𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐒

14. 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗮𝘆

"𝖂hy aren't you getting ready?"

Rilynn looked behind her to see Razelle entering the room, already dressed in her pretty dress, makeup, and hair. She had almost forgotten her sister was getting ready with one of her best friends, letting Rilynn get dressed in their room while she was gone. However, Rilynn didn't have the energy to do so.

An hour after classes were dismissed early for Ben's Coronation, Rilynn returned to her dorm when Razelle was heading out. Rilynn was initially excited, but after a minute of sitting at her vanity, her excitement dissipated, and she started to feel bummed out.

Today was supposed to be a day of celebration in Ben's honor, yet here Rilynn was, making it about her.

Rilynn couldn't shake off the guilt after turning Jay away, insisting there was nothing to discuss between them. While, at the time, it seemed fitting for their sake, Rilynn didn't like the heavy feeling growing in her chest. Rilynn hates that she betrayed her friends by ditching them out of nowhere, but the princess was stuck in the middle.

"You scared me," Rilynn breathed out. She might've jumped in fright.

Razelle lifts her eyebrows as she approaches Rilynn's slumped figure on her bed. "You were supposed to be getting ready," she scolds with her hands on her hips. Rilynn sighed. She sat up from her bed, still looking torn. Razelle noticed. "You're still thinking about yesterday?"

Rilynn shifts uncomfortably. She'd been avoiding the topic with Razelle, and even though her sister had been respecting it, Rilynn knew she couldn't run from it forever.

"I can't help it."

Razelle frowns as she shuffles to Rilynn's bed. "Riles, they could've hurt you, and I would blame myself for allowing this to get this far," Razelle sits on the end of the bed, taking Rilynn's hands into hers. "They were willing to use a spell on Chad, which could've hurt him. Everyone thinks you were in on it."

Rilynn looks up at the speed of light. "I didn't know anything about that."

"I know, Riles," Razelle assured.

The younger princess pulled away, leaping off the bed in defense. "They wouldn't hurt me either," Rilynn's brows knit together in frustration. "They were doing so good. I don't know what happened or why they had that spray."

Razelle smiled softly at her sister before walking around the bed, leading her sister to her vanity. Rilynn complied, letting her sister sit her down and turn on the bright lights, blinding her momentarily. Razelle allowed Rilynn to continue while she started to style her hair.

"And I know Jay would never purposely hurt someone," Rilynn argued fiercely. She didn't like how everyone seemed to villainize Jay for his reaction. While it's a bit ironic, Rilynn believes his intentions were good. "He means well, but when it comes to his friends, Jay's protective over them."

Razelle stayed silent, but her eyes drifted to the mirror, staring at Rilynn's reflection. "To be fair, Chad deserved it."

Rilynn huffed. "What he did was wrong and humiliating, but that doesn't mean I want to hurt him."

The older princess hummed with a different opinion. Razelle shrugged. "I would."

"But I spent a lot of time with them, and I could see they're nothing like their parents," Rilynn frowned dejectedly. "They had a rough childhood and believed they were only destined to be evil. We're no better if we keep that mindset."

Razelle started braiding Rilynn's golden hair. "You really care about them," she commented. Razelle glanced at Rilynn again like she was analyzing her reaction.