The sound of the wind and the dazzling sun make the day undeniably perfect for a day out. The two brothers, Prince Lex and Prince Leon, looked dashing as they walked side by side towards an ordinary wooden carriage. Both of them wore something simple, though who could deny their appearance? Everywhere they went, they would definitely attract the attention of the passerby.
They walk in silence till Prince Lex starts talking.
"Have you had your breakfast?" Prince Lex said this without even looking at Prince Leon. He doesn't know how to start the conversation, so he just talks about whatever is on top of his mind.
"Yes, I did. But it's boring having breakfast alone," Prince Leon said.
"If you want, I can accompany you," Prince Lex stayed silent for a second before replying. He was also used to eating alone at his work desk. He did not think much about it as he preferred it that way.
"Really?! Are you sure? You can't reject me when I ask, okay?" Prince Leon said with excitement as he walked fast and stood in front of his brother, who had no sign of stopping. He felt like he was growing closer to his brother.
"Yes," Prince Lex said as he stopped walking and looked straight at Prince Leon.
"Come on, we don't want to be late," he continued, and started walking.
"Late? For what? I thought we were just visiting," Prince Leon asked curiously.
Inside Remus's Household, I was getting ready to go out. It's been quite some time since I visited the children, as I needed to pretend to be injured.
Before I went out, I baked a few chocolate muffins to share with the kids. Though I said a few, it was still a lot as there were at least a dozen children that I knew.
As I was getting ready, one of the maids knocked on my door.
"Lady Deanna, Sir Calisto is here to see you," she said.
"Alright. Thank you. I'll be down in a jiff," I said.
After a few minutes, I went down and saw Sir Calisto, who was patiently waiting for me.
"Calisto," I said with a smile.
"Deanna, you look beautiful today. Are you going somewhere?" Sir Calisto asked as he saw me with my basket.
"Yes, I'm going to the town. It's been quite some time. I wonder how the children were," I said with excitement.
"Can I accompany you?" Sir Calisto asked. He looked somewhat anxious yet excited. He seems afraid that I won't be with him anymore. He knew how I felt about him, but he was willing to try, hoping one day I would feel the same way.
"I don't mind going alone, but going with someone is better than alone," I said this as I tried to erase the scene from our last conversation in which I fought with him.
The journey to the town was exactly as before. We talked and laughed, though my heart could feel that both of us were trying to hide the awkwardness between us. We both wanted different things that both of us couldn't seem to give in. What I felt inside couldn't change overnight; it could not be bought by the price of guilt and pitiness. I wanted to be in love, not just accept love. As of now, the love that I can give him is love for a friend or a brother, nothing more or nothing less.
While the other side of the small town, the two princes walked down the road, only a few words could be heard between them. But their looks were enough to make people who passed them steal glances. It's not just their looks that make people catch glances at them, but also their presence themselves, which makes women hold their breath while men just aim to be like them.
As the two princes walked further and further into the heart of the town, Prince Lex spotted a figure that he yearned to see each day but was still confused about what he was feeling. He saw that both me and Sir Calisto were happily side by side, and for some reason, his heart felt like it had been squeezed. He just stood there silently, though he felt like he wanted to move forward and pull me away from there. He once thought about whether he loved me, admired me, or just wanted to protect me. Love always comes and goes. Thus, he thought, it is scary and cold. Hence, whatever he felt right now, he tried to deny the love he felt, leaning towards a sense of protection and admiration.
"Brother, why did you stop?" Prince Leon asked, though there was no response whatsoever.
"Brother!" he continued, somewhat shouting at his brother.
He snapped out of his zone and responded to Prince Leon with a simple, " Yes".
"Are you alright?" Prince Leon asked.
"Yes, I am fine," he responded.
He may have looked fine, but his mind was somewhere else. He started to move forward, and before he knew it, he was standing right behind me.
"Brother, what's wrong?" Prince Leon asked, as he was standing beside him. He was surprised by the sudden movements of his brother. It was like he was trying to catch someone. Nevertheless, Prince Lex just stayed silent until I turned my head around.
"I'll go get you a drink. Wait here," Prince Leon said, worriedly.
He was just standing still, with no movements at all. Our eyes met, but he still didn't budge. We both just stared at each other. During that moment, I didn't know what to say and I wondered why he didn't say anything but only stared. I waited for him to say something, but he didn't. I could feel my face starting to heat up.
Suddenly, Sir Calisto, who was talking to the shopkeeper before, turned around to see what caught my eyes. Then, he walked straight to Prince Lex, who was still dazed.
"Lex, you didn't say you were coming today," Sir Calisto said, standing in front of Prince Lex and blocking his view of what he was staring affectionately at.
"Calisto," he responded.
"Oh, I am just out with Leon today," he continued.
"Where is Leon? I didn't see him," Sir Calisto asked.
I walked slowly and stood beside Sir Calisto, who was talking to Prince Lex.
As they were talking, Prince Leon came back from buying the drink for his brother.
"Calisto. You are here as well? That's great; we can have a meal later, isn't it, brother?" Prince Leon asked.
Suddenly, his gaze turned towards me, who was just looking at him, wondering who he was.
"It's you!" Prince Leon said, and he moved to stand in front of me.
"Have we met before?" I asked. I can't seem to remember him.
I tried to recall who he was, and just like a broken film, I remember bits of it.
"I remember. You are the one who accused me of kidnapping, right?" I said.
