Chapter 10: A brother she never had

Lady Sophie got dressed and prepared to go to the dining hall for dinner. She sighed as she held her necklace facing the mirror. She was nervous because of she has to tell her Father about Jacob tonight. She's been shifting the time but the time can't be shifted again. It has to be tonight. She already told Jacob to go to his cabin and remain there tonight till she breaks the news to her Father.

She checked the time and realized it was time to go down for dinner. She sighed and held her necklace again.

"Wish me luck, Mother", she said and kissed the necklace before going down.

She got to the dining hall and saw her Aunt Louise already seated. She sighed in frustrating before sitting.

"What's with all the sighing?", Lady Louise asked.

"Nothing", she replied and adjusted her seat.

"So spoilt", Lady Louise scoffed. "No worries, in no time you'd be married and will have to move to the palace then I wouldn't keep up with this attitude of yours."

Lady Sophie smiled because she pities her Aunt. Lady Louise doesn't know that everything is about to go down.

Duke Bartholomew came over to the dining hall joining them. "I'm sorry I'm late. I had things to attend to."

"It's okay, Father."

"How are you, sweetheart?"

"I'm fine, Father. I missed you."

Duke Bartholomew smiled. "I missed you too. I trust you visit to the palace was to your taste."

"Yes, Father. I love it."

"Okay, then. Let's eat."

"About time", Lady Louise said rolling her eyes. She was already getting tired of the father-daughter love thing.

Lady Sophie smiled and shook her head and they all began eating. But all through the food, Lady Sophie couldn't eat much. 

Her Father noticed but decided to wait till they finish eating. Soon, they were through and were eating their dessert.

"What is wrong, sweetheart? You didn't even eat much."

She sighed. It is time. "I have to tell you something, Father."

Duke Bartholomew dropped his spoon and changed to Father-mode immediately. He doesn't want anything happening to his girl and he feels there is something wrong due to the way she spoke. "What is it, dear? Tell me."

"I don't want to get married to Prince Zuerien."

Lady Louise opened her eyes wide at Last Sophie. "What?!", She shouted.

"You should have a reason. What is it?", Duke Bartholomew asked calmly.

"Yes, Father. There is a reason."

"What stupid reason can that be?", Lady Louise shouted.

"Louise, let her talk", Duke Bartholomew warned his younger sister.

"Yes, Brother", she said calming down.

Lady Sophie sighed before speaking. "I don't love Prince Zuerien, Father. I know you may think I'm still a kid but no, Father. I'm 19 and I know what I want. And I know it's certainly not Prince Zuerien I want. I want a love like you and Mother's." Duke Bartholomew flinched as she mentioned his wife but she continued. "I want a happy marriage, Father. Please."

"What are you saying?! Tell me Sophie. He is the Crown Prince. Every Lady would want to get married to him", Lady Louise said.

"I'm not like every Lady, Aunt Louise. I am Sophie Radcliff."

"Listen to what you are saying. Are you making any sense? What on Earth-"

"Silence", Duke Bartholomew said silencing Louise. 

"Bartie", she said facing Duke Bartholomew. "You can't allow this. This is the only chance for us to be a part of the Royal Family. The relationship between King Edward and our Duchy would be stronger because of this marriage, don't-"

"I said enough!"

Lady Louise closed her mouth.

"I'm not that kind of Father. I will never jeopardize my daughter's happiness because of strong alliance. I'm a Father that puts his daughter's happiness before anything. So I would respect it if you keep quiet and don't tell me what to do. Is that clear?"

She remained silent.

"IS. THAT. CLEAR?"

"Yes, Brother."

He calmed down and faced his daughter. "So, you don't want this marriage?"

"Yes, Father."

He nodded. "Do you love someone else?"

She smiled. "Yes, Father."

"Who is he?"

"Father?"

"Yes, dear."

"You know you used to say love doesn't care about the people involved. If it is true, then it's worth giving a try."

"Yes, I said so. Love should be unconditional."

"Yes, Father."

"So, who is it?"

"Jacob."

"What?!", Lady Louise shouted.

Duke Bartholomew smiled. "I knew it."

"You did?", Lady Sophie asked.

"I had my suspicions. Since the day you came reporting to your Aunt that he keeps us disturbing you, I knew something was bound to happen."

"So, you agree?"

"If you are happy then I agree."

"This is outright nonsense. I can't believe this. Bartie, you are going to make your daughter follow in your footsteps?"

"What do you mean by that?", Duke Bartholomew asked.

"You know what I mean, Bartie. You got married to an ordinary Duchy maid and you want your daughter to do the same?"

Duke Bartholomew got angry and stood up. "You have absolutely no right to talk about my wife like that. Who gave you that right?!", He shouted.

"It's the truth, Bartie. You-"

He got angry more and held her by the neck almost squeezing the life out of her.

"Father!", Lady Sophie said.

