章 129: 4.12.
"Nice to meet you, commoner," the girl greeted with a pleasantly disgusting smile.
'And she's a rude one too.'
"Nice to meet you, I'm Sequencee."
"Rose Stravince."
Sequencee had this idea of simply walking away, thinking how Leticia's brother was bringing in a third party into the matter. But he scrapped that idea. After all, he was also a third party.
"I'll let you ask the questions first," Sequencee said.
"Then I shall," Rose was the one to say even though the intent was clearly directed at Lancet. "Why are you being so bossy? This is obviously a matter between her and her brother. You, an outsider, are trying to intimidate my fiance, creating anguish in his mind. Are you sound?"
'Pardon?'
Sequencee closed his eyes and took in a deep breath.
"I'm helping a friend. If you're not going to be cooperative, I'm leaving."
"I dare you," she challenged.
"Rose," Lancet called out her name.
"Fine. You talk then.. if you think you have all the answers," she mumbled the latter part.
'So Leticia's brother is engaged to this girl?'
Sequencee silently prayed for him in his heart.
"Sorry," Lancet said, "Tell me about what happened in the past three years. When did you meet her, what kind of place she lived in, and when did her hair colour turn this way?"
"Two year ago, maybe a little more, I found Leticia.."
Sequencee began his story.
An unspoken rule that he would never mention about the incident that happened that night– it was an accident that Sequencee saved Leticia from slavery. Curiosity got the better of him, nothing more nothing less.
Going further back, Leticia's hair was originally platinum blonde. The system gift [Unique Trait: Nature's Blessing] is what brought about the change of her hair, and for the same reason, her eyes.
"How did she end up a slave?" Lancet asked, in disbelief.
"I wanted to ask you that too. But since you don't know.. the only person we can confirm is with her."
"How about your relationship with my sister? Why did you help her?"
"Hey, have you forgotten that we were both from Estia?"
"So heroic. I'd like to see you try to help all the slaves in the world then commoner. Just because you saved one person doesn't mean it's all sunshine and rainbows," Rose quipped.
"..."
Lancet didn't say anything. He contemplated deeply Sequencee's words.
'Let's not touch any landmines.'
It would've been nice if this girl wasn't here. Sequencee would've asked about the state of his circumstances, and possibly the answer to whether he was being forced to do something.
With her around, Sequencee thought that he wouldn't be able to gain a satisfactory answer, lest he set ablaze the woman before him.
"Is there any message you want to pass on to your sister? Maybe it can help convince her to meet you."
".. Tell her that I'm sorry."
"Alright. I'll do that," taking his milkshake, Sequencee got up from the table, "Then I won't disturb the two of you anymore than this."
"Wait, you're just going to leave?" Lancet's brows's furrowed.
"If Leticia opens up, I'll let you know."
".. Alright."
Sequencee left.
"Lancet, how sure are you that the person is actually your sister?" Rose asked.
"How is she not?" Lancet glared at her.
"Don't come crying if you find out that it's the wrong sister."
"Are you trying to start an argument here?"
"You think you can win? Dumbass."
Lancet rose from his seat.
"Where the hell do you think you're going?" Rose asked.
He walked off without saying anything.
Rose watched as he disappeared past the curb. She felt the urge to chase after him– to realize that she hadn't finished her drink. In the end, thinking that it would be great if her fiance got some time alone, she brought the cup to her lips.
"Bitch, you don't know what kind of hell my fiance went through. Don't think you're the only one who suffered," she clicked her tongue.
…
..
.
"Marriage is problematic, isn't it.."
'I really wanted to ask about Lancet's side of things.'
Sequencee got to the elevator lobby, pressed the button and waited for the number to change down.
"Excuse me, you're acquainted with Leticia, yes?"
Sequencee turned. There was that girl again– no. Her hairstyle was slightly different, so was her overall countenance. Rose had this volatile, electric air around her. This girl, despite the similar red hair and indigo eyes– she felt like a tranquil lake.
"And you are..?"
"My name is Azaleas. I apologize for my sister's behavior earlier, and perhaps my own as I've been observing from afar," she bowed.
"I didn't take her remarks seriously, so it's alright."
The elevator door opened.
"My name is Sequencee."
"Sequencee, then may I ask if I could try talk it out with Leticia? While she may not be open to her brother, it may be different for me," Azaleas said with a troubled smile.
'Is she different? She seems different even though they're twins.'
"Were you and Leticia close in the past?"
The elevator door closed. Azaleas watched as the panels shut.
"I wouldn't say we were close. She frequently avoided us."
"I see. What kind of person was she?"
"Timid, fearful, always on the edge."
"I suppose so."
"So would it be alright if I talk to her?"
"I'm not sure where she is right now. So I can't arrange a meeting between the two of you even if I wanted."
"I see.. then when the opportunity presents itself next time," Azaleas nodded to herself.
"Thanks for your concern."
"No. I merely wish to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.
Sequencee pressed the elevator button again and hoped on.
Azaleas stood just outside, looking at him.
'It feels odd. Whatever..'
The elevator door shut.
Azaleas who was outside fell deep into thought.
===
Leticia looked out towards the lake, a cup of tea before her.
Sitting opposite was Evelyn, also looking towards the lake.
"Is there anything you need, Your Highness?"
"It would be a lie to say there wasn't a reason for this."
"Is it regarding my brother?" Leticia asked, sorrowfully.
"If you don't mind, we could begin with that topic. Of course, I would respect your wish if you find it an uncomfortable topic to touch upon."
"I don't want to talk about it.. the past should be left in the past.."
"That's true."
In silence they sat in each other's presence. Evelyn brought the tea to her lips and took a sip. She lowered the cup slowly.
