ALIGNED BY TIME AND HEART

RESTRAINING FONDNESS (43)

- ' Lisa? '
Lisa turned back from the kitchen counter and saw Princess Chaeyoung standing there.
- ' Oh..yes Princess? '
- ' Are you busy? '
- ' No..not much....just making the morning tea for Jen. She'll be up soon.'
- ' Can we talk for a bit?'
- ' Sure princess. '

Lisa turned off the gas and went to the garden with the Princess.

- ' So...any problem? '
Lisa asked while raising her eyebrows in concern.
- ' Not a...problem I think . I was just noticing  something for a while, so thought of asking you about it would be better. '
- ' What's it? '
Chaeyoung looked around the garden to make sure it was only them, then said in a low but steady voice
- ' Don't you think you're a bit changed nowadays? '
Lisa blinked in confusion
- ' Uh...sorry....I couldn't understand... '
- ' I mean...you're not like the Lisa I used to  know. You're a lot more smiling and talking now...not to mention, showing care for someone other than us. What's right with you? '
- ' What's...right with me? '
- ' Obviously Manoban. I always wanted you to live life a bit happily and freely but you never listened to me. Finally now it seems like things are falling into places. So it's definitely the right thing....  or....should I say...the right person? '
Lisa visibly gulped and looked away
- ' Uh...rri..right person? What...no... there's no right person...just.. I.... Uh..'
- ' Lisa what do you think am I? Blind? Or heartless? '
Lisa kept looking at a different direction , totally not wanting to meet the eyes of her Princess .
- ' Okay...so you're not going to tell me that easily right? '
Lisa looked down but stayed silent. Chaeyoung observed for a while then said
- ' All right then. Miss Manoban, I order you to tell me whatever is going between you and Jennie right now... and you are bound to take my orders as my butler. '
Lisa looked at her with pleading eyes but the sweet and kind Princess was determined this time.

Finally, after requesting Chaeyoung for a few times, Lisa gave in and sat down on one of the garden chairs. Chaeyoung sat besides her and waited for her to explain the situation .

Lisa took a breath and looked down, then said in a low voice
- ' I...well...we get along really well nowadays . At first none of us realized but we really could understand each other. That's why...maybe....I'm... a bit happy now. '
- ' Just because she understands you, you're happy?! You think I would believe that? '
- ' Uh...sort of..this is the reason. We connect pretty well. '
- ' Lisa! Stop beating around the bushes and answer me properly. Are you two friends? '
Lisa bite her lower lips and said
- ' Yes...I guess... '
- ' So you're not totally sure that you're friends, right? '
Lisa just nodded silently.
- ' Then you are more than that? More than friends....then what? Any fondness over her perhaps? '
Lisa said nothing but her face was reddening as moments were passing by, which Chaeyoung definitely noticed.
- ' So yes then? You like her? '
- ' Mm..May...maybe..?'
- ' Oh comeon Manoban! There is no "maybe" in these cases. Either you like her or you don't. Choose your side. '
Lisa tried to get up but Chaeyoung blocked her path.
- ' Why are you being like this Princess? Please...you need not to know about these things. Let it be...'
- ' Absolutely not Lisa. You were always my one and only friend. I can't just sit and watch...not about you. Now spill it. You like her or not. '
- ' Only if you promise me you'll not tell anybody. '
Chaeyoung looked at her butler and shook her head
- ' Always the stubborn one! Okay...you have my words. Now answer. '
- ' Ye..yes...I...do like her...more...than..'
- ' A friend? '
Lisa nodded while looking down and a huge grin took place on the Princess's face.
- ' That's it! I knew it....I've been noticing this for quite a long time. So, what now? When are you telling her?'
Lisa got up and started to walk away
- ' Never. '
Chaeyoung followed her
- ' What! Why? '
- ' Because that's best for both of us. '
- ' How so? '
- ' I don’t want to hurt her like that... I know she feels the same for me. But after one and half months, when I will leave...what will happen to her? No... I'm never going to break her heart like that. It would be easier to say goodbyes if we remain friends ....nothing more. I'm already losing her after a short time....  I don’t want to make the situation worse for her. Both of us can live with the memories of this 4 months...but living with a broken heart is definitely way more pathetic and I'll never ever choose that for the girl I treasure. '

Now that Lisa confessed her feelings infront of her Princess, will she remain sturdy on her decision? Is this the end of a budding love-story?

Keep reading to find out!

Thanks for reading 💜✨