"No one talks about my wife like that. Nobody! Including you!", He said still holding her by the neck while she struggled for him to let go.

Lady Sophie moved quickly to her Father. "Father, stop this. She would die."

"And I'll be happy", he replied.

"No, you won't. She is your sister. Father, calm down. You don't want to do this. Please, Father. Please. Let go", Lady Sophie said almost crying.

Duke Bartholomew calmed down and released her neck making her cough. He faced her and pointed at her.

"I will not tolerate speaking that way about her. Next time it happens, I wouldn't think you are my sister. I'll kill you. Can you hear me? I'll kill you", he said and walked away.

Lady Sophie looked at her Aunt who was still coughing and went after her father. She got into his room and saw him staring at their wedding picture.

"Father?", She called and he turned.

"I'm sorry you had to see that. I was pissed."

"I get it, Father."

He moved to her and pulled her into a hug. "Your Mother may be a maid before she became a Duchess but she was still my wife and your mother. Don't forget that."

"Yes, Father."

"I believe you have some news to deliver. Go to him and tell him I want to see him tomorrow."

She smiled and hugged him tighter. "Thanks, Father. I love you, Father."

"I love you too, sweetheart."

¶*¶*¶

Aurora sat in the living room hoping to read a bit before practicing archery when she heard a knock on the door. She checked the time and realized that it's just been 3 hours her Dad left for the company and he said he wouldn't be back until 4 o'clock. Then who was at the door?

"Maybe he forgot something", she said and stood up to open the door. Standing just outside the door was Kevin who was beaming at her. "Kevin?"

"Hello. Can I come in?"

She stepped aside to let him in. "Of course. Let me get you something to drink", she said and moved to the kitchen to get him orange juice. "Here."

"Thank you", he said and looked around. "Reading?"

She smiled. "As usual. So, what are you doing here?"

He dropped the glass. "Can we go out for a bit?"

"Out? Where?"

"There is a Fair going on in town and I thought I should take you along. Will you go?"

"I'd love to!", She almost shouted. "Let me drop my books in my room amd change my clothes."

"Okay. I'll wait."

She stood up and packed her books. She was beaming with joy as she went to her room. She rarely goes to Fairs and if she were to go to one, it would be with her Dad. She dressed up real quick and return to him.

"Nice choice of clothes."

"Thanks. Can we go now?"

"Eager?"

"Absolutely. It's been long I've been to a Fair."

He chuckled and they both went out. They got into his car and drove off to the Fair.

"Woah! This place is packed."

"Yes. Plenty people from all over the world come here once in a year. It's always Kelly's favorite place to be in the year."

"Kelly?", She asked.

"My sister. She loved coming here. She never misses this."

She looked around too. "I love it too."

"I knew you would."

"How did you know?"

"I said the both of you are alike, remember?"

"Oh!"

"Yeah. Let me find a space to park and we'll walk from there."

"Okay."

He quickly found a place to park and they got down to explore the fairgrounds.

"There are lots of games here. I can't wait to try them all."

"Of course you would. Let's get cotton candy."

"Let me guess. Your sister was a huge fan of cotton candy."

He chuckled. "Almost every girl is a fan of cotton candy."

"Yeah. Including me."

He smiled revealing his dimples. "Okay. Let's get it then."

They got closer to where the cotton candy was being sold. They bought and paid for it.

She tasted hers. "Hmm. This is delicious!"

He smiled again. 

"You really like smiling, don't you?"

He smiled again before responding. "I really do."

"Okay, then. Let's check out those games. Will there be archery?"

"Of course. Can you shoot?"

"I'm a legendary Archer if I may say so myself."

"Really?"

"Yup."

"I can't wait to see you shoot, then."

"Can you shoot guns too?"

"I'm not that good at it."

"Okay."

"I see the archery spot there", he said pointing to where he saw people shooting. "Let's go", he said taking her hand as they ran there.

They reached there and he was panting while Aurora stood looking at him.

"We didn't run a long distance, big bro. Why are you panting that hard?"

He looked back to where they ran from and back to her. "What? That was a long distance. And how come you are still fine after that run."

She shrugged. "I'm agile."

"I see. Let's pay for the archery."

"Okay", she said and brought out her purse.

"No. You aren't paying for anything. I brought you here and I should be the one paying."

"But-"

"No buts. Let's go", he said and held her hand again, leading her to where they are to pay.

They paid to the man there and he gave each of them a bow and some arrows.

"Thanks", Kevin said and pulled her hands again to where the targets were placed.

"I can walk myself, you know?", Aurora said cocking an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

She moved her gaze to his hands which held hers.

He smiled. "I guess I'm kinda used to it. Anytime Kelly and I go somewhere together, she wouldn't go anywhere until I hold her hands. She would always say she is scared of getting lost. So..."

"Ohh. Okay."

"Do you want me to leave your hand?"

