Chapter 39: Connecting

I sat, neatly dressed in similar fashion as the Rosalia of this world.

Of course my potion worked, and Ceil profited. I looked exactly like this world's Rosalia... like the game Rosalia.

An extravagant outfit far too tight in some areas and too heavy in other.

The dress was a bloody red, and clashed harshly against my skin, making me uncomfortable.

"Ready?" Vincent was standing before me. His face was relaxed but his eyes were holding an un-constrained loathing.

It's because I look exactly like her.

"Yes" I nodded, and like that, the two of us left the castle.

It was the Academy vacation, so all I had to do was sit in the estate, and wait. Quietly.

The potion lasts for 8 hours at a time, and then I need to wait 4 hours before I take another dose to not hurt my body.

Ricin and Kai were off searching for the Demon. Ricin had caught a slight lead, so I trusted it to them.

I had to be under constant watch, so Vincent and sadly... Gerald... were going to be with me.

I was thankful they were helping.

The original Rosalia was sent off somewhere that I was not allowed to know. I worried they were going to kill her, and both me and Katrina endlessly begged for her life to be spared.

She doesn't deserve to die...! Maybe she deserves a good smacking around, but nothing so extreme.

Phillip was the ever so dutiful man, and said he would not allow for any unjust punishments. I trusted his boring and upright behavior.

He would also come by regularly to check up.

Ricin and Kai said they would come back after a week. To check in.

Me and Vincent boarded the Vermillion carriage, and of course, I kept a haughty attitude until we were alone.

I even snapped at a servant who was running with water! I think I did great at acting the original Rosalia's personality.

"That self satisfied face... it's because you feel accomplished because you scolded that reckless Palace maid right? You aren't acting the part at all... you even gave the maid a serious help by warning her of the dangers if she offended a Royal" He said with an exasperated face.

I froze. That wasn't the plan at all...

"I see.. what should I do to fit the part...?"

"Be a bitch"

"Please don't curse with that face... it makes me feel like I've aged into an old grandma... but what are the usual things she does?" I asked curiously.

Vincent leaned on his hand lazily looking out the carriage window. It was still early in the morning, and I knew Vincent wasn't a morning person.

I pulled out a small bottle from my bracelet.

"Here, smell this, it's rosemary and mint, it'll help wake you up" I said, handing it to him.

He gave me a weary look.

"It's not poison is it...?"

"Don't be ridiculous, I wouldn't kill my benefactor, especially not one with the same appearance as my baby brother" He stiffened at the end of my sentence, but cautiously gave the bottle a whiff.

His eyes widened, then he did it again.

"Wow... it does work." He nodded and tried to hand it back.

"Keep it. I always make these for my brother, I just guessed you both were not morning people... seeing as you're the same person" I chuckled.

His cheeks turned a little red which made my heart yearn to tease him a little. I held back though.

When we made it to the estate, we were greeted with this world's Duchess... my mother.

I felt a bit panicked.

"My darling, are you alright? I heard you caught a cold while visiting the castle" she was sweet though, making me smile slightly, before a frown replaced it the next moment.

"Did you not think to properly care for Rosalia!? Always so careless" She sneered at Vincent.

He said nothing. But I could see it. The hatred in his eyes...

"Mother, I caught a cold from my own carelessness, Vincent is a male anyway, he can't be around me so frivolously. It's not possible to be his fault" I said- nearly not sticking to the original Rosalia's personality.

It'd be bad if I ooc like that!

She seemed a bit surprised, but nodded nonetheless.

Vincent stared at me weirdly for a moment.

"...what?" I asked curiously.

He grimaced.

"So weird to be defended by that face..." he murmured, before walking inside ahead of me.

The estate was virtually the same, but it wasn't as lively and vibrant... more sullen and professional.

Vincent led the way to my room, which was near the main hall.

In my world, my room is quite far away from everyone... after I blew it up that one time when I was younger. It was for safety reasons.

When Vincent opened the door, I nearly screamed.