"How could I forget the one who tried to stab me?" I said
"You did what?!" Sir Calisto and Prince Lex were synchronized with each other.
Sir Calisto held my hand tightly. He was afraid something bad would happen, as he remembered what happened at the tavern a few months ago. Prince Lex just stays silent with a frown on his face as he sees Sir Calisto holding my hand tightly.
"It's a mistake. I am sorry. I thought she was trying to kidnap that child," Prince Leon said, feeling guilty.
"It's fine. I know you were only trying to protect them, and you weren't actually trying to harm me,"I said with a smile.
Then I looked at Sir Calisto and gave him a big smile, trying to reassure him while pulling my hand away from him.
"Leon, next time, investigate first before making any hasty decision," Prince Lex said, seriously.
"What if something happens?" he continued.
Prince Leon looked down, feeling guilty.
"It's alright. I am glad there's still a person like him who protects the children," I said to him.
"I am Deanna Remus. It is nice to meet you," I continued, trying to move away from the topic. I just intended to lighten up the situation, I didn't mean for it to get even more gloomy.
He lifted his head up. He smiled back at me warmly and sweetly, that small dimple playing at the corner of his mouth.
"I am Leontius. You can call me Leon," Prince Leon said.
"I am sorry for what my brother has caused you," Prince Lex said.
"I told you it's fine, didn't I?" I said while my arms were folded, pretending to be dissatisfied.
"Deanna, I think we should go now," Sir Calisto said as he looked down at me. He doesn't want to be in this situation for long.
"You're right," I said.
"We have to go now. Enjoy your day, okay," I bid them farewell with a smile.
As I turned away, I could hear Prince Lex calling me.
"Deanna," he called. His voice was low and deep. It felt like the call of someone you yearn for but couldn't ever get close to. Just like a dream, when everything was a reality.
Then, with no expectation, he held the handle of the basket that I was holding, making me stop in surprise.
"Yes, Lex," I said, curiously waiting for his words.
Sir Calisto was just looking at Prince Lex. He didn't say anything, but his face showed that he was irritated.
"You're going to meet the children, right?" he said with a monotonous voice.
"Yes. It's been quite some time. Why did you ask? Do you want to come as well?" I asked. Children are increasing each day, but I am only one person, and how much a person can do, was what i thought at that time. So I'd be glad if he would join as well. They could help teach the children, both he and Sir Calisto.
"I have yet to show you the school," Prince Lex said.
"What school?" I asked, curiously.
"I'll show you," Prince Lex said.
We were walking further down the road, and as usual, Sir Calisto never left my side. At first, Prince Lex was standing on my right side. However, he was pushed to the side by his own little brother who was full of character.
"Deanna, I didn't know you were Duke Remus's daughter? I thought he only had one. I bet you are the diamond of Remus's family," Prince Leon said.
"I don't think so," I replied, with a small laugh, pretending that I was nothing. Honestly, I don't really like talking about my family after everything that has happened.
"Why have I never seen you before? I wish I'd met you sooner, " Prince Leon said.
I just gave him a smile, as I didn't know how to respond to his words.
"I always visit here. There are many nice restaurants around here. Maybe when you are free, we can have a meal together," he continued.
"Leon, stop disturbing Deanna," Lex said.
"The way you speak may put Deanna in a tight spot. Mind your words," said Sir Calisto, who was quiet before, starting to open his mouth. He was somewhat irritated by those two siblings. He wanted to spend more time with me, not with the accompaniment of those two disturbances. He was jealous of what he saw as a threat to him.
"Lex, Calisto, it's fine, I don't mind," I said.
"Sure Leon, I would love to go," I continued while facing Leon, who had felt wronged before.
"Really? Nice," he said. His mood lightens up somewhat quickly, which I find quite amusing. He seems just like a small child.
While walking, a few of the children ran happily towards me. I could see all their happy faces. It's been quite some time since I last visited here.
I ran forward and hugged all the children. I felt wronged since I was the one who suggested teaching all these children, but I was nowhere near here for quite a long time. They brought me to tears for just being well, happy and still accepting of me.
"We miss you," said one of the children.
"Sir Lex said you were sick. I am glad you are fine now," Cato said.
"We liked the place before, but now it's even better. Thank you," Felicity said as she burst with joy.
Miss Anna, thank you so much. We really like the new place," one of them said joyfully.
"What new place?" I asked.
"The one you asked Sir Lex to present to us. Come on, Miss Anna. You have to see it," Felicity said as she pulled my hand forward without waiting for me to respond.
I was pulled by them happily towards the school. They were overjoyed by my appearance.
Sir Calisto just walked behind me without a word to either of the brothers. The brothers just quietly followed behind Sir Calisto. Despite the jealousy that Sir Calisto felt right now, he was happy to see me smiling.
"So beautiful,"Prince Leon whispered to himself while watching me enjoy the presence of the children. He started wanting to get to know me the first time he saw me smiling. Some people may say it's unreasonable, but it is for him. It was that moment when you see someone smile so genuinely that you can feel their warmth. Not many people around him have an honest act. They will put on an act just to be on his good side. That's the reason he finds me so interesting and likeable.
"Leon, stop asking Deanna about her family,"Prince Lex said with a serious tone.
"Why? Is there something wrong?" Prince Leon asked curiously.
"Just do as I say," Prince Lex finished the sentence and paced up his steps to catch up, leaving Prince Leon with his own thoughts. Moreover, with just that one sentence, he knew he shouldn't pry more, though his heart was dying to know every layer of of it.