Cassian didn’t give time to answer, "If you know what’s good for you, you wouldn’t approach her again." He almost grabbed Lucas’ collar but he refrained himself. That wouldn’t be good for his image.
There was a hint of surprise in Lucas’ eyes, but it lasted for a split second, he immediately lowered his head, "Yes, brother."
Lucas finished the task his mother gave him, there was no reason for him to stay where he wasn’t welcome.
"Linny, where have you been? I came to look for you but you weren’t there." Alaric looked angry but she could hear the concern. She didn’t mind getting reprimanded a bit. But she definitely had to clarify that it wasn’t her fault!
The wind magicians of the palace blew her dress dry in an instant upon the request of the Empress. Alaric couldn’t suspect a thing.
"Sorry, we were in an isolated area in the garden... Talking to each other."
Alaric narrowed his eyes and didn’t say anything, after a few awkward moments passed by, he let out a sigh. "Well, at least it’s over. We should get going."
"Weeellll..."
"What?"
Adeline was twisting and turning, she didn’t know how to tell her brother that they might have to come back another day. She didn’t get to ask the favour. And she definitely did not want to ask Cassian about Benedict, she knew they didn’t get along that well in the original story. She could sense that they didn’t get along now either. During their last conversation, just bringing up Benedict was enough to make the Crown Prince frown. If she had to ask for his help, she needed to build a better relationship.
"Adeline!"
"Cassian?"
"You guys are on a first-name basis?!" Alaric almost lost his mind. This was the exact opposite of what should have happened. Was his dear sister already falling for the Crown Prince? Alas, it was inevitable, his sister was just that stupid. After consoling himself he turned to look at the eyesore of a human in front of him.
"Your Highness."
Cassian nodded and quickly faced Adeline, he didn’t care about this person here. He was nothing more than a chauffeur.
Alaric almost gritted his teeth at the lack of acknowledgement. If Cassian wasn’t the Crown Prince he didn’t know what he would do. Sure, bullying someone younger is against everything he stood for. But, Cassian was only four years younger, and he looked so punchable. ’Stay away from my sister.’ He could only think but not say it.
"I would like for you to come to the palace again." He reached for her hand and kissed the back of it.
"I don’t think so, we are not that free." Alaric yanked his sister’s hand away from Cassian. He didn’t care if he was the eldest. To deal with brats, you have to act like a brat!
"Brother!" She glared at Alaric. "I look forward to coming again, Cassian." She smiled brightly.
’M- My own sister.’ Alaric’s heart was shattered into a million pieces. His little sister glared at him for some stranger?! He knew this day would come but this was too early. He couldn’t take it.
While Alaric was wiping away his invisible tears, Adeline bid Cassian goodbye and entered the carriage.
Adeline couldn’t help but chuckle. Her older brother was always put together and mature but today he acted just like Aaron. ’The brothers are too alike.’
He faced the window and refused to turn his head. He wanted her to know he was angry.
"Brother~"
"..." No reply.
She hopped down and approached him slowly. He could see her from the side of his eye but he refused to turn his face.
She was much shorter than him but she tried her best to reach for his face and forcibly turn it towards her. He didn’t let her struggle too much and turned his face for her but his eyes were closed. Adeline pouted, ’why is he being so difficult?’
"I guess from now on, only Aaron is my only brother."
"Don’t you dare?" His eyes fluttered open and with one hand he firmly gripped both of her hands. He brought them down and pulled her closer.
With the other hand, he let out all the anger by giving her forehead a flick, just like how he did with Aaron.
"Ow."
"You’re fine."
"You kinda deserve it." Chimed in the Goddess.
’Shut up.’
She didn’t mind him flicking her. It only showed her how worried he was about her. As for this Goddess with selective hearing and mutism...
’Do you have anything against Cassian?’
"What? Why would you say that?" She sounded genuinely surprised.
’When Dimitri and Benedict were in trouble, you told me that immediately, but when Cassian was going through so much abuse. You stayed silent.’
"Because there isn’t much you can do anyway. You can’t take in the Crown Prince or make his mother treat him better. I don’t appreciate you suspecting me."
’I don’t appreciate you hiding things from me.’
This might have marked their first argument.
"You are as stubborn as always." The Goddess scoffed and stopped replying to Adeline.
Adeline was mad at her too. The anger soon shifted to a realisation. She just agreed to meet Cassian again. When she first came to this world, she knew the person she had to avoid at any cost. The Crown Prince, and the future Northern Duke. But here she was, asking Cassian for a favour to help Benedict. Just a few days of talking to them and getting to know them was enough for her to change her mind.
They were just kids, she would tell herself this whenever she thought of just quitting. She valued her life sure, but she didn’t think any of them deserved to go through what they did. She wanted to save them, and in the process save herself. Her last life was meaningless. No friends, no family, a dead-end job. This life gave her a purpose.