"I am thine to command" {Prince of Tennis fiction}

Chapter 4 [Nightmare- I]

A/N: I've altered 2 details in Chapter 1 [Twisted Love]- Marquees Ichirou & Marchioness Chika. (Keigo's dad & mom respectively) Therefore, Keigo's title would be the Earl.

Trivia: The royal, noble and chivalric ranks are as followed: Emperor, King, Archduke, Grand Duke/ Grand Prince, Prince, Duke, Sovereign Prince, Marquis, Count/Earl, Viscount/Vidame, Baron, Baronet, Knight, Esquire, Gentleman.

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*Scene Change + Time Skip*

It was nighttime. The cooling night air gave a sense of tranquility to the atmosphere as the siblings rested in bed.

They were in their pajamas. Keigo was in his black nightwear shorts while Kirarin was in her Angel Sleep Tee.

"What's wrong, Kirarin?" Keigo asked in a gentle voice as he interlocked his fingers in the soft golden tresses that were cascading on his bare chest, running his fingers through her silky locks while looking at her fondly.

"Mmm? Nothing..." Kirarin mumbled softly. Her mind was in a daze, as she pondered about the events that transpired earlier in the afternoon.

"Keigo? Can I transfer to your school?" Kirarin asked. 'I am lonely in my school, when you aren't by my side.'

"No. It's on daddy's instruction that you'll study in Rikkaidai till graduation." Keigo answered with a pained expression, as he unconsciously tugged on Kirarin's locks with more strength than he intended to, before running his fingers through her golden locks.

No explanation was needed as Kirarin sensed her brother's message. 'I won't let daddy separate us. I will be the heir, then I will claim you as mine.'

The repetitive gesture was creating a soothing effect and Keigo's even heartbeat was creating a lulling effect as she drifted into a slumber.

**** Nightmare (flashes of memories) ****

A bolt of lightning tore across the sky and a peal of thunder crashed directly overhead. Young Kirarin woke up with a jolt. 'What time is it?'

The night sky was full of tumultuous, dark and ragged clouds. The howling of the wind and the rustling of the leaves were eerie, especially when the swaying of the tree was casting a willowy shadow against the wall, the silhouette resembling a cloaked grim reaper wielding a death scythe.

A shiver crept down her spine, as she buried under the covers of her blanket, subconsciously using it as a shield to protect herself, using the darkness to conceal herself.

"Tap, Tap, Tap" Kirarin discerned footsteps echoing in the hallway. 'It's just my imagination...' Kirarin tried to convince herself. Nevertheless, there was a thought that was plaguing the deepest recesses of her mind. 'Something really bad is going to happen...' She was seized with a feeling of foreboding, which was getting stronger and stronger by the minute, as the shuffling of footsteps became more distinct. A wave of trepidation swept over her as she felt impending danger, impending doom. 'Keigo.' The thought struck her suddenly as her heart raced in fear. 'Keigo is in danger.'

Kirarin mustered all her courage to peek out from the covers. The door to her chamber was ajar, and she could hear whispers in the hallway, voices that were cold and deadly.

With stealthy footsteps, she hesitantly crept to the door, while hiding in the depths of the shadows.

"Kill him... Baronet's order..."

'Kill?' Kirarin's heart palpitated wildly as she broke out in cold sweat. 'Who?'

"The Earl..."