Aaki whispered under his breath, barely audible, "It's you…"
The prince turned to him, puzzled. "What's wrong, Master?"
Aaki shifted his gaze from the window and forced a calm reply. "Nothing. Let's go."
The prince gave him a sidelong glance, following Aaki's line of sight just in time to catch a glimpse of her. His brows furrowed, but he said nothing and continued leading the way.
Aaki, however, walked more slowly, his steps heavy with thoughts.
"Is something troubling you, Master?" the prince asked again.
Aaki blinked, shaking himself out of his daze. "No." He resumed walking, though his mind remained far away.
The prince's curiosity only deepened. With his playful nature, his imagination instantly jumped to conclusions—Could it be… Master has taken a liking to her?
When they reached the chamber, the prince opened the door. "Please, come inside, Master."
"How's the room? Do you like it?" he asked eagerly.
"It's nice," Aaki replied curtly.
The prince hesitated, then asked, "Master…"
Before he could finish, Aaki cut him off. "No. It's not what you're thinking."
The prince's eyes widened in surprise. Did he just read my mind?
"I didn't read your mind," Aaki said, almost bored. "Your actions are just too easy to read."
The prince flushed with embarrassment. "I… I think I should leave you to rest, Master."
As he walked away, he grumbled in his mind, Am I really that obvious? Anyway, I'll keep an eye on Master and—
"Keep an eye on who, Brother?!"
The princess suddenly popped up behind him, startling him so badly he jumped.
"W-Woah! Are you crazy?! Don't sneak up on me like that!"
The princess laughed. "All I did was step quietly behind you. That's not scary at all."
"Yeah, yeah…" the prince muttered, still catching his breath.
"But back to my question—what were you murmuring about?"
He leaned closer. "Come here. I'll tell you."
She leaned in.
"I saw Master looking at Big Sis from the window earlier," he whispered.
"He was doing what?!!"
"Shhh! Are you trying to get us killed? Keep your voice down!" the prince hissed, covering her mouth.
"Tell me everything. From the start," she demanded once free.
The prince explained in detail, and her expression darkened.
"Big Sis again…" she muttered. "It feels like she's the real princess, not me."
"Hey, don't say that," the prince protested.
"It's true! She has something special in her. Everyone's drawn to her… everyone!" the princess said, frustration slipping into her tone.
"That's exactly what makes her special, don't you think?" the prince said gently. "She's so kind, so pretty, so warm… everyone smiles when she's around. She's not just our sister—she's our big sister."
The princess's anger faded into a small smile. "Yeah… you're right. Big Sis is so special."
Her smile faltered as she looked down. "I wish I could be like her."
"You could be even better," the prince said firmly. "Just have faith in yourself."
She looked up, hope flickering in her eyes. "Yeah… you're right."
The prince grinned. "That's more like it."
The princess clapped her hands. "Alright! Let's get to work."
"Work?" the prince asked suspiciously.
"We're going to spy on Master and Big Sis," she declared with determination.
The prince's grin widened. "Now that's the kind of work I like. Let's go!"
---
They waited patiently for Aaki to leave his room. The moment he stepped out, they sneaked after him, trailing at a safe distance.
"He's going to the garden," the prince whispered.
"Do you think he's going to… make a move?!" the princess whispered back, excitement tinging her voice.
"Maybe… but keep it down. Let's just watch."
In the palace garden, surrounded by blooming flowers, Aaki froze.
There she was.
She stood with a watering pot in hand, sunlight spilling across her hair, her movements graceful, almost unreal. For a moment, Aaki's heart felt lighter than air. His eyes locked on her back, unable to look away.
He took a step forward—
"Stop."
The word cut through the air like a blade.
Aaki halted immediately. The prince and princess, hidden far away, glanced at each other in confusion.
Aaki's lips moved before he could stop them. "It's you…"
Slowly, she turned.
Her beauty was breathtaking, her presence calm yet commanding.
"Miyuna…" Aaki whispered.
"Aaki…" she replied, her voice calm but layered with unspoken emotion.
"It's been a while," he said, trying to steady his voice. "What are you doing here? Where have you been all these years?"
Miyuna's gaze sharpened. "What about you? What have you been doing all this time?"
"Miyuna… I—"
"Nothing to say?" she interrupted coldly. "It's fine."
From the shadows, the prince's jaw dropped. "Wait—they know each other?!"
"How would I know?" the princess hissed back. "But the way they're talking… it's like they've known each other forever."
"Miyuna… I'm sorry. Too many things happened these past years," Aaki said, his voice heavy. "I'll explain everything. But first… I want your forgiveness."
Suddenly—
WHAM!
Miyuna's fist connected squarely with his chest, launching him backward. The impact shook the ground, and even the windows of the palace cracked from the force.
The prince and princess's mouths fell open.
"Did Big Sis just… punch Master?!" the prince gasped.
"I can't believe my eyes!" the princess whispered, trembling. "She actually sent Master flying?!"
"Look at the windows!" the prince pointed.
Her hands flew to her mouth. "What in the world was that?!"
Aaki groaned, pushing himself up with a wry smile. "…That's quite a punch."
"Thanks. Want another?" Miyuna asked sweetly.
"No, no, that's fine," Aaki quickly replied.
Miyuna's expression softened into a gentle smile. "I forgive you."
Aaki looked at her, still catching his breath. "…How are you?"
"I'm fine. But you…" Her gaze pierced him. "You don't look fine at all."
"I'm fine. Don't worry."
Miyuna stepped closer, her presence overwhelming. "You know you can't lie to me, right?"
"And I know," Aaki murmured, "that you already know everything."
"Yes… and no," Miyuna replied. "I know enough. But what I don't know—I want to hear from you."
Aaki nodded. "I'll tell you everything. But first, let me ask—why didn't you save them from the attack?"
"I would have stepped in if needed," Miyuna said calmly. "But I knew the prince and princess could handle themselves. And with that ring on the prince's hand… I knew nothing would happen to them."
"But still, you were the one who ended it in the end, weren't you?"
From the shadows, the prince nearly shouted. "Wait—what?!"
"Quiet, idiot!" the princess slapped his arm. "Do you want them to hear us?"
Aaki's eyes locked onto hers. "…All the attackers were already crushed before I even arrived. I knew it was you. I felt your presence."
Miyuna smiled faintly. "The prince didn't call me for help, but of course I had to step in. I wouldn't let my cute little brother and sister die."
The prince and princess froze in disbelief.
"WHAT?!!" they both exclaimed, barely containing themselves.
"She was the one… who defeated them before Master even got there?!" the princess gasped.
"Big Sis… just who is she?" the prince whispered.
Aaki's gaze softened. "There's so much I need to tell you… and so much I want to hear from you as well."
"Then let's not waste time," Miyuna said.
"Let's go to my room."
The two of them walked back into the palace, their footsteps calm but heavy with meaning.
From a distance, the prince and princess followed, eyes wide and hearts racing.
"We have to find out who Master and Big Sis really are," the prince whispered.
"Yeah… I'm more curious than ever," the princess admitted.
And so they trailed behind, the mystery only deepening.