Chapter 13

I expected as much.

The exhaustion combined with the dehydration and the shock over seeing my own blood led to my collapse.

When I woke, surprisingly, I found Victoria sat beside me.

“You took your time.”

“I wasn’t aware I could be late.”

“Raena!”

Yuri flew, full speed, into the side of my face.

For once, it hurt.

How much momentum had she been building up for this?

As much as I wanted to comfort the crying fairy, I couldn’t while-

“Like I thought, that belongs to you.”

I paused. “Excuse me?”

“Don’t worry. I didn’t tell anyone I could see it, but it was hard to convince Yui to leave us alone.” Victoria sighed. “Your parents have been pre-occupied talking with the crowd, especially with the Wessex family. It seems that Lord Michael’s reputation has been well and truly dragged through the mud.”

I slowly sat up, Yuri still crying and clinging to my cheek. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. You did it to protect Yui and your sister will-”

“That’s not it.” I leant over and held her hand. “I really didn’t mean to go as far as I did, but then when I realised what kind of man he was, I couldn’t stand the thought of leaving you with him.”

“…Why?”

“Why? Because you’re…you’re…”

Strange.

The words wouldn’t leave my mouth.

You’re my friend.

You’re my toy.

I wanted to help you.

I wanted you.

My head throbbed in agony. I tried to hide it, but I winced, worrying Victoria.

“I shouldn’t have pushed you this hard so soon. Rest for now, Raena.”

“I-I’m fine-!”

“Lay back down.” She gently helped me back onto the bed. “We can talk about everything later once you're better.”

No, I can’t do that.

I feel like if Victoria leaves now, she’ll never see me again.

So!

I grabbed her arm, pulled her towards me, held her head gently and kissed her firmly on the lips.

Words cannot describe the shriek Yuri let out.

Victoria’s eyes went very wide.

I myself am not sure why I decided to give Victoria my first kiss, and this is definitely going against the plan Yuri and I agreed on, but I couldn’t let it end like this.

Her lips were sweet and soft, and tasted a little bit like cherry, and I felt such a warm, fuzzy feeling in my heart.

What was this feeling?

It wasn’t the same as when I aborted my old plan to make Victoria mine - this was a nicer feeling.

Eventually, our lips parted.

However.

Victoria was bright pink, and steam was bursting from her head.

She covered her lips and retreated a few paces.

“Y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-! Ra-R-Rae-!”

“That’s my answer.”

“…eh?”

“That’s why I did this, Victoria.”

Yuri’s mouth was flapping madly as she span uncontrollably around the room, flustered beyond belief.

“You really were trying to seduce my fiancé!”

“L-L-Lord Michael?! S-since-?”

“Even though I wanted to do that to Victoria, you took her first kiss! To think this was your real plan all along.”

“No way it was!”

Thank the Gods they can’t hear Yuri.

I giggled a little. “A woman in love is dangerous when jealous.”

Lord Michael couldn’t help himself and laughed. “Honestly, I never stood a chance against you, did I?”

“You did near the end, Lord Michael. After you channelled your fury into your strikes, it took all I had to match you. You should be proud of yourself.”

“…The fact that you’re saying that so sincerely hurts my pride even more.” He groaned and collapsed onto the bed beside mine. “Not that it matters. It’s all over now. You’ve thoroughly beaten me.”

“Oh, that’s not the attitude I expect from my rival for Victoria’s affections.” He looked up a little. “I thought for sure you’d jump right back onto your feet and work hard to take Victoria away from me.”

“U-um, I never said-”

“Lord Michael.” I pulled Victoria into my chest before his eyes. “I know you. I know that this enrages you. I know because it would anger me too, and I’d stop at nothing to rip her away from you.

“Until today, you had never experienced a true challenge or used your full potential. Use that and come back to face me again someday, Lord Michael.”

Slowly, the future Duke of Wessex sat up and began to grin. “I can’t ignore a provocation like that now, can I? Fine, Lady Raena. You’ve won this round, but I’ll be back one day to make Victoria mine again! Prepare yourself!”

I chuckled. “I look forward to it, Lord Michael.”

“…What just happened? Was this a good thing or a bad thing?”

I’m not entirely sure myself, Yuri, but it’s not as bad of a result as I feared it could be.

I think.