"Why?"

"Why were you bo-"

Amelina woke up in shock, gasping as she felt a stinging pain on her cheek.

"Eh?", Amelina touched her throbbing cheek as she glanced around before finally landing her eyes on the culprit. Namely, the anonymous boy whom she owes her life to.

"You woke me up too because of your mumblings and all, so don't blame me.", the boy yawned as he turned away from the girl's questioning gaze.

'Ah, I think I just had that nightmare... Wait, did he just slap me?'

"Well, I'm sorry that I woke you...", Anelina mumbled as she rubbed her cheek before recognizing the bed they had been sleeping on. "Wait, why am I back in my room? And were you sleeping with me?!"

The boy stared at Amelina incredously, as if saying 'are you kidding me?'.

"You were the one who slept on my back first and didn't even let go when I tried to pry your hands off."

Amelina's cheek turned beet red as she tried to find any excuses.

"Uh-I.. you-"

"Don't speak."

Amelina looked at the boy worriedly, who seemed to be tired out for some reason.

"You. Since when did you start to live here?", the boy suddenly asked amidst of the silence.

"Uhh.. when I was still a baby? Why do you ask?"

'For some reason, I'm getting the déjà vu vibes..'

"...nothing.", looking away, the boy glances at the window. "I should get going now."

"Eh? But-", Amelina bit her lip.

'Shouldn't he just stay over? It's already late night...'

"It's too bothersome to explain.", the boy stated, as if knowing Amelina's inquiry.

"But, you should have just stayed over."

They boy stared at Amelina with his apathetic eyes, before sighing.

"Maschenny would be mad if I stayed longer."

"Wait, big sis Maschenny? Do you know her?"

The two's conversation were disrupted as Eira entered, holding a tray filled with food.

"I see you've woken up, miss.", Eira smiled, placing the tray on the table beside the bed.

'Me? Did he woke up earlier?'

The boy got off the bed, then walked towards the door before Amelina called out.

"Wait! I-I didn't get to know your name yet..", Amelina mumbled, trying to stand up on her feet. "I mean, you saved me back there, so.."

"Miss, your feet are still injured! You shouldn't-"

But Amelina ignored the maid's protests, taking note of the thick socks she was made to wear.

"It's Ran.", the boy answered, looking back over his shoulder. "You?"

Never have Amelina felt so euphonic all her life and she didn't even know the reason why.

"Amelina. I'm Khun Amelina.", the girl smiled unconsciously. She then proceeds to the food tray before taking a certain cup, giving it to Ran. "Take this. It's not enough to repay what you did, but.."

Ran stared at the small hand before hesitantly taking the small treat. Even Amelina didn't catch the mumbling of 'thank you' from the boy as he closed the door.

"Miss, you really should be in bed now!", Eira huffed, pushing Amelina gently towards the bed.

'Always the worrywart, I see.'

"Eira, where's father?", Amelina decided to change the topic, as she sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Eh? Um... h-he won't be coming tonight.", Eira looked away, obviously hiding something.

'Weird, didn't he said he's going to spend the night lazying around here?'

The restless looking Eira made the girl more curious, as numerous questions race in her mind. But Amelina decided against voicing it out, judging from the maid's pale complexion.

'I bet she was ordered to do something that involves me. But really, I wonder what happened when I went to the forest?'

Ran knew what he had done was totally out of his own character, but he didn't deny the fact that he just saved an unknown girl.

Walking down the dark pavement, Ran stated at the small cup on his hand, noting the sweet smell emanating from it.

'To think there was a favored child among us.. Even Maschenny seems protective of her.'

Ran was never one to mind himself of others around him, but after knowing the girl, he had a strange feeling telling him to not let go of her.

'I wonder if her feet are alright.', Ran unconsciously thought. 'Come to think of it, why did I save her again?'

Ran was bored.

