Aki lay in his bed, quietly thinking of the moments in the car, Amy's deflection, Ragnar's hesitation, they all replayed in his mind
"Hey, why'd you leave your guest downstairs" Chloe, tilting her head, stated at Aki
"Oh, sorry about that"
He pulled himself off the bed and walked downstairs with his sister
In the quiet kitchen, Amy sat stiff, as the workers placed different dishes on the table
"Rose asked me to join her at the competition, since you left her alone" Chloe teased
"Don't think I don't see what you two are trying to pull" Aki scoffed, waving his hand dismissively
With that, Chloe left, but not before leaving another piece of mystery
"Bye bye, Alshian princ....oops, ignore that"
"She's really strange" Smiling, he walked into the kitchen, and took a seat next to Amy.
Waving his hand, he dismissed the staff
(At first, I didn't really think of why she was following me, but now...)
"Amy"
"I need to ask you something"
Caught off guard, she turned to face him, but was met by his intense gaze, and immediately got embarrassed
"Yes?"
"Are you aware of our family's arrangements?"
In his mind, Ragnar was restless (Master, your methods are seductive, are you sure that's the right approach?)
(Seductive?, what's this little fox talking about?, this is just a normal conversation)
"Yes, I'm aware" Amy managed, her head down
"Are you fine with it"
(Why's he asking all these questions, it's not like I a choice in the matter"
"It doesn't matter if I'm fine with it or not"
(No drive, no resistance, I don't think this will work) Aki thought to himself
"Well, then I guess you won't mind me deciding for you?" He said, lifting a spoonful of soup towards her.
(Master, what are you attempting?)
(Dude relax, I know she won't eat otherwise, so I have to force her, look how frail and fragile she looks so relax, I don't predate ok)
"What do you mean by that" she asked, lowering her gaze, clearly avoiding him
(This won't do)
"There's no need to feel uptight, we're the same age, so relax a bit" he said, then pinched her arm, causing her snap her head towards him, mouth slightly open from a barely audible gasp
Using this chance, he fed her the soup, smiling slightly.
(Master, please have a sense of boundaries, I don't think miss Amy will choose to continue this conversation)
(I'll be more mindful)
"Do you know who you're arranged partner is?" He asked, resting his chin in his hands
"Yes, it's..."
(Is saying it really that embarrassing?)
"Since you already know, there's no need to say it"
"But I'll ask again, are you fine with it?"
Instead of answering, she smiled, and took the spoon from his hand, scooped some soup, and moved it towards his mouth
For the first time, his cheeks flushed in embarrassment
(This is a first, I always believed his emotions are non dominant in his actions, but this....)
"Aww, what's this?" Maria, teased from the doorway, causing Aki and Amy's face to turn a deep shade of red
Back at the competition
Cole walked onto the ring as his name was announced as the next fighter, staring at the Vip section, he saw Rose, but no sign of Aki.
The Vip section was immediately shocked by his action, Waving his hand at the beautiful woman sitting next to Aki's seat.
(It seems lady Rose will be watching me instead of the young master)
Even more shockingly, Rose waved back, slightly smiling
"That Lancaster brat, was he not just sponsored by the Hoshino, why does he act so familiar with them" A man sneered, his brows furrowed
"Hey, focus on the match " his opponent said, readying himself
"Begin"
The match began right as Chloe entered the Vip section.
"Woah, both the young ladies of the Hoshino family in one place, what a sight"
"Wow, they're like goddesses"
The entire audience was drawn to the two sisters, not noticing how the battle had already ended
In just a few moves, Cole had thrusted the rear side of his spear at his opponent's head, knocking him out.
"Over! Cole Lancaster takes the win in the first round" the commentator's voice drew everyone's attention back to the ring
"So, did he engage" Rose asked
"Probably, but he already saw through our little plan, and I had to leave, so I don't know what happened, maybe we should ask mom?"
"No, it's fine, by the way, your little admirer is down there"
"Don't you mean your admirer" Chloe teased, laughing lightly
Soon, Eric stepped onto the ring, Radiating intense Rage, and his opponent, who had been staring at the sisters, finally turned to his opponent.
"Hey, do you think I can get the hand of any of the two sisters?" He asked
Eric, sneered at him
"A lowlife like you, as if anyone would dirty their bodies for the likes of you"
"Hey Kai, Kai crimson" Chloe yelled from the Vip section, causing everyone to turn to look at her
"Hurry up and win before your sister is coerced to oblivion"
"What's this" Rose teased
"Are you finally acknowledging the feelings of the crimson kid"
"No, I'm just making things interesting between those two down there, I've always wanted to see how distant cousins actually resolve their issues, besides, I already have someone in my life"
Kai looked at Eric with contempt, prompting him to act with his fingers
Before he could even move, Kai surrounded him with a powerful barrier, releasing high level heat magic,"
"Over, win by knockout "
"I can't do anything to the Hoshino young master, even with the Hoshino sisters go ahead, I only hope sis is ok with the arrangement, Damn that Ronald"
Back at the Hoshino estate
Aki was the first to recover.
"Mom? What's up?"
"Oh, nothing, I just came back for a few things, I didn't mean to interrupt" she said, a knowing smile on her face
"Phineas, let's go"
Outside, Phineas couldn't help but ask, "Miss, weren't they...."
"It's fine, they've been apart for so long, so let's leave them to catch up "