But I hope you start to understand."

Charlotte went quiet for a moment before speaking again, "Yeah... I guess so... Strong, happy, a well of resilience..." 

"Sure." I said dryly, "And, she's just Jean. Just some stupidly simple, sick girl."

At that comment, Charlotte shot me a nasty look, one that showed a clear resistance to what I'd been saying. Before she could voice these thoughts, Jean came up and grabbed her from behind. 

"Hey! Let me go!"

Charlotte's hands twitched at her sides as if she wanted to return the hug but didn't know how. Her breath hitched briefly before she forced herself to remain still.

As Charlotte struggled against her sister's embrace, Jean whispered something softly in her ear.

"I don't know what's up with you, but if you need something, don't hesitate to talk to me. Unlike me, you're also so upright and mature, you should relax every once in a while. Enjoy the little things while you can."

As Jean squeezed her sister in an embrace, I caught the briefest flicker of something in Charlotte's eyes. Unable to hear what Jean had said, I could not confirm exactly what it was.

Slowly, Charlotte closed her eyes and remained frozen. It didn't last for all too long, but it was clear that something in her head was being changed, even if not completely. 

As her older sister assaulted her from behind, Charlotte opened her eyes and glanced up at me with an embarrassed expression on her face. It was a rare expression that I didn't usually get to see. It was an expression that was earnest.

Suddenly, she spoke loudly, "Alright, alright! I'll get you charged up for only ten more seconds, then this ride will be closing down."

Interrupting, I quickly spoke. 

"How about me? Can I join in with the charging?"

"You didn't even put on your persona... You almost sound serious... I'm getting goosebumps, how creepy..."

Reluctantly, Charlotte finally joined the banter.

She glanced at me again, her expression unreadable. Then, with an almost imperceptible nod, she looked away.

Just as the warmth of the moment settled in, a new presence made itself known.

A sharp clack of heels against the pavement, deliberate and unhurried.

Cacophony stepped back into our little scene, her gaze sweeping over us with an almost feline amusement. The corners of her lips curled into a satisfied smile, as though she'd just witnessed the finale of a well-conducted performance.

In her case, it'd be more like watching the last episode without watching the rest of the series. 

"Well Veri, from where I stand I'd say that you got what you wanted." 

"Isn't that only natural? I never fail in my duties!"

"Yes, yes. The air is filled with the sweet and savory scent of bonds and heartfelt banter. And in light of such touching sentiments, I find myself feeling rather... indulgent."

"Excuse me-" 

I barely had time to react before she was beside me, pressing close with that signature fluidity of movement. Her fingers ghosted along my collar, a delicate touch that belied the intent behind it.

"I think I shall have my meal early today," she purred, a devilish look on her face.

"But right now?! Jean has never even seen-!"

Likely taking pleasure in my desperate pleas, she leaned forward and plunged her sharp fangs into my neck.

The powerful surge that swept through my body was a feeling on the border of pleasure and pain. 

Jean let out a small, startled gasp, while Charlotte recoiled slightly, her expression contorting between disgust and alarm. Honestly, Charlotte seemed as though she was one step away from fighting to pull Cacophony off of me. If I'd shown any sign of discomfort, I was sure that she really would've.

Finally, she pulled back, licking a stray drop of blood from her lips before flashing a coy smirk.

"Woah, it was no joke... you really are a vampire...", Jean murmured out. 

Cacophony winked. "Only the greatest of all time."

While Cacophony reveled in Jean's amazement, I wasn't doing as well. 

Suddenly being left in a state of exhaustion, I slump forward. Before I could fall, a purple blur that I've become far too accustomed to seeing flashed in front and leaned me a shoulder.

Charlotte sighed, "We're back to this? You should consider not working so hard."

"Yeah... I guess we have done this before... Well, just as before, I am in no need of your assistance. A great man like me-" 

In a pout, Charlotte gave me a playful punch in the side. 

"I got all that already. You're cool and amazing and all of that. So, instead of doing that again let me say something." 

Not wanting to look directly at me, the purple-haired wonder turned her head to the side. I could only see the side of her face, but there seemed to be a slight redness to her cheek. 

"...Thank you... I'll work hard to pay off my debt to you."

***

Charlotte's perspective on Jean still needs some work, but I hope I opened the door.

I also got the feeling that her impression of me has changed somewhat as well.

And at that moment, I knew.

Charlotte had been pulled just a little closer into the embrace of the great empress's domain.