Beautiful Rogue

Chapter 12

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C R O W N E D

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Tossing his pillow up into the air and then catching it in his hands was what Kaleb was doing over and over again in his room. He was bored out of his mind but since all of his companions were busy with their own lives, there wasn't much he could do. Suddenly, there was a knock on his door and he granted the visitor entrance. "Young master," the maid bowed. Hearing her voice, the boy automatically tossed the pillow back onto the bed and sat up.

"What's the report?" he questioned, face stiff and blank.

"The young miss has actually begun to communicate with your friend, Xavier," she informed. At the news, Kaleb's eyes unconsciously widened. "Recently, he has also been the one delivering her food and I think she's eating again. When he comes back out, he is smiling and the bowl is less full. It's not empty but I can tell it's been touched."

"Is that so?" Kaleb pushed himself up and stood on his feet. "So you're saying that other than Xavier, she hasn't spoken to anyone else?"

"It seems so," the maid replied.

"I understand. Just go back to work for now," he instructed. Hearing the door close, Kaleb let out an exasperated sigh. He rubbed his temples and then ran a palm over his face. "Why do I care about her well-being?" he droned. "Stupid girl. Starve yourself for all I care."

Meanwhile, in Irina's room were Xavier and the said girl. "Here, eat some more," he prodded as he held out another spoonful of porridge for her to consume. She looked at him hesitantly before she bent down and took the food into her mouth. Slowly and carefully, she swallowed. "That wasn't so bad, was it?" The boy smiled, ecstatic that she was finally willing to comply. "I'm really happy that you're willing to give me a chance."

Irina hung her head low and withdrew to the corner of the bed. The same corner where she always sat at. "I'm only giving you a chance because you remind me of Lyra," she let out quietly. "My sister would always nag me whenever I skipped a meal because of lessons." A sad, bittersweet smile graced her lips as she reminisced about those fond memories. "But you got one thing right, Xavier. I will never be the same girl I was ever again. Not after everything I've been through."

"I know and I don't expect you to be." He nodded in comprehension. After their last meeting, the meeting where Xavier had told Irina to look at him as an older brother, their relationship had taken a step in the right direction. Yes, Irina was reluctant about his offer at first but as he continued to talk to her and visit her daily (when no one else did) she saw that he was genuinely concerned about her well-being. However, it was only when she spotted the tears rolling down his cheeks that she realized she wasn't alone. How could she forget about how much he had to endure?

"I'm sorry," she confessed gently.

Xavier blinked in surprise as he set the plate down and looked at Irina. "What are you apologizing for? As long as you're eating and sleeping now, I won't be worried as much anymore," he said and he meant it, every single word.

She shook her head and lifted her gaze to meet his. "I'm sorry I never asked if you were okay. You—you were there when the execution happened, weren't you? You witnessed her..." Her voice cracked and Irina couldn't find the strength or bravery to complete her question. It hurt too much and from the crestfallen expression Xavier was currently sporting she could tell it was hurting him as well. "I'm sorry," she said again.

"You have nothing to be sorry about," Xavier croaked. He knew it wasn't her fault that Lyra died and he wasn't going to hold it against her that she was alive. He could never do something like that. Lyra told him to take care of her little sister and that was what he was planning to do.