"Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love." ―Rainer Maria Rilke
Sakura was still staring at the fading hooded figure, as Gilbert nudged his brother in the side, whispering how strange this entire meeting between them seemed.
"If you say so, brother," Ludwig replied, observing the petite huntress with narrowed eyes. He still distrusted her – not only due to her capability of fighting, but their master's general behaviour towards her.
"I think he likes her," Gilbert spoke to himself, "Who would have thought the grumpy Prince would prefer such a kind of woman."
The youngest brother only lifted a brow, "Gilbert, you seem to like similar women?"
Gilbert froze, knowing exactly who Ludwig was talking about, with the exception that Eliza did express her feelings and hate towards him out loud.
"What happened to him?"
Both of the siblings turned their head towards Sakura.
"Something we cannot tell you," Ludwig quickly chided, finding it rather unusual for the huntress to ask such a question. Despite their guests' and their master's new agreement, Ludwig did not trust any of them.
"Don't you think we at least deserve to know what happened? We have made an alliance and therefore need any information that could help us." Eliza stood at the doorframe, a deep frown gracing her face. She had heard Sakura's question and intended to receive an answer from the Beilschmidt brothers. It was not only curiosity that forced her to form such words, but the mere fact that they did not know anything about the enchanted Prince – except for his use of magic, the years of his disappearance and his need to take shelter away from people that wanted him dead.
"That is not for us to decide," The youngest of the brothers spoke sternly, clearly becoming angrier the more they were questioning them.
"You would not expect me to ask the Prince myself? Do you know what consequences I will face because of this adventure?" Eliza's voice raised. "I probably lost my occupation as a barmaid, my friends will think I disappeared and my landlord won't be happy to notice that I haven't paid the rent."
It was pure frustration that laced in her voice and the other present were rather shocked by her outburst – due to the fact that she was uttering private things.
"I understand, but still I cannot inform you of the Master's curse."
Eliza pursed her lips. "So that rumour is true. Who cursed him? The ones that want to kill him?"
"Miss!" Ludwig was scowling, giving Eliza a warning look. She was testing his nerves and had caused enough trouble in his eyes – considering how much control she had over his older brother. 'That love stricken fool,' Ludwig thought to himself.
Unfortunately, the man's patience was not the only thing on the verge of falling apart – his brother gilbert seemed to be taken by the brunette's words.
"Gilbert, it is for the best we go," the blonde spoke harshly, "If you really want to know, I suggest you ask him yourself."
As Ludwig noticed that Gilbert was still standing on the same spot as before, the youngest of the brothers decided to pull him away from the barmaid.
"We really need to –"
"I want to have a private word with Miss Eliza."
Every present shot the white-haired man an astonished look.
Especially Eliza whose stuttering reflected her nervousness. "E-excuse me?" the concerned woman asked, totally baffled by Gilbert's intention. As their eyes met, Eliza clenched her jaw. "Fine."
Sakura was a little worried about the interaction between the quarrelling parties – even Ludwig heaved a sigh.
Despite Gilbert's determined expression, a small blush and triumphal smile adorned his face. Apparently he had been uncertain if the barmaid would agree. "All right," he spoke, signalling to the others to retreat – while his younger brother disappeared from the scene with a shaking head, Sakura and her sister slowly moved into their room before closing the door behind them.
The moment, Eliza heard the soft click of the lock, she quickly turned to Gilbert, watching him with wary eyes. "Well, what–"
"I am sorry." Even if it was spoken in a low voice, the barmaid could still hear him and his words caused her mouth to close quicker than she had anticipated.
"I want to truly apologise for this awful incident. To force you to stay here and to cooperate had not been something on the list I wanted to do today . . ."
For the first time, Eliza was speechless. Never before had that confident man in front of her been so sincere – the look in his eyes and the sound of his voice convinced her.
"And all those other moments when we met . . . At the bar . . . I did not know why I had acted that way when we met, but I . . ." The words faded into a soft breathe. He was uncertain about the attempt to express his feelings towards her. Not only was the dread feeling preventing him to loudly acknowledge his love for her, but the situation in which they were currently was as bad as it could be: He and his master were holding Eliza and her friends hostage – even if they had a deal, one could easily tell that the barmaid did not like the idea of staying at the mansion.
"But you . . .?" Eliza inquired softly, becoming more impatient the more Gilbert silenced. Although her voice was giving the man hope, he decided to remain still. If he would show her his weakest side, she could easily take advantage of that – and despite him loving her, he did not know if she would do something like that. At the moment he was sure that Eliza would do anything to go home and forget this awful situation.
"Yes?" she tried to reassure him. Now she wanted to know what was happening – the sight of his tense body language and reddened cheeks were evidence enough. The red irises had not once gazed elsewhere, but into her green eyes.
"I-I . . ." The words were left unsaid as the man turned around, contemplating of the consequences of his thoughts of telling her everything.
"Yes?"
There it was again, her commanding tone, stubborn expression and glinting eyes he had come to love.
Despite the threatening looks, Gilbert could no prevent from staring at her without uttering a syllable – much to Eliza's dismay.
"Gilbert!"
At first the called man thought to have heard his name out of Eliza's mouth, only to realise that she was just as baffled by the interrupting voice.
"Brother?" the white-haired man murmured, not breaking eye contact with the barmaid in front of him.
"The master wants to talk to us!" Ludwig spoke, approaching the party while glancing between his older brother and the brunette woman. "Now."
The concerned man only nodded, before throwing Eliza an apologetic look. "W-we will speak again." And with that, the siblings disappeared – Gilbert still dared to throw her one last look before passing the corner at the end of the hall.
"What was that?" Eliza whispered, focusing on her hands that were still warm from another one's touch. Without her realising, Gilbert had stepped forwards and grabbed her hands – and action she had not once witnessed before. Whenever she had been in his presence, the man had tried to act confidently. But not for the last few days . . . She had noticed his posture, the uncertain acting, the trembling hands and the slight tremor in his voice. " . . . That stupid Beilschmidt had the oddity to touch my hands."
Neither her tone nor face gave the impression of an angry woman; she was flabbergasted at this development.
Slowly she stepped to the door, thinking for the first time of those dreamy red eyes that had captivated her moments ago.
"I must imagine things," she murmured, denying the connection she and Gilbert had shared during their conversation.
The door was opened forcefully and the brunette was left staring wildly at the Hunter sisters.
"The faster we can fulfil this new sealed deal, the better for us to return to our daily life!" the barmaid suddenly blurt out, ignoring the nagging feel in her stomach that this sentence was only meant for herself – even if she had the odd feeling that nothing would be the same anymore.
[A/N: I just finished this chapter on time. Lately, I have problems writing; not in the form of a writer's block, but my hands hurt from writing too much on the Pc (just imagine… How is that possible?) but the pain has decreased and I am glad to have written the update :). When I cannot update on time, it is mostly due to Having no free time. And this chapter, well it somehow had turned into a slight romantic interaction between Prussia and Hungary (I don't know how it happened, it just did, as it always does whenever I write :'D)]
Reply to Reviews:
Thebigeyedpanda: I know you reviewed in other chapters, but I still hope you will see this :). Yes, I received hate for writing straight pairings. Sad, I know. And I agree with you, sometimes some persons are far too obsessed with yaoi. I don't mind yaoi or people liking it, but spreading hate because I do not write yaoi? It's pathetic, but well, this kind of hate I received motivated me to proceed in my writing ;).
Mimi-chan and aliling-chan: Haha xD I know that feeling, when your OTP starts to interact and the confusing feelings show up :D
Madison camelia: Indeed :/ 10 years is a long time, and I do feel sorry for him. Thank you :D