It has been an hour since and I feel rejuvenated. It was the first time that I cried after a long time. I once feared that everyone in the family must've thought I was on the spectrum for not crying.
Not that I despise people with disabilities but I guess mislabeling someone who isn't is unproductive. Why am I so defensive?
But our embrace truly enhanced my relationship with my siblings. A shared moment is truly useful to make lasting memories.
"Look at those two, I wish my sons are like that! Ho-ho!" the random highborn guest applauds our display.
The guests are still here, having a post-event gathering. It was a funeral and a burial for crying out loud. Normally, I would like to kick them all out but surprisingly, Garth asked for Barth's help to organize all of this. I think he is wasting no time to take his role in the family seriously. But, what do I know? Barth knows his stuff and I have mine. I have no right to judge even if I think it is tasteless. I grew up in a different custom after all.
"Brother! Arys! You, fool! Don't make us look unkempt!" Barth struggles to free himself from my ultimate move, the headlock.
I chuckled mischievously, "Marrying me off to a girl I don't even know? You're the fool, Farth!"
"Garth agreed to it! You did, too!"
I tightened my hold; he choked in pain.
"I don't remember agreeing on marrying myself to some highborn girl!" That's right, I would like to get to know and marry someone of my type: tall, slender, cute, and smart. Typical stuff.
"Aghk!"
"How about I'm the one who looks around and talks to some random old highborn baron's blessing for their daughter's hand instead?"
"Fool! You have no grasp of diploma- aghk!"
I squeezed in some strength, I let out a grin, "What's that?"
"F-Fine! Fine, go ahead and break your betrothal with the Baron, surely he'll take pleasure from your disrespe- aghk!"
My arm is feeling sore but I'm not through, "Not me! No, I wouldn't dare dishonor our family, no. I was thinking, I marry you off to someone!"
"No! don't bother, I have bigger pla- aaghk!!!"
Barth continues to squirm and I feel even better that I finally had my payback. I check from time to time if Hearth is around because she hates us being physical like this. Come to think of it, did she even know I am betrothed to someone?
"Does Big Sis even know about this?" I loosened a bit but I still have him trapped.
He gasps for air, "No, of course not. Knowing her, I think it is best if she's not informed."
"I see, well. I will tell her that you plan to marry me off somewhere."
"Fool, why did you make it sound like a threat?"
I laugh excitedly, "Have you forgotten, Farth? She is still our older sister, and if she finds out about this from me, I will make sure that you will lose all the favors you have from our dear sister, I will take away your decision-making powers. You, little sneaky twat!"
Barth's face melted in succulent fear, "No, no! Brother, please, I beg you!"
"What? You have plans?"
"Yes!"
I pushed the boundaries of my headlock prowess, "Fear the strength of an eight-year-old!"
"Why would you shout your mov- aghk! Hel- aaghk!"
The crowd around us is enjoying the sight, a bond between brothers truly is inspiring for a bored highborn who doesn't have anything better to do. Some of them even cheer for my inevitable victory. Huzzah!
"You have lovely brothers, lady Hearth." A random highborn woman heartily said.
A sudden crawl of cold shook our very being. I paused. Barth lies motionless as well. It is then followed by a soft upward touch feeling our bodies.
"Brothers," Hearth puts her arms on us like a delinquent. Her magical aura emanates strongly.
I immediately let go of Barth, "H-hello, Sis!" I turn to face her; she is now wearing a different white dress with sleeves that cover her skin.
"S-Sis! Help me, Arys has been assaulting me!" Barth rushes to her, "He has been embarrassing me in front of our guests!" he looks at me with a repulsive grin.
I click my tongue and glance away from his pathetic face. The crowd went on and left us alone. I wonder why.
"Is that so," she shrills in delight, "Is that true, Arys?"
I take a nervous gulp, I am still looking away from them, "Y-yes…"
"See! See! A confession! He confessed! Punish him, Big Sis! Punish him!" Barth cries spiritedly.
I closed my eyes, it has been a wonderful eight years in Evereal, I wished I could've seen the rest of this world.
"Oh? But I heard you plan to marry our little brother off to a random woman…" She holds us closer, "Why would you use our little brother like some bargaining chip?"