No matter how many of his siblings he sparred with, no one could match him.At first, he deemed that sparring with them will be too bothersome, but he admitted that it could be a good training for him.

At least, for him.

The young boy aimlessly walked around the school, after failing to get any of his half-siblings to spar with him (they all ran away because they were too scared) and stopped in his tracks when he saw a commotion in the middle of the hallway.

"Hey, they're targeting the younger siblings again."

"Did they really think gathering kids could make them seem dominant?"

Ran silently took note of what the children near him were gossiping about, whom were all watching the scene before them unfold.

"Poor her, she looks so young."

"I bet they're taking her to the forest."

"Forest? Where the beast was kept?"

Even though their tone sound sympathetic, none of the children around actually tried to put a stop of what Ran would call mobbing.

"Not so fast, girlie! If you're really a child of Khun, you wouldn't be so cowardly, aren't you!"

'Aren't you guys more of a coward than her?', Ran remarked internally.

For a second, the victim looked annoyed but was soon replaced with a sickeningly sweet smile.

'She's forcing her smile.'

"Of course I'm not a coward."

"Come with us, then."

The spectators dissipated away as the group of older kids dragged the girl, probably heading towards the forest.

'I shouldn't mingle myself with them. It's too bothersome.'

But then Ran remembered how the small girl calmly putting up a facade, facing the older kids without even flinching.

A facade trained through patience and experience.

"I doubt that girl could protect herself anyway, I should go and take a look.", Ran let out a sigh.

'It would probably take only a while anyway.'

When Ran had reached the forest's entrance, the group of kids didn't even bother to hide their loud chattering as they contemplated on the girl's survival.

"I bet she's pissing herself right now!", one chortled.

"Hey, but if she survived, I'm totally making her my errand girl!"

"Oi, did that girl went into the forest?", Ran sneaked in, eyes boring into the group.

"Yea, she was pretty obedient than I thought.", the leader replied, turning around to the owner of the voice.

"..."

"K-k-khun Ran?", the leader stuttered, recognizing the boy.

"You know me?"

"Y-yes, of course! W-what are you.. doing here?", the other kid asked as most of their complexion turned pale.

'I don't know too.'

Ran ignored the bunch, making a beeline towards the forest.

"H-hey! It's dangerous there!"Ran stopped short in his tracks before turning around.

"So you do know this forest is dangerous."

The whole group flinched as Ran glowered at them. It wasn't as if he was actually glaring, but the bangs and bored eyes seems to make the boy seem more menacing.

"It's pretty stupid of you guys to let a powerless girl wander in this forest alone."

Ran ignored their incoherent apologies as he walked straight into the forest.

'Hopely that girl didn't go far.'

Ran hadn't remembered how many hours had he been in the forest. He had encountered several wild animals, but not the rumored beast.

'Crap, it's already this late.', Ran glanced at the orange sky, a sign that it would be dark soon.

"Why did I even bother to find her anyway?", the boy thought out loud as he wiped his sweats away.

Ran started to regret his decision as he treaded through the forest. But soon, Ran stopped in his tracks, as a soft voice filled the forest, drawing his attention.

'A song? Who could be possibly singing it? Is it that girl?'

"I was put into a trance,

by the beautiful smile on your face.

Only when you hug me warmly,

could I understand the worth of your affection.

There's still a lot of things,

that I couldn't tell you.

I want you to always be there for me,

even if I know it's a selfish wish.

But with every step you took,

when you came to see me,

had convinced me that all my life,

I was waiting for someone like you,

to be beside me."

Ran curiously followed the path of the song, until he stumbled upon the girl he had been searching for, sitting against a tree.

And it looks like she wasn't alone.

The girl looked alarmed when she noticed the rumored beast flashing it's fangs, as she tried to get up.

But then she fell back down, eyes filled with pain.

'Her feet!'

Ran didn't waste any time to kick the beast away with the help of his shinsoo, successfully knocking out the beast. And whilst Ran was in action, he certainly didn't miss the way the girl staring at the beast unfazed, although pain was clearly written on her face.

