CHAPTER 10

"Can you stop following me? It's irritating."

"Bold of you to assume that I am following you, Princess Ramira."

"Then why are you still here?"

"We just happen to choose the same way."

"Psh."

Ramira starts walking in the empty corridor again and temporarily ignored Theo behind her. She can still hear his footsteps following her. Pursing her lips, Ramira quickened her steps and turn left. As expected, Theo did not waste more time following her.

With an irritated sigh, Ramira turns around with crossed arms and faces her annoying cousin who is still pretending to be clueless and innocent in front of her.

"You are following me." she said in an accusing voice.

"As I've said a while ago, we just happen to choose the same way." Theo calmly answered.

"Oh? So it means you are also going to the private bathing pool reserved only for me?" Ramira asked with a raised brow.

"That..."

Looking around, Theo had realized it late that they are no longer in the other part of her palace. Instead, they are now near to the place restricted for any person who is not part of the royal family. Knowing that they are now in front of the princess's private rooms makes him blush too hard. He did not expect that Ramira will boldly bring him in front of this place just to prove her point.

Ramira looks at Theo first who is still blushing too much before taking a deep breath. She already accepted her fate when King Teriza forbid her to go to the black market with Geradine tonight. Ramira really considers thinking that maybe that decision is not so bad since she will have more time to rest and become lazy for the whole night. But after being with Theo for exactly three hours by now, Ramira is now considering her life choices again.

Geradine and the people who will accompany him today had already left to prepare for the ambush that they will do to the black market auction tonight. Before leaving, Geradine promised that he will return safely to their palace. Ramira is confident that her twin brother will succeed tonight and they capture those people who are illegally setting up their dirty business in their kingdom. Right after Geradine disappeared using his teleportation magic, Theo suddenly appeared in front of Ramira out of nowhere.

Ramira already knows that her cousin will accompany her today. Since their last conversation, Ramira did not take any initiative to talk with him first unless it was important. She knows that once Theo opens his mouth, either he will just tease her or he will try to infuriate her by poking on her sore spots.

Ramira is actually determined to ignore Theo today and pretend that he's not existing in front of her. But this plan was ruined when her cousin is obviously trying to make his existence obvious to her. He always stays six steps away from her and he is not letting her leave his sight. Not only that, but Theo is also making small things to distract her like making small sounds and movements which makes her feel irritated.

In the end, it was Ramira who feels defeated and decided to confront her cousin right now.

"You can leave now. That's an order from your princess." directed Ramira with crossed arms on her chest.

"As much as I want to follow your words, King Teriza told me not to let you out of my sight until Prince Geradine return from his mission tonight." Theo replied with a smile.

"Ugh!" Ramira groaned in frustration.

Of course, the king's words are heavier than a princess's order.

"Aren't you getting bored following me around?"

"That's impossible. Being with the little Moon of our kingdom is such an honor for me."

"Your lies are so appalling that I want to call the guards and tell them to beat you right now."

"Your violent thoughts are showing again, Princess Ramira."

"..."

Before Ramira can decide to ignore him again, Theo suddenly stands up in front of her. She noticed that he looks nervous and a little fidgety in his place. He keeps on fixing the collar of his shirt and touching the buttons on his sleeves.

"What? Did my dad also tell you to stop me from walking around my palace too?" Ramira asked.

"Of course not. But..."

"But?"

"I...I just want to apologize." Theo said in a small voice. He is also avoiding her gaze.

"What?"

"About the things I said to you in the library, I'm taking it all back. None of it is true." Theo added. "I'm sorry."

Ramira is not expecting to receive an apology from her cousin. In all honesty, she had already forgotten about it. Ramira no longer put his words to heart and decided to move on. She has no reason to hold any grudges with her cousin since the things between her and Prince Orpheus has ended a long time ago.

"I'm sorry for speaking such things to you, Princess Ramira. I crossed the line when I tried to bring that topic with you. I will readily accept any punishment that you will give to me." Theo solemnly said.

"...Really?"

"Of course. I am aware of the sin I made to a member of a royal family. What I did to you is something unforgivable."

"Oooh. Then since you mentioned it, I want to give your punishment now." Ramira said in a serious tone.

Theo nods his head in silence. He is ready to accept any punishment Princess Ramira will give to him. Getting starved for two weeks is the worst punishment he can from the princess. But he will still accept it to pay for the insolence he showed to her. Not because they are cousins does not mean he can just say things that can hurt the princess's heart. He should still know his place and try not to overstep his boundaries.

"Alright." Ramira said with a nod. "Then I will punish you by going to the plaza and accompanying me as my bodyguard."

"Alright. I will accept it—Wait a minute!"

"You accepted it! No take-backs!" Ramira declared in a happy tone before smiling widely at him.

"Princess Ramira, that's not what I mean—"

"You have nothing to say this time because you are the one who asked for a punishment from me."

"I know but—"

"If you want me to forgive you, then you better listen to me."

"Princess Ramira, your father will get mad—"

"Nothing will happen if he will remain clueless about it." Ramira said before clinging to Theo's arm. "At this moment, you are now my accomplice."

"Listen to me—"

"I don't want to. Now quickly use your magic to teleport us to the plaza this instant."

"Princess—"

"Please, brother Theo?" Ramira said while rubbing her cheek on his arm like a kitten. He quickly looks around to see if there are people who are watching them from afar. Fortunately, he cannot sense any person around their vicinity at this moment.

"..."

Theo knows that Ramira's idea will definitely cause trouble. He knows that very well. But seeing her acting so sticky just like what she was used to doing when they were still kids is making his resolve falter a little. Ramira knows that he will definitely become soft with him by just doing that because he has a soft spot in his heart for the twins.

"Please? I just want to see the plaza for a while. Then after that, we can return to my palace." persuaded Ramira.

"...Only the plaza?" He asked her late.

"Yes! I just want to buy some trinkets then try some delicacies from our neighboring kingdom."

Theo looks at his cousin who is looking at her with round eyes. Theo really adores the twins even in the past. Those two look cute together especially when the young princess doesn't want to let go of her twin brother's hand. And maybe because Theo is fond of cute things that's why he loves teasing and playing with the twins whenever he has time.

"...One hour. After that, we are going back to your palace whether you like it or not." Theo said while trying to avoid looking at Ramira's delighted expression.

"Yes! Yes, we will do that! I will be in charge of our disguise if you want."

"No, it's alright. I can do that for us." Theo said with a sigh.

He is also aware of the princess's situation when it comes to using magic. Since King Teriza ask him to take care of his daughter for today, then he will not let Princess Ramira feel any discomfort while he's staying on her side. Now that he accepted Ramira's request, Theo has no other choice but to do all the work for both of them.

"Thank you, brother Theo!" beamed Ramira.

"..."

He just hopes nothing bad will happen until this day comes to an end.