Chapter 24: Home Sweet Home

Age: 15

Coming home after disappearing for nearly 4 years is no easy feat.

Mother is constantly monitoring me now, and Father sees me every moment he's allowed. Vincent became my shadow.

It was suffocating to say the least, to the point that I can't even sneak out at night to visit my favorite leopard!

"They're killing me... I can't live like this..." Ive whined to the Prince for nearly an hour now over tea. This is our first time seeing one another again since I left.

He truly deserved the title of "Most Beautiful Bachelor"

His blonde hair looked like sewn gold, soft and silky and never a strand out of place. Magic maybe...?

At 16, I barely come to his chest now, which makes for difficulty talking while standing. Though I took a little pleasure in seeing his strained back trying to keep a perfect bow to kiss my hand in greeting.

"Maybe if you didn't run away on some wild adventure, you wouldn't have to deal with this" As always, he was a demon.

"You are aware of the efforts they put forth to make it seem as if you went away to study in Karmillia Kingdom under the Queen for all that time to protect your reputation... correct? Thankfully you did study under her for a brief period of time, so it was passable" I felt guilt strike my heart. He was right... a lady running away like I did... normally my virtue would be questioned for such an act. I was blessed to have such a reliable family.

I forget my limits constantly. Everyday I grew further away from my past self, truly taking on the name Rose.

"Yes... that's true" I hung my head in shame. The tea didn't taste good anymore.

We were currently in the Royal Palace, the only place I wouldn't be under surveillance. Vincent had to leave with Father today, only agreeing because I wouldn't be able to sneak away from the Shadow King... the Prince.

He was displeased with my disappearance as well, apparently he lost a lot of help. Ricin refused to work once I wasn't there, preferring to really get in character as a cat...

"Are you ready for school? You studied beforehand correct?"

Another shot to my ego!

"Ha... haha... o-of course I studied!" My nervous laugh didn't seem to convince him... his eyes are narrowed. Where was that Princely man just a while ago?! His personality always becomes so dark around me. That fake smile has the poor women in this country convinced he's a good person, what sad fools! I wish I could capture that creepy smile he gets when he's making profit off something...

"So you haven't studied at all? Worry not, Gerald is an excellent tutor, so I'll have him teach you"

His words now seeped venom into my veins.

Gerald...?

The angelic little boy I met so long ago in the castle in now at the age he buried the old Rosalia.

Could I refuse? Vincent is also a good tutor?

"If you're thinking of taking time away from your sis-con brother, I recommend rethinking such stupidity and allow him to properly shadow your father. In four years, he has to take over the main management of your Dukedom"

He really likes to screw me over, huh?

Well... he's right though. I can't go on cowering like a lamb forever.

For some reason though, Gerald seems more frightening than a shark.

"R-right... I understand..." I hung my head again. Much like how Ceil drops his kind facade, I similarly lose all manners. He seems unfazed by such disastrous behavior on my part. The only good thing about our strange friendship.

"He's already prepared, so I'll have him visit your estate tomorrow" he calmly sipped his tea, as if he just didn't admit he already knew I needed the help... damn this dark monster!

************

Ceil wasn't lying.

Gerald showed up the next morning...

Early.

Too damn early.

Now? In my nightgown, I'm completely wrapped in blankets like a sad attempted burrito who Vincent has a laughing Gerald on the floor and a knife to his neck. Ricin has vines tightly holding Gerald from freeing himself.

Let's go back in time to figure out how the hell this all occurred.

I had woken to something really warm wrapped around me, and when I opened my eyes, I was face first in someone's chest.

Panic never sets in early enough for me when I wake up, instead I casually looked up so see a handsome young man with familiar fluffy brown hair and baby blue eyes smiling down at me.

It still took a minute for me to fully wake up.

So I did what I always do... closed my eyes for a few more minutes of peace. It didn't register that I snuggled back into the arms of a man. Of all things to be in a young unmarried lady's room.

"So cute~ Rosie, you like cuddling huh~? I just came in to surprise you, who'd know you'd make yourself so comfy in my lap? Is it comfy Rosie?" A soft and sweet baritone voice knocked all my exhaustion away as I opened my eyes again to meet Gerald's.

Yes, it was true. I was completely snuggled up to Gerald like a small animal in his lap.

How the hell...?

"Wha?" My brain cells hadn't woken up, so my only response was to look like an idiot with her mouth open in shock.

"Hmm?" Gerald hummer casually and leaned extremely close to my face.

"Still sleepy? It's my bad for coming early, please make yourself comfortable, I don't mind" he laughed... as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

It was too late for me then.

My door slammed open, Angie... the traitor who was likely charmed by Gerald and looking guilty and panicked, could not stop the storm that is my little brother...

He looked like someone had killed his cat, and was completely pissed when he saw Gerald laughing merrily and holding me hostage. Despite his cute appearance and lean figure, I was far too out of it in the morning to properly attempt an escape. His arms were tightly wrapped around me and I was buried in his arms like some shameful lover.

Good god...

"Let go of Rose" Why does Vincent look like some husband catching another man in bed with his wife?! Calm down! Nothing happened!!!

"No~ Rosie's mine~" Gerald, you sick son of a bitch, you aren't helping! I wanted to cry but I was still in a state of shock. Honestly, who could prepare themselves mentally for this? No one. That's who!

Gerald, to make things worse of course, made a big show of hugging me even closer, until my cheek was pressed against his chest. He placed his head against the top of mine too, like some stubborn child with a toy...!