'This beast isn't as strong as I thought. But-'

"Are you an idiot?", Ran asked bluntly as their eyes met.

"Huh?"

"You could've just refused when they forced you to enter this forest. Were you that desperate to join that group?"

The girl looked hurt for a second before replying with a pout while looking down. "It wasn't that I was desperate to join them. I was going to get away from here as soon as I lost them. But I got lost along the way...", the girl mumbled the last part, but Ran heard it either way.

The boy unknowingly let out a sigh. "Let's go. It will be dark soon."

Ran began to walk away, expecting the girl to follow him.

"Ouch.."

Ran glanced back, seeing the girl's attention were on her blistered feet, which were slightly bleeding.

"...how bothersome. Here."

Ran himself couldn't understand what he was doing, as he crouched down with his back facing towards the girl.

'Really, I don't even know her.'

"What?", the girl questioned, a flabbergasted look on her face.

"Just get on already."

Both of them turned silent as the girl hesitantly got onto Ran's back, warily crossing her arms around the boy's neck.

'She's light. What did she even eat anyway?'

Ran tensed up when the girl suddenly leaned into his neck, but finally loosen up when he realized that the girl was actually sleeping.

'Wow, she can even sleep in this kind of situation. Where should I dump her?'

After getting out of the forest, Ran debated on whether to bring the girl to his home or...

'Nah, I should just leave her at the main estate. They'll know how to deal with her.'

And upon arriving at the main estate, Ran knew something was off. It was too quiet for his own liking and as far as he knew, there should be some servants doing their work.

But none were seen even as Ran arrived at the front door.

'Should I really just dump her here?'

But Ran's intention was prevented as a voice squeaked from behind, catching his attention.

"I-is that the young miss?"

'Young miss?', Ran turned around, facing a maid who seemed tired out for some reason.

"I-I'm so glad... Now Princess Maschenny won't be mad anymore!", the maid huffed out all the while panting.

'Wait, Maschenny?'

"Um, where should I du- put her?"

"A-ah, please follow me. I'll show you to her room."

'So you're not going to take her?', Ran thought, a bit annoyed by the maid's antsy antics.

The maid then led him to a room while looking around warily, as if afraid they would bump into someone.

"Then, I'll have to go now!", the maid exclaimed, before literally scampering away.

'What kind of servant does that when a guest is present?'

Then again, Ran didn't bother to know more about it as he kicked the door open. The boy went straight to the large bed then leaned his body backwards to put the sleeping girl on the bed.

But the arms around his neck refused to let go even as Ran tried to pry off the surprisingly strong grip.

'This is too bothersome.'

Giving up, Ran laid on the bed next to her, seeing as he was also exhausted from searching the girl. As the silence ensued, Ran felt his eyes drooping before falling into a deep sleep.

Upon waking up, Ran was met with a bright light and an annoyingly familiar face.

"You're awake, kid?"

Ran stared at the figure sitting at the edge of the bed, before trying to get up.

Keyword: Trying.

The boy groaned out in frustation as the hands that halted him from leaving earlier were still latched around his neck. After a few more struggles, he finally broke free.

"There's a lot of things that I would like to ask you, but I'm pretty sure you do too.", the figure, namely his biological sister smirked in amusement, seeing Ran's annoyed expression.

"I have nothing to say to you."

"Yea I know, but I have lots to say.", Maschenny responded. "First of all, leave before dawn and do not tell a soul about this girl or what happened today."

'..why?', Ran wanted to retort, but held himself back as he gazed at his sister's serious expression. It was rare for him to witness such face.

"I'll have you to tell me everything that happened later, since I've got something to take care of first."

'Yea, yea, whatever.'

After Maschenny had left the room, a maid entered who approached him, with folded clothes in hand.

