19 Time to get real

After that disastrous night. Rumours about Kii being a dark mage is spread. If you ask me what is the relations between pink thing see me and Kii made love and Kii being a dark mage, ask her yourself. Because I don't get it myself. Kii is my fiancee. Normally it shouldn't be weird for her sleeping with me. Every noble know it. Yet somehow this pink thing make a nuisance about it.

My patience is already wearing thin. If she comes to me one more time and says...

"Arzen-sama, please allow me to use purification magic on you. I believe that Arzen-sama is under influence of lady kii's dark magic"

...I'm going to snap.

"I'm worried about Arzen-sama. Lady Kii must have been bewitching Arzen-sama since Arzen-sama is young. That's why her spell is last until now and become this powerful. If it was left alone I worry that..."

"What the hell is your problem?" I finally shout.

"Arzen-sama?"

"leave me and kii alone, woman!" I hissed.

"but I..."

".Alone!" I repeat each word clearly.

"l couldn't do that. Arzen-sama is in danger of..."

"Yeah, I'm in danger of burning you right now. It will be bad for my reputation if I do" I snap at her before I turn to leave.

"please Arzen-sama, Arzen-sama is not supposed to be like this," she said following me.

"huh? And who are you to decide how I am supposed to be?" this thing doesn't know when to stop, does she?

"I'm Arzen-sama fated maiden. I'm the real one. The one that supposed to be loved by Arzen-sama if lady Kii isn't bewitching Arzen-sama! I can still save Arzen-sama, so, please. Allow me to purify Arzen-sama" she said pitifully.

I paused. Is she serious? I glanced at her. She looks up at me with her big watery eyes. Hands held together in front of her chest. The Fuck? Who the hell need fated maiden? Who will even believe in that? Oh pardon me, I saw one here.

"I don't know nor I care about the fated maiden. I want Kii. I love Kii. I. Love. Kii. Place that in your tiny mind and remember. It's Kii that I want, not other maidens. Be it fated one or any other one. I don't need them. I only need Kii."

"but Arzen-sama, I am the only one that can make you happy"

"in case you're too stupid to see. I'm happy right now. My life is perfect. Thank you very much." I snort at her.

"it just an illusion from lady Kii's magic. Arzen-sama is actually..."

"Listen here woman, it's not you who can decide whether I'm happy or not or how I should live my life. This is my life. Only me who can decide how to live it. Not you. Not anyone else. You're lucky that today is Kii's birthday so this is just a warning. Insult Kii again and face my wrath!" I cut her again. I'm getting tired of this thing. Really.

"but..."

"Fuck off!"

"I love you"

I heard her say as I leave. The fuck is wrong with her? Love me? Snort. Nah, no thanks. I don't accept leftover. Oh damn. I should have told her that.

How come she can say the word love that easily after she had slept with many men? Well if the frequency was far like years or months and she was not in a relationship when she was sleeping with them. I might be can understand when she said, love. But this kind of love is... I don't know. I don't understand it.

In my eyes. She is just like a prostitute. Like the women that some of my crews went to visit in a brothel sometime. There is no love there. Just lust.

I sigh as I knock on Kii's room. Midori opens it. I saw Aoi sprawling on Kii's bed. Kii is nowhere to be seen. I flopped myself on the bed. My head on Aoi's stomach. He went "oomph" before he rolls his eyes on me.

"What problems did you cause now?" he said as a greeting.

"Rude Aoi-chan. I don't cause problems" I said back.

"as I said who is Aoi-chan?" he hissed.

I flip my hand "where is Kii?" I ask instead.

"still not back from class. She must be visiting that flowerbed again" Aoi continues.

Yeah, she likes that flowerbed. Even since we found those few weeks ago, she likes to visit them. She doesn't like flowers but she said her just like those.

It was a new made. It seems that someone just purposely made those. The flowers are the mixed blue, white and pink forget-me-not. It was beautiful flowerbeds.

She was a curious person. She must be hoping to meet the one who plants them.

"it's confirmed 8 pm in Alexander-san's room then? Well, it was this one room but... You know how it is." Aoi voice said as I feel his knuckles tapped my head.

"sorry?" I asked as I was lost in thought a moment there.

"The party. And yes. Arren-sama is free at that time. How about Nii-Sama?" Midori answered.

"ah, that," I remember.

It's about Aoi and Kii birthday. Aoi refuses to have a party and just want a family gathering. His parents are actually wanting to make a big party but Aoi was adamant about not having a party. His stubbornness win at the end of course.

"yes that. And Nii-Sama also free. He promised not to bring along that girl" Aoi said.