"G-Gerald!" My voice was groggy, and I wasn't prepared for Vincent's next move!

He literally pried me out of Gerald's arms before grabbing a blanket and wrapping me up!! Then, I was thrown! Thrown!!! A grown woman, wrapped like a burrito, and thrown. I wasn't hurt when I hit the floor, the blanket cushioning me.

Vincent was already on Gerald by the time that Ricin casually walked in.

Apparently Ricin and Vincent have made amends, because Ricin easily used magic to restrain him.

Now here we are...

I felt my irritation rise.

Quickly untangling myself, I quickly threw on a cover robe before grabbing the backs of both males shirts and picking them up off each other.

They didn't struggle, but instead stared at me in shock.

Yes, I may be small, but I didn't lack in strength. Picking them up wasn't straining at all.

"Out. No more males in my room besides Ricin. I'm over it. Go" My voice was deathly cold and I knew my eyes had a deep glare in them.

No more words were spoke as I quite literally threw them from my room. I gave Angie a look that had her shaking.

Good.

After that, I quickly performed my daily routine.

When I came down for breakfast, it was peacefully eaten alone.

Then, I went to the Library where I knew Gerald would be.

He was casually lounging on a side couch with multiple maids blushing and giggling at his antics...

Vincent was likely out with father by this time.

When Gerald saw me, his eyes lit up, making me sweat a little. His interest was not the best thing to have.

"Rosie~<3!" Good lord...

"Sir Gerald... Greetings. You're all dismissed" I said softly to the maids, and I had to ignore their disappointed glares. Geez...

I sat in an arm chair beside Gerald as he lazily laughed. How the hell is this idiot supposed to teach me...?

"Your sleeping face is much cuter than your glare~ smile for me Rosie~" Gerald laughed, throwing his arms behind his head with manners to the wind.

"Coming from the supposed gentleman who entered a maidens sleeping quarters, I will decline" I said ruefully. He was too comfortable in someone else's estate.

"So cruel~ I was just curious what you looked like now! I barely caught a glimpse of you at Vinnie's birthday" He said with a whine.

Vinnie?!

I nearly fell from my chair at the awful nickname Vincent had received. A small smile cracked my features... it was truly a funny name.

"Vinnie?" I laughed.

"Yeah~ he refused to let me see you. Even turned me away at the door, so I snuck in through your bedroom window. You should really keep that locked~"

My spine went stiff and my body cold.

My window was open...? I felt dread settle into my stomach. Yes, I will absolutely make sure that is locked! What is even creepier is Gerald using my window to enter!!!

"Please restrain yourself properly next time... I will make Vincent aware you are a guest" I said slowly. I prayed he listened.

"Hmm~ you really have gotten so cute! You're so small, I thought for sure you'd be tall like your mother but I guess not, huh~?" Now he's picking a fight...

"Though it's not bad, you remind me of a kitten at this size. When I went to wake you up, you just grabbed onto my sleeve and pulled me down~ awa~ I was so scared! Haha"

Gerald... I can't imagine you ever getting scared. I kept my thoughts to myself as he carried on.

"You curled up against me so cutely, I had no choice but to hold you~ when I called your name you only snuggled closer! I was close to petting you at that point, only an insane person could push away such a cute thing~"

I felt my blood going cold. What the hell...? My straight face was cracking a little, my mouth twitched. His smile is so pure but his words are anything but?!

He's scarier than Ceil!

"Please never do that again..." Gerald only titled his head innocently. I wanted to smack him!

I was taken advantage of!

"M'kay~ should we start your lessons now? School starts in a month, I'm so nervous!" He giggled. He's much bigger than I thought, when he stood to stretch, I stood as well to not be rude. I barely came to his chin... and Gerald is the shortest among the targets. Phillip is the largest and tallest, while Ceil and Maxwell are about the same in proportions. Vincent eventually reaches a little below Ceil.

How creepy it is for him to giggle like that...

Not cute at all!!!

"Hmm? Rosie?"

I swear, these foolish women are all suckers for lies!

"Rosie~? Ah, she's spaced out, huh?"

If this Kingdom could only know how they really were in private, they wouldn't be so darn popular.

"Rosie~ If you don't respond, I'm going to hug you~"

If I could have a camera, it would be to capture these fakes, then I could sell it to the fans, make a ton of money, and also expose them!

Maybe I should invent a camera? What materials do I need? Does colored ink exist...? I'd have to make that-

"Rosie~!" I was suddenly squished to a chest for the second time today! Gerald had a full hold of me.

"W-What?!" I could barely process what he was doing before he pulled away laughing, his hands still on my shoulders.

"You were lost in thought and weren't responding. So I thought I'd wake you up~" His face is too close! My face heated up as I felt his breathe fan across my face.

"Hmm?" Gerald's smile fell as he looked at me curiously with his head tilted.

...What now?

"This is the first time I've seen Rosie blush... hey, are you embarrassed?" He leaned down close again. I shrunk back a little, prepared to knock him back if he got any closer.

"Of course I am! You're too close! And stop hugging me!" I said quickly, putting my hands against his chest and pushing. He let go and stepped back to keep from falling.

"Haha! Rosie's embarrassed, my bad~" he said merrily.

"Please, lets just begin the lessons" I huffed, giving up on keeping up with him.

"M'kay~" he laughed again.

That's when I realized, Gerald was chosen for a reason.

His cute appearance should not be underestimated, he's smart! His lesson went by quickly, and he would return next week to continue it. My homework was quite lengthy as well.

I missed the normalcy of school...

Most of all, I've missed home.