Despite Charles not wanting to fall asleep in that room...
Despite being aware of the danger...
Charles didn’t know when his eyes betrayed him, but the cushioned armchair in Lira’s room was too comfortable, and combined with the room’s coolness, it lulled him into sleep.
When Charles snapped his eyes open, heart racing, he cursed himself for his mistake.
’Damn it, no!’ he thought, instantly on guard. ’What happened? What did Lira do now?’
He sprang from the armchair, scanning the room suspiciously, expecting a trap.
But... instead, a pleasant aroma hit his senses.
The sll was warm, spiced, with a hint of roasted at that made his stomach growl.
’What? Are they cooking?’
Charles turned and saw Lira in the small kitchen area of her room, stirring sothing in an iron pot over a lit stove.
’Oh, right... this jerk has a kitchen in her own room,’ Charles thought with a twinge of envy.
Steam rose in wisps, and the soft sound of a knife chopping sothing on a cutting board echoed gently.
Lira glanced at Rian sidelong, a mocking smile on her lips.
"Wow, you sleep like a rock, huh?" she said, her tone playful. "I made a racket cooking, and there you were, snoring like it was nothing."
Charles frowned, crossing his arms.
"Was I snoring?" he repeated, incredulous. "You sure you didn’t pull one of your tricks to knock out? ’Cause this reeks of your sches."
Lira let out a short laugh, shaking her head as she tossed a handful of spices into the pot.
"No, Rian..." she said, amusent in her voice. "Not everything’s my doing. You were just exhausted. I don’t need a potion to make you pass out in a chair like that."
Charles wasn’t fully convinced but decided to pivot. He pointed to the window, where a bright ray of sunlight stread in, illuminating the room.
"How long was I out?" he asked, squinting. "That looks like midday light."
Lira glanced at the window, shrugging.
"Because it is midday, dummy," she said bluntly. "You slept a solid four hours. Welco back to the land of the living."
Charles blinked, surprised.
"Four hours?" he repeated, scratching his neck. "Damn, that’s more than I planned." Then, leaning forward, he added, "So, since you had all that ti to sort your thoughts, you gonna tell what you wanted to talk about or not?"
Lira didn’t answer right away. Instead, she stirred the pot again, tasting the contents with a wooden spoon.
"Do you like rice with at?" she asked, sidestepping his question. "I made it with so dried peppers and caralized onions. Added so herbs I got at the clan market. Not fancy, but it’s decent."
Charles stared, thrown by the subject change.
Why was she so brazen?
"Uh... yeah, I like it," he said cautiously. "Why?"
Lira smiled, turning off the stove and grabbing two ceramic plates from a shelf.
She began serving the rice, mixed with chunks of golden at, red peppers, and onions that gave off an aroma that made Charles’s stomach growl louder.
Lira set the plates on a small table by the kitchen, along with two wooden spoons.
Charles watched the whole process, still standing, arms crossed.
"Hold up," he said, pointing at the plates. "You really think I’m gonna eat that?"
Lira frowned, clearly annoyed.
"You said you liked rice with at," she replied, hands on her hips. "What’s your problem now?"
"Yeah, I said I like it," Charles said, raising an eyebrow. "Doesn’t an I’m eating your food. Is this a joke or what?"
Lira stared at Rian, then her eyes widened slightly, as if sothing clicked.
"Oh," she said, her tone softening. "You’re still on about last ti, aren’t you? The cake?"
Charles nodded, crossing his arms tighter.
"Exactly," he said. "Nobody drugs soone like that for no reason, Lira. Especially not a... family mber, or whatever we are. How do you expect to trust your food after that?"
Lira pressed her lips together, visibly irritated. She stared at Rian in silence for a mont, her expression a mix of anger and sothing else Charles couldn’t quite read.
"You know what?" Lira said finally, her tone sharp. "That’s more common than you think in this clan. It’s not personal. Sotis, you take asures to protect soone... or the clan. But if you’re not gonna get over it, that’s on you."
Charles let out an incredulous laugh, shaking his head.
"More common than I think?" he repeated. "What an excuse! If drugging people is so normal around here, then I’d rather play it safe. Thanks, but I’ll pass."
Lira sighed, clearly fed up. She grabbed a spoon, took a bite from one plate, then another from the second, chewing slowly and deliberately while staring at him.
"See?" she said after swallowing. "If this had any drugs, I’d be on the floor or at least dizzy by now. Happy?"
Charles didn’t budge.
"You could’ve taken an antidote beforehand," he said, shrugging. "Or you’ll take one after. I’m not new to this ga, Lira."
Lira stared at him, a mix of disbelief and fury in her eyes.
"Screw you, Rian!" she snapped, slamming the spoon on the table with a clack. She grabbed both plates, carried them to the dining table, and sat in one of the chairs, eating from one with exaggerated calm. "If you don’t wanna eat, starve. I don’t care."
Charles watched her start eating, and just as he was about to reply, he noticed sothing.
"Wait," he said, pointing at the kitchen. "You forgot to turn off the stove."
Lira blinked, turning to the kitchen.
A small fla still burned under the empty pot.
"Damn it," she muttered, jumping up. She rushed to turn off the stove, grumbling under her breath. "Thanks for the heads-up."
Charles grinned, strolling to the table and sitting across from her, but not touching the plate in front of him.
"You’re welco," he said, his tone playful. "Now, seriously, Lira. What’s this about? You drag here, stay quiet the whole way, make food I’m not eating, and still won’t tell what’s up. Is it the trial? What?"
Lira didn’t answer right away, chewing a bite of rice slowly, her expression thoughtful.
’Is she for real...?’ Charles thought, watching her.
Finally, Lira swallowed and looked straight into Rian’s eyes, her seriousness catching him off guard.
"Rian..." she said, her voice calm but heavy with intent. "A lot’s happened these past few days, but I just need you to answer one thing. Are you still my stepbrother... or not?"
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