"How nice it would be to have someone care about you."
"Hm?"
"I'm jealous. I'm jealous Sequencee accepted you," Evelyn said with a bitter smile.
"What do you mean by that.. Your Highness?" Leticia froze up a little.
"It's as I say. You were able to meet him at his heart, while I, struggle to even find a way to grow closer to him," her lonely voice stung.
Leticia didn't know what to say. While she understood Evelyn's delicate situation, she didn't know any solution to it. More so, with Schwii having the upper hand in the matter, Leticia herself didn't really stand much of a chance.
It was only by pure coincidence she was still able to garner Sequencee's goodwill.
If Leticia's gift [Passive Trait: Commiseration Grantee] didn't exist, perhaps things would've been different.
"This is between us, Leticia. I merely wished to talk about my feelings, since we share them.. to an extent," Evelyn felt bitter recalling the memories last night.
It was a lie. Evelyn didn't think they were in the same boat. Sequencee surely cared about Leticia more than he did herself. It was heart wrenching to watch the lengths he would go to for this girl.
If Evelyn did the same, would she receive similar treatment? Unlikely.
"I'm sorry to hear about it, Your Highness.."
'Does Sequencee like me..?'
Leticia quivered at the thought.
'What if he doesn't..'
She had been clinging onto the possibility that there's that sliver of chance she would be able to continue to stand by his side. Sequencee was one of the pillars in her life, her light in the dark.
The memories of what he told her that evening– that he would try to convince Schwii in some way.
'What if he gave up on that..?'
Though, it didn't seem like much progress had been made. If anything, Sequencee felt increasingly distant, even though they were closer physically at times.
'Why did Her Highness bring about this topic now of all times..'
Leticia felt uneasy in her heart. If Sequencee left her, the only thing left she had..
'.. no. Even if that were the case, I'm not alone. Nynim is with me.. Quora, Daizo, Dorry. We're still a party.'
Gripping her hands tightly into a fist, Leticia reassured herself.
'I'm sure he has his reasons.. it's not going to be easy to convince that succubus..'
"Sometimes I wonder if it really is a good idea to give up. It doesn't seem like pushing forward would do any good. Why did I have to meet him..? Why couldn't he have just remained stubborn? If I only put in more effort to find him back then.." Evelyn mouthed with regret.
"Your Highness, I'm sure he has his circumstances," Leticia said.
"That I know. I just can't accept how he's been taken. I promised my father that I will one day make him mine."
'What..?'
Leticia found herself staring at this princess in disbelief.
"It's silly, isn't it? If I gave up here, I would have to report something so disgraceful to my father.. even though I resolved my will.." Evelyn casted her head low.
"..."
"So I won't give up. As long as there's a chance, I'll continue to do what I can. I just wish he doesn't hate me coming out of it. I feel desperate, but I can't act desperate."
"Yes, it's.. hard," Leticia stared down at her tea.
'Everyone has their own problems..'
"I wish you the best. Don't let go of him. You have to make him accept you, that's the only chance we have in breaking Schwii's monopoly," Evelyn said resolutely.
"Y-Yes.."
'She's desperate..'
===
"You're going already?" Risa's lazy voice rang out.
"Yes. I think I found what I need," Leticia responded with a hazy smile.
".. alright then. Be careful out there,"
"Where's your brother?"
"He? He's out having a drink with Linton. Linzy was dragged along with the two, I'm free."
"Then.. do you want to accompany me?"
"Accompany you? To?"
"To have a drink."
"You drink?" Risa tilted her head.
"A little.." Leticia's alcohol tolerance was trained up by Nynim of course.
"Didn't you just have tea with the princess? Now you want alcohol?"
Leticia scratched her cheeks.
"Fine, let's go," Risa sighed.
Leaving the pagoda, they went to a nearby bar which Nynim would frequent every now and then. Though, she mostly drank at home with Dorry.
"I thought we were having a drink?"
"Does this not count?"
Leticia ordered shaved ice with sweet milk instead.
"Then I'll order this cocoa shaved ice then," Risa said to the waiter, pointing at the menu.
The waiter recorded the order and went on her way. Risa was in disguise yet again, so she wasn't exposed.
"I'll talk to my brother properly.. definitely.." Leticia said.
"That's good to hear. I'm rooting for you. When are you going to do it?"
"Later.. or tomorrow. I'll have to ask Sequencee about when he's free."
"Yep, yep. Let's go break in his apartment later then," Risa nodded to herself. Leticia smiled wryly.
"Risa.. I have a question."
"Yes?"
"Her Highness. She really likes Sequencee, doesn't she?"
"Of course she does. Did she tell you something?"
"I don't know how to help her.."
"No way. You're going to join her faction?" Risa looked at Leticia totally stunned.
"Join her faction? No, that's not my intent.."
"I don't know much about what it means to have multiple wives. What I do know is that it's for one, inevitable it seems, and two, just something you have to come to accept. As much as I hate Linzy for taking my brother away from me, I have no choice but to work around that."
"I see.."
"About Her Highness.. we can only support her from the back. It's something between her and Sequencee. I'm not too sure how Sequencee feels about her, maybe he feels nothing. Though, we can't be too sure moving into the future."
"The future is unpredictable indeed.."
"Who knows, maybe Her Highness might actually become his legal wife to prevent war," Risa muttered.
"Really?"
"Speculation. Sequencee holds influence over the demons, so it's likely."
"???"
"Oh wait. I shouldn't have said that. Anyways, I'll give Her Highness some encouraging words later, don't worry."
"Thank you.."
Their shaved ice desserts came at the same time.
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