Wow, that was a doozy. Poor Kamui, right? Hopefully you're still hooked ;) Enjoy!

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The next day is Friday. She solemnly keeps to herself, burying herself in books in the castle library. When the royal tutor finds her she waves him away, claiming it's a 'private study day.' Elise is the first one to find her, and asks if she wants to go play dolls. Kamui declines, saying she's busy.

Leo walks in later and reads across from her for a while. Neither of them talk. Of all her siblings, Leo understood personal space the best.

When he's left, Camilla walks in, as if on a timer. In her usual, full armour she is a stunning vision of power. Unlike her other siblings, she walks up and speaks her mind:

"What's wrong, Kamui? You've spoken hardly a word all day." She sits on the loveseat and leans in close "Is it the boy?" Kamui's face flushed, despite all of last night's conviction and she speaks in a hushed whisper, "Yes. I've decided not to continue with him." Camilla smiles brightly, "Really? What changed your mind? Me?"

The white haired beauty is almost ashamed of Camilla's open attitude change. "I just want to do the right thing, it's my choice. I couldn't leave you anyways." The woman next to her stiffens and her sister's hand grips her hand tightly, though anyone walking by wouldn't have noticed. "What do you mean, 'leave me?' " Her eyes are on fire, her face tense.

"It doesn't matter. He wanted to run away, so we could get married. I'm not going to do it." Kamui rushedly uses her still- functioning hand to caress her sister's face. Camilla is staring into Kamui's eyes, as if to detect any possible lies.

After assumedly deciding to believe her, Camilla nods and presses her forehead to Kamui's, "Please say it's so. I don't think I could live without my Kamui-kins. I'd go mad." She winks and whispers "You were always my favorite, think nothing of father, or this boy. I'll give you all the love you need," She stands and points a lazy finger at the books "Do enjoy your reading… Kamui-kins"

With a wink and a sashay she's gone.

Kamui is reassured by her sister's words, but some dark pit inside her prevents her from being content. Tonight, she planned on staying in her room. For, seemingly, the first time in years she'd be where she was supposed to be. An errant tear drop falls from her eyes and she reaches to wipe it away, but a hand grabs her wrist from behind the loveseat.

Whirling around she sees crown prince Xander, towering above her. His gloved hand circles her wrist easily. "Sister… I know you're distressed. Why are you crying?" Kamui uses her free hand to quickly wipe the tear away, no way she was telling Xander.

"Nothing, I'm not feeling well." She trips over her words. He releases her, "Nothing, or you're not feeling well? Which one, little sister?"

Shit.

"I'm simply unwell, no cause for worry, brother. Thank you for your concern." Something about the way he's looking at her is off, but whatever it is, it's apparently not enough to bring up because he straightens and nods, "Well, please get rest and drink fluids. I'll send for Jakob." He turns to go and, without looking at her says, "He was worried about you last night." and he's gone.

Mouth agape, Kamui stares at the place her brother was standing just seconds ago. 'He knows.' She thinks, horrified, What if he tells father? Silas would be executed for sure. Who told? Not Camilla, she swore. The guard? She'd paid him a handsome amount every night, unfailingly. Jakob was worried, what does he know?

All Kamui knew was that she had to talk to her butler as soon as possible.

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As always, please comment your opinion and any questions, critique, or compliments! Thanks for reading! Next upload is tomorrow :)