607 War Princess (2/2)
She jumped again, oblivious to her balance. To prevent her from falling, Tycon grabbed her wrist and pulled her so she'd land uninjured on his bed.
”This,” Tycon sheathed the blade, ”is mine, young lady. I figured you'd have it replaced, by now.”
Cass hid her face behind a pillow, her eyes peeking over, ”I did! I did replace it... but that weapon broke. Your sword is just a back-up!!”
”Is that so?” Tycon cooed as he buckled the weapon belt to his waist.
”B-b-b-besides!” Cass growled, ”You would've cried if I threw it away! Crybaby!”
”Mhmm~,” Tycon hummed, gesturing for her to continue.
”I w's... I was just saving it!! --t-t-t-to show you when you got back!! See? It's in perfect condition! I had the slaves grind out the scuffs and marks just last week!!”
”Right,” Tycon chuckled.
He sat down on the bed beside her. She turned away with a 'hmph', but made no motion to move away.
Admittedly, he was afraid that his sister was possibly working against him as an agent of her mother.
It seemed, however, that Cass had a different agenda... and her plans did not include outward hostility towards him.
”Wh... what are we gonna do on the bed?” She murmured.
Tycon flicked her between the eyebrows, ”We're going to converse.”
”Wah!” Cass covered her face.
Tycon reached over, snatching her ear and pulling her towards him, ”What kind of impure thoughts has my little sister been having?”
”ME?! IMPURE?!?” Cass gasped indignantly, smacking Tycon's hand away, ”Stars and stones, YOU'RE the impure one, Big Brother! You're the one who had his concubine lying on his lap with your shirt unbuttoned after you danced around her erotically!!”
She had run out of breath, illuminating what exactly had gone through her mind.
...Though when she came in, he was the one seated-- not Atusa. Would it not be more sensible if he was on the receiving end of an 'erotic dance'?
”I... see,” Tycon had to concentrate to keep a straight face.
There was no value in insisting that she was mistaken.
It was his sister's right to be jealous of her handsome older brother.
”...Where have you been, anyroad?” She asked, her eyes peeking over his pillow.
”Where did you think I was?” Tycon smirked.
”You're *supposed* to be in the Holy Country! Cersei's Rest!” Cass pouted, ”Or... or... somewhere in Ezyria with your forces!”
”Oho, *my* forces?” Tycon chuckled quietly.
The girl was correct... but he was enjoying himself, playing coy.
She smacked Tycon with the pillow in hand, ”You're so dumb, Big Brother! Why would you name a guild Letalis Serpentia?! That's obviously your doing! And of course we'd find out your movements from Prince Landris' Arcanite crystal suppliers.”
...Clever girl.
”So... dear sister,” Tycon leaned his face closer to hers... ”who else is interested in me?”
”Well...” Cass scrunched up her face in thought... ”There's a wizard from the Sleeping Country.”
”And you.”
”Well, of course I'm interested in...”
Being so close, Tycon could feel Cass' heart rate rapidly spike. Her face again changed color.
...Was she a snake or a chameleon?
”YOU! TRICKED! MEEEEEE!!!” Cass cried out.
In an attempt to flee from the conversation, she dove away, buried her face in the pillows, and covered herself in his sheets.
Tycon sighed, ”I didn't mean it in that way.”
He could see how the girl might have misconstrued his intentions, though.
In an attempt to comfort her, Tycon gently rubbed his sister's back as she wept dramatically. It took well over a minute before she was calm enough to speak.
”Big Brother...”
”Yes, (Beautiful Child?)” He whispered in Parseltongue.
She hit him with her pillow, ”Stahhhp...”
Tycon laughed aloud, not bothering to hide his amusement, ”Go ahead, dear sister.”
”Are you... back for good?” She asked.
Tycon shook his head, ”Unfortunately, that is not the case.”
Though he felt a twinge of pain, seeing Cass' crestfallen expression, he continued.
”To put it bluntly, dear sister... you're not real.”