Paintings. So many paintings...

Of Ceil.

My eyes widened in horror. I looked up at Vincent who seemed amused with my reaction, as well as similarly disgusted.

"I can't sleep here... not with these... this is just scary! I can acknowledge admiring someone but... this is creepy" I said stressed.

For the first time since I'd been around him, Vincent laughed.

"Right? Ahaha... well, I'll call someone to help put sheets over them or something" he said.

His speech was relaxing now. That was good!

"Vincent..." he looked at me.

My mouth opened before closing again... not sure if I was even qualified to speak.

I swallowed.

"I'm not your sister in this world. I'm not really Rosalia... which does make us a bit like strangers... but unlike how different me and this world's Rosalia are... you still have the same past, personality, interests... as my Vincent.

It's not hard... to guess that you and Rosalia don't get along. She seems quite abusive, and terrible. I don't have that kind of relationship with my brother, because I was so happy when I was given a sibling to care for and love...

I'm not Rosalia. But I can be a friend. It's a bit unfair that I'm aware of more about you than you are with me, as my personality change is really the only thing in my world that was different.

So I know about your life before you became apart of the Vermillion Dukedom. And I know more than anything, how you feel right now... because your eyes look exactly the same as they did when you first arrived here.

So... what I'm offering, is when it's just the two of us... you are more than welcome to experience normal activities between siblings like you weren't given before" my face felt hot, and my eyes were watery. My heart hurt seeing him like this.

The same face and eyes as my Vincent had when I first met him.

So lonely and begging for love. It's just. Now as an adult, he carries a coldness so no one can see it.

He looked shocked, his eyes wide. His body was stiff.

Then, he laughed. For a while too, hard.

He doubled over and held his stomach as he laughed to his heart's content.

"You- you're really such a weirdo!" He laughed.

I'm glad he's enjoying himself I guess.

"Then, what do siblings do then?" He finally sobered up, but his face was more gentle now.

"Well, lets see. Me and my brother would often bake sweets for mother together, or go for walks in the garden. We'd study together, or practice magic and swordsmanship. Sometimes Vincent would join me when I went hunting for new ingredients, or help with my experiments. Sometimes I'd sell him out to Ceil for labor, only when he wouldn't share his dessert after dinner. Oh! Vincent really liked when we'd take bathes together when we were kids. We'd always end up so dirty after going horseback riding. Or sometimes he would have a nightmare so we'd sleep together at night too. If he wasn't feeling well, I'd let him lay his head in my lap so he could take nap while I read. He liked when I made him tea as well, so we'd often have snacks together. If he had any injuries after Father trained him, I'd help patch him up... Hmm... what else...?"

"You're being taken advantage of"

"Huh?"

"No.. nothing.."

Vincent looked a bit worried?

"Oh! Vincent loved having his hair played with. I'd brush it for him often, he'd always fall asleep during it" I laughed, fondly remembering how spoiled he acted.

"Are you really okay with those things...? Also, a noblewoman cooking? I can't say that's the oddest thing with you though" Vincent said casually.

"Of course! I love my brother, and if you want, I can have two!" I said happily.

"You know I'm adopted right? Even in your world... there isn't any blood relation"

"So? Not all family is related by blood. It doesn't mean any less to me"

I answered honestly.

"You missed a lot of points... Fine then. Show me what having a big sister is then"

Like that, I made Vincent help me bake cookies- after the servants ran away in fear at seeing me.

Then we ate them along with the tea I brewed.

"I won't lie... this tea really is amazing" Vincent nodded in approval.

Then we went for a walk in the garden. I made some flowers bloom for a cool trick. He seemed quite pleased.

Then I showed him some of my favorite books.. we had to search the library for a while.

He showed me a few of his too, which was nice!

We read until it was nearly dark.

My potion wore off, and I had to change so the clothes wouldn't fall off...

"But I will say... I'm a bit envious of this world's Rosalia..." I said sadly.

