" Brother , don't you believe in God. " Ria asked Shiva in her sweet voice.
-- " Why would I believe in something I don't know even exists. " Shiva replied.
" But everyone else in the family does. "
-- " It's their choice. "
" Yeah but you know papa doesn't like when you talk like that. " Ria said.
-- " I know, but I can't just change myself. "
" You changed for her." Ria asked in an obvious tone.
-- " She's different."
" Ohhh , is she more important than me now." Ria asked with a slight chuckle.
-- " Of course she is. No doubt about it." I was going to say no but seeing her smile - I decided to just tease her a little.
" Then_ _ then will you forget about me after you go back this time." Riya asked in a slightly hoarse tone.
I was going to tease her a little more but I saw tears were already forming in her eyes. I just sighed.
Ria was good in every way smart, funny, pretty and pretty cute too but she only had one fault - she just loved crying. After watching so many dramas at home , her emotions are almost always high and she couldn't take a joke.
I wiped her eyes with my hand and hugged her softly and said -
" Never, I will never forget you. Little Ria."
Hearing my words Ria asked again in a pouting tone - " Promise. "
Her face blossomed hearing those words and her previous gloomy mood instantly vanished. I just stared at her dumbfounded at how fast her mood changes and a small smile came on my face too.
(How can I ever forget you Little Ria)
This memory was playing in my head when I stared at the girl who was fighting with Artemis right now.
I saw her before in Rio's memories but I just shrugged it off thinking it was cause of the merging or when the faces started to mix up in mind and I was just imagining it, but now looking at her - standing in front of me - I knew She was the same, she was Ria .
Watching me staring at her she came near me and started saying -
" What you forgot about me now _"
She was saying something but I didn't hear anything after that, I just hugged her tightly. My eyes were teary and I could feel a lump in my throat. I just held her in my arms and said -
" Never, I will never forget you. little Ria."
Amelia was happy when she heard her brother say he'll never forget her but his next words made her shocked.
" Who's Riya, brother. " - Amelia asked in a slightly raised tone , she was getting really angry now. First her brother didn't say anything to help her, when her mother was teasing her and now he doesn't even remember her name properly.
Hearing that voice brought Rio back to his senses. He looked at Amelia as he realized what he did. He was so lost in his memories that he called her as Ria.
He was still confused about the whole situation but he could worry about that when he's alone. He first decided to defuse this situation as now both Artemis and Amelia were staring at him.
" No one. Lia , I said Lia. You just didn't listen clearly. "
I said and I could feel Artemis still stared at me for some time, as with her level it isn't hard for her to listen clearly to everything in the mansion.
But then she left it thinking maybe I just woke up and was still sleepy and weak from the curse.
Amelia stared at me with her doubting gaze and then after thinking something she started nodding her head like a sage.
"Fine but you're not forgiven. You have to play with me for 2 hours. No 4_ yes four hours" - Amelia said with a serious face as she showed him her four fingers.
As the sole heir to the Duchy Rio was almost busy the entire day learning different things. He would play with her when he gets time but she wanted more playtime.
Yesterday they were playing when her brother fell unconscious and they had to stop.
So seeing the chance , she asked her brother this - she was even ready to put the blame of falling down from bed on Rio and emotional blackmail him by sobbing if he argues - that always works. Amelia was making plans when she heard her brother's voice.
Amelia was confused. How come her brother agreed instantly today. That too in the early morning.
" Okay. let's go out. "
She said and started pulling Rio who didn't resist and started walking.
Amelia didn't want to waste this chance , fearing that her brother might change his mood or her mama might take brother away for his classes again.
She was just about to step out when with a flash her mama appeared in front of her.
" Where are you going young lady. You haven't even washed your face yet." - Artemis said while crossing her arms on her chest.
Amelia looked at her mama and clicked her tongue. She knew she couldn't go out now.
But she also didn't want to waste this perfect chance to spend more time with her brother. There were so many new games that she wanted to try. Plus she also had to ask her brother to beat her best friend Rebecca in a game where she lost. She needed that revenge.
She was lost in her fantasy, laughing creepily imagining the crying face of Rebecca after she lost.
Artemis just stared at her daughter laughing like an idiot and sighed.
(What is she thinking laughing like that)
She thought and then shook her head.
Artemis informed her kids that they can only go out to play after having bath and finishing their breakfast .
Amelia came out from her fantasy and then started running towards her room while shouting loudly - " Lazy brother, get ready faster , we'll play after I come back. "
Seeing her running in the hallways Artemis chuckled lightly.
She then informed Rio that Priest Andreas will do one more check up on him after breakfast which Rio just nooded .
Artemis wanted to send her maids to help Rio take a bath but he refused saying that he's fine and wanted to be alone for now.
Artemis didn't think much as she kissed his forhead and went out. There were still many things that needed to be done - half the regular staff in the mansion was held captive, waiting for her judgement after all.
After Artemis left Rio closed the door and went towards the bathroom that was attached in his room at one side.
It was even bigger and more decorated than his room where he stayed back on Earth.
Rio walked towards shower. He started checking the transparent control panel which was attached to the wall - it could control the temperature and flow of water in the shower. With Original Rio's memories he mostly knew how to operate these regular stuff needed here.
He closed his eyes as cold water droplets started falling on his head.
Cold shower was something of a habit of Shiva back on Earth - everytime he was stressed or needed to clear his thoughts he would take a cold shower. The cold water falling on his head helped him calm his nerves somewhat.
Any other time he would have enjoyed the art of magic or marvel at the beautiful designs and mana ores shining like jewels of different colors placed at every corner or simply just the magical shower.
But currently he wasn't in the mood for that - He had too many things to worry about .
He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong -
- Maybe it was due to his death and sudden reincarnation in this world.
- Or the fact that he was born as a villain who was supposed to be doomed for a miserable life.
- Or maybe it was about the fact that in the novel there was no mention of Rio ever being cursed during his childhood.
But even those things weren't his priority right now.
There was only one thought running rampant in his head - Is she Ria or Amelia ???
A/N - The Plot thickens 😁.
Now hold tight cause the next two chapters are gonna be cool. It'll explain Rio's villainous rise & some world info which is necessary.
Hmmhmm -- that aside post dat 5* review for me massive demand.