She doesn't know what was happening but she felt like if she makes him drop her hand, he would be kinda heartbroken. So, she agreed. "No. You can actually hold me. It's okay", she said giving him a small smile.

"Okay. Let's go then", he said pulling her. "So, show me how skillful you are when it comes to archery."

"Okay", she said and placed her arrows in the holder. She stood her ground and faced the target then loaded the bow with an arrow. She pulled back and shot the arrow. Without waiting she picked another arrow and shot then another, never resting as she shot the three arrows. She looked at Kevin and saw him staring at her with his jaws almost hitting the floor.

"How can you do that? Everything went straight to Bull's eye", He said.

"I told you I can shoot, didn't I?"

"You did but when you said so, I thought you can just shoot like every other human but this..."

She chuckled. "I'm human", she stated.

"I know but this is exceptional. Who taught you?"

"My Dad."

"Really?"

She nodded.

"Wow. What else can you do?"

She smiled. "Well, I'm a good fighter and I can shoot guns."

"So, you weren't raised like a normal girl should be."

"Yup."

"Wow! I'm amazed."

"Your turn", she said gesturing to the target.

"You're right", he said and picked up an arrow. He placed it on his bow and shot. The arrow hit straight on the inner red circle.

"You did good."

He looked at her cocking an eyebrow. "Good?"

"Yes."

"I actually feel embarrassed."

"Why?"

"I mean...you shot three arrows in just 30 seconds and everything hit bull's eye but I shot one in the same 30 seconds and I'm not even close."

She laughed. "Since when have you been learning it?"

"Four years ago."

"And do you practice often?"

"No."

"Figures. I have been shooting since when I was 6 and I practice almost every day. One thing about archery is that, if you aren't a professional yet, you have to keep on practicing till you are."

He nodded his head in understanding. "I see. Well, you can teach me."

"I'd be honoured", she replied smiling.

"Look, there is a karaoke machine over there", he said pointing.

"Karaoke?"

"Yes", he nodded dropping his bow.

"Oh no! I can't sing."

He chuckled. "I was actually expecting that. But you know what they say?"

"What?"

"There is a first time for everything."

"What? No way!"

"Yes way. Let's go", he said pulling her hands once more towards the karaoke machine.

"Oh God! This is embarrassing. I can't do this."

"You can and you will."

"No, I won't."

He didn't reply her and dragged her forward. They got there and entered the little shop where the karaoke machine was. 

"Wow, this place is beautiful", Aurora said in amazement.

"Yeah. So, which song are we singing?"

"We? I already told you I don't know how to sing and I don't even know songs except the ones I listen to on radio."

He dropped his shoulders in defeat.

"Just do it and I'll watch."

"Okay."

They paid for it and he chose the music before singing along. Aurora was surprised as to how he has such a nice voice. She hardly listens to music but she does know that the voice she was listening to right now is a good one. 

As he sang, he turned to her and winked making her smile before he went back to his singing. 

¶*¶*¶

"I really had fun", Aurora said as they parked in front of her house.

"Me too", he said leaning on the car. 

"Thanks a lot."

"I should thank you for coming with me. It meant a lot."

"Oh, you don't have to. Make sure to call me when you get home."

He smiled. "I will. I'll wait here till you go in."

"Okay, brother", she joked amd turned but stopped when she realized her Dad's car was right there. She totally lost track of time at the carnival. "What's is the time?", She asked still staring at the car.

Kevin looked at his wristwatch. "This is 7:15."

"Oh God!"

"What is it?"

"Dad is back and he is probably worried right now."

"Why?'

"I didn't tell him I was going anywhere. Not that he wouldn't allow but I should have at least told him so he wouldn't be worried."

"Oh! You should have! Don't worry, I can go in and explain that I was the one that took you out."

She shook her head. "That wouldn't be necessary. I will just talk to him. I have to go now. Goodnight."

"Night", he replied and waved as she went into the house.

She sighed and opened the door and saw her Dad pacing in the living room. He looked up as she heard her enter.

"Aurora Madeline Penson!", He shouted.

"Dad", she replied smiling sheepishly.

"Where in the world have you been?"

"I'm sorry, Dad. I should have called you."

"Yes, you should have. I was worried. I called Charlotte -who by the way is also freaking out- and she said she had no idea where you went and I called your number but you didn't pick up."

"I'm sorry, Dad. I went to the Fair in town."

"Fair?"

"Yes. Kevin took me to the Fair."

"But you should have at least told me", he said calming down.

"I guess I was just too excited."

"Okay, then. Did you have fun?"

"Yes, Dad and I'm tired."

"Well, I'll make dinner. Since you are tired to do so. Go shower and come downstairs for dinner."

She smiled and hugged him. "Thanks, Dad."

"You're welcome. Now go. You reek of sweat", he said scrunching up is nose in disgust.

"Thanks, Dad", she replied and went upstairs.

"And don't forget to call Charlotte."

"Okay."