บท 6: Fallacy

Alistair watched his sister and the other princess continue their conversation. He reckoned that Celeste was bored because his dear sister here was mostly nodding and letting her do all the talking.

If he were in Celeste's shoes, he would have become aggravated, by the fact that she had to fritter time making a proper utterance.

He settled by the chair, and crossed his legs over the other as his eyes scrutinized them.

This was another reason to hate Hermione.

Since they were younger, they had lived without friends, also, they hadn't gone outside of the castle to have fun because of safety reasons.

Alistair would have preferred things to remain that way, but his mother just got a friend for his sister.

Hermione was all they could think about! What about him? He doesn't deserve any friends? Alistair thought deeply. He sharply inhaled, trying to pacify himself even though he wanted to pounce on his sister.

He regained his composure. Alistair sometimes noticed Celeste stealing glances at him but he didn't pay her any attention as she had been rude earlier.

Just as he had thought, Celeste grew bored and she didn't conceal the fact, she parted her lips and said, "Why don't we play outside? You know, enjoy the views and the rest"

She glanced at Alistair, expecting him to at least say something as his sister had lowered her head.

"Listen, young lady," Alistair told Celeste, "We do not go outside" His condescending voice reached her ears and she puffed her cheeks. Did he ever leave out a chance to reprimand her?

And what the hell! Young lady? She didn't like to be referred to as, 'a young lady' even when she was.

Even after hearing his solemn response, Celeste continued to persist. It was getting really uncomfortable for her, to sit still and not hover around. She wished to feel the cool evening breeze on her face, her hair flowing in the direction of the wind and her dress swaying.

Before they had arrived at the palace, Celeste kept her head out of the carriage that transported them and caught sight of the mountains.

She wondered what it would feel like, standing on top of the mountain, surrounded by lush trees and gaping at the villages ahead. She pictured it inwardly, it was vivid and she longed to turn it into reality.

"Why do you not go outside? It's really nice. Don't you feel sick being in the castle all your lives?" She inquired, her eyebrows raised as she folded her arms across her chest. She faced Alistair's direction.

"Young people like you, cannot understand" He replied. His voice was smooth and confident.

She chuckled, "Oh I do. You believe outside the castle is dangerous, but the truth remains that it is fun, and only the cowards refrain from going outside"

Alistair's gaze hardened. Once again, she had insulted him and he couldn't take it! He glared at her, his gaze sharper than the pointed edge of a sword.

If looks could kill, Celeste would have perished instantly.

Despite the glares that were hurled at her, she returned a kind smile at him which he didn't fancy.

"Back in my castle, I go anywhere I want, even though Papa says I shouldn't. No one can stop me from having fun" She spoke, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she told them her story.

It was something they couldn't have, she thought to herself.

They were obedient and weren't reckless like she was. Celeste loved dangerous quests and she was hoping Alistair was somewhat like her, but he was different. An obedient and well-behaved boy.

"That has nothing to do with me" Alistiar deadpan, and then his eyes narrowed, "I wonder what your mother would do when she finds out that her little daughter sneaks out of the castle" His lips curled into an evil smile...

Surprisingly, she didn't back down. "These are your ways of diverting the topic. Sigh... I don't expect much from a coward" She ensured to emphasize the last word, and it irked Alistair.

Hermione who had been quiet ever since, watching how the two exchanged words, panicked when her brother moved like lightning.

He halted in front of Celeste and leaned closer to her. "Say that one more time" He bellowed.

He was angered and his aura was starting to envelop the room. "Prove that you are not by coming out with me" Celeste asserted, her eyes cautiously skimming through his hardened gaze.

"Fine" He accepted. His teeth gnashed in irritation, as he had to agree to the girl's request.

Celeste beamed inwardly, however, she maintained a neutral expression because he was still close to her and was looking annoyed. She didn't want him to snap her neck.

Celeste was aware that they were werewolves and witches like her were smaller compared to their massive strength, so she didn't want to irate him any further, lest he take away her life and she become a corpse.

Slowly, he expanded the distance between them, his hands dipping in his pocket. "Where do you have in mind?"

"The mountain" she responded and received a look of uncertainty from him. "You'd like it" She added and he only hummed.

"There is plenty of surveillance in this castle, how do you plan to get past them?" Alistair ridiculed.

He wasn't leaving out any chance to make them stay back. This was the very first time he would be going against his parents, all because of the uncouth lady.

Hell! He hated it when she insulted him like that, it made him angry. And he aspired to see the end of her tongue.

She smiled back, instead of looking dismayed. "I have something that would help" She winked.

Alistair sighed and then returned his gaze to his sister who was only staring with her round eyes. He sharply scrutinized her, "You won't be coming along, would you?" The corner of his lips curled into a daunting smirk.

Finally, this was an opportunity to bully her since she wasn't around their mother, but it seemed difficult because he had never bullied anyone.

He just was a good boy!

Hermione lowered her head, and then silently shook it.

"That's how she does. Fibbing, pretending to be fragile" His voice was icy as he spoke. He turned his head to Celeste and said, "She even pretended to stutter"

Hermione raised her head abruptly, casting an annoyed look at her brother, as he had just told a fallacy against her, and she couldn't accept it, especially in front of her new friend.

She stole a glance at Celeste and was despaired by the look she received.

Celeste's eyebrows pulled together in a tight knot, her lips set in a thin line. "Does she really do that?"

"Hmm, to get much love from father and mother" He added.

Hermione bit her lips, her eyes turning misty. She didn't know why her brother was lying against her in front of Celeste. What was he trying to achieve?

Hermione didn't want Celeste to hate her, or think she was a cruel person. Celeste was friendly, and she enjoyed all their conversations because Celeste had been patient to hear her out.

She couldn't afford to lose their friendship, so Hermione opted to defend herself, "T---th-that's a- l-ie"

Celeste's grim expression morphed into the one of surprise and then she beamed.

She hadn't seemed to catch what Hermione had just said, "You're this sly?"

"I love it" She moved to kiss Hermione's cheeks, stunning the princess and she flushed.

Alistair's eyes narrowed, wondering what bolt had loosened in Celeste's head.

This wasn't supposed to happen, she was to distance herself from Hermione at once, but she was doing the opposite!

He grumbled.