Vincent looked at me curiously.

Then noticed I was now staring at my much flatter chest in sorrow before laughing.

"So? How was it?" I asked him. His eyes were much softer, and he smiled a lot more genuinely.

"Not bad. Though, isn't there another thing you did with him? Letting him lay his head in your lap, right?" He asked seriously.

"Oh yeah! Here!" I moved to a more comfortable position and offered my lap.

He laid down on the couch, his head on my lap.

His face was red making me laugh a little.

He was so stiff too...!

I gently ran a hand through his fluffy cotton candy locks. So soft! Like petting a kitten.

I gently stoked his head as I began to read my novel.

When I heard the heavy breathing, I realized he had fallen asleep!

I laughed quietly, and continued to read. Letting him sleep a bit longer wouldn't be bad.

That was, until I failed to hear my bedroom door open.

I was absorbed in the novel.

"Wow~ she tamed you so quickly" I froze at the familiar voice.

I turned my head to see some familiar golden curls and big mischievous eyes... Gerald!

"He's out cold...! Did you drug him?" He asked with a laugh.

"No? He fell asleep when I was playing with his hair" I said casually.

He looked surprised.

"He let you touch him? That's surprising"

Vincent slowly opened his eyes in annoyance as he sat up. Seeing Gerald, he scowled.

"Go home, I'll stay with her tonight"

He commented dryly.

"Now this~ wow~ I'll decline though. Let me spend some time with her too? After seeing this Ice Prince thaw so easily, I can't miss out too can I? Taking advantage so easily too..." Gerald laughed.

Vincent blushed fiercely.

"I wasn't...!" Then he paused, as if he was thinking.

"Fine... tsk. Goodnight" he threw at me before leaving.

"Night" I waved.

Now it was just me and Gerald.

He sat down across me on the opposite couch.

"You really tamed him though~ well, I'll say, you're far cuter than that witch. So small...!" He laughed.

I felt exhausted already.

"Well, I'll be staying Guard here while you sleep~ so rest easy" he said sweetly.

Oh no...

"Wait... here? In the room...?"

"How else can I Guard you?"

"Outside maybe...?"

"Orders are orders. I can't leave you alone" he said lowly.

I didn't like his eyes!

That fake innocence... he never took it off!

I paled.

"You don't seem to like me very much?" He asked curiously. Tilting his head for effect.

"I wouldn't call it dislike... more like... you always have that act. Hard to tell what you're really thinking" I said lamely.

His eyes widened a bit.

"Act... Huh..." he murmured.

"You can't claim you always act like this right? Even I would get tired. In my world, I was reading buddies with you. You were more calm and gentle- quiet but analytical. You always observed everything with great detail. Though I guess you've always been social"

"So strange~ you have me down well but I don't know you. Well, I know the Rosalia of this world"

"Yeah. We had to save her from you quite specifically" I said with narrowed eyes. He merely laughed with his hands raised in surrender.

"Guilty! But really, if she was half as cute as you, I wouldn't have to take drastic measures~"

"You put her in a cage surrounded by dismembered bodies of noble girls" I said dryly.

"Hmm~ you're well informed. True though" he said, his smile still present but his eyes were sharper.

"So you can't blame my mistrust and apprehension"

"Well, we could get to know each other more!" He said, pulling out a deck of cards from his jacket.

"You won't win though" I laughed, accepting.

He didn't win.

"Ah~? Did you cheat? How? I've never lost before" Gerald complained.

"I could make quite a good living on gambling if I wanted. But yes, I always played Ceil and lost when I was young, so I became quite good later on" I said casually with shrug.

"That's why... he's a monster at games. He only plays if there is something to gain though"

I nodded.

We shared a moment of mutual defeat at the hands of Ceil.

After a few rounds, I grew extremely tired.

Gerald had noticed.

"Go to sleep, I have some work I need to do, so I'll be over there at the desk~"

I nodded, unable to handle not sleeping for so long.

I crawled into the bed to sleep.