ℂhapter 5

The entire week, i've been going back & forth, trying to figure out what to do about this Ruka situation. I didn't even realize what day it was until I was awoken from my slumber to start getting ready for the banquet today.

I thought of nothing. My mind was completely blank...and now, I stand outside of the main palace gates with Cassius by my side.

Aunt Rumia told me not to enter until it's safe from my father so Cassius is just waiting for me.

The Emperor usually only makes a 5 minute appearance & then leaves.

"I can't wait for you to meet Ruka!" Cassius tells me excitedly. "I saw her father just moments ago so she must already be inside."

He keeps glancing around, in case he finds her in the crowd outside.

"Yes...can't wait..."

I am trying really hard to act normal when he mentions her...but I don't think it's going very well.

I notice a mirror on the far end of the room & turn over to face it for a moment.

I didn't even know what I looked like today. I had a lot on my mind.

The entire time I was getting ready, I was strongly thinking about this banquet & how I will escape Cassius. He cannot introduce me to Ruka. I have to avoid it at all costs.

"I think I look quite pretty today." I smile in a hushed tone.

This fluttery pink dress goes well with the tone of my eyes & so does the pink doll shoes.

"But...you always look pretty." Cassius tells me, appearing bewildered.

He said it so casually but deep inside, a compliment like that has my heart racing rapidly fast. It's a small gesture of kindness but it means so much to me.

I notice Aunt Rumia rushing over to us before I can respond.

"Okay! stand tall & get ready to go inside." She tells us but then notices that Cassius' tie is crooked. "Oh! wait one moment."

She rushes over to fix it. "Okay, there...."

Putting her hands on her hips with a sigh, her expression appears of admiration for the both of us. "Now you may go."

We missed the short speech that the Emperor usually gives at these banquets but I guess that was for the best. Cassius didn't want me to stand alone out here all by myself so he decided to wait for me.

The banquet hall gates open before us. My eyes enlarge at how much this room hasn't changed.

I've never been here before, but...I remember once, I was looking for something of mine that I misplaced & a frame fell out of Uncle Felix' possessions. It was a photograph of him, my father & my mother in this very room. It's so crazy to think how much time can change but at the same time not change at all.

"Come on Kathy! this way!"

I turn over to Cassius. He holds out his hand for me. I have to make an excuse until further notice. I don't want to know what the outcome will be when he introduces me to Ruka.

I glance over at the snack table & then back at him. "Um...I will be right back!...How about you go & I will meet up with you later?"

He pauses for a moment but then smiles. "Okay! I will be waiting over there!"

He points to the other direction of the hall.

And with that, we both walk our seperate ways. I make it to the snack table & slap my hands on it aggressively, panting down. What should I do? Should I leave the hall? Would I be noticed?

Think Kathy, think.

I can't stall forever.

No matter how hard I try, my brain isn't malfunctioning properly. I guess I can only hope for Ruka to not make an appearance at this banquet.

But if she isn't here for me to greet her...then there would have to be a time where Cassius tries to introduce me to her later on...so it's better now or never...

Or it's not better at all.

I have to...I have to...I-

"Kathy?!"

...

My head shoots up as my eyes open wide.

"I didn't know you were related to my dear Cassius!"

That voice...it's Ruka. It's too late to turn back now. I have to shut down my thoughts.

I gradually swift my face around at the sight of those two together.

"What?..." Cassius asks, confused. "Kathy...I thought you said you didn't know her..."

...I really messed up huh.

I've ran out of excuses...should I say "Oh! I thought you were talking about a different Ruka!"?

No.

As if he'd believe that.

She is the only noble in this Empire with that name.

"Oh...I...uhm..."

Ruka looks me straight in the eyes, her arm around Cassius'.

"Oh well...Kathy & I have never met formally!" She implies. "I've only spoken with her once...she must have forgot."

Is she being for real right now?...

...Or has she truly changed?...though it's hard to believe...but as much as I hate to admit it, she did just save me from coming up with another lie.

This looks like the personality Aunty Rumia & Cassius know Ruka as.

I nod, playing along. "Oh...it appears I must have..."

I began pointing my eyes everywhere except at them.

The three of us go silent for a minute until I decide to grab a cookie off the snack table to ease the awkwardness.

"Well now you two can formally meet!" Cassius exclaims. "Ruka is really cool & so is Kathy!"

He gently taps her in front of me. "You guys will get along well...I just know it!"

Ruka has a plain expression at first but then smiles, squinting her eyes. "Yes!...I'm so glad to finally get to know the sister i've heard so much about!"

She was probably expecting someone else, someone worth her time. She must have been shocked to find that I was the sister.

"T-the feeling is mutual..." I quiver my lips, trying to form a smile.

I was never going to tell anyone that I was being picked on...but now, the girl who has been spreading rumors about me & making my life meaningless is said to be my brother's little lover. We are only young & Cassius doesn't have to start looking for a fiancé until he's 17 which is 9 years away...but what if

Ruka ends up being that woman years from now?

I don't want to think about it. That outcome has to be stopped.

"Okay you two chat amongst yourselves now." He tells us hurriedly, squeezing his legs together. "I have to acquaint myself with the washroom now."