There is only one person Aoi describe as 'that girl'. My bad mood comes back. Encounter with her a few minutes ago was back on my mind. It makes me want to burn something. Damn!

"you're in a bad mood" Aoi states.

"I'm. I met that thing on my way here" I told them.

"that thing?" Midori question, one finger touching her chin in confusion.

"what thing?" Aoi said at the same time.

"that thing with pink hair, duh!" I told them

There was a pause. Then Aoi snorts. Midori covering her mouth to hide a giggle.

"what?" I ask as I get up.

They look at each other and at me. Then they just had a full blown laugh. Midori in a more elegant way. While Aoi in a more crazy way.

"you... Haha... Call her... Hahaha... that thing... That thing with pink hair... Hahaha... I bet... Hahaha... You don't know... don't know what... What her name is... Hahahhahaha" Aoi said between laugh.

"of course I know her name," I told them.

"What is her name, Arzen-san?" Midori said.

"well, it's..." I trailed...

Eh? What's her name again?

"it's not important," I told them.

They laugh harder. I don't get what's so funny about that so I just let them be. That was the scene Kii found when she was back minutes later.

The party is better than mine. Lexy lends us his room as he left to go to the palace yesterday. It was the room that Was prepared for the crown prince so it is a big room. It's still big even with the six of us here.

Midori asks to speak to Akai halfway of the party. Kii is looking at them worriedly. I hold her hand to calm her down. She smiles and gives me a hug. I was about to kiss her when Aoi bumps his fist on my head.

I got a flashback about another fist for a moment. I shivered.

"at least Aoi fist of love isn't hurt as his" I mumble.

"Fist of love?" Nii-Sama and Aoi question.

Kii is giggling beside me. She must have remembered my Jiji. Garp the fist.

"nothing," I tell them.

"Nothing" Nii-Sama deadpanned.

"he said it's nothing" Aoi adds.

"bad liar" Nii-Sama sighs.

"obviously" Aoi agrees.

"Hey!" I protested.

"it's okay. Ace-kun is okay as the way Ace-kun is" Kii said rubbing my shoulder.

And that's why Kii is my favourite.

"I love you!" I said hugging her again.

"Please refrain yourself from touching my little sister in front of us, Arzen-san. We already know what happened behind the closed door. We no need to see it in front of our eyes as well" Midori said also knocking lightly on the back of my head.

Why is everyone knocking my head today?

We have become close this past months. With me also there when she was confessed her crime and she followed Kii around before settling on Nii-Sama's side. Added by her position as Kii's sister and a candidate for Nii-Sama fiancee. She is basically my sister. So we're close, yeah.

I don't know where it starts but these people have also become precious to me. It's all thanks to Kii. I'm really blessed to fall in love and loved by her.

"and now he has a sappy look..." Midori trailed. I can see her rolling eyes even without glanced at her.

"I'm in love. Leave me alone" I grumble at them.

"you really love Kii, Huh?" Akai said.

"sorry for not being on your side before, Kii" he continues, patting Kii on the head.

Kii beams at him happily.

"Nii-Sama is here now" she answered.

Akai smiles at her answer and settles himself beside Aoi.

"there is something I need to confirm," he told us.

"shoot" Aoi reply carelessly.

"you can tell us," Nii-Sama said giving him full attention. Midori nods along with him.

I pull Kii into my lap and hug her from behind.

"what is it?" I ask him.

Akai look at us for a moment. Furrowed his forehead. Lost in thought as if he is trying to remember something.

"Prince Arzen, You fall in love with Kii at the first sight that day on your choosing fiancee candidate ball," he said looking straight at me.

"yes" I answer.

"you're the one that always took her with you anywhere and even teach her martial arts to defend herself because you're planning to go on adventure after Kii left Academy and plan to take her along with you. The reason is that you don't want to be separated from Kii." he continues.

"correct" I confirm.

"You always spend your time with Kii. Tell me, that night were you and Kii in that room right after you left the party? You never separated even for a moment?" he said again.

"Yup" I nod.

Aoi is looking back and forth between us. So is Midori.

"what is this about?" Nii-Sama ask.

"just confirming something" Akai sigh.

"and it is?" Aoi urges.

"That night, Angela cried to me and said that Kii is hurting her and trying to kill her. She looks desperate when she said that she can't find Prince Arzen..."

"what?" we yell in unison.

"let me finish" Akai demands.

"I told her that Kii has no reason to hurt her. She told me Kii is jealous because Kii saw Prince Arzen kissing her and... "

"the fuck?!" I curse.