"I would like to express my highest gratitude for bringing the young miss back.", the maid bowed. "I am Eira Gwinn, the personal maid for the young miss here."

'Personal maid?'

"There's no need to thank me. I was just bored.", Ran sighed.

"And here," Eira handed the clothes in her hand. "Princess Maschenny appointed me to attend to your needs all the while you are here."

"Thank you.", Ran mumbled, getting off the bed.

"Please refrain yourself from going out of the room for the time being. I'll be nearby if you need anything else.", Eira stated, leaving Ran with the still sleeping girl.

'Hm.. what should I do now?', Ran pondered, changing out of his dirty clothes. 'Maybe I should just go home? There's no reason for me to stay longer.'

Ran walked up to the door, opening it slightly but stopped short as he heard Maschenny's voice, along with another deep voice that seems all too familiar to him.

From what the boy can catch, Maschenny seems to be calmly arguing with the male, whose silhouette was shrouded in the dark hallway.

'Maybe a little push would do it.'

Shock.

Ran was paralyzed with fear as he acknowledged the figure his sister was conversing with.

Khun Eduan.

'Why is he here?'

Since Ran couldn't get anything out of the argument, the boy silently closed the door, sitting back on the bed.

'Is this all related to this girl?'Ran glanced at the girl, noting that she was wearing a pair of socks that he hadn't seen when he brought her back.

After a while, Ran could hear the sound of a door being slammed shut from somewhere, as Maschenny calmly entered with a timid Eira scurrying behind.

"Of course he would be mad..", Maschenny sighed.

"..was that father?", Ran asked, unable to contain his curiosity as he stared straight into Maschenny's eyes.

"Yes. And a little information for you, the room beside ours is his room."

Ran processed the information with a slight shudder. 'That means this girl is...'

"I know you have a lot to ask, but please save it for later. I want to cool my head down right now.", Maschenny voiced out after seeing Ran lost in his thought. "Damn father..."

Ran queitly watched as the Jahad princess gave out a set of orders to Eira, who nodded along with each order given out.

The tense air seemed to disappear as Maschenny exited the room.Knowing the princess was in no mood for interrogations, Ran turned to another source of information for him to exploit.

"What exactly happened?"

A few words of question, but a thousand answers needed.

Eira looked hesitant before complying to answer.

"Actually, today was missus first time of going outside and a certain retainer was assigned to take care of her."

'Is this girl some kind of princess?'

"But along the way, the retainer had lost sight of the young miss. Coincidentally, the princess had some time to spare and immediately went to the school when she heard miss Amelina was there."

'Maschenny bothering herself with a little girl?'

"And when princess Maschenny heard the young miss had gone missing, she was really mad."

'I guessed she killed the retainer.'

"Unfortunately, the retainer was let off with just a rough beating from the princess..."

'Oh, she didn't kill him. Wait, why does this maid sounds unhappy the retainer wasn't killed or is it just me?'

"The princess turned the school upside down in search of the young miss, but we never found her, until a maid came running and said that she found her along with you."'

'So that's why the maid ran off earlier.'

"Then, what does father has to do with this?", Ran asked.

Eira's expression turned solemn before answering.

"I'm not sure if it is my place to say this, but from what I can see, Sir Eduan greatly values Miss Amelina."

Once more, Ran's face contorted into an astonished one.

"Of course, I doubted it at first, but after Sir Eduan ordered me and Miru to make sure the young miss never meet any of his wives, I'm quite sure about it...

Sir Eduan clearly favor her."

The next morning, Amelina was surprised to see Maschenny leisurely sitting in her room, without any Eduan to be seen.

'That's weird. This room was literally his bedroom...', the girl yawned.

"I've heard what happened.", Maschenny went and sat beside Amelina, who was still in daze, wondering where Eduan is. "I'm offering you two options, Amelina."

This time, Amelina looked up to Maschenny. The princess calling her name couldn't be a good sign, after all.

"Begin your training or never set a foot outside ever again."