ғɪғᴛᴇᴇɴᴛʜ.

'Thus the woman smiled at him when she heard the same melody she was listening when she was still a little child..' He put back the small parchment inside the music box and hid it inside his drawer. 

He stared at his reflection on the mirror while buttoning his vest up and when he was done, he went out of his bedchamber, meeting the Countess in the hallways. She swallowed a lump of saliva and forced a smile when the twins went out of their bedchambers at the same time. The older one smiled at her while the younger one decided to ignore her and walk away from the engaged couple. She slowly closed her eyes when she felt a kiss on her forehead. It is his habit; to kiss her forehead. 

"How's the preparation?" She asked softly and he wrapped his arm around her waist, leading her out to the garden for a conversation. 

"Almost done. Two more weeks and we will be able to have the wedding already." He offered a seat and she gladly accepted it. 

"Time flies fast. Two weeks left and I'll be your wife already." She said and the servant poured tea into her cup. He reached for her wrist and checked her pulse. 

"Did you train before you got here?" He asked and she chuckled softly while nodding. Her pulse must be irregular. She can feel the tiredness of her body despite the cold bath she had before arriving there. 

"You're healthy, Gia. When you become my wife, we can talk about having a family or not. I'm expecting.. a child from you." She bit her lower lip lightly and she slowly nodded her head. 

"I would like to have a family with you in the future, Reiki." She felt her cheeks heating up. Before this arranged marriage happened, she never thought of having a child. 

"I'm also planning to leave this place and have our own place where we can live and at the same time, stay in until we grow old." He looked at his personal servant and he gave the blueprints of their house. 

Her eyes glimmered when she saw the blueprints. It's been a while since she read one. She learned to read blueprints when she accidently entered her father's study room. Her father forbade her to enter it because there are lots of important documents in there and she might think of those as toys. She was four when her father taught her to read one. She smiled softly while reading the blueprints. 

"Our house will be a beautiful one. I can't wait for it." She said and when she looked at him, she caught him staring at her. 

Is this what she really wants? To marry him? She is confused. She is not sure whether she loves the younger twin or the older twin. Perhaps, if she got two hearts, she would not have this problem. She needs confirmation and at the same time, assurance. She gave the blueprints back to him and took a sip from her teacup. She looked around and realized that the Prince was not there to help them with the preparations. 

"If you're looking for the Prince, he is currently at the castle and being punished by his father because of what he did to Lady Fuyu." Reiki said and she puffed her cheeks. How can she even forget what he did to her friend? 

"He deserves to be punished. Ever since he met Fuyu, he started acting like a fool. It is unfit for someone from the Royal family." She took a pastry and ate it. 

"He is in love. Can you fight against love?" He smiled. She chuckled and shook her head. Can they even win against love? 

He gestured to the servant to leave them alone for a while. Then, he stood up to take the empty seat beside her. She doesn't need to make an effort as he will be the one who will do it for her. He held her hand gently and leaned closer to whisper something to her ear. Her face turned crimson but she gave in when they started kissing. He placed his hand on her lower back and she reached for his cheek to caress it with her thumb. 

It is the first kiss they shared together. After the kiss, she rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes to feel the mid-summer breeze.  Her heart is calm and peaceful when she's with Reiki but when she's with Riku, her heart is pounding loudly as if it wants to get out of her chest. She needs to be decisive with her decisions. She will no longer entertain unnecessary feelings she will receive in the future. This will also be for her own good. 

"Reiki.." She called for him and he looked at her, leaving a quick soft peck on her lips before asking her why. 

"I'm willing to fall in love with you. Will you catch me if I fall?" She mumbled and he cupped her cheeks to kiss her once more. 

"It's an honor to be loved by someone like you, Gia. I'm willing to take a risk for all." He whispered between the kisses and she smiled widely. 

A figure stood still behind the walls while looking down. Is this the sign for him to stop chasing her? She confessed a part of her feelings and yet, she is doing this. He smiled faintly and shook his head. He must be insane for loving what his older twin owns. Every step he is taking feels heavier. Is it because he is already walking away from her?