I open my eyes with such joy coursing through my veins, "Right! Big bro Barf thinks he can use me, I don't even know my duties yet, I am but a small child, right big si—"
Hearth is staring at me with her eyes wide open in a horrifying manner, "I heard you asked Garth for his blessing,"
I began sweating profusely, "N-no, you see… Y-you see Barf- Barth here said…"
"And you didn't dare ask for my blessing?" she tightens her grip on us and brings us closer to her face.
"W-well, it's not like it's official… Barth was just buttering things up with that Baron Jaxson guy…"
Barth suddenly tries to break free from Hearth's clutch as he looks away from me.
"You underestimated your brother, Arys." Her tone shifted back to her usual sweet personality, "Because Lady Amelia is already here, I was just talking to her! She wants to finalize the terms."
With my one free hand, I quickly take hold of Barth's hair and use all my might to turn his head to face me.
"Really?" I exclaim cheerfully, my facial expression is saying the opposite.
"Now, now," she freed us from her arms, "I suppose we can't be improper in front of a lady such as Amelia. Hmm?"
Behind her is a girl wearing a white dress similar to what Hearth is wearing earlier but she has a type of garment covering her exposed shoulder and neckline. She is accessorized by a silver tiara that holds her bobbed golden hair together.
"Hello, lords" Amelia announced herself with a bowing motion.
"I thought I could bring her here with you, Arys." Hearth gracefully put her hand on my shoulder and then pressed her nails on my skin, "To get to know each other. We know arranged marriage is hard and all but I hope this meeting helps!"
I nervously smile in pain, "Hello, lady Amelia."
Hearth releases her hands from me and then pinches Barth by the ear, "We will look for Garth to let him know that the Baron and his daughter need his attention."
They pace swiftly and away from our perimeter, leaving the two of us here in a corner. Suddenly, the hall feels so small. I can talk to girls in my past life but I can't talk to underage noble girls.
Amelia seems to be focusing her gaze on me quite intensely, "Marry me."
"Huh?"
"Marry me and let's be done with this."
"What?" I take a few steps back, "Whoa, whoa, I don't want to marry someone I just met!"
She looks surprised, have I offended her?
"Stop pretending, I know you want to marry me so you can help your farm boy brother to have an official title!"
Somehow, she managed to offend me, "How dare you?"
She lets out a chuckle, "How dare me? Look at you! How could you even have the gall to talk to me like this!"
I try to remain cool but I have to appear intimidating, "Looky here missy, how 'bout ya shut ya trap, eh?"
"Your language is even fouler than I thought!"
"Who cares?"
"People do!" she sounds desperate, "Nobility is a respected status, people in our circle are educated and well-mannered, they ought to be taken care of unlike you peasants!"
I roll my eyes and shake my head, is this what my ancestors in my past life felt like, "Then how come you're being peddled off like a dog ready to be bred?"
Amelia stops motionless, silence grows awkwardly. Her breathing becomes heavy then she takes one final inhale before posturing herself properly.
"I think we started on a bad note." Her eloquent voice returns, "Let me start over."
"Yeah, we did…" I said while looking around, scratching my ear lobe.
Unexpectedly, Amelia starts crying, she covers her mouth with her hand. She hides her face and turns away from me.
I let her take a moment as I gracelessly stand beside a crying girl before I break my silence, "How about we start by telling something about us?"
She nods, "Sure," still in tears, "You start."
I give her a smile as a response and then I start to think, "I hate this idea and I just found out about it."
She wipes her tears, "I just found out about it, too. But I don't think I have a say whether I like it or not."
"Why not?"
Amelia fixes her posture and stands properly, "I am a lady of nobility, I must do my duty as a dutiful daughter of Baron Jaxson."
I try to hide my frown, "How old are you?"
"I am ten years of age."
"Just like my brother," I said like it's a trivia that I just found out.
"Yes. Like lord Barth." She clears her throat, "Are you a year younger than me, lord Arys?" she asks.
"Yes." I answered, "And please don't call me 'lord'."
"Oh."
Another moment of silence took over. I just look at her brown eyes, waiting for her to say something else. It felt like she also waited for me to add to what I said. The night grows late and the guests are still here. I can feel that both of us are in such a weird situation. Especially for me.
I wonder where my siblings are right now.