Ever since birth, the Duke and his twin sister had always been at each other's necks.
It was not something that started recently, nor something that could be blamed on circumstance. From the moment they were old enough to speak, to walk, to think for themselves, they had clashed. They never agreed on anything. Every conversation turned into an argument, every disagreement into a full battle. Voices raised, tempers flared, pride refused to bend.
The only time they ever stood on the same side was when danger came close. When it came to each other's safety, everything else disappeared. Titles, plans, anger, pride, all of it became meaningless. And even then, it never lasted long. The last time they had fought like this, truly fought, was over a love interest.
Straw, with no memory of the original Straw, still managed to fight back. It came naturally to her. Her body reacted before her mind could question it. The way she moved, the way she calculated distance, the way she anticipated Pine's next action, it all felt instinctive. She did not remember learning it, but her muscles knew. Her reflexes were sharp, her timing precise. This was simply who she was.
For a brief second, as they struggled near the fountain, her eyes lifted. She saw the prince watching them. He was standing still, his attention fixed on the chaos unfolding before him. That single distraction was all she needed. The moment Straw noticed Pine's attention shift, the moment she felt his grip loosen even slightly, she took the opportunity without hesitation.
She grabbed his head and dipped it straight into the fountain. Water splashed violently as Pine went under. He began to struggle instantly, hands flailing, body twisting as he tried to pull himself free. His feet scraped against stone, his arms pushed against Straw's strength, but she had the upper hand. She leaned her weight forward, holding him there without mercy, without pause. Vinegario simply stared at them.
There was no shock on his face, no alarm at first. It was as though this was a familiar sight to him, something he had witnessed too many times to count. Twins fighting. Violence between siblings.
But then his expression shifted. When he realized Straw was not just overpowering the Duke but actually drowning him, his body moved at once. He stepped into the fountain, water soaking into his clothes as he grabbed both of them with brute force and dragged them out.
Pine collapsed onto the stone, coughing violently as water poured from his mouth. His chest heaved, breath coming in rough gasps. He lifted his head slowly, water dripping from his hair, and stared at his sister with a mixture of fury and disbelief.
"What are you two doing here?" Vinegario asked.
His voice was firm, sharp, cutting through the sound of dripping water and labored breathing.
"We are here for the King's banquet," Pine replied, His voice was strained as he struggled to steady himself, pushing up from the ground. Beside him, Straw stood up calmly, squeezing the water out of her dress as though none of this concerned her. Water pooled beneath her feet, soaking the stone.
"The banquet was yesterday. Every noble has returned to their city," Vinegario said coldly. His gaze did not soften. "I will ask again. What are you two siblings doing in the royal mansion?"
"I don't know about him, but I happen to live here," Straw replied.
She spoke easily, without hesitation. Then her eyes shifted, studying Vinegario more closely. Something about him felt off. Her gaze lingered on his face, or rather what she could see of it.
"Why are you wearing a mask?" she asked curiously. She stepped closer, drawn by instinct, but Vinegario immediately stepped back, creating distance between them.
"I asked a question."
"And I answered," Straw said calmly. "I live here. Well, starting from today. I happen to be part of the royal family now." The words landed heavily in the air.
"Duke Pinello, what are you two doing here?" Vinegario barked.
Before Pine could respond, Vinegario grabbed him and lifted him with full force. Pine's legs barely touched the ground as he was raised like dead weight. His hands instinctively went to Vinegario's wrist, struggling against the iron grip.
"Put him down, Vinegario."
Berryanna's voice cut through the tension as she approached, the King walking beside her. The command was calm, controlled, but carried undeniable authority. Vinegario froze. He had been about to do something far worse to Pine, his grip tightening, his posture coiling like a beast ready to strike. But the moment he heard her voice, he released Pine and stepped back immediately. He had not even seen her yet, but he obeyed without hesitation.
"Hello, Nephew," he said, turning toward Applegario.
He did not recognize Berryanna at first. Applegario ran to him without fear and hugged him tightly, arms wrapping around his waist.
"Welcome, Uncle."
"What are you doing here?" Berryanna asked.
"Well, I came to see the King of the nation and wish him a happy birthday."
"It was yesterday."
"Well, yesterday or today, they are the same, huh?" Vinegario said casually. "Berry, since when do you accept visitors in the palace?"
As Straw finished squeezing her dress, she walked closer to Berryanna and held her hand. The contact was natural to her, instinctive. Berryanna stiffened immediately. Her discomfort was visible, her fingers tense in Straw's grasp.
"Let go of my hand," Berryanna demanded.
"What? We are married now, so holding hands will be an everyday thing."
"It is during a morning walk, and right now you are soaking wet, which I do not like," Berryanna said firmly. "You should go dry yourself first."
Straw released her hand.
"Okay, but if I want to dry myself, where should I go? I am a stranger here."
Berryanna did not answer. Instead, Pine grabbed Straw's hand and dragged her away without another word, leaving the royals behind.
As they walked, Straw began to wonder why Berryanna was acting that way. The coldness, the distance, the sudden withdrawal, it did not match what she expected. Yet the brother who fought her not long ago was now pulling her along, determined, tense, guiding her back to the guest house.
"Just so you know, I am still mad at you," Pine said as they entered the living room. "But right now, we need to go home."
"Well, no," Straw replied. "I am married now, and I am staying where my wife is. At the palace."
"Sister, we need to go home first," Pine said urgently. His voice dropped. "That mad dog is here. We are lucky to still be alive. The next time he sees us, he will kill us. Pack your things. Let's go. As the Duke and the head of the family, I will not accept your marriage to the princess."
"But you wanted to marry the princess in the first place," Straw said. "I married her, so..."
"He was supposed to be abroad, not here," Pine interrupted.
He paced back and forth, rubbing his hands through his hair repeatedly. His movements were frantic, restless. "Now that he is back, everything will change. You were supposed to follow the plan. I do not know why you changed it. You have ruined everything, and now we are trapped in their web."
"If I say I understand you, I will be lying," Straw said flatly. "Please speak English. Right now, I am supposed to be having my first night with the princess as a married woman."
As Straw spoke, Pine stared at her.He did not interrupt. He simply watched. Her hand movements. Her expressions. The way she spoke. The rhythm of her words. Something felt wrong. Slowly, his eyes narrowed.
"You are not my sister, are you?"
"Huh?"
"My sister is not into women."