I did tell him to go before we arrived but he refused to do so because the tailor who was in charge of his clothing, accidentally sewed his pants too tight & he was in a hurry to see Ruka. Sometimes it's hard to believe that he is the oldest one.

"Okay sweetie!" Ruka blushes, with an air kiss. "I will occupy your sister until you get back."

Bleh. Already talking like a married couple.

Ruka turns her eyes over at me & glances with a death stare, whispering "I will make sure to take really good care of her."

I could tell she did not mean that in a nice friendly way.

"Okay, then I will be right back."

Cassius exits the perimeter, leaving Ruka & I alone.

The chattering of the hall is like a ringing sound to my ears. It's pact with a lot of adults & barely any children which makes sense. Most noble children in the Empire are still small babies & are not old enough for a scenery such as this. I notice that Ruka's friends are here along with a few other children i've seen around...but it doesn't match up to the amount of grown ups that I see.

I look directly at Ruka, hoping that if I don't say anything, Cassius will come back quickly...

But who am I kidding? he takes so long in the bathroom even if it's just number one.

I glance at her dress & decide that maybe I should compliment her because I know that complements would make me happy.

"I really like your-"

"Save it." She interrupts me with a cold, rude & arrogant tone.

"I-i'm sorry?..." I stutter, stepping back.

She moves in closer to me. "We don't have to act like friends, in fact...I still don't like you."

She speaks so lowly so no one around us can hear. These words are only meant for me. "I like Cassius & I don't want anything to get in the way of that."

"But-" I begin but she interrupts me once again. "I am not done."

Her eyes appear as if they're darker. "I will only pretend to be nice when he's around because I don't want anything to ruin our relationship."

Flipping her hair back, she grins. "You have nothing to do with him anyway. Soon, I will have him wrapped around my finger & only I will be the special girl in his life."

I am at a loss for words. This is really the girl Cassius picked?...he's smarter than that.

To be honest, Ruka really just comes off as insecure to me. I don't say anything rude back because I know Ruka & I know that she will cause a scene to make me look like the bad guy. I will have to play my cards right & still act with my child-like mindset because that's what we are. Kids.

Kids shouldn't be taught such cruel words to harrass others.

"I am Cassius' sister so he can't replace that role." I respond. "However, if you two are really in love, you would be aware that I am not a threat."

I balance my legs together & grab my hands from behind my back with a cutesy sarcastic smile as I flutter open my eyes. It's what I do when I know I can't fight fire with fire. I am completely useless against Ruka. She has high ranked parents along with her friends. I don't even have my own parents. Aunt Rumia & Uncle Felix will not approve of it either. I was taught better than that.

Ruka Squinches her eyes in anger, lifting her hand up at me. "Why, you little-"

"What'd I miss?" Cassius walks back, adjusting his blazer.

He appeared right on time. Faster than usual at that.

"Oh, nothing!" Ruka turns around, holding her hands together in a cute position. "Kathy & I were just talking about girly things!"

Cassius looks over at me. "Oh...is that so?"

I gently nod my head & glance at the gates behind him, that come off as a blur in this distance. "Yes...and now it appears it's my turn to acquaint myself with the restroom..."

I begin to walk passed them & hear Cassius say "Oh, okay...have fun with all those layers."

Cassius always asks questions on how uncomfortable it must be for us girls to be wearing so many layers that lead up under our dresses & it seems that he is still curious about it.

I exit the banquet hall gates & go on my journey to find a bathroom. I didn't have to go but now I might as well. Though, I should have asked Cassius where the restrooms are located but I didn't want to stand in that atmosphere another minute longer. It baffles me on how much Ruka dislikes me. I never said or done anything cruel to her to make her feel such a way about me. One day, she just decided that I was worth being picked on. It truly is crazy to me.

I contemplate on whether I should tell Cassius...but he seems to be so happy with her & I can't ruin that. It's to the point where I feel that he will only have eyes for her as he gets older.

I always thought about who I will end up with for various parts of my life. I may be young but I always considered that he has to, with no doubt, be respectful to the people that I care most about...

Though I can't blame Cassius for choosing Ruka. He doesn't even know what she is truly like. She is pretty good at hiding her true personality.

As I think about all these rapid thoughts & the horrible things Ruka had said to me, I hadn't even realized how fast I was marching. It was my mistake to go on my own, looking for a bathroom in this huge Empire.

I should have asked someone before walking all the way into the dark & sketchy parts of this palace. Aunt Rumia & Uncle Felix will be so disappointed in me because I wasn't suppose to wander around to begin with, considering that my father owns the Empire.

Glancing around, I have a bad feeling about this. No one is in sight & I don't know what direction I came from.

I was walking with my thoughts all over the place, I should have payed more attention.

Suddenly, my body trembles when I hear the sudden sound of the door closing, making a large thud-like sound.

"Walking around so carelessly again?" A voice shudders through my ears. "This time, I might actually have your head on a platter."

I have shivers running down my spine. I am terrified to turn or run, considering that I feel there is no way out. This Empire is like a maze.

I slowly turn my head around anyway and that's when I make eye contact with the voice I heard.

So we meet again...

My father.

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