Silence filled the air as the princess and the countryside boy stared at each other.
After what seemed like an hour, but was really just a few seconds, Lucas lowered his head, "I'm sorry about… well, everything from today. I never meant to offend or embarrass you, Big Sister Chris… Big Sister Tina."
This sudden apology and display of politeness came as a surprise to Christina.
Given who she was, Christina was used to people trying to ingratiate themselves to her, but few were ever completely sincere with their intentions like this.
What's more, Christina knew that, for the most part, she was the one at fault for all the unpleasantness of today.
It was supposed to be her apologizing, not the other way around, yet her pride and stubbornness had gotten in the way up until now.
Realizing that Lucas was trying to ease their awkward relationship, Christina felt she had no choice but to respond in kind. Placing her left hand over her right fist in front of her chest and dipping her head slightly, Christina performed a small noble's bow, "No, I should be the one apologizing. I acted impulsively and thoughtlessly, escalating minor matters into serious issues."
If anyone else had seen this, they would surely have been shocked. It was almost a taboo for a royal to lower their head or apologize, especially to a commoner, yet Princess Christina had done just that.
Lucas had no idea about all the complicated nuances of noble etiquette, but he was wise beyond his years and understood that receiving a bow from a princess was a really big deal. As such, he hurriedly straightened up and waved his free hand, saying, "No no no, there's no need for that. Please lift your head, Princess."
Right after he let that title slip, Lucas covered his mouth and glanced around warily, wishing he could hit himself for being so careless.
Only after confirming that no one else was around to hear him did he relax slightly and lower his head sheepishly again.
"Princess?" Eris' voice suddenly rang in Lucas' ears, reminding him that his big sister was around as well.
Hastily, Lucas tried to weave a plausible tale, "Uh, it's nothing. Really. It's like… when all the kids in town call you princess, Big Sister Eris."
Fortunately for the boy, Christina quickly came to his rescue, "Don't worry, I already told Sister Eris who I am."
"You did?" Lucas asked with incredulity.
"En, I told her my name was Christina Rockwell," the princess replied.
"I know I'm probably the last person who should be asking this, but…. should you have done that?" Lucas inquired. Christina being a princess was supposed to be a closely guarded secret, yet now it seemed like she was spreading it around to anyone who wanted to know.
"Hey…"
"I have accepted Eris as my Sworn Sister, so I don't think it's right for me to conceal such an important matter from her."
"But there will probably be negative consequences for revealing your identity so casually."
"I understand that, but I still feel it was worth the risk. Eris is trustworthy in my opinion."
"Hey…"
"I trust Big Sister Eris too, but this isn't just a matter of trust, is it?"
"Well… I guess so, but still…"
"HEY!" Eris finally couldn't stand being left out of the conversation again and shouted, drawing both Lucas and Christina out of their debate while also startling Yuki awake.
Seeing Eris pouting again, Lucas and Christina exchanged a glance before both of them apologized again.
After nodding and accepting their apology, Eris finally got to ask what she had been wondering about, "What do you mean Tina is a princess?"
Hearing this, Lucas turned to Christina with a funny look on his face.
"Ahem, I only told her my real name…" Christina coughed awkwardly and half-explained.
At the time, Christina had suspected that Eris didn't understand what she meant when she called herself a 'Rockwell', but hadn't bothered to confirm it as she didn't care either way at that point.
Now, it seemed her suspicions were correct; Eris really had missed the point.
Noticing that Eris was beginning to purse her lips in annoyance once more, Lucas hurriedly spoke up, "Big Sister Eris, what's the surname of our kingdom's Royal Family?"
Tilting her head, Eris wondered why her little brother was asking such a silly question, but she still replied, "Rockwell. Why?"
"And Big Sister Christina's last name is…?" Lucas continued to nudge her along.
Confusion filled Eris' face for another moment before something finally clicked and her jaw dropped. Pointing a trembling finger at Christina, Eris flapped her gums a few times, unable to form a coherent word.
This was exactly the reaction Christina had feared she would receive upon Eris finding out her true identity, which was why, although she had resolved to expose her last name, she hadn't made any further efforts to clarify herself.
What would her new Sworn Sister do now
Would she try to distance herself?
Would she bow down and apologize?
Would she no longer play with her like a friend?
Worry soon began to consume Christina as she averted her eyes, anxious about what the next words out of Eris' mouth would be.
Lucas, on the other hand, wasn't worried at all as he was fairly certain Eris would only have one reaction.
Sure enough, his big sister didn't disappoint when she let out a loud cheer, "Amazing! So, you're really a real princess, Tina!?"
Like she had been struck by a bolt of lighting, Christina stiffened up, lifting her head a moment later to see a look of pure fascination on her new little sister's face.
Just like that, all her worries were washed away, and the sense of relief brought tears to her eyes.
Without another word, Christina rushed over and embraced Eris while nodded over and over again.
Caught off-guard, all Eris could do was hug Christina back, thinking to herself Big Sister Tina sure does cry a lot.
Shaking his head, Lucas just smiled and observed from the side. It seemed that even if she was privileged and wanted for nothing materially, life wasn't easy even for a princess like Christina.
It was some time before Christina collected herself again and let go of Eris, this time making it absolutely clear, "En, that's right. I am Princess Christina Rockwell, twelfth and youngest daughter of King Nathanial Rockwell and Third Queen Cynthia Morgan."
"Oh, um," caught off-guard by the sudden display of formal etiquette, Eris struggled to remember what she had been taught in all those boring lessons and hastily re-introduced herself as well, "I'm, I mean, I am Eris Newton, daughter of Baron Charles Newton and Lady Sasha Balfour."
Despite being part of the Balfour Family, Sasha didn't technically have a noble title of her own, so Eris simply referred to her mother as 'Lady', which was her title in Redwood Town.
Another strange silence fell once this re-introduction was completed, with the two noble daughters seemingly not knowing what to say next.
"Yip yip!" Yuki called out from Lucas' arms before the boy quickly covered her mouth. Unfortunately, it was too late and the serious atmosphere had been ruined.
Glancing around again, the three children shared another laugh before Christina wiped her eyes dry and turned back to Lucas, "What would you say if I asked for us to start over from the beginning, Lucas?"
"If you're willing to let bygones be bygones, I'll gladly accept that offer, Christina," Lucas smiled and held out his hand.
"Just call me Tina, and of course I'm willing to start fresh!" Christina smiled happily and shook the offered hand; however, before she let go, a glint flashed across the princess' eyes as she tightened her grip slightly, "I look forward to competing with you fairly from now on, Little Brother Lucas."
Lucas' face twitched when he heard this, wondering just what part of 'letting bygones be bygones' Christina didn't understand.
Still, feeling the fierce gaze directed at him, and feeling the pinch in his hand, a sense of defiance rose in Lucas' heart, one that compelled him to not back down despite the terrible odds he was facing.
And so, clenching his own fist a bit tighter, Lucas nodded firmly, "I won't disappoint you, Big Sister Tina.
The two children, who could not have come from more different backgrounds, glared at each other for a moment before they released their respective grips.
Saying Lucas and Christina had become friends today would probably be a stretch, but they were definitely more than just acquaintances now. As for what would become of their relationship in the future, only time would tell.