Chapter 60: Should we hide together?
The crackling sound of the wood in the fireplace caressed my ears as I gazed at the ceiling. After our conversation about Alice’s previous lover, Sally diverted the subject to liven up the mood. I also tossed the thought at the back of my head. But now that they all went to sleep, I couldn’t help but think about it again.
I glanced at my side. Teresa slept beside
as we all agreed to sleep on the floor with the heavy quilts as our bed. The sheets in Ronmin were thick, heavy, and soft because of the cold season, so it wasn’t uncomfortable. I smiled at the thought that these ladies were princesses. And yet, since they all wanted to stay, they all agreed we would sleep on the floor.
Alice slept on the divan, though. My eyes veered to her and my gaze landed on her back, her red hair falling down the seat. I smiled as I carefully assisted myself to sit up.
’Is this what it’s like to have sisters?’ I wondered, catching Sally lift her legs up to Cora. ’I like Hugo’s family. I just t them, but... they were like Hugo and the pack in a way. They care too much for a stranger.’
Since I couldn’t sleep, I carefully got up. But just as I did, Teresa moaned while holding my wrist. My smile persisted, stroking her hair, and her grip loosened. They were the sweetest.
When I was sure Teresa was deep asleep, I stood up and walked towards the window. I planted my palm on the glass, gazing out to see so knights and wolves were still running.
’Don’t they get tired?’ I wondered, thinking that Hugo and the mad wolf’s pack were still playing the cat-and-mouse ga. ’Now I want to believe what Cora said. That no one would rest until tomorrow.’
It was not like I was disappointed that Hugo couldn’t keep his promise — well he did, but he was dragged away by Daniel with Garrett. A subtle smile appeared on my face as my eyes gazed at my reflection in the glass. My eyelashes fluttered as I looked at myself.
’I look different,’ I thought.
Ever since the night of the attack, I hadn’t seen myself. My only mirror was Hugo’s eyes. So, now that I could see myself, albeit not as clear as to when I was in front of the mirror, I could still see the difference.
I wiped the reflection from where my eyes were. ’They have life,’ I said, seeing that they weren’t those sa athyst eyes that always lacked sothing. I looked... content.
Strange, wasn’t it? Back when I thought my life was already perfect, I always thought that deep down, there was sothing missing. Initially, I thought it was because I wasn’t allowed to go outside. But the more I thought about it, that wasn’t the only reason I felt a bit empty inside.
Aside from Mother and Father, I didn’t know my siblings until they all died. Well, I wasn’t sure now if every one of them was dead since Ashton was alive — who knew if any of them survived. Even so, I had never t them or know what they were like.
’I promised myself not to think of the questions that none could answer, but...’ I lowered my gaze as my jaw tightened. ’... why?’That word had been filling my head secretly that no matter how I suppressed it, it kept resurfacing in my head.
Why...
Why?
Just why?
"What did I do wrong, Mother? Father?" ca out a whisper as I breathed in and out heavily. It was unfair to not have answers to those, and it was upsetting. Especially after eting Hugo’s lovely family.
’Does it matter now, Rinnie?’ I asked myself internally, making
smile bitterly. ’No. That doesn’t matter anymore because it already happened.’
My brow quirked as I heard the door faintly creak. I turned my head in its direction, tilting my head when Hugo’s head peeked in carefully. He looked around as if searching for sothing before I waved to catch his attention. I smiled when his eyes lit up as soon as he laid his eyes on .
’That’s right, Rinnie. The past doesn’t matter, nor the future. What was important was the present.’ I whispered inwardly, seeing Hugo crook a finger and whispered, "co here."
I glanced at his sisters, who were deep asleep before I tiptoed my way to him. Good thing I reached him without waking them up, but just as I was within his reach, Hugo grab my wrist and pulled
outside.
"Hu --" My call was cut short when he wrapped his arms around my small body as soon as we’re outside the room.
"I missed you," he whispered, as he rested his chin on top of my head.
My eyes softened as the side of my lips curled up into a smile. I carefully wrapped my arms around his waist, clasping his back tightly.
"We’re you tired?" I asked, looking up until my chin was touching his shoulder.
"They’re so fucking persistent," he cursed under his breath, but it made
giggle this ti. "If not for Daniel, I would’ve sent them all to the infirmary."
"Bad. I heard you were all under probation when you snuck out. Of course, His Majesty will be displeased." Hugo let out a deep breath at my reply, so I thought we shouldn’t talk about that anymore. It was a bit strange, or maybe I was just used to his warmth, that being in his embrace felt warr than when I was inside the room where there was a fireplace.
"Ronmin is a disaster, don’t you think? It’s a ss of a place," he spoke after a while, but I chuckled.
"It’s a beautiful ss." I corrected as I couldn’t deny that it was so chaotic — tonight was a bit chaotic but in a good way. "Thank you for taking
here, Hugo. I like Ronmin and I hope I can blend in well."
"You’ll be fine because you’re Rinnie."
My smile stretched wider until my eyes squinted a bit. Whenever Hugo says I would be fine and I could do it because I was Rinnie, it made
want to believe in myself, too.
Slowly, I released him and took a step back while pushing his shoulder lightly. I looked up at Hugo, smiling as he gazed down at
with raised brows.
"Hugo," I called softly, slipping my fingers in between his. A bright smile appeared on my lips until my teeth showed. "Should we hide together?"
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