"let me finish!" Akai glared at me.

"she said Prince Arzen is kissing her after he confessed that he is in love with her and not Kii. Prince Arzen thinks that Kii is bewitching him and his love for Angela is opening his eyes. Something like that." he took a deep breath before continuing.

"Then she was crying to me because she was worry about Prince Arzen. She thinks Kii will hurt Prince Arzen next. I told her Kii wouldn't do that. I might not close to Kii but I would like to say that at least I knew what my sister capable of. So I took her to Alexander-san room because I thought Prince Arzen will be there. And you know what happened after that" he finishes.

Kii is looking at Akai with wide eyes. Midori jaw is on the floor.

"I don't believe that I ever feel attracted to her," Nii-Sama says.

"So do I" Akai sigh.

Aoi is clenching and unclenching his fists in frustration.

"wow!" I said.

Honestly what the hell is wrong with this thing? Me kissing her? Really? If she is going to lie, she should tell a more believable lie!

"what is your plan?" I ask him.

"I don't know. I just feel ashamed of myself. I've been hurting my sisters, both of my sister, for her. Love is blind. It was true. I was blinded. I want to say sorry but sorry won't cut it, will it? I can't believe I need her to wrongly accused Kii to make me see how she actually is" he sighs again. His bang covering his eyes.

"she accused Kii plenty of time," Aoi said coldly.

"yeah, but it was never serious. It was just a childish prank which wouldn't harm her. But that time, one wrong step and Kii would be in really deep trouble. She dares to falsely accused her with confident like that, that's mean that she has prepared a proof for her accusations. It was a disturbing thought" he mused.

"it is. Not only disturbing but also dangerous. Too bad we don't have proof to accuse her of making a false statement. She only told Akai and Akai position as Kii's brother is difficult. She could just say that Akai is lying and just want to support Kii" Nii-Sama say logically.

"exactly. We quarrelled that night but the next day she acts like nothing happened and just all snuggly at me as usual. Not apologizing, no remorse at all. That was when I opened my eyes. I've been just being a fool. I only see her and never accept her flaws. How the hell I become like that?" he said frustratedly.

"don't worry Nii-Sama, you're not the only one. At least now that you know you will be able to move on" Aoi said patting his back.

"Uh-huh. Agree. Thank you for asking that kind of presents, Ace-kun." Kii said then kiss my cheek.

"Kii..." Midori and Aoi sigh.

"thank you, kii" Akai laugh.

"stop encouraging him, Kii-chan," Nii-Sama said exasperatedly.

After that, we discussed how to make her stay far away from Kii. With what Akai told us, it's clear that her target is Kii. As for what her motive is, we don't know yet. We just know that we need to protect Kii from her.

And so, Kii's protection squad is formed.

Nah, I was joking. There is no squad but we agree to look out for her.

Time to get real. Starting from now we will begin to investigate her. What she wants from Kii. What her motive is and what she plans to do.

Someone dangerous like her can't be left alone after all.

That thing is really annoying. She still not give up. She knows I will just ignore her so now she was bugging Kii.

"Lady Kii, please stop all this. I beg you!" she said to Kii one morning.

Her eyes were full of tears. Her shoulder was slanted to the front looking quite pathetic. Kii who was holding her breakfast blinking at her. Tray still in her hands.

"you've been hurting us. Please let us go and be happy. Lady Kii is beautiful I'm sure lady Kii also will find true love soon. Please free us and don't separate us anymore." she continues.

Kii put her tray on the table. Eyes still looking at her. Meanwhile, she was still blubbering nonsense.

Kii slowly steps back and take another step back. As soon as she had enough distance from that thing, Kii turned back and walk quickly. Leaving that thing fuming in the cafeteria. Or so I was told.

Another time she tried to talk to Kii in the hallway but Midori was interfering them and took Kii away.

Then she went to Kii's classroom and made a drama there. Luckily Aoi was in the same class as her that time and again save her.

Then Akai and Nii-Sama save Kii when that thing tries to pretended being hurt by Kii again.

Isn't that same kind of situation has happened before?

Kii starting too look tired and annoyed. I am really worried.

"I'm the heroine. I told you before. Whatever you do won't change that. I'm his destined maiden he will fall in love with me sooner or later. So, just stop interfering and accept your fate! You're the Villainess. Your existence here is just to act like my rival. A stepping stone for the heroine to deepen her love with the capture target. You just a small character that exists to get punished so the heroine can have her happy ending!" I heard her voice says.

"I don't understand what this heroine and capture target is but I do know what Villainess means. You say you're the heroine. Is that mean you're the main character?" I heard Kii asks.

