We walked into the grand dining hall, where the other prince and princess were already sitting at their tables and had begun their meal. When we walked in, we attracted everyone's gazes; their eyes were filled with both disdain and jealousy at the same time.
These princesses were jealous of me because Ji Woo always listened to me. Unlikely, their brother, who always looked down at them. Little did they know this cute brother of mine isn't that innocent at all.
I looked at the pervert standing beside me. His hand was clutching my sleeves, his eyes filled with innocence, and a slight smile hidden under his lips.
"What happened, big sister? Is there something on my face?" He asked me, behaving innocently while blinking his eyes.
I turned my face away from him and walked towards an empty chair. As I sat down at the table, not caring about the others' gazes. He also sat beside me, as the maid quickly started to serve us a meal.
Just when I was about to begin my meal, a voice called out to me, "Ji Lan, do you really not care about the rules set by our father. Why are you so late?"
I glanced at the girl who spoke; her face was covered in heavy makeup, and there was no care or warmth in her eyes, just jealousy filling them. Her lips curved slightly upward as she stared at me. She didn't ask Ji Woo, but me, because princesses aren't allowed to question a prince.
"Seventh sister, I know the rules. I felt unwell in the morning, that's why I got late." I replied to her calmly, placing the spoon full of rice in my mouth.
"Are you fine now? Should I call a royal doctor for a check-up?" She replied with a smile, showing her excessive care for me.
"No need to worry, seventh sister, it wasn't that big of a problem. I will be fine after some rest." I said to her, while munching on the food without caring about her words.
She didn't continue pushing me and started her own meal. Most of the people sitting here were princesses, with only a few princes staying here. This palace can be said to be a place that holds some of the royal blood, the ones recognised by the emperor.
But we are just for names, without having any real power, especially princesses. We are just here for a marriage alliance, nothing else, or more directly, we are just an object for trade. Compared to princesses, the prince can still go out and wander in the kingdom. Not at all like us imprisoned here.
Even when we were all in the same situation, these women had already accepted it happily. They don't want freedom; they just want to be objects for trade and even fight each other to become the best object.
At first, I was also like them, always on guard against their schemes, but then my mom gave birth to a cute boy.
I glanced at the young man sitting beside me, who was devouring his meal like a hungry wolf. He also noticed my gaze and looked at me with a questionable gaze, while his mouth filled with food.
I turned my head away from him. Slowly enjoying this warm meal.
Since this guy entered my life, he has never left me. The other princes are still struggling for the throne, forming alliances and enjoying the wonders of the world. Yet, he stayed here with me, despite having the chance to fight for the throne.
When we were done with our meal, I simply stood up and left the hall, rather than joining these princesses in gossip. He also followed behind me like a good brother.
We came to the outside palace, but still within the confines of the walls, there was a huge garden filled with many different kinds of beautiful flowers.
I stared at the vast blue sky above the palace, filled with cotton-like clouds. The fresh air was invoking the desire to break free from these confines, in my heart again.
"Sister, want to go out?" His voice came just behind me. When I turned my head, his face was just an inch away from me. I could feel his breath on my skin. I quickly stepped back and turned my head away in embarrassment. We were in a garden filled with a lot of people.
"Do you want to go out?" He asked again, his eyes locked on me.
"No, I don't want to," I replied, avoiding his gaze.
"I too…" He said softly, just barely audible enough for me to listen.
Hearing his words, I glanced at him. He was sitting behind on the grass path staring at the sky blankly, just like me a few seconds ago.
I stared at his blank look for a second. Right now, he was just like that cute little brother whom I used to play with. I went to him and sat beside him, both of us staring at the sky blankly like fools.
"Sister, do you like me?" He asked in a low voice.
"I do," I replied subconsciously without looking at him.
When I realised what I had said, I quickly looked at him. Only see him lying on the patch of grass like a lazy bug.
I wanted to clarify to him, but doing this felt a bit awkward. At the end, I just ate my words and remained silent, sitting beside him. We didn't say anything anymore, just enjoying this peace.
"Don't you plan to fight for the throne? The Crown Prince and Second Prince are already increasing their forces. If you don't go out, you will be only wasting your talent here." I said, after a few minutes of rest, I tried to convince him to go out.
"Big sister, why can't I just stay here with you? You don't have to worry about anything; I am already at the 1st stage of Earth rank. Now, I am strong enough to protect you." His reply almost caught me off guard.
"What did you say… You are at the Earth rank. Weren't you still preparing for the breakthrough?" I asked with slight excitement.
He didn't reply to my question, just puffed up his chest, behaving like a little brat showing off in front of his sister.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier? We have to report about your breakthrough to the royal court. Maybe you can still fight for the throne." I grabbed his hand, excitedly trying to pull him with me. But he wasn't that kid anymore whom I used to drag around. He had grown up.
"Hey, why are you so excited to send me away? Don't you like your cute little brother anymore?" He said, acting like a child, despite being a grown-up man.
"Ok then, don't go." I let go of his hand and sat there silently.
"Tell me, will you marry me if I become the emperor?" He asked out of the blue, breaking this silence and creating even more awkward silence.
"Will you even listen to me? At the end, you will do just what you want, so why are you even asking this?" I said to him in a slightly grumpy tone.
"What if I listen to you this time, then will you marry me, or not?" He nudged me again.
"I will, if you still want me." I gave him the most genuine answer for the first time. My cheeks turned red as I tried to avoid his gaze.
"Really?" He confirmed again. I took a long breath, controlling myself before replying with a simple nod.
"Now, let's go and inform the royal court about your breakthrough," I said to him excitedly, but he still didn't budge from his place.
"What happened now?" I asked, staring at him with an annoyed look.
"Don't you think you are asking too much from your cute little brother? Big sister, you are really selfish. Hmph…" saying this lay flat on the ground puffing his cheeks.
"You…" He almost made me lose my mind again with all of that emotional drama. Now, he was acting cute and innocent.
Out of frustration, I threw a punch at his head. Only to get my hand swollen from the impact. "Aah…"
"Are you ok?" He suddenly grabbed my hand, checking on it, becoming all caring. Which made me even more frustrated. I didn't hold back and bit on his arm with my full strength.
"Ouch… Ouch… I am sorry, I won't tease you again." He cried out in pain, but I didn't let go of his hand for a few more seconds until my anger calmed down a bit.
"Big sister, how can you be so cruel to your little brother…" he said, but I didn't care about his words because, in reality, that bite won't hurt him as much as he was acting. It was really a frustrating defeat.
I stood up and walked out of here because of the earlier drama; others' eyes were locked on us. Making my already frustrated mood even worse.
When I entered my room, he also tried to follow me in, but I closed the door in his face before throwing myself on the bed.