Chapter 231: She Gains a Fan
Robin stood up as well to politely see them out. She then shrugged and quipped, "I'm the hero. It seems that, by definition, if there's trouble, then I'll be there in the thick of it, eventually." The other two nodded as if that truly were a convincing explanation.
"That was supposed to be a joked." Robin said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry upon seeing them act like that.
"We know~ We were just playing along." Jasmine smiled mischievously as Chelsea giggled. "See you later, Robin~." Jasmine playfully waved farewell as she left with Chelsea.
Robin reflexively played along and waved back until the door was closed behind them. But with that quiet click, her playful smile slowly dropped in the silence of the room. She sat back down in her chair, and stared at her hands.
Christian liked her. She was happy, it's true. But she was also terrified. Because, right now, she was keeping something from him. If he knew....If he found out that she had been lying to him this entire time...would he despise her?
More terrifying than any physical pain, Robin's spirit trembled at the idea that the person she liked most in this world should suddenly hate her. If that were to happen...she would never forgive herself. That's why Robin selfishly decided to delay until after she had gone back to earth. Because, if he truly couldn't forgive her for her deception, then it was better to stay where he would never see her again.
Perhaps she was being foolish again. But this was the only thing she could do right now to reassure her trembling heart. If someone were observing her face at this point, they would notice that at times it was almost beet red, and at other times it was nearly sheet white. At this point, she couldn't tell if it was racing due to elation or fear. She covered her head in her hands, and told herself over and over again.
'Calm down....Calm down....'
Who knows how many times she repeated that mantra in that room. Still, it was two whole hours before she could leave the room calmly.
"Oh! You're awake. Did you have a good nap?" Keith asked, seeing Robin coming down the stairs.
Robin just looked at him blankly. Nap? What was he talking about?
"No. I was thinking about something and lost track of the time." She finally said. "However, I must ask you, uncle....you knew?"
"About what?" Keith asked.
"About Christian's..." Her voice petered out as her face blushed again. At this point, Keith realized what it was about, and chuckled.
"You know, I did try to say something." He shook his head. "But your logic was so solid, I could tell it wouldn't get through. I've been with him since he was a child. Of course I can tell that he thinks highly of you."
He merrily crossed his arms and leaned on the stairway bannister. "So? Have you changed your mind?" He asked again.
"Changed his mind about what?" Christian asked, only catching the tail end of the conversation as he had just returned. As he expected, news travelled fast. He was lucky enough to be among the first fifteen people in line. Otherwise, he wouldn't be back before dinner.
"About leaving, of course." Keith casually smoothed over the topic. "I want to spend as much time with my nephew as possible."
At this, Christian's expression brightened. Spending more time with Keith also meant spending more time with him. He would take as much time as was left. Silently, he looked at Robin, a hopeful gleam in his eyes. Robin saw, but dared not look at him for too long. She turned her head back to Keith.
"No, Uncle. My decision hasn't changed." Robin shook her head.
It was odd. Before this, she had taken such a long time to calm down in her room. Yet, now that Christian was in front of her, even when surprised, she found herself extremely calm. It was almost eerily calm.
"Did Jasmine find you to talk, like I had thought?" Christian asked, acting normal despite feeling a bit disappointed.
"Ah.. she did, in fact." Robin nodded. "We talked about Chelsea's tagalong, Liam. Turns out, Chelsea was completely clueless about the fact that he likes her." She smirked, remembering Chelsea's blushing face.
"Say, do you think Liam understands his feelings for her, yet?" She asked, looking like she was going to plan some mischief.
"I couldn't say." Keith scratched his beard. "However, I do know that it's probably not the best idea to tease a dragon."
"That's only for those who aren't able to spar with him." Robin snickered. "Besides, if he hasn't figured it out yet, after all this time, then he deserves it for being so slow. After all, what if his darling Chelsea was stolen away while he was bumbling about?"
"That's his issue. What I'm more concerned about is, why do you care so much about it?" Christian asked. "Did you suddenly realize that you also like her or something?"
"Nah. We're just friends. I may be the hero, but I have no interest in getting in between her and a dragon. That maiden is not at all in distress." Robin shrugged. "Besides, isn't it more interesting to watch the show from the sidelines?" She smiled cheekily. "I'm their number one fan."
"What does that mean?" Christian asked, understanding that it was probably a saying from earth.
"Ah." Robin realized her mistake. "How to explain...a fan is... someone who likes to watch a targeted person or group from the sidelines with great admiration, affection - or respect. They delight in supporting that person to follow their dreams and to be happy, even if that happiness is not from them. In my case, I am a fan in support of their budding relationship."
"Oh. It's like that, huh." Christian pondered, suddenly feeling a bit jealous of Liam and Chelsea.
"Then, would it be presumptuous of me to ask if I can become your number one fan?" He suddenly blurted out without thinking, surprising even himself. But once he realized, he acknowledged it.
This was probably for the best. After all, he could never give Robin the happiness that the young man deserved.
On the outside, Robin's eyes widened, in surprise. However, on the inside, she was shocked at this barely disguised confession. She had even forgotten to breathe.
"...What?" She finally asked, incredulously.
"I admire and respect you greatly." Christian explained. "And I want to support you in any way that I can, so I think I could also be considered a fan. Can I?"
Robin was frozen for a moment, but then her brain restarted and she slowly smiled.
"You don't have to ask for permission to become a fan, stupid." She chuckled, just barely hiding her strange behavior as something deliberate.
"Great! Now I'm your brother, your best friend AND your number one fan!" Christian grinned, patting Robin on the shoulder. "I can boast this feat even after you go home." He said proudly.
Robin raised an eyebrow. Other than Christian, others would probably think of a paper fan, first. The mental image of picking up Christian and waving him about like a paper fan was almost too funny. She puffed out a laugh as she tilted her head to the side.
"You know...I kinda want to be there to see what their faces look like when you do boast about it." She said cheekily. "I'm sure they'll be quite interesting."
Keith realized what Robin meant, and also chuckled. "Before you can boast about it, people need to know what a fan is, Christian. Otherwise, Robin's right. There'll be a lot of confusion."
"Tch! You...ruining my fun!" Robin scowled at Keith.
"You can only witness it if you remain here." Keith shot back. "Odds are, you won't even be there to witness it, so why bother to even put on a show you're going to miss?"
Robin, still scowling, stomped off.
"Where are you going?" Keith asked.
"You're right! And I'm mad about it!" Robin snapped back at him before she stomped off to another part of the manor. At this, Christian and Keith both had a good laugh.
"I do not envy you one bit." Christian shook his head. "Robin's anger is scary."
"Don't you, though?" Keith asked, a gloating smile tugging at his mouth. "No matter how angry I get him, he can't bring himself to kill me anymore. That's more than I can say for you."
Christian nodded silently. Then as he began to walk away, he said. "Of course, that'll be coming out of your drinking allowance."
"Ack! No! Anything but that!" Keith dramatically grasped at his chest, reaching out towards Christian.
Though Christian said that, the both of them knew the truth all too clearly. Ever since Keith had found out Robin was his nephew, he hadn't touched a drop of alcohol. If anything had to be said, Keith was far more interested in Robin's coffee than in wines and ales.
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