"Don't pretend you don't understand! You know it well as I do. You must be also playing this game before you reincarnated here, don't you?"

"again. You seem to be convinced that I'm a reincarnated person. Why is that? It is you perhaps that is a reincarnated one?"

"hemp! Of course, I am. How do you think that I know you're reincarnated here if I myself is not a reincarnated person? Don't deny it. Your act proof it all. You didn't bully me and avoid me instead. You corrupted Arzen-sama and Aoi-sama mind with your false impression about the heroine, me, and plant the idea that you're a pure innocent girl in their head. You're scared of your death flag, don't you? Just admit it. I already see through your plan! But you won't win because I'm the heroine. Not you!" she shouted.

I try to find where they are. I can hear them but I don't see them. My heart hammering inside. I'm worried. I had a bad feeling about this.

"I don't care whether I'm the heroine or the villainess but I do care about Ace-kun. You want me to let Ace-kun go because you're the heroine? I can't do that. I love Ace-kun and Ace-kun love me. Why does it matter if I'm the heroine or not? Love doesn't care about that. Besides every person is a heroine in their own life story. You may be a heroine in your life story and I'm the Villainess but in mine, you're the Villainess. This is a life. Not a game" Kii soft and calm voice heard again.

I look down from where I was. Ah, found them. They are talking at the top of the stairs just one floor down from here. I look down and about to call them when that thing screams again.

"you know nothing! I will win this game!" then letting herself fall from the stairs.

Luckily Kii has good reflexes. She immediately holds the girl's hand and turns them around making herself falling instead.

"Kii!" I shouted as I saw her fall...

And flipped then landed safely at the bottom of the stairs.

I sigh in relief. Ah, I'm glad that I taught her that. I'm glad that I teach her how to fight I thought as I run to their place.

The thing is on the floor and cradling her hand to her body. She has tears in her eyes.

"Arzen-sama! Lady Kii was..."

"I told you to stop bothering Kii!" I snap at her.

Had Kii not taking me away from that place, I don't know what I'm going to do to that thing.

I'm already at the end of my patience. I'm going to explode if I see her again. If I don't want to ruin my reputation, not that I care about reputation, but right now whatever I do will affect Kii and Nii-Sama. I love them too much to do that to them. I already ruined Luffy and left an unremovable scar on him. I don't want to do that again here. I don't want to make my loved one suffer again. That's why I've been trying to be patient when I face her.

But her actions just now was very dangerous. And once again we can't accuse her because there are no witnesses. Kii and I don't count. Dammit!

The next day I went to Nii-Sama. I tell him that I'm taking Kii away from school. Our exam is over and our grads are good so we no need to stay to improve anything. We don't have duties in the council either. So according to the Academy's rules, we should be free to go.

"You can't go. We have a delegation coming from Ethervizh in the next few days. We need to be present to welcome them" Nii-Sama informs me.

"why I have to be there too?" I ask sulkily. Yes, I know and admit that I'm sulking.

"oh, I'm not sure. Maybe because you're the crown prince?" Nii-Sama said sarcastically.

"well, bad things will happen if I'm not going now" I try to explain.

"no Arzen," Nii-Sama said.

"Oh come on, Nii-Sama. Just think it as Kii's birthday present. I even got Aoi's permission" I try to convince him again.

"no is no and that is final," Nii-Sama said with a no-nonsense voice.

"fine. We will just run away then" I told him.

"Arzen..." he warned.

"that's not good, right?" I smile at him.

"that's not good" he nods slowly and suspiciously.

"so we can go then?" I look at him repeatedly.

"No!" Nii-Sama said deadpanned. Damn! I curse internally.

"Thanks, Nii-Sama!" I said instead.

Eh, when your elders say no to you and keep saying no even after you convince them severally, just think that they say yes in the end so you free to go. Woohoo!

"Arzen, seriously, don't go!" Nii-Sama said firmly.

I look back at him and beams. Sorry Nii-Sama, no can do.

"I understand (that I need to take kii to go tonight and not get caught). See you later (after we come back from our adventure)". I said to him.

I immediately go to Kii's room and ask her to pack. A few minutes later we already out of the Academy's grounds. Yooohooo! Freedom!

I know Nii-Sama will write us a permit to go and give it to our instructors when he found out we were gone. He is Nii-Sama after all. Sorry, Nii-Sama but this is for our own good. I promise I will accept any punishment from you when I got back. Love you. I tell the frowning Nii-Sama inside my head.

Well, time to get real adventure!

I look at Kii. Her smile makes it worth any punishment I will face later.